U.S. patent application number 13/170671 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-12 for image data transmission apparatus, image data transmission method, image data reception apparatus, image data reception method, and image data transmission and reception system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Michio Miyano, Shinsuke Takuma.
Application Number | 20120007962 13/170671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44310378 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120007962 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takuma; Shinsuke ; et
al. |
January 12, 2012 |
IMAGE DATA TRANSMISSION APPARATUS, IMAGE DATA TRANSMISSION METHOD,
IMAGE DATA RECEPTION APPARATUS, IMAGE DATA RECEPTION METHOD, AND
IMAGE DATA TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION SYSTEM
Abstract
An apparatus may include a control unit to determine whether a
display state notification indicating a dimensional display process
exists. The control unit may set an output form of display data to
be displayed on image data to an output form corresponding to a
display state indicated by the display state notification.
Inventors: |
Takuma; Shinsuke; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Miyano; Michio; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44310378 |
Appl. No.: |
13/170671 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/51 ;
348/E13.026 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 11/24 20190101;
H04N 21/43635 20130101; H04N 13/341 20180501; H04N 21/816 20130101;
H04N 13/183 20180501; H04N 21/4882 20130101; H04N 13/161 20180501;
H04N 13/356 20180501; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 13/194 20180501;
H04N 13/359 20180501; H04N 2213/008 20130101; H04N 13/139 20180501;
H04N 21/4135 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/4312
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/51 ;
348/E13.026 |
International
Class: |
H04N 13/04 20060101
H04N013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2010 |
JP |
P2010-154435 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a control unit to determine whether a
display state notification indicating a dimensional display process
exists, and to set an output form of display data to be displayed
on image data to an output form corresponding to a display state
indicated by the display state notification.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dimensional display
process includes a three-dimensional display process.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dimensional display
process includes a two-dimensional display process.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit is to control
output of the display data based on whether the display data is
able to be generated in the output form corresponding to the
display state indicated by the display state notification.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, when the display data is not
able to be generated in the output form corresponding to the
display state indicated by the display state notification, the
control unit controls so that the display data is not output.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, when the display data is not
able to be generated in the output form corresponding to the
display state indicated by the display state notification, the
control unit controls so that display data indicating a warning is
output.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display state notification
is received from a communication line.
8. An apparatus comprising: a control unit to determine a
dimensional display process to display image data based on
dimensional display process data indicating a dimensional display
process to be performed, and to control transmission of a display
state notification indicating the dimensional display process to be
performed based on whether the dimensional display process to be
performed corresponds to a predetermined dimensional display
process.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control unit transmits the
display state notification indicating the dimensional display
process to be performed when the dimensional display process to be
performed does not correspond to the predetermined dimensional
display process.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dimensional display
process to be performed includes a three-dimensional display
process.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dimensional display
process includes a two-dimensional display process.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dimensional display
process data is determined by detection of a format of image data
to be displayed.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dimensional display
process data is based on a determination whether an operation of
switching a dimensional display process is performed.
14. A method comprising: determining whether a display state
notification indicating a dimensional display process exists; and
setting an output form of display data to be displayed on image
data to an output form corresponding to a display state indicated
by the display state notification, wherein at least one of the
determining or the setting is by a processor.
15. A method comprising: determining a dimensional display process
to display image data based on dimensional display process data
indicating a dimensional display process to be performed; and
controlling transmission of a display state notification indicating
the dimensional display process to be performed based on whether
the dimensional display process to be performed corresponds to a
predetermined dimensional display process, wherein at least one of
the determining or the controlling is by a processor.
16. A non-transitory recording medium recorded with a
computer-readable program having instructions executable by a
computer, the program comprising: determining whether a display
state notification indicating a dimensional display process exists;
and setting an output form of display data to be displayed on image
data to an output form corresponding to a display state indicated
by the display state notification.
17. A non-transitory recording medium recorded with a
computer-readable program having instructions executable by a
computer, the program comprising: determining a dimensional display
process to display image data based on dimensional display process
data indicating a dimensional display process to be performed; and
controlling transmission of a display state notification indicating
the dimensional display process to be performed based on whether
the dimensional display process to be performed corresponds to a
predetermined dimensional display process.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2010-154435 filed in the Japan Patent Office on
Jul. 7, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an image data transmission
apparatus, an image data transmission method, an image data
reception apparatus, an image data reception method, and an image
data transmission and reception system, and particularly to an
image data transmission apparatus and the like that deal with
two-dimensional image data and stereoscopic (three-dimensional)
image data in a side-by-side format, a top-and-bottom format, or
the like that has compatibility with such two-dimensional image
data.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the related art, it is known that image data transmitted
from a broadcasting station is received with a set-top box (STB),
and the image data is further transmitted to a television receiver
(TV) from the set-top box with a digital interface such as the HDMI
(High Definition Multimedia Interface) standard or the like. For
example, details of the HDMI standard are described in
High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.4,
Jun. 5, 2009.
[0004] As image data transmitted from a broadcasting station as
above, there is also stereoscopic image data including, for
example, left-eye image data and right-eye image data, in addition
to two-dimensional image data. For example, JP-A-2005-6114 suggests
a transmission system using television broadcast waves of
stereoscopic image data. In this case, stereoscopic image data
including left-eye image data and right-eye image data is
transmitted, and stereoscopic images are displayed in a television
receiver using parallax of both eyes.
[0005] As stereoscopic image data transmitted from a broadcasting
station as above, there is known stereoscopic image data in the
side-by-side format, the top-and-bottom format, or the like that
has compatibility with two-dimensional image data. In the
side-by-side format, for example, pixel data of left-eye image data
is transmitted in the first half of the horizontal direction, and
pixel data of right-eye image data is transmitted in the second
half of the horizontal direction. In the top-and-bottom format,
data of each line of left-eye image data is transmitted in the
first half of the vertical direction, and data of each line of
right-eye image data is transmitted in the second half of the
vertical direction.
SUMMARY
[0006] In the set-top box described above, display data (OSD
display data) of superimposing information such as a menu is
superimposed on image data. When the OSD display data is
superimposed on a set-top box as such, it is necessary to generate
the OSD display data in an output form corresponding to the format
of the image data. Herein, the format of the image data refers to
whether it is two-dimensional image data or stereoscopic image
data, and if it is stereoscopic image data, which transmission
system the data adopts.
