JPH05205391A - Mutual connection control system for audio-video equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To connect AV signal line from an AV equipment with any terminal of AV selectors by controlling a signal switching means so that a pair of AV signal input/output terminals to which a terminal identifying signal is inputted are interconnected. CONSTITUTION:Switching either inputting the AV signal from the AV signal input terminals 11 or outputting terminal identifying signal is performed by the signal switching means 12 of the AV signal input device according to the instruction from a system control means 5. A terminal identifying signal generating means 13 generates the terminal identifying signal necessary at the time of selecting an AV input/output terminals 16 required by the AV selector 15. The generating means of terminal identifying signal is connected to the AV signal input terminal 16 of the AV selectors 15 through the AV signal line. Thus, the path from the AV signal output terminal 9 through the AV selectors 15 to the AV input signal terminal 11 of the input of the AV signal of the AV equipment is established.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a television receiver.
(TV), video tape recorder (VTR), digital audio tape recorder (DAT), laser disk player (LDP), and other audio / video equipment (hereinafter referred to as A
V equipment) (collectively referred to as V equipment)
It concerns video systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an audio / video system, a video signal, a left audio signal and a right audio signal (hereinafter,
A plurality of AV devices are interconnected via a connecting device called an AV selector having a large number of input / output terminals to which (to be collectively referred to as AV signals) are connected, and various signal recording / reproducing operations are performed by switching the selector. A connection system capable of realizing a form has been proposed (for example, magazine "TV Technology" 1984).
(See November issue, pages 19 to 20).

[0003]

In the conventional system using the AV select, the type of AV equipment to be connected to each input terminal and output terminal of the AV select is preset by the manufacturer. That is, the AV selector is provided with an input terminal dedicated to a television receiver, an input terminal dedicated to a video tape recorder, an input terminal dedicated to a digital audio tape recorder, an input terminal dedicated to a laser disc player, and the like, for example, a video tape recorder. It is necessary to always connect a video tape recorder to the input terminal for use, and if a laser disk player is mistakenly connected, a desired signal recording or reproducing form cannot be realized.

Therefore, the user has to connect the AV selector and the AV equipment according to the manufacturer's setting, and the connecting operation is complicated and troublesome. An object of the present invention is to provide an AV system capable of realizing a desired signal recording or reproducing mode even if an AV signal line from an AV device is connected to any terminal of an AV selector.

[0005]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] Audio according to the present invention
AV equipment in interconnection control system for video equipment
(1) is a terminal identification signal generating means (13) for generating a terminal identification signal indicating that the apparatus has become an AV device on the AV signal output side or the AV signal input side that should be mutually connected via the AV selector (15). ), The identification signal is changed to AV signal instead of AV signal.
AV signal output terminal (9) or AV signal input terminal of device (1)
Signal switching means (10) and (12) for outputting from (11) are provided. Further, the AV selector (15) is a signal switching means (19) for switching and setting each AV signal input / output terminal (16) to any one of an AV signal input terminal, an AV signal output terminal, and the identification signal input terminal. And a terminal identification signal search means (18) for searching which AV signal input / output terminal (16) the identification signal is input to, and an AV signal based on the search result of the terminal identification signal search means (18). Control the signal switching means (19) so as to establish an AV signal path from the AV signal output terminal (9) of the output AV device (1) to the AV signal input terminal (11) of the AV signal input side AV device. And a system control means (17) for operating.

[0006]

When the AV signal output side AV equipment and the AV signal input side AV equipment to be connected to each other are selected, the terminal identification signal generating means (13) of these AV equipment (1) identifies the terminals. Signal, and the identification signal is the AV of the AV selector (15).
It is sent to the terminal identification signal search means (18) via the signal input / output terminal (16) and the signal switching means (19). Terminal identification signal exploration means
The signal switching means (18) connects the pair of AV signal input / output terminals (16) to which the terminal identification signal is input.
Control (19). As a result, the AV on the AV signal output side
From the AV signal output terminal (9) of the device (1) to the AV selector (15)
AV signal input terminal (1
The AV signal path leading to 1) is established.

[0007]

According to the interconnection control system for audio / video equipment according to the present invention, the user can record a desired signal even if the AV signal line from the AV equipment is connected to any terminal of the AV selector. A reproduction form can be realized.

[0008]

The examples are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention or limiting the scope of the invention. A for implementing the present invention
The equipment configuration of the V system is shown in FIG. AV equipment (1a)
The output and input terminals of (1b) (1c) (1d) (1e) are
The AV selector (15) is intensively connected via an AV signal line, and each AV device and the AV selector are bus-connected to each other via a control line.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show an interconnection control system for AV equipment according to the present invention in a block form for each function. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of AV equipment on the AV signal output side, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of AV equipment on the AV signal input side. Generally, the AV device (1) is an AV signal output device and an A device.
It can take any position of the V signal input side device,
In practice, both the configurations of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are provided, but in the following description, for the sake of convenience, the position is fixed and only the essential configurations of the AV signal output side device and the AV signal input side device are illustrated. explain. Further, the same reference numerals are given to the means common to the AV signal output side device and the AV signal input side device, and duplicate description will be omitted.

