KR20100135585A - Electronic device in electronic device system comprising electronic devices circularly connected each other - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An electronic device of an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices, which is recursively connected, is provided to enable an electronic device to require transmission end and receiving end of a fewer numbers than using a two-way transmission channel, thereby largely reducing the whole system cost. CONSTITUTION: A first receiving unit(130) receives an uncompressed video signal from a first electronic device. A second receiving unit(230) receives a data signal from a first electronic device. A first transmitting unit transmits the uncompressed video signal to a second electronic device. A second transmitting unit(220) transmits the data signal to the second electronic device. If the signal received to the first and the second receiving unit, a control unit(110) performs operation corresponding to the signal. If it is not the operation object, the control unit transmits through a transmission unit corresponding to the signal.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM COMPRISING ELECTRONIC DEVICES CIRCULARLY CONNECTED EACH OTHER}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device of an electronic system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected. More specifically, the signal circulates even when a signal is transmitted using only one-way connection channels. The present invention relates to an electronic device having an effect such as transmitting a.

Existing electronic devices have one input / output unit capable of receiving and transmitting signals. In this case, in order to connect a plurality of electronic devices, the Aux data transmission channel is configured in both directions. In order to configure the data transmission channel in both directions, both a Tx terminal for transmitting a signal and an Rx terminal for receiving a signal are required.

However, when a plurality of existing electronic devices using a bidirectional transport channel are connected to provide an electronic device system, as the number of electronic devices increases, the number of Tx terminals and Rx terminals in each electronic device increases for the bidirectional transmission channel. This can lead to the problem of significantly increasing the cost of the entire system.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device in which a receiver for receiving a signal and a transmitter for transmitting a signal are separated, so that when the electronic device is cyclically connected, the signal is transmitted using a unidirectional transport channel. Since circulates, it is necessary to provide an electronic device that has an effect such that a signal is transmitted in both directions.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device of an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected, the electronic device comprising: a first receiver configured to receive an uncompressed video signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; ; A second receiver which receives a data signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A first transmitter for transmitting an uncompressed video signal received by the first receiver to a second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A second transmitter for transmitting a data signal received by the second receiver to a second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; It is determined whether each of the signals received by each of the first and second receivers is an operation target, and if it is determined that the signal is an operation target, an operation corresponding to the signal is performed, and if it is determined that the signal is not the operation target, And a controller for transmitting a signal through each of the transmitters corresponding thereto.

The electronic device may include a TV, a DTV, a set top box, a DVD or a BD player, a home theater system, a game device, a notebook PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, and the like.

Here, the number of channels for transmitting an uncompressed video signal by connecting each electronic device may be singular or plural, and most preferably, video signals are divided and transmitted in three or more channels. When there are three uncompressed video transmission channels, R, G, B, or Y, Cb, Cr signals may be transmitted for each channel, or the signals may be mixed.

Here, a channel for transmitting data signals by connecting each electronic device is an Aux data transmission channel and may be singular or plural. The Aux data transmission channel includes an audio signal; Various additional signals including Closed Caption, Extended Display Identification data (EDID), Hot Plug detect, and the like; Control signals (CEC); Ethernet data and the like can be transmitted.

Here, the uncompressed video transmission channel and the Aux data transmission channel are unidirectional, and the transmission directions of all the channels are the same.

Here, the transmission channel is a channel connecting a Tx (Transmitter) terminal, which is a transmitter of the first electronic device, and an Rx (Receiver) terminal, which is a receiver of the second electronic device, wherein the Tx circuit converts a digital input signal into an analog differential. Differential Signal Pair (Differential Signal Pair: the same signal is made to transmit the two signals of opposite polarity to each other) form, and the Rx circuit performs the reverse role. In order to minimize EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference), the connection channel is composed of a twisted pair in the form of a cable from the Tx end to the Rx end, and the signal is in the form of a differential signal pair. It is preferable to make. In addition, the uncompressed video channel may receive a signal itself without a separate clock channel and directly recover a clock using a phase-locked loop (PLL).

FIG. 1 of the present application compares an existing electronic device with an electronic device of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the existing electronic device uses a bidirectional transport channel for Aux data transmission. Since connection cables are required, each electronic device must have both a Tx end for transmission and an Rx end for reception. Therefore, when a plurality of existing electronic devices are connected by using a bidirectional transmission channel, the number of Tx terminals and Rx terminals increases for each electronic device, thereby increasing the cost. However, as shown in FIG. 1B, the Aux data transmission channel of the present application connects the first electronic device to the second electronic device by using a unidirectional connection channel, and thus only one cable is required. Therefore, when a plurality of electronic devices of the present application are connected, the number of Tx terminals and Rx terminals can be reduced for each electronic device, thereby reducing the cost.