[0007] As described above, there is a case where the stereoscopic
image data transmitted from the broadcasting station is
stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side (SBS) format, the
top-and-bottom format (T&B), or the like that has compatibility
with two-dimensional image data. For this reason, in a set-top box,
it is difficult to ascertain the format of image data transmitted
from a broadcasting station, and it is hard to make the output form
of OSD display data correspond to the format of image data.
[0008] In this case, if the output form of the OSD display data
does not correspond to the format of the image data, OSD display is
not properly performed in a television receiver. In other words,
the OSD display is failed. Hereinbelow, an example of a use case
will be shown in which OSD display data is superimposed on image
data in a set-top box and transmitted to a television receiver to
perform a display process.
[0009] FIGS. 10A to 10C show a case where image data received in a
set-top box is two-dimensional (2D) image data as shown in FIG.
10A, and the output form of OSD display data is an output form
corresponding to two-dimensional (2D) image data as shown in FIG.
10B. In this case, when a display process of two-dimensional image
data (2D display process) is performed in a television receiver as
shown in FIG. 10C, a two-dimensional image is properly displayed
and OSD display is also properly performed on the two-dimensional
image.
[0010] FIGS. 11A to 11C show a case where image data received in a
set-top box is stereoscopic (3D) image data in the side-by-side
(SBS) format as shown in FIG. 11A, and the output form of OSD
display data is the output form corresponding to the stereoscopic
image data in the side-by-side format as shown in FIG. 11B. In this
case, when a display process of the stereoscopic image data in the
side-by-side format (3D SBS display process) is performed in a
television receiver as shown in FIG. 11C, a left-eye (L) image and
a right-eye (R) image are properly displayed, and OSD display is
also properly performed on each of the images.
[0011] FIGS. 12A to 12C show a case where image data received in a
set-top box is stereoscopic (3D) image data in the side-by-side
(SBS) format as shown in FIG. 12A, and the output form of OSD
display data is the output form corresponding to two-dimensional
image data as shown in FIG. 12B. In this case, when a display
process of stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side format (3D
SBS display process) is performed in a television receiver as shown
in FIG. 12C, a left-eye (L) image and a right-eye (R) image are
properly displayed, but OSD display is split to the upper and lower
sides at the center, thereby not being properly shown on each of
the images.
[0012] FIGS. 13A to 13C show a case where image data received in a
set-top box is stereoscopic (3D) image data in the top-and-bottom
(T&B) format as shown in FIG. 13A, and the output form of OSD
display is the output form corresponding to the stereoscopic image
data in the top-and-bottom format as shown in FIG. 13B. In this
case, when a display process of stereoscopic image data in the
top-and-bottom format (3D T&B display process) is performed in
a television receiver as shown in FIG. 13C, a left-eye (L) image
and a right-eye (R) image are properly displayed, and OSD display
is also properly performed on each of the images.
[0013] FIGS. 14A to 14C show a case where image data received in a
set-top box is stereoscopic (3D) image data in the top-and-bottom
(T&B) format as shown in FIG. 14A, and the output form of OSD
display data is the output form corresponding to two-dimensional
image data as shown in FIG. 14B. In this case, when a display
process of stereoscopic image data in the top-and-bottom format (3D
T&B display process) is performed in a television receiver as
shown in FIG. 14C, a left-eye (L) image and a right-eye (R) image
are properly displayed, but OSD display is split to the upper and
lower sides at the center, thereby not being properly shown on each
of the images.
[0014] FIGS. 15A to 15C show a case where image data received in a
set-top box is stereoscopic (3D) image data in the top-and-bottom
(T&B) format as shown in FIG. 15A, and the output form of OSD
display data is the output form corresponding to stereoscopic image
data in the side-by-side format as shown in FIG. 15B. In this case,
when a display process of stereoscopic image data in the
top-and-bottom format (3D T&B display process) is performed in
a television receiver as shown in FIG. 15C, a left-eye (L) image
and a right-eye (R) image are properly displayed, but OSD display
is split to the upper and lower sides at the center, thereby not
being properly shown on each of the images.
[0015] Thus, it is desirable to properly display superimposing
information on an image resulting from transmitted image data, when
the superimposing information data is transmitted in a
superimposing manner on two-dimensional image data or stereoscopic
image data in a predetermined transmission system.
[0016] In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments, an
apparatus may include a control unit to determine whether a display
state notification indicating a dimensional display process exists.
The control unit may set an output form of display data to be
displayed on image data to an output form corresponding to a
display state indicated by the display state notification.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, an
apparatus may include a control unit to determine a dimensional
display process to display image data based on dimensional display
process data indicating a dimensional display process to be
performed. The control unit may control transmission of a display
state notification indicating the dimensional display process to be
performed based on whether the dimensional display process to be
performed corresponds to a predetermined dimensional display
process.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, a
method may include determining whether a display state notification
indicating a dimensional display process exists. The method may
further include setting an output form of display data to be
displayed on image data to an output form corresponding to a
display state indicated by the display state notification. At least
one of the determining or the setting of the method may be by a
processor.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, a
method may include determining a dimensional display process to
display image data based on dimensional display process data
indicating a dimensional display process to be performed. The
method may further include controlling transmission of a display
state notification indicating the dimensional display process to be
performed based on whether the dimensional display process to be
performed corresponds to a predetermined dimensional display
process. At least one of the determining or the controlling of the
method may be by a processor.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, a
non-transitory recording medium may be recorded with a
computer-readable program having instructions executable by a
computer. The program may include determining whether a display
state notification indicating a dimensional display process exists,
and setting an output form of display data to be displayed on image
data to an output form corresponding to a display state indicated
by the display state notification.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, a
non-transitory recording medium may be recorded with a
computer-readable program having instructions executable by a
computer. The program may include determining a dimensional display
process to display image data based on dimensional display process
data indicating a dimensional display process to be performed, and
controlling transmission of a display state notification indicating
the dimensional display process to be performed based on whether
the dimensional display process to be performed corresponds to a
predetermined dimensional display process.