AV equipment (1) on the AV signal output side as shown in FIG.
Is provided with an AV signal output terminal (9) and a control terminal section (14). As shown in FIG. 3, the AV equipment (1) on the AV signal input side has an AV signal.
A signal input terminal (11) and a control terminal section (14) are provided.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the AV selector (15) is provided with an AV signal input / output terminal (16) and a control terminal section (14). AV equipment
AV signal output terminal (9) and AV signal input terminal (11) of (1)
And the AV signal input / output terminal (16) of the AV selector (15) is AV
The control terminal unit (14) of the AV device (1) and the control terminal unit (14) of the AV selector (15) are connected to each other via a signal line.

The AV signal output side device has an operation section (2),
When the operation unit (2) is operated, the operation identification means (3) recognizes the operation content. The device control means (4) commands the system control means (5) to control another AV device based on the recognition of the operation identification means (3). Also, device control means
(4) is an audio / video signal generating means in the AV signal output side device.
The control of (6), the AV signal input side device, and the like control the video / audio signal processing means (7) and the like, and perform general control inside the AV device.

The system control means (5) requests the control command communication means (8) to transmit a control command for controlling other AV equipment, and the command received by the control command communication means (8). Is received and a control operation according to the command is performed. When it is necessary to control its own AV equipment (1), it notifies the equipment control means (4). Further, the system control means (5) is used for AV signal output side equipment.
Controls the signal switching means (10) connected to the signal output terminal (9), and in the AV signal input side device, the AV signal input terminal (11)
And controls the signal switching means (12) connected to.

Signal switching means (10) of the AV signal output side device
According to an instruction from the system control means (5), the AV signal output terminal (9) is switched to output an AV signal or a terminal identification signal.
In addition, the signal switching means (12) of the AV signal input side device follows the instruction from the system control means (5) and outputs an AV signal input terminal.
It is switched from (11) whether the AV signal is input or the terminal identification signal is output. The video / audio signal generating means (6) is a means for emitting an AV signal, such as a tuner or a video deck, and the video / audio signal processing means (7) is for displaying, reproducing or displaying the AV signal on an image monitor, a speaker, a video deck or the like. It is a means of recording. The terminal identification signal generation means (13) issues a terminal identification signal required when the AV selector (15) selects a desired AV signal input / output terminal (16). The terminal identification signal is connected from the AV signal input terminal (11) to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) of the AV selector (15) through the AV signal line.

In the AV selector (15) of FIG. 2, an AV signal input / output terminal (16) to which an AV signal is to be input is selected or an AV signal input / output terminal (1 to which an input AV signal is to be output (1)
A system control means (17) is provided to select 6). The system control means (17) is a control command communication means.
Related AV equipment through (8) and control terminal (14)
Controlling the signal switching means (19), the input signal selecting means (20) and the output signal selecting means (21) based on the information from the terminal identification signal searching means (18) while communicating with (1) Is.

The signal switching means (19) is a system control means (1
According to the instructions from 7), the corresponding AV signal input / output terminals (1
6) is connected to any of the input signal selection means (20), the output signal selection means (21) and the terminal identification signal search means (18). The input signal selection means (20) is a system control means (17).
According to the instruction from (1), one AV signal input from the AV signal input / output terminal (16) through the signal switching means (19) is selected and output to the output signal selecting means (21). or,
The output signal selecting means (21) selects the AV signal input / output terminal (16) to which the AV signal from the input signal selecting means (20) is to be output, according to the instruction from the system control means (17).

The terminal identification signal searching means (18) searches the AV signal input / output terminal (16) to which the terminal identification signal is input, and sets the AV signal input / output terminal (16) to the system control means (17).
To inform.

FIG. 5 shows the system control means (5), control command communication means (8), signal switching means (10), AV signal output terminal (9) and control terminal of the AV equipment (1) on the AV signal output side. Department
FIG. 6 shows hardware constituting (14), and FIG. 6 shows system control means (5) of AV equipment (1) on the AV signal input side, control command communication means (8), signal switching means (12), AV signal input. The hardware which comprises a terminal (11) and a control terminal part (14) is shown. CPU (22) controls the system, ROM
A program for system control of the CPU (22) is written in (23), and data necessary for executing the program is written and read in the RAM (24) as appropriate.

