JPH10178684A - Centralized control system, centralized control unit and its controlled object device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the possibility of interference and also to easily operate a system consisting of various AV devices by providing a control unit that accepts an instruction for each controlled object device and a relay unit that transmits signals which are serially outputted from the control unit to each controlled object device through a cable transmission path. SOLUTION: A GUI(Graphical User Interface) can operate AV devices 3 (TV set 31 to MD recorder 36) through a control terminal 2 by installing dedicated software in a host computer 1. With this, a user individually controls each AV device 3 through transmitters 331 to 336 of remote controllers which are separately attached, also controls respective AV devices 3 by giving instructions to the computer 1 and also, controls several AV devices 3 at the same time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized control system for centrally controlling a video / audio device as a device to be controlled. More specifically, so-called AV equipment, that is, video / audio equipment centered on a television monitor, specifically, video equipment such as a VCR (video cassette recorder), LD (laser disk) player, DVD recorder, and a speaker. Audio amplifier or AV amplifier connected, CD player, audio cassette recorder, DAT recorder,
The present invention relates to a centralized control system for centrally controlling a home so-called home theater system integrating an audio device such as an MD recorder and the like, a centralized control unit therefor, and further, individual control target devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of microelectronics technology in recent years, especially with the advancement of digitization technology of audio and video data, various AV devices have penetrated into individual homes. Various recording / reproducing devices for video data are connected, and various recording / reproducing devices for audio data are also connected to the audio set. Conventionally, control of these devices can usually be performed by wireless remote control using IR (infrared rays), and a handy controller for that purpose is generally attached. In some cases, the recording / reproducing device is controlled individually, or integrated control can be performed only between devices of the same manufacturer (for example, a CD player and an MD player). Had to be controlled individually.

Further, in recent years, personal computers have been spreading to individual homes, and it has become possible to control various devices in the home from the personal computers.

[0004]

As described above, in recent years, even in home AV equipment, various video-related equipment has been connected to a television monitor, and various audio equipment has been connected to an audio amplifier and an AV amplifier. However, their control was performed by a dedicated remote control device attached to each device. For this reason, the user needs to have many remote control devices at hand, also needs to learn the operation method of each, and also has to perform the management of each battery.

[0005] In addition, a user often performs dubbing and editing of video data and audio data by synchronizing several recording / reproducing devices. In such a case, two or more recording / reproducing devices are usually used. Since it is necessary to operate the remote control device of the playback device at the same time, a user who is unfamiliar with the machine operation has a great mental burden.

By the way, as mentioned above, various AV devices use IR
Remote control control is common, but the same type of AV equipment from the same manufacturer is controlled by a common IR signal, so two or more AV equipment can respond to one remote control transmission device There is. Further, even with different types of AV equipment of the same manufacturer, and even of AV equipments of different manufacturers, there is no possibility of malfunction due to interference as long as wireless remote control by IR is used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. For example, a personal computer in which dedicated software is installed, a dedicated controller using a microcomputer, or the like is used as a control center of the entire AV device. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized control system, a centralized control unit for a video / audio device as a device to be controlled, and a device to be controlled that solve the above problems.

[0008]

A centralized control system according to the present invention is controlled at least in part by a control signal having a common code, and converts a binary signal of a common code into a pulse signal having a different pulse width. Control target devices having means for restoring a binary signal by sampling a wireless signal carried on a carrier wave at a predetermined sampling period, and receiving control instructions for each control target device, A control unit that serially outputs a signal specifying the signal and a signal indicating the received control instruction, and each control target device is individually connected via a wired transmission path,
A relay unit connected to the control unit via a serial signal transmission line and transmitting a signal serially output from the control unit to each device to be controlled via a wired transmission line.

In such a centralized control system, each control target device can be controlled by a wireless system, and the control unit receives a control instruction for each control target device and specifies a corresponding control target device. The relay unit outputs a signal indicating the control instruction and a signal indicating the received control instruction, and the relay unit performs control by transmitting a signal serially output from the control unit to each device to be controlled via a wired transmission path.

Further, in the centralized control system of the present invention, the above-mentioned wired transmission path includes a transmission path for transmission from the relay unit to each device to be controlled and a transmission line for return from each device to be controlled to the relay unit. It is characterized by comprising.

In such a centralized control system of the present invention, the control instruction for each controlled device received by the control unit is transmitted to each controlled device via the relay unit via the wired transmission path, and Transmission from each control target device to the relay unit and further to the control unit is also possible.

Also, in the centralized control system according to the present invention, the relay unit described above extracts a control signal destined for each control target device from a signal serially output from the control unit and converts the control signal into a common code. And output means for outputting the signal converted by the conversion means to the corresponding controlled device.

In such a centralized control system according to the present invention, in the relay unit, a control signal destined for each device to be controlled is extracted from a signal serially output from the control unit, and is further shared with the above-mentioned wireless system. It is converted to a code and output to the corresponding target device.

Further, the centralized control system according to the present invention is characterized in that the conversion means of the relay unit includes means for converting a binary signal of the control signal output from the control unit into a pulse signal.

In such a centralized control system according to the present invention, the binary signal of the control signal output from the control unit is converted into a pulse signal equivalent to the above-mentioned wireless signal.

Further, in the centralized control system according to the present invention, the output means of the relay unit may output a signal addressed to each controlled device from a control signal serially output from the control unit addressed to each controlled device. And a means for simultaneously starting the output of each serial signal to the corresponding device to be controlled.