[0022] According to the embodiments of the technology, when
superimposing information data is transmitted in a superimposing
manner on two-dimensional image data or stereoscopic
(three-dimensional) image data in a predetermined transmission
system, the superimposing information on an image resulting from
the transmitted image data can be properly displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of
an image data transmission and reception system as an embodiment of
the present technology;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an
HDMI transmission unit (HDMI source) of a disc recorder and an HDMI
reception unit (HDMI sink) of a television receiver in the image
data transmission and reception system;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of
a disc recorder composing the image data transmission and reception
system;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control
process of the output form of OSD display data in a CPU of the disc
recorder;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of
a television receiver composing the image data transmission and
reception system;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an image data
format detection process, a control process of a 3D signal
processing unit, and a display state notification process in a CPU
of the television receiver;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation
sequence of the disc recorder and the television receiver;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a control
process of the 3D signal processing unit and a display state
notification process in the CPU of the television receiver when a
display process is switched by a user's operation;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the operation
sequence of the disc recorder and the television receiver;
[0032] FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams for illustrating an example of
image data received in a set-top box, an output form of OSD display
data, and a display process of the television receiver;
[0033] FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams for illustrating another
example of image data received in a set-top box, an output form of
OSD display data, and a display process of the television
receiver;
[0034] FIGS. 12A to 12C are diagrams for illustrating another
example of image data received in a set-top box, an output form of
OSD display data, and a display process of the television
receiver;
[0035] FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams for illustrating another
example of image data received in a set-top box, an output form of
OSD display data, and a display process of the television
receiver;
[0036] FIGS. 14A to 14C are diagrams for illustrating another
example of image data received in a set-top box, an output form of
OSD display data, and a display process of the television receiver;
and
[0037] FIGS. 15A to 15C are diagrams for illustrating another
example of image data received in a set-top box, an output form of
OSD display data, and a display process of the television
receiver;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Hereinbelow, an embodiment for implementing the present
technology (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be
described. Description will be provided in the following order.
[0039] 1. Embodiment
[0040] 2. Modified Example
1. Embodiment
Configuration Example of Image Data Transmission and Reception
System
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image data
transmission and reception system 10 as an embodiment. The image
data transmission and reception system 10 includes a broadcasting
station 100, a disc recorder 200, and a television receiver 300.
The disc recorder 200 and the television receiver 300 are connected
to each other by an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
cable 400.
[0042] The disc recorder 200 is provided with an HDMI terminal 202
to which an HDMI transmission unit 201 is connected. The television
receiver 300 is provided with an HDMI terminal 302 to which an HDMI
reception unit 301 is connected. One end of the HDMI cable 400 is
connected to the HDMI terminal 202 of the disc recorder 200, and
the other end of the HDMI cable 400 is connected to the HDMI
terminal 302 of the television receiver 300.
Configuration Example of HDMI Transmission Unit and HDMI Reception
Unit
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the HDMI
transmission unit (HDMI source) 201 of the disc recorder 200 and
the HDMI reception unit (HDMI sink) 301 of the television receiver
300 in the image data transmission and reception system 10 of FIG.
1.
[0044] The HDMI transmission unit 201 transmits differential
signals corresponding to pixel data of an uncompressed image for
one screen in one direction to the HDMI reception unit 301 with a
plurality of channels in a valid image section (hereinbelow, also
appropriately referred to as an active video section). Herein, the
valid image section is a section obtained by excluding a horizontal
retrace line section and a vertical retrace line section from a
section from one vertical synchronizing signal and the next
vertical synchronizing signal. In addition, the HDMI transmission
unit 201 transmits differential signals corresponding to at least
audio data and control data accompanied by an image, other
auxiliary data, or the like in one direction to the HDMI reception
unit 301 with a plurality of channels in a horizontal retrace line
section and a vertical retrace line section.
[0045] In transmission channels of an HDMI system composed of the
HDMI transmission unit 201 and the HDMI reception unit 301, there
are following transmission channels. In other words, there are
three TMDS channels #0 to #2 as transmission channels for serial
transmission in one direction from the HDMI transmission unit 201
to the HDMI reception unit 301 by making pixel data and audio data
synchronized with pixel clocks. In addition, as a transmission
channel for transmitting pixel clocks, there is a TMDS clock
channel.
[0046] The HDMI transmission unit 201 includes an HDMI transmitter
81. The transmitter 81 converts, for example, pixel data of an
uncompressed image into a differential signal corresponding
thereto, and performs serial transmission in one direction to the
HDMI reception unit 301 connected via the HDMI cable 400 with a
plurality of channels, which are three TMDS channels of #0, #1, and
#2.
[0047] Furthermore, the transmitter 81 converts audio data
accompanies by the uncompressed image, further necessary control
data, other auxiliary data, or the like to a differential signal
corresponding thereto, and performs serial transmission in one
direction to the HDMI reception unit 301 with the three TMDS
channels of #0, #1, and #2.
[0048] Furthermore, the transmitter 81 transmits pixel clocks
synchronized with pixel data transmitted with the three TMDS
channels of #0, #1, and #2 to the HDMI reception unit 301 connected
via the HDMI cable 400 with the TMDS clock channel. Herein, with
one TMDS channel of #i (i=0, 1, 2), 10 bytes of pixel data are
transmitted for one clock of the pixel clocks.
[0049] The HDMI reception unit 301 receives the differential
signals corresponding to the pixel data transmitted in one
direction from the HDMI transmission unit 201 with the plurality of
channels in an active video section. In addition, the HDMI
reception unit 301 receives the differential signals corresponding
to the audio data and control data transmitted in one direction
from the HDMI transmission unit 201 with the plurality of channels
in the horizontal retrace line section or the vertical retrace line
section.
[0050] In other words, the HDMI reception unit 301 includes an HDMI
receiver 82. The HDMI receiver 82 receives the differential signals
corresponding to the pixel data and the differential signals
corresponding to the audio data and control data transmitted in one
direction from the HDMI transmission unit 201 with the TMDS
channels of #0, #1, and #2. In this case, the signals are received
in synchronization with pixel clocks transmitted from the HDMI
transmission unit 201 with the TMDS clock channel.
[0051] In transmission channels of the HDMI system, there are
transmission channels called a DDC (Display Data Channel) 83 and a
CEC line 84, in addition to the above-described TMDS channels of #0
to #2 and the TMDS clock channel. The DDC 83 is composed of two
signal lines not shown in the drawing but included in the HDMI
cable 400. The DDC 83 is used when the HDMI transmission unit 201
reads E-EDID (Enhanced Extended Display Identification Data) from
the HDMI reception unit 301.
