JP5297896B2 - Electronic device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for decoding a plurality of types of content.

  A conventional electronic apparatus has a function of reproducing a plurality of types of content. For example, CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Video Disc), BD (Blue-ray Disc), DTV (Digital Television), MPEG4 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 4), MP3 MPEG content, etc. Those having a reproduction function are known. FIG. 1 shows a conventional electronic apparatus having a plurality of types of content reproduction functions. Here, an audio device having an in-vehicle navigation function will be described as an example of the electronic device. The electronic device 1a includes an operation input unit 11a, a system control unit 12a, and an audio control unit 13a. The operation input unit 11a, the system control unit 12a, and the audio control unit 13a are electrically connected to each other.

  The audio control unit 13a includes a TV control unit 101a, a Deck control unit 102a, and a USB control unit 103a. The TV control unit 101a has a decoder 201a, the Deck control unit 102a has a decoder 202a, and the USB control unit 103a has a decoder. 203a is electrically connected to each other. The information input unit 301a receives information on a disc such as a CD or DVD and information on a broadcast wave of a television such as a DTV. The information input unit 301a encodes the information according to a predetermined method by the functions of a content control unit and a decoder corresponding to the input information. The decoded data is decoded and decoded, and information such as video and audio is output from the information output unit 302a.

  For example, when encoded data of a DVD disc is input to the information input unit 301a, the deck control unit 102a decodes the compressed data using the decoder 202a. The decoded information is output from the information output unit 302a as video or audio information.

  However, providing a decoder for each content control unit such as the TV control unit 101a leads to an increase in the number of components or an increase in the size of the electronic device. In general, electronic devices are required to reduce costs associated with a reduction in the number of components and to reduce the size of electronic devices. In particular, an audio device having an in-vehicle navigation function has been a problem that needs to be solved in order to fit in a limited console space in the vehicle.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of digital signal reading means for reading a digital signal in a specific data format corresponding to the type of content, and switches and selects signals read from the plurality of digital signal reading means, An audio reproduction system that performs decoding processing into a common data format using a signal processing method according to the type of selected content is disclosed. In other words, by performing the decoder process not by hardware but by software, cost reduction and size reduction of the device are realized by avoiding the addition of a hardware configuration accompanying the addition of functions.

JP 2002-56612 A

  However, since the technical contents disclosed in Patent Document 1 share a single decoder that decodes digital signals of a plurality of contents into a common data format, each content has a decoder when switching the contents to be used. When output information, there may be a problem in the output of the content, such as when the information is output, the image size and color are inconsistent, the image is disturbed, the sound is in noise, etc. There were situations in which it was difficult for the user to see the video or to hear the audio. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and avoids the use of duplicate decoders to prevent content output problems, cost reduction, downsizing of the device, noise in video disturbance and sound. An object of the present invention is to provide a technology for relieving stress on the user such as Nogaru.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an invention according to claim 1 is an electronic device capable of decoding a plurality of types of content, the receiving unit receiving selection of target content to be decoded from the plurality of types of content, and the plurality of types A plurality of content controls that are shared by the decoding of various types of content and that decode the target content, and that correspond to each of the multiple types of content, and that use the decoder to control the output of the corresponding content And when the target content is changed, the content control means corresponding to the target content before the change is instructed to stop using the decoder, and after the initialization of the decoder is completed, the changed target A decoder tube for giving permission to use the decoder to the content control means corresponding to the content And means, the.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the plurality of content control means perform control related to the output of the corresponding content according to each changeable setting information. When receiving an instruction to stop the use of the decoder from the decoder management unit, the setting information of the corresponding content is stored in a predetermined memory, and when the use of the decoder is received from the decoder management unit, The setting information of the corresponding content is read from the predetermined memory and used .

Further, the invention of claim 3 is the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the decoder management means instructs the content control means to instruct the content control means to stop using the decoder, and the content control If the use of the decoder cannot be confirmed by a response from the means, the decoder is instructed to stop the process .

