JP2000197157A - Audio video control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio video AV control system by which a series of operations by a plurality of devices can easily be set or revised by a user side. SOLUTION: A controller 1 that commands a series of operations to a plurality of devices stores operating sequence information including the operating sequence of a plurality of the devices and operating contents to be commanded to the devices and controls a plurality of the devices according to the operating sequence information. Furthermore, the controller 1 displays names and operating contents of the devices in the operating sequence on a screen of a touch panel input device 2 on the basis of the operating sequence information. The operating sequence can be edited by operating the touch panel input device 2 on the screen. The controller 1 rewrites the operating sequence information on the basis of the edit result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to audio / video equipment.
Audio / video control in which a plurality of devices including (hereinafter, referred to as AV devices) are connected to a control device, and the operations of the plurality of devices are controlled in accordance with the operation of an input operation device provided in the control device. It relates to a system (hereinafter, referred to as an AV control system).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 21, a DVD player (31), a VCR (32), an LD player (33), a CD player
AV equipment such as (34), TV receiver (35), AV amplifier (37)
(30) is a host computer via the device control device (20).
(40), using a keyboard (42) and a display (43) as input / output devices of the host computer (40),
An AV control system capable of centrally operating the AV device group (30) has been proposed. According to the AV control system, on the device selection screen displayed on the display (43), a desired AV device to be operated is selected by operating the keyboard (42), and further the selected device is operated. By selecting and operating a required operation key on a screen on which a plurality of operation keys are displayed, it is possible to cause the AV device to perform a desired operation.

[0003]

In the AV control system, a plurality of content selection buttons are displayed on a display (43) in order to realize a predetermined operation (content) by one or a plurality of AV devices. When the user operates one of the content selection buttons, an operation corresponding to the content selection button can be executed.

However, in the conventional AV control system, in order to define a series of operations for each content selection button, it is necessary to describe a control program including a plurality of commands, and the user can freely define the operation contents. It was extremely difficult to change. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an AV control system that allows a user to easily set and change a series of operations by one or a plurality of devices.

[0005]

In the AV control system according to the present invention, the control device for controlling the operation of a plurality of devices includes the operation sequence of the plurality of devices for performing a series of operations. Operation sequence storage means for storing operation sequence information including operation contents to be instructed to the device, device control means for controlling a plurality of devices according to the operation sequence information stored in the operation sequence storage device, On the image display surface, based on the operation sequence information stored in the sequence storage means, an operation sequence display means for displaying an operation sequence in which the names and operation contents of the respective devices are arranged in the operation order, and an operation sequence display means for displaying the operation sequence on the image display surface. Operation sequence editing means for editing an existing operation sequence, and editing results by the operation sequence editing means Based on, and comprising an operation sequence rewriting means for rewriting an operation sequence information stored in the operation sequence storing means.

In the AV control system of the present invention, an example of a series of operations to be executed by a plurality of devices is stored in advance in the operation sequence storage means as operation sequence information. When the user does not want to change this series of operations, the operation sequence display means displays the operation sequence on the image display surface. Then, the operation sequence editing means operates the input device on the screen for the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface, and edits such as changing the operation device, changing the operation of the device, adding the device, and deleting the device. Add. Thereafter, the operation sequence rewriting means rewrites the operation sequence information stored in the operation sequence storage means based on the editing result. As a result, a plurality of devices are controlled based on the rewritten operation sequence information, and a series of operations are executed.

[0007] In a specific configuration, the operation sequence editing means is configured to select an operation content of one device from the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface and to operate the device operated on the image display surface. An operation menu displaying means for displaying one or a plurality of changeable operation contents, and 1 being displayed by the operation menu displaying means
Alternatively, according to an operation of selecting one from a plurality of operation contents,
An operation content changing unit for changing the operation content stored in the operation sequence storage unit for the operated device to the selected operation content, and a name of one device from the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface. Device menu display means for displaying one or more device names that can be changed on the image display surface in accordance with the operation to be selected, and one of the one or more device names displayed by the device menu display means. Device name changing means for changing the device name stored in the operation sequence storage means for the operated device to the selected device name in accordance with the selected operation, and an image display screen in response to the operation of the input device. Device addition / deletion procedure for adding a new device to an arbitrary sequence position of the operation sequence displayed in the above or deleting a device at an arbitrary sequence position. And it includes a door.