[0052] The HDMI reception unit 301 includes an EDID ROM (Read Only
Memory) 85 in which E-EDID that is performance information
regarding the own performance thereof (configuration/capability) is
stored, in addition to the HDMI receiver 82. The HDMI transmission
unit 201 reads the E-EDID from the HDMI reception unit 301
connected via the HDMI cable 400, via the DDC 83, for example,
according to requests from the CPU. The HDMI transmission unit 201
sends the read E-EDID to the CPU. The CPU stores the E-EDID in a
flash ROM or a DRAM.
[0053] The CEC line 84 is composed of one signal line not shown in
the drawing but included in the HDMI cable 400, and used for
performing bi-directional communication of control data between the
HDMI transmission unit 201 and the HDMI reception unit 301. The CEC
line 84 composes a control data line. In this embodiment, display
process information is transmitted from the television receiver 300
to the disc recorder 200 via the CEC line 84.
[0054] In addition, the HDMI cable 400 includes an HPD line 86
connected to pins called HPDs (Hot Plug Detects). The source
apparatus can detect the connection to the sink apparatus using the
HPD line 86. Furthermore, the HPD line 86 is also used as an
HEAC-line composing bi-directional communication path.
[0055] Furthermore, the HDMI cable 400 includes a power-supply line
87 used for supplying power from the source apparatus to the sink
apparatus. Moreover, the HDMI cable 400 includes a utility line 88.
The utility line 88 is also used as an HEAC+line composing
bi-directional communication path.
Description of Broadcasting Station
[0056] The broadcasting station 100 transmits bit stream data
(transport stream) by placing it on broadcast waves. The bit stream
data includes image data, and further includes audio data
corresponding to the image data. The image data is, for example,
two-dimensional image data or stereoscopic (three-dimensional)
image data in the side-by-side format, the top-and-bottom format,
or the like that has compatibility with the two-dimensional image
data.
Description of Disc Recorder
[0057] The disc recorder 200 receives the bit stream data
transmitted from the broadcasting station 100 by being placed on
broadcast waves. The bit stream data includes image data and even
audio data corresponding to the image data. The disc recorder 200
records the bit stream data in a disc-shaped recording medium such
as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a BD (Blu-ray Disc), or the like
and reproduces the data at a proper time.
[0058] The disc recorder 200 performs a decoding process for the
reproduced bit stream data to extract image data and audio data,
and transmits the image data and audio data to the television
receiver 300 via the HDMI cable 400. In addition, when a menu or
the like is displayed on an image in the television receiver 300 in
a superimposing manner, the disc recorder 200 generates OSD display
data thereof, and the data is superimposed on the image data.
[0059] The disc recorder 200 receives display process information
from the television receiver 300 via the above-described the CEC
line 84 of the HDMI cable 400. The disc recorder 200 sets the
output form of the OSD display data to the output form
corresponding to a display process in the television receiver 300
based on the display process information.
[0060] For example, when the display process of the television
receiver 300 is a display process of two-dimensional image data (2D
display process), the output form of the OSD display data is set to
the output form corresponding to the two-dimensional image data. In
addition, when the display process of the television receiver 300
is a display process of stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side
format (3D SBS display process), the output form of the OSD display
data is set to the output form corresponding to the stereoscopic
image data in the side-by-side format. Furthermore, when the
display process of the television receiver 300 is a display process
of stereoscopic image data in the top-and-bottom format (3D T&B
display process), the output form of the OSD display data is set to
the output form corresponding to the stereoscopic image data in the
top-and-bottom format.
[0061] FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the disc recorder
200. The disc recorder 200 includes the HDMI transmission unit 201,
the HDMI terminal 202, an antenna terminal 203, a digital tuner
204, a recording unit interface (I/F) 205, and a DVD/BD drive 206.
In addition, the disc recorder 200 includes a demultiplexer 207, a
video decoder 208, a display data superimposing unit 209, an OSD
display data generation unit 210, and an audio decoder 211.
Furthermore, the disc recorder 200 includes a CPU 221, a flash
[0062] ROM 222, a DRAM 223, an internal bus 224, a remote control
reception unit 225, and a remote control transmitter 226.
[0063] The CPU 221 controls the operation of each part of the disc
recorder 200. The flash ROM 222 performs storage of control
software and data saving. The DRAM 223 provides work areas of the
CPU 221. The CPU 221 develops software and data read from the flash
ROM 222 on the DRAM 223 to start software, and controls each part
of the disc recorder 200. In one embodiment, the control software
may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium as a
computer-readable program having instructions executable by a
computer, such as the CPU 221.
[0064] The remote control reception unit 225 receives remote
control signals (remote control codes) transmitted from the remote
control transmitter 226 and supplies the signals to the CPU 221.
The CPU 221 controls each part of the disc recorder 200 based on
the remote control codes. The CPU 221, the flash ROM 222, and the
DRAM 223 are connected to the internal bus 224.
[0065] The antenna terminal 203 is a terminal to input television
broadcast signals received from a reception antenna (not shown in
the drawing). The digital tuner 204 processes the television
broadcast signals input to the antenna terminal 203 and outputs
predetermined bit stream data corresponding to a selected channel
of a user.
[0066] The recording unit interface 205 performs interfacing of
data at a recording time and a reproducing time between the DVD/BD
drive 206. The DVD/BD drive 206 records the bit stream data output
from the digital tuner 204 on a disc-shaped recording medium such
as a DVD, a BD, or the like, and reproduces the bit stream data
from the disc-shaped recording medium at a proper time.
[0067] The demultiplexer 207 extracts video and audio data streams
from the bit stream data reproduced in the DVD/BD drive 206 and
output from the recording unit interface 205. The video decoder 208
performs a decoding process for encoded image data included in the
video data stream extracted by the demultiplexer 207 and obtains
decoded image data. The image data is two-dimensional image data or
stereoscopic (3D) image data in the side-by-side format, the
top-and-bottom format, or the like that has compatibility with the
two-dimensional image data.
[0068] When a menu or the like is displayed on an image in the
television receiver 300 in a superimposing manner, the OSD display
data generation unit 210 generates OSD display data thereof. The
CPU 221 receives display process information from the television
receiver 300 via the CEC line 84 of the HDMI cable 400. The CPU 221
controls the OSD display data generation unit 210 based on the
display process information, and sets the output form of the OSD
display data to the output form corresponding to the display
process in the television receiver 300.