In such a centralized control system of the present invention, a serial signal destined for each control target device is extracted from a control signal serially output from the control unit to each control target device, and the corresponding control target device is extracted. Since the signals are simultaneously output to the devices, the control signals are simultaneously supplied to the plurality of control target devices.

In the centralized control system according to the present invention, each controlled device receives a pulse signal output from the relay unit and samples it to restore a binary signal, and receives one unit of control signal. Is completed, means for returning a predetermined signal to the relay unit via the wired transmission path when the operation is completed.

In such a centralized control system of the present invention, each controlled device samples the pulse signal output from the relay unit and restores it to a binary signal.
When the reception of one unit of control signal is completed, a predetermined signal is returned to the relay unit via the wired transmission path, so that the relay unit grasps the signal transmission state between the relay unit and each device to be controlled. It becomes possible to do.

The centralized control unit of the present invention converts a binary signal into a pulse signal having a different pulse width, receives a radio signal which is carried on a carrier wave, and samples the signal at a predetermined sampling cycle to convert the signal into a binary signal. A centralized control unit for controlling a plurality of control target devices having a unit for restoring, the control unit being connected to each control target device via a wired transmission path, and receiving a control instruction for each control target device. Means for converting the signal specifying the control target device and the signal indicating the received control instruction into a carrier-free pulse signal that can be converted into a binary signal by each control target device; and converting the converted pulse signal via a wired transmission path. And means for transmitting.

In such a centralized control unit of the present invention, a control instruction for each control target device is received,
The signal specifying the corresponding device to be controlled and the signal representing the received control instruction are converted into a carrier-free pulse signal that can be converted into a binary signal by each device to be controlled, and the converted pulse signal is transmitted by wire. Since the control instruction is received via the road, the control instruction received by the central control unit is converted into a pulse signal equivalent to the above-mentioned wireless signal.

The control target device according to the present invention converts a binary signal into a pulse signal having a different pulse width, receives a radio signal that is carried by a carrier wave, and samples the signal at a predetermined sampling cycle to thereby obtain a binary signal. And a means for receiving and sampling a non-carrier pulse signal received via a wired transmission path to convert it into a binary signal.

The control target device of the present invention can be controlled not only by a wireless method but also by a non-carrier pulse signal received via a wired transmission path.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a centralized control system, a centralized control unit and a device to be controlled thereof, that is, a home theater system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a host computer as a control unit, 2 indicates a control terminal device as a relay unit, and 3 (31 to 36) indicate AV devices which are devices to be controlled. Host computer 1
Includes a CRT display 14 as display means, a keyboard 12 and a mouse 13 as instruction input means. In addition, as the display means, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like may be used in addition to the CRT display 14. In addition to the keyboard 12 and the mouse 13, a joystick, a touch panel, a pad, or the like may be used or used in combination as the instruction input means. Further, it is of course possible to use a device having both a function as a display means and a function as an instruction input means.

Also, in this example, the AV
The equipment 3 includes a television set denoted by reference numeral 31, a VCR (video cassette recorder) denoted by 32, an AV amplifier denoted by 33, and a CD denoted by 34.
(Compact Disc) Player, DV shown at 35
A D (Digital Video Disc) player and an MD (Mini Disc) recorder indicated by 36 are connected to the control terminal device 2. However, the number and type of the AV devices 3 shown here are merely examples, and other devices such as an LD (laser disk) player, a DAT (digital audio tape) recorder, a DCT (digital cassette tape) recorder, etc. may be connected instead. Or additional connections can be made.

The host computer 1 can use a dedicated computer system or a general personal computer. When a general personal computer is used as the host computer 1, each AV device 3 can be operated with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) by installing dedicated software. Further, in this case, a configuration in which the control terminal device 2 is built in, for example, one of the AV devices 3 is also possible.
For example, the control terminal device 2 is built in the AV amplifier 33, and the other AV devices 3, that is, the TV set 31, VCR32,
CD player 34, DVD player 35, MD recorder 36 and AV amplifier
The control terminal device 2 built in 33 may be connected by a dedicated cable described later. Further, when the host computer 1 is configured as a dedicated computer system, it is of course possible to configure the host computer 1 and the control terminal device 2 as one computer system.

The operation of each of the AV devices 3 (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) alone is basically the same as in the prior art, for a wireless remote control device via IR (infrared). Receivers (311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316) are provided,
Remote control device transmitter attached to each
(331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336) allows individual remote control. However, unlike the conventional AV device 3, the AV device 3 used in the system of the present invention relays the control terminal device 2 to receive the control signal transmitted from the host computer 1 and convert it to a remote control code. Face (321, 322, 323, 324, 32
5, 326). Note that these interfaces 32
Each of 1, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326 has a reception port and a transmission port, and is connected to each port of the control port group 20 provided in the control terminal device 2. .

An RS-232C port 11 used for serial data transmission in a normal personal computer system is mutually connected between the host computer 1 and the control terminal device 2. A dedicated cable 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, having a set of transmission and reception lines so that bidirectional signal transmission is possible between the control terminal device 2 and each AV device 3.
26 are individually connected.

