JP2000278298A - Display system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: The present invention selects a display device according to the characteristics of display contents in a display system in which a plurality of devices having a display function are connected by a network such as an IEEE 1394 bus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display system capable of constantly and correctly displaying various devices having a display function. A personal computer (PC) 13 displays program information (contents) on a digital television (DTV) 12 and displays program guide information on the digital television (DTV) 12 in parallel with the program information. Is selected in the program guide information, the selected content is reflected on the program display of the digital television (DTV) 12. Further, at this time, when the power of the personal computer (PC) 13 is off, the power is automatically turned on and the personal computer (PC) 13 is turned off.
Is started to acquire and display the program guide information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display system in which a plurality of display devices are connected by a network constituted by, for example, an IEEE 1394 bus or a dedicated bus.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlaced display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a display system in which a plurality of devices including a mere progressive display device and a progressive display device designed to display interlaced moving pictures beautifully are connected via a network.

[0004] Further, the present invention relates to a method for providing display information between an information providing device such as a set-top box or a video information reproducing device, a receiver such as a digital television, and a personal computer having a display device. And a display system for displaying information provided by the information providing device on a receiver and a display device by connecting the devices via a network.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art As a digital interface that is inexpensive, high-speed, and suitable for real-time transfer, an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus interface specified by the IEEE has recently been receiving attention. This IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus interface is a hardware and software standard for 100M / 200M and 400Mbps data transfer. The bus interface also has a distinctive function for plug-and-play and multimedia data transfer, securing a band for transferring data such as video and audio, and a function for real-time transfer ( Isochronous data transfer)
have. With these functions, it is expected that computer devices and home AV devices can be easily connected and those devices can be used organically.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, moving image data shot by a digital camera 83 is displayed on a television (TV) 82 or a personal computer (PC) 84 via an IEEE 1394 bus 80a to 80c, By controlling the digital camera 83 from the (PC) 84, it is possible to display the output video and to display the program received by the set-top box (STB) 81 on the television (TV) 82.

The protocol for audiovisual data passing through the IEEE 1394 bus is IEC61883.
Stipulated. The control protocol is FC
P (Function Control Protocol) is defined,
Among them, there is an AV / C command as a control command for AV equipment for general consumers.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of an FCP frame.
0 shows the structure of the AV / C command.

The AV device can be controlled using the AV / C command. For example, the digital camera 8 shown in FIG.
Playback and stop for the personal computer (P
C) Can be controlled from 84. Further, the program information received by the set-top box (STB) 81 can be displayed on a television (TV) 82 by using an AV / C descriptor descriptor. What is a descriptor?
It is a type of C command and describes program information in a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. By exchanging this information, each device can obtain information on the program being received.

An AV device having a display information providing function connected by the above-mentioned IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus interface can freely select a device to be displayed. At this time, the display program can be transmitted to and displayed on any selected display device. At this time, not only program information obtained by broadcast reception but also information reproduced by a recording / reproduction device, for example, can be transmitted to a display device and displayed.

However, in the above system configuration, the following problems occur because of the above-mentioned functions. That is, in the system configuration described above, the device to be displayed can be arbitrarily selected regardless of the characteristics of the device to be displayed and the characteristics of the information to be displayed. Thus, in the above system, in a system configuration in which a television and a personal computer are connected via an IEEE 1394 bus, character information may be transmitted to the television and an interlaced moving image may be transmitted to the personal computer.

In such a case, an interlaced moving image is displayed on the display unit of the personal computer, and non-interlaced character information and the like are displayed on the television. Therefore, each display flickers and a correct display is not performed. The inconvenient problem occurs.

Further, despite the existence of a plurality of display devices such as a television and a personal computer, program information and program contents (contents) are selectively switched and displayed on the television. The inconvenience of not being able to see information at the same time occurs,
There is also a problem that the display device in the system connected by the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus interface is not effectively used.