[0069] For example, when the display process of the television
receiver 300 is a display process of two-dimensional image data (2D
display process), the output form of the OSD display data is set to
the output form corresponding to the two-dimensional image data
(refer to FIG. 10B). In addition, when the display process of the
television receiver 300 is a display process of stereoscopic image
data in the side-by-side format (3D SBS display process), the
output form of the OSD display data is set to the output form
corresponding to the stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side
format (refer to FIG. 11B). In addition, when the display process
of the television receiver 300 is a display process of stereoscopic
image data in the top-and-bottom format (3D T&B display
process), the output form of the OSD display data is set to the
output form corresponding to the stereoscopic image data in the
top-and-bottom format (refer to FIG. 13B).
[0070] The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows an example of a control
process of the output form of the OSD display data in the CPU 221.
First, the CPU 221 starts the process in Step ST1, and after that,
advances to the process of Step ST2. In Step ST2, the CPU 221 sets
the output form of the OSD display data to the output form of
two-dimensional image data.
[0071] Next, the CPU 221 determines whether or not there has been
display state notification, in other words, display process
information has been received from the television receiver 300 in
Step ST3. When there is display state notification, the CPU 221
determines whether or not the output form corresponds to the
display state (display process) in Step ST4. If the output form
does not correspond to the display state, the CPU 221 switches the
output form so as to correspond to the display state in Step
ST5.
[0072] The CPU 221 returns to Step ST3 after the process of Step
ST5. In addition, the CPU 221 immediately returns to the process to
Step ST3 when there is no display state notification in Step ST3,
or when the output form corresponds to the display state in Step
ST4, and performs the same process as above.
[0073] Returning to FIG. 3, the display data superimposing unit 209
superimposes the display data generated in the OSD display data
generation unit 210 on the image data obtained in the video decoder
208 to obtain output image data. The display data superimposing
unit 209 composes a data synthesis unit. The audio decoder 211
performs a decoding process for encoded audio data included in an
audio data stream extracted by the demultiplexer 203 and obtains
decoded audio data.
[0074] The HDMI transmission unit 201 emits baseband stereoscopic
image data and audio data from the HDMI terminal 202 through
communication based on the HDMI (refer to FIG. 2).
[0075] The HD0MI transmission unit 201 performs packing of image
and audio data in order to transmit the data with a TMDS channel of
the HDMI and outputs the data to the HDMI terminal 202.
[0076] The operation of the disc recorder 200 will be briefly
described. Television broadcast signals input to the antenna
terminal 203 are supplied to the digital tuner 204. In the digital
tuner 204, the television broadcast signals are processed, and
predetermined bit stream data corresponding to a selected channel
of a user is output. The bit stream data is supplied from the
recording unit interface 205 to the DVD/BD drive 206 and recorded
on a disc-shaped recording medium such as a DVD, a BD, or the
like.
[0077] In addition, the bit stream data reproduced in the DVD/BD
drive 206 from the disc-shaped recording medium such as a DVD, a
BD, or the like is supplied to the demultiplexer 207 via the
recording unit interface 205. In the demultiplexer 207, video and
audio data streams are extracted from the bit stream data.
[0078] The video data stream extracted in the demultiplexer 207 is
supplied to the video decoder 208. The video decoder 208 performs a
decoding process for encoded image data included in the video data
stream to obtain decoded image data (two-dimensional image data or
stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side format, the
top-and-bottom format, or the like). The image data is supplied to
the HDMI transmission unit 201 via the display data superimposing
unit 209.
[0079] When a menu or the like is displayed on an image in the
television receiver 300 in a superimposing manner, the OSD display
data generation unit 210 generates OSD display data. The output
form of the OSD display data is set to the output form
corresponding to the display process of the television receiver 300
based on the display process information transmitted from the
television receiver 300. The OSD display data is supplied to the
display data superimposing unit 209 and superimposed on the image
data.
[0080] In addition, the audio data stream extracted in the
demultiplexer 207 is supplied to the audio decoder 211. The audio
decoder 211 performs a decoding process for encoded audio data
included in the audio data stream to obtain decoded audio data. The
audio data is supplied to the HDMI transmission unit 201. In the
HDMI transmission unit 201, the stereoscopic image data and the
audio data are packed, and the data is emitted from the HDMI
terminal 202 to the HDMI cable 400.
Description of Television Receiver
[0081] Returning to FIG. 1, the television receiver 300 receives
image and audio data sent from the set-top box 200 via the HDMI
cable 400. The television receiver 300 obtains display image data
by performing a display process for the image data. The television
receiver 300 detects the format of the image data and performs the
display process corresponding to the format. In addition, the
television receiver 300 transmits display process information to
the disc recorder 200 via the above-described CEC line 84 of the
HDMI cable 400.
[0082] FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the television
receiver 300. The television receiver 300 includes an HDMI
reception unit 301, an HDMI terminal 302, an antenna terminal 303,
a digital tuner 304, and a bit stream processing unit 305. In
addition, the television receiver 300 includes a 3D signal
processing unit 306, a video processing circuit 307, a panel
driving circuit 308, a display panel 309, an audio processing
circuit 310, an audio amplifying circuit 311, and a speaker 312.
Moreover, the television receiver 300 includes a CPU 321, a flash
ROM 322, a DRAM 323, an internal bus 324, a remote control
reception unit 325, and a remote control transmitter 326.
[0083] The CPU 321 controls the operation of each part of the
television receiver 300. The flash ROM 322 performs storage of
control software and data saving. The DRAM 323 provides work areas
of the CPU 321. The CPU 321 develops software and data read from
the flash ROM 322 on the DRAM 323 to start software, and controls
each part of the television receiver 300. In one embodiment, the
control software may be recorded on a non-transitory recording
medium as a computer-readable program having instructions
executable by a computer, such as the CPU 321.
[0084] The remote control reception unit 325 receives remote
control signals (remote control codes) transmitted from the remote
control transmitter 326 and supplies the signals to the CPU 321.
The CPU 321 controls each part of the television receiver 300 based
on the remote control codes. The CPU 321, the flash ROM 322, and
the DRAM 323 are connected to the internal bus 324.
[0085] The antenna terminal 303 is a terminal to input television
broadcast signals received from a reception antenna (not shown in
the drawing). The digital tuner 304 processes the television
broadcast signals input to the antenna terminal 303 and outputs
predetermined bit stream data corresponding to a selected channel
of a user.
