JPH07160458A - Display device and electronic equipment controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily discriminate a device which outputs a message among plural devices. CONSTITUTION:A message display circuit 11 and a CRT 10 change at least one of the position of the message displayed on a screen, the color of the position, and the display color of the message corresponding to the device which is controlled by a control part 9 among plural devices (e.g. VTR 12, VRT 13, and LDP 14).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display controller and electronic equipment suitable for use in a television receiver for outputting an image or sound reproduced by a video tape recorder, a laser disc player or the like, or an AV system. Regarding the control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional AV system, for example, a radio wave received by an antenna connected to a television receiver is tuned by its built-in tuner, that is, a target frequency band (channel) is selected,
This is demodulated to extract an image signal and an audio signal, and C
Output from RT and speaker. Further, by connecting a video tape recorder (VTR) or a laser disc player (LDP) to the television receiver and selecting an image and sound to be reproduced by the VTR or LDP as necessary, the CRT and the speaker can be selected. It is possible to output.

Further, in such an AV system, when the volume of the sound output from the speaker is adjusted (the operation is performed so as to change the volume), FIG.
As shown in, a message display area 32 provided at the bottom of the screen 31 of the CRT displays a message (display) indicating the volume (volume) of the sound output from the speaker, for example, a bar graph of a length corresponding to the volume. Is displayed. When recording a program (image signal and audio signal) output from a tuner by a VTR connected to a television receiver, for example, a tape is not attached to the VTR, or the tape ends during recording. When it happens, the character string "Tape is not loaded." Or "Tape is finished." Is displayed as a warning message.
Is displayed in the message display area 32 provided at the bottom of the screen 31 of the CRT.

Further, in the conventional AV system, V
Electronic devices such as TR and LDP can be centrally controlled by one AV center. This allows a plurality of devices to be organically combined and used. For example, it is possible to reproduce a video disc by LDP, supply the reproduction signal to the VTR, and record the video signal reproduced from the video disc on the video tape. This recording operation can be centrally commanded at the AV center.

In this way, the LDP and VTR are controlled via the AV center so that the signal reproduced from the LDP is VTR.
If you are performing an operation such as
If TR is operated individually, the command instructed by the AV center will be canceled on the way. Therefore, when a predetermined command is being executed via the AV center, the device is in a state in which it is prohibited to input a command individually by operating a button or switch mounted on each device. .

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional AV system, the message output from the tuner built in the television receiver or the VTR connected to the television receiver is displayed on the screen 31. The message is displayed in the message display area 32 provided at the bottom. Therefore, for example, when the tape of the VTR being recorded is finished during the operation of adjusting the volume of the speaker, a message (display) indicating the volume and a message indicating the warning are simultaneously displayed in the message display area 32. Since it is displayed, there is a problem that the display is difficult to see.

Further, when a plurality of the same devices such as VTRs are connected to the television receiver, which VTR the displayed message is (whether the VTR is outputting the message) ,
I couldn't distinguish.

Also, in the conventional AV system, it is forgotten that the user controls each electronic device through the AV center and gives a command for such an operation while performing a predetermined operation. However, there is a risk of operating each electronic device individually. In such a case, since each electronic device is in a state in which it is prohibited to operate individually, the operation corresponding to the individual operation is not started. As a result, the user may mistakenly recognize that the device is out of order.

This means that in the case where there are a plurality of users, when the user who has issued an operation command via the AV center is away from the seat, another user operates the electronic equipment individually. It was the same when I tried.

Further, in the conventional AV system, in order to display a character string on the CRT of the television receiver, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the text data is transmitted via the AV bus following the font table selection code for selecting the font table, but the text data is 1 data (1 byte) and 1 Specify a character, or
Since one character is designated by 2 data (2 bytes) (such as in the case of Chinese characters), the longer the character string, the more the data transmission amount of the AV bus increases, and the bus may be congested.

Furthermore, in the conventional AV system, when a plurality of electronic devices constituting the AV system are changed, a program for controlling the AV system has to be recreated from the beginning in response to the change, which results in cost reduction. There was a high issue.

A first object of the present invention is not only to make the display of the message easy to see, but also to make it easy to distinguish the device outputting the message.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the risk that the user will mistakenly recognize the device as a failure.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a display control device capable of displaying a character string with a small amount of data transmission.

A fourth object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce the number of changes in the program for controlling each electronic device even when the configuration of the electronic device making up the AV system is changed.

[0016]

A display control device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a control section 9 as a control means for controlling a device for outputting a video signal or an audio signal such as a VTR 12, 13 and an LDP 14, and a control unit. A message display circuit 11 and a CRT 10 as display means for displaying a message output from the VTRs 12 and 13 and the LDP 14 controlled by the unit 9 on the screen, and the message display circuit 11 and the CRT 10 are controlled by the control unit 9. Corresponding to the position of the message displayed on the screen,
At least one of the color of the position and the display color of the message is changed.

According to another aspect of the electronic device control apparatus of the present invention,
The AV center 101 as the control means for centrally controlling the operation of each of the plurality of electronic devices such as the TR103 and the LDP104, and the step S1 as the determination means for determining whether or not the VTR103 and the LDP104 can be individually operated. And a operation display unit (for example, the display unit 131 in FIG. 5) that displays that individual operations of the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are prohibited according to the determination result in step S1. And

A display control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a character string table for storing a plurality of character strings (for example, the character string table CT in FIG. 14) and a plurality of character strings stored in the character string table. A control unit (for example, CPU 5 in FIG. 14) that receives data specifying one of the character strings and reads the corresponding character string from the character string table, and a display unit that displays the read character string (for example, CPU 5). , CRT 10 of FIG. 14).

A display control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a first storage unit (for example, NVRAM 274 in FIG. 21) for storing the connection state of a plurality of electronic devices and a display unit for displaying the connection state of the electronic devices (for example, NVRAM 274 in FIG. 21). 21 CRT224),
Second storage means (for example, the ROM 24 in FIG. 21) that stores an image relating to the connection state of the electronic device displayed on the display means
2) and a generation means for generating display information designating an image stored in the second storage means in accordance with the connection state of the electronic device stored in the first storage means (for example, FIG. 2).
1 CPU 271).

The first storage means may store a flag corresponding to an electronic device to be displayed on the display means.

Further, the second storage means can store a plurality of images corresponding to the same electronic device.

The second storage means can be provided in the television receiver, and the generation means can be provided in the AV center.

Further, the display means can display the image corresponding to the electronic device separately on the source device side and the recording device side.

The display means displays the electronic device selected on either the source device side or the recording device side.
It can be hidden on the other side.

The first storage means stores the connection state between the monitor screen or the PinP screen and the electronic device, and the display means displays the connection state between the monitor screen and the PinP screen,
The second storage means stores images corresponding to the monitor screen and the PinP screen, and the generation means corresponds to the connection state between the monitor screen or the PinP screen stored in the first storage means and the electronic device. Display information designating an image stored in the second storage means can be generated.

Further, the display means may collectively display the images corresponding to the directly connected electronic devices on the recording device side or the source device side, and display the images corresponding to the connection lines between the electronic devices. it can.

[0027]

In the display control device having the structure of claim 1, V
Devices such as TR12, 13 and LDP14 are controlled by the control unit
Controlled by the message display circuit 11 and the CRT 1
When 0, a message output from the VTR 12, 13 and LDP 14 is displayed on the screen. Further, the message display circuit 11 and the CRT 10 change at least one of the position of the message displayed on the screen, the color of the position, and the display color of the message, corresponding to the device controlled by the control unit 9. Therefore, the display of the message can be made easy to see, and the device outputting the message can be easily distinguished.

In the electronic equipment control device having the structure according to the second aspect, it is indicated that the individual operations of the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are prohibited, and the display portions 131 to 133 and the CRT 1 are prohibited.
It is displayed on 17. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the individual operation is prohibited.

According to another aspect of the display control device of the present invention, the control means receives the data for specifying one of the plurality of character strings stored in the character string table,
The corresponding character string is read from the character string table and the read character string is displayed. Therefore, the data transmission amount for displaying the character string can be reduced.

In the display controller having the structure of claim 4, the CPU 271 designates the image stored in the ROM 242 in accordance with the connection state of the electronic device stored in the NVRAM 274, for example, generates a macro number. . The image corresponding to this macro number is the CRT2
24 is displayed. Therefore, even if the system is changed, only a small number of parts need to be changed.