[0008] According to the above-described specific configuration, of the plurality of devices displayed on the image display surface, the operation content of the device to be edited is selected, and the desired operation content is selected from the operation menu. Just by selecting, the operation content of the device is changed. In addition, among the plurality of devices displayed on the image display surface, the device to be edited is selected by selecting the device name of the device to be edited and selecting the desired device from the device menu. Will be changed.

[0009] More specifically, the device addition / deletion means includes:
Insert key to be operated when adding a new device to an arbitrary sequence position of the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface, and when deleting a device at an arbitrary sequence position of the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface Key display means for displaying a delete key to be operated at the same time, and a new device is added to the designated sequence position of the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface in accordance with the operation of the insert key, and the operation of the delete key is performed. Accordingly, the apparatus further includes an addition / deletion control unit that deletes the device at the designated sequence position in the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface.

According to the above-described specific configuration, a series of operations can be performed simply by operating the insert key to specify the order position of the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface and specifying the device to be added. A new device can be added to a plurality of devices to be executed. In addition, by operating the delete key to specify the order position of the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface and specifying the device to be deleted, a plurality of devices to perform a series of operations can perform arbitrary operations. Devices can be deleted.

[0011]

According to the AV control system of the present invention, a series of operations by one or a plurality of devices can be set and changed very easily only by selecting and operating the display on the image display surface using the input device. Therefore, it is not necessary to create a control program using commands as in the related art.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. AV according to the present invention
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system is connected to a controller (1) including a microcomputer or the like, and a touch panel input device (2) including a touch panel covering an image display surface such as a liquid crystal display.
Two VCRs (3) (4), DVD (5),
A TV receiver (6), a liquid crystal projector (7) and the like are connected. Note that the controller (1) is a device control device constituting the conventional AV control system shown in FIG.
(20) and a host computer (40), and, as described later, an operation setting function for defining a series of operations to be executed by a plurality of AV devices only by a selection operation using the touch panel input device (2). Things. The touch panel input device (2) has a built-in microcomputer to control image display on the image display surface and to control the controller.
The communication process with (1) is executed.

In the AV control system according to the present invention, when the system power is turned on, a top screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the screen of the touch panel input device (2). “VCR-1”, “V
CR-2 "," TV "," Music "," Sport
s ". A plurality of content selection buttons such as s" are displayed. By selecting and operating one of these content selection buttons, a predetermined operation corresponding to the content selection button is performed.
A command is issued to one or more necessary AV devices.

For example, when the "VCR-1" button is operated,
The following series of operations are automatically performed. (S1) Turn on the power of the VCR-1 ("send a power-on command" to the control port of the VCR-1). (S2) The audio input source is set to VCR-1 (VCR-1 is selected as the audio input channel of the controller). (S3) Light 1 (room lighting) is set to a brightness of 20% (to the port for controlling the lighting controller, "light 1
(S4) A video input source is set to VCR-1 (VCR-1 is selected as a video input channel of a controller) (S5) A liquid crystal projector (Send a “video mute on” command to the liquid crystal projector control port.) (S6) Put the VCR-1 in the PLAY state (VCR-1)
Send a "PLAY" command to the port that controls. (S7) Wait for 2 seconds (execute a "WAIT 2 seconds" command). (S8) Wait for 2 seconds (execute a "WAIT 2 seconds" command). (S9) Release the video mute of the liquid crystal projector (send a "video mute off" command to the liquid crystal projector control port). (S10) The input signal of the liquid crystal projector is switched to "video 1" (a "video 1" command is sent to the liquid crystal projector control port).

Thereafter, when the "VCR-1" button is operated again, for example, the following end operation is automatically executed. (S11) The VCR-1 is stopped. (S12) The video input channel of the liquid crystal projector is switched to the controller. (S13) The power of the VCR-1 is turned off.

On the upper right of the top screen shown in FIG. 2, a "CONFIG" button to be operated when switching and displaying a plurality of screens for setting various operations is displayed. When the “CONFIG” button is operated from the top screen, the CONFIG screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. An operation button for switching and displaying a plurality of screens is displayed on the CONFIG screen, and among these, a “content operation setting screen” to be operated when defining a series of operations to be executed by a plurality of AV devices "Button is included.

