JP4690984B2 - Digital device control apparatus and digital device control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an environment-friendly digital device control apparatus and digital device control method, and more particularly to a signal output device that selectively outputs digital signals such as video and audio to other externally connected receiving devices or display devices, and The present invention relates to a signal output method.

  As is well known, the DVI (digital visual interface) standard is widely used as a standard for transmitting digital video signals. In recent years, the high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) standard has been adopted as a digital signal transmission standard that further improves the DVI standard.

  In the HDMI standard, for example, it is possible to multiplex a digital audio signal during the blanking period of the digital video signal and perform audio transmission, in addition to transmitting the digital video signal in the form of an RGB signal, the YCbCr signal It is possible to transmit in the form of a YPbPr signal having a higher quality than that of the DVI standard, a USB (universal serial bus) -like small HDMI connector, etc. Rules are included.

  Also, in the HDMI standard, prior to signal transmission, authentication is performed between the transmission-side device and the reception-side device, so that the transmission-side device outputs a signal in a form that matches the performance of the reception-side device. can do. In other words, the transmitting device recognizes the reception specification of the receiving device by acquiring EDID (extended display identification) data from the receiving device, and outputs a signal in conformity with the reception specification.

  Recently, it has become common to connect a plurality of external devices (for example, a recording / playback device, a playback device, a display device, etc.) to one digital device. Along with this, it is common to add a new external device, change or remove a connected external device.

  In such an environment, a more complete function has been required as a digital signal transmission method compliant with the HDMI standard. In particular, when an external device is connected, disconnected, selected, a new device is added, a connection is switched, etc., there is a strong demand for an effective response.

Patent Document 1 stores a reproduction interruption position of a program that is no longer selected when the selection of the program is changed when selecting and reproducing one of the plurality of programs recorded on the recording medium. It is disclosed that the reproduction interruption position of a program whose selection is resumed is read out and the reproduction is started from the position where the reproduction was interrupted.
JP 2005-303920 A

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and based on the control signal from the connected external device, it is possible to perform an effective response corresponding to the connection environment of the external device. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital device control apparatus and a digital device control method which can be handled easily.

A digital device control apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing unit that performs a reproduction process on a signal read from a recording medium, a connection unit that enables connection of an external device that records and reproduces information, and an external device connected to the connection unit. When a device control means for enabling mutual control with a device by a device control signal and a device control signal for instructing stop of playback of the recording medium by the device control means during playback of the recording medium, When the position information processing means for storing position information indicating the position where the reproduction is stopped and the equipment control signal for instructing the start of reproduction of the recording medium are generated by the equipment control means, the position information processing means reproduces the recording medium. when the position information indicating the stop position is stored, a reproduction start control means for starting the reproduction of the recording medium on the basis of the position information, the external device of the external device While playing information to be imported from the parts, when the device control signal for instructing the reproduction stop of the capture information to the external device from the device control means is generated, the position of the position information indicating the reproduction stop position When the device control signal is generated, which is stored by the information processing means, causes the external device to automatically record the captured information from the reproduction stop position, and instructs the apparatus to resume reproduction. Based on the stored position information indicating the playback stop position, the external device performs playback from the position where automatic recording is started, and also continues recording after the playback is started, so that the external device performs recording. A chasing playback processing means for chasing and playing back the recorded portion even when the recording is continued is provided.

Also, the digital device control method according to the present invention provides a mutual control based on a device control signal between a step of performing a reproduction process on a signal read from a recording medium and an external device which records and reproduces information connected to a connection means. A step of performing control, a step of storing position information indicating a position where reproduction of the recording medium is stopped when a device control signal instructing to stop reproduction of the recording medium is generated during reproduction of the recording medium, and a recording medium When a device control signal instructing to start playback is generated, and when position information indicating a position where playback of the recording medium is stopped is stored, playback of the recording medium is started based on the position information; , in a state where the external device is playing the information to be imported from the outside of the external device, when the device control signal for instructing the reproduction stop information capturing said to the external device is generated, its Together and stores the position information indicating the playback stop position, the steps to perform the automatic recording of the capture information to an external device from the playback stop position, when the device control signal is generated to instruct the reproduction resuming the external device, Based on the stored position information indicating the playback stop position, the external device performs playback from the position where automatic recording is started, and also continues recording after the playback is started, so that the external device performs recording. And a step of chasing and reproducing the recorded portion even when the recording is continued.