The switch 1 (25) switches between the AV signal and the terminal identification signal and outputs it to the AV signal output terminal (9), and the switch 2 (26) inputs the AV signal from the AV signal input terminal (11). Switch 3 (27) is for turning on / off the terminal identification signal to the AV signal input terminal (11).
The operations of these switches are controlled by the CPU 22 via the switch control I / F 28. Control communication circuit
Reference numeral (29) is a circuit for communicating with other AV equipment (1) and AV selector (15), which supplies the received data to the CPU (22) via the I / F (30), and the CPU ( Send the data from 22).

7 and 8 show the hardware configuration of the AV selector (15). The CPU (31) controls the system control, the ROM (32) stores a program for system control of the CPU (31), and the RAM (33) stores the program.
Data necessary for program execution is written and read as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 7, the switch 4 (34) turns on / off the signal from the AV signal input / output terminal (16), and the switch 5 (3
5) shows the signal from the switch 4 (34) as the terminal identification signal I / F.
(40) or switch 6 (36) is switched and connected.
The switch 6 (36) and the switch 8 (38) are provided with arbitrary AV signal input / output terminals (1) in the AV signal path formed by the input signal selecting means (20) and the output signal selecting means (21).
This is a changeover switch for connecting the signal from 6) to an arbitrary AV signal input / output terminal (16). Also, switch 7 (37) is
The signal to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) is turned on / off. These switches are for each AV signal input / output terminal (1
6) Equipped for each, switch control I / by CPU (31)
Each is controlled through F (39).

As shown in FIG. 8, the signal from each switch 5 (35) is sent to the CPU (31) via the terminal identification signal I / F (40). The control communication circuit (41) is a circuit for communicating with the AV device (1), supplies the data received via the I / F (42) to the CPU (31), and outputs the data from the CPU (31). To send.

In the configuration of the AV device (1) and the AV selector (15), the VTR 1 (1c) of FIG. 4 is instructed to perform the reproducing operation, and the AV signal from the VTR is not supplied to the television (1a). In this case, the system control means (5) of the VTR1 (1c) requests the system control means (17) of the AV selector (15) to establish a signal path from the VTR1 (1c) to the television (1a). To do. The processing procedure of the system control of the AV selector, VTR 1 and television in this case will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system control means (17) of the AV selector (15) first establishes an AV signal path from the VTR1 to the AV selector based on the information stored in the RAM (33). It is judged (43) whether or not there is. If NO, V
The TR1 is requested (44) to output an identification signal (for example, a high signal) from the AV signal output terminal.

The system control means (5) of the VTR 1 is shown in FIG.
After confirming (45) the request as in 1, the signal switching means (10)
, The signal from the terminal identification signal generating means (13)
Instruct (44) to output to the signal output terminal (9). At this time, the switch 1 (25) is switched to the terminal identification signal side. Then, to the AV selector, AV signal output terminal
The fact that the terminal identification signal has been output from (9) is transmitted (47).

The system control means (17) of the AV selector is
As shown in FIG. 9, after confirming (48) the output of the terminal identification signal, the terminal identification signal is sent to all the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminals (16) which are not currently used. An instruction (49) is made to connect the exploration means (18) and the AV signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 4 (34) is turned on, the switch 5 (35) is switched to the terminal identification signal I / F (40) side, and the switch 7 (37) is turned off. Next, the system control means (17) confirms the AV signal input / output terminal (16) connected to the AV signal output terminal (9) of the VTR 1 by the information from the terminal identification signal search means (18), and stores it. (50)
After that, the VTR 1 is requested (51) to stop the output of the terminal identification signal.

The system control means (5) of the VTR 1 is shown in FIG.
Confirm the output stop request of the terminal identification signal as shown in 1 (52)
After that, the signal switching means (10) is instructed (53) to output the signal from the video / audio signal generating means (6) to the AV signal output terminal (9). At this time, switch 1 (25) is AV
It is switched to the signal side. After that, the output stop of the terminal identification signal from the AV signal output terminal (9) is transmitted to the AV selector (54).

The system control means (17) of the AV selector is
As shown in FIG. 9, after confirming the output stop of the terminal identification signal (55), the input signal selecting means (20) is connected to the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the stored AV signal input / output terminal (16). An instruction (56) is made to connect the AV signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 5 corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
(35) is switched to the switch 6 (36) side. Next, the system control means (17) instructs the input signal selection means (20) to
Instruct to input the signal from V signal input / output terminal (16)
(57) Yes. Thereby, the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
The switch 6 (36) corresponding to is connected to the vacant AV signal path and has no relation to the AV signal input / output terminal (16).
All switches 4 (34) corresponding to are turned off. The above control procedure establishes the AV signal path between the VTR 1 and the AV selector.

Next, the system control means (17) of the AV selector
Determines whether the AV signal path from the AV selector to the TV is established (58) based on the information stored in the RAM (33) as shown in FIG. In the case of NO, the TV is requested (59) to output the identification signal from the AV signal input terminal (11).

