JP3661175B2 - Connection status display method - Google Patents

Description

このような情報を、接続されている全てのＡＶ機器に対して問い合わせを行い、接続形態のテーブルを制御回路１１のＲＡＭ１７上に作成する。
例えば、

【００５８】
このようにして、テレビジョン受像機を有するコントロールセンターＣＣに接続されている最新の複数のＡＶ機器を常に把握することができると共に、これらの各機器の論理アドレス表及び信号入出力テーブルを用いてＧＵＩ（グラフイック・ユーザー・インターフェイス）を用いて画面上に、接続されているＡＶ機器及びその音声信号及び映像信号の流れの接続状態の描画を行う。
【００５９】
即ち、上記ステップＳＴ１〜ステップＳＴ３において得られた接続されている全てのＡＶ機器の論理アドレスと機種の種類の対応表から、ＡＶ機器の一覧をアイコンとしてテレビジョン受像機ＴＶの画面上に描画する（ステップＳＴ４）。このアイコンの描画位置に関しては適度なアルゴリズムを用いて重ならないように工夫が施されている。
描画は、図４に示すように、ディジタルビデオレコーダーＶＣＲであれば”ＤＶＣＲ１”、”ＤＶＣＲ２”と云う文字とレコーダーを表わすグラフイックアニメーションが描画され、カムコーダーＣＡＭであれば”ＤＣＡＭ”と云う文字とカムコーダーを表わすグラフイックアニメーションが描画され、ゲーム機Ｇであれば”Ｇ”と云う文字とゲーム機を表わすグラフイックアニメーションが描画され、オーディオコンポＳＴであれば”ＳＴ”の文字とオーディオコンポを表わすグラフイックアニメーションが描画される。
【００６０】
そして、上記ステップＳＴ１〜ステップＳＴ３において、接続されている全てのＡＶ機器の論理アドレスと機種の種類の対応表、即ち、信号入出力テーブルから音声信号及び映像信号の流れの表示を行う（ステップＳＴ５）。
【００６１】
この音声信号及び映像信号の流れの表示は、図４に示すように、音声信号の流れと、映像信号の流れを矢印により表わし、機器の接続状態に関係なく信号の流れが一目見て容易に解るようになっている。そして、音声信号及び映像信号の流れを示す矢印は、色別で表示して更に見やすくなっている。この色別は、例えば音声信号であれば赤色、映像信号であれば黄色とすればよい。尚、この色別の指定に限定されることなく、例えば機種別に指定したり、特定の機種からの信号のみを特定の色別で指定したり、一時的に特定の色彩を施すようにしてもよいことは勿論のことである。
【００６２】
このようにして、接続されている複数のＡＶ機器の物理的な接続に何等関係することなく、各ＡＶ機器の機能に着目した音声信号及び映像信号の流れの接続状態を画面上に表示することにより、機能性を重視した可視化が可能となり、映像信号及び音声信号を色別にすれば更に接続状態の把握が容易となる。
【００６３】
又、接続されている複数のＡＶ機器間の物理的な接続形態と、ＡＶ機器からの映像信号及び音声信号の流れからなる論理的な接続形態との対応が可能となり、ＡＶ機器環境に対応したユーザーの接続状態の把握ができるようになる。
【００６４】
ここで、接続されているＡＶ機器間で物理的な接続状態が変わった場合、又は、テレビジョン受像機ＴＶを有するコントロールセンターＣＣ側で変更が行われた場合、上記ＲＡＭ１７に登録されている各ＡＶ機器の論理アドレス表や信号入出力テーブルの変更は自動的に行われて、再描画される。
【００６５】
次に、この自動的に設定変更された再描画、又は設定変更されない描画において、音声信号及び映像信号の流れの接続状態を、画面を見ながら設定変更することについて図６及び図７を参照にして以下説明する。
【００６６】
先ず、図４及び図５を用いて説明した最新の接続されているＡＶ機器の論理アドレス表及び信号入出力テーブルを用いてＧＵＩにより描画させるようにしたことは同じである。このようにしないと、信号の接続形態を、リモコンやコントロールパネルを使用して設定変更する際に、ＧＵＩの接続情報と実際の接続情報との差異があると混乱を生じ、ＡＶシステムの機能を著しく低下させることになるからである。
【００６７】
即ち、ＧＵＩによる信号切り替えは、リモコンにより行う。このリモコンは、８方向に移動できるカーソルボタン、メニューボタン、決定ボタンの機能を有しているものとし、図６に示すように、アイコン上にカーソルを移動させることができるものとする。
【００６８】
尚、図６は、説明上、物理的な接続状態のみを描画させ、音声信号及び映像信号の流れの接続状態は描画していない。
【００６９】
先ず、図示していないがリモコンのメニューボタンの操作により、信号の流れの接続状態を変更するメニューにして、カーソルを図６に示す入力元のＡＶ機器（実施例においてゲーム機）を指定する（ステップＳＴ１０）。
【００７０】
そして、リモコンのメニューボタンを押して映像と音声を切り替えるモードにして、「音声と映像」、「音声のみ」、「映像のみ」の選択を行う。図６に示す実施例においては「音声と映像」を選択している（ステップＳＴ１１）。
【００７１】
次に、カーソルにより出力先のＡＶ機器を指定すると、信号の流れを示す矢印の方向のグラフイックが移動する（ステップＳＴ１２）。
この時、実際に映像信号又は音声信号が受けられないＡＶ機器を指定すると、音声信号及び映像信号の流れを示す矢印は移動しないようになっている。図６においては、出力先のＡＶ機器は、ディジタルビデオレコーダーＶＣＲ−Ａ（ＤＶＣＲ１）であり、音声信号及び映像信号の両者を受け入れることができるようになっている。
【００７２】
このようにして出力先のＡＶ機器を指定した後に、ユーザーは下記の３態様に分けた操作をする必要がある（ステップＳＴ１３）。
【００７３】
（１）信号の切り替えである場合（ステップＳＴ１４）
出力先のＡＶ機器の指定が信号を切り替えるための場合には、以前に接続されている切り替え元のＡＶ機器との切断と、新たに指定した切り替え先のＡＶ機器に対して接続の要求を行う。
【００７４】
（２）信号の切り離しである場合（ステップＳＴ１５）
接続されているＡＶ機器の信号の切り離しの場合には、切り離しする切り替え元のＡＶ機器に対して、信号の切断の要求を行う。
【００７５】
（３）ＡＶ機器の接続の追加である場合（ステップＳＴ１６）
ＡＶ機器の接続の追加の場合には、指定された切り替え先のＡＶ機器に対して接続の要求をする。
【００７６】
上記（１）〜（３）の何れかを選択した接続の変更を行った後に、接続の変更による画面上の接続情報による更新を行う（ステップＳＴ１７）。
【００７７】