[0031]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a video system (AV system) to which a display control device of the present invention is applied. The remote controller 2 includes a power switch for turning on / off the power of the television receiver, that is, the AV center 1, a channel button for selecting a channel, a volume adjusting switch for adjusting a sound output from a speaker (not shown), and a tuner 7. Image signals and audio signals to be output, out of the image signals and audio signals of the video tape recorders (VTR) 12 and 13 or the laser disc player (LDP) 14 input to the external input terminal, the image signals to be supplied to the CRT 10 and the speaker. And a device connected to an external input terminal together with a selection switch for selecting an audio signal (VTR1 in FIG. 1).
2 and 13 and the LDP 14) have control switches, and light corresponding to the operated switch (button) is emitted from the built-in light emitting element. The light receiving unit 3 converts the light emitted from the remote controller 2 into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal to the CPU.
Supply to 5. The operation unit 4 has a switch (button) equivalent to that of the remote controller 2, and is used to turn on / off the power of the television receiver 1 or select a channel,
It is operated when controlling the device connected to the external input terminal.

The CPU 5 controls the volume 6, the tuner 7, the switching unit 8, the control unit 9, and the message display circuit 11 in addition to when the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 is operated. The volume 6 is controlled by the CPU 5 and adjusts the sound (volume) output from the speaker when the remote control 2 or the volume adjustment switch of the operation unit 4 is operated. The tuner 7 tunes an electric wave supplied from an antenna (not shown), that is, selects a target frequency band (channel) from the electric wave supplied from the antenna, extracts an image signal and an audio signal,
It is supplied to the switching unit 8.

The controller 9 controls the VTRs 12 and 13 and the LD.
It is serially connected to the P14 and corresponds to the operation of the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 and the VTRs 12, 13 and L
It controls operations such as power on / off of the DP 14 and reproduction of images and sounds.

The switching unit 8 is controlled by the CPU 5 and selects one of an image signal and an audio signal output from the tuner 7 and an image signal and an audio signal of the VTR 12, 13 or LDP 14 input to the external input terminal. Then, the image signal is supplied to the CRT 10 and the audio signal is supplied to the speaker via the volume 6.

The message display circuit 11 is controlled by the CPU 5, and has a tuner 7, VTRs 12, 13 and LDP1.
Memory 7a and memory 12 respectively built in 4
a, 13a and the message stored in the memory 14a are displayed in the message display area 2 of the screen 21 of the CRT 10.
The data is converted into data (format) that can be displayed in 2 to 25 (FIG. 2) and output to the CRT 10.

The CRT 10 displays an image corresponding to the image signal output from the switching section 8 on its screen 21, and displays a message corresponding to the data supplied from the message display circuit 11 on the screen 21 shown in FIG. It is displayed in the upper message display areas 22 to 25.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tuner 7 and the VTR 1
2, 13 and LDP 14 display the messages at the same time and at the same position, and the message display areas 22 to 25 arranged at different positions are arranged in the tuner 7, the VTRs 12 and 13 so that the messages are not difficult to see.
And the messages output from the LDP 14 are displayed. Furthermore, each message display area 22 to 25
The message displayed by means which device (tuner 7, V
The device of TR12, 13 or LDP14) is displayed in different colors such as blue, red, yellow and green so that it can be easily determined.

The memory 7a built in the tuner 7 stores data (message) for displaying, for example, the channel and volume on the CRT 10.
The memories 12a and 13a built into the VTRs 12 and 13 are operated, for example, so that the VTRs 12 or 13 perform a recording or reproducing operation, and the tapes are not loaded on the VTRs 12 or 13 or the tapes are being recorded. As a message to warn the user when is finished, for example, the string "Tape is not loaded." Or "Tape is finished."
Data (message) for displaying such as on the CRT 10 is stored. The memory 14a incorporated in the LDP 14 is operated so that, for example, the LDP 14 performs a reproducing operation, and when the disc is not mounted on the LDP 14, the user is informed that the disc is not mounted on the LDP 14. CRT as a message for the message "The disc is not installed."
Data (messages) to be displayed on 10 are stored.

Next, the operation will be described. When the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 is operated to control the tuner 7, for example, the target channel is selected from the radio waves received by the antenna, and the image signal and the audio signal are extracted. In the CPU 5, a control signal is output to the switching unit 8 so that the image signal and the audio signal are supplied to the CRT 10 and the speaker. Switching unit 8
In accordance with the control signal supplied from the CPU 5, the image signal output from the tuner 7 is
In addition, the level (volume) of the audio signal is adjusted by the volume 6 and is supplied to the speaker.

Here, when the remote controller 2 is operated, the light corresponding to the operation is emitted from the light emitting element incorporated in the remote controller 2, and the light is received by the light receiving section 3, and the received light is It is converted into an electric signal and supplied to the CPU 5. When the operation unit 4 is operated, an electric signal corresponding to the operation is supplied to the CPU 5.

At this time, if the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 is operated to select (change) the channel or adjust the volume output from the speaker, the tuner 7
The data (message) to be displayed on the CRT 10, such as the channel and the volume, stored in the memory 7a built in the CPU 7 is transmitted via the CPU 5 to the message display circuit 11
Is supplied to the CRT 10 and converted into a data format that can be displayed in the message display area 22 in the message display circuit 11. CRT1
At 0, the number corresponding to the selected channel and the bar graph corresponding to the adjusted volume are displayed in blue in the message display area 22 so that it can be seen that the message is output from the tuner 7.

In this way, the program (image signal and audio signal) tuned (output) from the tuner 7
When the VTR 12 is recorded on the VTR 12, for example, the remote controller 2 or the operating unit 4 is operated so that the program output from the tuner 7 is supplied to the VTR 12.
The remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 is operated so that the recording operation starts. Then, in the CPU 5, the tuner 7
A control signal is output to the switching unit 8 so that the program supplied to the CRT 10 and the speaker via the switching unit 8 is further supplied to the VTR 12.
To control to start the recording operation of the VTR 12,
A control signal is output to the control unit 9. In accordance with the control signal supplied from the CPU 5, the switching unit 8
The program output from the tuner 7 is supplied to the CRT 10 and the speaker as well as to the VTR 12. At the same time, the control unit 9 controls the VTR 12 so as to start the recording operation according to the control signal output from the CPU 5 (the control signal is the AV bus (LD
(P14, VTR13) is output to the VTR12), and the recording operation is started in the VTR12.

At this time, if the tape is not loaded in the VTR 12 or the tape is finished during recording, the CRT 10 is informed that the tape stored in the memory 12a built in the VTR 12 is not loaded. The data (message) for displaying and the data (message) for displaying the end of the tape on the CRT 10 are output to the control unit 9 via the AV bus, and the CP
It is supplied to the message display circuit 11 via U5. In the message display circuit 11, this data (message) is converted into a data format that can be displayed in the message display area 23 and supplied to the CRT 10. Then, on the CRT 10, the character string "tape is not installed" as a message indicating that the tape is not installed, or the character string "tape is completed" as a message indicating that the tape is ended during recording. Message is displayed in red so that it can be seen that the message is output from the VTR 12.
Is displayed in.

The program (image signal and audio signal) tuned (output) from the tuner 7 is transferred to the VTR 13
Also in the case of recording by the same method, the same processing as that described above is performed. At this time, if the tape is not attached to the VTR 13 or the tape is finished during recording, the memory 13a built in the VTR 13 is recorded. The data (message) stored in the message display area is output to the control unit 9 via the AV bus and supplied to the message display circuit 11 via the CPU 5. In the message display circuit 11, the data (message) is displayed in the message display area. Converted to a data format that can be displayed in 24,
It is supplied to the CRT 10. Then, on the CRT 10, the character string "tape is not installed" as a message indicating that the tape is not installed, or the character string "tape is completed" as a message indicating that the tape is ended during recording. Has been done. ”Is displayed in the message display area 24 in yellow so that it can be understood that the message is output from the VTR 13.

Next, when the LDP 14 is selected and the remote controller 2 or the operation section 4 is operated so as to start the reproduction of the image signal and the audio signal, the CPU 5 supplies the image signal and the audio signal to the CRT 10 and the speaker. As described above, the control signal is output to the switching unit 8 and the control signal is output to the control unit 9 so as to control the start of the reproduction operation of the LDP 14. C
Switching unit 8 according to the control signal supplied from PU5
At the same time, the image signal and the audio signal output from the LDP 14 are supplied to the CRT 10 and the speaker, and at the same time, the control unit 9 controls the AV bus so that the LDP 14 starts the reproducing operation according to the control signal output from the CPU 5. Control is performed via (control signal is LDP
14), and the LDP 14 starts the reproducing operation.

At this time, for example, if the disc is not loaded in the LDP 14, the data (message) for displaying on the CRT 10 that the disc stored in the memory 14a built in the LDP 14 is not loaded.
Is output to the control unit 9 and supplied to the message display circuit 11 via the CPU 5. In the message display circuit 11, this data (message) is converted into a data format that can be displayed in the message display area 25 and supplied to the CRT 10. And CRT1
In 0, the character string "The disk is not installed." As a message indicating that the disk is not installed is displayed in the message display area 25 in green so that the message is output from the LDP14. To be done.

