JP2005286403A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television receiver capable of improving the degree of a freedom of combining a settop box and a monitor unit. <P>SOLUTION: The settop box includes a television broadcast receiving circuit, a video signal processing circuit, an audio signal processing circuit, an audio signal output circuit and a main CPU. The monitor unit includes a monitor, a driver of the monitor, and a sub-CPU. The main CPU in the settop box is provided with a means for communicating with the sub-CPU in the monitor unit in a state that the settop box is connected to the monitor unit to acquire information about specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit, and a means for controlling the video signal processing circuit on the basis of the acquired information so that a video signal is generated according to the specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a television receiver.

  In the future color television receivers, the number of models that support digital broadcasting will increase, and there are differences in scanning lines such as 408i / p, 720i / p, and 1080i / p, and more digital signal processing circuits. Becomes complicated. On the other hand, it can be said that flat panels such as PDPs and LCDs, which are advantageous for size / thinning, become mainstream as displays. In addition, in order to add value, the number of models equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD), a DVD recorder, or a communication device is expected to increase.

  When the digital signal processing circuit unit, the monitor unit, and the value-added unit are incorporated into a single television receiver, multiple types of televisions that support various combinations of the digital signal processing circuit unit, the monitor unit, and the value-added unit. It is necessary to prepare John receiver as a manufacturer. In this case, the user selects one model from the limited models. Such an integrated television receiver is not flexible in terms of function enhancement.

  By the way, there is a thing where a monitor part and a television broadcast receiver (set top box) are separated, but before it can be used in any combination of various types of monitor parts and various types of television broadcast receivers. Has not reached.

  The present invention relates to a television receiver composed of a set-top box for receiving a television broadcast and a monitor unit, and the television receiver capable of increasing the degree of freedom of the combination of the set-top box and the monitor unit. The purpose is to provide.

  In addition, the present invention can increase the degree of freedom of the combination of the set-top box and the monitor unit in a television receiver composed of a set-top box for receiving a television broadcast and a monitor unit, An object of the present invention is to provide a television receiver that facilitates connection between a set-top box and a monitor unit.

  The invention described in claim 1 includes a set top box and a monitor unit to which the set top box is electrically connected. The set top box includes a television broadcast receiving circuit, a video signal processing circuit, an audio signal processing circuit, An audio signal output circuit and a main CPU are included. The monitor unit includes a monitor, a monitor driver, and a sub CPU. The main CPU in the set top box is in a state where the set top box is connected to the monitor unit. Means for communicating with the sub CPU in the monitor unit to obtain information on the specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit, and based on the obtained information, a video signal corresponding to the specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit is generated. Means to control the video signal processing circuit And wherein the are.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the information relating to the specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit is information relating to the monitor type, monitor resolution and monitor size.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the set-top box and the monitor unit are detachable from a connector provided in the set-top box and a connector provided in the monitor unit. It is characterized by being electrically connected by being coupled to.

  According to the present invention, the degree of freedom of the combination of the set top box and the monitor unit can be increased.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom of the combination of the set top box and the monitor unit can be increased, and the connection between the set top box and the monitor unit is facilitated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[1] Description of Appearance of Television Receiver FIGS. 1 and 2 show the appearance of the television receiver.

  The television receiver includes a set top box (STB) 100 constituting a television broadcast receiver and a monitor unit 200 to which the STB 100 is connected.

  A connector 201 for connecting the STB 100 is provided on the lower front surface of the monitor unit 200. A connector 101 for connecting the monitor unit 200 is provided on the rear surface of the STB 100. These connectors 101 and 201 can be detachably connected to each other. When both connectors 101 and 201 are connected, the STB 100 and the monitor unit 200 are electrically connected.

[2] Description of Configuration of Television Receiver FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the television receiver.

  The STB 100 includes television broadcast receiving circuits 2 and 4, video signal processing circuits 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, an audio signal processing circuit 12, an audio signal output circuit 13 and a main CPU 11.

  The monitor unit 200 includes a flat panel display (monitor) 24, its drivers (H driver 22 and V driver 23), a driver control unit 21, a sub CPU 20, and a power supply unit 25.

[2-1] Description of Configuration of STB 100 A terrestrial digital signal and a BS digital signal are received by the antenna 1, demodulated by the digital unit 2, and then input to the AV switching circuit 5. The analog terrestrial wave is received by the antenna 3, converted into a video signal by the tuner IF unit 4, and then input to the AV switching circuit 5. An external input signal input from the external input terminal 17 is directly input to the AV switching circuit 5.

  The Video signal output from the AV switching circuit 5 is separated into a luminance signal (Y) and a chroma signal (C) by the Y / C separation circuit 6. The luminance signal (Y) and chroma signal (C) obtained by the Y / C separation circuit 6 are input to the video decoder 7 and converted into a luminance signal (Y) and color difference signals (Cb, Cr). The luminance signal (Y) and the color difference signals (Cb, Cr) obtained by the video decoder 7 are sent to the SCAN converter 9 after being subjected to progressive conversion by the I / P conversion circuit 8. As will be described later, the SCAN converter 9 scans and converts the input video signal based on information from the monitor unit 200 (specifications of the monitor 24 (information on the monitor format, monitor resolution, monitor size)). The video signal is converted into a video signal according to the specifications of the monitor 24 in the monitor unit 200.

  The video signal obtained by the SCAN converter 9 is subjected to various video adjustments by the image control circuit 10 and then output as an R, G, B digital signal (for example, 10 bits each).