When the "content operation setting screen" button is operated, a first operation setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. In the first operation setting screen, 9 to be displayed on the top screen
The names of the content selection buttons are displayed. Therefore, one content selection button for changing the operation setting is operated. For example, to change the operation setting of the VCR-1, the "VCR-1" button is operated.

Thus, the second operation setting as shown in FIG.
The screen is displayed. On the second screen of the operation setting,
For a plurality of devices for which a series of operations are to be executed, an operation sequence display column is provided in which the names and operation contents (commands) of the devices are arranged in the order of operation. In the upper part of the operation sequence display column, the name of the device is displayed, and in the lower part, the operation content of the device is displayed. Therefore, the operation of one device is defined by pairing the device name of the upper stage and the operation content of the lower stage, and a series of operation sequences is defined by arranging the operations in the operation order.

Note that operation buttons for scrolling the display of the operation sequence display column to the left and right are displayed on the left and right of the operation sequence display column. When the right operation button is operated once in the display state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation sequence display field is shifted left by one device, and when the right operation button is operated once, the operation sequence display field is further shifted left by one device as shown in FIG. Will be done. As can be seen from the names and operation contents of the devices displayed as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, this operation sequence example is a series of operations (S1) to (S1) to when the above-mentioned "VCR-1" button is operated.
(S10) is shown.

In a series of content operation change settings , for example, when the operation content of a certain device is not changed, the display of the operation content of the device in the operation sequence display column is operated. For example, for the content selection button “VCR-1”, instead of using the audio of VCR-1 as the input audio source,
When using the sound from the D player, as shown in FIG.
“VCR1” as the operation content displayed under the device name of “Audio in” is selected and operated. As a result, the display of “VCR1” changes to green, and the lower part of the operation sequence display column displays the selected device “Aud”.
A list of the operation contents of “io in”, that is, a list of the names of the devices (VCR1, DVD1, CD, etc.) that can be adopted as the audio input (operation content display column) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the display of "VCR1" displayed in the upper row of the operation sequence display field changes to "CD".

When it is desired to change not only the operation content but also the operation device, first, the name display of the device in the operation sequence display column is selected and operated. For example, the lighting equipment “Light”
When "t" is changed to the liquid crystal projector "Proj" and the input signal of the projector is to be set to "video 1", first, the display of "Light" is selected and operated as shown in FIG. The display changes to green, and a list of a plurality of changeable device names (device name display column) is displayed in the lower part of the operation sequence display column, and then “Proj” is selected as the device name. However, since "Proj" is not displayed on the screen of FIG. 10, the right operation button displayed on the right side of the operation content display column is operated twice, and as shown in FIG. Is shifted to the left to display “Proj”, and this display is selected.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, "Light" displayed in the upper part of the operation sequence display column changes to "Proj", and the green display moves to the lower part. Note that the operation content items displayed in green are blank. An operation content display column for the selected device “Proj” is displayed below the operation sequence display column.

Therefore, "Video" is displayed in the operation content display column.
When “1” (switch the video input channel to video 1) is selected, the operation content “Video1” is displayed below “Proj” in the operation sequence display field as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a command to use the sound from the CD player as the input audio source is defined.

Content Operation Insertion Setting In order to newly insert another device operation before a certain device operation, "In" displayed on the right side of the operation sequence column
For example, if it is desired to insert a further one-second waiting operation before the two waiting operations of “WAIT 2 sec” shown in FIG. , That is, the first "W
AIT ”is selected and the display changes to green. When the“ Insert ”button is operated in this state, as shown in FIG. A content column is provided.

Therefore, in order to select "WAIT" in the device name column, the operation button on the right side of the device name display column displayed as shown in FIG. 16 is operated, and the device name column is shifted to the left as shown in FIG. "WAIT" is selected and operated from the device name column. As a result, “WAI” is displayed in the upper row of the operation sequence column.
In addition, "1 sec" is selected and operated as the operation content from the operation content column displayed as shown in Fig. 18. As a result, "1 sec" is inserted in the lower part of the operation sequence column. Will be.