[0086] The bit stream processing unit 305 is composed of the same
parts as the demultiplexer 207, the video decoder 208, and the
audio decoder 211 of the disc recorder 200 shown in FIG. 3. The bit
stream processing unit 305 extracts image data and audio data from
bit stream data and outputs the data. The HDMI reception unit 301
receives the image data and audio data supplied to the HDMI
terminal 302 via the HDMI cable 400 through communication based on
the HDMI.
[0087] The 3D signal processing unit 306 performs a display process
(decoding process) for the image data that is received in the HDMI
reception unit 301 or obtained in the bit stream processing unit
305, and generates display image data. The CPU 321 detects the
format of the image data to be processed in the 3D signal
processing unit 306. In other words, the CPU 321 detects whether
the image data is two-dimensional image data or stereoscopic
(three-dimensional) image data, and further detects the
transmission system when it is detected as stereoscopic image data.
The CPU 321 controls the 3D signal processing unit 306 based on the
detection result, and causes the 3D signal processing unit 306 to
perform a display process corresponding to the format of the image
data. Herein, the CPU 321 composes a format detection unit.
[0088] For example, the CPU 321 can detect the image data format
using an identifier of the data if the identifier is given to the
image data. In addition, for example, the CPU 321 can detect the
image data format after processing the image data. For example, the
CPU 321 detects the correlation of the image data in the left and
right sides in the horizontal direction, and if the correlation is
determined to be high, the data is detected as image data in the
side-by-side format. In addition, for example, the CPU 321 detects
the correlation of the image data in the upper and lower sides in
the vertical direction, and if the correlation is determined to be
high, the data is detected as image data in the top-and-bottom
format. Then, if the data is neither image data in the side-by-side
format nor image data in the top-and-bottom format, the CPU 321
detects the data as two-dimensional image data.
[0089] When the image data is two-dimensional image data, the 3D
signal processing unit 306 performs a display process for the
two-dimensional image data (2D display process). In this case, the
3D signal processing unit 306 outputs the image data that is
received in the HDMI reception unit 301 or obtained in the bit
stream processing unit 305 as display image data without
change.
[0090] In addition, when the image data is stereoscopic image data
in the side-by-side format, the 3D signal processing unit 306
performs a display process for the stereoscopic image data (3D SBS
display process). In this case, the 3D signal processing unit 306
cuts the stereoscopic image data by half in the horizontal
direction, performs scaling for each piece of the data by two times
in the horizontal direction, generates left-eye image data and
right-eye image data, and outputs the data as display image
data.
[0091] In addition, when the image data is stereoscopic image data
in the top-and-bottom format, the 3D signal processing unit 306
performs a display process for the stereoscopic image data (3D
T&B display process). In this case, the 3D signal processing
unit 306 cuts the stereoscopic image data by half in the vertical
direction, performs scaling for each piece of the data by two times
in the vertical direction, generates left-eye image data and
right-eye image data, and outputs the data as display image
data.
[0092] The CPU 321 transmits display state notification, that is,
display process information in the 3D signal processing unit 306 to
the disc recorder 200 via the CEC line of the HDMI. Herein, the
display process information is information regarding which process
is being performed in the 3D signal processing unit 306 among the
above-described 2D display process, 3D SBS display process, and 3D
T&B display process.
[0093] The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows an example of an image data
format detection process, a control process of the 3D signal
processing unit 306, a display state notification process to the
disc recorder 200 in the CPU 321. First, the CPU 321 starts the
process in Step ST11, and after that, advances to the process of
Step ST12. In Step ST12, the CPU 321 controls the 3D signal
processing unit 306 to perform a 2D display process. Then, the CPU
321 notifies the disc recorder 200 of the display state in Step
ST13. In other words, the CPU 321 transmits information indicating
that the 2D display process is being performed to the disc recorder
200 via the CEC line 84 of the HDMI in Step ST13.
[0094] Next, the CPU 321 detects the format of the image data in
Step ST14. Then, the CPU 321 determines whether or not the current
display process corresponds to the detected format in Step ST15.
For example, when the detected format is two-dimensional image data
and the current display process is a 2D display process, the CPU
321 determines that the current display process corresponds to the
detected format. In addition, for example, when the detected format
is stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side format and the
current display process is a 3D SBS display process, the CPU 321
determines that the current display process corresponds to the
detected format. In addition, for example, when the detected format
is stereoscopic image data in the top-and-bottom format and the
current display process is 3D T&B display process, the CPU 321
determines that the current display process corresponds to the
detected format.
[0095] When it is determined to correspond to each other in Step
ST15, the CPU 321 returns to the process of Step ST14. On the other
hand, when it is determined not to correspond to each other in Step
ST15, the CPU 321 switches the display process in the 3D signal
processing unit 306 in Step ST16 so as to correspond to the
detected format. Then, the CPU 321 notifies the disc recorder 200
of the display state after the switching in Step ST17. In other
words, the CPU 321 transmits information indicating the display
process after the switching to the disc recorder 200 via the CEC
line 84 of the HDMI in Step ST17. The CPU 321 returns to the
process of Step ST14 after the process of Step ST17.
[0096] Returning to FIG. 5, the video processing circuit 307
performs an image quality adjusting process for the image data
output from the 3D signal processing unit 306 according to
necessity. The panel driving circuit 308 drives the display panel
309 based on the image data output from the video processing
circuit 307. The display panel 309 is composed of, for example, an
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or the
like.
[0097] The audio processing circuit 310 performs a necessary
process such as D/A conversion or the like for audio data that is
received in the HDMI reception unit 301 or obtained in the bit
stream processing unit 306. The audio amplifying circuit 311
amplifies audio signals output from the audio processing circuit
310 and supplies the amplified signals to the speaker 312.
[0098] The operation of the television receiver 300 shown in FIG. 5
will be briefly described. The HDMI reception unit 301 receives the
image data and the audio data transmitted from the disc recorder
200 connected to the HDMI terminal 302 via the HDMI cable 400. The
image data received in the HDMI reception unit 301 is supplied to
the 3D signal processing unit 306. In addition, the audio data
received in the HDMI reception unit 301 is supplied to the audio
processing circuit 310.
[0099] In addition, television broadcast signals input to the
antennal terminal 303 are supplied to the digital tuner 304. The
digital tuner 304 processes the television broadcast signals input
to the antenna terminal 303 and outputs predetermined bit stream
data corresponding to a selected channel of a user.