ここで、上記変更する際に、信号の追加、削除は、「決定」ボタンを押すことにより行われ、もう一度押すと取消しになる。従って、既に接続されているＡＶ機器に対してカーソルの矢印を移動した際に決定を押すと接続の削除が行われる。
【００７８】
そして、上記変更が終了したならば、メニューボタンを押して切り替えモードから抜ける。このようにして、ＧＵＩを用いて信号の切り替えを行うことができる。他の方法として、例えば、コンピュータのドラッグ＆ドロップ手法の変形でもよいことは勿論のことである。
【００７９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明に係る接続状態表示方法は、接続されている機器に対して、論理アドレス表及び信号入出力テーブルを用いて描画させるようにしたことで、機器の接続状態を物理的に変わった場合でも、現在接続されている機器間の信号の入出力状況を可視化でき、ユーザーの信号の流れの接続形態が容易に把握できると云う効果がある。
【００８０】
又、ＡＶ機器間の物理的な接続形態と、映像信号及び音声信号の流れである論理的な接続形態との対応が可能になり、ＡＶシステム環境の設定が画面を見ながら行うことができると云う効果がある。
【００８１】
更に、ディジタルバスで接続された複数のＡＶ機器による環境に対応した映像信号及び音声信号の流れの接続形態の状況の把握が容易になると云う効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る複数のＡＶ機器を接続したＡＶシステムの全体の構成を示したブロック図である。
【図２】同テレビジョン受像機を備えたコントロールセンターのブロック図である。
【図３】同テレビジョン受像機と複数のＡＶ機器との接続状態を示した説明図である。
【図４】同画面上に複数のＡＶ機器の信号の流れを示した説明図である。
【図５】同図４における信号の流れに関するフローチャート図である。
【図６】同画面上に複数のＡＶ機器の信号の流れを変更する様子を示した説明図である。
【図７】同図６における信号の流れに関するフローチャート図である。
【符号の説明】
１ ＴＶ回路
２ 映像デコーダ
３ Ｄ／Ａ変換器
４ 画像多重処理部
５ 表示処理部
６ 受像機
７ 音声デコーダ
８ Ｄ／Ａ変換器
９ 音声信号増幅器
１０ スピーカ
１１ 制御回路
１２ ＣＰＵ
１３ バス
１４ Ｉ／Ｏ回路
１５ ディスプレイコントローラ
１６ ＶＲＡＭ
１７ ＲＡＭ
１８ タイマー
１９ ＲＯＭ
２０ リモコン信号デコーダ
２１ Ｉ／Ｏ回路
２２ リモコン
２３ Ｐ１３９４インターフェイス
２４ Ｉ／Ｏ回路
２５ 親画面
２６ 仮想画面
２７ アイコン
２８ カーソル
２９ 子画面
ＶＣＲ−Ａ、ＶＣＲ−Ｂ、ＶＣＲ−Ｃ ディジタルビデオレコーダー
ＴＶ テレビジョン受像機
ＶＴＲ ビデオテープレコーダ
ＤＣＡＭ デジタルカメラ
ＤＶＤ ディジタルビデオディスク
Ｇ ゲーム機
ＴＥＬ 電話機
ＦＡＸ ファックス
ＭＤＣ 音楽ディスク交換機
ＤＡＴ ディジタルオーディオテープレコーダ
ＣＤＣ コンパクトディスク交換機
Ｐ プリンタ
ＩＲＵ 赤外線装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention displays a connection state of a flow of a video signal and / or an audio signal between AV devices connected to a display device screen in a display device connected with a plurality of AV devices, and displays the connection state as appropriate. The setting can be changed above.Connection status display methodAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A display device connected to a plurality of AV devices in the prior art, for example, a video display such as a television receiver or an AV device such as a video or audio device is connected, and audio signals and video signals of each AV device are input and switched between output and output. When performing video reproduction, video recording, etc., a method for directly switching the connection form between AV devices is well known. For example, when dubbing between “video-video” is desired, the “video-out-video-in” cable is directly connected to perform playback and recording. it can.
[0003]
There is also a method of realizing by combining the input and output terminals of each AV device. For example, when outputting video output from a video deck to a television receiver and audio to stereo, it can be realized by switching stereo audio input to external input and switching input input of the television receiver to external input. When the number of AV devices to be connected increases, there is a method of switching all audio and video inputs of each AV device by connecting them to the AV selector.
