U.S. patent application number 14/345884 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for video display device and external device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, Takafumi Hayashi, Masafumi Nishi. Invention is credited to Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, Takafumi Hayashi, Masafumi Nishi.
Application Number | 20140218622 14/345884 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48696552 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140218622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayashi; Takafumi ; et
al. |
August 7, 2014 |
VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE AND EXTERNAL DEVICE
Abstract
To a video display device, a remote control transmitter for
remotely operating the video display device is attached. When at
least one of predetermined keys provided in the remote control
transmitter of an external device is operated, the video display
device switches, according to the setting of an "input target", the
validness and the invalidness of an remote operation on the at
least one of predetermined keys of the external device which
outputs a video stream to the video display device.
Inventors: |
Hayashi; Takafumi;
(Moriguchi-shi, JP) ; Hasegawa; Tsuyoshi;
(Moriguchi-shi, JP) ; Nishi; Masafumi;
(Moriguchi-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hayashi; Takafumi
Hasegawa; Tsuyoshi
Nishi; Masafumi |
Moriguchi-shi
Moriguchi-shi
Moriguchi-shi |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Moriguchi-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
48696552 |
Appl. No.: |
14/345884 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 28, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/080395 |
371 Date: |
March 19, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/734 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/4403 20130101;
H04N 21/42208 20130101; H04N 21/4221 20130101; H04N 21/485
20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/734 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/44 20060101
H04N005/44 |
Claims
1. A video display device comprising: an input terminal through
which a video stream output by a specific external device is input;
a reception portion; and a control portion, wherein the video
display device has, choices of an "input target", a plurality of
choices including a choice corresponding to the input terminal, the
reception portion receives a remote control signal transmitted from
a remote control transmitter for remotely operating the video
display device, and transmits, to the control portion, a signal
including a remote control code based on the remote control signal
and when the control portion receives, from the reception portion,
any one of the remote control codes corresponding to at least one
of predetermined keys provided in the remote control transmitter,
if the "input target" is set at the choice corresponding to the
input terminal, the control portion controls the specific external
device such that a remote operation of the specific external device
on the at least one of predetermined keys is made valid, and does
not perform an operation of the video display device corresponding
to the remote control code received from the reception portion
whereas if the "input target" is not set at the choice
corresponding to the input terminal, the control portion controls
the specific external device such that the remote operation of the
specific external device on the at least one of predetermined keys
is made invalid, and performs the operation of the video display
device corresponding to the remote control code received from the
reception portion.
2. The video display device of claim 1, wherein the remote control
codes corresponding to the at least one of predetermined keys are
remote control codes that are recognized by both the video display
device and the specific external device.
3. The video display device of claim 1, wherein even when the
"input target" is set at the choice corresponding to the input
terminal, if a specific key provided in the remote control
transmitter other than the at least one of predetermined keys is
operated, same processing as when the "input target" is not set at
the choice corresponding to the input terminal is performed.
4. An external device that outputs a video stream to a video
display device, the external device comprising: a reception
portion; and a control portion, wherein the reception portion
receives a remote control signal transmitted from a remote control
transmitter for remotely operating the video display device, and
transmits, to the control portion, a signal including a remote
control code based on the remote control signal and when the
control portion receives, from the reception portion, any one of
the remote control codes corresponding to at least one of
predetermined keys provided in the remote control transmitter, if a
notification that the "input target" of the video display device is
set at a choice which inputs the video stream from the external
device is received from the video display device, the control
portion controls the video display device such that a remote
operation of the video display device on the at least one of
predetermined keys is made invalid, and performs an operation of
the external device corresponding to the remote control code
received from the reception portion whereas if a notification that
the "input target" of the video display device is not set at the
choice which inputs the video stream from the external device is
received from the video display device, the control portion
controls the video display device such that the remote operation of
the video display device on the at least one of predetermined keys
is made valid, and does not perform the operation of the external
device corresponding to the remote control code received from the
reception portion.