[0100] The bit stream data output from the digital tuner 304 is
supplied to the bit stream processing unit 305. The bit stream
processing unit 305 extracts image data and audio data from the bit
stream data. The image data extracted in the bit stream processing
unit 305 is supplied to the 3D signal processing unit 306. In
addition, the audio data extracted in the bit stream processing
unit 305 is supplied to the audio processing circuit 310.
[0101] The 3D signal processing unit 306 performs a display process
corresponding to an image data format for the image data that is
received in the HDMI reception unit 301 or extracted in the bit
stream processing unit 305, and generates display image data. For
example, when the image data is two-dimensional image data, a 2D
display process is performed. In addition, for example, when the
image data is stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side format, a
3D SBS display process is performed. In addition, for example, when
the image data is stereoscopic image data in the top-and-bottom
format, a 3D T&B display process is performed.
[0102] Herein, in the 2D display process, the image data that is
received in the HDMI reception unit 301 or obtained in the bit
stream processing unit 305 is output as display image data without
change. In addition, in the 3D SBS display process, the
stereoscopic image data is cut by half in the horizontal direction,
scaling is performed for each piece of the data by two times in the
horizontal direction, and left-eye image data and right-eye image
data are generated and output as display image data. In addition,
in the 3D T&B display process, the stereoscopic image data is
cut by half in the vertical direction, scaling is performed for
each piece of the data by two times in the vertical direction, and
left-eye image data and right-eye image data are generated and
output as display image data.
[0103] In this case, the CPU 321 detects the format of the image
data. Then, the CPU 321 controls the switch of the display process
in the 3D signal processing unit 306 so as to correspond to the
format of the image data. Then, in this case, the CPU 321 transmits
display state notification, that is, display process information in
the 3D signal processing unit 306 to the disc recorder 200 via the
CEC line 84 of the HDMI. Accordingly, it is possible to make the
output form of OSD display data correspond to the format of the
image data in the disc recorder 200 based on the display process
information as shown above.
[0104] In addition, the image data output from the 3D signal
processing unit 306 is supplied to the video processing circuit
307. In the video processing circuit 307, an image quality
adjusting process is performed according to necessity. In addition,
when the image data output from the 3D signal processing unit 306
is left-eye image data and right-eye image data, the data is
converted to image data in a predetermined format for displaying
stereoscopic images in the video processing circuit 307.
[0105] The image data obtained in the video processing circuit 307
is supplied to the panel driving circuit 308. For this reason,
two-dimensional images or stereoscopic (three-dimensional) images
are displayed on the display panel 309. For example, in the case of
a stereoscopic image display, left-eye images based on the left-eye
image data and right-eye images based on the right-eye image data
are alternately displayed on the display panel 309 in a time
sharing manner. Viewers can perceive stereoscopic images by wearing
shutter glasses of which the left-eye shutter and the right-eye
shutter alternately open in synchronization with the display of the
display panel 309 to be able to see only left-eye images in their
left eyes and only right-eye images in their right eyes.
[0106] In addition, in the audio processing circuit 310, a
necessary process such as D/A conversion is performed for the audio
data that is received in the HDMI reception unit 301 or extracted
in the bit stream processing unit 305. The audio data is amplified
in the audio amplifying circuit 311, and then supplied to the
speaker 312. For this reason, audio components corresponding to the
display image of the display panel 309 are output from the speaker
312.
[0107] FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation sequence of the
disc recorder 200 and the television receiver 300. (1) In the
television receiver 300, first, a 2D display process is performed
and (2) the display state of being 2D is notified, that is,
information indicating that the 2D display process is performed is
transmitted to the disc recorder 200. (3) In the disc recorder 200,
first, the output form of OSD display data is set to correspond to
two-dimensional image data. (4) When the notification of being in a
2D display state is received from the television receiver 300,
switch of the output form is not performed in the disc recorder 200
because the output form of the OSD display data corresponds to the
data.
[0108] (5) After that, the image data is detected to be
stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side format in the
television receiver 300, and (6) switching is performed to the 3D
SBS display process. (7) Then, in the television receiver 300, the
display state of being 3D SBS is notified to the disc recorder 200,
that is, information indicating that the 3D SBS display process is
performed is transmitted. (8) When the state of the 3D SBS display
is notified from the television receiver 300, switching is
performed to the output form corresponding to stereoscopic image
data in the side-by-side format in the disc recorder 200 because
the output form of the OSD display data does not correspond to the
data.
[0109] (9) After that, when the image data is detected to be
stereoscopic image data in the top-and-bottom format in the
television receiver 300, (10) switching is performed to the 3D
T&B display process. (11) Then, the display state of 3D T&B
is notified, that is, information indicating that the 3D T&B
display process is performed is transmitted to the disc recorder
200 in the television receiver 300. (12) When the notification of
being in the 3D T&B display state is received from the
television receiver 300, switching is performed to the output form
corresponding to the stereoscopic image data in the top-and-bottom
format in the disc recorder 200 because the output form of the OSD
display data does not correspond to the data.
[0110] As described above, in the image data transmission and
reception system 10 shown in FIG. 1, the format of the image data
(2D, 3D SBS, and 3D T&B) is detected, and a display process of
the image data corresponding to the format is performed in the
television receiver 300. Then, display process information is
transmitted from the television receiver 300 to the disc recorder
200 via the CEC line 84 of the HDMI.
[0111] In addition, in the image data transmission and reception
system 10, the display process information is received to the disc
recorder 200 from the television receiver 300 via the CEC line 84
of the HDMI. Then, in the disc recorder 200, the output form of the
OSD display data superimposed on the image data transmitted to the
television receiver 300 is set to correspond to the image data
format based on the display process information. Therefore,
superimposing information such as a menu or the like on images can
be properly displayed in the television receiver 300 not depending
on the image data format.
2. Modified Example
[0112] In the above-described embodiment, it is shown that the
display process in the 3D signal processing unit 306 of the
television receiver 300 is automatically performed based on the
result of detecting the image data format by the CPU 321. However,
it can also be considered that the display process in the 3D signal
processing unit 306 of the television receiver 300 is switched
based on a user's operation.
