JP4005523B2 - AV system, management device for selecting AV device, and AV device selecting method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an AV system, a management apparatus for selecting an AV device, and an AV device selection method. In particular, in an AV system in which various AV devices are connected to a digital transmission line such as a high-speed bus, a user can select a desired AV device. This relates to the user interface for selection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various AV devices such as a CD (Compact Disc) player, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) player, an MD (Mini Disc) player, a cassette deck, a radio tuner, and a television receiver have been provided as home AV devices. Yes. These AV devices are connected to a speaker or a monitor with a cable, and the user can switch to a desired AV device by operating a remote controller or the like to enjoy music and video viewing.
[0003]
In an in-vehicle AV system, a CD changer may be used instead of a CD player, and an MD changer may be used instead of an MD player. Further, the navigation device may have the function of the television receiver. Also in this in-vehicle AV system, each AV device is connected to a speaker or a monitor by a cable, so that it is possible to enjoy music and video by switching to a desired AV device by operating a remote controller or the like.
[0004]
Recently, each AV device is connected by a high-speed bus such as the IEEE 1394 standard or the MOST standard, and a plurality of viewing devices such as monitors and speakers are connected to the high-speed bus, so that a plurality of viewing devices can be viewed from a plurality of AV devices. It is possible to simultaneously play content such as music and video on the device. Further, by outputting content reproduced from one AV device to a plurality of viewing devices, a plurality of people can enjoy the same content at the same time. In this type of AV system, an operation system for selecting a desired content is provided for a plurality of people.
[0005]
In these home or in-vehicle AV systems, when a user views desired content, one of the AV devices is selected by operating a source switching button, for example. Furthermore, if necessary, a desired content is selected by operating a skip button or the like on the selected AV device. In the case of digital broadcasting that is viewed using a television receiver, an electronic program guide is provided by EPG (Electric Program Guide) data. The user can easily select a program he / she wants to watch by looking at the electronic program guide displayed on the monitor screen.
[0006]
By the way, as the number of devices connected to the AV system increases, the number of source choices increases, and it becomes difficult to find out which AV device contains the desired content. For example, when a user wants to listen to a certain music, the user selects a CD changer by operating a source switching button, and further switches a CD one by one by operating a skip button or the like to enter a desired content. Check if it exists. If the desired content is not contained in all the CDs, it is necessary to select the MD changer and check the contents of the MD one by one in the same way.
[0007]
On the other hand, conventionally, in an AV system in which a plurality of AV devices are connected via a digital interface such as IEEE 1394, what content each AV device connected to the bus has is displayed on the screen. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition to the content held by each AV device connected to the digital transmission path, there has also been proposed one in which the operation state such as whether or not the device is in use is displayed as an icon (for example, a patent) Reference 2). According to these, the operation for finding the desired content is simplified.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-120666
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-224875
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is premised on a single operation system for selecting desired content. When there is only one operation system, only one device can be selected at a time from a plurality of AV devices connected by a bus, so it is not particularly necessary to display which AV device is in use. There is no.
[0010]
However, when there are a plurality of operation systems, such as a vehicle rear entertainment system, it is necessary to inform the user whether or not the AV device on the bus is currently being used by someone else. For this reason, the technique of Patent Document 1 that does not have a display function as to whether or not each AV device is in use cannot be directly applied to an AV system having a plurality of operation systems.
[0011]
On the other hand, in the case of the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is assumed that there are a plurality of operation systems, and not only the content possessed by each AV device but also the operation state is displayed on the screen. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is not known which AV device is currently playing back what CD or MD, and how much playback is progressing. . For example, in the case of a CD changer, it can be seen that the CD changer is in use, but it is completely unknown which CD in it is currently being played.