As described above, the tuner 7 and the VTR
12, 13 and LDP 14 output messages at different positions (message display areas 22 to 2).
5) and the messages displayed in the message display areas 22 to 25 are displayed in different colors, which device (tuner 7, VTR 12,
It is possible to easily judge which device (13 or LDP 14) has output the message.

It should be noted that, as described above, the mark displayed on each of the message display areas 22 to 25 is not a color different from each other, but a mark for distinguishing from which device the message is output. (symbol)
Alternatively, the name of the device can be added to the beginning of the message.

Further, in this embodiment, the tuner 7 capable of outputting both the image signal and the audio signal,
The VTRs 12 and 13 and the LDP 14 are set as devices that can be selected by the switching unit 8. However, for example, a device that outputs only audio signals such as DAT is connected to the external input terminal of the television receiver 1 and selected by the switching unit 8. You can be able to. Furthermore, in this embodiment,
The tuner 7 is built in the television receiver 1, but the tuner 7 is not built in the television receiver 1 as described above, and like the VTRs 12, 13 and the LDP 14, the tuner 7 is also an independent device. The system can be configured by connecting to the external input terminal of the receiver 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an AV system to which the electronic device control apparatus of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the VTR 103 and the LD are connected to the AV center 101 via a bus (AV bus) 121.
P104 is cascade-connected. Also, this AV
A predetermined command can be wirelessly input to the center 101 via a remote controller (remote control) 102.

The AV center 101 has a CPU 112 for controlling the operation of each section. ROM113 is a CPU
The program 112 required to operate is stored. The RAM 114 stores data and the like necessary for processing operations as needed. The light receiving unit 111 includes the remote controller 102.
Infrared light supplied from the device is received, and the detection result is detected by the CPU.
Output to 112. The selection unit 116 includes a tuner 11
5, the signals output from the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are supplied. The selection unit 116 is controlled by the CPU 112 to select one of the video signals and output it to the CRT 117.

When the remote controller 102 is operated to input a predetermined command, the remote controller 102 outputs an infrared ray corresponding to the command to the light receiving section 111, and the light receiving section 111 converts the infrared signal into an electric signal and sends it to the CPU 112. Output. The CPU 112 decodes the input command via the light receiving unit 111 and outputs a command corresponding to this command to the bus 121.
To the VTR 103 or LDP 104 via the. As a result, the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 can be made to perform recording and reproducing operations.

The CPU 112 thus operates the remote controller 10 in this manner.
When the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are controlled in response to the command from 2, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed. That is, first, in step S1, the bus 121
It is determined whether or not the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are controlled via. VTR 103 or LDP via bus 121
When controlling 104, the process proceeds to step S2, and the local input prohibition mode is set. This local input prohibit mode is stored in the RAM 114. Then, further proceeding to step S3, a display for prohibiting local input is executed.

When it is determined in step S1 that the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are not controlled via the bus 121, the processes of steps S2 and S3 are skipped.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the input prohibition display in step S3. In FIG. 5A, VTR1
03 (or LDP104) panel with lamp or LED
When the display unit 131 including the above is provided and the individual operation is prohibited, the display unit 131 is lit in, for example, red. Further, in the state where the individual operation is not prohibited, the display unit 131 is lit in blue or is turned off. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not the electronic device is in the state in which the individual operation is prohibited by looking at the display state of the display unit 131.

In FIG. 5B, the color of the display unit 132 or 133 of the volume or channel of the panel of the VTR 103 is changed. That is, also in this case, for example, when the individual operation input is prohibited, the display units 132 and 133 are illuminated in red.
When the individual operation input is not prohibited, it is lit in blue. Alternatively, instead of changing the color, for example, the display units 132 and 133 are made to blink in a state where the individual operation input is prohibited, and are not made to blink in the state where the individual operation input is not prohibited. It is also possible (continuous lighting).

In FIG. 5C, the CRT 117 has the VTR 10
3 and LDP 104 show an example of collectively displaying whether or not the individual operation input is currently prohibited. In the figure, the X mark indicates that the individual operation input is prohibited, and the circle mark indicates that the individual operation input is not prohibited.

FIG. 6 shows a processing operation when the VTR 103 and the LDP 104 are individually operated. That is, in step S11, the VTR 103 or LDP 104 operates a switch or button mounted on each device, or a remote controller (remote control) (not shown) provided exclusively for each device is used. By operating, it is determined whether or not any command is input.

If it is determined in step S11 that any input has been made, step S11
In step 12, it is determined whether the local input prohibit mode is set. That is, as described above, if the VTR 103 or the LDP 104 is executing a predetermined operation via the bus 121, the local input prohibit mode is set in step S2.

If the local input prohibit mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S13, and the process corresponding to the command of each key, switch, button, etc. is executed. On the other hand, when the local input prohibit mode is set, this step S13 is skipped. That is, even if a switch, a button, or a dedicated remote controller is operated, the VTR 103 or L
The DP 104 will not perform any operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation commanded via the AV center 101 from being inadvertently stopped by an individual operation.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of another embodiment of an AV system to which the electronic device control apparatus of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, input / output terminals PL1, PL2, AV1, and A of the switching section 8A for audio and video signals are used.
BS (satellite broadcast) tuner 7A, ground wave (that is, VHF and UH) are connected to V2 and terminal AV3, respectively.
F) The tuner 7B, the first VTR 12, the LDP 14 and the second VTR 13 are connected to each other.

VTR12, LDP14 and VTR13
Are serially connected to the control unit 9 via an AV bus 121 composed of, for example, a D2B bus. Also, the switching unit 8
A PinP (picture-in-picture) circuit 11A for displaying a video signal output from A on a predetermined sub-screen area in the main screen of the CRT 10 is provided, and a CPU
CRT1 is a state diagram showing the connection state and the like based on the output of FIG.
A state diagram display circuit 11B for displaying 0 is provided.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the connection setting operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this example, from the state where the video signal output from the BS tuner 7A is displayed on the CRT 10,
The present invention relates to the operation of switching the output video signal of the DP 14 to the state of dubbing to the second VTR 13. First,
When the user operates the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 of the AV center 1 to instruct to start a new connection setting, the CPU 5
Controls the state diagram display circuit 11B to display the current connection state on the screen 21 of the CRT 10 as shown in FIG. 9 (a).

Next, the user operates the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 of the AV center 1 to move the second VT from the LDP 14.
When instructing the dubbing feature to R13, the CPU5
Controls the switching unit 8A to turn off the connection path between the terminal PL1 and the CRT 10 (step S21), and the LDP 14
From the terminal to the CRT10 via the terminal AV2,
A connection path from the terminal AV2 to the second VTR 13 via the terminal AV3 is protected and set (step S22), and these connection paths are set in FIG. 9B.
As shown in, CR via the state diagram display circuit 11B
It is displayed on the screen 21 of T10. Then, the CPU 5 sets L
The signal to be dubbed input from the DP 14 is sent to the CRT 1
The output is displayed at 0 and output to the VTR 13.

When 10 seconds have elapsed after the start of dubbing (YES in step S23), the CPU 5 controls the switching unit 8A to release the protection of the connection path from the LDP 14 to the CRT 10 via the terminal AV2 (step S24).
The connection route from the terminal AV2 to the CRT 10 is turned off (step S25), the connection route connecting the terminal AV2 to the PinP circuit 11A is set (step S26), and the LDP1 is set.
4 to the PinP circuit 11A via the terminal AV2, the connection path is protected (step S27), and the terminal P
Set the connection path from L1 to CRT10 (step S
28), the set connection path is displayed on the screen 2 of the CRT 10 via the state diagram display circuit 11B as shown in FIG. 9C.
Display in 1. Then, the CPU 5 controls the switching unit 8A to set the video signal being dubbed from the LDP 14 to Pin.
The signal is supplied to the P circuit 11A and is displayed on the child screen of the CRT 10 by the PinP circuit 11A, and the video signal from the BS tuner 7A that was seen before is displayed on the parent screen of the CRT 10.

As described above, since the connection state set by the operation of the remote controller 2 is displayed on the CRT 10, the user's erroneous operation can be prevented, and the user can immediately know the erroneous operation. it can.

By providing a function key called a recording monitor and operating it, the mode shown in FIG. 9B is changed from the mode in which the dubbing image is displayed on the child screen as shown in FIG. 9C. It is also possible to switch to a mode in which the dubbed image as described above is displayed on the main screen.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the display operation and connection setting operation in response to the input operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. This example
The present invention relates to an operation of setting a device connected to the terminal PL1, the terminal PL2, the terminal AV1, the terminal AV2, and the terminal AV3. For example, when setting a device connected to the terminal AV1, the CPU 5 first sets, as shown in FIG.
The first VTR 12 is displayed as a first candidate for connection in a predetermined area corresponding to the terminal AV1 on the screen 21 of the CRT 10 via the state diagram display circuit 11B. The program of the CPU 5 (the ROM storing the program is not shown in FIG. 7) positions the cursor at the position of “VTR1” on the screen, and the cursor down command is input by the remote controller 2 or the like. Then, cyclically, "VTR1",
When the display is changed in the order of "LDP", "VTR2", "BSTU" and "ground TU", and the cursor up command is input, "VTR1", "ground TU",
It is configured to change in the order of “BSTU”, “VTR2”, and “LDP”.