  On the other hand, the Audio signal output from the AV switching circuit 5 is controlled by the Audio control circuit 12, amplified by the Audio amplifier circuit 13, and then sent to the speaker 14.

  Each circuit in the STB 100 is controlled by the main CPU 11. A sub power supply unit 16 is provided in the STB 100. The sub power supply unit 16 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 25 in the monitor unit 200. The sub power supply unit 16 generates power necessary for each circuit in the STB 100 and supplies the power to each circuit. Further, the STB 100 is provided with a power switch 15, and when the power switch 15 is operated, the power on / off of the television receiver including the STB 100 and the monitor unit 200 is controlled.

  As the STB model, in addition to the above-described circuit, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, an STB equipped with a value-added unit 31 such as a hard disk or a DVD, or an extended function unit 32 such as a memory card or communication can be used. And those having both the value-added unit 31 and the extended function unit 32.

[2-2] Description of Configuration of Monitor Unit 200 R, G, B signals from the image control circuit 10 in the STB 100 are input to the driver control 21. By controlling the H driver 22 and the V driver 23 by the driver control 21, an image is displayed on the flat panel display 24.

  When the power plug 26 is plugged into a household power outlet, the power supply unit 25 generates a power supply of a necessary voltage, and power is supplied to each circuit in the monitor unit 200 and the sub power supply unit 16 in the STB 100. Is supplied with power.

  Each circuit in the monitor unit 200 is controlled by the sub CPU 20 based on the control from the main CPU 11.

[3] Description of connection between STB 100 and monitor unit 200 As described above, STB 100 and monitor unit 200 are electrically connected by connecting connectors 101 and 201 together.

  In this embodiment, the connector 101 and the connector 201 are directly connected, but the connector 101 and the connector 201 may be connected via an electric wire.

  When the connector 101 and the connector 201 are connected, the sub power supply unit 16 in the STB 100 and the power supply unit 25 in the monitor unit 200 are connected to each other via the connectors 101 and 201 and the power supply lines L11 and L21. Further, the main CPU 11 in the STB 100 and the sub CPU 20 in the monitor unit 200 are connected to each other via connectors 101 and 201 and control lines L12 and L22. The image control circuit 10 in the STB 100 and the driver control 21 in the monitor unit 200 are connected to each other via connectors 101 and 201 and signal lines L13 and L23.

  Signals transmitted between the main CPU 11 and the sub CPU 20 include serial data <SDA>, serial clock <SCL>, status <STATUS>, acknowledge <ACK>, and the like. Specifically, the main CPU 11 in the STB 100 communicates with the sub CPU 20 in the monitor unit 200 when the power is turned on, so that the format of the monitor 24 used in the monitor unit 200 (NORMAL <4: 3> orWIDE). <16: 9>), monitor resolution (VGA, XGA, QVGA, SXGA, etc.) and monitor size (15 inches, 17 inches, 21 inches, etc.) are acquired from the sub CPU 20.

  Then, the main CPU 11 in the STB 100 performs the SCAN converter 9 so as to perform video signal processing with settings suitable for the specifications of the monitor 24 in the monitor unit 200 connected thereto (monitor type, monitor resolution, monitor size). The video signal processing circuit is controlled. Therefore, since the video signal output from the STB 100 can be matched with the specification of the monitor 24 in the monitor unit 200 connected thereto, the user can be aware of the STB 100 and the monitor unit without being aware of the setting according to the monitor specification. 200 can be connected.

  The monitor display state (ON, OFF, SAVE mode, etc.) may be sent from the sub CPU 20 in the monitor unit 200 to the main CPU 11 in the STB 100. Further, the main CPU 11 in the STB 100 changes the power load information on the STB 100 side, the monitor image adjustment content (brightness, contrast, color, tint, white balance, etc.), the monitor color (16 bit, 24 bit, 32 bit, etc.) may be sent.

  According to the above embodiment, the degree of freedom of the combination of the set top box and the monitor unit can be increased. Further, according to this embodiment, the connection between the set top box and the monitor unit is facilitated.

It is a perspective view which shows the front side of a television receiver. It is a side view of a television receiver. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a television receiver.

Explanation of symbols

2 Digital unit 4 Tuner IF section 5 AV switching circuit 6 Y / C separation circuit 7 Video decoder 8 I / P conversion circuit 9 SCAN converter 10 Image control circuit 11 Main CPU
12 Audio control circuit 13 Audio amplifier circuit 20 Sub CPU
21 Driver Control 22 H Driver 23 V Driver 24 Flat Panel Display (Monitor)
100 STB
101 Connector 200 Monitor unit 201 Connector

Claims (3)

The set-top box includes a monitor unit to which the set-top box is electrically connected. The set-top box includes a television broadcast receiving circuit, a video signal processing circuit, an audio signal processing circuit, an audio signal output circuit, and a main CPU. The monitor unit includes a monitor, a monitor driver, and a sub CPU. The main CPU in the set top box communicates with the sub CPU in the monitor unit when the set top box is connected to the monitor unit. To obtain information on the specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit, and based on the acquired information, control the video signal processing circuit so that a video signal corresponding to the monitor specifications in the monitor unit is generated Characterized by having means for Revision receiver. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the specifications of the monitor in the monitor unit is information related to a monitor type, a monitor resolution, and a monitor size. The set-top box and the monitor unit are electrically connected by detachably coupling a connector provided in the set-top box and a connector provided in the monitor unit. The television receiver according to 1 to 2.

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