[0004]
Further, there is a visual touch, for example, in which a video signal from such an AV selector is output to a television receiver and the operation is performed by a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the television receiver.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the AV system according to the above-described prior art, when the video signal and the audio signal are analog signals, the video signal and the audio signal are considered as the same channel when the input / output signal is switched on the AV selector. There is a problem of switching.
[0006]
Even if the video signal and audio signal can be finely switched for each AV device, there is nothing that makes the flow of input and output of the video signal and audio signal easy to understand.
[0007]
In addition, when the environment in which AV equipment is connected is digitized, it is natural that a single physical connection line between AV equipment can be used to transmit and receive video signals and audio signals together, or a physical cable. The connection form and the logical connection form do not have to coincide with each other, and there is a problem that the conventional AV switcher cannot solve the problem.
[0008]
Therefore, a display device connected to a plurality of AV devices has a problem that must be solved particularly in a configuration in which the connection state of the flow of video signals and / or audio signals can be easily understood visually.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  To solve the above problem,The connection state display method according to the present invention includes:The configuration is as follows.
(1)In the connection status display method, a plurality of AV devices are connected via a bus, and audio data and / or video data from the plurality of AV devices are packetized together with transmission source and destination address data via the bus. And at least video based on the video data can be displayed, and control data for controlling operations of the plurality of AV devices can be output to the plurality of AV devices. A display method of connection status in a display device, wherein the display device makes an inquiry to a plurality of AV devices, determines the number and logical addresses of AV devices connected to the display device, and the display device The type of AV device connected to the PC is determined, and the transmission source and transmission destination of the audio data and / or video data are determined. And a device-specific icon corresponding to each connected AV device, based on the determined type of AV device and the address data of the transmission source and destination of the audio data and / or video data, The flow of video signals and / or audio signals between the connected AV devices between icons is displayed on the display device.
