JPH04368666A - Connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable to switch automatically a signal input/output combining terminal to an input terminal and an output terminal by connecting respective audio-video equipments with each other and controlling the switch of the signal input/output combining terminal in accordance with the information of operational condition. CONSTITUTION:Communication terminals 21, 121 and system controllers 10, 101 are provided on a first and a second VTRs 1, 101, the communication terminals 21, 121 with each other are connected electrically with a line 31. Then, this device is constituted so that any one side VTR, for example, by the system controller 10 of the first VTR 1, switches 7-9 are changed over in accordance with signals corresponding to the operational condition signal SO1 of the first VTR 1 and the operational condition signal SO2 of the second VTR 101 supplied from the communication terminals 21. Thus, since this device is controlled so that the signal input/output combining terminal 2-4 are switched automatically to the signal input terminal or the signal output terminal, malfunction based on erroneous connection, etc., is prevented from generating.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is directed to a plurality of AV (audi
The present invention relates to a connection device suitable for use in connecting and dubbing o-visual) equipment, for example, a plurality of VTRs.

0002

[Prior Art] A video signal input terminal and an audio signal input terminal (hereinafter referred to as a video/audio signal input terminal as necessary) are provided on the front of a recent VTR, and a video signal output terminal and an audio signal input terminal are provided on the back. An audio signal output terminal (hereinafter referred to as a video/audio signal output terminal as necessary) is provided.

On the other hand, a camera-integrated VTR has a video signal input/output terminal, an audio signal input/output terminal (hereinafter referred to as a video/audio signal input/output terminal as necessary), and a video/audio signal input/output terminal. An input/output switch is provided for switching the dual-purpose terminal to a video/audio signal input terminal or a video/audio signal output terminal. The reason for using the video/audio signal input/output terminal is to meet the demand for smaller and lighter camera-integrated VTRs.

Therefore, for example, when supplying video/audio signals from a VTR to a camera-integrated VTR and recording the video/audio signals on a videotape installed in the camera-integrated VTR, the following steps are required. Such an operating procedure is required.

First, the video/audio signal output terminal on the back of the VTR and the video/audio signal input/output terminal of the camera-integrated VTR are connected using a connection cable. Next, switch the input/output switch of the camera-integrated VTR to the input side. Next, by operating the playback key (hereinafter referred to as PB key) on the VTR side and the recording key (hereinafter referred to as REC key) on the camera-integrated VTR side, the video/audio signal is supplied from the VTR's video/audio signal output terminal. The video/audio signals thus obtained are recorded on a videotape attached to a camera-integrated VTR.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, if the operator does not manually switch the input/output switch of the camera-integrated VTR to the input side, the video/video data cannot be recorded on the videotape. There was a problem that the audio signal was not recorded. There is also the problem that it is troublesome for the user to have to manually switch the input/output switch in this way. Furthermore, since the back of a VTR is generally placed facing a wall or the like, there is also the problem that it is troublesome to connect a connection cable to the video/audio signal output terminal on the back of the VTR. Furthermore, when the video/audio signal input terminal on the front of the VTR is connected to the video/audio signal input terminal of the camera-integrated VTR, the video/audio signals from the VTR can be connected to the camera-integrated VTR. In some cases, users made mistakes when trying to record on videotape that was currently being used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a connection in which a signal input/output terminal can be automatically switched to a signal input terminal or a signal output terminal according to the operating state of each AV device. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection device of the present invention includes a plurality of AV devices 1, 101, each of which has a signal input/output terminal. 2 to 4, 102 to 104, and communication terminal 21
, 121 and control circuits 10, 110 connected to the communication terminals 21, 121, and a plurality of AV devices 1, 1.
The signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 and 102 to 104 of 01 are electrically connected to each other, and are used for multiple AV devices 1.
, 101 are electrically connected to each other, and the control circuit 10 of one AV equipment 1 among the plurality of AV equipment 1, 101 controls the operation of the one AV equipment 1. Depending on the status information SO1 and the operating status information SO2 of other AV equipment 101 supplied from the communication terminal 21, the signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 and 102 to 104 are used as signal input terminals or signal output terminals. It is controlled to switch.

[0009]

[Operation] According to the connection device of the present invention, each AV device 1, 10
1, communication terminal 21, 121 and this communication terminal 21, 1
21 and control circuits 10 and 110 connected to each A
The communication terminals 21 and 121 of the V devices 1 and 101 are electrically connected to each other, and the control circuit 10 of one AV device 1 is supplied with operating state information SO1 of the one AV device 1 from the communication terminal 21. The signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 can be controlled to be switched to signal input terminals or signal output terminals depending on the operating state information SO2 of other AV equipment 101.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the connecting device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an AV (audio-v).
This is the first VTR as a device. 101
is the second VTR. In addition, in the following explanation, in order to facilitate understanding, these first VTR1 and second VTR1
TR101 is a VTR with the same configuration, and the second
The code of each component in the VTR 101 is the first VT
The code is obtained by adding 100 to the code of each corresponding component of R1, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The first VTR 1 is provided with three signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 which are RCA pin connectors. The signal input/output terminal 2 is an output terminal for the video signal SV1 output from the first VTR 1, and
Video signal SV2 supplied from second VTR 101
functions as an input terminal. The signal input/output terminal 3 is
Audio R (right) output from the first VTR1
t) An output terminal for the signal SR1 and a second V
It functions as an input terminal for the audio R signal SR2 supplied from TR101. The signal input/output terminal 4 is for audio L (left) output from the first VTR 1.
It is the output terminal of the signal SL1 and also serves as the second VTR terminal.
It functions as an input terminal for the audio L signal SL2 supplied from 101. Note that the video signal SV1 and the audio R signal SR1
and audio L signal SL1 together to produce the first video/
It is called audio signal SVO1. Also, video signal S
V2, audio R signal SR2, and audio L signal SL3 are combined to form a second video/audio signal SV.
It's called O2.

The signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 are, respectively,
It is connected to the movable contacts 7a to 9a of the switches 7 to 9, which have one circuit and two contacts. The movable contacts 7a to 9a receive a control signal SC1 from the system controller 10 as a control circuit.
can be switched by One of the fixed contacts 7b to 9b of the switches 7 to 9 is connected to an output amplifier 12 for the video signal SV1, an output amplifier 13 for the audio R signal SR1, and an output amplifier 14 for the audio L signal SL1, respectively.
It is connected to the. The other fixed contact 7 of switches 7 to 9
c to 9c are connected to the input amplifier 17 for the video signal SV2, the input amplifier 18 for the audio R signal SR2, and the input amplifier 19 for the audio L signal SL2, respectively.

The system controller 10 is a microprocessor and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O interface, and the like. The system controller 10 is supplied with an operating state signal SO1 of the first VTR 1 based on the operation of a key switch (not shown) arranged on the panel of the first VTR 1, and is also supplied with the operating state signal SO1 via the communication terminal 21. A signal corresponding to the operating state signal SO2 of the second VTR 101 is supplied. Here, the operating state signal SO
1, SO2 have a playback (PB) instruction signal, a pause (PAUSE) signal, a screen forward fast forwarding (CUE) signal, a screen backward fast forwarding (REV) signal, and Recording (REC)
) includes signals, etc.

Note that the first VTR 1 and the second VTR
101, it is possible to connect AV equipment such as a video camera (not shown), a tuner (not shown), a television (not shown), and a disc player (not shown), respectively, and perform the above operations. The status signals SO1 and SO2 include an identification signal indicating which AV device the operating status signal is from.

As the communication line 31 between the communication terminal 21 and the communication terminal 121, for example, a LANC (local
application control bus
A communication line via a system interface can be used.

[0017] Signal input/output terminals 2 to 4, 102 to 10
4 are connected to each other by signal lines 32-34.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained in detail using the operation mode diagram shown in FIG.

In mode A in FIG. 2, in the first VTR 1, the PB (PAU
SE) key, CUE key, or REV key is input, and the operating status signal SO1 is supplied to the system controller 10. On the other hand, in the second VTR 2, the REC (PAUSE) key is input and the operating status signal SO1 is supplied to the system controller 10. A signal SO2 is provided to system controller 110.

In this case, the system controller 10:
The second VT is supplied from the system controller 110 via the operating state signal SO1 and the second communication terminal 21.
Based on the signal corresponding to the operating state signal SO2 of R101, it is determined that the signal flow F (see FIG. 2) is from the first VTR 1 to the second VTR 101 (in the direction of arrow P). Based on this determination, the movable contacts 7a to 9a of the switches 7 to 9 are connected to the fixed contacts 7b to 9b, respectively, using the control signal SC1. As a result, the signal lines 32 to 34 are connected to the signal input/output terminals 2 to 34, respectively.
4 to the output amplifier 12 for the video signal SV1, the output amplifier 13 for the audio R signal SR1, and the output amplifier 14 for the audio L signal SL1. In this state, the signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 function as signal output terminals.

On the other hand, the system controller 10 sends a signal corresponding to the operating state signal SO1 to the second VTR 1 through the communication terminal 21, the communication line 31 and the communication terminal 121.
01 system controller 110. Therefore, the system controller 110 determines that the signal flow F is in the direction of the arrow P from the supplied signal corresponding to the operating state signal SO1 and the second operating state signal SO2, and based on this determination, the control signal SC2 connects the movable contacts 107a to 109a of the switches 107 to 109 to the fixed contacts 107c to 109c, respectively. As a result, the signal lines 32 to 34 are connected to the video signal SV through the signal input/output terminals 102 to 104, respectively.
1, an input amplifier 118 for the audio R signal SR1, and an input amplifier 119 for the audio L signal SL1. In this state, the signal input/output terminals 102 to 104 function as signal output terminals.

In such a state, for example, by releasing the PAUSE state of the second VTR 101,
A first video/audio signal SVO1 output from the first VTR 1 is recorded on a video tape (not shown) attached to the second VTR 101. Note that the second VT
Since information on releasing the PAUSE state of R101 is supplied to the system controller 10 through the system controller 110 and the communication line 31 based on the operating state signal SO2, the system controller 10
The first VTR is activated in synchronization with the PAUSE release state of R101.
It is possible to release the PAUSE state in VTR 1 and put the first VTR 1 into the PB state.