Therefore, after displaying a certain device (for example, "VTR1") (step S31), the CPU 5 inputs a cursor down command, that is, a command to move the cursor downward (step S32), or moves a cursor up command, that is, a cursor. It is determined whether a command to move upward is input (step S34). If the command is a down command (YES in step S32), the next device (for example, "L"
DP ") is displayed (step S33), and in the case of an up command (YES in step S34), the immediately preceding device (for example," ground TU ") is displayed (step S35), and the remote controller 2 performs a click operation. (Step S36), a connection setting process with the device displayed at that time is performed (step S37). That is, in this embodiment, the "VTR" in the predetermined area of the CRT 10 is
The display such as "1", "LDP", "ground TU", etc. functions as an icon.

A device for instructing a display character (for example, "VTR1") of a device to be connected is a mouse,
Various pointing devices such as trackballs can be used.

Further, a method for automatically grasping the device to be connected is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 3-358855. If the partner device does not have the automatic setting detection function, each time the partner device is selected, an AV signal is generated in the partner device and the AV input terminal of the device is switched to AV1 in the above example. Then, by displaying the AV signal of the partner device on the CRT screen, it is recognized as the AV signal from the partner device. Also, OSD is added to the AV signal from the partner device
By superimposing display data such as data, it becomes possible to recognize at a glance that the signal is an AV signal from the partner device.

FIG. 12 shows a display operation of the operating state of another device in the embodiment of FIG. 7, and FIG. 13 shows a display example in the operation of FIG. This example is an example of one-touch play. First, assuming that the video signal output from the BS tuner 7A is displayed on the CRT 10, when the user operates the remote controller 2 or the operation unit 4 of the AV center 1 to instruct a new connection setting start, CPU5
Controls the state diagram display circuit 11B to display the current connection state on the screen 21 of the CRT 10 as shown in FIG. 13 (a).

Here, the user selects the remote control 2 or AV.
When the one-touch play command is input by operating the operation unit 4 of the center 1, the CPU 5 controls the switching unit 8A to CR from the terminal PL1 to which the BS tuner 7A is connected.
The connection path to T10 is turned off (step S41), the connection path from the terminal AV1 to which the first VTR 12 is connected to the CRT 10 is set (step S42), and the first VTR is set.
12 is checked (step S43), and the set connection path and the operation state of the first VTR 12 are displayed on the screen 21 of the CRT 10 via the state diagram display circuit 11B.
It is displayed as shown in 3 (b). FIG. 13 (a)
Inside, ** is a symbol indicating an operating state.

In this way, the user can make the first VTR1
The operation state of No. 2 can be known.

Similarly, the second VTR 13 and LDP
The operation states of 14 can be known.

In the above embodiment, the connection state and the operating state of the device are displayed on the CRT 10 by a diagram or a symbol, but it may be displayed by characters on the LCD provided in each device.

Further, the speaker can be used to notify the end or give a warning.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of another embodiment of the AV system to which the display control device of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the message display circuit 11 uses alphabetic fonts "A", "B", "C", "D", ... At a series of addresses as shown in FIG. The stored font table FT1 and, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the hiragana fonts “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, ... Are stored in a series of addresses. As shown in FIG. 17, for example, a font table FT2 that stores katakana fonts “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, ... As shown in FIG. 18 and the font table FT3, the character strings “maximum volume”, “tape end”, “power on”, “power off”,
.. is stored in the character string table CT.

Font tables FT1, FT2 and F
Any one of T3 and the character string table CT is selected by a table selection signal from the CPU 5. The fonts stored in the font tables FT1, FT2, and FT3 and the character strings stored in the character string table CT are selectively read by an address signal output from the CPU 5.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a format of data transmitted through the D2B bus (AV bus) 121 for displaying a character string in the embodiment of FIG. CPU5
Upon receiving the font table selection code via the bus 121 and the control unit 9, supplies the font selection signal to the corresponding font table FT1, FT2 or FT3. Then, the CPU 5 follows the bus 1
When the text data is received via the control unit 21 and the control unit 9, the address signal corresponding to the text data is sent to the font table F.
Supply to T1, FT2 or FT3.

Further, the CPU 5 follows the bus 1
When the character string table selection code is received via the control unit 21 and the control unit 9, a table selection signal is supplied to the character string table CT, and subsequently, when text data is received via the bus 121 and the control unit 9, this is sent. The address signal corresponding to is supplied to the character string table CT. Synthesis circuit MC
Synthesizes fonts output from the font tables FT1, FT2 and FT3 and the character string table CT, and fonts corresponding to the data output from the CPU 5, and outputs them to the CRT 10.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the embodiment shown in FIG. The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 will be described below with reference to FIG. First, when the CPU 5 receives the font table selection code via the bus 121 and the control unit 9 (YES in step S51), the font table FT1, FT2 or FT indicated by this code is displayed.
A font selection signal is supplied to 3 (step S52).
Then, the CPU 5 subsequently outputs an address signal corresponding to the text data received via the bus 121 and the control unit 9 to the font table FT1, FT2 or FT3.
To read the font, and display the received data on the CRT 10 in the font of the selected table (step S53).

Next, the CPU 5 receives the character string selection code via the bus 121 and the control unit 9 (step S
54), a table selection signal is supplied to the character string table CT, and subsequently an address signal corresponding to the text data received via the bus 121 and the control unit 9 is supplied to the character string table CT to supply the corresponding character. The column is read out and the character string corresponding to the received data is displayed on the CRT 10 (step S55).

When the CPU 5 receives display data other than the font table selection code, the character string table selection code and the text code via the bus 121 and the control unit 9, the message display circuit 11 displays a display corresponding to this data. The CRT 10 is caused to perform the synthesis circuit MC.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, as is apparent from the comparison between the data format shown in FIG. 19 and the conventional data format shown in FIG. In the example of 19, the number of bytes can be reduced by 11 bytes compared to the conventional case).

Note that a plurality of character string tables may be prepared instead of one. This makes it possible to display various character strings, and by combining character strings output from one character string table with character strings output from another character string table, richer changes can be achieved. You can display the string.

If an attribute table in which a plurality of attributes (attributes) are stored at one address is provided and the plurality of attributes are read in 1 byte, character modification (colorization, flashing, etc.) can be performed with a small amount of data transmission. )It can be performed.

FIG. 21 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the NEWD2B bus 290 is used for the television receiver 211 as an AV center.
The VTR 212 and the LDP 213 are connected in a cascade via.

The television receiver 211 is composed of a TV control microcomputer 221, an IF microcomputer 222, a NEWD2B control microcomputer 223, and a CRT 224. Of course, the television receiver 211 is a tuner,
Although other circuits are built in, their illustration is omitted. Each of the microcomputers 221, 222, 223 is a ROM that stores a program and other data in advance.
232, 242, 272, a CPU 2 that executes various processes according to programs stored in these ROMs
31, 241, 271, RAMs 233, 243, 273 for storing data necessary for various processes, N for storing data that should not be erased even when the power is turned off.
It has VRAMs 234, 244, and 274, respectively.

The TV control microcomputer 221 controls the basic operation of the television receiver 211 in response to a signal from the remote controller 201 for the television receiver 211.

The program stored in the ROM 242 of the IF microcomputer 222 includes an AV system OSD display section 251 and an I2C bus IF communication control section 252. The OSD display unit 251 for AV system further has a display driver 261.

TV control microcomputer 221 and IF microcomputer 2
22 are connected by an I2C bus 302. Further, the TV control microcomputer 221 and the IF microcomputer 222 are
RGB data is generated as needed, output to the CRT 224, and displayed.

ROM of NEWD2B control microcomputer 223
The programs stored in 272 are the system control processing module 281 and the display data transfer processing module 2
82. The NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 and the IF microcomputer 222 are connected to the switching signal line 303 and the 3-wire bus 3
And 04.

The I2C bus IF communication control unit 252 of the IF microcomputer 222 supplies the data from the TV control microcomputer 221 to the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 and the data from the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 to the TWD.
When supplied to the V control microcomputer 221, it is operated. The direction in which the process is executed is determined by the switching signal line 3 from the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 to the IF microcomputer 222.
It is determined corresponding to the switching signal input via 03. NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 and IF microcomputer 2
Data is transmitted to and received from the I / F 22 via the 3-wire bus 304, and the IF microcomputer 222 and the TV control microcomputer 221.
The transmission and reception of data between and are performed via the I2C bus 302.

