JP3879691B2 - Control device and its command display method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control device that controls operations of electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as “CE (Consumer Electronics) devices”) such as a plurality of audio devices and video devices, and a command display method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional electronic device in which operations of a plurality of CE devices are controlled by a CE controller. In the figure, 1A to 1C are CE devices such as audio devices and video devices, respectively, and 2 is a CE controller for controlling operations of the CE devices 1A to 1C. Each of the CE devices 1A to 1C is connected to the CE controller 2. A key input unit 3 and a display 4 are connected to the CE controller 2.
[0003]
The CE controller 2 includes in advance information (command format, types of commands that can be used, data of each command, etc.) related to commands for controlling a CE device to be connected. For this reason, when a CE device to be controlled by the key input unit 3 is selected, the types of commands that can be used by the selected CE device are displayed on the display 4. When a predetermined command is selected by the key input unit 3 with reference to the display on the display 4, a command signal related to the selected command is supplied to the CE device selected by the CE controller 2.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the example of FIG. 10, the CE controller 2 includes information related to a command for controlling a CE device to be connected in advance. Therefore, there is a problem that only the CE device to be connected can be controlled.
[0005]
The present invention provides, for example, a control device that can control all connected electronic devices, and can appropriately display a command that can be used for the electronic device on a display, and a command display method thereof. is there.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Control apparatus according to the present invention, Rutotomoni is connected to a predetermined number of electronic devices are connected to a display for displaying the commands available in the electronic device, the control device for controlling the operation of the electronic device, used in electronic devices a predetermined command display data for commands that can be a storage unit for receiving and storing this electronic device, a command display data stored in the storage means, converts, based on the display area of the display, is the conversion It was based on the command display data to generate a command display signal for displaying the command on the display, and a display control means for supplying the generated command display signal to the display unit, predetermined electronic than the predetermined number of the electronic device Input means for selecting a device and selecting a command to be transmitted to the selected electronic device.
[0007]
The command displaying method according to the present invention, Rutotomoni is connected to a predetermined number of electronic devices are connected to a display for displaying the commands that can be used in the electronic apparatus, command display control device for controlling the operation of the electronic device a method, a predetermined command display data for commands that can be used in electronic devices, and a command display data receiving step of receiving from the electronic apparatus, the received command display data, varying based on the display area of the display And a display control step for generating a command display signal for displaying the command on the display unit based on the converted command display data and supplying the generated command display signal to the display unit. is there.
[0008]
In the present invention, predetermined command display data relating to a command that can be used in an electronic device is received from the electronic device. This command display data is converted based on the display area of the display. For example, data related to the display size of the command display data is converted based on the display area of the display. Also, for example, data related to the display position of the command display data is converted based on the display area of the display.
[0009]
Based on the command display data thus converted, a command display signal for displaying the command on the display is generated. Thereby, the command which can be used with an electronic device can be displayed on a display device in an appropriate state.
[0010]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, reference numerals 11 and 12 denote CE devices, and reference numerals 11a and 12a denote microprocessors for controlling communication with a CE controller, which will be described later, and the operation of each part of the CE devices 11 and 12, respectively. The microprocessors 11a and 12a are connected to the CE bus 14 via CE bus interfaces 11c and 12c, respectively. The microprocessors 11a and 12a are connected to memories 11b and 12b in which information related to commands that can be used by the CE devices 11 and 12 are stored in advance. Information relating to the command includes command parameter data and command button data.
[0011]
The command parameter data includes, for example, the number of bits, a pulse width of “1” and “0”, a pattern of “1” and “0” of each command, and the like. The command button data is data for displaying a command in a button format mainly on a display device to be described later. FIG. 2 shows a part of command button data when the CE device is a VTR. The command button data includes the name of each command, the button shape of each command, the display position of each command button, Data such as button display color and execution condition of each command.
[0012]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a CE controller, and reference numeral 13a denotes a microprocessor for controlling communication with the CE device connected to the CE controller 13, for example, the CE devices 11 and 12, and the operation of each part of the CE controller 13. The microprocessor 13a is connected to the CE bus 14 via the CE bus interface 13d. The microprocessor 13a is connected to a command parameter memory 13b and a command button data memory 13c. The memory 13b stores command parameter data sent from each CE device connected to the CE controller 13. The memory 13c stores command button data sent from each of the CE devices connected to the CE controller 13.
[0013]
In the memories 13b and 13c, command parameter data and command button data are stored according to the following procedure.
[0014]
That is, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 sends a command signal of “command parameter data request” to the CE bus 14 through the interface 13d at a predetermined time interval. In this state, when the microprocessor 11a of the CE device 11 is connected to the CE bus 14 via the interface 11c, a command signal of “command parameter data request” is sent from the CE bus 14 via the interface 11c. 11a.