The uncompressed video signal of the present application comprises an image signal transmittable through an uncompressed video transmission channel; The data signal of the present application is an audio signal that can be transmitted through the Aux data transmission channel; Various additional signals including Closed Caption, Extended Display Identification data (EDID), Hot Plug detect, and the like; Control signals (CEC); It may include at least one of Ethernet (Ethernet) data.

The video signal and the data signal of the present application may separately include identification information of the electronic device, and the controller may determine whether to be an operation target based on the identification information of the electronic device. The identification information of the electronic device of the present invention may include an IP address which is a unique address of each electronic device or a unique number assigned between devices in a network.

In addition, the controller of the present invention may increase or decrease the counter one by one while passing through a plurality of circularly connected electronic devices to determine whether the electronic device is an operation target based on the distance to the final electronic device, that is, how many electronic devices have passed. have.

Meanwhile, after the controller of the present invention bypasses the signal received by the receiver from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, the controller determines whether the signal received from the first electronic device is an operation target and then determines the signal. Control to perform an operation corresponding to the.

An electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that it can additionally transmit power. In the case of an electronic device in which at least one electronic device in an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected is not connected to a power source, power is supplied to another electronic device among a plurality of connected electronic devices. A signal may be sent requesting supply. In this case, the electronic device receiving the signal for requesting power supply transmits a signal for requesting power supply through a data transmission channel such as the uncompressed video transmission channel or the Aux data transmission channel. Can be supplied to the device. When a separate power supply dedicated channel is provided, power may be supplied through the power supply dedicated channel. In this case, the power supply to be supplied is preferably a DC power supply. In addition, an electronic device that does not have a separate power line can always receive standby power from an electronic device capable of supplying standby power to support a minimum function such as detecting a user's power on command and transferring data to another electronic device. .

The electronic device of the present invention further includes an interface connectable with at least one external network, and the control unit includes an electronic device, which communicates with an external network to receive data from the external network.

The electronic device of the present invention further includes an additional transmitter for transmitting a signal to an external device and an additional receiver for receiving a signal from the external device. When the signal received from the first electronic device is bypassed to the second electronic device, and the electronic device is connected to the external device, the controller transmits the signal received from the first electronic device through the additional transmitter. And an electronic device, wherein the signal is transmitted to the external device and the signal received by the external device through the additional receiver is transmitted to the second electronic device.

Herein, the electronic device including the additional transmitter and the additional receiver may further include a switch device. In this case, the controller detects whether the portable device is connected, and when the electronic device is connected to the portable device, adjusts the switch. 1 transmits a signal received from the electronic device to the portable device through the additional transmission unit; and if not connected to the portable device, bypasses the signal received from the first electronic device to the second electronic device through the transmission unit. do.

Here, the electronic device including the additional transmitter and the additional receiver may not include a controller. In this case, when not connected to the external device, the signal received from the first electronic device is simply bypassed to the second electronic device. When connected to the external device, the signal received from the first electronic device is transmitted through the additional transmitter. The device may be transmitted to an external device, and may receive a signal from the external device through the additional receiver and transmit the signal to the second electronic device. A preferred example of an electronic device that does not include a control unit, including an additional transmitter and an additional receiver, may be a cradle, and the external device may be a portable device, and in this case, the system of the present invention may be used to charge the portable device. Can be.

The present invention also provides an electronic device of an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected, comprising: a first receiver configured to receive an uncompressed video signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A second receiver which receives a data signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A second transmitter for transmitting a data signal received by the second receiver to a second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A display unit; Process and display the video signal received by the first, determine whether the signal received by the second receiver is an operation target, perform an operation corresponding to the data signal when it is determined to be the operation target; And a control unit which transmits the signal through the second transmitter corresponding to the signal when it is determined that the operation target is not the operation target. Since the electronic device does not need to transmit the uncompressed video signal to the second electronic device, the electronic device does not include a first transmitter for transmitting the uncompressed video signal. Therefore, unnecessary Tx and Rx stages may not be manufactured, thereby reducing the cost of the entire system.