In the system of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the user sends the respective AV devices 3 to the transmitters (331, 332, 3) of the remote control device attached to the respective devices.
33, 334, 335, 336), it is of course possible to control each AV device 3 by giving an instruction to the host computer 1 or to control several AV devices 3 simultaneously. It becomes possible.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, each AV device 3 is appropriately connected by a video cable, an audio cable, or the like for transmitting and receiving an audio signal and a video signal in order to exhibit an original function as the AV device. Needless to say.

Here, the internal functional configuration of the control terminal device 2 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2-i indicates a control terminal device. In FIG. 1, the control terminal device 2 is R
Although it is illustrated as having only one S-232C port 11, the first RS for connection to the host computer 1 or another control terminal device 2-i-1 having the same configuration is actually used. -twenty three
2C port 11-1, and still another control terminal device 2-i + having the same configuration
It has an RS-232C port 11-2 for connection with 1. Further, each control terminal device 2-i includes a microcomputer 201 connected to the first and second RS-232C ports 11-1 and 11-2 and the control port group 20, and a microcomputer 201 And a ROM 202 in which a software program for later-described signal conversion processing or the like is stored in advance.

Therefore, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.
It is possible to daisy-chain 2-1, 2-2, 2-3…. Specifically, RS-23 of the host computer 1
2C port 11 and first RS-232C of first control terminal 2-1
Port 11-1 and the second RS-232C port 11-2 of the first control terminal 2-1 and the first RS-232C port 11- of the second control terminal 2-2. 1 and a second RS-232C port 11-2 of the second control terminal device 2-2 and a first RS-232C port 11-1 of the third control terminal device 2-3. Can be connected in a daisy chain to the plurality of control terminal devices 2 and the host computer 1.

Although omitted in FIG. 3, a plurality of control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2, 2-
.. Are connected in a daisy chain, it is needless to say that various AV devices 3 can be arbitrarily connected to each of the control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2, 2-3,.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when a plurality of control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2, 2-3... Needless to say, it is necessary to set an address unique to the URL by some method, but details will be described later.

Next, a method for controlling each AV device 3 from the host computer 1 will be described. Basically, a signal equivalent to a remote control code (hereinafter referred to as an extended IR signal) is given from the control terminal device 2 to each AV device 3. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the control signal output from the host computer 1 into an extended IR signal equivalent to the remote control code of the AV device 3 in the control terminal device 2. The signal output from the host computer 1 is a serial signal, and the extended IR signal is also a serial signal. In order to control each AV device 3 at the same time, the extended IR signal corresponding to each AV device 3 is required. It is necessary to output signals from the control terminal device 2 at the same time. In other words, the control terminal device 2 converts the serial signal output from the host computer 1 into the number of extended IR signals corresponding to the number of AV devices 3 connected to the control terminal device 2, and 3 must be output in parallel.

In order to satisfy the above conditions, each AV device 3 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. Each AV device 3 is a control port group of the control terminal device 2.
A control signal output from the host computer 1 and supplied to each AV device 3 via the control terminal device 2 as an extended IR signal is supplied to the connection selection unit 304. . Also, as described above, each AV device 3 is provided with a receiving unit 310 (311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316) for a wireless remote control device. The infrared signal is also photoelectrically converted and converted into an electric signal, and then provided to the connection selection unit 304 via the filter 305. The connection selection unit 30
The selection control of 4 is performed by the user operating a changeover switch 306 provided outside each AV device 3.

One of the inputs selected by the connection selecting section 304 is supplied to the microcomputer 302. In addition, each
The reply output from the AV device 3 to the control terminal device 2 is performed directly from the microcomputer 302 via the input / output port 301. A ROM 303 is connected to the microcomputer 302. The ROM 303 stores, in advance, a software program for controlling each AV device 3 by the microcomputer 302, but also includes a signal input through the connection selection unit 304, in other words, Then, a code table for interpreting the meaning of the infrared signal input from the infrared signal receiving unit 310 or the extended IR signal input from the input / output port 301 and converting it into an instruction code executable by the microcomputer 302 is also stored. Have been. Reference numeral 300 indicates the main body of each AV device 3.

Next, a method of converting a control signal output from the host computer 1 to control each AV device 3 into a signal that can be processed by each AV device 3 will be described. These processes are performed by the microcomputer of each AV device 3.
302 is performed in accordance with a software program also stored in the ROM 303 while referring to a code table stored in the ROM 303.

The above-mentioned extended IR signal is basically of course "1".
Or, it is a digital signal combining bits of “0” and has a fixed bit length, but the signal actually transmitted is “
The pulse period of the signal representing "1" and the pulse period of the signal representing "0" are twice as large as those of the former.

First, the original remote control code will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. Each remote control code is basically preceded by a header to indicate the start of a message that combines a high-level section of a relatively long duration and a low-level section of a shorter duration. The actual message begins with the level pulse. For example, in the pattern code (1) shown in FIG. 5 (a), a section of “1” where the low level is relatively long after the header and “0” where the low level is relatively short next. , And ends with "1", "0", "1" ... "0", followed by "1". Note that there is no special signal such as an EOM signal indicating the end of the message, and the message ends when the number of high-level sections reaches a predetermined number (the number of bits of the original digital signal + 1). This is, as described below,
This is because the remote control code is a signal obtained by combining an original signal and a signal having an inverted value thereof, and therefore has a fixed length as a whole.

In the pattern code (2) shown in FIG. 5B, the actual messages are "0", "1", "
0 "," 1 "," 1 "..." 1 ", followed by" 0 ", and the pattern code (3) shown in FIG.
The actual messages are “1”, “0”, “1”, “0”,
"1" ... "0" followed by "1".