[0012]
As described above, in the case of an AV system in which a plurality of AV devices are connected to a high-speed bus such as IEEE 1394 and a plurality of operation systems exist, a content is being reproduced by another person using the AV device. However, it is possible to view the same content by selecting the same AV device as the other person. However, the user who participated in the viewing later does not have the right to operate the source, and can usually enjoy the viewing only while the previous user is playing.
[0013]
In this case, it is very convenient for users who will participate in viewing later if it is possible to know which content is currently being reproduced and to what extent the content is being reproduced. For example, if the playback of a DVD movie has progressed to a considerable extent, you do not want to watch it from the middle, or if the desired CD is currently being played in the CD changer, Judgment that viewing is desired is also possible. However, the above conventional technology has not provided such information at all.
[0014]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and what AV device exists on the bus of the AV system, which AV device has what content, and which It is an object of the present invention to provide a user with easily understandable information such as whether an AV device is being used or to what extent the content is being played.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, in the management apparatus connected to the same digital transmission path as a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of viewing devices, the content information of each AV device, the operation of whether or not being played back Status information, Elapsed playback time Information related to each AV device existing on the digital transmission path, the operating status of each AV device, and the AV device being played back Elapsed playback time Are displayed as a list on the screen of the viewing device. Preferably, each AV device is regarded as a broadcast channel, and the content owned by each AV device is regarded as a broadcast program of each broadcast channel. The content name owned by each AV device, the operating status of each AV device, Elapsed playback time Is displayed on the screen in the form of an electronic program guide.
[0016]
According to the present invention configured as described above, what AV devices are present on the bus of the AV system, what AV devices have what contents, and which AV devices are in use. In addition to the above information, information on how much content is being played on the AV device in use is provided to the user in an easy-to-understand manner in a list. Also, by providing this list in the form of an electronic program guide, it is possible to grasp at a glance the current usage status of each AV device.
[0017]
In another aspect of the present invention, in a management apparatus connected to a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of viewing devices on the same digital transmission path, the content reproduced from each AV device via the digital transmission path and Elapsed playback time Information related to the AV device is acquired, and the playback content and playback progress of each AV device are output to the viewing device based on the acquired information.
[0018]
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to confirm what content is currently being played and how much is being played on the AV device connected on the digital transmission path. It will be provided to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AV system according to the present embodiment.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the AV system 100 according to this embodiment includes a DVD player 1, a CD changer 2, and an MD player 3 in a digital transmission path including a serial bus 30 such as IEEE1394 standard or MOST standard capable of high-speed data transfer. A plurality of AV devices such as the digital broadcast receiver 4, a plurality of viewing devices 11 to 13, and a management device 20 having a management function for each AV device 1 to 4 are connected.
[0021]
In this AV system 100, the plurality of AV devices 1 to 4 have playback functions of different sources, and are shared by a plurality of users who enjoy these playbacks. On the other hand, the plurality of viewing devices 11 to 13 are provided for each user so that a plurality of users can enjoy the reproduction of the sources of the respective AV devices 1 to 4. Then, data reproduced by each AV device 1 to 4 is sent to each viewing device 11 to 13 and output from a monitor screen, a speaker, or the like.
[0022]
In the AV system 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously reproduce content such as music and video from a plurality of AV devices 1 to 4 to a plurality of viewing devices 11 to 13. Further, by outputting content reproduced from a certain AV device to a plurality of viewing devices, a plurality of people can enjoy the same content at the same time. In the example of FIG. 1, the CD player 2 is played by the first viewing device 11 and the DVD player 1 is played by the second viewing device 12 at the same time.
[0023]
In addition, the AV system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 1) operation systems corresponding to the number of viewing devices 11 to 13 that can be individually viewed by a plurality of users. For example, each of the viewing devices 11 to 13 includes an operation unit for selecting desired AV devices 1 to 4 and their contents.