[0011]
A display device having a plurality of AV devices configured as described above can easily visually check the connection state of the video signal and the audio signal, that is, the signal flow state on the screen. It is possible to easily cope with a correct connection state and a theoretical connection state that is a flow of video signals and audio signals.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  According to the present inventionA connection status display method can be realized.As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of an AV system comprising a display device connected to a plurality of AV devices is configured to connect a large number of AV devices via a digital interface (hereinafter referred to as 1394 IF) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. Connected.
[0013]
Here, 1394IF will be described.
The 1394 IF is a so-called serial bus capable of connecting a plurality of AV devices with a daisy chain, and each AV device forms a node in the 1394 IF. A branch can be taken out from each node. Connection of each AV device is arbitrary as long as a loop is not formed.
[0014]
That is, in FIG. 1, there are two branches from the television receiver TV, one of which is connected to the digital camcorder DCAM, and the other branch includes digital video recorders VCR-A, VCR-B, VCR-C, digital video disc DVD, game machine G, telephone TEL, fax FAX, music disc exchange MDC, digital audio tape recorder DAT, compact disc exchange CDC, printer P, infrared device IRU Are connected to the daisy chain by a P1394 cable C.
[0015]
The 1394IF having such a function includes a 6-core P1394 cable C, the same connector connected to both ends of the cable, an LSI physical layer connected to each connector, and an LSI connected to the physical layer. And a transaction layer connected to the link layer. The transaction layer consists of firmware.
[0016]
The P1394 cable C includes two pairs of shield lines and two power lines. Two of them are a data line and a strobe line, which are used for data transfer and are used as other power supply lines. Therefore, even a device whose power is turned off can bypass the signal, so that a signal can be sent to a device ahead of the device whose power is turned off.
[0017]
The connector has a built-in transceiver, and this transceiver and the P1394 cable C form a repeater.
One end of the physical layer is connected to the P1394 cable C, and the other end is connected to the link layer. The physical layer encodes the electrical signal input from the P1394 cable C and sends it to the link layer, and also decodes the code data received from the link layer into an electrical signal and sends it to the P1394 cable C. The physical layer also performs bus arbitration, which will be described later.
[0018]
The link layer creates a packet based on the data encoded in the physical layer, transmits the packet to the transaction layer, and decrypts the packet received from the transaction layer. The link layer controls the packet transfer cycle.
[0019]
The 1394IF configured as described above has the following characteristics.
(1) Since the connection between AV devices is serial, all AV devices communicate with other AV devices without the need for a switching connection unit such as an AV switcher provided in the conventional television receiver TV. be able to.
(2) AV equipment in the AV system is not fixed, and can be freely attached or detached at any position in the AV system by inserting or removing a connector. At this time, the ID of each AV device is automatically reset.
[0020]
(3) A bus arbitration function is provided to prevent a specific AV device from monopolizing the serial bus. This is for transferring data in units of packets, and the packet length is limited to a maximum of 512 bytes (corresponding to about 40 μs for a transfer rate of 100 Mbit / s). Each AV device transmits a packet for each assigned time in the order of the designated node number.
[0021]
(4) Packets are always transmitted at regular time intervals from the link layer, and other packets cannot be transferred until the transfer is completed. When each AV device receives the packet, it determines whether the data is necessary for the AV device, and processes or ignores it based on the determination result.
[0022]
(5) The packet includes an ordinary packet, an urgent packet having a high priority, and an isochronous packet described later having a higher priority.
(6) Since the P1394 cable C is thin and the connector is small, it is easy to route the P1394 cable C and attach / detach the connector. Also, the cost is low.
[0023]
(7) The signal transfer rate is faster than the conventional serial transfer. This is because a signal is sent by serial transfer (transfer by one bit) using a pair of data lines and a pair of strobe lines, and the data line is changed when the potential of either the data line or the strobe line changes. This is because the data is read by the DS link method in accordance with the rule of “reading data”. This DS link method corresponds to the temporal fluctuation of the potential of the data line. This eliminates the need to insert start bits and stop bits every 8 bits as in conventional serial transfer (for example, RS232C), thereby improving the transfer speed.