[0015]
The microprocessor 11a of the CE device 11 reads the command parameter data from the memory 11b in response to the command signal of “command parameter data request”, adds the device number data, and sends it to the CE bus 14 via the interface 11c. . The command parameter data is supplied to the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 through the interface 13d. Then, it is supplied from the microprocessor 13a to the memory 13b and written to a predetermined address.
[0016]
Next, after the writing of the command parameter data to the memory 13b is completed, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 adds a command signal of “command button data request” to the CE bus 14 via the interface 13d and device number data. And send it out. The command signal of “command button data request” is supplied from the CE bus 14 to the microprocessor 11a of the CE device 11 via the interface 11c.
[0017]
The microprocessor 11a of the CE device 11 reads the command button data from the memory 11b after recognizing that the command signal is for itself from the device number data added to the command signal of “command button data request”. After adding the device number data, the data is sent to the CE bus 14 via the interface 11c. This command button data is supplied to the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 through the interface 13d. Then, it is supplied from the microprocessor 13a to the memory 13c and written to a predetermined address.
[0018]
The device number of the CE device 11 is set manually, for example, at the time of connection, but may be automatically set by communication with the CE controller 13 via the CE bus 14. In the above description, when the CE device 11 is connected to the CE controller 13 via the CE bus 14, the operation of immediately sending command parameter data from the CE device 11 to the CE controller 13 is started. 11, when the CE device 11 or the CE controller 13 is in a power-off state, an operation for sending command parameter data from the CE device 11 to the CE controller 13 is started after the power-on.
[0019]
The above is a case where the CE device 11 is connected to the CE bus 14, and the procedure for storing the command parameter data and command button data of the CE device 11 in the memories 13b and 13c of the CE controller 13 has been described. The command parameter data and command button data of the CE device 12 are also stored in the memories 13b and 13c of the CE controller 13 by substantially the same procedure.
[0020]
However, unlike the CE device 11, the microprocessor 12a of the CE device 12 is connected to the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 via the interface 12d and the interface 13e. Therefore, except for basic command signals such as “command parameter data request” and “command button data request” from the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13, other command signals are sent from the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 to the interface 13e, 12d is supplied to the microprocessor 12a of the CE device 12.
[0021]
Accordingly, in response to the “command parameter data request” from the microprocessor 13 a of the CE controller 13, the microprocessor 12 a of the CE device 12 designates an interface, and command parameters on the designated interface are sent to the CE bus 14. Attached with device number data. For example, when RS-232C is specified as an interface, data in the physical layer such as baud rate and parity, and data in the logical layer such as a command header and the number of bytes are transmitted as command parameter data.
[0022]
In the above description, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 sends a command signal of “command parameter data request” to the CE bus 14 via the interface 13d at a predetermined time interval. For those connected individually to the 14 dedicated lines for connection confirmation, for example, “command parameter data request” is performed as follows. In this case, since the CE controller 13 can determine the device number of the connected CE device by being individually connected to the connection confirmation dedicated line, it is not necessary to set the device number manually.
[0023]
The microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 can confirm the connection of the CE device using a dedicated line for confirming the connection, and the command signal of “command parameter data request” is sent from the microprocessor 13a to the CE bus 14 via the interface 13d. Is sent with the device number data of the CE device whose connection has been confirmed. On the other hand, the CE of the confirmed CE device microprocessor adds the device number data to the CE bus 14 after confirming that it is for itself. The following is the same as the case where the command signal of “command parameter data request” is sent from the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 to the CE bus 14 at predetermined time intervals.
[0024]
In the case where the CE devices 11 and 12 are commonly connected to the dedicated line for confirming the connection of the CE bus 14, for example, “command parameter data request” is performed as follows.
[0025]
That is, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 can confirm the connection of the CE device by a dedicated line for connection confirmation, and the command of “command parameter data request” is sent from the microprocessor 13a to the CE bus 14 via the interface 13d. A signal is sent out. Since this command signal is supplied to the CE device connected to the CE bus 14, the microprocessor of the CE device sends command parameter data to the CE bus 14 after adding device number data. The following is the same as the case where the command signal of “command parameter data request” is sent from the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 to the CE bus 14 at predetermined time intervals.
[0026]
Further, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 is connected to a remote control signal receiving unit 13f that receives a remote control signal output from the remote control commander 15, and to a display control circuit 13g. Reference numeral 13h denotes an interface to which another CE device is connected.
[0027]
In this example, by the key operation of the remote control commander 15, the CE device connected to the CE controller 13 via the CE bus 14, in this example, commands that can be used for the CE devices 11 and 12 are selectively displayed on the display 16 in the form of buttons. Can be displayed.
[0028]
In this case, a CE device for performing command display by a key operation of the remote control commander 15 is designated. The microprocessor 13a reads the command display data of the CE device (data such as the name of each command, the button shape of each command, the display position of the button of each command, the display color of the button of each command) from the memory 13c. The command display data is supplied to the display control circuit 13g.