After confirming (60) the request as shown in FIG. 12, the system control means (5) of the TV sends the signal from the terminal identification signal generation means (13) to the signal switching means (12). Instruct (61) to output to the signal input terminal (11). At this time, the switch 2 (26) is turned off and the switch 3 (27) is turned on. After that, the fact that the terminal identification signal is output from the AV signal input terminal (11) is transmitted to the AV selector (62).
To do.

The system control means (17) of the AV selector is
As shown in FIG. 10, after confirming (63) the output of the terminal identification signal, the terminal identification signal is sent to all the signal switching means (19) corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminals (16) not currently used. An instruction (64) is made to connect the exploration means (18) and the AV signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 4 (34) is turned on, the switch 5 (35) is switched to the terminal identification signal I / F (40) side, and the switch 7 (37) is turned off. Next, the system control means (17) confirms the AV signal input / output terminal (16) connected to the AV signal input terminal (11) of the TV by the information from the terminal identification signal search means (18) and stores it. (65) Thereafter, the TV is requested (66) to stop the output of the terminal identification signal.

As shown in FIG. 12, the system control means (5) of the TV confirms (67) the request to stop the output of the terminal identification signal, and then the signal switching means (12) instructs the video / audio signal processing means.
Instruct (68) to output the signal to (7) from the AV signal input terminal (11). At this time, the switch 2 (26) is turned on and the switch 3 (27) is turned off. After that, the output stop of the terminal identification signal from the AV signal input terminal (11) is transmitted (69) to the AV selector.

The system control means (17) of the AV selector is
As shown in Fig. 10, confirm output stop of the terminal identification signal (70)
Then, the output signal selecting means (21) and the AV switching means (19) corresponding to the stored AV signal input / output terminal (16)
Instruct (71) to connect the signal input / output terminal (16). At this time, the switch 4 (34) corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) is turned off and the switch 7 (37) is turned on. Next, the system control means (17) inputs the input signal selection means (20) to the AV signal input / output terminal (16) with respect to the output signal selection means (21).
Instruct (72) to output the signal from. Accordingly, the switch 8 corresponding to the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
(38) is connected to the AV signal path selected by the switch 6 (36) and has no relation to the AV signal input / output terminal (16)
All switches 7 (37) corresponding to are turned off.

The above control procedure establishes the AV signal path between the TV and the AV selector.
This means that R1 and the TV are connected in a desired signal reproducing / recording form. After that, the system control means of the AV selector (17)
Replies (73) to the VTR 1 that the AV signal path has been established. This causes the VTR 1 to start the reproducing operation.

According to the interconnection control system for AV equipment described above, the user can freely connect the AV signal line between the AV equipment and the AV selector, so that the connection work is not troublesome. Even if the AV signal line of the AV device (1) to be set on the AV signal output side or the input side is not connected to the AV selector (15), the state can be detected by the presence or absence of the terminal identification signal, so the connection It is also possible to send a message prompting the user.

The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or limiting the scope. The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of AV equipment on an AV signal output side.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an AV selector.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of AV equipment on an AV signal input side.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an AV system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of AV equipment on the AV signal output side.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of AV equipment on the AV signal input side.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a switch unit of a hardware configuration of an AV selector.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control unit of a hardware configuration of an AV selector.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the first half of the operation of the AV selector.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the operation of the AV selector.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of AV equipment on the AV signal output side.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of AV equipment on the AV signal input side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) AV equipment (15) AV selector (13) Terminal identification signal generation means (18) Terminal identification signal exploration means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of audio / video devices (AV devices) are connected to an AV selector (15) via an audio / video signal line (AV signal line) and a control line.
By switching (15), A of the AV equipment on the AV signal output side
From the V signal output terminal (9), A of the AV equipment on the AV signal input side
In a system in which an AV signal path leading to the V signal input terminal (11) can be established to configure a desired signal recording or reproducing mode, the AV equipment (1) is connected to each other via the AV selector (15). Terminal identification signal generating means for generating a terminal identification signal indicating that it has become an AV device on the AV signal output side or AV signal input side.
(13) and signal switching means (10) (12) for outputting the identification signal instead of the AV signal from the AV signal output terminal (9) or the AV signal input terminal (11) of the AV device (1) , AV selector (1
5) shows that each AV signal input / output terminal (16) is connected to an AV signal input terminal,
Signal switching means (19) for switching and setting to any one of the signal output terminal and the identification signal input terminal, and searching for which AV signal input / output terminal (16) the identification signal is input Based on the terminal identification signal exploration means (18) and the exploration result of the terminal identification signal exploration means (18), A
A signal switching means (19) is provided so as to establish an AV signal path from the AV signal output terminal (9) of the AV device (1) on the V signal output side to the AV signal input terminal (11) of the AV device on the AV signal input side. )
An interconnection control system for audio / video equipment, comprising: a system control means (17) for controlling the.