On the other hand, the OSD display section 251 for AV system
Basically performs the following four processes. (1) The NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 makes the NEWD2B
VTR 212 or LDP2 via B bus 290
The OSD data received from 13 is displayed on the CRT 224. (2) CRT2 system configuration when initializing system settings
24 is displayed. (3) When the television receiver 211 or the VTR 212 as the AV center or the LDP 213 executes a predetermined feature, the system status related to the feature is displayed on the CRT 224. (4) When the television receiver 211 or VTR 212 as the AV center or the LDP 213 executes the recording feature, the system for designating the source device or the recording device is displayed on the CRT 224 prior to the execution.

In order to display the above (1), NEWD
When the 2B control microcomputer 223 receives the OSD data from the VTR 212 or the LDP 213 via the NEWD 2B bus 290, the 2B control microcomputer 223 converts the OSD data into ASCII data and supplies the OSD data to the OSD display unit 251 for the AV system via the 3-wire bus 304. To do.

Further, in order to display the above (2), (3) or (4), when the remote control 201 is operated and a predetermined command is input to the TV control microcomputer 221, that command is input. It is supplied to the I2C bus IF communication control unit 252 via the I2C bus 302. And I2C
The bus IF communication control unit 252 sends this command to the 3-wire bus 3
It is supplied to the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 via 04. The NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 executes a predetermined process in response to this command, and sends a macro number, which will be described later, to the AV of the IF microcomputer 222 via the 3-wire bus 304, for example.
It is output to the system OSD display unit 251. Also, NE
The data input to the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 via the WD2B bus 290 is converted to ASCII data and then input to the AV system OSD display unit 251 as in the case of displaying (1).

In the AV system OSD display section 251, when the CRT 224 is caused to perform a predetermined display,
The following commands are input to the AV system OSD display unit 251. F0H, 00: Erase all screen This erases the entire screen. F1H, 00: 1 line erase This erases one line. F2H, X, Y, table, color, character, ..., 00:
Character display As a result, a predetermined character is displayed at the position (X, Y) in the color of the designated color table. For the position (X, Y), the lower left point of the screen is (20H, 20H). Therefore, an offset of 20H is added to (X, Y). F8H: Header data This header is used at the beginning of the macro number when it is transferred. F9H: Header data This header is used at the beginning when registering the device name.

Next, in the embodiment of FIG. 21, the operation for displaying the connection state of the AV system on the CRT 224 will be described.

ROM of NEWD2B control microcomputer 223
The standard pattern of the maximum configuration of a plurality of (for example, three) AV systems is stored in advance in 272. The user selects one predetermined one from among them. The selected standard pattern is read from the ROM 272, and the NVR
Transferred to AM 274 and stored.

FIG. 22 shows a standard pattern of the maximum configuration of one AV system selected in this way. In this embodiment, electronic devices 302, 304, 306 and 308 are connected to an AV center 301. The electronic device 303 is further connected to the electronic device 302, and the electronic device 305 is further connected to the electronic device 304. An electronic device 307 is further connected to the electronic device 306, and the electronic device 306 is also connected to the electronic device 304.

Further, electronic devices 309 to 312 are connected to the electronic device 308.

In FIG. 22, reference numerals M1 to M12 shown in correspondence with the AV center 301 to the electronic equipment 312 are images of display figures stored in advance in the AV system OSD display unit 251 of the ROM 242 ( It corresponds to the macro number). Signal line K1 connecting each electronic device
2, K13, K14, K15, K26, K34, K3
The same applies to 7, K48, K59, K510, K511, and K512.

That is, the OSD display unit 251 for AV system
In FIG. 22, in order to display a predetermined AV system configuration on the CRT 224, the image of the blocks and connecting lines shown in FIG. 22 is stored in advance. Then, only the instructed block and connection line are selected and displayed on the CRT 224. The display position of each block and line is fixed.

FIG. 23 shows an example of data representing a connection state in the standard pattern of the AV system stored in the NVRAM 274. In this embodiment, device address 1 and device address 2 are connected so as to supply both the image signal and the audio signal from the former to the latter. Further, the device address 2 and the device address 3 are connected so that a voice signal can be transmitted and received bidirectionally. The device address 3 and the device address 4 are connected so that the audio signal and the image signal can be supplied from the former to the latter. The device address 5 and the device address 6 are also connected so that an audio signal and an image signal can be supplied from the former to the latter. The device address 6 and the device address 7 are
It is connected so that audio signals can be transmitted and received bidirectionally.
Furthermore, the device address 7 and the device address 8 are connected so that an audio signal and an image signal can be supplied from the former to the latter.

Data of such device addresses, types of connection signal lines, and signal supply directions are stored in advance as a system (standard pattern) of the maximum configuration that constitutes the AV system.

The route display macro number corresponding to the connection line of each electronic device (device address) is stored in advance. In the case of this embodiment, the route display macro number is represented by adding the numbers of the device addresses connected to each other to the letter K of the alphabet. For example, the route display macro number that connects the device address 5 and the device address 6 is represented as K56.

On the other hand, the user corrects the standard pattern by selecting the connection state to be actually used for the standard pattern prepared in advance. The real system flag is set for the selected connection state. Figure 2
In No. 3, this flag is displayed in the field of the actual system. That is, the connection route in which 1 is displayed in the field of the actual system is the connection route selected by the user.

Further, in FIG. 23, the flag shown in the execution path column is the path selected by the CPU 271 as necessary for executing the predetermined processing in the system. Further, the flag set in the column for executing route display is a flag set when the corresponding route is displayed on the CRT 224. In addition to this, in FIG. 23, a recording lock column is provided. This recording lock secures (locks) the route when the recording operation is performed while the recording operation continues, and sets a flag when prohibiting the use for other purposes.

These flags are stored in the NVRAM 274.

FIG. 24 is a table of electronic devices stored in advance in the ROM 272 corresponding to the connection paths shown in FIG. This table is also shown in FIG.
Is read out together with the table shown in FIG.
4 and is stored in memory. In this embodiment, VTRs 1 to 3 are defined as defaults as electronic devices corresponding to device addresses 1 to 3. In addition, the macro number M1 is assigned to the device addresses 1 to 4.
Through M4 are assigned. Characters such as 8MM, BS-3000, and BETA displayed in the real device name column of FIG. 24 are names set by the user in correspondence with the device addresses 1 to 3 as necessary.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, SCC (SystemConfigureat) is set.
The system information (standard pattern) of the maximum configuration defined by the Ion Code) is corrected to set the actual configuration of the AV system. Then, from among them, a device or a route that executes a predetermined function is appropriately selected, and the OSD is selected as necessary.
Is displayed.

FIG. 26 shows the connection state shown in FIG. 22 as CR.
An example of data supplied from the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 to the OSD display unit 251 for AV system in order to display at T224 is shown. AV as shown in FIG.
10H when showing the connection status of the entire system
Data (macro number) is transmitted to the OSD display unit 251 for AV system. Specifically, as described above, this data is sandwiched between the header F8H and 00 as the terminator and transmitted as follows. F8H, 10H, 00

Macro numbers M1 to M12 shown in FIG.
In order to display the image corresponding to, the data (macro number) of 01H to 0CH is transmitted. Similarly, in order to display the signal lines represented by the macro numbers K12 to K512, data (macro number) 21H to 2CH is transmitted.

For the macro numbers M1 to M12 corresponding to the image representing the electronic device, in addition to the data (macro number) 01H to 0CH for displaying the device, the data (macro number) for displaying as the signal line. ) 11H to 1CH are prepared. That is, for example, macro number M3
As a result, when the data 03H is transmitted, the block graphic showing the device is displayed at the position corresponding to the macro number M3. However, when the data 13H is transmitted, at that position, instead of the block graphic, The signal line is displayed. Therefore,
The user may select, for example, M2 among the electronic devices shown in FIG.
Of the M6 electronic device without actually using the electronic device of
When directly connecting to the center M1, instead of 02H as the data corresponding to the block number of M2,
12H is transmitted. Then, the state in which the AV center M1 is directly connected to the electronic device having the block number M6 by the signal line is displayed.

Furthermore, data (macro number) for changing the color is prepared corresponding to the electronic devices having the macro numbers M1 to M12. That is, when changing the color of the device, instead of the data 01H to 0CH, 8
1H to 8CH are transmitted. When the color of the signal line replaced with the block figure is changed to another predetermined color, 91H to 9CH is used instead of 11H to 1CH.
Data is transmitted. Alternatively, when flushing the device, the data of C1H to CCH is transmitted instead of the data of 01H to 0CH, and when blinking the signal line, the data of 11H to 1CH is replaced by D1H to DCH. Data is transmitted.