[0024]
Next, the control center CC side of a television receiver of an AV system including a display device connected to a plurality of AV devices connected by a digital interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard will be described.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the IEEE 1394 standard is described as a standard. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is a matter of course that everything conforming to this standard is included.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, an AV system including a display device connected to a plurality of AV devices includes a control center CC, a P1394 cable C, and a plurality of AV devices (for example, a digital video recorder VCR).
[0027]
The control center CC includes a TV circuit 1, a control circuit 11, and a P1394 interface 23.
[0028]
The TV circuit 1 has a video signal processing system and an audio signal processing system in the same manner as a normal TV circuit. The video signal processing system includes a video decoder 2 that decodes a digital video signal input from the P1394 interface. The D / A converter 3 that converts the video signal decoded by the video decoder 2 into an analog signal, the analog video signal converted by the D / A converter 3 and a message signal from a display controller to be described later are superimposed. An image multiplexing processing unit 4 having a GUI (graphic user interface) for superimposing; a display processing unit 5 for reorganizing the image data processed by the image multiplexing processing unit 4 for display; It comprises a receiver 6 that displays the output of the display processing unit 5 on a screen such as a cathode ray tube.
[0029]
The audio signal processing system of the TV circuit 1 includes an audio decoder 7 that decodes a digital audio signal input from the P1394 interface 23, and a D / A converter 8 that converts the audio signal decoded by the audio decoder 7 into an analog signal. And an audio signal amplifier 9 that amplifies the analog audio signal converted by the D / A converter 8 and a speaker 10 that converts the audio signal amplified by the audio signal amplifier 9 into sound.
[0030]
The control circuit 11 includes a CPU 12, a bus 13 connecting the CPU 12 and the P1394 interface 23, an I / O circuit 14 interposed between the video decoder 2 and the audio decoder 7 and the bus 13, a bus 13 and an image. A display controller 15 and a VRAM 16 interposed between the multiplexing processing unit 4, a nonvolatile RAM 17 connected to the bus 13, a timer 18 connected via an I / O circuit 24, a ROM 19, and a remote controller A remote control signal decoder 20 that receives and decodes signals and data from the bus 13, an I / O circuit 21 that transmits and receives data on the bus 13 to the remote control signal decoder 20, and a portable remote control that transmits remote control signals. 22.
[0031]
The CPU 12 executes a program described later. The bus 13 is a normal CPU bus. The I / O circuit 14 controls the input / output timing of the video decoder 2 and the audio decoder 7 under the control of the CPU 12.
[0032]
The display controller 15 creates message data or the like for one screen of the receiver 6 on the VRAM 16 under the control of the CPU 12, and sends this to the image multiplexing processing unit 4.
[0033]
The nonvolatile RAM 17 stores information such as a history of the AV device configuration connected to the P1394 interface 23. The timer 18 consists of a counter and counts real time. The ROM 19 is a read-only memory that stores programs.
[0034]
The P1394 interface 23 has a circuit that is made into an LSI according to the IEEE 1394 bus standard and a connector 23a connected to the circuit. A plug of a P1394 cable C is inserted into the connector 23a. The function of the P1394 interface 23 is also installed on the connected AV device side.
[0035]
The P1394 cable C is a six-core cable, and sequentially connects the control center CC and AV equipment in series. As described above, the P1394 cables C are sequentially connected so as not to form a loop. 2 and 3, in order to explain the gist of the present invention, three digital video recorders VCR-A, VCR-B, and VCR-C are connected in series to one anode side, and the other The game machine G is connected to the anode side, and the audio deck ST is connected to the other anode side of the digital video recorder VCR-B.
[0036]
As described above as a feature of the IEEE 1394 standard, the P1394 interface 23 detects that a new AV device has been connected to or disconnected from the P1394 cable connected to the socket, and notifies the CPU 12 of this fact. have.
[0037]
That is, when a new AV device is connected or disconnected, the P1394 interface 23 sends a signal indicating that effect (hereinafter referred to as a connection signal) to the CPU 12.
[0038]
With the connection signal as a trigger, the CPU 12 has removed the change and display of the AV device configuration, the setting operation of the newly connected AV device, for example, the automatic setting and display of the timer 18 and the tuner as the channel selection means, and the removal. It has a function to display AV equipment.
[0039]
On the control center CC side having such a configuration, a plurality of video data and audio data from a plurality of AV devices connected to the outside via a P1394 cable, for example, digital video recorders VCR-A and VCR-B, are received. It is packetized with a digital signal and transmitted.