[0014]

As described above, conventionally, in a system in which a plurality of devices having a display function are connected by an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus interface, the characteristics of the devices to be displayed and the characteristics of the contents to be displayed are limited. Regardless of the selection of the device to be displayed, for example, when the television is connected to a personal computer, the character information is sent to the television and the display flickers when the interlaced video is sent to the personal computer. For example, there is a problem that a state where correct display is not performed occurs. In addition, despite the fact that there are a plurality of display devices such as a television and a personal computer, program information and a program content image are selectively displayed on the television, so that it is not possible to view two pieces of information at the same time. Occurs, IEEE13
There is also a problem that the display device in the system connected by the 94 high-speed serial bus interface is not effectively used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
In a display system in which a plurality of devices having a display function are connected by a network constituted by, for example, an IEEE 1394 bus or a dedicated bus, a display device has a function of selecting a display device according to characteristics of display contents. An object of the present invention is to provide a display system that can always perform stable and correct display for various devices having functions.

Further, according to the present invention, in a display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlace display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network, each display information of an interlace display or a progressive display is displayed. An object of the present invention is to provide a display system capable of always performing stable and correct display by having a function of displaying on a display device suitable for each.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for providing display information, such as a set-top box or a video information reproducing apparatus, a digital television or the like, and a personal computer having a display device. In a display system for displaying information provided by the information providing device on a receiver and a display device, displaying a program guide (program guide) on a display device of a personal computer, and displaying program contents. A display system that has a display information selection function to be displayed on the receiver, so that a stable and correct display can always be performed, and that the program guide and the program contents can be viewed simultaneously in parallel, thereby greatly improving the operability such as program selection. The purpose is to provide.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned functions, the present invention has a function of automatically turning on the power when the display device to be displayed is in the power-off state and performing the display operation, so that the operation burden on the user is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display system that can always perform stable and correct display by reducing the number of images.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is characterized in that it has a function of selecting an appropriate display device according to the display characteristics of display information.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a display selection function is provided in which, when the information to be displayed is character information, the information is displayed on a personal computer, and when the information is moving image information, the information is displayed on a receiver. I do.

Further, according to the present invention, when the information to be displayed is progressive display information, the information is displayed on a display device of a personal computer, and when the information is interlaced display information, the information is displayed on a receiver. A display selection function of Further, at this time, when the personal computer is in a power-off state, the personal computer is provided with a function of automatically turning on the power and performing a display operation.

That is, the present invention provides a display function of a plurality of display devices on a network configured using, for example, an IEEE 1394 bus or a dedicated bus, or a transmission line formed by a combination of an optical communication unit and an IEEE 1394 bus or a dedicated bus. In a display system including a plurality of devices connected to each other, at least one device connected to the network is provided with characteristics of information to be displayed (for example, NTSC).
/ PAL or a display method such as presence or absence of interlace, a scanning method such as the number of scanning lines, or a display content such as a moving image / character, or an information type such as program information / program guide). Means for selecting a display device according to the selected characteristic, wherein the selected display device displays the information to be displayed.

According to the present invention, in a display system in which a plurality of display devices are connected via a network, at least one device connected to the network recognizes characteristics of information to be displayed. Means for selecting a display device according to the recognized characteristics, means for determining whether the selected display device is in a power-on state, and the selected display device in the determination means Means for switching the display device to a power-on state when it is determined that the display device is in a power-off state, wherein the selected display device displays the information to be displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlaced display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network, wherein at least one device connected to the network includes a display object. Means for determining whether the information is information suitable for interlaced display (eg, interlaced video) or information suitable for progressive display (eg, character information or still image information including characters) from the information content And means for selecting a display device according to the determination, wherein the selected display device displays the information to be displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlaced display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network, wherein at least one device connected to the network includes a display object. Means for determining whether the information is information suitable for interlace display or information suitable for progressive display from information content to be obtained, means for selecting a display device according to the determination, and the selected display device Means for determining whether or not the display device is in a power-on state, and means for switching the display device to a power-on state when the determination unit determines that the selected display device is in a power-off state. And the selected display device displays the information to be displayed.

