JPH11187034A - Signal processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal processor with which the optimum distribution of signal processing resources is enabled only by physically connecting equipment. SOLUTION: This signal processor is provided with a signal processing means 204 for processing signals inputted from the outside of signals reproduced from media, storage means 205 for storing the processing contents of the signal processing means 204, interface means 201 capable of exchanging signals and control information, display means 202 for displaying the signal processing contents of the present equipment and the other equipment connected to the interface, and control means 206 for controlling the signal processing means 204 corresponding to selection and when the signal processing of the other equipment connected through the interface means 201 are overlapped with the signal processing contents of the present equipment, the control means 206 executes the relevant processing through the equipment disabled in processing excepting for the relevant processing or selects any equipment to execute the relevant processing corresponding to the other non-overlapped processing to be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a satellite broadcasting receiver, a DVD,
The present invention relates to a signal processing device such as an AV amplifier and a TV.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digitalization of home AV equipment has progressed, and advanced signal processing has been performed in individual equipment. Attempts have also been made to establish a home LAN by connecting individual devices via an interface and exchanging data and control signals.

[0003] An example in which AV equipment is connected by a Digil interface will be described. For example, an example using IEEE1394 as a digital interface is known.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which AV devices are connected via IEEE1394. 4, reference numeral 101 denotes a satellite broadcast receiver (hereinafter, referred to as STB), 102 denotes a digital video disc player (hereinafter, referred to as DVD), 103 denotes an AV amplifier, and 104 denotes a television.

[0005] The STB 101 receives a signal (not shown) from a satellite broadcasting antenna, performs tuning, QPSK demodulation, and error correction in a front end unit (not shown) to obtain an MPEG stream. The MPEG stream is descrambled at the back end (not shown),
Video decoded. The audio part is AC-3 (a type of multi-channel audio compression system, front left (L), front center (C), front right (R), rear right (SR), rear left (RL)
-Consists of low-frequency (LFE) 5.1 ch. The bass is counted as 0.1 ch because the band is narrower than other channels. If encoding is performed in addition to 5.1ch, 2ch decoding is also possible), and AC-3 decoding (2ch) is performed. AC-3 uses 5.1 channel audio in the case of a source such as a movie, but depending on the playback device, decoding and outputting 2 channels is also allowed. These video and audio signals are transmitted to the AV amplifier 10 via the interface.
3 and the television 104. For AC-3, the bit stream before decoding can be output as it is.

The AV amplifier 103 has an STB 101 and a DV
An audio signal from D102 is input via an interface. The AV amplifier 103 uses AC-3 (5.1
ch) decoding, dts (5.1 ch) decoding, sound field control (reflection sound addition, reverberation sound addition, frequency characteristic adjustment, etc.)
Headphone out-of-head localization processing (correction by head-related transfer function, headphone characteristic compensation, hereinafter referred to as HPSP)
And so on). The processed signal is converted into an analog signal by a DA converter (not shown), and supplied to an external speaker (not shown) via an amplifier (not shown).
In addition, it is supplied to a headphone (not shown) via a headphone amplifier (not shown).

[0007] The TV 104 is an STB 101, a DVD 10
2, the video signal from STB010, DVD102, A
An audio signal from the V amplifier 103 is input via an interface to reproduce video and audio.

[0008] The audio signal from the STB 101 is converted to the AV amplifier 1 by using the conventional device having the above-described configuration.
03 will be described.

The STB 101 can output a signal obtained by decoding AC-3 on two channels or a bit stream before decoding. In this conventional example, AV
Since the amplifier is connected, the user can select the function selecting means 4
The STB is controlled so as to output a bit stream via the ST05. Further, the user controls the AV amplifier 103 to input the AC-3 bit stream via the function selection unit 406 and decode the 5.1 channel. By performing these controls by the user himself, the connection shown in FIG.
5.1 channel reproduction of C-3 can be enjoyed.

When the DVD 102 is used as a source, 5.1-channel decoding of AC-3 can be performed on the DVD 102. Therefore, the user inputs the 5.1ch decode signal to the AV amplifier 103 by the function selection unit 406 and controls the AV amplifier 103 to perform the SFC process as desired.

[0011]

However, even when the AV device has a digital interface such as IEEE1394, it is still necessary for the user to specify which device performs what kind of signal processing. Further, in the case of the device configuration as described in the conventional example, AC
Although the -3 (5.1 ch) decoder is provided in both the DVD and the AV amplifier, the user must also determine which should be processed. Whenever the number of devices connected by the digital interface increases, or a device is newly connected or disconnected, it is troublesome for the user to make these determinations and designations one by one, and to optimally allocate the signal processing resources. When a consumer AV device is connected via a digital interface, it is necessary that the user be able to use the device without being conscious of LAN settings.