The invention of claim 4 is an information processing method for selectively decoding a plurality of types of content, the step of receiving selection of target content to be decoded from the plurality of types of content, and the plurality of types of content A plurality of content controls that are controls related to output of the corresponding content using a decoder that is shared by the plurality of types of content and that decodes the target content. The content control unit corresponding to the target content before the change is instructed to stop using the decoder, and after the initialization of the decoder is completed, the content corresponding to the target content after the change Giving the control means permission to use the decoder .

The invention of claim 5 is a program executable by a computer included in an electronic device capable of decoding a plurality of types of content, and the execution of the program by the computer causes the computer to execute the plurality of types of content. And receiving the selection of the target content to be decoded, and using the decoder corresponding to each of the plurality of types of content and used for decoding the plurality of types of content to decode the target content, A step of performing a plurality of content controls, which are controls related to the output of the content, and, when changing the target content, instructing the content control means corresponding to the target content before the change to stop using the decoder, After the initialization of the A step of providing a use permission of the decoder to the contents control unit corresponding to the Ceiling causes execution.

According to the first to fifth aspects of the invention, when changing the target content, the content control means corresponding to the target content before the change is instructed to stop using the decoder, and the initialization of the decoder is completed. Later, by giving permission to use the decoder to the content control means corresponding to the target content after the change, it is possible to avoid the redundant use of the decoder and to prevent problems in outputting the content. In addition, each content control unit does not need to individually manage the usage state of the decoder, and the processing load is reduced.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, when the target content is changed, the setting information related to the content before the change is stored in the memory, so that the setting information is used when the content is output next time. Can

In particular, according to the invention of claim 3 , the content of the instruction to cancel the use of the decoder management means
Even if the control means does not respond, it instructs the decoder directly to forcibly stop the processing.
Thus, the target content can be changed.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional electronic device. FIG. 2 is a schematic view from the front of the electronic device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view from the side of the electronic device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the electronic device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a time chart of processing of each component. FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart of the decoder management unit.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1. Configuration>
2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining an overview of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and an example of the configuration of an audio device (hereinafter referred to as “electronic device”) having a navigation function mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. It is shown as 2 is a front view of the electronic apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. The electronic device 1 is configured to selectively decode and reproduce a plurality of types of content such as video and music. In the following, the configuration of an audio device having a navigation function will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any device that decodes multiple types of content such as video and music using a decoder will be described below. It is possible to apply the technology to

  The electronic device 1 has a plurality of playback modes corresponding to a plurality of contents in order to reproduce a plurality of types of contents. Specifically, it is composed of a television mode for reproducing content provided by a DTV broadcast signal, a disk mode for reproducing content stored on a disk such as a CD or BD, and a flash memory such as a USB memory or a memory card. And a USB mode for reproducing content stored in the portable storage medium 9 that has been recorded. A user who handles the electronic apparatus 1 can select an arbitrary reproduction mode.

  The electronic device 1 includes a display panel 21 that provides a user interface and a housing 22 that houses an electronic circuit for realizing various functions of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is installed in a state in which a housing 22 is embedded in an instrument panel in front of a driver's seat in a vehicle interior. In addition, the electronic device 1 includes a computer 28 that performs various calculations.

  The display unit 23 is configured as a liquid crystal display panel, for example, and includes a touch panel 24. The display unit 23 displays operation menus for various functions of the electronic device 1, and the touch panel 24 detects contact of the user's fingers with the operation menus. Further, a hard button 25 for inputting various operations is provided below the display unit 23, and corresponds to operations of a navigation function and an audio function.

  The display panel 21 is provided so as to be tiltable with respect to the front surface portion of the housing 22. An insertion slot 26 into which a storage medium such as a CD or DVD can be inserted is provided on the front surface of the housing 22 exposed to the user when the display panel 21 is tilted. A connection port 27 that can be connected to the portable storage medium 9 is also provided.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic device in this embodiment. The electronic device 1 of the present embodiment is mainly different from the electronic device 1a shown in FIG. 1 in that the audio control unit includes a decoder management unit 501, and the TV control unit 101 has a TV memory 401 and deck control. For example, the unit 102 includes a deck memory 402, and the USB control unit 103 includes a USB memory 403.