According to the above-described invention, when a device control signal instructing an external device to stop reproducing the captured information is generated in a state where the external device is reproducing information captured from outside the external device , The external device automatically records the captured information from the playback stop position, and when a device control signal for instructing the external device to resume playback is generated, causes the external device to start playback from the position where the automatic recording was started. At the same time, since the recording is continued even after the playback is started, the recorded part is chased and played back even when the external device continues the recording. Based on this, an effective response corresponding to the connection environment of the external device can be performed, and handling for the user can be made convenient.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, which has a recording / reproducing drive unit 100A for a hard disk or an optical disk. It should be noted that a drive unit that performs recording / reproduction on both the hard disk and the optical disk may be provided.

  This recording / reproducing apparatus 100 has a plurality (two in the illustrated case) of connecting portions 101 and 102. Among these, for example, a television receiver 200 </ b> A capable of displaying a standard video signal is connected to the connection unit 101 as an external device. Further, the server 300 is connected to the other connection unit 102 via a network such as the Internet.

  FIG. 2 shows that a television receiver 200B capable of displaying a high-definition video signal can be connected to the connection unit 101. The other parts are the same as those shown in FIG. The HDMI standard is applied to the connection between the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 and the television receiving apparatus 200A or 200B.

  FIG. 3 shows the appearance of an HDMI cable 400 for connecting the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 and the television receiver 200A or 200B in conformity with the HDMI standard. The connector 401 provided at the distal end portion of the HDMI cable 400 has 19 pins as a standard type.

  FIG. 4 shows each pin of the HDMI connector 401 and signals and functions handled by the pin. Of these 19 pins, the pin 13 is called CEC (consumer electronics control) and constitutes a line that controls transmission of device control signals based on a control protocol standardized by HDMI.

  That is, by transmitting a device control signal from the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 to the television receiving apparatus 200A or 200B via the CEC line, the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 causes the television receiving apparatus 200A or 200B to be in a predetermined operating state or stopped state. It is possible to control. Also, the reverse control is possible.

  FIG. 5 shows a signal processing system of the recording / reproducing apparatus 100. In this recording / reproducing apparatus 100, for example, an optical disk 12 such as a DVD (digital versatile disk) is mounted on a disk drive unit 16 (corresponding to 100A in FIG. 1), and when the reproduction is requested, the recorded data can be read. Done.

  The data read by the disk drive unit 16 is supplied to the decoder unit 17 and the signal processing unit 18 to be sequentially subjected to digitization processing, error correction processing, decoding processing, etc., and restored to a digital video signal. Is done.

  The restored digital video signal is supplied to an on-screen display (OSD) signal adding unit 19 to which an OSD signal is added, and then supplied to the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20 to be converted into a format conforming to the HDMI standard and output. It is led to a receiving-side device (in this case, the television receiver 200A or 200B) via the terminals 21a and 21b.

Further, the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20 can communicate with a receiving-side device (the television receiving device 200 </ b> A or 200 </ b> B) via the input / output terminal 22. For example, it is possible to request the receiving device to acquire EDID data and acquire the EDID data output from the receiving device.
Further, the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20 can output a device control signal to the receiving device (the television receiving device 200A or 200B) via the CEC input / output terminal 30 to control the receiving device. it can. Conversely, it can control itself by receiving a device control signal from the receiving device.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 100, all the operations including the above-described reproducing operation are comprehensively controlled by the control unit 23. The control unit 23 incorporates a CPU (central processing unit) and the like, receives operation information from the operation unit 24 or operation information from the reception unit 26 that receives a transmission signal of the remote controller 25, and Each unit is controlled so that the operation content is reflected.

  In this case, the control unit 23 uses the memory unit 27. The memory unit 27 mainly includes a ROM (read only memory) that stores a control program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) that provides a work area for the CPU, various setting information, control information, and the like. And a non-volatile memory to be stored.

  The control unit 23 can request access to the server 300 connected to the network 14 via the interface unit 28 and the connection terminal 29 and obtain a desired video signal from the server 300.