The present invention also relates to an information providing device for providing display information such as a set-top box or a video information reproducing device, a receiver such as a digital television, and a computer having a display device. In a display system connected by a network, the receiver acquires program guide information from the information providing device, and displays the program guide information in a state where a program name can be designated; Means for acquiring program information according to the program name from the information providing device and displaying the program information in place of the program guide information when the program name is designated from the program guide information, Means for sending a program guide information acquisition request, wherein the computer, when receiving a program guide information acquisition request from the receiver, It acquires program guide information from the distribution providing device, characterized by comprising and means for displaying the program guide information with the possible state program name.

With the display system configuration having the above functions, a plurality of pieces of information can be viewed simultaneously and in parallel by effectively utilizing a plurality of devices and devices having a display function.
A system with good operability can be constructed. Also,
Even if the device for which you want to display information is powered off, the device can be turned on and the device can automatically start up and perform display operations, making more effective use of multiple devices and devices with display functions Thus, a plurality of pieces of information can be viewed simultaneously in parallel, and a system with better operability can be constructed.

[0028]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display system according to the present invention. Here, a set-top box (STB) 11 for receiving a digital broadcast and a signal received by the set-top box (STB) 11 are shown. A digital television (DTV) 12 for displaying the obtained information;
A personal computer (PC) 13 having a display device (DISP) 14 such as an LCD and a CRT is connected via IEEE1394 high-speed serial buses 21a and 21b, respectively.

The digital television (DT)
The V) 12 and the personal computer (PC) 13 are provided with an interface control unit (IP) having processing functions as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a digital television (DTV) 12 is provided with an interface control unit (IP) having a processing function as shown in FIG. An interface control unit (IP) having a processing function as shown in FIG. 4 is provided.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the set-top box (ST
B) Among the program guide information (menus, guides, etc.) serving as sub-pictures and the program information (contents) serving as main pictures obtained from 11, the program guide information is displayed on the display device (DISP) of the personal computer (PC) 13. 14 shows an example in which program information (contents) is displayed on a digital television (DTV) 12. Also, here
When program guide information is to be displayed on the personal computer (PC) 13, the personal computer (P
C) When 13 is in the power-off state, the operation will be described including the function of turning on the power by automatic control.

The program guide information obtained from the set-top box (STB) 11 which has received the digital broadcast is displayed on a display device (D) of a personal computer (PC) 13.
When displaying the program information (contents) on the digital television (DTV) 12 by displaying the program information (contents) on the digital television (DTV) 12, the digital television (DTV) 12 first receives the information (content) received by the set-top box (STB) 11 via the antenna. The program guide information is acquired from the broadcast program (step S11 in FIG. 2), and the program guide information is displayed, for example, in a selectable list format (step S12 in FIG. 2).

Here, when a certain program name is selected by the user's selection operation (step S13 in FIG. 2), the digital television (DTV) 12 displays the selected program name on the set-top box (STB) 11. A program acquisition request is transmitted (step S14 in FIG. 2), and program information (content) according to the selected program name is acquired from the set-top box (STB) 11 (step S15 in FIG. 2).
The program information (contents) is displayed (step S16 in FIG. 2).

Thus, the digital television (D
On the TV 12, instead of the program guide information (or the program guide information is switched to the reduced display), the program information serving as the main video is displayed.

Further, digital television (DTV)
12 sends a response request to the personal computer (PC) 13 via the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus 21b to determine whether the personal computer (PC) 13 is in a power-on state (step S1 in FIG. 2).
7).

Here, a personal computer (PC)
13 received a response from a personal computer (PC)
When it is confirmed that the power supply 13 is in the power-on state, a request to acquire program guide information is transmitted to the personal computer (PC) 13 (step S18 in FIG. 2).

The personal computer (PC) 1
No response from 3 and personal computer (PC) 1
When it is confirmed that the power supply 3 is in the power-off state, a power-on command is subsequently transmitted to the personal computer (PC) 13 (step S19 in FIG. 2), and then a request for acquiring program guide information is transmitted (FIG. 2). Step S18).

The processing on the personal computer (PC) 13 side in accordance with the power-on command is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The personal computer (PC) 13
In a system power-off state, when the interface control unit (IP) in the computer receives a power-on command (see step S19 in FIG. 2) from the digital television (DTV) 12, (step S31 in FIG. 3)
A power supply control section (PS; power supply) provided with a dedicated processor for controlling the system power supply of the computer is activated to turn on the system power supply (step S3 in FIG. 3).
2). Further, the interface controller (IP) of the personal computer (PC) 13 executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 after the activation of the personal computer (PC) 13 (step S33 in FIG. 3).