Accordingly, in the case of configuring an electronic device system by cyclically connecting a plurality of electronic devices of the present invention, when the signal is transmitted using a unidirectional channel, the signal is circulated, and thus effects such as transmitting signals in both directions. You can enjoy

As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic device of an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected is provided. In the electronic device of the present invention, a receiving unit for receiving a signal and a transmitting unit for transmitting a signal are separated. When the plurality of electronic devices are cyclically connected, the signal is circulated even when the signal is transmitted using a unidirectional transmission channel. This has the same effect as transmitting a signal in both directions. Accordingly, each electronic device requires fewer Tx and Rx stages than the bidirectional transmission channel, thereby greatly reducing the cost of the entire system.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a diagram comparing an electronic device of the present invention and an existing electronic device. As shown in FIG. 1 (B), it is understood that the electronic device of the present invention requires a smaller number of Tx and Rx terminals than the conventional electronic device. Can be.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment using an electronic device of the present invention, and implements an electronic device system by cyclically connecting a plurality of electronic devices of the present invention. As shown, the electronic device 100, 200, 300, 400 of the present invention includes a control unit 110, 210, 310, 410, a transmitter 120, 220, 320, 420, and a receiver 130, 230, 330, 430. ).

Here, each of the transmitters 120, 220, 320, and 420 includes a first transmitter connected to three uncompressed video transmission channels 10, 11, 12, and 13 and one Aux data transmission channel 20, 21, 22. 23 is connected to the second transmitter.

Here, each of the receivers 130, 230, 330, and 430 has a first receiver connected to three uncompressed video transmission channels 10, 11, 12, and 13 and one Aux data transmission channel 20, 21, 22. 23 is connected to the second receiver.

Referring to the signal flow of the electronic device of the present invention, when the electronic device 1 (100) of FIG. 1 transmits a signal, the signal is transmitted only in a clockwise direction so that the electronic device 2 (200), the electronic device 3 (300), and the electronic device are transmitted. After passing through the N 400, the electronic device 1 may eventually return to the electronic device 1 100, so that the signal transmitted from the electronic device 1 is circulated.

As an embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, the electronic device 2 200 of FIG. 2 transmits a video signal to the electronic device N 400 and the Aux data transmission channel 21 through the uncompressed video transmission channels 11 and 12. Audio signals may be transmitted to the electronic device 1 (100) through the 22, 23. When the electronic device 3 300 receives the video signal and the audio signal transmitted by the electronic device 2 through the receiver 330, the controller 310 of the electronic device 3 indicates that the signal is not an operation target signal of the electronic device 3. If it is determined and bypasses it to the electronic device N 400, and the receiving unit 430 of the electronic device N receives the signal bypassed by the electronic device 3, in the case of a video signal, the controller 410 of the electronic device N determines the electronic device. The controller 410 determines that the signal is an operation target signal of N, and executes an operation corresponding to the video signal. In the case of the audio signal, the controller 410 of the electronic device N determines that the signal is not the operation target signal of the electronic device N, and transmits the signal to the transmitter 420. Transmits to electronic device 1 (100). The control unit 110 of the electronic device 1 determines that the audio signal received through the receiver 130 of the electronic device 1 is an operation target signal of the electronic device 1 and executes an operation corresponding to the audio signal. In this case, the most preferred embodiment is the case where the electronic device 2 200 is a set top box, the electronic device N 400 is a TV, and the electronic device 1 100 is a home theater system. That is, the set-top box transmits a video signal to a TV and an audio signal to a home theater system.

As another embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention, when the electronic device N (400) of FIG. 2 transmits a control signal for requesting a video signal and an audio signal to the electronic device 2 (200), the electronic device (200) is electronic. Sends the requested video and audio signals to device N; That is, when the electronic device N requests the control signal to the electronic device 2, the control signal transmitted from the electronic device N is received through the receiving unit 130 of the electronic device 1 100, and the control unit 110 of the electronic device 1. In response to determining that the electronic device 1 is not an operation target, the control signal is bypassed to the electronic device 2 200 through the transmitter 120, and the control unit 210 of the electronic device 2 200 controls the receiver 230. The control signal received through the control signal is determined as an operation target signal, and in order to transmit a video signal and an audio signal to the electronic device N in response to the control signal, the electronic device 3 (300) is first transmitted. The electronic device 3 300 determines that the video signal and the audio signal received through the receiver 330 are not an operation target signal and bypasses the video signal and the audio signal to the electronic device N through the transmitter 320. As a result, the electronic device N 400 receives the video signal and the audio signal requested through the receiver 420 and performs an operation corresponding thereto. This embodiment is a case where the control signal for electronic device 2 is generated in another electronic device in a plurality of electronic devices in a cyclically connected manner, and accordingly, the control signal for each electronic device in the cyclically connected system is sent to one in the system. All of these can be generated from the electronics of the device, allowing universal control. In the most preferred embodiment, when the electronic device N is a TV, the user controls the control of other electronic devices in the cyclically connected system using the control OSD menu for the connected electronic device displayed on the TV. Even without a remote control can be controlled using only one TV remote control.

