JP7807902B2 - Display device and display control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device and a display control method.

Televisions (display devices) with multiple input paths for video signals have been disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

The operator uses the TV's input switch button or other means to specify the device that will input the video signal, i.e., the input source of the video signal. The TV is equipped with an input switch unit that switches inputs. When the input switch unit receives a command from the external device to switch the input of the display unit to the input from the external device, it switches the input of the display unit to the input from the external device.

JP 2012-010280 A

For example, if a user receives a command from an external device to switch inputs while watching a television program, the display may switch unintentionally.

The main objective of this disclosure is to provide a display device and a display control method that can prevent unintended input switching by the user.

A display device according to one embodiment includes a display unit that displays video, a display control unit that controls the display unit, an input unit that receives a video signal and a switching request signal from an external device, and a storage unit that stores switching registration information that associates device information about the external device with switching availability information indicating whether input switching is possible. If the switching availability information associated with the device information about the external device that is the sender of the switching request signal indicates that input switching is permitted, the display control unit displays video based on the video signal on the display unit. If the switching availability information associated with the device information about the external device that is the sender of the switching request signal indicates that input switching is prohibited, the display control unit does not switch the video source displayed on the display unit.

A display control method according to one embodiment stores switching registration information that associates device information of an external device with switching availability information indicating whether input switching is possible; if the switching availability information associated with the device information of the external device that is the sender of the switching request signal indicates that the input switching is permitted, the display unit displays video based on a video signal from the external device; and if the switching availability information associated with the device information of the external device that is the sender of the switching request signal indicates that the input switching is prohibited, the video source displayed on the display unit is not switched.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen showing switchability information on the display device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first operation example of the display device. FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen showing a confirmation message on the display device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second operation example of the display device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a third operation example of the display device. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a modified example of a display device according to the modified example. FIG. 8 is an example of a display screen showing notification information on a display device according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the display device according to the modified example.

The following describes one preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the following embodiment is merely an example. The present invention is in no way limited to the following embodiment.

The display device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1.

First, an overview of the display device 1 of this embodiment will be described. The display device 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a liquid crystal television or an organic EL television (EL: Electro Luminescence), and is configured to display programs and the like based on received television broadcasts.

The display device 1 also has an external input terminal 12. An external device 2 that outputs a video signal can be connected to the external input terminal 12. The display device 1 is configured to be able to switch the video source to be displayed on the display unit 11 to an image based on the video signal input to the external input terminal 12. In the following description, switching the video source to be displayed on the display unit 11 is also referred to as input switching.

The output signal of the external device 2 includes a switching request signal. The switching request signal includes information requesting the destination display device 1 to switch the video source to video based on the video signal of the source external device 2.

The display device 1 of this embodiment stores switching registration information that associates device information of the external device 2 with switchability information indicating whether input switching is possible. The display device 1 switches the displayed video source to the video of the external device 2 that sent the switch request signal only when it receives a switch request signal from an external device 2 that permits input switching. On the other hand, if the display device 1 receives a switch request signal from an external device 2 that prohibits input switching, it does not switch the displayed video source.

As a result, the display device 1 of this embodiment can prevent input switching unintentionally by the user. Therefore, for example, even if a switching request signal is sent from an external device 2 that has prohibited input switching while the user is watching a television program, the input will not be switched unintentionally by the user, and the user can continue watching the television program.

The display device 1 of this embodiment is described in detail below.

The display device 1 of this embodiment includes a display unit 11, multiple external input terminals 12, a processing unit 13, and a memory unit 14.

The display unit 11 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 11 displays video. Specifically, the display unit 11 displays video sources such as received television broadcast programs and video from an external device 2 connected to the external input terminal 12. The video source displayed by the display unit 11 can be switched by the display control unit 132, which will be described later.

Each of the multiple external input terminals 12 is an interface for connecting to an external device 2. The display device 1 of this embodiment has four external input terminals 12 as the multiple external input terminals 12. When distinguishing between the four external input terminals 12, they are referred to as a first external input terminal 12A, a second external input terminal 12B, a third external input terminal 12C, and a fourth external input terminal 12D.