  The video signal acquired from the server 300 is supplied to the signal processing unit 18 and subjected to predetermined signal processing. After the OSD signal is added by the OSD signal adding unit 19, the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20 complies with the HDMI standard. It is converted into a form, and is led to a receiving device via the output terminals 21a and 21b.

  Here, the control unit 23 recognizes the reception specifications of the television receivers 200A and 200B based on the EDID data acquired by the HDMI transmission / reception unit 20, and converts the video signal in a form corresponding to the reception specifications to the optical disc 12 or It can also be retrieved from the server 300 and output to the television receivers 200A and 200B.

  For example, if the display specification of the television receiver 200A is an SD (standard) specification corresponding to the standard image quality, the control unit 23 searches the content of the optical disc 12 or the server 300 for an SD compatible video signal, and the television The data is output to the receiving device 200A and used for video display.

  If the display specification of the television receiver 200B is an HD (high definition) specification corresponding to high image quality, the control unit 23 searches the optical disc 12 or the content of the server 300 for an HD compatible video signal, and Output to the John receiver 200B for video display.

  In this case, it is assumed that an SD-compatible video signal and an HD-compatible video signal are prepared in advance on the optical disc 12 or the server 300 for the same content requested by the user for viewing.

  Here, the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20 is provided with a mutual authentication unit 20b for performing mutual authentication when an external device is connected. The operation by the mutual authentication unit 20b is to confirm whether or not the connected external device satisfies a predetermined condition, and only when the condition is satisfied, data can be exchanged and contents can be received or transmitted. Become.

  Further, the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20 generates device control information by CEC to be output to the connected external device, and analyzes a device control signal supplied from the connected external device. A CEC control unit 20a is provided. Mutual control by the device control signal is possible for the external device authenticated by the mutual authentication unit 20b.

  On the other hand, the control unit 23 includes a position information processing unit 23a, a reproduction start control unit 23b, a switching unit 23c, and a chasing reproduction processing unit 23d. Among these, the position information processing unit 23a acquires position information indicating the position where the reproduction is stopped when a device control signal requesting the reproduction stop is supplied from the external device during the reproduction operation of the optical disc 12. It is something to remember.

  This position information may be held by the position information processing unit 23a, or may be held by a processing unit (signal processing unit 18) that processes data read from the optical disc 12. Furthermore, the rhodium information recording function of the optical disk 12 may be used. That is, the information may be recorded as the rhodium information at a specific management information position on the optical disc 12.

  Also, the playback start control unit 23b uses the stored position information to stop playback when an equipment control signal requesting playback start is supplied from an external device that has requested playback stop. The control is performed so that the reproduction of the optical disk 12 is started from the position.

  Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 has the following functions. For example, when the television receiving device 200A is removed and another television receiving device 200B is connected, signal processing according to the capability is performed. Assume that a television receiver 200B is connected instead of the television receiver 200A. Then, the reproduction start control unit 23b reproduces content (for example, an HD compatible television signal) compatible with the television receiving device 200B from the optical disc 12.

  Further, when only a standard video signal is recorded on the optical disc 12, a switching unit 23c that converts the number of scanning lines of the standard television signal, generates an interpolation signal, converts the basic signal, and outputs the converted signal is provided. . For this purpose, a scanning line conversion unit 18 a is provided in the signal processing unit 18.

  In the embodiment described above, a configuration for performing the main control is provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus 100. However, the configuration for performing the main control may be configured independently or may be provided in the television receiver.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a television receiver 200C equipped with a configuration for performing main control. In this case, the television receiver 200 </ b> C is divided into a display unit 210 and a main board 211. A selector 212 including a plurality of connecting portions is provided on the main board 211, and a plurality of external devices can be connected.

  In this example, three external devices are connected: a playback device 110A, an STB (set top box) 110C, and a recording / playback device 110B. An antenna is also connected. The selector 212 can selectively switch between an antenna and a plurality of externally connected devices to connect to the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20. A signal captured via the HDMI transmission / reception unit 20 is processed by the television signal processing unit 213 and supplied to the display unit 210. A control unit 23 is also provided in the television receiving apparatus 200C to control the entire apparatus.