[0040]
Here, the packetization of the video data and the audio data has been described above and will not be described. The video decoder 2 for capturing video data has a function capable of simultaneously decoding packetized moving images of a plurality of channels.
[0041]
The video decoder 2 is controlled by the CPU 12 via the I / O circuit 14 and can select which video channel on the bus 13 of the P1394 interface 23 is to be decoded. The audio decoder 7 decodes audio corresponding to a specific video channel. That is, it has a function of selecting a specific channel of the video signal and audio signal transmitted via the P1394 interface 23.
[0042]
The video and audio data are converted into analog signals by the D / A converters 3 and 8, respectively, the analog audio signal is output to the speaker 10 through the audio signal amplifier 9, and the analog video signal is received by the display processing unit 5. It is output on the screen of the machine 6.
[0043]
On the other hand, as described above, graphic data such as the icon display of the AV device displayed on the screen of the television receiver is stored in the ROM 19, and this data is written to the VRAM 16 via the bus 13. A VRAM address which is a display position when writing is controlled by the CPU 12 via the bus 13. Here, the display controller 15 performs processing such as superimposing by the image multiplexing processing unit 4, whereby the video data and the graphic data are multiplexed and displayed on the receiver 6.
[0044]
On the other hand, a signal from the remote controller 22 is processed by the remote controller signal decoder 20 and analyzed by the CPU 12 as a remote control code via the I / O circuit 21 as to which button on the remote controller 22 has been pressed. The timer 18 is used to process an interrupt for a predetermined time and is controlled by the CPU 12 via the I / O circuit 24.
[0045]
On the screen of the television receiver TV having the control center CC configured as described above, a list display showing the connection state of the flow of video signals and the flow of audio signals from a plurality of connected AV devices is displayed. can do. This will be described in detail below.
[0046]
As described above, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of AV devices, here two digital video recorders VCR-A and VCR-B, and a game machine G are connected via a P1394 cable C. Based on the configuration in which the camcorder CAM and the audio component ST are connected, the connection state of the video signal and audio signal flows will be considered.
[0047]
As described above, the connection method between AV devices is connected by a daisy chain similar to the connection method such as SCSI, and a terminator attached to both ends of the cable as in SCSI is unnecessary, and conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. It has a configuration.
[0048]
The functions of the digital video recorders VCR-A and VCR-B have the ability to encode / decode AV stream identifiers and packetize digital video data recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and a P1394 interface 23 has the capability of transmitting on the bus 13 and the capability of decoding the video data on the bus 13 sent in packets and recording it on a magnetic tape as a recording medium.
[0049]
Further, it is assumed that a certain channel is assigned to the digital video recorders VCR-A and VCR-B. For example, the digital video recorder VCR-A is assigned “channel 10”, the digital video recorder VCR-B is assigned “channel 20”, and so on.
[0050]
Regarding the game machine G, it is assumed that the video signal and the audio signal have a function of encoding an AV stream identifier, and do not have a function of decoding.
[0051]
The audio deck ST has a function of encoding / decoding only audio data.
[0052]
By making each AV device have such a function, the characteristics as a network via a bus connected by a daisy chain conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard are the physical connection form, video signal and audio signal. It is not necessary for the logical connection form of the video signal and the audio signal to pass through the network if each connected AV device has a P1394 interface and a stream identifier encoder / decoder function in packet communication. This indicates that transmission / reception is possible regardless of the portion to be formed. Here, for example, in the case of a video signal, the stream identifier is incorporated at a specific position of the video signal, and is composed of a data group that determines the video system, image quality, and the like.
[0053]
Now, in the AV system having the physical connection state shown in FIG. 3 in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the digital camcorder CAM is in a reproduction state and the video signal is input to the digital video recorder VCR-A. Further, it is assumed that the video signal of the game machine G is input to the television receiver TV and the audio signal is input to the audio component ST. Similarly, the video signal and audio signal of the game machine G are input to the digital video recorder VCR-B. It is assumed that the digital video recorder VCR-B has been output and recorded.
[0054]
A method of visualizing the connection state of the logical video signal and audio signal flow for such a video signal and audio signal connected will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0055]
First, the number of AV devices currently connected to the RAM 17 of the control circuit 11 shown in FIG. 2 and a logical address table for controlling each AV device are created (step ST1).