Each external input terminal 12 is, for example, an HDMI input terminal (HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface, registered trademark). An external device 2 can be connected to the external input terminal 12 via an HDMI cable.

External device 2 is a video device that outputs a video signal, such as a recorder, player, or game console. Recorders include BD recorders (BD: Blu-ray Disc, registered trademark), DVD recorders (DVD: Digital Versatile Disc), and HDD recorders (HDD: Hard Disk Drive), and have recording and playback functions. Players include BD players and DVD players, and have playback functions. External device 2 has an HDMI output terminal and can output a video signal to display device 1 via an HDMI cable.

In this embodiment, a first game console 2A is connected as the external device 2 to the first external input terminal 12A of the display device 1. A second game console 2B is connected as the external device 2 to the second external input terminal 12B of the display device 1. A first recorder 2C is connected to the third external input terminal 12C of the display device 1. No external device 2 is connected to the fourth external input terminal 12D of the display device 1.

The output signal from external device 2 includes a switch request signal in addition to the video signal. External device 2 transmits the switch request signal when it starts transmitting the video signal. The switch request signal requests display device 1 to switch the input so that the video from external device 2 that transmitted the switch request signal is displayed. In other words, the switch request signal requests display device 1 to switch the video source to the video from the external input terminal 12 to which external device 2 is connected.

The processing device 13 includes an input unit 131 and a display control unit 132. The processing device 13 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer having a processor and memory. In other words, the processing device 13 is realized as a computer system having a processor and memory. The processor executes appropriate programs to function as the input unit 131 and the display control unit 132. The programs may be pre-recorded in memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The processor of the computer system is configured with one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated on a single device or distributed across multiple devices. For example, the input unit 131 and the display control unit 132 may be implemented by separate microcomputers, or the input unit 131 and the display control unit 132 may be implemented by multiple microcomputers.

The input unit 131 is connected to multiple external input terminals 12, and receives video signals and switching request signals from external devices 2.

The display control unit 132 controls the display unit 11. In this embodiment, the display control unit 132 controls the video to be displayed on the display unit 11 by performing selection control to select the video source to be displayed on the display unit 11. When the user operates the input switching button on the display device 1 main body or the remote control, the display control unit 132 performs processing to switch the video source to be displayed on the display unit 11 in order from a television program and videos input to multiple external input terminals 12.

When the input unit 131 receives a switching request signal, the display control unit 132 refers to the switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14. The memory unit 14 is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The memory unit 14 stores switching registration information, which is information that associates device information of the external device 2 with switchability information that indicates whether input switching is possible. The device information of the external device 2 is information that identifies the external device 2, such as the product name and model number of the external device 2. The output signal of the external device 2 contains the device information. The switchability information is information that indicates whether switching of the video source to be displayed on the display unit 11 is permitted or prohibited when a switching request signal is received from the corresponding external device 2.

Table 1 shows an example of switch registration information.

As shown in Table 1, the switching permission information of the first game machine 2A is "prohibited", the switching permission information of the second game machine 2B is "permitted", and the switching permission information of the first recorder 2C is "prohibited".

When the input unit 131 receives a switching request signal and device information, the display control unit 132 searches for the device information from the switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14 and references the switching availability information associated with this device information.

If the referenced switching availability information indicates "allowed" for input switching, the display control unit 132 performs input switching in accordance with the switching request signal. That is, the display control unit 132 switches the video source displayed on the display unit 11 to the video from the external input terminal 12 to which the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal is connected. As a result, the video from the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal is displayed on the display unit 11. For example, the switching availability information for the second game machine 2B is "allowed" (see Table 1). Therefore, when a switching request signal is sent from the second game machine 2B, the display control unit 132 performs input switching so that the video from the second external input terminal 12B is displayed. As a result, the video from the second game machine 2B is displayed on the display unit 11. Note that if the video from the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal is already being displayed on the display unit 11, input switching is not performed, and the video from the external device 2 continues to be displayed on the display unit 11.