Similarly, when the color of the signal lines K12 to K512 is changed to another predetermined color, the data 21
Data A1H to ACH are transmitted in place of H to 2CH, and in the case of flushing these signal lines, data E1H to ECH are transmitted in place of the data 21H to 2CH. In this way, the display state can be changed by preparing a plurality of data for the same macro number and selecting a predetermined one corresponding to the state to be displayed.

Furthermore, names can be added to each of the electronic devices indicated by the macro numbers M1 to M12, as shown in FIG. 27, using up to 6 characters represented by the ASCII code. When registering this name, data is transmitted from the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 to the AV system OSD display unit 251 in the following format. F9H, 7 * H, ASCII (6 letters), 00

Here, as described above, F9H is a header, 7 * H designates a device, and data 01H to 0 of macro numbers M1 to M12 are located at positions *.
Characters 1 to C are arranged corresponding to CH. Also,
ASCII characters are in the range of 20H to 7FH.

FIG. 28 shows a display example when the maximum configuration of the AV system shown in FIG. 22 is used. To execute this display, the NEWD2B control microcomputer 2
23 to the OSD display unit 251 for AV system,
The next data will be transmitted. F8H, 01H, 02H, 03H, 04H, 05H, 0
6H, 07H, 08H, 09H, 0AH, 0BH, 0C
H, 21H, 22H, 23H, 24H, 25H, 26
H, 27H, 28H, 29H, 2AH, 2BH, 2C
H, 00

In this embodiment, the names of the electronic devices 301 to 312 having the macro numbers M1 to M12 are AV center, VTR4, VTR2, VTR1, audio amplifier (AU-ANP), and multi-disc player (MDP). , Video Tuner (V.TUNER),
VTR3, audio tape recorder (TC), mini disk unit (MD), compact disk player (C)
D) and FM audio tuner (AU-TUNER) are registered respectively.

FIG. 29 shows, for example, the MDP 303, the audio amplifier 308, the audio tape recorder 309, the mini disk device 31 in the maximum configuration shown in FIG.
0, the compact disc player 311, and the audio tuner 312 are omitted in the display example. In this case, the transmitted data is as follows. F8H, 01H, 02H, 03H, 04H, 07H, 0
8H, 21H, 22H, 23H, 26H, 27H, 28
H, 00

That is, in this case, M1, M2,
M3, M4, M7, M8, K12, K13, K14, K
The macro numbers 34, K37, and K48 are transmitted.

FIG. 30 shows the maximum configuration shown in FIG.
A configuration example in which TR1, VTR2, audio amplifier 308, and electronic devices connected thereto are omitted is shown. That is, the macro number to be transmitted in this case is
M1, M2, M3, M4, M6, M7, M8, K12,
K13, K14, K26, K37, K48, and the transmission data are as follows. F8H, 01H, 02H, 13H, 14H, 06H, 0
7H, 08H, 21H, 22H, 23H, 25H, 27
H, 28H, 00

In this embodiment, the data of the macro numbers M3 and M4 are 13H and 1 instead of 03H and 04H.
Since it is set to 4H, the block graphic is not displayed on the screen, but the signal line is displayed.

In order to perform each display as described above, a predetermined key or button of the remote controller 201 is operated to input a predetermined command to the TV control microcomputer 221. This command is input to the I2C bus IF communication control unit 252 of the IF microcomputer 222 via the I2C bus 302, and then to the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 via the 3-wire bus 304.

CPU of NEWD2B control microcomputer 223
In response to this command, the reference numeral 271 causes the data (standard pattern) of the maximum configuration stored in the ROM 272 by, for example, three AV systems to be read. Then, this data is transferred to the A of the IF microcomputer 222 via the 3-wire bus 304.
It is transmitted to the OSD display unit 251 for the V system.

The OSD display unit 251 for AV system outputs this data to the CRT 224 for display. The user selects a predetermined pattern from the three standard patterns thus displayed. This selection command is also input by operating the remote controller 201. CPU27
1 is the RO of the data (standard pattern) of the selected configuration
It is read from M272 and stored in NVRAM 274.

The user further operates the remote controller 201 to select and instruct a necessary connection state from the connection states of the maximum configuration stored in the NVRAM 274. CPU27
1 (system control processing module 281), when receiving this instruction, sets a flag in the field of the actual system (FIG. 23) of the table stored in NVRAM 274. In addition, the name of the corresponding electronic device is the remote control 2
Even if it is input by operating 01,
Similarly, the name input in the field of the actual device name (FIG. 24) of the corresponding device is registered.

The process of transferring the data previously stored in the ROM 272 to the NVRAM 274 and storing it and the process of setting the flag are performed by the ROM 27.
Of the programs stored in No. 2, the system control processing module 281 executes.

On the other hand, the display data transfer processing module 28
2 is activated by interruption at a predetermined cycle. The display data transfer processing module 282 has a flag (see FIG. 2) in the route display execution column of the table stored in the NVRAM 274.
3) and the flag (FIG. 24) in the device display execution column, and when 1 is set therein, the corresponding macro number is set between the header and the termination as described above. It is sandwiched and transmitted. Then, when the transmission is completed, the flag is reset.

This transmission data is transmitted via the 3-wire bus 304 to the AV system OSD display unit 2 of the IF microcomputer 222.
Is supplied to 51. OSD display unit 251 for AV system
When receiving this data input, the CRT 2 reads the image corresponding to the macro number stored in advance, converts it into bitmap data by the display driver 261, and
24 is displayed.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 has a system control processing routine (system control processing module 281,
A display data transfer processing module 282) is provided, and the IF microcomputer 222 is provided with a screen display routine (display driver 26).
1) is provided, but as shown in FIG. 32, even when the screen display routine (display driver 261) is provided as a subroutine inside the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223, that is, the IF microcomputer 22
Even if the design is changed to a configuration omitting 2
The system control processing module 281 and the display data transfer processing module 282 of the WD2B control microcomputer 223
The case of FIG. 31 can be used as it is. That is, the number of parts requiring design changes can be reduced.

FIG. 33 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, an AV amplifier 214 is provided as an AV center, and the AV amplifier 214 is NEW.
Through the D2B bus 290, the television receiver 21
1, electronic devices such as LDP 213 and VTR 212 are connected. Therefore, in this case, the macro number is transferred from the AV amplifier 214 to the television receiver 211, and the system configuration is changed to the television receiver 2
It will be displayed on the 11 CRT. Also in this case, the program of the microcomputer incorporated in the AV amplifier 214 can be almost the same as the program when the television receiver 211 is used as the AV center.

FIG. 34 shows a connection configuration diagram of an AV system displayed vertically. Thus, when the system connection configuration is displayed vertically, the fourth VTR (VTR4) 302 and the second VTR (VTR4) connected to the AV center 301 are displayed.
TR2) 304, first VTR (VTR1) 306, third
VTR (VTR3) 307, V.I. The TUNER 305 and the MDP 303 are displayed so as to be located below the AV center 301.

In this way, the system connection configuration diagram is displayed on the CRT.
It is possible to perform processing such as system setting initialization or the like and display the result on the CRT 224 in a state where it is vertically displayed on the 224.

FIG. 35 shows a connection configuration diagram of an AV system displayed horizontally. In this case, the AV center 30
1 is displayed in the center of the screen of the CRT 224, the source device side device that is the source of the signal is on the left side of the AV center 301, and the destination side device (recording device side) that is the destination of the signal is the AV center 301. They are displayed on the right side respectively.

For example, when dubbing is performed, the connection configuration of the AV system is displayed horizontally as described above. First,
From the processing routine for executing the dubbing feature, the data representing "transverse mode designation" is displayed by the display driver 261 (see FIG. 2).
1), and then OS system OSD display 25 for AV system
From 1, the data including the macro number corresponding to the device configuring the AV system is supplied to the display driver 261. The display driver 261 responds to this data with A
The connection configuration of the V system is displayed horizontally.

As described above, the data consisting of the macro numbers corresponding to the devices making up the AV system is transferred from the display data transfer processing module 282 to the AV in the predetermined cycle.
It is supplied to the system OSD display unit 251.

For example, when the user selects the source device displayed on the left side of the screen of the CRT 224, the source device of the system management information table shown in FIG. 36 corresponding to the selected source device is selected. For example, flag 1 is set in the column.

Here, FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a system management information table showing the connection state of the devices constituting the AV system. FIG. 36 is a column showing that the source device is selected (source device selection column) and a column showing that the recording device is selected (recording device selection column) in FIG.
23 is basically the same as the table shown in FIG. 23 except that is newly added.

As described above, the display data transfer processing module 282 is activated by an interrupt at a predetermined cycle, and the flag (FIG. 3) in the route display execution column of the system management information table (FIG. 36) stored in the NVRAM 274.
6) and the flag (FIG. 24) in the device display execution column, and when 1 is set therein, the data including the corresponding macro number is transferred to the IF microcomputer 222 via the 3-wire bus 304. To the OSD display unit 251 for AV system.