5. The external device of claim 4, wherein the remote control codes
corresponding to the at least one of predetermined keys are remote
control codes that are recognized by both the video display device
and the external device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a video display device that
includes an external input terminal through which a video stream is
input externally and that is remotely operated by a remote control
transmitter and an external device that supplies a video stream to
a video display device and that is remotely operated by a remote
control transmitter.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The video display device of a television receiver or the
like has not only the function of displaying video based on a video
stream generated by an internal circuit such as a broadcast tuner
but also generally has an external input terminal through which the
video stream is input externally and also has the function of
displaying the video based on the video stream from the outside.
The external input terminal of the video display device and the
output terminal of an external device through which the video
stream is output are connected, and the "input target" of the video
display device is set at an external input, and thus it is possible
to display, on the video display device, the video based on the
video stream from the external device.
[0003] In general, a remote control transmitter for remotely
operating the video display device (hereinafter also referred to as
a "video display device remote control transmitter") is attached to
the video display device, and a remote control transmitter for
remotely operating the external device (hereinafter also referred
to as an "external device remote control transmitter") is attached
to the external device.
RELATED ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document
[0004] Patent document 1: JP-A-2003-87881 [0005] Patent document 2:
JP-A-2004-187143 [0006] Patent document 3: JP-A-2005-198036 [0007]
Patent document 4: JP-A-2006-319838
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0008] Some external devices have the function (hereinafter also
referred to as a "remote control transmitter additional function")
of registering a remote control code transmitted from a remote
control transmitter other than the external device remote control
transmitter and of allowing a remote operation by the remote
control transmitter other than the external device remote control
transmitter.
[0009] However, when the remote control transmitter additional
function is utilized to allow the video display device remote
control transmitter to remotely operate the external device, if the
key of the video display device remote control transmitter
corresponding to the remote control code registered in the external
device by the remote control transmitter additional function is
operated, both the external device and the video display device are
operated at the same time, with the result that not only the
operation that is intended by a user but also an operation that is
not intended by the user is disadvantageously performed.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a video display device including: an input terminal
through which a video stream output by a specific external device
is input; a reception portion; and a control portion. The video
display device has, choices of an "input target", a plurality of
choices including a choice corresponding to the input terminal. The
reception portion receives a remote control signal transmitted from
a remote control transmitter for remotely operating the video
display device, and transmits, to the control portion, a signal
including a remote control code based on the remote control signal.
When the control portion receives, from the reception portion, any
one of the remote control codes corresponding to at least one of
predetermined keys provided in the remote control transmitter, if
the "input target" is set at the choice corresponding to the input
terminal, the control portion controls the specific external device
such that a remote operation of the specific external device on the
at least one of predetermined keys is made valid, and does not
perform an operation of the video display device corresponding to
the remote control code received from the light reception portion
whereas if the "input target" is not set at the choice
corresponding to the input terminal, the control portion controls
the specific external device such that the remote operation of the
specific external device on the at least one of predetermined keys
is made invalid, and performs the operation of the video display
device corresponding to the remote control code received from the
light reception portion.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an external device that outputs a video stream to a
video display device, the external device including: a reception
portion; and a control portion. The reception portion receives a
remote control signal transmitted from a remote control transmitter
for remotely operating the video display device, and transmits, to
the control portion, a signal including a remote control code based
on the remote control signal. When the control portion receives,
from the reception portion, any one of the remote control codes
corresponding to at least one of predetermined keys provided in the
remote control transmitter, if a notification that the "input
target" of the video display device is set at a choice which inputs
the video stream from the external device is received from the
video display device, the control portion controls the video
display device such that a remote operation of the video display
device on the at least one of predetermined keys is made invalid,
and performs an operation of the external device corresponding to
the remote control code received from the light reception portion
whereas if a notification that the "input target" of the video
display device is not set at the choice which inputs the video
stream from the external device is received from the video display
device, the control portion controls the video display device such
that the remote operation of the video display device on the at
least one of predetermined keys is made valid, and does not perform
the operation of the external device corresponding to the remote
control code received from the light reception portion.
Effects of the Invention
[0012] In the present invention, it is possible to remotely
operate, only with the video display device remote control
transmitter, both the video display device and the external device
as intended by the user.
[0013] The significance and effects of the present invention will
be further clarified by the description of embodiments below.