On the other hand, if the referenced switching availability information indicates "prohibited" for input switching, the display control unit 132 does not follow the switching request signal and does not switch the input. Therefore, if a television program or an image from another external device 2 is displayed on the display unit 11, this image will continue to be displayed on the display unit 11. For example, the switching availability information for the first game machine 2A is "prohibited" (see Table 1). Therefore, when a switching request signal is sent from the first game machine 2A, the display control unit 132 will not switch the input (see Table 1). To display the image from the first game machine 2A, the user needs to operate an input switching button on a remote control or the like. Note that if an image from the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal is already being displayed on the display unit 11, the image from the external device 2 will continue to be displayed.

The switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14 can be changed. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14 is displayed on a settings screen on the display unit 11. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a list of switching registration information is displayed on the display unit 11 under the title "Automatic Input Switching," and switching availability information is displayed as a toggle button. In the example shown in FIG. 2, if the switching availability information is "Allowed," the toggle button is shifted to the right and displayed in color. If the switching availability information is "Prohibited," the toggle button is shifted to the left and displayed in white. The user can check the switching registration information on the settings screen, and can also update the switching availability information by operating the toggle button using a remote control, etc.

Next, a first operation example of the display device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Here, input switching processing will be described as the first operation example.

First, the input unit 131 receives a switching request signal and device information (S1). The display control unit 132 searches for the device information from the switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14 and references the switching availability information associated with this device information (S2).

If the referenced switchability information indicates that input switching is "permitted" (S3: Yes), the display control unit 132 performs input switching in accordance with the switch request signal (S4). On the other hand, if the referenced switchability information indicates that input switching is "prohibited" (S3: No), the display control unit 132 does not follow the switch request signal and does not perform input switching (S5).

In this way, the display device 1 of this embodiment stores switching registration information that associates device information of the external device 2 with switchability information indicating whether input switching is permitted. If the switchability information associated with the device information of the external device that sent the switching request signal indicates that input switching is permitted, the display unit 11 displays video based on the video signal. If the switchability information associated with the device information of the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal indicates that input switching is prohibited, the video source displayed by the display unit 11 is not switched.

As a result, the display device 1 of this embodiment can prevent input switching unintentionally by the user. For example, even if a switching request signal is sent from an external device 2 that has prohibited input switching while the user is watching a television program, the input will not be switched unintentionally by the user, and the user can continue watching the television program.

Next, we will explain how to register switching registration information in the memory unit 14.

The switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14 may not include the received device information. In other words, the device information of the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal may not be stored in the memory unit 14. For example, if the external device 2 is a device that is not connected to the display device 1, the device information is not stored in the memory unit 14. Therefore, the processing device 13 of this embodiment further includes a confirmation unit 133 and a registration unit 134, as shown in FIG. 1, and registers the switching registration information in the memory unit 14.

When the input unit 131 receives a switching request signal and device information, the confirmation unit 133 determines whether the device information is stored in the memory unit 14. If the device information is not stored in the memory unit 14, the confirmation unit 133 causes the display unit 11 to display a confirmation message asking whether or not to switch the input. In other words, if the device information of the external device 2 that sent the switching request signal is not stored in the memory unit 14, the confirmation unit 133 causes the display unit 11 to display a confirmation message asking whether or not to switch the input. The confirmation message is, for example, a message asking "Do you want to switch the input to an unconfigured device?" as shown in FIG. 4. The confirmation unit 133 also causes the display unit 11 to display buttons with the words "Yes" and "No" written on them as answer options for the confirmation message. The user can select either "Yes" or "No" as an answer to the confirmation message, for example, using a remote control. For example, suppose that a second recorder 2D (see FIG. 1), which is an unconnected external device 2, is connected to the fourth external input terminal 12D and the second recorder 2D transmits a switching request signal and device information. In this case, because the device information for the second recorder 2D is not stored in the memory unit 14, the confirmation unit 133 causes the display unit 11 to display a confirmation message such as "Do you want to switch input to the second recorder?"

The registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in the storage unit 14 based on the response to the confirmation message. If the response to the confirmation message is permission (for example, "Yes"), the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in the storage unit 14 that associates the device information received by the input unit 131 with switching permission information indicating "permission." For example, if the response to the confirmation message "Do you want to switch input to the second recorder?" is "permission," the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in the storage unit 14 that associates the device information of the second recorder with switching permission information indicating "permission," as shown in Table 2.

On the other hand, if the answer to the confirmation message is prohibition (for example, "No"), the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in which the device information received by the input unit 131 is associated with switching permission information indicating "prohibition" in the storage unit 14. For example, if the answer to the confirmation message "Do you want to switch input to the second recorder?" is "prohibition," the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in which the device information of the second recorder is associated with switching permission information indicating "prohibition" in the storage unit 14, as shown in Table 3.

In this way, in the display device 1 of this embodiment, the result of the initial input switching selection by the user is registered as switchability information. Therefore, the user does not have to go through the trouble of registering switch registration information. Furthermore, when a switch request signal is subsequently received from the same external device 2, the same input switching process as the initially selected input switching can be performed, improving convenience.

The display control unit 132 also determines whether to perform input switching based on the response to the confirmation message. If the response to the confirmation message is "Allow," the display control unit 132 performs input switching in accordance with the switching request signal. On the other hand, if the response to the confirmation message is "Prohibit," the display control unit 132 does not perform input switching in accordance with the switching request signal.

Next, a second operation example of the display device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 5. Here, as the second operation example, the process of registering switching registration information will be described.

First, the input unit 131 acquires a switching request signal and device information (S11). The confirmation unit 133 confirms whether the device information is stored in the memory unit 14 (S12).

If the device information is not stored in the memory unit 14 (S12: Yes), the confirmation unit 133 displays a confirmation message on the display unit 11 (S13).

Then, the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in the storage unit 14 based on the response to the confirmation message. If the response to the confirmation message is "Allow" (S14: Yes), the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in which device information and switching permission information indicating "Allow" are associated with each other in the storage unit 14 (S15). On the other hand, if the response to the confirmation message is "Prohibit" (S14: No), the registration unit 134 stores switching registration information in which device information and switching permission information indicating "Prohibit" are associated with each other in the storage unit 14 (S16).

Also, if the device information received by the input unit 131 is already stored in the storage unit 14 (S12: No), the switching registration information has already been registered, and the switching registration information registration process ends. In this case, as in the first operation example described above (see FIG. 3), the display control unit 132 performs input switching if the switching information is "permitted," and does not perform input switching if the switching information is "prohibited."

Here, the operating state of the display device 1 includes a standby state. In the standby state, the processing device 13 and other components are in operation, but the display unit 11 is stopped and no images are displayed. When the display device 1 is in the standby state, a switching request signal may be transmitted from the external device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the processing device 13 of this embodiment further includes a startup unit 135, which starts up the display unit 11 when it receives a switching request signal while in the standby state.

When a switching request signal is input to the input unit 131 while the display unit 11 is in standby mode, i.e., while the display unit 11 is stopped, the startup unit 135 starts up the display unit 11. This cancels the standby mode and causes the display unit 11 to display an image.

When the activation unit 135 activates the display unit 11 in response to input of a switching request signal while the display is in standby mode, the display control unit 132 switches the input in accordance with the switching request signal, causing the display unit 11 to display an image based on the video signal from the external device 2. When the activation unit 135 activates the display unit 11 in response to input of a switching request signal while the display is in standby mode, the display control unit 132 switches the input in accordance with the switching request signal, regardless of the switching availability information. For example, assume that a switching request signal is received from the first game machine 2A while the display device 1 is in standby mode. As shown in Table 1 above, the switching availability information for the first game machine 2A is "prohibited." However, because the activation unit 135 activated the display unit 11 in response to input of a switching request signal while the display is in standby mode, the display control unit 132 ignores the switching availability information, switches the input in accordance with the switching request signal, and causes the display unit 11 to display an image from the first game machine 2A.