[0113] A user can learn the format of the image data by observing
images displayed on the display panel 309 when the display process
in the 3D signal processing unit 306 is the 2D display process. In
other words, when the image data is two-dimensional image data, one
image is displayed on the screen of the display panel 309. On the
other hand, when the image data is stereoscopic (three-dimensional)
image data in the side-by-side format, a left-eye image and a
right-eye image are displayed in parallel in the horizontal
direction on the screen of the display panel 309. In addition, when
the image data is stereoscopic (three-dimensional) image data in
the top-and-bottom format, a left-eye image and a right-eye image
are displayed in parallel in the vertical direction on the screen
of the display panel 309.
[0114] The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows an example of a control
process of the 3D signal processing unit 306 and a display state
notification process to the disc recorder 200 in the CPU 321 when
switching of the display process is performed by a user's
operation.
[0115] First, the CPU 321 starts the process in Step ST21 and after
that, advances to the process of Step ST22. The CPU 321 controls
the 3D signal processing unit 306 to perform the 2D display process
in Step ST22. Then, the CPU 321 notifies the disc recorder 200 of
the display state in Step ST23. In other words, the CPU 321
transmits information indicating that the 2D display process is
performed to the disc recorder 200 via the CEC line 84 of the HDMI
in Step ST23.
[0116] Next, the CPU 321 determines whether or not there has been
an operation of switching the display process in Step ST24. When
there is the operation of switching the display process, the CPU
321 switches the display process in the 3D signal processing unit
306 to the display process designated in the switching operation in
Step ST25. Then, the CPU 321 notifies the disc recorder 200 of the
display state after the switching in Step ST26. In other words, the
CPU 321 transmits information indicating the display process after
the switching to the disc recorder 200 via the CEC line 84 of the
HDMI in Step ST26. The CPU 321 returns to the process of Step ST24
after the process of Step ST26.
[0117] FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation sequence of the
disc recorder 200 and the television receiver 300 when switching of
the display process is performed by a user's operation as described
above.
[0118] (1) In the television receiver 300, first, the 2D display
process is performed, and (2) the disc recorder 200 is notified
that the display state is 2D, that is, transmitted with information
indicating that the 2D display process is performed. (3) In the
disc recorder 200, first, the output form of the OSD display data
is set to correspond to two-dimensional image data. (4) In the disc
recorder 200, switching of the output form is not performed when
the notification of being in the 2D display state is received from
the television receiver 300 because the output form of the OSD
display data corresponds to the data.
[0119] (5) After that, in the television receiver 300, when
switching of the display process to the 3D SBS display process is
instructed by the user's operation, (6) the process is switched to
the 3D SBS display process. (7) Then, in the television receiver
300, the display state of being in the 3D SBS is notified, that is,
information indicating that the 3D SBS display process is performed
is transmitted to the disc recorder 200. (8) When the notification
of being in the 3D SBS display state is received from the
television receiver 300, switching to the output form corresponding
to stereoscopic image data in the side-by-side format is performed
in the disc recorder 200 because the output form of the OSD display
data does not correspond to the data.
[0120] (9) After that, in the television receiver 300, when
switching of the display process to the 3D T&B display process
is instructed by the user's operation, (10) switching to the 3D
T&B display process is performed. (11) Then, in the television
receiver 300, the display state of being in the 3D T&B is
notified, that is, information indicating that the 3D T&B
display process is performed is transmitted to the disc recorder
200. (12) When the notification of being in the 3D T&B display
state is received from the television receiver 300, switching to
the output form corresponding to stereoscopic image data in the
top-and-bottom format is performed in the disc recorder 200 because
the output form of the OSD display data does not correspond to the
data.
[0121] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it is
described that the OSD display data generation unit 210 of the disc
recorder 200 can generate OSD display data in the output form
corresponding to all display processes notified from the television
receiver 300. However, it can be considered that the OSD display
data generation unit 210 of the disc recorder 200 is not able to
generate OSD display data in the output form corresponding to a
display process notified from the television receiver 300.
[0122] When the OSD display data generation unit 210 is not able to
generate OSD display data in the output form corresponding to a
display process notified from the television receiver 300, it is
considered that the CPU 211 causes the OSD display data generation
unit 210 to operate as below. For example, the OSD display data
generation unit 210 is made to operate to not output OSD display
data. In addition, for example, the OSD display data generation
unit 210 is made to continue the generation of OSD display data
without switching the output form but with the current output form.
In addition, for example, the OSD display data generation unit 210
is made to perform output only of OSD display data for some special
OSD displays (such as warnings that are not appropriate for a
display process) without switching the output form but with the
current output form.
[0123] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it is
configured that image data is transmitted from the disc recorder
200 to the television receiver 300 via the HDMI cable 400. In other
words, it is configured that image data received in the digital
tuner 204 is recorded on a disc-shaped recording medium such as a
DVD, a BD, or the like in the DVD/BD drive 206, reproduced at a
proper time, and transmitted to the television receiver 300. A
configuration in which a set-top box is arranged instead of the
disc recorder 200 can also be considered. In this case, it is
configured that the image data received in the digital tuner is
transmitted to the television receiver 300 without undergoing
recording on a disc-shaped recording medium and reproducing.
[0124] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the OSD
display data generation unit 210 of the disc recorder 200 generates
OSD display data for displaying superimposing information such as a
menu or the like on an image, and the OSD display data is
superimposed on image data in the display data superimposing unit
209. In addition to that, subtitles or the like can also be
considered as superimposing information. In this case, for example,
display data for displaying subtitles on images is generated based
on subtitle data sent from a broadcasting station together with
image data, and the display data is superimposed on the image
data.
[0125] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when display
process information is transmitted from the television receiver 300
to the disc recorder 200, it is performed using the CEC line 84 of
the HDMI cable 400. However, the method of transmitting display
process information from the television receiver 300 to the disc
recorder 200 is not limited thereto, but other methods can also be
considered. For example, it can also be considered that a
bi-directional communication path composed of the HPD line 86 and
the utility line 88 is used.
[0126] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is
configured that image data is transmitted from the disc recorder
200 to the television receiver 300. However, a configuration in
which image data is transmitted to a monitor device, a projector,
or the like instead of the television receiver 300, and a display
process corresponding to the image data format is performed in such
equipment.
[0127] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the disc
recorder 200 and the television receiver 300 are connected to the
HDMI cable 400. However, when they are connected to each other with
a digital interface similar to the HDMI, or even when they are
configured to be connected wireless, it is needless to say that the
technology can be applied in the same manner.
[0128] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
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