[0024]
The plurality of operation systems are not limited to those in which each of the viewing devices 11 to 13 includes an operation unit. For example, a device that includes one remote controller shared by each of the viewing devices 11 to 13 and can switch the viewing device to be operated by operating a predetermined switch corresponds to a plurality of operation systems. A device that allows the AV device 1 to 4 to be played back on each of the viewing devices 11 to 13 and its held content to be selected from the management device 20 by switching the viewing device to be operated in the operation unit of the management device 20. Applicable to multiple operation systems.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the management apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 20 includes an input / output (I / O) interface 21 for the serial bus 30, an information acquisition unit 22, an information management memory 23, a source selection screen generation unit 24, a clock unit 25, and screen data transmission. A portion 26 is provided.
[0026]
The information acquisition unit 22 receives the content information of each AV device 1 to 4 from the plurality of AV devices 1 to 4 via the serial bus 30 and the I / O interface 21, operation status information whether or not playback is in progress, playback time Get information. This information acquisition is performed, for example, when the information acquisition unit 22 periodically makes an information acquisition request to each of the AV devices 1 to 4. In addition, when there is a change in at least one of retained content information, operation status information, and playback time information, information may be actively sent from each AV device 1 to 4 to the management apparatus 20.
[0027]
The held content information acquired by the information acquisition unit 22 is, for example, the title and artist name of the source loaded in each of the AV devices 1 to 4. Also, the playback time information is, for example, information on the playback start time and the required playback time of the content held by the AV device during the playback operation. The information management memory 23 stores the latest retained content information, operation status information, and playback time information acquired by the information acquisition unit 22 from each of the AV devices 1 to 4.
[0028]
The source selection screen generation unit 24 generates source selection screen data in the electronic program guide format described below using the above-described information managed in the information management memory 23. That is, the source selection screen data of the present embodiment is obtained by using the serial bus 30 by regarding the AV devices 1 to 4 as broadcast channels and the contents held by the AV devices 1 to 4 as broadcast programs of the respective broadcast channels. The content names of the AV devices 1 to 4 existing above, the operation status of each AV device 1 to 4, and the playback progress status of the AV device during playback are shown in the form of an electronic program guide.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, on the monitor screen of the third viewing device 13, the source selection screen in the electronic program guide format is displayed. In this source selection screen, the vertical axis of the electronic program guide represents time information. In addition, the titles “movie, music 1, music 2, sports” shown on the horizontal axis represent the types of sources that are being reproduced or can be reproduced by the plurality of AV devices 1 to 4. “Movie” corresponds to the selected channel of the DVD player 1, “Music 1” corresponds to the CD changer 2, “Music 2” corresponds to the MD player 3, and “Sport” corresponds to the selected channel of the digital broadcast receiver 4. The title on the horizontal axis of the electronic program guide may be used as the source name of each AV device 1 to 4.
[0030]
When the source selection screen generation unit 24 generates such a source selection screen in the electronic program guide format, the playback start time stored in the information management memory 23 is set for the broadcast program for the AV device being played back. At the start time, the electronic program guide is generated by regarding the required playback time as the required broadcast time of the broadcast program. For example, for the “movie” broadcast channel corresponding to the DVD player 1, a broadcast frame is allocated for the required playback time of the DVD from the playback start time 51, and the DVD title is described there.
[0031]
For the “Music 1” broadcast channel corresponding to the CD changer 2, a plurality of broadcast frames are continuously allocated for the required playback time of each CD from the playback start time 52, and the title and artist name of each CD are assigned to them. Is described. As described above, with respect to the AV device during the reproduction operation, the AV device performs the reproduction operation by setting the broadcast frame and generating the electronic program guide so that the reproduction start times 51 and 52 and the required reproduction time can be known. You can see at a glance that it is inside.
[0032]
2 also generates a current time bar 53 so as to indicate and display a position corresponding to the current time on the electronic program guide as shown in FIG. The current time is obtained from the clock unit 25. The current time bar 53 gradually moves downward on the electronic program guide as the current time advances. On the electronic program guide, information before the current time indicated by the current time bar 53 is also displayed. As a result, regarding the AV device being played back, in addition to being played back, it is possible to understand at a glance how much the current playback has progressed from the positional relationship between the broadcast frame and the current time bar 53. ing.