This is necessary to initiate a transaction for the target using the P1394 interface 23 and can be collected using the P1394 interface 23.
[0056]
Next, the AV device type is inquired of each AV device (step ST2).
This is necessary when visualizing an AV device as an icon from a logical address.
[0057]
In step ST3, an inquiry is made as to what signal is output to which channel and the logical address of the output destination AV device.
That is,

Such information is inquired to all connected AV devices, and a table of connection forms is created on the RAM 17 of the control circuit 11.
For example,

[0058]
In this way, the latest AV devices connected to the control center CC having the television receiver can be always grasped, and the logical address table and the signal input / output table of these devices are used. The connected state of the connected AV equipment and the flow of the audio signal and the video signal is drawn on the screen using a GUI (Graphic User Interface).
[0059]
That is, a list of AV devices is drawn on the screen of the television receiver TV as an icon from the correspondence table of the logical addresses of all the connected AV devices and the types of models obtained in steps ST1 to ST3. (Step ST4). The icon drawing position has been devised so as not to overlap using an appropriate algorithm.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the case of a digital video recorder VCR, characters "DVCR1" and "DVCR2" and a graphic animation representing the recorder are drawn. In the case of a camcorder CAM, the characters "DCAM" and a camcorder If a game machine G is drawn, a graphic animation representing a character “G” and a game machine is drawn. If an audio component ST, a graphic animation representing a character “ST” and an audio component is drawn. Drawn.
[0060]
Then, in steps ST1 to ST3, the flow of the audio signal and the video signal is displayed from the correspondence table of the logical addresses and model types of all the connected AV devices, that is, the signal input / output table (step ST5). ).
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 4, the display of the flow of the audio signal and the video signal is represented by arrows indicating the flow of the audio signal and the flow of the video signal, and the signal flow can be easily seen at a glance regardless of the connection state of the device. It comes to understand. The arrows indicating the flow of the audio signal and the video signal are displayed by color for easier viewing. For example, the color may be red for an audio signal and yellow for a video signal. However, the specification is not limited to this color specification. For example, the specification may be made for each model, the signal from a specific model may be specified for a specific color, or a specific color may be temporarily applied. Of course it is good.
[0062]
In this way, the connection state of the flow of the audio signal and the video signal focusing on the function of each AV device is displayed on the screen without any relation to the physical connection of a plurality of connected AV devices. Thus, visualization with an emphasis on functionality becomes possible, and if the video signal and the audio signal are classified by color, it becomes easier to grasp the connection state.
[0063]
In addition, it is possible to cope with the physical connection form between a plurality of connected AV devices and the logical connection form composed of the flow of video signals and audio signals from the AV device, which is compatible with the AV device environment. The user's connection status can be grasped.
[0064]
Here, when the physical connection state changes between the connected AV devices, or when the change is made on the control center CC side having the television receiver TV, each registered in the RAM 17 is performed. Changes in the logical address table and signal input / output table of the AV device are automatically performed and redrawn.
[0065]
Next, referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 for changing the setting of the connection state of the flow of the audio signal and the video signal while viewing the screen in the redrawing in which the setting has been automatically changed or in the drawing in which the setting is not changed. Will be described below.
[0066]
First, it is the same that the drawing is performed by the GUI using the logical address table and the signal input / output table of the latest connected AV apparatus described with reference to FIGS. Otherwise, when changing the connection form of the signal using the remote control or control panel, if there is a difference between the GUI connection information and the actual connection information, confusion will occur, and the function of the AV system will be reduced. It is because it will reduce remarkably.
[0067]
That is, signal switching by GUI is performed by a remote controller. This remote control has functions of a cursor button, a menu button, and an enter button that can be moved in eight directions, and can move the cursor on the icon as shown in FIG.
[0068]
In FIG. 6, for the sake of explanation, only the physical connection state is drawn, and the connection state of the flow of the audio signal and the video signal is not drawn.
[0069]
First, although not shown, a menu for changing the connection state of the signal flow is operated by operating a menu button on the remote controller, and the cursor designates the input source AV device (game machine in the embodiment) shown in FIG. Step ST10).
[0070]
Then, a menu button on the remote controller is pressed to switch to video and audio mode, and “audio and video”, “audio only”, and “video only” are selected. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, “audio and video” is selected (step ST11).