  Also in the HDMI transmitting / receiving unit 20, a CEC control unit 20a and a mutual authentication unit 20b are provided as in the case of FIG. Also in the control unit 23, a position information processing unit 23a, a reproduction start control unit 23b, a switching unit 23c, and a chasing reproduction processing unit 23d are provided.

  The above-described television receiver 200C also includes a processing unit that processes a signal reproduced from a recording medium and a plurality of connection units. A CEC control unit 20a for performing mutual control by a device control signal with each external device connected to a plurality of connection units, and a mutual authentication unit for performing mutual authentication when an external device is connected to the connection unit 20b.

  For example, assume that the television receiver 200C switches the input to the STB 110C in a state where the signal from the playback device 110A is input and played back. In this case, the television receiving device 200C outputs a device control signal requesting the playback device 110A to stop playback, and outputs a device control signal requesting the STB 110C to start playback.

  As a result, the playback device 110A stops playback based on the device control signal that requests playback stop. At this time, position information indicating the position where the reproduction is stopped is stored in the position information processing unit 23a.

  On the other hand, the STB 110C starts playback based on a device control signal that requests playback start. Then, the television receiver 200C receives and reproduces the signal output from the STB 110C.

  In such a state, it is assumed that the television receiving device 200C switches the input to the reproducing device 110A again. In this case, the television receiver 200C outputs a device control signal requesting the STB 110C to stop playback, and outputs a device control signal requesting the playback device 110A to start playback.

  As a result, the STB 110C stops the playback based on the device control signal that requests the playback stop. On the other hand, in the playback device 110A, based on the device control signal that requests the start of playback, the playback is started from the position where playback has been previously stopped using the position information previously stored in the position information processing unit 23a. To be controlled.

  Here, it is assumed that, for example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B has taken in a stream from the digital tuner. Then, it is assumed that the television receiver 200C processes the signal captured via the recording / reproducing device 110B and displays it on the display unit 210. At this time, recording may be performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B.

  In such a state, it is assumed that the selector 212 is controlled and the input is temporarily switched to the playback device 110A. Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B starts recording the program so far (when the recording has already been performed, the recording is continued). Then, the position information of the medium position where recording is started is recognized by the position information processing unit 23a and the information is held. When the recording has already been performed, the position information when the recording is continued is stored.

  Next, when the input is switched to the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B instead of the reproducing apparatus 110A, the previously stored position information is used. Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B is controlled to a reproduction state of information recorded immediately after the input is switched first. At this time, the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B is controlled to the chasing reproduction state by the chasing reproduction processing unit 23d, and continues to record the received information as usual.

  Even in the chasing playback state, the recording / playback apparatus 110B can be controlled to the skip playback mode or the fast forward playback mode by an operation. Then, the previously recorded information is reproduced at high speed, and catches up with the information currently being recorded.

  At this time, the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B stops recording, and the receiving apparatus 200C directly takes in and plays back the stream from the digital tuner that has been taken in via the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B. However, when the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B is operated in the recording mode, the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B continues to record as usual.

  Note that the position information is not limited to that of the recording / reproducing apparatus 110B, and the interruption position information may be stored when the reproduction of the reproducing apparatus 110A is interrupted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main part of the embodiment described above. When a reproduction instruction is issued to the external device through the CEC (step SA1), it is determined whether or not position information is held (step SA2).

  If position information is not stored, playback starts from the beginning of the recording medium (step SA3). If position information is stored, playback is performed based on the position information as described above. Playback is started from the position where is interrupted (step SA4).

  When the playback state is entered, a check state is entered as to whether or not a playback stop instruction has been issued to the external device through the CEC (steps SA5 and SA6). When a reproduction stop instruction is issued to an external device, the current reproduction position is held as interruption information (position information) (step SA7).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of a further main part of the above-described embodiment. When a reproduction instruction is issued to the external device through the CEC (step SB1), it is determined whether or not position information is held (step SB2).

  If the position information is not stored, the input stream starts to be played (step SB3). If the position information is stored, the playback is interrupted based on the position information as described above. Reproduction from the set position is started (step SB4).