[0033]
Note that, in the “sports” broadcast channel corresponding to the digital broadcast receiver 4, broadcast frames are assigned as they are according to the broadcast program assembled in the actual digital broadcast, and the broadcast program name is displayed on them. This broadcast program is obtained from EPG data actually received for the channel selected by the digital broadcast receiver 4. From the positional relationship between the digital broadcast broadcast frame and the current time bar 53, it is possible to know which broadcast program can be viewed by selecting the digital broadcast receiver 4 now.
[0034]
On the other hand, the source selection screen generation unit 24 describes the owned content name without setting a broadcast frame on the broadcast channel corresponding to the AV device regarding the AV device that is not being played back. For example, for the “Music 2” broadcast channel corresponding to the MD player 3 that is not in a reproducing operation, the title and artist name of the MD are described without assigning a broadcast frame. As a result, it is possible to recognize at a glance that the MD player 3 is not in a reproducing operation and the contents that can be viewed when the MD player 3 is selected.
[0035]
If no MD is loaded in the MD player 3, nothing is described in the “Music 2” broadcast channel, which is empty. The “Music 2” broadcast channel itself may be erased, but it is preferable to leave the broadcast channel itself empty. This is because it can be seen at a glance that there is an AV device that no one has selected, and it can also be seen at a glance whether a media is loaded in the AV device.
[0036]
The screen data transmission unit 26 in FIG. 2 receives the electronic program guide format source selection screen data generated by the source selection screen generation unit 24 as described above via the I / O interface 21 and the serial bus 30. To ~ 13. In the viewing devices 11 to 13 that have received the source selection screen data, an electronic program guide format source selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 1 by an internal display controller (not shown). As described above, the source selection screen generation unit 24 and the screen data transmission unit 26 constitute display control means of the present invention.
[0037]
In the example of FIG. 1, a source selection screen is displayed on the third viewing device 13, and the following is shown by this source selection screen. That is, there are a DVD player 1, a CD changer 2, an MD player 3 and a digital broadcast receiver 4 on the serial bus 30, a DVD of a movie is stored in the DVD player 1, and a plurality of music CDs are stored in the CD changer 2. The MD player 3 contains one music CD. In addition, the DVD player 1 and the CD changer 2 are being used in the other viewing devices 11 and 12, and about 20 minutes have passed since the DVD playback started in the DVD player 1, and the second change in the CD changer 2 About 5 minutes have passed since the CD was played. It is also shown that the MD loaded in the MD player 3 can be heard from the beginning.
[0038]
Next, the operation of the management apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management apparatus 20. In FIG. 3, the information acquisition unit 22 periodically issues an information acquisition request to a plurality of AV devices 1 to 4, so that the content information held by each AV device 1 to 4 is being reproduced via the serial bus 30. Operation status information indicating whether or not, and playback time information (source playback start time and required playback time) are acquired (step S1), and each acquired information is stored in the information management memory 23 (step S2).
[0039]
Next, the source selection screen generation unit 24 determines whether any of the viewing devices 11 to 13 has requested selection of the AV devices 1 to 4 (step S3). This selection request is made, for example, by operating a source switching button provided in the viewing devices 11 to 13. If it is determined that there is no selection request, the process returns to step S1 to continue the information acquisition operation so as to keep the information in the information management memory 23 in the latest state.
[0040]
On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been a selection request for the AV devices 1 to 4, the source selection screen generation unit 24 uses the latest information stored in the information management memory 23 at that time to perform the electronic program as shown in FIG. Tabular source selection screen data is generated (step S4). Then, by transmitting the generated source selection screen data to the viewing request source viewing device, control is performed to display the source selection screen in the electronic program guide format on the viewing device screen (step S5). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1, and the information acquisition operation is continued to keep the information in the information management memory 23 in the latest state.