  4 will be described in detail. The electronic device 1 mainly includes an operation input unit 11, a system control unit 12, and an audio control unit 13. The system control unit 12 and the audio control unit 13 are functions realized by software when the computer 28 included in the electronic apparatus 1 performs arithmetic processing according to a predetermined program. Such a program is stored in a predetermined memory in advance, but may be updated by reading a new program from the portable storage medium 9 or the like.

  The operation input unit 11 corresponds to the touch panel 24 or the hard button 25 shown in FIG. Selection of the playback mode by the user, that is, selection of the content to be played back is accepted by the operation input unit 11.

  The system control unit 12 controls the entire electronic device 1 in an integrated manner, and controls the entire electronic device 1 so as to perform an operation corresponding to a user operation received by the operation input unit 11. For example, the user's operation signal received by the operation input unit 11 is received by the system control unit 12, and content control according to the user's request among the TV control unit 101, the Deck control unit 102, and the USB control unit 103 described later. The unit decodes data by the decoder 204 and performs reproduction processing of information such as video and music.

  The audio control unit 13 includes an information input unit 301, an information output unit 302, a decoder management unit 501, a TV control unit 101, a deck control unit 102, a USB control unit 103, a TV memory 401, a deck memory 402, a USB memory 403, and , A decoder 204 is provided.

  The TV control unit 101, the Deck control unit 102, and the USB control unit 103 are content control units that perform control related to content playback, and correspond to three playback modes of the television mode, the disc mode, and the USB mode, respectively. Yes. The TV memory 401, the Deck memory 402, and the USB memory 403 are provided corresponding to the TV control unit 101, the Deck control unit 102, and the USB control unit 103, respectively. Each of the memories 101 to 103 stores corresponding content setting information. The TV memory 401 stores data of screen size and color that are preset when the user views the DTV. For example, it is data of a video data format (codec, bit rate, image quality, etc.) of the digital broadcasting standard. In addition, the TV memory 401 stores information such as sound balance and volume. For example, it is data of an audio data format (codec, bit rate) of the digital data broadcasting standard. Similarly, information set by the user for each content is stored in the other memories 402 and 403, and the setting information is read from the memory when the content is used.

  The decoder 204 decodes various contents and is shared by three playback modes. That is, the decoder 204 can decode any content that can be reproduced by the electronic apparatus 1 and performs a decoding process according to the content to be reproduced. The content control units 101 to 103 share the decoder 204 and cause the decoder 204 to decode the content to be reproduced.

  The information input unit 301 is input with disc information such as CD and DVD, television information such as DTV broadcast waves, and data information stored in the portable storage medium 9. These pieces of information have been subjected to compression processing. For example, video data is MPEG-2 / TS used for DTV broadcasting, MPEG2PS used for DVD, and one-seg broadcasting. H. There are methods such as H.264. For the audio data, a system such as MP3 or AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is used. The information output unit 302 also outputs the content decoded by the decoder 204 so that the user can view it.

  The decoder management unit 501 manages the decoder 204 and performs arbitration when the three content control units 101 to 103 use the decoder 204. Specifically, the decoder management unit 501 receives content information selected by the user from the system control unit 12 via the operation input unit 11 and information indicating existing content from the information input unit 301. Then, the content that uses the decoder 204 is determined according to the information. For example, when using DTV content in the television mode, the TV control unit 101 performs a decoding process on the broadcast wave input from the information input unit 301 using the decoder 204, and the information output unit 302 receives video, audio, and the like. Output information. Note that the TV memory 401 stores video size and color tone data, which is TV mode setting information. For example, it is data of a video data format (codec, bit rate, image quality, etc.) of the digital broadcasting standard. The TV memory 401 stores information such as sound balance and volume. For example, it is data of an audio data format (codec, bit rate) of the digital data broadcasting standard. As this setting information, setting information at the time of mode switching is recorded when switching from the television mode to another reproduction mode.