  During playback (step SB5), if a playback stop instruction is issued to the external device through CEC (step SB6), it can be determined whether or not the external device is recording (step SB7). Recording is started (step SB8). When recording is in progress, recording is continued.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by variously modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements according to different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The block block diagram shown in order to show the embodiment of this invention, and to demonstrate the connection form centering on the recording / reproducing apparatus. The block block diagram shown in order to demonstrate the other example of the connection form centering on the recording / reproducing apparatus in the embodiment. The external view shown in order to demonstrate the connector part of the HDMI cable used for the apparatus connection in the embodiment. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the function of each pin with which the HDMI connector in the embodiment was equipped. The block block diagram shown in order to demonstrate an example of the signal processing system of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the embodiment. The block block diagram shown in order to demonstrate an example of the signal processing system of the television receiver connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus in the embodiment. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate an example of the processing operation of the main parts in the embodiment. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the other example of the processing operation of the main parts in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Optical disk, 14 ... Network, 16 ... Disk drive part, 17 ... Decoder part, 18 ... Signal processing part, 19 ... OSD signal addition part, 20 ... HDMI transmission / reception part, 20a ... CEC control part, 20b ... Mutual authentication part, 23 ... Control unit, 23a ... Position information processing unit, 23b ... Reproduction start control unit, 23c ... Switching unit, 23d ... Chase reproduction processing unit, 24 ... Operation unit, 25 ... Remote controller, 26 ... Reception unit, 27 ... Memory unit , 28 ... interface section, 29 ... connection terminal, 30 ... input / output terminal, 100 ... recording / playback apparatus, 101, 102 ... connection section, 100A ... drive section, 110A ... playback apparatus, 110B ... recording / playback apparatus, 110C ... STB, 200A to 200C ... Television receiver, 210 ... Display unit, 211 ... Main board, 212 ... Selector, 13 ... television signal processing unit, 300 ... server, 400 ... HDMI cable, 401 ... connector.

Claims (4)

Processing means for performing reproduction processing on the signal read from the recording medium;
Connection means for enabling connection of an external device for recording and reproducing information;
Device control means for enabling mutual control by means of device control signals with external devices connected to the connection means;
Position information processing for storing position information indicating a position where reproduction of the recording medium is stopped when a device control signal instructing to stop reproduction of the recording medium is generated by the device control means during reproduction of the recording medium Means,
When a device control signal for instructing start of reproduction of the recording medium is generated by the device control means, and position information indicating a position where reproduction of the recording medium is stopped is stored by the position information processing means. Reproduction start control means for starting reproduction of the recording medium based on the position information;
Wherein in a state where the external device is playing the information to be imported from the outside of the external device, when the device control signal for instructing the reproduction stop of the capture information to the external device from the device control means is generated, The position information indicating the playback stop position is stored by the position information processing means, and the external device automatically records the information to be taken in from the playback stop position, and the equipment control instructing the playback restart from the equipment control means When the signal is generated, based on the position information indicating the reproduction stop position stored in the position information processing means, the external device starts reproduction from the position where the automatic recording is started, and the reproduction starts. If the external device continues the recording even after the recording is performed, the recording location is chased and reproduced. Digital device control apparatus characterized by comprising a reproduction process section.   The connection means interconnects with the external device in a form compliant with the HDMI standard, and the device control means transmits the device control signal via a CEC line in the HDMI standard. The digital device control apparatus according to claim 1.   The digital device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position information processing unit stores the position information in an external device connected to the connection unit. Performing a reproduction process on the signal read from the recording medium;
A step of performing mutual control by means of a device control signal with an external device for recording and reproducing information connected to the connection means;
Storing a position information indicating a position where reproduction of the recording medium is stopped when a device control signal instructing to stop reproduction of the recording medium is generated during reproduction of the recording medium;
When a device control signal instructing the start of reproduction of the recording medium is generated and position information indicating a position where reproduction of the recording medium is stopped is stored, the recording medium is recorded based on the position information. Starting the regeneration;
When a device control signal for instructing the external device to stop reproducing the captured information is generated while the external device is reproducing information captured from outside the external device , the reproduction stop position is set. Storing the position information shown, and causing the external device to automatically record the information to be captured from the reproduction stop position;
When a device control signal instructing the external device to resume playback is generated, the external device is caused to perform playback from the position where the automatic recording is started based on the stored position information indicating the playback stop position. And a step of causing the recording to continue following the recording even when the external device continues the recording by continuing the recording after the reproduction is started. .

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