[0026] content action delete setting Conversely, when St. delete a device operation, displayed on the right side of the operation sequence field "DEL" used button. For example, of the two devices “WAIT” shown in FIG.
To delete the first “WAIT”, first, the name of the operating device to be deleted is displayed, that is, the first “WAI” is displayed.
Select "T". This changes the display to green. In this state, when the "DEL" button is selected and operated,
As shown in FIG. 19, the device name column and the operation content column of the device “WAIT” are deleted.

Content end operation setting After a plurality of devices start a series of operations by operating one content selection button, a series of end operations (for example, the above-described end Operation examples (S11) to (S13)) can be set. That is, from the first operation setting screen shown in FIG.
While the second operation setting screen is displayed, the "VCR-1" button displayed at the upper end of the screen is operated. As a result, the third operation setting screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. In the third operation setting screen, the "VCR-
The 1 "button changes to red. In the upper part of the screen, for a plurality of devices to be subjected to a series of ending operations, an ending operation sequence display column is provided in which the names and operation contents of the devices are arranged in the order of operation. In the upper row of the end operation sequence display column, the name of the device is displayed, and in the lower row, the operation content of the device is displayed. A termination operation for one device is defined and arranged in the order of operation, thereby defining a series of termination operation sequences, which are exactly the same as the above-described modification, addition, and deletion of the operation sequence. Can be changed, added, or deleted by the following procedure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an AV control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a CONFIG screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first operation setting screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second operation setting screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where an operation sequence display field is shifted on a second operation setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an operation sequence display field is further shifted on a second operation setting screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first screen displayed in a process of changing the device operation when the content operation change setting is performed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second screen of the above.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first screen displayed in a process of changing an operation device when a content operation change setting is performed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second screen of the above.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a third screen of the above.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth screen of the above.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a first screen displayed in a process of performing content operation insertion setting.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a second screen of the above.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a third screen of the above.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a fourth screen of the above.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a fifth screen of the above.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed in a process of performing a content operation deletion setting.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed in a process of performing a content end operation setting.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a conventional AV control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Controller (2) Touch panel input device (3) VCR-1 (4) VCR-2 (5) DVD (6) TV receiver (7) Liquid crystal projector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of devices including an audio / video device are connected to a control device, the control device including an image display surface, and an input device capable of performing an input operation on the image display surface. In an audio / video control system in which the operation of a plurality of devices is controlled in response to the operation of (1), the control device can cause the plurality of devices to execute a series of operations, and execute the series of operations. For a plurality of devices to be operated, operation sequence storage means for storing operation sequence information including an operation sequence of the devices and operation contents to be instructed to the devices, and operation sequence information stored in the operation sequence storage means, Based on the device control means for controlling a plurality of devices and the operation sequence information stored in the operation sequence storage means, the name and name of each device are displayed on the image display surface. Operation sequence display means for displaying an operation sequence in which the operation contents are arranged in the operation order, an operation sequence editing means for editing the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface, and And an operation sequence rewriting means for rewriting operation sequence information stored in the operation sequence storage means. 2. The operation sequence editing means is capable of changing the operated device on the image display surface according to an operation of selecting an operation content of one device from the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface. An operation menu display means for displaying one or more operation contents; and an operation sequence storage means for the operated device in response to an operation of selecting one from one or a plurality of operation contents displayed by the operation menu display means. An operation content changing means for changing the stored operation content to the selected operation content; and an image display surface in response to an operation of selecting a name of one device from the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface. Device menu display means for displaying the names of one or a plurality of changeable devices; and Device name changing means for changing the device name stored in the operation sequence storage means for the operated device to the selected device name in response to an operation of selecting one from one or a plurality of device names; According to the operation of the input device, a new device is added to an arbitrary sequence position of the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface, or a device addition / deletion of a device at an arbitrary sequence position is performed.
2. The audio / video control system according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit. 3. The device addition / deletion means includes an insertion key to be operated when a new device is added at an arbitrary order position in the operation sequence displayed on the image display surface, and an insertion key displayed on the image display surface. Key display means for displaying a delete key to be operated when adding a device to be deleted in an arbitrary order position of an operation sequence; and a designation sequence of an operation sequence displayed on an image display surface in response to an operation of an insert key Add new equipment to the location,
Add / delete the device at the specified sequence position in the operation sequence displayed on the image display screen in response to the operation of the delete key.
3. The audio / video control system according to claim 2, further comprising deletion control means.