Therefore, for example, the signal "in the section of the actual message of the pattern code shown in FIG.
1 "," 0 "," 1 "," 0 "," 1 "..." 0 ","
If "1" is sampled at the sampling cycle of the sampling clock shown in FIG. 5 (d), the level of the actual message section becomes high level, low level, low level, low level, high level, low level, High-level, low-level, low-level, low-level, high-level… Sampling is performed in the order of low-level, high-level, low-level, and high-level. By decoding to "1" and to "0" if the next low-level period is short, it is possible to restore the original data of "10101... 01".

Therefore, conversely, the serial data "10101 ... 0
When "1" is transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2, the control terminal device 2 converts the serial signal into a pulse width signal of the pattern code (1) shown in FIG. When transmitted to the AV device 3, the AV device 3 can restore the original serial data by sampling in the same manner as when a conventional IR remote control signal is received.

In other words, the microcomputer 201 of the control terminal device 2 converts the serial data transmitted from the host computer 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) and 5 (c). It has a function of conversion to pulse width signal (PWM), and the software program for that
It is stored in advance in M 202. Hereinafter, the signal conversion processing by the control terminal device 2 will be specifically described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the format of the above-described remote control code, which is a 32-bit length obtained by merging four 8-bit codes. Reference symbol C1
Is the custom code, # C1 is the inverted custom code (code of the inverted value of the data of custom code C1), C2 is the data code C2, # C2 is the inverted data code (data code
Code of the inverted value of the data of C2).
As described above, each code has an 8-bit length, and has a 32-bit configuration as a whole.

The custom code C1 is the manufacturer of the individual AV equipment 3 and the type of the AV equipment 3 (television set, VCR
Etc.). Inverted custom code # C1
Is the code of the inverted value of the data of the custom code C1.
The data code C2 is a code of a control signal for the AV device 3. The inverted data code # C2 is a code of an inverted value of the data of the data code C2.

Therefore, when each of the AV devices 3 is to be remotely controlled, a 32-bit signal as shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted from the transmitters (331 to 336) of the corresponding remote control devices. It is necessary to modulate into a pulse width signal as shown in FIG. 5 and transmit it as an IR signal. Each of a set of signals in this 32-bit, a certain type of AV equipment 3 of a manufacturer, for example, a VCR of Company A
To start playing the tape, start recording,
Alternatively, it is possible to control to fast-forward or stop playback / recording during playback.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 described above, when six AV devices 3 are connected to the control terminal device 2,
At the same time, in order to control each AV device 3, it is originally necessary to transmit 192 bits (32 bits × 6) data from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2. However, as described above, between the host computer 1 and the control terminal device 2
It is connected by RS-232C port, and it takes time for data transmission as described above. Therefore, the host computer 1
The following data transmission method is adopted between the control terminal device 2 and the control terminal device 2 in order to reduce the data transmission time.

As shown in FIG. 6, the custom code C1 and the inverted custom code # C1, which constitute the remote control code, and the data code C2 and the inverted data code # C2, all have an inverted relationship. These inversion codes # C1 and # C2 are also for error checking,
Another reason is that when modulated into a pulse width signal as described above, the length of the entire signal is made constant regardless of the data content. Therefore, the custom code C1 and the data code C2 are transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2.
Only the inverted custom code # C1 and the inverted data code # C2 may be created by calculation from the custom code C1 and the data code C2 in the control terminal device 2. The microcomputer 20 of the control terminal device 2
If 1 has the capability of a sufficiently fast bit inversion operation, the inverted custom code # C1 and the inverted data code # C2
From the custom code C1 and the data code C2 in the control terminal device 2 is shorter than the time required to transmit the inverted custom code # C1 and the inverted data code # C2 from the host computer 1. Overall efficiency is higher.

Each AV device 3 for the control terminal device 2
The connection relationship is transmitted from the host computer 1 by specifying in advance, for example, in the manufacturer which type of AV equipment 3 is to be connected to each port of the control port group 20 of the control terminal device 2. If the destination of the port in the control port group 20 in the control terminal device 2 of the signal is determined, the custom code C1 (and the inverted custom code # C1) is basically unnecessary. Therefore, in the system of the present invention, for example, each AV
The custom code C1 of the device 3 is transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2, and the control terminal device 2 stores it and also creates and stores an inverted custom code # C1. After that, for the individual AV devices 3, basically, only the data code C2, that is, only 8 bits, is transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2, and an inverted data code # C2 is also created.

However, actually, since it is necessary to simultaneously output a control signal from the control terminal device 2 to all the AV devices 3, the host computer 1 sends a control signal to all the AV devices 3 in series. As a serial signal. Therefore, from the host computer 1, an 8-bit address for specifying each control terminal device 2, an 8-bit mode code indicating that the following signal is a control signal (data code), and an individual AV device A serial signal is output to the control terminal device 2 by merging one or a plurality of control terminal devices 2 connected to the host computer 1 into a single set of data codes of 8 bits each for 3. Therefore, the amount of data actually transmitted from the host computer 1 to each control terminal device 2 is 64 bits (8 bits × 6 + 8 bits + 8 bits), and the data transmission amount can be greatly reduced. Such a method of transmitting a serial signal from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2 is the same not only when transmitting a data code but also when transmitting a custom code, and will be described in detail below.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a signal format when a custom code required for all AV devices 3 is transmitted from the host computer 1 at a time when the system is started. As shown in the example of FIG. 3, three control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2,
2-3 are connected, and each address is a hexadecimal number (H
"00 (H)", "01 (H)", "02 (H)"
And FIG. 7 shows the contents of each code in hexadecimal.