[0029]
In the display control circuit 13g, a command display signal is formed based on the command display data. The command display signal output from the display control circuit 13g is supplied to a display 16 such as a CRT or LCD, whereby the CE device command designated on the display 16 is displayed in a button format. Here, when the display area LCE assumed by the CE device is different from the display area LDS of the display 16, the display control circuit 13g performs enlargement or reduction conversion processing, and the display 16 has an appropriate size. Command display.
[0030]
For example, when the display area LCE is 100 × 80 dots as shown in FIG. 3A and the display area LDS is 640 × 480 dots as shown in FIG. 3B, the screen of the display 16 is filled. In order to be displayed, the vertical and horizontal ratios of the display data (display position, button shape, button name, etc.) of the CE device are converted. For example, when the display data of the CE device is as shown in FIG. 4A, the aspect ratio and the aspect ratio are converted and displayed on the display 16 as shown in FIG.
[0031]
Further, when the commands of two or more CE devices are simultaneously displayed by the key operation of the remote control commander 15, the display control is performed according to the size relationship between the display area LCE assumed by the CE device and the display area LDS of the display device 16. In the circuit 13g, reduction conversion processing is performed as necessary, and a command is displayed on the display device 16 in an appropriate size.
[0032]
For example, when the commands of the CE devices 11 and 12 are simultaneously displayed, when the display area LCE of the CE devices 11 and 12 is 100 × 80 dots as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, as shown in FIG. The display device 16 having a display area LDS of 640 × 480 dots displays the commands of the CE devices 11 and 12 side by side without performing reduction conversion processing. In the command display of FIG. 5C, CE-A indicates the command display of the CE device 11, and CE-B indicates the command display of the CE device 12.
[0033]
On the other hand, for example, when displaying the commands of the CE devices 11 and 12 simultaneously, when the display area LCE of the CE devices 11 and 12 is 640 × 480 dots as shown in FIGS. As shown in C, the display 16 having a display area LDS of 640 × 480 dots is subjected to reduction conversion processing by half in the horizontal direction, and the commands of the CE devices 11 and 12 are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction. In the command display of FIG. 6C, CE-A indicates the command display of the CE device 11, and CE-B indicates the command display of the CE device 12.
[0034]
Although different from this example, if a plurality of displays are connected to the CE controller 13, it is also possible to divide the command display of one CE device into categories and display them on each display. . For example, when the CE device is a VTR and there are a recording / playback system and a tuner system as shown in FIG. 7A, and a display 16a in addition to the display 16 as shown by a broken line in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, recording / playback command display is performed on the display 16 and tuner-related command display is performed on the display 16a.
[0035]
In this case, if the command display is shifted on each screen of the display 16 or 16a, the display control circuit 13g may perform position conversion processing for center alignment. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the recording / playback display area LRP displayed on the display 16 is A × B dots, the horizontal start coordinate of the display area LRP is x, and the vertical start coordinate is When y and the display area LDS of the display 16 is C × D dots (A <C, B <D), as shown in FIG. 8B, the horizontal direction is subtracted by x and then a = (C−A ) / 2 is added, and a position conversion process is performed in which b = (D−B) / 2 is added after the vertical direction is subtracted by y. By performing such position conversion processing, the display area LRP is moved to the center.
[0036]
As described above, in this example, a command that can be used for the CE device connected to the CE controller 13 via the CE bus 14 by the key operation of the remote controller commander 15, in this example, the CE devices 11 and 12, is displayed on the display 16 in a button format. Can be displayed. In this example, the CE device and the command can be selected by the remote control commander 15 with reference to such a command display. The CE device and the command can be selected by directly inputting the CE device and the command with the key operation of the remote control commander 15, but in this example, the command display (icon) displayed on the display 16 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, it can be easily performed by selecting by moving the cursor 20. In this case, the selection of the CE device and the command is valid only when the execution condition of the command button data (see FIG. 2) is satisfied.
[0037]
The microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 knows what command display of which CE device is displayed at which position of the display 16, and also grasps the display position of the cursor 20. Therefore, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 can recognize which command of which CE device is selected by the cursor 20.
[0038]
In FIG. 2, “CLICK” and “DOUBLE CLICK” mean that the key of the remote control commander 15 corresponding to the click key of the mouse is pressed once and twice, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 1, when a mouse is connected to the microprocessor 13 a of the CE controller 13, the mouse 20 may be used to perform an instruction to move the cursor 20 and execute a click key. Good.
