JP2951449B2 - Audio / video signal connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio / video signal (hereinafter, referred to as an AV device) of an audio / video device (hereinafter, an AV device).
Signal).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when transmitting an AV signal between AV devices such as a TV and a VTR, AV signal connectors provided in each AV device are connected to each other via an AV signal cable. The AV signal connector has the AV
No information about signal connectors is kept.

[0003] A conventional AV signal connector will be described below. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing connection of an AV signal connector between conventional AV devices. In FIG. 6, monitor 1, VTR2
Is D2B (Domestic) which is the AV device control bus 3.
c Digital Bus) and each AV
The devices can be controlled by each other. The monitor 1 is a first AV device, and has AV signal connectors 4 and 5 for input, a switch 6 for switching each input signal, and D2B control means 7.

[0004] On the other hand, the VTR 2 is a second AV device, which has an AV signal connector 8 for output and D2B control means 9. An AV signal cable 10 is connected between the AV signal connector 4 of the monitor 1 and the AV signal connector 8 of the VTR 2.

[0005] In the AV system connected in this way, when it is desired to output a reproduced image of the VTR 2 to the monitor 1, the AV signal connector 8 which is the output terminal of the VTR 2 is connected to the AV signal connector 8.
It is necessary to recognize that the AV signal cable 10 is connected to the AV signal connector 4 which is the input terminal of the monitor 1. This is connected to the AV signal connector 4 of the monitor 1 and the VT
Since neither of the AV signal connectors 8 of R2 holds information indicating the connection destination, the user inputs this information to the monitor 1 and the VTR 2 by some method, or the AV signal which is an output terminal of the VTR 2 It is necessary to arrange in advance that the connector 8 must be connected to the AV signal connector 4 which is the input terminal of the monitor 1.

Next, the user operates the VTR 2 so as to be in the reproduction state. The D2B control means 9 of the VTR 2
Control is performed to switch the switch 6 for switching the input signal to the AV signal connector 4 through the B bus 3 and the D2B control means 7 of the monitor 1, and the reproduced image of the VTR 2 is output to the monitor 1.

[0007]

However, in the above conventional configuration, the type of the AV device to be connected, the connector number of the AV signal, the type of the AV signal, and the transmission direction of the AV signal are connected to the AV signal connector of each AV device. Since the information is not held, the user has to check all the connection states of the AV signal connectors between the respective AV devices and input them to the respective AV devices by some method. In this case, there is a disadvantage that a complicated operation and input means for input are required.

Further, if the connection between the AV signal connectors of the respective AV devices is determined in advance, the operation of the user to input the AV signal connector connection information to the AV devices can be omitted, but the configuration of the AV devices is restricted. Will give AV
There was a problem that it was not possible to add or change devices.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem and to enable automatic detection of connection information between AV signal connectors.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, transmission of an AV signal and transmission of connector information including the type of the own AV device, the type of the AV signal, and the transmission direction of the AV signal are switched. A switch, self-connector information holding means for holding its own connector information, self-connector information transmitting means for transmitting the self-connector information to the connection destination AV signal connector through an AV signal cable, and connector information of the connection destination AV signal connector And a mating connector information holding means for holding the connector information of the connection destination obtained from the mating connector information receiving means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting that an AV signal cable is inserted into a connector main body, and switching from an AV signal transmitting side to a connector information transmitting side by detection by the detecting means. Switch switching means for automatically returning the switch after transmission of the connector information is completed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6 of the present application, the self connector information holding means and the connector information held by the mating connector information holding means are compared after transmitting the connector information, and the type of the AV signal and the contents of the transmission direction of the AV signal are compared. And a display means for displaying the content of the determination by the determination means.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when connecting AV devices with an AV signal cable, the switches of the AV signal connectors of the respective AV devices are switched from the original AV signal side to the connector information transmission side. As a result, the own connector information holding means has connected the connector information including the type of the own AV device, the type of the AV signal, and the transmission direction of the AV signal via the AV signal cable using the own connector information transmitting means. The signal is transmitted to the AV signal connector of the partner AV device. The other party's AV signal connector holds the transmitted information in the other party connector information holding means through the other party connector information receiving means. As a result of performing these operations with each other, the respective AV devices can know which AV signal connector of which AV device is connected to each AV signal connector. Thereafter, the switches of the respective AV devices are returned to the original state, thereby enabling transmission of the AV signal.