First, an address code C11 having an address "00 (H)" for specifying the first control terminal device 2-1 shown in FIG. 3 and the following signals are custom codes Mode code with "00 (H)" as the content
C12, the six AVs connected to the first control terminal device 2-1
Custom code C1-1, C1-2 ... C1 for each device 3
-6, followed by an address code having an address "01 (H)" for specifying the second control terminal device 2-2.
C11 indicates the following signals are custom code "
00 (H) ", and the custom codes C1-1, C1-2,... C1-6 for the six AV devices 3 connected to the second control terminal device 2-2 in that order. Sent,
Subsequently, an address code C11 having an address "02 (H)" for specifying the third control terminal device 2-3, and "00 (H)" indicating that the following signal is a custom code are included in the content. .. C1-6 for the six AV devices 3 connected to the third control terminal device 2-3. Sent from

For each such control terminal device 2, 64
When three control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 are daisy-chain connected to the host computer 1 as shown in FIG. First output from host computer 1
Input to the first RS-232C port 11-1 of the control terminal device 2-1 of the second terminal 2-1 via the microcomputer 201, and
Output from S-232C port 11-2. The serial signal output from the second RS-232C port 11-2 of the first control terminal device 2-1 is then transmitted to the first R terminal of the second control terminal device 2-2.
Input to S-232C port 11-1 and the microcomputer
It is output from the second RS-232C port 11-2 via 201. Furthermore, the second RS-232C of the second control terminal device 2-2
Next, the serial signal output from the port 11-2 is input to the first RS-232C port 11-1 of the third control terminal device 2-3, and is transmitted through the microcomputer 201 to the second RS-232C port. -
Output from 232C port 11-2.

The microcomputer 201 of each control terminal device 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 has a first RS-232C port 11
The address code C11 in the serial signal input from -1 and output to the second RS-232C port 11-2 is extracted, and if it is its own address, the following signal is fetched and processed.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the content of the first address code is "00 (H)", which matches the address of the first control terminal 2-1 shown in FIG. The microcomputer 20 of the first control terminal device 2-1.
1 is the address code C1 that contains this address
1 Capture the following signals. The signal taken into the microcomputer 201 of the first control terminal device 2-1 is connected to the mode code C12 of "00 (H)" and the following first control terminal device 2-1. The custom codes C1-1, C1-2,..., C1-6 of the six AV devices 3 are respectively "3C (H)"... "7A (H)". When the content of the mode code C12 is “00 (H)” as described above, it indicates that the following code is the custom code C1, and is “01 (H)” as described later. In some cases, the following code indicates the data code C2.

The microcomputer 201 of the second control terminal device 2-2 takes in a signal having an address of "01" or less and an address code C11 or less. The signal taken into the microcomputer 201 of the second control terminal device 2-2 includes a mode code C12 of "00 (H)",
The following 6 is connected to the second control terminal device 2-2.
.., C1-6 of the three AV devices 3, and their contents are "4B (H)"... "C1 (H)", respectively. Further, the microcomputer 201 of the third control terminal device 2-3 takes in a signal whose content is the address code C11 or less having its own address "02". The signal taken into the microcomputer 201 of the third control terminal device 2-3 is connected to the mode code C12 of "00 (H)" and the following second control terminal device 2-2. 6 AVs
The custom codes C1-1, C1-2,..., C1-6 of the device 3 are respectively "D1 (H)"... "8A (H)".

Immediately after the system of the present invention is started, the control port group 2 of each control terminal device 2 is set as described above.
0, more specifically, since the signal of the custom code C1 relating to each of the six ports for the AV equipment 3 is transmitted from the host computer 1, the microcomputer 201 of each control terminal device 2 connects these signals to itself. The custom code C1 for each AV device 3 is retrieved, and the inverted custom code # C1 is calculated and stored in association with the number of each port.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a format of a control signal of the AV device 3 transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2 every time the AV device 3 needs to be controlled. In this example, as in the case of FIG. 7 described above, three control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 are connected to the host computer 1 as shown in the example of FIG. Each address is “00 (H)”, “01 (H)”, “02 (H)”
And Note that FIG. 8 shows each code in hexadecimal (shown with H).

First, an address code C11 containing the address "00 (H)" for specifying the first control terminal device 2-1 shown in FIG. 3, and the following signals are data codes Mode code C1 with "01 (H)" indicating
2. Data codes C2-1, C2-2,..., C2-6 are transmitted to the six AV devices 3 connected to the first control terminal device 2-1 in this order, and then transmitted to the second control terminal device. Address code C11 containing the address “01 (H)” specifying 2-2
Indicates that the following signal is a data code: “01 (H)
The mode code C12 containing "" is transmitted in the order of the data codes C2-1, C2-2... C2-6 to the six AV devices 3 connected to the second control terminal device 2-2. Subsequently, the address “02” specifying the third control terminal device 2-3
(H) An address code C11 containing "", a mode code C12 containing "01 (H)" indicating that the following signal is a data code, connected to the third control terminal 2-3. Data code C2- for each of the six AV devices 3
A series of serial signals are transmitted from the host computer 1 in the order of 1, C2-2 ... C2-6.