Although not shown in the drawings of the present application, an embodiment of an electronic device in which the electronic device of the present invention further includes a display unit and does not include a second transmission unit may be mentioned. That is, when the electronic device N 400 of FIG. 2 further includes a display unit and does not include the second transmitter, a video sink device such as a TV or a monitor (an electronic device having only a video input and no output is required). In such a case, a simplified system can be constructed. Since the electronic device N 400 does not include the second transmitter, the electronic device N 400 may include only the Aux data transmission channel 23 without including the video transmission channel 13. When the electronic device N transmits a control signal for requesting a video signal and an audio signal to the electronic device 2 using the Aux data transmission channel 23, the control signal is transmitted to the electronic device 2 via the electronic device 1 (100). The controller 210 of the electronic device 2 determines this as an operation target signal and transmits a video signal and an audio signal corresponding to the control signal to the electronic device N, and the video signal and the audio signal are transferred to the electronic device 3 through the electronic device 3. It is received by N. In this case, the final destination of the video signal is the electronic device N. Since the electronic device N can execute the video signal as a video sink device and no longer needs to transmit the signal to the electronic device 1 100, the electronic device N In the case of this video sink device, the video transmission channel 13 is not included.

3 illustrates a case in which the electronic device of the present invention further includes an interface connectable to an external network other than a system to which the electronic device is cyclically connected. The electronic device N 400 of FIG. 3 further includes a communication interface 440 that can be connected to an external Ethernet. When the electronic device 2 200 transmits a control signal for requesting data to the outside of the system to the electronic device N, the electronic device N requests (31) and receives (32) data requested by the electronic device 2 to the external Ethernet. The electronic device transmits the data to the electronic device 2 through the Aux data transmission channels 23 and 20. In the most preferred embodiment, the electronic device 2 is a BD player (Blue ray Disc Player) and the electronic device N is a TV, in which case the BD player may provide additional information about a specific movie on a Blu-ray disc therein. When the requested control signal is transmitted to the electronic device N connected to the external Ethernet, the electronic device N requests data to the external Ethernet through the communication interface 440, receives the requested data, and transmits the requested data to the electronic device N through the Aux data transmission channel. Send to device 2. The electronic device 2 generates a video signal and transmits the video signal received from the electronic device N to the electronic device N through a video transmission channel, and the electronic device N displays the video signal so as to be requested by the electronic device 2. Movie information is to be viewed by the user on the TV.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which a plurality of electronic devices of the present invention are supplied from other electronic devices in the system instead of directly receiving power from a power line. When the electronic device 1 100 of FIG. 4 does not have a separate power line, when the user commands power on directly by using the remote control for the electronic device 1 to the electronic device 1, the electronic device 1 is the electronic device N (400). The electronic device N 400 directly connected to the power line 450 sends power to the electronic device 1 100 through the Aux data transmission channel 23 or the video transmission channel 13. Send it. On the other hand, when the user commands the electronic device 1 to power on the electronic device N 400 directly, the electronic device N transmits power directly to the electronic device 1.

5 illustrates an embodiment in which the electronic device of the present invention further includes an additional transmitter and an additional receiver. When the electronic device N 400 of FIG. 5 transmits a signal for requesting image content in the portable device 500, the request signal is transmitted through the electronic device 1 100 and the electronic device 2 200. And the request signal is transmitted to the portable device 500 through the additional transmitter 340 of the electronic device 3, and when the portable device 500 receives the request signal through the receiver 520, the request signal is transmitted. The video content corresponding to the signal is transmitted to the electronic device 3 (300) through the transmitter 510 of the portable device, and the additional receiver 350 of the electronic device 3 (300) receives the video content and transmits the video content. The transmitter 320 transmits the data to the electronic device N 400. In the most preferred embodiment, the electronic device 3 300 is a holder that does not include the controller 310 and includes an additional transmitter 340 and an additional receiver 350 that can be connected to the portable device. As described above, when the electronic device 3 is a holder, the electronic device 3 may also be used for power charging of the portable device. In the present embodiment, only the case of transmitting the video content is described, but the embodiment in which the portable device 500 is an MP3 player and transmits and receives audio content is also possible.