However, each of the following embodiments is simply one embodiment
of the present invention; the significance of the terms of the
present invention or each constituent requirement is not limited to
the embodiments described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A A block diagram of a video display device;
[0015] FIG. 1B A block diagram of a remote control transmitter
attached to the video display device;
[0016] FIG. 1C A front view of the remote control transmitter
attached to the video display device;
[0017] FIG. 2A A front view of the video display device;
[0018] FIG. 2B A right side view of the video display device;
[0019] FIG. 2C A left side view of the video display device;
[0020] FIG. 2D A perspective view of the video display device;
[0021] FIG. 3 A diagram showing an insertion portion provided in a
lower portion of the front surface of the video display device;
[0022] FIG. 4 A perspective view when viewed from the back surface
of an Apple TV (registered trademark of Apple Inc.);
[0023] FIG. 5 A block diagram of the Apple TV;
[0024] FIG. 6 A front view of a remote control transmitter attached
to the Apple TV; and
[0025] FIG. 7 A diagram showing an example of the display screen of
the video display device.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
with reference to accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a video display device 1. The
video display device 1 is a television receiver having the Internet
connection function, and includes, as shown in FIG. 1A, a
tuner/descrambler 11, a DEMUX circuit 12, an AV decoder 13, a
signal processing circuit 14, an input switching circuit 15, a
video processing circuit 16, a scaler 17, a composite circuit 18, a
video output circuit 19, a display 20, a sound processing circuit
21, a sound output circuit 22, a speaker 23, a remote control light
receiver 24, a system controller 25, a memory 26, an OSD (on-screen
display) display circuit 27 and an Internet processing circuit 28.
A remote control transmitter (hereinafter also referred to as a "TV
remote control transmitter") 29 for remotely operating the video
display device 1 is attached to the video display device 1. A user
operates the TV remote control transmitter 29, and thereby can
operate the video display device 1 remotely.
[0028] The TV remote control transmitter 29 includes, as shown in
FIG. 1B, an operation key group 29A consisting of a plurality of
operation keys, a CPU 2913 and a transmission portion 29C including
an infrared light-emitting element. In the internal memory of the
CPU 29B, a data table indicating a correlation between the
individual operation keys and individual remote control codes is
stored. The operation key group 29A outputs a signal corresponding
to a key operation by the user to the CPU 29B, and the CPU 29B
references the data table stored in the internal memory to output a
remote control code corresponding to the output signal of the
operation key group 29A to the transmission portion 29C. The
transmission portion 29C outputs an infrared signal modulated based
on the remote control code received from the CPU 29B.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1C, on the front surface of the TV remote
control transmitter 29, a "power supply (POWER)" key, an "input
switching (INPUT)" key, a "channel +" key, a "channel -" key, a
"menu (MENU)" key, numerical keys ("0" to "9"), a selection key
("up", "down", "right", "left" and "ENTER"), an "Internet (NET@)"
key, a "cancellation (RECALL)" key, an "exit (EXIT)" key and the
like, which constitute the operation key group 29A, are
provided.
[0030] The "input switching" key is an operation key for switching
the "input target" described above. The "channel +" key is an
operation key for switching the reception channel described above
in ascending order, and the "channel -" key is an operation key for
switching the reception channel in descending order. The "menu" key
is an operation key for alternately switching the operation mode of
the television broadcast receiver 1 between a normal mode and a
menu mode.
[0031] In the first embodiment, the video display device 1 is an
example of the video display device according to an aspect of the
present invention.
[0032] The video display device 1 has, as the choices of the "input
target", "terrestrial digital broadcast", "satellite digital
broadcast", a "HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) 1", a
"HDMI2" and a "HDMI3".
[0033] The tuner/descrambler 11 performs processing (channel
selection processing) for extracting signals corresponding to the
"input target" and the "reception channel" that are currently set,
on television broadcast signals transmitted through an antenna or
the like, and also performs predetermined high-frequency
processing, scramble cancellation processing, demodulation
processing and the like. The signals obtained by these types of
processing are fed out to the DEMUX circuit 12 as a packet. The
"input target" and the "reception channel" can be switched by the
system controller 25.