  Further, when a disc playback function such as CD or DVD is used in the disc mode, the deck control unit 102 performs processing using the decoder 204 in order to decode the data input from the information input unit 301, and the information output unit 306. Output information such as video and audio. The deck memory 402 stores video size and hue data, which are disc mode setting information. For example, it is data of a video data format (codec, bit rate, image quality, etc.) of the digital broadcasting standard. The deck memory 402 stores information such as voice balance and volume. For example, it is data of an audio data format (codec, bit rate) of the digital data broadcasting standard. This setting information is recorded at the time when the disc mode is switched to another playback mode.

  Furthermore, in the USB mode, when using the reproduction function of music or image data stored in a portable memory such as a USB memory or a memory card, the USB control unit 103 decodes data input from the information input unit 301. Processing is performed using the decoder 204, and information such as sound and images is output from the information output unit 306. The USB memory 403 stores the size and color data of the video, which is USB mode setting information. For example, it is data of a video data format (codec, bit rate, image quality, etc.) of the digital broadcasting standard. The USB memory 403 stores information such as audio balance and volume, which is USB mode setting information. For example, it is data of an audio data format (codec, bit rate) of the digital data broadcasting standard. This setting information is recorded at the time when the disc mode is switched to another playback mode.

  Note that the information stored in each of the memories 401 to 403 when switching to another playback mode (that is, another content) is the content information received from the decoder management unit 501 as will be described later. When decoding and outputting information from the information output unit 302, the information is read from the corresponding memory and used as setting information. In the present embodiment, an example in which a separate memory is provided for the control unit corresponding to each content has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and a memory for storing setting information shared by each content control unit. May be provided.

  In this embodiment, a TV control unit, a Deck control unit, and a USB control unit are described as examples of the content control unit. However, a content control unit may be added along with the addition of content other than the present embodiment. The content control unit may be reduced as the function decreases. Since the function of the decoder management unit 501 is realized by software, such addition and reduction of the content control unit can be easily handled by updating the program.

<2. Processing>
Next, processing of each configuration will be described using the time chart of FIG. Content information such as the information input unit 301 acquiring data from a disk such as a DVD, receiving a DTV broadcast wave, or acquiring data by connecting the USB to the electronic device 1 is acquired. If so, the decoder management unit 501 transmits to the system control unit 12 a signal A11 of content information that can be currently used.

  The system control unit 12 displays content information usable for the user on the display unit 23, and transmits a content request A 21 to the decoder management unit 501 based on the user request input from the operation input unit 11. The decoder management unit 501 confirms the usage status of the decoder 204, and if the decoder 204 can be used for the requested content, transmits the decoder availability signal B31 to the content control unit. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user makes a DTV content use request. Since the decoder 204 is not used, the decoder usable signal B31 is transmitted to the TV control unit 101. Also, the TV control unit 101 reads and sets the setting information stored in advance in the TV memory 401, and cancels muting of video and audio when the decoder is ready for use. The TV control unit 101 uses the decoder 204 to decode data, and outputs information such as video and audio from the information output unit 302.

  When a content use request signal A22 indicating that the content has been switched to another content by a user operation is transmitted from the system control unit 12 while the TV control unit 101 is using the decoder, the decoder management unit 501 causes the decoder use stop request signal C41. Is transmitted to the TV control unit 101.

  The TV control unit 101 receives the decoder use stop request signal C41 from the decoder management unit 501, and transmits a decoder OFF request signal G81 to the decoder. In addition, the TV control unit 101 also performs mute processing for video and audio. When the use of the decoder is stopped, the TV control unit 101 stores setting information such as video size, color, audio balance, and volume information in the TV memory 401. After the setting information is stored, the TV control unit 101 transmits a decoder use stop completion signal D51 to the decoder management unit 501. Thereby, the setting information can be stored in the memory even when the content is switched, and when the switched content is used next time, the content can be read and used so that the content can be used with the setting for each user.