In the invention of claim 3 of the present application, the detection means automatically detects that the cable is connected to the AV signal connector, and switches the switch to the AV signal transmission side. When the transmission of the connector information is completed, the switch is automatically returned by the switch switching means, thereby performing the function of claim 1.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6 of the present application, after the transmission of the connector information is completed, the own connector information and the mating connector information are read, and it is judged by the judging means whether or not there is any inconsistency between them. Is displayed on the display means to notify the user of the connection error.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing connection of an AV signal connector between AV devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The monitor 21 in FIG. 1 and the VTR 22 in FIG.
D2B (Domestic) which is the AV device control bus 23
Digital Bus) and each AV
The devices can be controlled by each other. The monitor 21 is provided with a connector main body 24a of the AV signal connector 24, a connector main body 25a of the AV signal connector 25, a switch 26 for switching between two input terminals and each input signal, and a third D2.
B control means 27 is provided. AV signal connector 24,
Reference numeral 25 denotes self connector information holding means 28 and 29, respectively.
And self connector information transmitting means 30 and 31, mating connector information receiving means 32 and 33, mating connector information holding means 34 and 35, and switches 36 and 37 for switching between AV signals and connector information transmission. . The connectors 24 and 25 have SW switching means 41 and 42 for switching this switch, and detecting means 43 and 44 for detecting that an AV signal cable is inserted.

The VTR 22 has an output terminal of an AV signal connector 51 and D2B control means 52 as shown in FIG.
An AV signal connector 52 is also provided in addition to the connector main body 51a.
Self connector information holding means 53, self connector information transmitting means 54, mating connector information receiving means 55, mating connector information holding means 56, switch 57 for switching between AV signal and connector information transmission, and SW for switching this switch It has a switching means 58 and a detecting means 59 for detecting that the AV signal cable is inserted. The video signal cable 60 is a cable that connects the monitor 21 and the VTR 22.

Next, the AV of the embodiment constructed as described above will be described.
The operation of the signal connector will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The video signal cable 60 connects the monitor 21
The AV signal connector 24 of the VTR 22 is connected to the AV signal connector 24 of the VTR 22. First, the AV of the monitor 21
One end of the video signal cable 60 is connected to the signal connector 24. Step 100 detects a state in which the AV signal cable of each AV signal connector changes from a non-connection state to a connection state. If the connection is detected, the switch switching means 41 of the AV signal connector 24 switches the switch 36 in step 101. Switch to the connector information transmission side. In step 102, it is checked whether a signal is being received. If the signal is not being received, the process proceeds to step 103 to transmit the own connector information. This is AV signal connector 2
Connector information such as the type of AV equipment, the AV signal connector number, the type of AV signal, and the transmission direction of the AV signal, which is the connector information of No. 4, is transmitted via the video signal cable 60. However, at this time, the other end of the video signal cable 60 is not connected anywhere, so that the transmission content is not received. Then, if there is a reception notification in step 104, the process proceeds to step 105 to end the transmission. Here, steps 102 to 105 achieve the function of the self-connector information transmitting means 30. Self connector information transmission means 30
Continues transmission until receiving the reception completion notification.

Next, when the other end of the video signal cable 60 is connected to the AV signal connector 51 of the VTR 22,
The detection means 59 included in the second AV signal connector 52 detects this, and the switch switching means 58 receives this and switches the switch 57 to the connector information transmission side (step 10).
0, 101). With this, the AV signal connector 5 of the VTR 22
1 has the counterpart connector information receiving means 55 and the monitor 21
Is connected to the own connector information transmitting means 30 of the AV signal connector 24 of FIG. At this time, since the signal is transmitted, the mating connector information receiving means 55 of the VTR 22 receives the connector information on the AV signal connector 24 of the monitor 21 in Step 108. In step 109, the self-connector information transmitting means 30 of the AV signal connector 24 of the monitor 21 is notified of the completion of the reception. The self-connector information transmitting means 30 of the AV signal connector 24 receives this signal and terminates the transmission of the connector information (step 105). The mating connector information receiving means 55 of the VTR 22 interprets the received information and holds the connector information of the connection destination in the mating connector information holding means 56 (Step 110).