[0034] The DEMUX circuit 12 decodes the packet received from the
tuner/descrambler 11. Here, the packet is classified, by the DEMUX
circuit 12, into MPEG data indicating the content of a television
program and additional information. Then, the MPEG data consisting
of a video stream and a sound stream and the additional information
are fed out to the AV decoder 13 and the system controller 25,
respectively. The additional information is, for example, guide
information on a television program that is currently being
broadcast or that will be broadcast in the future or information
such as a notice from a broadcaster, and is broadcast together with
information on the content of the television program every
predetermined time interval.
[0035] The AV decoder 13 decodes the MPEG data received from the
DEMUX circuit 12 into a video signal and a sound signal, and feeds
out the video signal and the sound signal to the input switching
circuit 15.
[0036] Based on an external input signal (the video stream and the
sound stream) corresponding to the "input target" which is
currently set, the signal processing circuit 14 acquires the video
signal and the sound signal indicating the content. The signal
processing circuit 14 feeds out the video signal and the sound
signal acquired to the input switching circuit 15.
[0037] Among the video signal and the sound signal transmitted from
the side of the preceding stage, the input switching circuit 15
transmits only signals corresponding to the "input target" which is
currently set, to a circuit on the side of the subsequent
stage.
[0038] Specifically, when the "terrestrial digital broadcast" or
the "satellite digital broadcast" is set at the "input target", the
input switching circuit 15 transmits the video signal and the sound
signal transmitted from the AV decoder 13 to the video processing
circuit 16 and the sound processing circuit 21, respectively. On
the other hand, when the "HDMI1", the "HDMI2" or the "HDMI3" is set
at the "input target", the video signal and the sound signal
transmitted from the signal processing circuit 14 are transmitted
to the video processing circuit 16 and the sound processing circuit
21, respectively.
[0039] The video processing circuit 16 performs various types of
processing on the video signal received from the input switching
circuit 15, and feeds it out to the scaler 17. The processing
performed by the video processing circuit 16 includes various types
of processing on image quality adjustment (for example, contract
adjustment, brightness adjustment and sharpness adjustment).
[0040] The scaler 17 feeds out, according to an instruction from
the system controller 25, the video signal received from the video
processing circuit 16 without the video signal being processed, to
the composite circuit 18. Alternatively, the scaler 17 performs
processing (small-screen conversion processing) for displaying the
video on a small screen on the video signal received from the video
processing circuit 16, and feed it out to the composite circuit
18.
[0041] The composite circuit 18 receives the video signal, an OSD
signal and a network content video signal from the scaler 17, the
OSD display circuit 27 and the Internet processing circuit 28,
respectively, and feeds out any one of these signals to the video
output circuit 19. Alternatively, the composite circuit 18
generates a display signal indicating content obtained by combining
(overlaying) at least two items of display content among these
signals, and feeds it out to the video output circuit 19.
[0042] The video output circuit 19 feeds out the received display
signal to the display 20, and displays the content of the display
signal on the display 20. As the display 20, various types of
displays such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) and a liquid crystal
display can be adopted.
[0043] The sound processing circuit 21 performs necessary
predetermined processing on the sound signal received from the
input switching circuit 15, and feeds it out to the sound output
circuit 22. The sound output circuit 22 feeds out the received
sound signal to the speaker 23, and outputs sound based on the
sound signal through the speaker 23.
[0044] The remote control light receiver 24 receives an infrared
signal transmitted from the TV remote control transmitter 29,
converts it into an electrical signal including the remote control
code and transmits it to the system controller 25.
[0045] The system controller 25 controls the individual portions of
the video display device 1 according to operations by the user on a
plurality of types of operation keys (not shown in FIG. 1A)
provided in the video display device 1 and on a plurality of types
of operation keys provided in the TV remote control transmitter 29.
The memory 26 stores the data table indicating the relationship
between the operation keys and the remote control codes and
information such as various types of OSD display screen data.
[0046] The OSD display circuit 27 receives an OSD control signal
including an OSD display screen from the system controller 25,
generates the OSD signal based on this control signal and feeds it
out to the composite circuit 18.
[0047] The Internet processing circuit 28 has the function of
connecting to the Internet 30, receives the provision of network
content via the Internet 30 from a predetermined server, feeds out
the video signal of the network content to the composite circuit 18
and feeds out the sound signal of the network content to the sound
output circuit 22.