[0071]
Next, when an output destination AV device is designated by the cursor, the graphic in the direction of the arrow indicating the signal flow moves (step ST12).
At this time, if an AV device that cannot actually receive the video signal or the audio signal is designated, the arrows indicating the flow of the audio signal and the video signal do not move. In FIG. 6, the output AV device is a digital video recorder VCR-A (DVCR1), which can accept both an audio signal and a video signal.
[0072]
After designating the output destination AV device in this way, the user needs to perform an operation divided into the following three modes (step ST13).
[0073]
(1) When switching signals (step ST14)
When the designation of the output destination AV device is for switching signals, the disconnection from the previously connected switching source AV device is performed, and a connection request is made to the newly designated switching destination AV device. .
[0074]
(2) When the signal is disconnected (step ST15)
In the case of disconnecting the signal of the connected AV device, a signal disconnect request is made to the switching source AV device to be disconnected.
[0075]
(3) In the case of adding an AV device connection (step ST16)
In the case of adding an AV device connection, a connection request is made to the designated switching destination AV device.
[0076]
After changing the connection selected from any one of the above (1) to (3), the connection information on the screen is updated by changing the connection (step ST17).
[0077]
Here, when the above change is made, the signal is added or deleted by pressing the “OK” button, and is canceled when the button is pressed again. Accordingly, when the cursor is moved with respect to the already connected AV device, the connection is deleted by pressing the enter button.
[0078]
When the change is completed, the menu button is pressed to exit the switching mode. In this way, signals can be switched using the GUI. As another method, for example, a computer drag-and-drop method may be modified.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present inventionThe connection status display method isEven if the connection status of the device is physically changed by drawing the connected device using the logical address table and signal input / output table, the signal between the currently connected devices It is possible to visualize the input / output status of the user and to easily grasp the connection form of the user's signal flow.
[0080]
Also, it is possible to cope with the physical connection form between AV devices and the logical connection form that is the flow of video signals and audio signals, and the setting of the AV system environment can be performed while viewing the screen. There is an effect.
[0081]
Furthermore, there is an effect that it becomes easy to grasp the state of the connection form of the flow of video signals and audio signals corresponding to the environment by a plurality of AV devices connected by a digital bus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an AV system in which a plurality of AV devices according to the present invention are connected.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control center provided with the television receiver.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between the television receiver and a plurality of AV devices.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing signal flows of a plurality of AV devices on the same screen.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to the signal flow in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of changing the signal flow of a plurality of AV devices on the same screen.
7 is a flowchart regarding the signal flow in FIG. 6; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 TV circuit
2 Video decoder
3 D / A converter
4 Image multiple processing section
5 Display processing section
6 Receiver
7 Audio decoder
8 D / A converter
9 Audio signal amplifier
10 Speaker
11 Control circuit
12 CPU
13 Bus
14 I / O circuit
15 Display controller
16 VRAM
17 RAM
18 timer
19 ROM
20 Remote control signal decoder
21 I / O circuit
22 Remote control
23 P1394 interface
24 I / O circuit
25 Main screen
26 Virtual screen
27 icons
28 Cursor
29 child screen
VCR-A, VCR-B, VCR-C Digital video recorder
TV Television receiver
VTR video tape recorder
DCAM digital camera
DVD digital video disc
G game console
TEL telephone
FAX
MDC music disk switch
DAT digital audio tape recorder
CDC compact disc switch
P printer
IRU infrared device

Claims (1)

A plurality of AV devices are connected via a bus, and audio data and / or video data from the plurality of AV devices are packetized together with address data of a transmission source and a transmission destination and supplied via the bus, and at least the Connection in a display device capable of displaying video based on video data and capable of outputting control data for controlling operations of the plurality of AV devices to the plurality of AV devices A state display method,
  Inquiries to a plurality of AV devices from the display device,
  Determining the number and logical address of AV devices connected to the display device;
  Determining the type of AV equipment connected to the display device;
  Determining the source and destination of the audio data and / or video data;
  Based on the determined type of AV device and address data of the transmission source and transmission destination of the audio data and / or video data, a device-specific icon corresponding to each connected AV device, and the interval between the icons A connection state display method for displaying a flow of a video signal and / or an audio signal between the connected AV devices on the display device.

Images