For each such control terminal device 2, 64
When three control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 are connected to the host computer 1 as shown in FIG. 3, a total of 192 bits of serial signals are transmitted to the host computer. 1 and transmitted to each of the control terminal devices 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 connected in a daisy chain in the same manner as in the transmission of the custom code shown in FIG.

The microcomputer 201 of each control terminal device 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 has a first RS-232C port 11
The address code C11 in the serial signal input from -1 and output to the second RS-232C port 11-2 is extracted, and if it is its own address, the following signal is fetched and processed.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the content of the first address code is "00 (H)", which matches the address of the first control terminal device 2-1 shown in FIG. The microcomputer 20 of the first control terminal device 2-1.
1 is the address code C1 that contains this address
1 Capture the following signals. The signal taken into the microcomputer 201 of the first control terminal device 2-1 is connected to the mode code C12 of "01 (H)" and the following first control terminal device 2-1. The data codes C2-1, C2-2,..., C2-6 for the six AV devices 3 are respectively "4B (H)"... "FF (H)".

The microcomputer 201 of the second control terminal device 2-2 fetches a signal having an address code "01" or less, whose content is its own address "01". The signal taken into the microcomputer 201 of the second control terminal device 2-2 includes a mode code C12 of "01 (H)",
The following 6 is connected to the second control terminal device 2-2.
The custom codes C1-1, C1-2,..., C1-6 of the three AV devices 3 are respectively "CF (H)"... "B6 (H)". Further, the microcomputer 201 of the third control terminal device 2-3 takes in a signal whose content is the address code C11 or less having its own address "02". The signal taken into the microcomputer 201 of the third control terminal device 2-3 is connected to the mode code C12 of "02 (H)" and the following third control terminal device 2-3. 6 AVs
The custom codes C1-1, C1-2,..., C1-6 of the device 3 are respectively "9A (H)", "88 (H)" and the like.

After the system of the present invention is activated and the custom code for each AV device 3 is transmitted from the host computer 1 to each control terminal device 2 as described above, the individual control terminal devices 2 Are transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2. Specifically, the control terminal device 2 transmits these signals to the control terminal device 2. , The data code C2 relating to each AV device 3 is taken out, the inverted data code # C2 is calculated, the signal is converted as described later, and each AV device 3 is output from each port.
Start transmission at the same time.

FIG. 9 shows a process of converting data for converting a control signal to each AV device 3 which is a digital serial signal received from the host computer 1 into a pulse width signal and outputting the pulse width signal to each AV device 3 in parallel. It is a schematic diagram.

Now, for example, a control code "4B (H)" as shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2 with the port number 1 in the control port group 20 as a destination. Suppose it was done. In this case, the microcomputer 201 of the control terminal device 2 sends the custom code C1 to the AV device 3, specifically, the television set 31.
"3C (H)" corresponding to the port number 1 given and stored by the host computer 1 when the system is started up
, And “C3 (H)” calculated from the value “3C (H)” of the custom code C1 as the inverted custom code # C1, and the data code
“2D” calculated from the data code C2 as “D2 (H)” transmitted immediately before as C2 as inverted data code # C2
(H) ”is sent.

First, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the control terminal device 2 executes the above-mentioned four types of codes C1, # C1, C2, #
C2 is concatenated to form one 32-bit data. Next, the control terminal device 2 converts the 32-bit data into bits “1” to “1000” and bits “0”
To "10". FIG. 9 (b) shows the result, which is converted into data of a fixed length of 96 bits in total. The reason for the fixed length is that the original 32-bit signal shown in FIG. 9 (a) is always in an inverted relationship with 16 bits at a time.
This is because it is converted to bits.

Similarly, 5 of other port numbers 2 to 6 transmitted from the host computer 1 to the control terminal device 2
Each set of data is also converted into 96-bit data as shown in FIG. 9 (b). Therefore, the control terminal device 2
When six AV devices 3 are connected to the control terminal device 2, the control terminal device 2 creates six sets of 96-bit data. Control terminal device 2
Converts the 6 sets of 96-bit data created in this way
As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 10, the data is stored in a matrix memory having 6 rows and 97 columns. In the 97th column of each row,
1 "is stored. When all the data is stored in the memory, the control terminal device 2 first transmits the data to each AV device 3 via the dedicated cable 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The header signal is transmitted simultaneously, and then 6
Signals at the same time, then simultaneously transmit the six signals in the second column, and so on, sequentially transmitting the six signals in each column sequentially, and finally, the six signals in the 97th column At the same time.

When the signal transmission by the control terminal device 2 as described above is viewed from the AV equipment 3 side, for example, from the television set 31 side, first, the header signal is received.
After that, "1", "0", "1", "0", "
1 "," 0 "," 0 "" 0 "" 1 "," 0 "..." 0 ",
97 bits of "1", "0", "1", "0", "1" are received. On the AV device 3 side, the received signal can be restored to the original signal as shown in FIG. 5 by sampling one bit for every two bits of the received signal. Also, by counting the "1" bits contained in the received signal, if the 97th bit signal is "1" and it is the 33rd "1", the reception has been completed normally. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, an "ACK" pulse, which is a response signal indicating normal reception, is returned to the control terminal device 2 via the dedicated cable 21.