The process shown in FIG. 4 is for displaying program guide information in place of the digital television (DTV) 12. First, the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus 21 is displayed.
a, 21b to recognize the operation state of the device connected thereto (step S41 in FIG. 4),
It is determined whether a request to acquire program guide information has been sent from the TV 12 to the personal computer (PC) 13 (step S42 in FIG. 4), and after confirming that the acquisition request has been sent, Then, it is determined whether or not information can be obtained from the set-top box (STB) 11 (step S43 in FIG. 4).

Here, a set-top box (STB)
When it is determined that the information can be obtained from the STB 11, the program guide information is obtained from the set-top box (STB) 11 (step S44 in FIG. 4), and the program guide information is displayed on the display device (DISP) 14 (FIG. 4). FIG. 4 step S45).

Here, when a certain program name is selected by the user's selection operation (step S46 in FIG. 4), a program acquisition request for the selected program name is sent via the digital television (DTV) 12. Set Top Box (ST
B) Send to 11 (Step S47 in FIG. 4).

As a result, the digital television (D
The TV (TV) 12 recognizes that the personal computer (PC) 13 has selected the program name (step S2 in FIG. 2).
0), program information (contents) according to the selected program name is obtained from the set-top box (STB) 11 (step S15 in FIG. 2), and the program information (contents) is displayed (step S16 in FIG. 2).

As described above, the program information (content) serving as the main video is displayed on the digital television (DTV) 12.
Is displayed, and in parallel with this, the digital television (D
When the program guide information is displayed on the TV 12 and the program name is selected in the program guide information on the personal computer (PC) 13 side, the selected content is reflected on the program display on the digital television (DTV) 12. Is done. Further, at this time, when the system power of the personal computer (PC) 13 is off, the system power is automatically turned on, the personal computer (PC) 13 is started, and the program guide information is acquired and displayed. . It should be noted that the information transfer is realized by the description of the AV / C command shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. Whereas the first embodiment described above is an example in which the program guide information and the program information (content) are displayed simultaneously and in parallel, here, the text broadcast and the normal main video movie program are switched and displayed. In this case, an application example in which a progressive display program and an interlace display program are switched and displayed is shown.
Here, the operation will be described by taking as an example a case where a progressive display program and an interlace display program are switched and displayed.

At this time, the digital television (DT)
V) 12 is a set top box (STB) 11
(Step S51 in FIG. 5), and the program guide information is displayed, for example, in a selectable list format (step S52 in FIG. 5).

Here, when a certain program name is selected by the user's selection operation (step S53 in FIG. 5), the digital television (DTV) 12 displays the selected program name on the set-top box (STB) 11. A name acquisition request is sent (step S54 in FIG. 5), and the program is a progressive display program or an interlace display program (or a text broadcast program or a normal moving picture program).
Is recognized by predetermined program additional information (step S5 in FIG. 5).
54).

Here, when it is recognized that the program with the selected program name is an interlaced display program (or a normal moving picture program), the program information (content) is transmitted from the set top box (STB) 11. Acquire and display (Fig. 5
Steps S55 and S56).

When it is recognized that the program with the selected program name is a progressive display program (text broadcast program or still picture information), the personal computer (PC) 1 via the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus 21b.
3 sends a response request to the personal computer (P
C) It is determined whether or not 13 is in a power-on state (FIG. 5).
Step S57).

Here, a personal computer (PC)
13 received a response from a personal computer (PC)
When it is confirmed that the power supply 13 is in the power-on state, the selected progressive display program (text broadcast program or still image information) is subsequently displayed on the personal computer (PC) 13.
Is transmitted (step S58 in FIG. 5).