[0041]
In this way, the information in the information management memory 23 is always kept up-to-date, so that if the usage status of the AV devices 1 to 4 changes, the source selection screen in the electronic program guide format also changes in real time accordingly. . For example, if the DVD loaded in the DVD player 1 is replaced, the title name changes in real time. In addition, while listening to the second CD in the CD changer 2, if the skip button is pressed to skip to the third CD, the top part of the broadcast frame corresponding to the third CD is displayed in the current time bar 53. As a result, the broadcast frames of “Music 1” scroll upward as a whole.
[0042]
In a viewing device on which such an electronic program guide format source selection screen is displayed, the user selects desired AV devices 1 to 4 based on the displayed electronic program guide. In this case, since the content being played back or playable on the viewing devices 11 to 13 is displayed, the selection can be made based on the viewable content rather than selecting the AV devices 1 to 4.
[0043]
For example, when the monitor screen of the viewing devices 11 to 13 is configured with a touch panel, the selection instruction can be easily performed by touching desired content on the screen. Further, when the monitor screen is not composed of a touch panel, it can be easily performed by, for example, moving the cursor over desired content and pressing the enter button. Alternatively, desired AV devices 1 to 4 may be selected by repeatedly pressing the source switching button.
[0044]
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the management apparatus 20 monitors the content information, operation status information, and playback time information of the AV devices 1 to 4 connected on the serial bus 30. The name of content held by each of the AV devices 1 to 4, the operating status of each of the AV devices 1 to 4, and the playback progress status of the AV device being played are displayed on the screen of the viewing devices 11 to 13 in the form of an electronic program guide. A list is displayed.
[0045]
As a result, in addition to information on what AV devices are present on the serial bus 30, what AV devices have what contents, and which AV devices are in use, The user can grasp at a glance the current usage status such as how much content is being played on the device. Also, the electronic program guide format can provide the usage status of each of the AV devices 1 to 4 in an easy-to-view manner, and the desired AV devices 1 to 4 can be easily selected.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, the content names of the respective AV devices 1 to 4 are displayed on the electronic program guide, and the AV devices 1 to 4 are selected based on the content held in the respective AV devices 1 to 4. . As a result, with respect to AV equipment (for example, CD changer 2) that cannot be operated simultaneously by a plurality of users, there is no impression that this is being used by someone, and this song is now playing. Can provide information.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, the example in which the source selection screen is displayed in the electronic program guide format has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in addition to the types of AV devices 1 to 4 existing on the serial bus 30, the contents owned by each AV device 1 to 4, the operating status of each AV device 1 to 4, the playback progress status of the AV device during the playback operation is Any form that can be seen in the list is included in the scope of the present invention.
[0048]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the AV devices 1 to 4 existing on the serial bus 30 are displayed in the form of icons, and the content names of the AV devices 1 to 4 are displayed in or near the icons. To do. Further, the display mode of the icon is changed, or a predetermined mark indicating “in use” is displayed beside the icon so that it can be distinguished whether each AV device 1 to 4 is in use.
[0049]
Further, regarding the AV device during the reproduction operation, the name of the content being reproduced and the elapsed time from the start of reproduction are displayed in or near the icon. In the example of FIG. 4, for example, a “playing” mark (●) is displayed beside the CD title being played by the CD changer 2, and the elapsed playback time is displayed beside it. The elapsed playback time in this case is obtained using, for example, the information on the playback start time and the current time acquired by the management apparatus 20 from each of the AV devices 1 to 4.
[0050]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the monitor screens of the viewing devices 11 to 13 may be divided into a plurality of images so that a plurality of videos currently being reproduced on each AV device can be displayed simultaneously. At this time, it is preferable to display the playback progress status (for example, the elapsed playback time) together with the video being played on each AV device. If the video is not being played back by a certain AV device, the playback operation of the AV device is started and the video is displayed from the beginning. This makes it possible to distinguish and display which AV device is in use.