As described above, in mode A, the system controllers 10 and 110 control the switches 7 to 9 and the switch 1 according to the signal flow F (in the direction of the arrow P).
07 to 109 are automatically switched to the first VTR.
1 signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 are signal output terminals,
On the other hand, the signal input/output terminal 102 of the second VTR 101
-104 are signal input terminals.

Next, in mode B, the first VTR
1, the REC key on the panel (not shown) is key-inputted, and these operating state signals SO1 are supplied to the system controller 10. On the other hand, in the second VTR 2, the PB key is key-inputted, and the operating state signal S01 is supplied to the system controller 10.
O2 is supplied to system controller 110.

In this mode B, the system controllers 10 and 101 direct the signal flow F to the second VTR 101.
Since it is determined that the flow is Q to the second VTR 1, the movable contacts 7a to 9a of the switches 7 to 9 are connected to the fixed contacts 7c to 9c, and the movable contacts 107a to 109a of the switches 107 to 109 are connected to the fixed contacts 7c to 9c. Contact points 107b to 109b
connected to.

Therefore, in mode B, the second VTR
The second video/audio signal S output from 101
VO2 is recorded on a videotape (not shown) attached to the first VTR 1.

As described above, in mode B, the system controllers 10 and 100 control the switches 7 to 9 and the switch 1 according to the signal flow F (in the direction of the arrow Q).
07 to 109 are automatically switched to the first VTR.
The signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 of 1 are used as signal input terminals,
On the other hand, the signal input/output terminal 102 of the second VTR 101
-104 are signal output terminals.

Mode C is a mode in which the PB key is pressed on both VTRs 1 and 101 due to a user's erroneous operation. In this case, the system controller 10,
101 determines from the operating state signals SO1 and SO2 that the operation is an erroneous operation, and displays information indicating that the operation is an erroneous operation on the display. For example, a message such as ``Since the PB key has been input for both VTRs, the operation is maintained in a stopped state.'' is displayed. In response to this warning, the operator can cancel the erroneous operation state. Note that since the signal flow F is not specified, Fig. 2
In the middle, it is indicated by the symbol "*1".

Mode D is a mode when the REC key is input to both VTRs 1 and 101. In this case, for example, if a video/audio signal is supplied from a tuner (not shown), a video camera (not shown), or another VTR (not shown), the video/audio signal may be Both VTRs 1, 101 are controlled by system controllers 10, 110 to perform REC operations. This mode D is
This is particularly effective for dubbing operations. Note that the signal flow F changes depending on which VTR 1 or 101 other VTRs are connected to, and is therefore indicated by the symbol "*2" in FIG.

According to the above-described embodiment, the communication terminals 21 and 121 are connected to the first and second VTRs 1 and 101.
and a system controller 1, 110 connected to the communication terminals 21, 121, and a first and second VT.
The communication terminals 21 and 121 of R1 and 101 are electrically connected to each other by a communication line 31. Then, the system controller 10 of one of the VTRs, for example, the first VTR 1, outputs the operating state signal SO1 of the first VTR 1.
and a signal corresponding to the operating state signal SO2 of the second VTR 101 supplied from the communication terminal 21, the signal input/output terminals 2 to 4 are automatically switched to signal input terminals or signal output terminals. It is controlled as follows. Therefore, the complexity of operations as described in the prior art section is eliminated, and malfunctions due to erroneous connections or erroneous operations do not occur.

Note that if the communication line 31 is not used,
In the first and second VTRs 1 and 101, the switches 7 to 9 and 107 to 109 may be automatically switched in accordance with the operating state signals SO1 and SO2, respectively, or the switches 7 to 9 may be manually switched. , 107-10
9 may be made switchable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the connection device for a VTR has been described, but the same effect can be obtained not only when applied to a VTR but also to a television or an AV selector.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0034]

As explained above, according to the connection device of the present invention, each AV device is provided with a communication terminal and a control circuit connected to the communication terminal, and the communication terminals of each AV device are connected to each other. Electrically connected, the control circuit of one AV device is
Control to switch the signal input/output terminal to a signal input terminal or a signal output terminal according to the operating state information of the one AV device and the operating state information of the other AV device supplied from the communication terminal. are doing. This has the effect that the signal input/output terminal can be automatically switched to a signal input terminal or a signal output terminal depending on the operating state of each AV device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a connecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the connection device shown in the example of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1,101 First and second VTR2-4,102
~104 Signal input/output terminal 10, 110 System controller 21, 121 Communication terminal

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: comprising a plurality of AV devices, the plurality of A.
Each of the V devices has a signal input/output terminal, a communication terminal, and a control circuit connected to the communication terminal,
The signal input/output terminals of the plurality of AV devices are electrically connected to each other, and the communication terminals of the plurality of AV devices are electrically connected to each other. Among the devices, the control circuit of one AV device controls the signal input/output terminal according to the operating state information of the one AV device and the operating state information of the other AV device supplied from the communication terminal. A connection device characterized in that it controls switching to a signal input terminal or a signal output terminal.