The personal computer (PC) 1
No response from 3 and personal computer (PC) 1
When it is confirmed that the power supply 3 is in the power-off state, a power-on command is subsequently sent to the personal computer (PC) 13 (step S59 in FIG. 5), and thereafter, the personal computer (PC) 13 is activated. After confirmation, a request to acquire the selected progressive display program (text broadcast program or still image information) is sent to the personal computer (PC) 13 (step S58 in FIG. 5).

After starting up the system, the personal computer (PC) 13 first recognizes the operating state of the devices connected via the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial buses 21a and 21b (step S61 in FIG. 6), and sets the set-top box ( It is determined whether or not information can be obtained from the STB) 11 (step S62 in FIG. 6).

Here, a set-top box (STB)
If it is determined that information can be obtained from the digital television (DTV) 12, it is determined whether a request to obtain the selected progressive display program (text broadcast program or still image information) has been received. (Step S63 in FIG. 6), confirming that the acquisition request has been received, and displaying the progressive display program (text broadcast program or still image information) of the selected program name from the set-top box (STB) 11. The program guide information is acquired (step S64 in FIG. 6), and the program guide information is displayed on the display device (DISP) 14 (step S65 in FIG. 6).

Also, when the system power is on,
When a request for acquiring the selected progressive display program is received from the digital television (DTV) 12, the set top box (STB) 11 transmits the progressive display program (character) of the selected program name according to the request. Broadcast program or still image information) (step S6 in FIG. 6).
4) The display device (DISP) 1 displays the program guide information.
4 (step S65 in FIG. 6).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the case where the text broadcast and the normal main video / moving picture program are switched and displayed,
When a progressive display program and an interlace display program are switched and displayed, an appropriate display device is always selected and displayed according to the characteristics of the information to be displayed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the third embodiment, when a moving image recorded on a medium is reproduced and displayed from a video information providing device such as a digital camera or a DVD capable of recording and reproducing which is expected to be commercialized in the future, An application example is shown in which additional recording information (character information such as menus and titles) of a recording information providing device is displayed on a personal computer, and recording content information (moving picture = main video) is simultaneously displayed on a digital television. I have.

Here, in the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, instead of the set-top box (STB) 11, a video information providing device such as a DVD capable of recording and reproducing is provided.

The personal computer (PC) 13
First, the IEEE1394 high-speed serial buses 21a and 21
It is determined whether or not a video information providing device is connected to “b” (step S71 in FIG. 7). If the device is connected, it is determined whether or not the media to be played back is loaded so as to be accessible (driveable). Judge (Step S7 in FIG. 7)
2).

Here, if it is confirmed that the medium to be reproduced is loaded so as to be drivable, drive control of the medium is performed, and moving picture guide information such as menus and title information recorded from the medium is first recorded. Is acquired (step S73 in FIG. 7), and the video guide information is displayed on the display device (DISP) 14 (step S7 in FIG. 7).
4).

When a certain title name is selected from the moving picture guide information displayed on the display device (DISP) 14 (step S75 in FIG. 7), a request for obtaining reproduction video information according to the selected title name is digitally issued. It is transmitted to the television (DTV) 12 (step S7 in FIG. 7).
6).

When the digital television (DTV) 12 receives a request for obtaining the reproduction video information from the personal computer (PC) 13, the digital television (DTV) 12 obtains the reproduction moving image information (main video) according to the request from the video information providing device and displays it.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when a moving picture recorded on a medium is reproduced and displayed from a video information providing apparatus such as a DVD capable of recording and reproduction, the recording information providing apparatus Recorded additional information (movie guide information such as menus and titles) can be displayed on a personal computer, and recorded content information (movie = main video) can be simultaneously displayed on a digital television.

As described above, by using the display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to effectively utilize a plurality of devices and devices having a display function and simultaneously view a plurality of pieces of information. And a system with good operability can be constructed. Also, even if the device for which information is to be displayed is turned off, the device can be turned on and the device can be automatically started and displayed, so that multiple devices and devices with a display function can be used more effectively. In this way, a plurality of pieces of information can be viewed simultaneously and in parallel, and a system with better operability can be constructed.

In each of the embodiments described above, the operation has been described by taking a basic system configuration as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a system configuration having three or more display functions, an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial The present invention can be easily applied to a configuration other than a bus, for example, a configuration using a dedicated bus or a transmission path formed by a combination of an optical communication unit and a metal interface.