[0048] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are respectively a front view of the
video display device 1, a right side view when viewed from the
front surface, a left side view when viewed from the front surface
and a perspective view. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show a state where
an Apple TV 2 is inserted into a lower portion of the front surface
of the video display device 1.
[0049] In a lower portion of the right side surface when viewed
from the front surface of the video display device 1, as shown in
FIG. 2B, an operation portion 101 is provided. The operation
portion 101 includes a power supply switch for switching on and off
the power supply of the video display device 1.
[0050] In a back portion of the left side surface when viewed from
the front surface of the video display device 1, as shown in FIG.
2C, a terminal portion 102 is provided. The terminal portion 102
includes a HDMI terminal that corresponds to the "HDMI1" which is
one of the choices of the "input target", a HDMI terminal that
corresponds to the "HDMI2" which is one of the choices of the
"input target", an antenna terminal for the connection of the
antenna and a LAN (local area network) terminal of the connection
of the Internet.
[0051] In the front surface of the video display device 1, as shown
in FIGS. 2A and 2D, the display screen 103 of the display 20 (see
FIG. 1A), the light reception surface 104 of the remote control
light receiver 24 (see FIG. 1A) and a power supply lamp 105 are
provided. The power supply lamp 105 is turned green when the power
supply of the video display device 1 is turned on; the power supply
lamp 105 is turned red when the video display device 1 is placed on
standby; the power supply lamp 105 is turned off when the power
supply of the video display device 1 is turned off. The turning on
of the power supply, the placing of the video display device 1 on
standby and the turning off of the power supply can be switched by
operating the power supply switch included in the operation portion
101 (see FIG. 2B); the turning on of the power supply and the
placing of the video display device 1 on standby can be switched by
operating a power supply key included in the TV remote control
transmitter 29 (see FIG. 1A).
[0052] In the lower portion of the front surface of the video
display device 1, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2D, an insertion portion
106 is provided into which the Apple TV 2 can be directly inserted.
As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 106 includes a HDMI
terminal 107 that corresponds to the "HDMI3" which is one of the
choices of the "input target" and an AC power supply terminal 108.
The AC power supply terminal 108 is a terminal that outputs a
commercial power supply voltage (for example, in Japan, a voltage
of AC 100 V), which the video display apparatus 1 receives from a
commercial power supply outlet via a power supply cord, to outside.
Since as described above, the video display device 1 includes the
insertion portion 106 into which the Apple TV 2 can be directly
inserted, it is possible to easily connect the Apple TV 2.
[0053] The arrangement of the HDMI terminal 107 and the AC power
supply terminal 108 is designed such that when the Apple TV 2 is
inserted into the insertion portion 106, the HDMI terminal 107 of
the insertion portion 106 and a HDMI port 201 (see FIG. 4) provided
in the back surface of the Apple TV 2 are connected, and that the
AC power supply terminal 108 of the insertion portion 106 and an AC
power supply port 202 (see FIG. 4) provided in the back surface of
the Apple TV 2 are connected. Hence, when the Apple TV 2 is
inserted into the insertion portion 106, the video display device 1
and the Apple TV 2 are HDMI-connected, and furthermore the AC power
supply terminal 108 of the insertion portion 106 and the AC power
supply port 202 (see FIG. 4) provided in the back surface of the
Apple TV 2 are connected, with the result that the AC power supply
voltage is fed from the video display device 1 to the Apple TV
2.
[0054] A block diagram of the Apple TV 2 will now be shown in FIG.
5. The Apple TV 2 includes a main CPU 31, a sub-CPU 32, a wireless
communication portion 33 that performs wireless communication with
a mobile terminal, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a cloud
server or the like through Bluetooth (registered trademark) or
Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like, an Ethernet communication
portion 34 that performs wire communication with a personal
computer or the like, an Ethernet port 203, a remote control light
receiver 35, a video sound processing circuit 36 that is formed
with a HDMI transmission portion and a digital sound interface
portion, the HDMI port 201 and an optical digital sound port 204. A
remote control transmitter (hereinafter referred to as an "Apple
remote") 37 for remotely operating the Apple TV 2 is attached to
the Apple TV 2. The user operates the Apple remote 37, and thereby
can remotely operate the Apple TV 2.