6 illustrates an embodiment in which the electronic device of the present invention further includes an additional receiver, an additional transmitter, and a switch unit. FIG. 6 illustrates a case in which the electronic device 3 further includes a switch unit 360 in addition to the additional receiver and the additional transmitter in the electronic device system of FIG. 5. The switch unit 360 includes a switch 361 and an adder 362. In this case, the controller 310 of the electronic device 3 300 detects whether the portable device 500 is connected to the portable device 500. When the portable device is connected to the electronic device 3, the controller 310 detects the connection to detect the connection of the electronic device 3. The switch 360 is adjusted to transmit the signal received from the electronic device 2 200 to the portable device 500 through the additional transmission unit 340 of the electronic device 3. When the portable device is not connected to the electronic device 3, the controller 310 sends a signal received from the electronic device 2 200 to the electronic device N 400 through the transmitter 320 of the electronic device 3. Pass.

7 is a flowchart illustrating signal control of a controller of the electronic device of the present invention. First, when receiving a signal from the first electronic device (S110), it is determined whether the received signal is the operation target (S120), and if it is determined that the operation target is the operation target (S130) If it is determined that it is not the operation target, the signal is transmitted to the second electronic device (S140).

According to the present invention, when the electronic device system is implemented by cyclically connecting a plurality of electronic devices, the signal is circulated even if the signal is transmitted using only a unidirectional transport channel, thus transmitting a signal using the bidirectional transport channel. As a result, the number of Tx terminals and Rx terminals for signal transmission and reception of each electronic device can be greatly reduced, thereby providing an electronic device having a large cost reduction effect and a signal transmission method thereof.

Although some embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit or spirit of the invention. . It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

1 illustrates a difference between an electronic device of the present invention and a conventional electronic device,

2 illustrates an implementation of an electronic device system configured by cyclically connecting a plurality of electronic devices of the present invention.

3 illustrates an embodiment in an electronic device system when the electronic device of the present invention includes an interface connectable with an external network.

4 shows an embodiment in which the electronic device of the present invention is powered from another electronic device in the system,

5 illustrates an embodiment in which the electronic device of the present invention includes an additional transmitter and an additional receiver,

6 illustrates an embodiment in which the electronic device of the present invention further includes an additional transmitter, an additional receiver, and a switch unit,

7 is a flowchart illustrating signal control of a controller of the electronic device of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

100, 200, 300, 400: electronic device 110, 210, 220, 320: control unit

120, 220, 320, 420: transmitter, 130, 230, 330, 430: receiver

10, 11, 12, 13: uncompressed video transmission channel

20, 21, 22, 23: Aux Data Transmission Channel

Claims (8)

An electronic device of an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected. A first receiver configured to receive an uncompressed video signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices;  A second receiver which receives a data signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A first transmitter for transmitting an uncompressed video signal received by the first receiver to a second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A second transmitter for transmitting a data signal received by the second receiver to a second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; It is determined whether each of the signals received by each of the first and second receivers is an operation target, and if it is determined that the signal is an operation target, an operation corresponding to the signal is performed, and if it is determined that the signal is not the operation target, And a controller for transmitting a signal through each of the transmitters corresponding thereto. The method of claim 1, wherein the video signal and the data signal separately include identification information of the electronic device, and the controller determines whether to operate based on the identification information of the electronic device. Electronics. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device further comprises an interface connectable with at least one external network, and the controller communicates with an external network to receive data from the external network. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising an additional transmitter configured to transmit a signal to an external device, and an additional receiver configured to receive a signal from the external device. If the electronic device is not connected to the external device, the controller bypasses the signal received from the first electronic device to the second electronic device. When the electronic device is connected to the external device, the controller transmits a signal received from the first electronic device to the external device through the additional transmitter, and a signal received to the external device through the additional receiver. And transmit the message to the second electronic device. The data signal of claim 1, wherein the data signal is an audio signal, a closed caption, an extended display identification data (EDID), a hot plug detect (CEC), a consumer electronics control (CEC), or an Ethernet (Ethernet). ) At least one of data. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first receiver and the first transmitter divide and transmit video signals through three or more channels. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device may further transmit power. An electronic device of an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices that are cyclically connected. A first receiver configured to receive an uncompressed video signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices;  A second receiver which receives a data signal from a first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A second transmitter for transmitting a data signal received by the second receiver to a second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; A display unit; Process and display the video signal received by the first, determine whether the signal received by the second receiver is an operation target, perform an operation corresponding to the data signal when it is determined to be the operation target, And a controller for transmitting the signal through the second transmitter corresponding to the signal when it is determined that the operation is not the target of the operation.

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