[0051]
At this time, the management device 20 acquires a plurality of videos flowing on the serial bus 30 while switching them periodically (for example, every 5 seconds), and in each area divided on the monitor screens of the viewing devices 11 to 13. Display in order. Although an example in which the monitor screen is divided into small areas has been described here, a plurality of videos may be displayed while being switched periodically in full screen display.
[0052]
In order to realize such an operation, the management device 20 needs to monitor the video flowing on the serial bus 30. When the serial bus 30 conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard, it is possible to detect the currently transferred channel, so that the channel can be received and displayed in the video format. When the acquired data is music, the music may be output from a speaker, and information related to the music such as a song title or artist name may be displayed on the screen.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to convey to the user what kind of video or music the content owned by each AV device is actually compared to the case where the usage status of the AV device is transmitted only with simple text information. it can. This eliminates the inconvenience of trying to select and play the content for the time being without knowing the contents, and can easily select the video or music that interests you.
[0054]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the dedicated management device 20 that manages the usage status of the AV devices 1 to 4 has been described. However, functions other than the screen data transmission unit 26 illustrated in FIG. To 13 respectively, and the viewing statuses of the AV devices 1 to 4 may be individually monitored in each of the viewing devices 11 to 13. In this case, the display control unit of the present invention is configured by the source selection screen generation unit 24 included in each of the viewing devices 11 to 13.
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the example in which the AV devices 1 to 4 and the viewing devices 11 to 13 are connected by the serial bus 30 such as IEEE1394 or MOST has been described. However, video and audio can be transferred at high speed. Further, the present invention is not limited to this as long as content such as music and video can be simultaneously reproduced from a plurality of AV devices to a plurality of viewing devices. For example, you may make it connect with wireless networks, such as what is called wireless LAN and UWB (Ultra Wideband).
[0056]
In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention displays a list of the content names of each AV device existing on the digital transmission path, the operation status of each AV device, and the playback progress status of the AV device during playback operation on the screen of the viewing device. Therefore, in addition to the information on what AV devices exist in the AV system, what AV devices have what contents, and which AV devices are in use, the AV devices in use Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an easy-to-understand information on how much content is being played. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp in advance which content can be viewed from the beginning or which content is viewed from the middle, and the convenience of the user when selecting an AV device can be improved. Can be improved.
[0058]
According to another aspect of the present invention, playback content and playback time information in each AV device is acquired from a plurality of AV devices via a digital transmission path, and playback of each AV device is performed based on the acquired information. Since the content and playback progress are output to the viewing device, what content is currently being played on the AV device connected on the digital transmission path and how much is being played back It can be provided to the user in an easy-to-understand manner so that the contents can be confirmed. As a result, the user can grasp what kind of content it is and can improve the convenience of the user when selecting the AV device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AV system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of a management apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the source selection screen according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the source selection screen according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 DVD player
2 CD changer
3 MD player
4 Digital broadcast receiver
11-13 Viewing equipment
20 Management device
21 Input / output (I / O) interface
22 Information acquisition unit
23 Information management memory
24 Source selection screen generator
25 Clock part
26 Screen data transmitter
30 Serial bus
51, 52 Playback start time
53 Current time bar

Claims (11)

In an AV system configured such that a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of viewing devices are connected to a digital transmission path, and the content reproduced by the plurality of AV devices can be viewed on the plurality of viewing devices.