Similarly, in each of the AV devices 3 other than the television set 31, the signal of each bit in the second to sixth rows shown in FIG. In addition, when received normally, an "ACK" pulse is returned to the control terminal device 2 via the dedicated cables 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

Next, an example of the operation procedure of the system of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 11 shows a CRT display 14 of the host computer 1 of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an overall control procedure by the host computer 1.

First, when the system of the present invention is started,
(Step S11) The host computer 1 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 11 (a) on the CRT display 14. Here, it is actually connected to the system of the present invention
The icon of the AV device 3 is displayed, and by clicking any one of them with the mouse 13, a control instruction for the AV device 3 becomes possible.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
When the device 3 is additionally connected, by clicking the “additional connection” icon, it becomes possible to set various information necessary for the additional connection.

Next, the host computer 1 transmits the custom code C1 associated with each port of the control port group 20 of the control terminal device 2 and the check data code C2 of each AV device 3 (step S12). ). Specifically, the custom code C1 is output from the host computer 1 as a serial signal as shown in FIG. 7, and the check data code C2 is output as a serial signal as shown in FIG. As the data code for the check, all the AV devices 3 should be in the power-off state at this point, and therefore, for example, a code instructing "power-off" is appropriate.

Then, it is checked whether or not ACK signals have been returned from all the AV devices 3 corresponding to the above-described check data code (step S13). If no ACK signal is returned from all the AV devices 3, the host computer 1 determines that there is a communication error between the host computer 1 and the control terminal device 2, and if any ACK signal is returned from all the AV devices 3. The host computer 1 determines that the communication state is normal, and if the ACK signal is not returned from any of the AV devices 3 but is returned from the other AV device 3, the host computer 1 returns the ACK signal. Error in the transmission path between the AV device 3 and the control terminal device 2
It is determined that the AV device 3 has failed.

Next, the host computer 1 collects information transmitted from each AV device 3 (step S15),
It is determined whether there is a failure (step S16). As a result of such processing, the icons of “communication error” and “failure” as shown in FIG. 11 (a) are displayed as necessary (steps S14 and S17), each of which is clicked with the mouse 13. In this case, the host computer 1 determines the details, that is, whether there is a transmission line error with any of the AV devices 3 or any of the
Information such as whether the AV device 3 is out of order is displayed. When the host computer 1 performs such display,
The user checks the connection of the cable between the host computer 1 and the control terminal device 2 or between the control terminal device 2 and each AV device 3, or checks the audio cable,
By confirming the connection of the video cable and further confirming the state of the main power supply of each AV device 3, it is easy to deal with a communication error or a failure.

Next, when, for example, "VCR" is clicked and selected with the mouse 13 in the display state as shown in FIG. 11 (a), a screen as shown in FIG. 11 (b) is displayed. Here, the status of the VCR 32, that is, whether or not a cassette has been loaded, and if so, the type, whether or not recording is possible, etc., are first recorded in the information collected from each AV device 3 by the host computer 1. Displayed based on

On the screen shown in FIG. 11B, the VCR 32 can be controlled. For example, "play", "stop", "fast forward", "rewind",
Since buttons for instructing “recording” and the like are displayed, when the user clicks them with the mouse 13 (step S18), the host computer 1 returns to the corresponding state as shown in FIG. And outputs the data code C2 as a control signal to the control terminal 2 (step S1
9). On the other hand, if the ACK signal is returned (step S20), the host computer 1 will be in a state of waiting for the next instruction input. However, each AV of the control signal in step S19
If the ACK signal is not returned in response to the transmission to the device 3 ("NO" in step S20), the control signal can be retransmitted, in other words, even if the control signal is retransmitted, the AV device 3 is adversely affected. It is determined whether or not the signal does not exist (step S21). If retransmission is possible, the process returns to step S19, and if retransmission is not possible, or if retransmission is possible several times but retransmission is not possible more than a predetermined number of times, failure is displayed (step S17).

The screen shown in FIG. 11 (b) has the same control as the conventional remote control as described above, as well as switching of image connection, switching of audio connection, and the like.
Further, an instruction such as dubbing by designating the other party's AV device 3 is also possible.

Incidentally, in the system of the present invention as described above, the host computer 1 and the control terminal device 2
Can be realized in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a host computer 1 as a control unit has dedicated software installed as an independent personal computer, and a control terminal device 2 as a relay unit is configured as an independent dedicated microcomputer system. It is possible to

As another example, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 13, the functions of the host computer 1 as the control unit and the function of the control terminal device 2 as the relay unit are respectively dedicated microcomputer systems. It is also possible to configure both as one centralized control unit, that is, the home theater unit 10. In this case, it is of course possible to configure the host computer 1 as the control unit and the control terminal device 2 as the relay unit as one dedicated microcomputer system.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 14, a host computer 1 as a control unit uses a general personal computer by installing dedicated software, and a control terminal device as a relay unit. 2 may be incorporated into any of the AV devices 3, for example, the AV amplifier 33 which is a central component of the AV device 3. In such a configuration, it is of course possible to configure the host computer 1 as a control unit as a dedicated microcomputer system.

Further, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 15, the host computer 1 as a control unit and the control terminal device 2 as a relay unit are both configured as a dedicated microcomputer system, and Either one, for example, is the central entity in the AV equipment 3
A configuration in which the home theater unit 10 is incorporated in the AV amplifier 33 is also possible.