  Upon receiving the decoder use stop completion signal D51 from the TV control unit 101, the decoder management unit 501 transmits a decoder initialization request signal E61 to the decoder 204. Here, the initialization of the decoder means erasing content data stored in advance in a buffer (not shown) electrically connected to the decoder 204. After the content data stored in advance in the buffer is erased by initialization in this way, the content data to be used next is newly stored in the buffer and decoded, so that the decoder 204 is used first. The content data that has been used and the content data that will be used next by the decoder 204 may be defective (for example, the video size or color may be inconsistent or the audio may be in noise). Can be prevented.

The decoder 204 that has received the initialization request executes the initialization process by the TV control unit 101 so as to set the reset state such as erasing the data of the used decoder 204. Mute processing is also performed because there is a possibility that the video and audio are disturbed during the initialization processing. Note that examples of the mute processing include making the screen a blue screen and making the sound silent.
When the initialization process is completed, the decoder 204 transmits a decoder initialization completion signal F71 to the decoder management unit 501.

  The decoder management unit 501 that has received the initialization completion signal F71 from the decoder 204 confirms the completion of initialization of the decoder 204 based on the initialization completion signal F71. The decoder management unit 501 transmits a decoder usable signal B32 to the deck control unit 102 corresponding to the content requested to be used by a user operation. Further, the deck control unit 102 reads and sets the setting information stored in the deck memory 402 in advance, and cancels muting of video and audio when the decoder is ready for use. Here, viewing of a disc such as a CD, a DVD, or a BD is an example of the content requested by the user. The deck control unit 102 decodes data using the decoder 204, and outputs information such as video and audio from the information output unit 302.

  Thereby, since it is possible to use the decoder with respect to the content after the change after confirming the completion of initialization of the decoder, it is possible to avoid a plurality of content control units from using the decoder at the time of content switching, It is possible to prevent problems such as inconsistencies in the size and color of the video, and noise in the audio.

  When a content use request signal A23 indicating that the content is switched to another content by a user operation is transmitted from the system control unit 12 while the decoder is being used by the deck control unit 102, the decoder management unit 501 causes the decoder use stop request signal C42. Is transmitted to the deck control unit 102. Here, when the decoder use stop request signal C42 is received and the deck control unit 102 operates normally, setting information such as the size and color of the video, the balance of the sound, and the volume information is displayed when the use of the decoder is stopped. The data is stored in the deck memory 402. After storing the setting information, the deck control unit 102 transmits a decoder use stop completion signal to the decoder management unit 501.

  However, if the deck control unit 102 does not operate normally after receiving the decoder use stop request signal C42, the setting information is not stored, and the decoder use stop completion signal is not transmitted to the decoder management unit 501. Therefore, if there is no response to the decoder use stop completion from the deck control unit 102 after transmitting the decoder use stop request signal C42, the decoder management unit 501 directly instructs the decoder 204 to stop the decoding process. Send G82. In addition, the decoder management unit 501 performs mute processing of video and audio in conjunction with transmission of the decode OFF request signal G82. Then, after the decoder process under the control of the deck control unit 102 is stopped, the decoder is initialized.

  Here, the initialization of the decoder means erasing content data stored in advance in a buffer shared by each content (not shown) that is electrically connected to the decoder 204. After the content data stored in advance in the buffer is erased by initialization in this way, the content data to be used next is newly stored in the buffer and decoded, so that the decoder 204 is used first. The content data that has been used and the content data that will be used next by the decoder 204 may be defective (for example, the video size or color may be inconsistent or the audio may be in noise). Can be prevented.

  The mute process is also performed during the initialization process. When the initialization process is completed, a decoder initialization completion signal F72 is transmitted to the decoder management unit 501. As a result, even when the content control unit does not respond to the use stop instruction of the decoder management unit, it is possible to change the target content by forcibly stopping the decoding process by instructing the decoder directly.