An object of the present invention is to provide a signal processing apparatus capable of optimally allocating signal processing resources only by physically connecting devices in consideration of such a conventional signal processing apparatus. I do.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a signal processing means for processing a signal input from the outside or a signal reproduced from a medium, a storage means for storing the processing contents of the signal processing means, a signal and control information. And a control unit that controls the signal processing unit according to the content of signal processing of another device connected to the interface.

Further, the present invention provides a signal processing means for processing a signal input from the outside or a signal reproduced from a medium, a storage means for storing the processing contents of the signal processing means, and an exchange of signals and control information. Interface means, display means for displaying the signal processing contents of itself and other devices connected to the interface, selecting means for selecting the signal processing contents, and the signal of itself according to the selection by the selecting means. Control means for controlling the processing means.

As described above, according to the present invention, the control means for obtaining the signal processing content of each device connected to the interface from each storage means and controlling its own signal processing means according to the signal processing content. When the signal processing is duplicated, by causing the device that cannot perform the process other than the process to execute the process, or by selecting a device that executes the process according to another process to be executed, This allows you to physically connect devices together,
Signal processing resources can be optimally allocated.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing Embodiment 1 in which various signal processing devices of the present invention are connected via an interface. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 101 to 104 denote various examples of the signal processing device of the present invention. 101 is a satellite broadcast receiver (set-top box, hereinafter referred to as STB), 102
Denotes a DVD, 103 denotes an AV amplifier, and 104 denotes a television. Each of these signal processing devices is connected via an interface. IEEE 1394 or the like can be used as the interface.

The STB 101 receives a signal (not shown) from a satellite broadcasting antenna, performs tuning, QPSK demodulation, and error correction at a front end (not shown) to obtain an MPEG stream. The MPEG stream is descrambled at the back end (not shown),
Video decoded. When the audio part is AC-3 encoded, it is AC-3 decoded (2 ch). AC-3 uses 5.1 channel audio in the case of a source such as a movie, but depending on the playback device, decoding and outputting 2 channels is also allowed. These video and audio signals are transmitted to the AV amplifier 103 via the interface.
Or to the television 104. For AC-3, the bit stream before decoding can be output as it is.

The DVD 102 reads out a signal from a disk, performs demodulation and error correction processing, and obtains an MPEG stream. After the MPEG stream is descrambled, the video stream is video decoded. The audio stream is AC-3 (5.1 ch) decoded. The decoded signal is the AV amplifier 103 or the TV 10
4 In DVD, dts (a kind of multi-channel audio compression method) is an optional standard for audio.
It is also allowed to record the encoded signal.
However, in DVD players, the dts decoder is also treated as an option, and is often not included. In this case, A
As in the case of C-3, an undecoded dts bit stream can be output.

An audio signal from the STB 101 or DVD 102 is input to the AV amplifier 103 via an interface. AV amplifier 103 is AC-3
(5.1 ch) decoding, dts (5.1 ch) decoding, sound field control (reflected sound addition, reverberation sound addition, frequency characteristic adjustment, etc., hereinafter referred to as SFC), headphone out-of-head localization processing (correction by head-related transfer function)・ Headphone characteristic compensation (hereinafter referred to as HPSP). The processed signal is converted into an analog signal by a DA converter (not shown), and supplied to an external speaker (not shown) via an amplifier (not shown). In addition, it is supplied to a headphone (not shown) via a headphone amplifier (not shown). It is also possible to output a digital signal before the DA conversion from the interface.

The television 104 is an STB 101, a DVD 10
2, the video signal from STB010, DVD102, A
An audio signal from the V amplifier 103 is input via an interface to reproduce video and audio.

The operation of each signal processing device connected via the interface as described above
The operation will be described using an amplifier as an example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion for performing signal processing of the AV amplifier. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes interface means, 202 denotes display means, 203 denotes selection means, 204 denotes signal processing means, 205 denotes storage means, 206
Are control means, which are connected via an internal bus. When the interface is IEEE1394, the interface means 201 is composed of two parts, a physical layer and a link layer. The physical layer drives the IEEE 1394 bus directly. The link layer controls the transfer of data.

The display means 202 is an on-screen device, and displays information from the control means 206 on a television. The selection unit 203 is selected by the user using a remote control device or the like. The signal processing unit 204 processes a signal from the interface unit 201 under the control of the control unit 206.