Information acquisition means for acquiring content information of each AV device, operation status information indicating whether playback is in progress , or information regarding elapsed playback time from the plurality of AV devices via the digital transmission path;
Using the information acquired by the information acquisition means, the content name of each AV device existing on the digital transmission path, the operating status of each AV device, and the elapsed playback time of the AV device during playback are displayed on the viewing device. An AV system comprising display control means for controlling to display a list on the screen. The display control means considers each AV device existing on the digital transmission path as a broadcast channel, and holds the content held by each AV device as a broadcast program of each broadcast channel. 2. The AV system according to claim 1, wherein the AV system is controlled so as to display the operation status and the elapsed playback time in the AV device during the playback operation in the form of an electronic program guide. The information related to the elapsed playback time includes information on the playback start time and the required playback time of the content held by the AV device during the playback operation,
The display control means displays the electronic program guide with respect to the AV device during the reproduction operation by regarding the reproduction start time as the start time of the broadcast program and the required reproduction time as the broadcast time of the broadcast program. 3. The display corresponding to the current time on the electronic program guide is instructed and displayed to control that the AV device is in a playback operation and the playback elapsed time is graphically displayed. The described AV system.   The display control means displays the content name of the AV device on the broadcast channel corresponding to the AV device with respect to the AV device that is not in the playback operation, so that the AV device is not in the playback operation. 4. The AV system according to claim 3, wherein the AV system is controlled so as to graphically display a content name that can be played back. 5. The information acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit repeatedly acquires information about the retained content information, the operation status information, and the elapsed playback time from the plurality of AV devices and updates the information to the latest information. The AV system according to any one of the items. In an AV system configured such that a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of viewing devices are connected to a digital transmission path, and the content reproduced by the plurality of AV devices can be viewed on the plurality of viewing devices.
Information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to playback content and playback elapsed time in each AV device from the plurality of AV devices via the digital transmission path;
Output control means for controlling the reproduction content of each AV device acquired by the information acquisition means to be output to the viewing device and to output the reproduction progress status to the viewing device based on the information related to the elapsed playback time ; An AV system characterized by comprising: The information acquisition means acquires the playback elapsed time information of the content being played back as information related to the elapsed playback time when the held content is being played back by a certain AV device, and also holds the content held by the AV device. 7. The AV system according to claim 6, wherein when the content is not being reproduced, the content is obtained by starting reproduction of the AV device. A management device connected on a digital transmission path to which a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of viewing devices are connected,
Information acquisition means for acquiring content information of each AV device, operation status information indicating whether playback is in progress , or information regarding elapsed playback time from the plurality of AV devices via the digital transmission path;
Using the information acquired by the information acquisition means, the content name of each AV device existing on the digital transmission path, the operating status of each AV device, and the elapsed playback time of the AV device during playback are displayed on the viewing device. And a display control means for controlling to display a list on the screen. A management device connected on a digital transmission path to which a plurality of AV devices and a plurality of viewing devices are connected,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to playback content and playback elapsed time in each AV device from the plurality of AV devices via the digital transmission path;
Output control means for controlling the reproduction content of each AV device acquired by the information acquisition means to be output to the viewing device and to output the reproduction progress status to the viewing device based on the information related to the elapsed playback time ; A management apparatus for selecting AV equipment, comprising: Whether the management apparatus connected to the same digital transmission path as the plurality of AV devices and the plurality of viewing devices is holding content information of each AV device from the plurality of AV devices via the digital transmission path and whether or not it is being reproduced. Acquiring and managing information on the operation status information and the elapsed playback time ,
When the management device makes a request to select an AV device from the viewing device, it uses the information managed by the management device and uses the content name of each AV device existing on the digital transmission path, Controlling the operation status of each AV device and the playback elapsed time in the AV device during the playback operation to be displayed in a list on the screen of the requesting viewing device;
A step of selecting one of the AV devices in response to a selection instruction from the user based on the list display; Assume that each AV device existing on the digital transmission path is a broadcast channel, and the content held by each AV device is a broadcast program of each broadcast channel, and the content name of each AV device, the operating status of each AV device, and during playback operation 11. The AV device selection method according to claim 10, wherein the elapsed playback time of the AV device is displayed on the screen in the form of an electronic program guide.

Images