  Upon receiving the initialization completion signal F72 of the decoder, the decoder management unit 501 transmits the decoder usable signal B33 to the USB control unit 103 corresponding to the content requested to be used by the user operation. Also, the USB control unit 103 reads and sets the setting information stored in the USB memory 403 in advance, and cancels muting of video and audio when the decoder is ready for use. Here, the USB memory is a portable medium such as a flash memory. There is a request to reproduce information such as music from such a portable medium, and the USB control unit 103 performs decoding processing using the decoder 204 and outputs information such as video and audio from the information output unit 302. .

  Thus, by providing a decoder that can be used in common by the content control unit corresponding to each playback mode, the number of decoders is smaller than the number of playback modes, leading to a reduction in the number of parts and cost. Furthermore, when the number of decoders is reduced and each content control unit uses a decoder in common, the decoder management unit collectively manages which content is used by the decoder management unit. This eliminates the need for the content control unit to manage the usage status of the decoder, thus reducing the processing load.

  In addition, since the decoder management unit implemented as software collectively manages which control unit is the content control unit using the decoder, a selection circuit is provided in hardware, and the content control unit, the decoder, In the configuration for switching the connection, there is no increase in cost due to a review of the device such as changing the hardware configuration when a new content function is added, and there is an advantage that the device does not increase in size.

  Next, the operation of the decoder management unit 501 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The decoder management unit 501 transmits a signal of content information that can be currently used to the system control unit 12 (step S101). The system control unit 12 displays content information that can be used on the display unit 23, and the decoder management unit 501 receives the content use request input by the user through the operation input unit 11 (step S102).

  The decoder management unit 501 confirms the usage state of the decoder 204 (step S103), and if any content does not use the decoder 204 and the decoder 204 can be used for the requested content (step S104). No), the content setting information is read from the memory of the target content to be reproduced next, and a decoding usable signal is transmitted to the content control unit related to the target content (step S112).

  If any content is using the decoder (Yes in step S104), a decoder use stop request signal is transmitted to the content control unit using the decoder (step S105). When the decoder management unit 501 receives the use stop completion signal of the decoder 204 transmitted in response to the decoder use stop request signal transmitted by the content control unit (Yes in step S106), the decoder management unit 501 initializes the decoder. The requested signal is transmitted to the decoder 204 (step S108).

  Here, the initialization of the decoder means erasing content data stored in advance in a buffer shared by each content (not shown) that is electrically connected to the decoder 204. After the content data stored in advance in the buffer is erased by initialization in this way, the content data to be used next is newly stored in the buffer and decoded, so that the decoder 204 is used first. The content data that has been used and the content data that will be used next by the decoder 204 may be defective (for example, the video size or color may be inconsistent or the audio may be in noise). Can be prevented.

  Note that when the content control unit stops using the decoder 204, the content control unit stores the video size and hue data in the content memory. For example, it is data of a video data format (codec, bit rate, image quality, etc.) of the digital broadcasting standard. The content control unit also stores setting information such as audio balance and volume information in the target content memory at that time. For example, it is data of an audio data format (codec, bit rate) of the digital data broadcasting standard.

  If the content control unit does not operate normally after receiving the decoder use stop request signal from the decoder management unit 501, the decoder use stop completion signal is not transmitted from the content control unit to the decoder management unit 501. Therefore, after the decoder management unit 501 transmits a decoder use stop request signal to the content control unit, if there is no response to the decoder use stop completion from the content control unit for a predetermined time, the decoder management unit 501 directly performs a decoding process on the decoder 204. Step S107 for transmitting a decode OFF request signal instructing to stop the operation. Thereafter, the decoder management unit 501 transmits a signal requesting initialization of the decoder to the decoder 204 (step S108). A mute process is also performed during the initialization process.