Thereafter, transmission is started in the reverse direction in the same manner as in the above procedure. That is, the monitor 21 checks in step 106 whether reception has been completed, and if not completed, proceeds to steps 108 to 110 to perform reception processing of the mating connector information. VTR 22 is step 1
The process proceeds to step 11 to check whether the transmission is completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step 103 to transmit the own connector information. That is, the self-connector information holding means 53 of the AV signal connector 51 of the VTR 22 determines the type of the AV device, the connector number of the AV signal, the type of the AV signal, and the transmission direction of the AV signal, which are the connector information of the AV signal connector 51. The information is transmitted via the video signal cable 60 using the information transmitting means 54. The mating connector information receiving means 32 of the AV signal connector 24 of the monitor 21 receives this, and the content is held in the mating connector information holding means 34. At this time, the mutual information transmission standards need to be determined in advance. The transmission contents include the type of the source AV device, the connector number of the AV signal, the type of the AV signal,
This is the transmission direction of the AV signal. As a result of this operation, monitor 2
1 and the VTR 22 can know where their AV signal connectors are connected. Step 10
Since the reception has ended at 6 and the transmission has ended at step 111, the process proceeds to step 107, and the switches 36 and 57 of the monitor 21 and VTR 22 are returned to the AV signal side. Steps 100, 101 and 107 switch the switches when the connector is connected, and achieve the functions of the switch switching means 41 and 58 for returning the switches to the original state when the signal transmission is completed.

Thereafter, if the user reproduces the VTR 22, the D2B control means 52 of the VTR 22
3. Control is performed to switch the switch 26 for switching the input signal to the AV signal connector 24 side through the D2B control means 27 of the monitor 21, and the reproduced image of the VTR 22 is displayed on the monitor 21.
Is output to

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the AV signal connectors of the respective AV devices are connected to each other by the AV signal cable, the connector information is automatically exchanged with each other.
It is not necessary for the user to check the connection state between the V signal connectors and to input all the connection states of the connectors between the AV devices to each AV device by any method, or to preliminarily determine the connection between the connectors.

Further, since each AV signal connector holds information on the input / output direction of the connection destination, there is an effect that when an output terminal or an input terminal is erroneously connected, this can be detected.

In this embodiment, the transmission order of the connector information is determined to be transmitted first when the video signal cable is connected first. However, if both ends of the video signal cable are connected at the same time and the connectors on both sides try to transmit connector information at the same time, a collision of signal transmission may occur, and some kind of collision detection and avoidance means is required. Therefore, first, the connector information is sent from the AV signal connector side which is the output terminal, and the AV signal connector on the input terminal side transmits the own connector information to the AV signal connector on the output terminal side after the mating connector information receiving means receives the connector information. It may be transmitted to the connector. In this case, since the order of both information transmissions is determined, there is an effect of avoiding transmission collision.

Further, in this embodiment, the transmission method of the connector information is such that the transmission side transmits the one connector information as the master side and the reception side transmits the one connector information as the slave side, and then replaces the other connector information with the aster and the slave. . In this case, the master function and the slave function are required for both connectors, and the self connector information transmitting means and the mating connector information receiving means may be complicated. So AV
A single-line start-stop synchronous transmission system in which a signal output terminal side is a master side and an input terminal side is a slave side and bidirectional transmission is performed in a time division manner. In this case, only the master function is required on the output terminal side and only the slave function is required on the input terminal side, so that the self connector information transmitting means and the mating connector information receiving means can be simplified.