[0055] In the Apple remote 37, as shown in FIG. 6, a selection key
("up", "down", "right", "left" and "ENTER"), a "menu (MENU)" key
and a "reproduction/temporary stop" key are provided.
[0056] The remote control light receiver 35 receives an infrared
signal transmitted from the Apple remote 37, converts it into an
electrical signal and transmits it to the sub-CPU 32. The sub-CPU
32 controls the operation of the main CPU 31 based on the
electrical signal received from the remote control light receiver
35.
[0057] The main CPU 31 decodes, according to the control on the
sub-CPU 32, a signal that is input through the Ethernet port 203
and that is received by the Ethernet communication portion 34 or a
signal that is received by the wireless communication portion 33
into a video stream, a sound stream, still image data or the like,
and feeds it out to the video sound processing circuit 36.
[0058] The video sound processing circuit 36 outputs, to the HDMI
port 201, the video stream, the sound stream, the still image data
or the like received from the main CPU 31 in the form of TMDS
(transition minimized differential signaling), and converts the
sound stream received from the main CPU 31 into an optical digital
sound signal to output it to the optical digital sound port
204.
[0059] When the Apple remote 37 is utilized to select the remote
control transmitter additional function from the menu of the Apple
TV 2, since the display screen 103 becomes a registration screen as
shown in FIG. 7, the user sequentially presses down, according to
an instruction on the registration screen, the "up" key, the "down"
key, the "right" key, the "left" key, the "ENTER" key and the "menu
(MENU)" key provided in the TV remote control transmitter 29. Thus,
the remote control codes corresponding to the "up" key, the "down"
key, the "right" key, the "left" key, the "ENTER" key and the "menu
(MENU)" key provided in the TV remote control transmitter 29 are
stored in the internal memory of the main CPU 31. Hence, after the
registration operation described above, the "up" key, the "down"
key, the "right" key, the "left" key, the "EN'T'ER" key and the
"menu (MENU)" key provided in the TV remote control transmitter 29
are operated, and thus it is possible to remotely operate not only
the video display device 1 but also the Apple TV 2.
[0060] When the Apple TV 2 is specified such that the remote
control codes corresponding to the "up" key, the "down" key, the
"right" key, the "left" key, the "ENTER" key and the "menu (MENU)"
key provided in the TV remote control transmitter 29 are previously
stored in the internal memory of the main CPU 31, the registration
operation described above can be omitted.
[0061] Signal lines used in HDMI transmission will now be
described. The signal lines used in the HDMI transmission are first
to fifth signal lines that will be described below.
[0062] The first signal line is a TMDS data signal line along which
sound and video data and information frame (information on a format
and the like for the sound and video data) are transmitted in one
way from a source device (in the present embodiment, the Apple TV
2) to a sync device (in the present embodiment, the video display
device 1) in the TMDS form.
[0063] The second signal line is a HPD (hot plug detect) signal
line which is mainly used to provide an instruction of sound and
video data feeding start timing, from the source device to the sync
device.
[0064] The third signal line is a DDC (display data channel) signal
line which is used to transmit specific information (such as a
vendor name, a model number, an acceptable resolution and a HDMI
terminal number) on the sync device to the source device. The DDC
signal line is also used for HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content
protection) certification.
[0065] The fourth signal line is a DDC 5 V signal line for
supplying a 5 V power supply voltage from the source device to the
sync device. The hardware of the sync device is configured such
that after the 5 V power supply voltage from the source device is
supplied along the fourth signal line, the sync device outputs a 5
V HPD signal to a HPD pin of the HDMI terminal.
[0066] The fifth signal line is a CEC signal line which is used for
realizing a CEC (consumer electronics control) function.
[0067] The CEC function is a function that allows bidirectional
control between the source device and the sync device, and is
specified, together with a standard for output of the sound and
video data, by a HDMI standard. A large number of electronic
devices corresponding to the CEC function have already been sold.
Since in the CEC function, it is possible to bidirectionally
exchange a command between the source device and the sync device,
both one-to-one device control and one-to-many device control are
possible. Although the CEC standard specifies various functions, it
is depends on a maker which function is realized in a product.
[0068] Operations of the video display device 1 and the Apple TV 2
related to the present invention will now be described.