As the signal processing means 204, a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) is usually used. D
The SP includes an arithmetic unit, a data storage unit, a program storage unit, and the like, and performs data processing according to a program stored in the program storage unit. The program storage unit may be a mask ROM or a RAM. In the case of a mask ROM, for example, AC-3 decode, dts decode, SF
Programs such as C and HPSP are stored in advance, and signal processing of a processable amount is performed according to control from the control unit. In the case of a RAM, a necessary program is loaded from the control unit 206.

The storage unit 205 stores an index of the processing content that can be executed by the signal processing unit 204. AV
In the case of the amplifier 103, AC-3 (5.1ch) decoding, dts (5.1ch) decoding, SFC, HPS
An index corresponding to P is stored.

The control means 206 controls the processing of the entire signal processing section. The storage unit 205 and the control unit 206 are often realized by a microcomputer.

The AV amplifier 103 configured as described above
The operation when is connected to the interface will be described. When a new device is connected to the IEEE 1394 interface, a bus reset occurs, and the work of checking the connection configuration of the device connected to the bus is performed. When this is completed, the bus management node (device) is determined. The bus management node can allocate a data transfer band and a channel number for isochronous transfer (a transfer method in which a data transfer speed is guaranteed). For example, a linear PCM audio data, 4
The band required to transfer data of 4.1 kHz, 16 bits and 2 ch is 0.7 Mbps / ch, and 2 channels having this band are secured. Similarly, a band for video data transfer is secured.

Here, the control means 206 of the AV amplifier 103
Is a storage means 205 of another device connected to the bus via the interface means 201 (other DVD 102,
(E.g., TV 104, STB 101, etc.), and obtains an index of the processing content executable by each device. In the case of this embodiment, the STB 101
Decoding and AC-3 (2ch), M from DVD102
An index corresponding to PEG decoding and AC-3 (5.1 ch) is obtained.

Next, regarding the operation to be performed subsequently,
A specific example in which reproduction is performed using each device will be described.

When the STB 101 receives and plays back a movie recorded in AC-3, the AC-3 (5.1 ch) decoder is provided in both the DVD 102 and the AV amplifier 103. DVD102 is an external bit stream AC
-3 decoding, the AV amplifier 1
The control means 206 of the AV amplifier 103 uses the AC-3
(5.1ch) Signal processing means 204 to perform decoding
, And requests the STB 101 via the interface means 201 to output the bit stream without decoding the AC-3 in 2ch.
In response to this, the control means of the STB 101 performs only MPEG decoding, and the AC-3 controls so as to output an undecoded bit stream. At this stage, a device for transmitting / receiving data to be subjected to isochronous transfer and a necessary bandwidth are determined. Therefore, the bus management node requires 384 kbps or 448 bits necessary for AC-3 bit stream transfer.
STB1 for isochronous channel of kbps band
01 and the AV amplifier 103.

On the other hand, when the DVD 102 supports AC-3 decoding of an external bit stream,
AC-3 decoding can be performed on AV amplifier 103 even on DVD 102
But it is possible. In this case, the control means 206 of the AV amplifier 103 checks whether the DVD 102 can perform processing other than decoding of AC-3 (5.1 ch). As a result, the DVD 102 uses AC-3 (5.1c
h) can only be decoded.
A request is made via the interface means 201 to decode 3 (5.1 ch). DVD102 is AC-
3 (5.1 ch) decoding, and the decoding result
Outputs a 1ch linear PCM signal. The bus management node is 384 kbps or 448 k required for AC-3 bit stream transfer between the STB 101 and the DVD 102.
bps band isochronous channel, DVD1
02 and the AV amplifier 103, five isochronous channels of 0.7 Mbps band required for AC-3 decode output transfer and one 0.07 Mbps channel are secured.

When AC-3 (5.1 ch) decoding is performed on the DVD 102, the AV amplifier 103 does not need to perform AC-3 decoding, so that SFC or HPSP can be performed. The user can select which process to select by using the selection unit 203. As a selection method, an S that can be selected using the display
The FC and the HPSP are displayed on the screen of the television 104, and the SFC or the HPSP is highlighted using a key or the like of a remote control device, or selected by surrounding it with a frame. The control means 206 controls the signal processing means 204 according to the selection result of the selection means 203.

Alternatively, it is monitored whether headphones are inserted into the headphone terminal of the AV amplifier 103,
HPSP automatically when headphones are inserted
May be selected, and if not inserted, SFC may be selected.

When playing a movie recorded in AC-3 on the DVD 102, the movie recorded in AC-3 is played on the STB 101, and the DVD 102 is adapted for AC-3 decoding of an external bit stream. The processing is the same as in the case where That is, AC-3
(5.1 ch) decoding, and the AV amplifier 103
Perform FC or HPSP.