[0086]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
For example, high-speed serial signal transmission is possible because the control unit, which is a microcomputer such as a personal computer, and the relay unit, which is a microcomputer, are connected by the RS-232C port used in a normal computer system. Since the relay unit and each video / audio device are connected by dedicated cables for transmission and return independently, there is no risk of interference, and there is no communication error, transmission path error, each video / audio It is possible for the control unit to grasp the presence or absence of a failure in the audio device.

When a computer system such as a personal computer is used as the control unit,
Since the GUI can be used, even a user unfamiliar with the conventional remote control system for video / audio devices can easily control various video / audio devices. Furthermore,
If you use the GUI screen, you can control all video and audio devices on a unified screen, so you have to learn all the usage methods of the remote control system corresponding to many video and audio devices. It is free from the conventional complexity.

Further, since a computer system such as a personal computer is used as a control unit, dubbing of video and audio, which is impossible with conventional video and audio equipment, is performed when the user does not use such equipment. Extremely sophisticated control, such as automatic control during a time period such as midnight, can also be achieved by devising software.

In the present invention, since a control signal is transmitted to each video / audio device using a code equivalent to a remote control code using infrared rays which is common in conventional video / audio devices, -The hardware that needs to be added to the audio equipment can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration example of a centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration inside a control terminal device of a centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a case where a plurality of control terminal devices are daisy-chain connected to a host computer in the centralized control system for video and audio equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of each AV device in the centralized control system for video and audio devices according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a remote control code used in a conventional AV device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a format of a remote control code used in a conventional AV device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a format of a serial signal when a custom code is transmitted from a host computer to a control terminal device at the time of starting up a centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a format of a serial signal when a format of a control signal of an AV device is transmitted from a host computer to a control terminal device in the centralized control system for video and audio devices according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention, in which a control terminal device converts a serial control signal of each AV equipment received from a host computer into a pulse width signal and simultaneously transmits the pulse width signal to each AV equipment; It is a schematic diagram which shows the conversion process of the data for starting.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control terminal device for converting a serial control signal of each AV device received from a host computer into a pulse width signal and outputting the pulse width signal to each AV device in parallel in the centralized control system for video and audio devices according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a process of converting data.

FIG. 11 is displayed on a CRT display of a host computer of the centralized control system for video and audio equipment according to the present invention.
It is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an overall control procedure by the host computer of the centralized control system for video / audio equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing another example of the overall configuration of the centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing another example of the overall configuration of the centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing another example of the overall configuration of the centralized control system for video / audio equipment according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Host computer 2 (2-1, 2-2, 2-3) Control terminal device 3 AV equipment 10 Home theater unit 11 (11-1, 11-2) RS-232C port 12 Keyboard 13 Mouse 14 CRT display 20 Control port Group 20 21-26 Cable 201 Microcomputer 302 Microcomputer C1 Custom code C2 Data code

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04Q 9/14 H04Q 9/14 F

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A wireless signal which is controlled at least in part by a control signal having a common code, converts a binary signal of the common code into a pulse signal having a different pulse width, and carries the signal on a carrier. A plurality of control target devices having means for restoring to a binary signal by sampling at a sampling cycle, and a control instruction for each of the control target devices is received, and a signal specifying the corresponding control target device and the received control instruction are shown. A control unit that serially outputs a signal, and each of the control target devices is individually connected via a wired transmission path,
The control unit is connected with a serial signal transmission path,
A centralized control system comprising: a relay unit that transmits a signal serially output from the control unit to each of the control target devices via the wired transmission path. 2. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the wired transmission path includes a transmission path for transmission from the relay unit to each control target device and a transmission line for return from each control target device to the relay unit. The centralized control system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The relay unit extracts a control signal addressed to each control target device from a signal serially output from the control unit, and converts the control signal into the common code. The centralized control system according to claim 1, further comprising: an output unit that outputs the converted signal to a corresponding control target device. 4. The centralized unit according to claim 3, wherein said converting means of said relay unit includes means for converting a binary signal of a control signal output from said control unit into said pulse signal. Control system. 5. The output unit of the relay unit extracts, as a serial signal, a signal addressed to each controlled device from a control signal serially output from the control unit addressed to each controlled device. 4. The centralized control system according to claim 3, further comprising means for simultaneously starting output of the serial signal to the corresponding control target device. 6. Each of the control target devices restores a binary signal by receiving and sampling a pulse signal output from the relay unit, and upon completion of receiving one unit of control signal, The centralized control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that returns a predetermined signal to the relay unit via the wired transmission path. 7. A plurality of means having means for converting a binary signal into pulse signals having different pulse widths, receiving a wireless signal carried on a carrier wave, and sampling the signal at a predetermined sampling period to restore the binary signal. A centralized control unit for controlling the control target device, wherein the control target device is connected to the control target device via a wired transmission line, and a unit for receiving a control instruction for each control target device; and a corresponding control target device is specified. Means for converting a signal to be transmitted and a signal indicating the received control instruction into a pulse signal of a non-carrier wave which can be converted into a binary signal by each of the controlled devices, and transmits the converted pulse signal via the wired transmission path. A centralized control unit comprising: 8. A means for converting a binary signal into pulse signals having different pulse widths, receiving a wireless signal carried on a carrier wave, and sampling the signal at a predetermined sampling cycle to restore the signal to a binary signal. Means for receiving a carrier-free pulse signal received via a transmission path and converting the pulse signal into a binary signal by sampling.