[0069] When the system controller 25 receives, from the remote
control light receiver 24, the remote control code corresponding to
common keys (in the present embodiment, the "up" key, the "down"
key, the "right" key, the "left" key, the "ENTER" key and the "menu
(MENU)" key) that are also recognized by both the video display
device 1 and the Apple TV 2, if the "input target" is the "HDMI3",
the system controller 25 feeds, to the Apple TV 2, a valid signal
for making the remote operation valid with the CEC command and does
not perform the operation of the video display device 1
corresponding to the remote control code received from the remote
control light receiver 24 whereas if the "input target" is one
other than the "HDMI3", the system controller 25 feeds, to the
Apple TV 2, an invalid signal for making the remote operation
invalid with the CEC command and performs the operation of the
video display device 1 corresponding to the remote control code
received from the remote control light receiver 24.
[0070] On the other hand, when the sub-CPU 32 receives, from the
remote control light receiver 35, the remote control code
corresponding to the common key that is recognized by both the
video display device 1 and the Apple TV 2, the sub-CPU 32 is placed
on standby for transmission of the CEC command for a valid signal
or an invalid signal from the video display device 1. When the CEC
command for the valid signal is fed, the sub-CPU 32 controls the
operation of the main CPU 31 such that the operation of the Apple
TV 2 corresponding to the remote control code received from the
remote control light receiver 35 is performed. When the CEC command
for the invalid signal is fed, the sub-CPU 32 controls the
operation of the main CPU 31 such that the operation of the Apple
TV 2 corresponding to the remote control code received from the
remote control light receiver 35 is not performed.
[0071] Here, a setting may be made such that the video display
device 1 fails to generate any one of the valid signal and the
invalid signal. In this case, when no CEC command has been fed from
the video display device 1 for a period of time during which a
predetermined period has elapsed since the reception of the remote
control code corresponding to the common key from the remote
control light receiver 35, the sub-CPU 32 preferably regards that
the one of the valid signal and the invalid signal which is not
generated by the video display device 1 is fed.
[0072] Since in the present embodiment, the video display device 1
can switch the validness and the invalidness of the remote
operation on the common key of the Apple TV 2, the following
problem does not occur in which when the user operates the common
key of the TV remote control transmitter 29, both the Apple TV 2
and the video display device 1 are operated at the same time, and
thus not only the operation that is intended by the user but also
the operation that is not intended by the user is performed.
[0073] Even when the "input target" is the "HDMI3", if a specific
key other than the common keys is pressed down, the same processing
as in the case where the "input target" is one other than the
"HDMI3" may be performed by the video display device 1. Thus, when
the "input target" is the "HDMI3", for example, it is easy to call
up not the menu of the Apple TV 2 but the menu of the video display
device 1, with the result that the usability is enhanced.
Second Embodiment
[0074] Points different from those in the first embodiment
discussed above will be described, and the description of the same
points as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
[0075] In a second embodiment, the Apple TV 2 is an example of an
external device according to another aspect of the present
invention.
[0076] In the present embodiment, the video display device 1 uses
the CEC command to notify the Apple TV 2 whether or not the "input
target" of the video display device 1 is the "HDMI3".
[0077] When the sub-CPU 32 receives, from the remote control light
receiver 24, the remote control code corresponding to the common
key (in the present embodiment, the "up" key, the "down" key, the
"right" key, the "left" key, the "ENTER" key and the "menu (MENU)"
key) that is also recognized by both the video display device 1 and
the Apple TV 2, if a notification that the "input target" of the
video display device 1 is the "HDMI3" is received, the sub-CPU 32
feeds the invalid signal for making the remote operation invalid to
the video display device 1 with the CEC command, and controls the
operation of the main CPU 31 such that the operation of the Apple
TV 2 corresponding to the remote control code received from the
remote control light receiver 35 is performed whereas if a
notification that the "input target" of the video display device 1
is one other than the "HDMI3" is received, the sub-CPU 32 feeds the
valid signal for making the remote operation valid to the video
display device 1 with the CEC command, and controls the operation
of the main CPU 31 such that the operation of the Apple TV 2
corresponding to the remote control code received from the remote
control light receiver 35 is not performed.