When playing back a movie recorded with dts on the DVD 102, the AV amplifier 103 has only a dts decoder. Therefore, the DVD 102 outputs a dts bit stream, and the dts decoder of the AV amplifier 103 outputs dts.
Perform ts decoding.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing Embodiment 2 in which various signal processing devices of the present invention are connected via an interface. FIG. 3 has the same configuration as FIG.
The difference is that signal processing called Virtual can be performed in order to reproduce a 5.1-channel signal on a DVD 302 with a 2-channel speaker. Other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, a case in which reproduction is specifically performed using the AV amplifier as an example in the second embodiment will be described.

When the STB 101 receives and plays back a movie recorded in AC-3, the decoder of AC-3 (5.1 ch) is in the DVD 102 or the AV amplifier 103. D
If the VD 102 supports AC-3 decoding of an external bit stream, the AC-3 decoding
Both the VD 102 and the AV amplifier 103 can be used. In this case, the control means 206 of the AV amplifier 103
2 checks whether processing other than decoding of AC-3 (5.1 ch) is possible. As a result, the DVD 102 decodes AC-3 (5.1 ch) and Virt
It can be seen that ual processing is possible. Therefore, the control unit 206 presents a user with selectable processing using the display unit 202. That is, the SF of the AV amplifier 103
C, displays the Virtual of the HPSP and the DVD 302, and allows the user to select a process.

If the selected process is SFC or HPSP, the control means 206 writes the AC-3 (5.
1ch) Request decoding. The bus management node is 384 kbps or 448 required for the AC-3 bit stream transfer between the STB 101 and the DVD 302.
kbps band isochronous channel to DVD
Between the 302 and the AV amplifier 103, five isochronous channels having a band of 0.7 Mbps and one line of 0.07 Mbps required for AC-3 decode output transfer are secured.

If the selected process is virtual, the control means 206 causes the AV amplifier 103 to execute AC-3.
(5.1ch) decoding, and Vi
Requests that a true process be performed. The bus management node is connected between the STB 101 and the AV amplifier 103 by 384 kbps or 4 bits necessary for AC-3 bit stream transfer.
A 48 kbps band isochronous channel is called A
Between the V amplifier 103 and the DVD 302, five isochronous channels having a 0.7 Mbps band and one 0.07 Mbps band required for AC-3 decoding output transfer, and between the DVD 302 and the AV amplifier 103, a linear PCM.
Of two 0.7 Mbps isochronous channels required for the above.

In the above description, the process is selected by the user, but the device may automatically select the process. That is,
It monitors whether headphones are inserted into the headphone terminal of the AV amplifier 103, and automatically selects HPSP when headphones are inserted. If the speaker used is 2 when not inserted, Virtual
If more than 2, SFC may be selected. The AC-3 has a speaker configuration function of changing an equalizer and a signal added to bass in accordance with a speaker to be used, so that the number of speakers can be known from the setting.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that signal processing resources can be optimally allocated only by physically connecting devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram in which various signal processing devices according to a first embodiment of the present invention are connected via an interface;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a portion that performs signal processing of an AV amplifier 103, which is an example of the signal processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram in which various signal processing devices according to the second embodiment of the present invention are connected via an interface;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram in which various conventional signal processing devices are connected via an interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

101: Satellite broadcast receiver (set-top box, ST
B), 102 ... Digital video disc player (D
VD), 103: AV amplifier, 104: TV, 201
... Interface means, 202 ... Display means, 203 ...
Selection means, 204 ... signal processing means, 205 ... storage means,
206: control means, 405, 406: function selection means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A signal processing means for processing a signal inputted from the outside or a signal reproduced from a medium, a storage means for storing processing contents of the signal processing means, and an interface means for exchanging signals and control information. A signal processing device comprising: a control unit configured to control the signal processing unit of the device in accordance with a signal processing content of another device connected to the interface. 2. A signal processing means for processing a signal input from the outside or a signal reproduced from a medium, a storage means for storing processing contents of the signal processing means, and an interface means for exchanging signals and control information. Display means for displaying the signal processing contents of itself and other devices connected to the interface; selecting means for selecting the signal processing contents; and controlling the signal processing means of itself according to the selection by the selecting means A signal processing device comprising: 3. If the signal processing content of another device connected via the interface is the same as the signal processing content of the own device, the control means transmits the signal processing content of the other device to the device which cannot perform other processing. The signal processing device according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing device executes the process. 4. If the signal processing content of another device connected via an interface partially overlaps with its own signal processing content, the control means performs another process that is not duplicated. The signal processing device according to claim 1, wherein a device that executes the process is selected according to the condition.