FIG. 4 shows how connector information is transmitted at this time.
Shown in FIG. 4 shows an example of transmitting connector information in a time-division manner. Reference numeral 200 denotes a start bit, reference numeral 201 denotes connector information transmitted from the master side output terminal side to the slave side input terminal side, and reference numeral 203 denotes a stop bit. These are transmitted to the output terminal side which is the master side. 2
Reference numeral 02 denotes connector information transmitted from the input terminal on the slave side to the output terminal on the master side, which is transmitted from the input terminal on the slave side. These transmission timings must be determined in advance. Further, the format of the connector information may conform to the D2B standard. In this case, there is an effect that the D2B control means can directly handle the connector information.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows A of the AV device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing a V signal connector. In the figure, an AV device such as a CD player 71 outputs an audio signal.
It has a signal connector 72. This connector has a connector main body 72a, a self connector information holding means 73, a self connector information transmitting means 74, a mating connector information receiving means 75, a mating connector information holding means 76 and a switch 77, in addition to the connector main body 72a, as in the first embodiment. And connector body 7
Detecting means 7 for detecting that a cable is connected to 2a
8 and a switch switching means 79 for switching the switch 77 in accordance with the output thereof as in the other embodiments. In this embodiment, the outputs of the self connector information holding means 73 and the mating connector information holding means 76 are connected to the judgment means 81. When the cable is connected and the connector information is obtained, the determination means 81 compares the connector information and determines whether or not there is any inconsistency in the type of the AV signal and the content of the transmission method. For example, if the own connector information is a video signal output terminal, normal information cannot be transmitted unless the mating connector information is other than the video signal input terminal. Therefore, it is determined whether or not there is any inconsistency in these contents, and the determined contents are displayed on the display means 82. The display unit 82 displays, when the determination result is correct and when there is a contradiction, respectively, and when there is a contradiction, notifies the user that there is an erroneous connection and urges the user to reconnect. As described above, in the present embodiment, a connection error of the AV signal cable can be automatically detected, and an erroneous connection can be notified.

[0028]

As described above, the present invention allows an AV signal connector of each AV device to hold connector information including an AV device type, an AV signal connector number, an AV signal type, and an AV signal transmission direction. When connecting each other with an AV signal cable, the connection information between the AV devices can be automatically detected by exchanging the connector information with each other through the AV signal cable. Therefore, there is no need for the user to check the connection state, and the connection can be easily performed. In particular, when a large number of AV devices are used, an effect that connection can be easily performed is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an AV signal connector of an AV device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating connection of an AV signal connector of another AV device connected to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an AV signal connector in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a method of transmitting connector information of the AV signal connector in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an AV signal connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a connection state of a conventional AV device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 21 monitor 22 VTR 23 D2B bus 24, 25, 51, 71 AV signal connector 26, 36, 37, 77 switch 27, 52, 80 D2B control means 28, 29, 53, 73 Self connector information holding means 30, 31, 54 , 74 Self connector information transmitting means 32, 33, 55, 75 Mating connector information receiving means 34, 35, 56, 76 Mating connector information holding means 41, 42 58, 79 SW switching means 43, 44, 59, 78 Detecting means 81 Judgment means 82 Display means

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A switch for switching between transmission of an audio / video (AV) signal and transmission of connector information including the type of AV equipment, the type of AV signal, and the transmission direction of the AV signal; Self-connector information holding means for holding, self-connector information transmitting means for transmitting self-connector information to the connected AV signal connector via an AV signal cable, and a partner for receiving connector information of the connected AV signal connector via the AV signal cable An AV signal connector comprising: connector information receiving means; and mating connector information holding means for holding connector information of a connection destination obtained from the mating connector information receiving means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising D2B control means for controlling D2B based on its own connector information and connector information of another AV device connected thereto.
The described AV signal connector. Detecting means for detecting that the AV signal cable has been inserted into the connector body; switching from an AV signal transmission side to a connector information transmission side by the detection by the detection means; 2. The AV signal connector according to claim 1, further comprising: switch switching means for automatically returning the switch. 4. The AV signal connector on the output terminal side, wherein after the connector information is transmitted from the self connector information transmitting means to the AV signal connector on the input terminal side, the mating connector information receiving means receives the connector information. The AV signal connector on the input terminal side receives the connector information from the AV signal connector on the output terminal side from the mating connector information receiving means, and then transmits the self connector information from the self connector information transmitting means. The AV signal connector according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The self-connector information transmitting means and the mating connector information receiving means, wherein the output terminal side AV signal connector is a transmission master side, and the input terminal side AV signal connector is a transmission slave side. 2. The AV signal connector according to claim 1, wherein the AV signal connector is a single-wire start-stop synchronous transmission system that performs one-way transmission. 6. A comparison between the self-connector information holding means and the connector information held by the mating connector information holding means after transmitting the connector information to determine whether there is any inconsistency in the type of the AV signal and the content of the transmission direction of the AV signal. 2. The AV signal connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a judging unit that performs the judgment, and a display unit that displays the contents of the judgment by the judging unit.