[0066]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a display system in which a plurality of devices having a display function are connected by a network constituted by, for example, an IEEE 1394 bus or a dedicated bus, a display content is displayed. By providing a function of selecting a display device according to the characteristics of the display device, a display system capable of constantly and correctly displaying various devices having a display function can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in a display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlace display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network, each display information of the interlace display or the progressive display is displayed. On the other hand, a display system capable of always performing stable and correct display can be provided by having a function of displaying on a display device suitable for each.

According to the present invention, an information providing device for providing display information, such as a set-top box or a video information reproducing device, a receiver such as a digital television, and a personal computer having a display device are provided. Is connected by a network, and a program guide (program guide) is displayed on a display device of a personal computer in a display system for displaying information provided by the information providing device on a receiver and a display device. The display information selection function of displaying the contents on the receiver allows stable and correct display at all times, and the program guide and program contents can be viewed simultaneously in parallel, so that operability such as program selection can be significantly improved. A display system can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described functions, when a display device to be displayed is provided with a function of automatically turning on the power and performing a display operation when the display device is in a power-off state, the present invention is applied to the user. It is possible to provide a display system capable of always performing stable and correct display by reducing the operation burden.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration using an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus interface.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure of an FCP frame in IEEE1394.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an AV / C command structure of an FCP frame in IEEE1394.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an application example of an AV / C command in which program information is described in a hierarchical structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Set top box (STB) 12 ... Digital television (DTV) 13 ... Personal computer (PC) 14 ... Display device (DISP) 21a, 21b ... IEEE1394 high-speed serial bus

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A display system in which a plurality of display devices are connected via a network, wherein at least one device connected to the network recognizes characteristics of information to be displayed, and Means for selecting a display device according to characteristics, wherein the selected display device displays the information to be displayed. 2. A display system in which a plurality of display devices are connected via a network, wherein at least one device connected to the network recognizes a characteristic of information to be displayed, and Means for selecting a display device according to the characteristics; means for determining whether the selected display device is in a power-on state; and power-off state of the selected display device in the determination means. Means for switching the display device to a power-on state when it is determined that the display device is in the display state, wherein the selected display device displays the information to be displayed. 3. A display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlaced display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network, wherein at least one device connected to the network has information contents to be displayed. Means for determining whether the information is information suitable for interlaced display or information suitable for progressive display, and means for selecting a display device according to the determination, wherein the selected display device is A display system for displaying the information to be displayed. 4. In a display system in which a plurality of devices including an interlaced display device and a progressive display device are connected via a network, at least one device connected to the network has information contents to be displayed. Means for determining whether the information is suitable for interlaced display or information suitable for progressive display, means for selecting a display device according to the determination, and a state where the selected display device is powered on. Means for determining whether or not there is, comprising means for switching the display device to a power-on state when the determination unit determines that the selected display device is in a power-off state, A display system, wherein the selected display device displays the information to be displayed. 5. A display system in which an information providing device for providing display information, a receiver, and a computer having a display device are connected via a network, wherein the information receiver is provided on the receiver. Means for acquiring program guide information from the program guide information and displaying the program guide information in a state where the program name can be designated; and when the program name is designated from the displayed program guide information, the program information according to the program name is displayed. Means for acquiring from the information providing device and displaying the information instead of the program guide information; and means for sending a program guide information acquisition request to the computer in accordance with the switching of the display information. Receiving a request to acquire program guide information from the
Means for acquiring program guide information from the information providing device and displaying the program guide information in a state in which a program name can be specified. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein any of a display mode, a scanning mode, and a display content is recognized as a characteristic of the display information.
Or the display system according to 2. 7. The display system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a set-top box and a video information reproducing device is connected to the network. 8. An IEEE 1394 bus, a dedicated bus, or an optical communication unit and an IEEE 1394 bus.
6. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display system is configured by a combination with a bus or a dedicated bus. 9. A progressive display device includes character information,
5. The display system according to claim 3, wherein the still image information including characters is displayed.