[0039]
As described above, when the CE device and the command selected by the remote control commander 15 or the mouse are valid, the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 sets the command selected based on the command parameter data stored in the memory 13b. The command signal is formed in a predetermined format, and the command signal is sent to the selected CE device. In this case, in the case of a CE device that is connected to the CE controller 13 only via the CE bus 14 like the CE device 11, the command signal is supplied via the CE bus 14. On the other hand, when connected to the CE controller 13 via the interfaces 13e and 12d separately as in the CE device 12 in addition to the CE bus 14, the command signal is supplied via the interfaces 13e and 12d. In the case where the command signal is supplied via the interfaces 13e and 12d as described above, when the transfer rate of the command signal via the CE bus 14 is faster, there is an advantage that the CE device can be controlled immediately. .
[0040]
Without being described above, the display 16 can display the state of each CE device by changing the color of the command display. As described above, from the CE device to which the command signal is supplied from the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13, the state signal indicating the changed state is sent via the CE bus 14 or the like when the state changes. 13a. Thereby, the microprocessor 13a can control the display control circuit 13g to display the change in the state of the selected CE device by changing the color of the command display on the display 16 and the like. In the above-described embodiment, the display control circuit 13g performs display data conversion processing. However, the microprocessor 13a may perform this processing.
[0041]
As described above, according to the present example, the memory 13b connected to the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 is connected to the CE device connected to the CE controller 13 via the CE bus 14, for example, the CE devices 11 and 12, respectively. Command parameter data is sent and stored, and only command parameter data for controlling a CE device to be connected as in the prior art is not stored in advance. It is possible to satisfactorily control all the CE devices connected to the CE device.
[0042]
Command button data is sent to the memory 13c connected to the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13 from each of the CE devices connected to the CE controller 13 via the CE bus 14, eg, the CE devices 11 and 12, respectively. Based on this command button data, commands that can be used by each CE device can be displayed on the display 16, so that the user can easily select the CE device and command by referring to the display on the display 16. it can. Moreover, the CE device and the command can be selected simply by selecting the command display by moving the cursor on the display 16.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, in response to the command signal of “command parameter data request”, the command parameter data is sent from the microprocessors 11 a and 12 a of the CE devices 11 and 12 to the microprocessor 13 a of the CE controller 13. Although the command parameter data is shown stored in the memory 13b, it is also conceivable to send and store the command signal itself related to each command instead of the command parameter data. In this case, the command signal transmission timing is instructed by setting a predetermined port of the CE device to the low level “L” by the microprocessor 13a of the CE controller 13, for example.
[0044]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the two CE devices 11 and 12 are connected is shown. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a larger number of CE devices are connected to the CE controller 13. Of course.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, command display data received from an electronic device is converted based on the display area of the display device, and a command display signal for displaying a command on the display device based on the converted command display data. The commands that are generated and can be used in the electronic device can be displayed in an appropriate state on the display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of command button data.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an assumed display area of a CE device and a display area of a display device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining display enlargement processing;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of simultaneous command display of two CE devices.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of command simultaneous display (reduction) of two CE devices.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of division display on a plurality of display devices.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a display position conversion process;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a selection example using a CE device and a command cursor;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a conventional electronic device apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
11, 12 CE devices 11a, 12a, 13a Microprocessor 13 CE controller 13b Command parameter memory 13c Command button memory 13f Remote control signal receiver 13g Display control circuit 14 CE bus 15 Remote control commander 16, 16a Display 20 Cursor

Claims (6)

Rutotomoni is connected to a predetermined number of electronic devices are connected to a display for displaying the commands available to the electronic device, the control device for controlling the operation of the electronic device,
Storage means for receiving and storing predetermined command display data relating to commands usable for the electronic device from the electronic device;
The command display data stored in the storage means, converts, based on the display area of the display unit, command display signal for the command displayed on the display unit based on the converted command display data And display control means for supplying the generated command display signal to the display device ,
A control apparatus comprising: an input unit that selects a predetermined electronic device from the predetermined number of electronic devices and selects a command to be transmitted to the selected electronic device. The display control means divides the display area of the display unit into a predetermined number, and generates a command display signal for selectively displaying commands that can be used for separate electronic devices in each display area. Item 2. The control device according to Item 1. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit generates the command display signal by converting data related to a display size of the command display data based on the display area. The display device comprises a plurality of indicators,
The display control means classifies commands that can be used for a predetermined electronic device into a plurality of categories, and generates a command display signal for selectively displaying separate categories of commands in the display area of each display unit. The control device according to claim 1, wherein The control device according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the display control means generates the command display signal by converting data related to a display position of the command display data based on the display area. Rutotomoni is connected to a predetermined number of electronic devices are connected to a display for displaying the commands available to the electronic device, a command display method control device for controlling the operation of the electronic device,
A command display data receiving step for receiving predetermined command display data relating to a command usable for the electronic device from the electronic device;
The command display data the received, converts, based on the display area of the display device, the command to generate a command display signal for displaying on the display unit based on the converted command display data, And a display control step of supplying the generated command display signal to the display.

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