Next, a third operation example of the display device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Here, as the third operation example, the input switching process when a switching request signal is received during standby will be described.

First, the input unit 131 receives a switching request signal and device information (S21). The startup unit 135 checks whether the display device 1 is in standby mode (S22).

If the display device 1 is in a standby state (S22: Yes), the startup unit 135 starts up the display unit 11 (S23). Then, the display control unit 132 switches the input in accordance with the switching request signal (S24).

On the other hand, if the display device 1 is not in standby mode and the display unit 11 is displaying an image (S22: No), the display unit 11 is already activated, and the activation unit 135 terminates the processing. In this case, as in the first operation example described above (see FIG. 3), the display control unit 132 performs input switching if the switching information is "permitted," and does not perform input switching if the switching information is "prohibited."

As such, when the display device 1 is in standby mode, the display unit 11 is stopped, and the user is not viewing anything on the display device 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the display device 1 receives a switching request signal from the external device 2 while in standby mode, it activates the display unit 11 and performs input switching. This eliminates the need to operate an input switching button on a remote control or the like, even if the switching availability information for the external device 2 is "prohibited," thereby improving convenience.

(Modification)
Next, a modified example of the display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The display device 1 of this modified example differs from the display device 1 of the above embodiment in that it further includes a notification unit 136 that displays a reconfirmation message on the display unit 11 asking whether or not to switch the input. Components similar to those of the display device 1 of the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

In the display device 1 of this modified example, the device registration information stored in the memory unit 14 is associated with notification information in addition to device information and switchability information. Notification information is information indicating whether a reconfirmation message is to be displayed. As shown in FIG. 8 , the switch registration information including notification information is displayed on a settings screen on the display unit 11. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , a list of switch registration information is displayed on the display unit 11, with switchability information and notification information displayed as toggle buttons. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , if the notification information is "Notify," the toggle button is shifted to the right and displayed in color. If the notification information is "Hide," the toggle button is shifted to the left and displayed in white. The user can check the switch registration information on the settings screen, and can further set the switchability information and notification information by operating the toggle button using a remote control or the like.

In addition, in this modified example, the notification information can be set to "Notify" only when the corresponding switchability information is "Prohibited." The notification information cannot be changed from "Non-Notify" when the corresponding switchability information is "Permitted." In the example shown in Figure 8, the first game machine 2A has switchability information of "Prohibited" and notification information of "Notify." Furthermore, the second game machine 2B has switchability information of "Permitted," so the notification information cannot be changed from "Non-Notify." Furthermore, the first recorder 2C has switchability information of "Prohibited" and notification information of "Non-Notify."

When a switching request signal and device information are input to the input unit 131, the notification unit 136 refers to the notification information corresponding to the device information. If the referenced notification information is "notification," the notification unit 136 causes the display unit 11 to display a reconfirmation message asking whether or not to switch input. For example, when a switching request signal and device information are received from the first game machine 2A, the notification unit 136 causes the display unit 11 to display a reconfirmation message asking "Do you want to switch input to the first game machine?" The notification unit 136 also causes the display unit 11 to display buttons with the words "Yes" and "No" written on them as answer options for the reconfirmation message. The user can select either "Yes" or "No" as an answer to the reconfirmation message, for example, using a remote control.

The display control unit 132 determines whether to perform input switching based on the response to the reconfirmation message. If the response to the reconfirmation message is permission (for example, "Yes"), the display control unit 132 performs input switching in accordance with the switching request signal. In other words, even if the switching permission information is "prohibition," the response to the reconfirmation message takes priority and input switching is performed. On the other hand, if the response to the reconfirmation message is prohibition (for example, "No"), the display control unit 132 does not perform input switching in accordance with the switching request signal.