Further, referring to the selection column of the source device of the system management information table, when 1 is set, data indicating that the source device has been selected is transmitted via the 3-wire bus 304. IF microcomputer 222
To the OSD display unit 251 for AV system. Similarly, the recording device selection column of the system management information table is referred to, and when 1 is set therein, the data indicating that the recording device is selected is sent to the IF via the 3-wire bus 304. O for AV system of microcomputer 222
It is supplied to the SD display unit 251.

FIG. 37 shows the AV selected in this way.
The standard pattern for displaying the maximum system configuration horizontally is shown. AV center 3 as a device on the source side
01 (macro number M1) to macro numbers M2 and M
3, and devices corresponding to M4 are connected. The device corresponding to the macro number M2 is further connected to the device corresponding to the macro number M2, and the device corresponding to the macro number M3 is further connected to the device corresponding to the macro number M7. The device corresponding to the macro number M8 is further connected to the device corresponding to the macro number 4.

As the recording side device, the device corresponding to the macro number M4 is connected to the AV center 301 corresponding to the macro number M1, and the devices corresponding to the macro number 4 are assigned the macro numbers M3 and M8. Corresponding devices are connected. Further, the AV center 301 corresponding to the macro number M1 can respectively display a monitor screen corresponding to the macro number M9 or a PinP screen corresponding to the macro number M10 on the CRT 224.

Here, the macro numbers M1 to M4 and the macro numbers M6 to M8 correspond to the images of the display figures stored in advance in the AV system OSD display section 251 of the ROM 242. Connection lines (signal lines) K12, K13, K14, K26, K34, K3 for connecting each electronic device
The same applies to 7, K48. And these display figures are for displaying the system connection configuration horizontally.

That is, the OSD display unit 251 for AV system
37, in order to display the connection configuration of a predetermined AV system on the CRT 224, the block shown in FIG. 37 (for example, monitor screen, PinP screen or AV center 301) is displayed.
The image representing each device and the image corresponding to the connection line are stored in advance, each of which is composed of a figure corresponding to () and a character (for example, “VTR1” or “VTR2”). Then, select only the instructed block or character and connecting line, and
224 is displayed. The display position of each block or character and the connecting line is fixed.

As described above, since the image of the display graphic corresponding to each device is stored in advance in the AV system OSD display unit 251, the AV system OSD display unit 251.
Is an image of a display figure corresponding to a macro number forming the data supplied from the display data transfer processing module 282 via the three-wire bus 304 (in the case of horizontal display,
Image corresponding to horizontal display) is read out and the display driver 2
Converted to bitmap data by 61 and CR
The T224 can be displayed as a horizontal system connection configuration diagram.

Further, when the system connection configuration diagram is displayed horizontally as shown in FIG.
The system OSD display unit 251 is the AV shown in FIG.
The recording device whose flag 1 is set in the recording device selection field of the system management information table is either not displayed on the source device side or is displayed in gray. That device is the recording device side. You can make it clear that you have been selected in.

Similarly, in the source device selection column of the AV system management information table shown in FIG. 36, the source device with flag 1 set is not displayed on the recording device side or is displayed in gray. By doing so, it is possible to know that the device has already been selected on the source side.

After the user finishes selecting the device, the AV system OSD display unit 251 changes the background color of the rectangular area surrounding the character string corresponding to the device selected as the source device or the recording device. For example, it is possible to know that the device is the selected device.

FIG. 38 shows "VTR4" as a source device.
Shows a system connection configuration diagram displayed on the CRT 224 when is selected and "VTR1" is selected as the recording device. In FIG. 38, “VTR1” selected as the recording device in FIG. 35 is not displayed on the source device side.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 39, when "VTR1" is selected as the source device, "VTR1" is displayed on the recording device side.
"TR1" is not displayed. Also, "VTR1"
May be displayed in gray, for example, to indicate that the device has already been selected on the source device side or the recording device side.

As a result, the user can easily recognize the device that has already been selected as the source device or the recording device, and can suppress erroneous operations when selecting the device, for example.

When the selection of the source device and the recording device is completed, the connection configuration diagram as shown in FIG. 40 is displayed.
At this time, for example, the background color of the rectangular area surrounding the character string "VTR1" (the rectangular areas 40b and 40c shown in FIG. 40) and the rectangular area surrounding the character string "VTR4" (the rectangular area 40a shown in FIG. 40). Can be changed to a predetermined color to indicate that these devices are in operation. Further, the connection line from "VTR4" to "VTR1" is displayed so that the fourth VTR 302 ("VTR
4 ”) outputs a signal from the first VTR 306 (“ VT
R1 ”).

Furthermore, the first VTR 306 ("VTR
1 "), the first VTR 306 (" VTR1 ") when the signal output from the
It is possible to display a connecting line that connects the P.P.P.

In the case of the connection configuration shown in FIG. 40, the fourth VT
The AV signal output from the R (“VTR4”) 302 is
The first VTR (“VTR1”) via the AV center 301
The first VTR (“VTR1”) 306, which is supplied to 306.
Is the A supplied from the fourth VTR (“VTR4”) 302
Record the V signal. Also, the first VTR (“VTR1”)
The video signal forming the AV signal recorded by 306 is supplied to the AV center 301 and displayed on the PinP screen.

Information that describes the current connection status between the devices, for example, that the AV signal output from the fourth VTR 302 is supplied to the first VTR 306 via the AV center 301, and is output from the first VTR 306. A
The V signal is PinP of the CRT 224 of the AV center 301.
The internal connection is switched so that it is displayed on the screen, and the V. TU
Information describing that the internal connection is switched so that the AV signal output from the NER or BS-TUNER (BS tuner) is displayed on the monitor screen, for example, is stored in the NVRAM 274 in a predetermined manner. In the table (AV signal connection information table).

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the AV signal connection information table. In the device address field,
The address of the device connected to the AV center 301 is set, and in the connected device address column, the device address of the partner device to which the AV signal output from the device is supplied in association with the device address of each device, Alternatively, a predetermined value corresponding to the monitor screen or the PinP screen is set. A predetermined value that is not set as a device address is set in the connected device address column corresponding to the device address of a device that is not connected to another device.

That is, in the AV signal connection information table, the address of the partner device to which the output signal of the device is supplied or the predetermined value corresponding to the monitor screen or the PinP screen is associated with the device address of the predetermined device in the AV signal connection information table. set.
Then, based on the information set in this table,
Graphic (image) corresponding to the monitor screen or PinP screen
Is displayed on the CRT 224, and the graphic corresponding to the connection line between each device is displayed.

Further, the display data transfer processing module 282 activated by interruption at a predetermined cycle is
The information set in the AV signal connection information table stored in the M274 is read out and is read out by the 3-wire bus 30.
OSD for AV system of IF microcomputer 222 via
It is output to the display unit 251. The OSD display unit 251 for AV system supplies this data to the display driver 261.

The display driver 261 is an O for AV system.
A figure showing how an AV signal from a predetermined device is supplied to the monitor screen based on the data supplied from the SD display unit 251, and a way that an AV signal from the predetermined device is supplied to the PinP screen are shown. The graphic is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen of the CRT 224.

Therefore, when the data corresponding to the PinP screen is set in the AV signal connection information table in correspondence with the device address of the first VTR 306 (VTR1), the A output from the first VTR 306 (VTR1) is set.
An image corresponding to the V signal is displayed on the PinP screen of the CRT 224, and a connection configuration diagram as shown in FIG. 38 is displayed on the CRT 224.

The TV control microcomputer 221 is instructed to switch the image displayed on the PinP screen and the image displayed on the monitor screen by operating the switch built in the AV center 301 or the remote controller 201. When is input, the command is first input to the I2C bus IF communication control unit 252 via the I2C bus 302. The command input to the I2C bus IF communication control unit 252 is supplied to the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223 via the 3-wire bus 304.

Next, the NEWD2B control microcomputer 223
Responds to this command and rewrites the information in the AV signal connection information table stored in the NVRAM 274. In the present case, V.V. The predetermined value corresponding to the monitor screen, which is set corresponding to the device address of TUNER or BS-TUNER, is set to Pi
Change to a predetermined value corresponding to the nP screen. Next, the first V
The predetermined value corresponding to the PinP screen, which is set corresponding to the device address of TR306 (VTR1), is rewritten to the predetermined value corresponding to the monitor screen.

The information set in the AV signal connection information table is used for the AV system of the 3-wire bus 304 and the IF microcomputer 222 by the display data transfer processing module 282 which is activated by an interrupt at a predetermined cycle as described above. Display driver 261 through OSD display unit 251
Is supplied to. Based on the supplied information, the display driver 261 displays a graphic showing the monitor screen and a graphic showing the PinP screen at a predetermined position on the screen of the CRT 224, and the V.V. A graphic showing how a signal from TUNER or BS-TUNER is supplied to the PinP screen, and a first VTR (VTR1) 306.
An image showing how the signal from the monitor is supplied to the monitor screen is displayed.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 42, the V. TUNER or BS-TUN
The ER is connected to the PinP screen and the first VTR (VTR
1) A system connection configuration diagram in which 306 is connected to the monitor screen is displayed on the CRT 224, and the V. TUNER or BS-TUNE
The video signal output from R is displayed on the PinP screen,
The video signal output from the first VTR (VTR1) 306 will be displayed on the monitor screen.