[0078] On the other hand, when the system controller 25 receives,
from the remote control light receiver 35, the remote control code
corresponding to the common key that is recognized by both the
video display device 1 and the Apple TV 2, the system controller 25
is placed on standby for transmission of the CEC command for the
valid signal or the invalid signal from the Apple TV 2. When the
CEC command for the valid signal is fed, the system controller 25
performs the operation of the video display device 1 corresponding
to the remote control code received from the remote control light
receiver 24. When the CEC command for the invalid signal is fed,
the system controller 25 does not perform the operation of the
video display device 1 corresponding to the remote control code
received from the remote control light receiver 24.
[0079] Here, a setting may be made such that the Apple TV 2 fails
to generate any one of the valid signal and the invalid signal. In
this case, when no CEC command has been fed from the Apple TV 2 for
a period of time during which a predetermined period has elapsed
since the reception of the remote control code corresponding to the
common key from the remote control light receiver 24, it is
preferably regarded that the one of the valid signal and the
invalid signal which is not generated by the Apple TV 2 is fed.
[0080] Since in the present embodiment, the Apple TV 2 can switch
the validness and the invalidness of the remote operation on the
common key of the video display device 1, the following problem
does not occur in which when the user operates the common key of
the TV remote control transmitter 29, both the Apple TV 2 and the
video display device 1 are operated at the same time, and thus not
only the operation that is intended by the user but also the
operation that is not intended by the user is performed.
[0081] Even when the "input target" is the "HDMI3", if a specific
key other than the common keys is pressed down, the video display
device 1 may notify the Apple TV 2 that the "input target" is one
other than the "HDMI3". Thus, when the "input target" is the
"HDMI3", for example, it is easy to call up not the menu of the
Apple TV 2 but the menu of the video display device 1, with the
result that the usability is enhanced.
[0082] <Others>
[0083] Although in the embodiments described above, the specific
external device that can be remotely operated by the remote control
transmitter for remotely operating the video display device is the
Apple TV, a device other than the Apple TV (for example, a set top
box) may be used.
[0084] Although in the embodiments described above, the specific
external device that can be remotely operated by the remote control
transmitter for remotely operating the video display device is
inserted into the insertion portion of the video display device,
and thus the specific external device is connected to the video
display device, the specific external device may be connected to
the video display device through a cable or the like.
[0085] Although in the embodiments described above, the video
stream is transmitted to the video display device through the HDMI
from the specific external device that can be remotely operated by
the remote control transmitter for remotely operating the video
display device, the video stream may be transmitted to the video
display device through an interface other than the HDMI from the
specific external device. Although in the embodiments described
above, one of the video display device and the specific external
device controls the other with the CEC command, the control may be
performed in a form other than the CEC command.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0086] 1 video display device [0087] 2 Apple TV [0088] 11
tuner/descrambler [0089] 12 DEMUX circuit [0090] 13 AV decoder
[0091] 14 signal processing circuit [0092] 15 input switching
circuit [0093] 16 video processing circuit [0094] 17 scaler [0095]
18 composite circuit [0096] 19 video output circuit [0097] 20
display [0098] 21 sound processing circuit [0099] 22 sound output
circuit [0100] 23 speaker [0101] 24 remote control light receiver
[0102] 25 system controller [0103] 26 memory [0104] 27 OSD display
circuit [0105] 28 Internet processing circuit [0106] 29 remote
control transmitter (TV remote control transmitter) [0107] 29A
operation key group [0108] 29B CPU [0109] 29C transmission portion
[0110] 30 Internet [0111] 31 main CPU [0112] 32 sub-CPU [0113] 33
wireless communication portion [0114] 34 Ethernet communication
portion [0115] 35 remote control light receiver [0116] 36 video
sound processing circuit [0117] 37 remote control transmitter
(Apple remote) [0118] 101 operation portion [0119] 102 terminal
portion [0120] 103 display screen [0121] 104 light reception
surface [0122] 105 power supply lamp [0123] 106 insertion portion
[0124] 107 HDMI terminal [0125] 108 AC power supply terminal [0126]
201 HDMI port [0127] 202 AC power supply port [0128] 203 Ethernet
port [0129] 204 optical digital sound port
* * * * *