Next, an example of the operation of the display device 1 of this modified example will be described with reference to Figure 9. Here, as an example of operation, the notification process of a reconfirmation message will be described.

First, the input unit 131 acquires a switching request signal and device information (S31). The display control unit 132 and notification unit 136 search for device information from the switching registration information stored in the memory unit 14, and refer to the switching availability information and notification information associated with this device information (S32).

If the referenced switchability information indicates that input switching is "permitted" (S33: Yes), the display control unit 132 performs input switching in accordance with the switch request signal (S34).

On the other hand, if the referenced switchability information indicates "prohibited" input switching (S33: No) and the notification information indicates "non-notification" (S35: Yes), the display control unit 132 does not follow the switch request signal and does not perform input switching (S36).

Furthermore, if the referenced switching availability information indicates "prohibition" of input switching (S33: No) and the notification information indicates "notification" (S35: No), the notification unit 136 displays a reconfirmation message on the display unit 11 (S37).

Then, the display control unit 132 determines whether to switch the input based on the response to the reconfirmation message. If the response to the reconfirmation message is permitted (e.g., "Yes") (S38: Yes), the display control unit 132 switches the input in accordance with the switching request signal (S39). On the other hand, if the response to the reconfirmation message is prohibited (e.g., "No") (S38: No), the display control unit 132 does not follow the switching request signal and does not switch the input (S40).

In this way, in this modified example, even if the switching permission information for the external device 2 is "prohibited," input switching may be performed depending on the situation. In such cases, by setting the device to display a reconfirmation message, the user can decide whether to switch inputs depending on the situation each time, thereby improving convenience.

In this modified example, when the switchability information is "allowed," the notification information cannot be changed from "non-notification," but this is not limited to this; the notification information may be configured to be changeable from "non-notification" to "notification."

1 Display device 11 Display unit 131 Input unit 132 Display control unit 133 Confirmation unit 134 Registration unit 135 Startup unit 136 Notification unit 14 Storage unit

Claims (5)

a display unit that displays an image;
a display control unit that controls the display unit;
an input unit to which a video signal , a switching request signal , and device information are input from an external device;
a storage unit that stores switching registration information that associates the device information with switching availability information that indicates whether input switching is possible,
The display control unit
When the switching permission information associated with the device information of the external device that is a source of the switching request signal indicates that the input switching is permitted, displaying an image based on the video signal on the display unit;
When the switchability information associated with the device information of the external device that is the source of the switch request signal indicates that the input switching is prohibited, the video source displayed on the display unit is not switched.
Display device. a confirmation unit that displays, on the display unit, a confirmation message inquiring whether or not to switch the input when the device information of the external device that is a source of the switching request signal is not stored in the storage unit; and
a registration unit that stores the switching registration information in the storage unit based on a response to the confirmation message.
The display device according to claim 1 . In the switching registration information, notification information indicating whether or not to display a reconfirmation message inquiring about whether or not the input switching is permitted is associated with the device information and the switching permission information,
a notification unit that, when the notification information associated with the device information of the external device that is a source of the switching request signal indicates that the reconfirmation message is to be sent, causes the display unit to display the reconfirmation message.
The display device according to claim 1 . The display device further includes a start-up unit that starts up the display unit when the switching request signal is input while the display unit is stopped,
the display control unit, when the activation unit activates the display unit, causes the display unit to display an image based on the video signal;
The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a display unit that displays an image;
a display control unit that controls the display unit;
an input unit to which a video signal, a switching request signal, and device information are input from an external device;
a storage unit that stores switching registration information that associates the device information with switching availability information that indicates whether input switching is possible,
The display control unit
When the switching permission information associated with the device information of the external device that is a source of the switching request signal indicates that the input switching is permitted, displaying an image based on the video signal from the external device on the display unit;
When the switchability information associated with the device information of the external device that is the source of the switch request signal indicates that the input switching is prohibited, the video source displayed on the display unit is not switched.
Display control method.