With this, the user can easily recognize the signal source of the image displayed on the monitor screen and the signal source of the image displayed on the PinP screen.

Next, a case where dubbing is performed between directly connected devices that do not go through the AV center 301 will be described. For example, when the reproduced image from the first VTR 306 (VTR1) is recorded by the second VTR 304 (VTR2), "VTR1" and "VTR2" on the recording device side shown in FIGS. 40 and 42 are flushed, for example. “VTR1” and “VTR2” displayed on the source device side are displayed in gray. Here, by displaying in gray, it means that it is frozen (cannot be selected as a source device).

Therefore, the first VTR (“VTR1”) 30
6 and the second VTR (“VTR2”) 304 is dubbing. TUNER (“V. TUNER”) 3
05 cannot be connected to the AV center 301. TUNER (“V.TUNER”) 30
It can be easily recognized that the AV signal from 5 cannot be displayed on the monitor screen or the PinP screen.

Similarly, the first VTR (“VTR1”) 30
While the third VTR 307 and the second VTR (“VTR2”) 304 are dubbing, the third VTR 307 cannot be connected to the AV center 301, and thus the third VTR 307 on the source device side.
The AV signal from (VTR3) is displayed on the monitor screen or Pi
It can be easily recognized that it cannot be displayed on the nP screen.

In this way, when processing not passing through the AV center 301, for example, dubbing processing between devices, is performed, a system connection configuration diagram is displayed so that the connection route between devices does not go through the AV center 301. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to easily understand the connection path between each device and the operation thereof.

It should be noted that, when dubbing is performed between the devices constituting the AV system, it indicates that the predetermined device on the source device side and the predetermined device on the recording device side do not pass through the inside of the AV center 301. It is also possible to connect with a dotted line and display the signal path between the two electronic devices.

[0174]

According to the display control device of the first aspect, the display means corresponds to the device controlled by the control means, the position of the message displayed on the screen, the color of the position, and the display of the message. Change at least one of the colors.
Therefore, the display of the message can be made easier to see,
The device outputting the message can be easily distinguished.

According to the electronic equipment control device of the second aspect, since it is displayed that the individual operation of the electronic equipment is prohibited, the user may mistakenly operate each electronic equipment individually. Is prevented. Further, even if each electronic device is operated individually and each electronic device does not perform a predetermined operation in response to the operation, it is easy to see from the display that the individual operation is currently prohibited. Therefore, there is less risk of erroneously recognizing that the device is out of order.

According to the display control device of the third aspect, the character string table for storing a plurality of character strings is provided, and the character string corresponding to the sent data is read from the character string table and displayed. , The amount of data transmission for displaying the character string can be reduced.

According to the display control device of the fourth aspect, the display information for designating the image stored in the second storage means corresponding to the connection state of the electronic device stored in the first storage means. Therefore, even when the design is changed, the number of portions that need to be changed can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a video system to which a display control device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the CRT 10 according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an AV system to which the electronic device control apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of step S3 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process when an individual operation is performed in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of an AV system to which the electronic device control apparatus of the present invention is applied.

8 is a flowchart showing an example of a connection setting operation of the embodiment of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a display example of a CRT at each time point of the operation of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a display operation and a connection setting operation for an input operation of the embodiment of FIG.

11 is a diagram showing a display example of a CRT in the operation of FIG.

12 is a flow chart showing a display operation of an operation state of another device in the embodiment of FIG.

13 is a diagram showing a display example in the operation of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of a video system to which the display control device of the present invention is applied.

15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a font table FT1 of FIG.

16 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a font table FT2 of FIG.

17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a font table FT3 of FIG.

18 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the character string table CT of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a format of data transmitted through the D2B bus 121 for displaying a character string in the embodiment of FIG.

20 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the display control device of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an AV system.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a table showing a connection state of the entire configuration of the AV system.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a table of electronic devices showing the overall configuration of an AV system.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a procedure for displaying a system connection state.

[Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is a diagram for describing data when the overall configuration of the AV system is displayed.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating the principle of registration of a name of an electronic device corresponding to a macro number.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the overall configuration of the AV system.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an AV system.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating another display example of the AV system.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a NEWD2B control microcomputer and an IF microcomputer.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of design change.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a connection state when the AV amplifier is the AV center.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a vertical display of the configuration of the AV system.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a horizontal display of the configuration of the AV system.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a table showing a connection state of the entire configuration of the AV system.

[Fig. 37] Fig. 37 is a diagram for explaining horizontal display macro data of the AV system.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of a device selection screen of the AV system.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing another example of the device selection screen of the AV system.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing another embodiment of horizontal display of the connection configuration of the AV system.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an AV signal connection information table.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the horizontal display of the connection configuration of the AV system.

[Fig. 43] Fig. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a screen of a conventional video system.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of a data format for displaying a character string in a conventional AV system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 television receiver (AV center) 2 remote controller 3 light receiving unit 4 operation unit 5 CPU 6 volume 7 tuner 7A BS tuner 7B terrestrial tuner 8 switching unit 9 control unit 10 CRT 11 message display circuit 11A PinP circuit 11B state diagram display circuit 12, 13 Video tape recorder (VTR) 14 Laser disc player (LDP) 21 screen 22 to 25 message display area 31 screen 32 message display area 101 AV center 102 remote controller 103 VTR 104 LDP 112 CPU 114 RAM 116 selector 117 CRT 121 Bus 131 to 133 Display unit 211 Television receiver 212 VTR 213 LDP 214 AV amplifier 221 TV control microcomputer 222 IF microcomputer 223 NEW 2B control microcomputer 242 ROM 251 AV system OSD display unit 252 I2C bus IF communication control unit 261 display driver 271 CPU 272 ROM 274 NVRAM 281 system control processing module 282 display data transfer processing module 290 NEWD2B bus 301 AV center 302 VTR4 (4th VTR) ) 303 MDP 304 VTR2 (second VTR) 305 video tuner 306 VTR1 (first VTR) 307 VTR3 (third VTR) CT character string table

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A control means for controlling a plurality of devices for outputting an image signal or an audio signal, and a display means for displaying a message output from a plurality of devices controlled by the control means on a screen, The display means corresponds to a device controlled by the control means, and is at least one of a position of a message displayed on the screen, a color of the position, and a display color of the message.
A display control device characterized by changing one of the two. 2. A control unit for centrally controlling the operation of each of a plurality of connected electronic devices, a determination unit for determining whether or not the electronic device can be individually operated, and a determination unit for the determination unit. An electronic device control apparatus comprising: an operation display unit that displays that individual operation of the electronic device is prohibited in accordance with a determination result. 3. A character string table for storing a plurality of character strings, and data for identifying one character string of the plurality of character strings stored in the character string table, and receiving a corresponding character string A display control device comprising: a control unit for reading out from the character string table; and a display unit for displaying the read out character string. 4. A first storage unit for storing the connection state of a plurality of electronic devices, a display unit for displaying the connection state of the electronic device, and an image regarding the connection state of the electronic device displayed on the display unit. Display information for designating an image stored in the second storage unit is generated corresponding to a connection state of the second storage unit that stores the electronic device stored in the first storage unit. A display control device comprising: 5. The display control device according to claim 4, wherein the generation unit stores a flag in the first storage unit in association with the electronic device displayed on the display unit. 6. The display control device according to claim 4, wherein the second storage unit stores a plurality of images corresponding to the same electronic device. 7. The display control device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the second storage means is provided in a television receiver, and the generation means is provided in an AV center. 8. The display control according to claim 4, wherein the display unit separately displays an image corresponding to the electronic device on a source device side and a recording device side. apparatus. 9. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the display unit does not display the electronic device selected on one of the source device side and the recording device side on the other side. The display control device according to any one of claims. 10. The first storage unit stores a connection state between a monitor screen or a PinP screen and the electronic device, and the display unit displays a connection state between the monitor screen or the PinP screen and the electronic device. The second storage means stores images corresponding to the monitor screen and the PinP screen, and the generation means stores the monitor screen or the PinP screen and the electronic device stored in the first storage means. 10. The display control device according to claim 4, wherein display information designating an image stored in the second storage unit is generated in accordance with a connection state. 11. The display means collectively displays images corresponding to the electronic devices directly connected to each other on the recording device side or the source device side, and displays images corresponding to connection lines between the electronic devices. The display control device according to claim 4, wherein the display control device displays.