  When the initialization process of the decoder is completed, the decoder management unit 501 receives a decoder initialization completion signal and confirms the completion of initialization (step S109). Next, the decoder management unit 501 transmits a decoding usable signal to the content control unit (step S110).

  Thus, by providing a decoder that can be used in common by the content control unit corresponding to each playback mode, the number of decoders is smaller than the number of playback modes, leading to a reduction in the number of parts and cost. Furthermore, when the number of decoders is reduced and each content control unit uses a decoder in common, the decoder management unit collectively manages which content is used by the decoder management unit. This eliminates the need for the content control unit to manage the usage status of the decoder, thus reducing the processing load. In addition, since the decoder can be used for the changed content after confirming the completion of the initialization of the decoder, it is possible to avoid multiple content control units from using the decoder at the same time when switching the content. This can prevent problems such as inconsistencies in size and color, and noise in the sound. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of decoders as a hardware configuration, and cost reduction and device miniaturization can be realized. In addition, video and audio can be provided to the user without stress.

  Also, when the content is switched, the setting information can be stored in the memory, and the content can be used with the settings for each user even when the switched content is used next time.

  Furthermore, even when the content control unit does not respond to the use stop instruction of the decoder management unit, the target content can be changed by directly instructing the decoder to forcibly stop the decoding process.

  In addition, since the decoder management unit implemented as software collectively manages which control unit is the content control unit using the decoder, a selection circuit is provided in hardware, and the content control unit, the decoder, In the configuration for switching the connection, there is no increase in cost due to a review of the device such as changing the hardware configuration when a new content function is added, and there is an advantage that the device does not increase in size.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 12 System control part 13 Audio control part 101 TV control part 204 Decoder 301 Information input part 302 Information output part 401 TV memory 501 Decoder management part

Claims (5)

An electronic device capable of decoding multiple types of content,
Receiving means for receiving selection of target content to be decoded from the plurality of types of content;
A decoder that is shared in decoding the plurality of types of content and that decodes the target content;
Corresponding to each of the plurality of types of contents, using the decoder,
A plurality of content control means for performing control related to output of the content;
When changing the target content, instruct the content control means corresponding to the target content before the change to stop using the decoder, and after the initialization of the decoder is completed, handle the target content after the change Decoder management means for granting permission to use the decoder to the content control means;
An electronic device comprising:
The electronic device according to claim 1,
Each of the plurality of content control means performs control related to output of corresponding content according to changeable setting information,
When an instruction to stop using the decoder is received from the decoder management means,
Store the setting information of the content to be stored in a predetermined memory,
When receiving permission to use the decoder from the decoder management means, the corresponding controller
An electronic apparatus characterized in that the setting information of the content is read from the predetermined memory and used .
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
When the decoder management means instructs the content control means to stop the use of the decoder and the use of the decoder cannot be confirmed by a response from the content control means even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the decoder management means An electronic device characterized by instructing to stop .
An information processing method for selectively decoding a plurality of types of content,
Receiving a selection of target content to be decoded from the plurality of types of content;
A step of performing a plurality of content controls corresponding to each of the plurality of types of content and using a decoder that is shared in the decoding of the plurality of types of content and that decodes the target content, and is a control related to output of the corresponding content. When,
When changing the target content, instruct the content control means corresponding to the target content before the change to stop using the decoder, and after the initialization of the decoder is completed, handle the target content after the change Giving the content control means permission to use the decoder;
An information processing method comprising:
Can be executed by a computer included in an electronic device capable of decoding multiple types of content
Execution of the program by the computer
Computer
Receiving a selection of target content to be decoded from the plurality of types of content;
A step of performing a plurality of content controls corresponding to each of the plurality of types of content and using a decoder that is shared in the decoding of the plurality of types of content and that decodes the target content, and is a control related to output of the corresponding content. When,
When changing the target content, instruct the content control means corresponding to the target content before the change to stop using the decoder, and after the initialization of the decoder is completed, handle the target content after the change Giving the content control means permission to use the decoder;
A program characterized by having executed .

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