JPH11110330A - AV / PC system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily add and remove the desired electronic equipment while reducing the number of parts by making digital, signals, which are inputted/ outputted from plural pieces of electronic equipment mounted in plural slots, processible by the same digital signal processing means. SOLUTION: A media processor 11 enables the digital signal processing required for various kinds of digital equipment. The media processor 11 performs the digital signal processing corresponding to the digital signal inputted from the connector of each extension slot 17 through an extension bus Eb and outputs a composite video signal for TV display, AC-3 digital signal and audio signal. Image signals or still image signals in the middle of processing at the media processor 11 are temporarily written in a local memory 13. Each extension slot 17 at a slot part 15 is provided with a guide member for guiding and holding the inserted digital equipment and a connector connected with the connector of the digital equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to electronic devices, such as CDs,
AV / PC that can be used by attaching and detaching multiple devices such as MD, DVD player and digital CS tuner
About the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of audio devices, video devices, and AV (Audio Visual) devices, televisions, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as "digital devices") having digital signal processing means have been developed. ing. For example, as audio devices, there are a so-called CD radio cassette player and a CD component stereo having a radio tuner, a CD (Compact Disk) player and a cassette deck. ing.

[0003] However, in order to add an MD drive to a conventional CD component stereo, a new MD player must be purchased. This MD player
MD drive, pickup (magnetic head), digital signal processing circuit for recording and reproduction, input / output circuit, etc.
A component that functions as an MD player by itself is provided.
The MD player uses a digital signal processing circuit and power supply,
It has components that also have a D component stereo.

As described above, when a recording medium and transmission means of a new standard are developed, the conventional audio device and video device are manufactured based on the new standard and output signals usable by the conventional device. There is a need for electronic components, circuits, and power supplies that can be shared with other devices, such as a circuit to perform. In addition, since these are housed in the decorative housing, there is a problem that they are expensive and bulky. In addition, to connect a new device to the legacy device, purchase multiple cables,
There is a problem that these cables must be routed, and the connection is complicated and difficult.

In recent years, personal computers (personal computers, personal computers) called multimedia personal computers and the like capable of receiving television broadcasts, editing videos, and performing DVDs have been known. However, the sound quality of a conventional multimedia personal computer is inferior to that of an audio device, and the image is inferior to a conventional television due to the size of a screen. For this reason, in the home, it is common for the family to relax most, for example, to place the television in the living room at an easy-to-view position, and to install the personal computer in one corner of the living room or in another room.

[0006] Even if a multimedia device is mounted on an expansion slot, an expansion bay, or the like in a conventional PC, the OS
Hardware and driver software were required.
Furthermore, there is a problem that the PC takes 1-2 minutes to start up and is considerably waited before it can be used.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an AV / PC system in which a multimedia device such as a new AV device can be easily added. Aim.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising: a plurality of slots into which electronic devices can be attached and detached; control means for controlling each of the electronic devices mounted in the slots; And a common digital signal processing means for processing the output digital signal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage device includes a storage unit in which data for driving and controlling the electronic device mounted in the slot is stored, and the control unit performs a corresponding operation based on the data read from the storage unit. Drives and controls electronic devices. The control means and the digital signal processing means can use a media processor. According to the present invention, there is provided operating means for selecting and operating an electronic device mounted in the slot. As this operation means, a keypad capable of performing infrared communication with the control means can be applied. Also,
The electronic devices of the present invention include digital devices that perform digital signal processing, such as optical disk players, magneto-optical disk players, magnetic disk players, tuners, and modems.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of an AV / PC system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a media processor 11, an optical disk (CD) drive, a magneto-optical disk (MO disk (Magnetic Opt
a disk unit, a DVD (Digital Video Disk), MD) drive, a magnetic disk drive, a slot unit 15 having a plurality of expansion slots 17 in which digital devices such as a TV, a BS, and a CS tuner can be detached, and a media processor 11. One of the features is that a CPU 23 for controlling the operation of the electronic device mounted in the slot 15 is provided.

The media processor 11 is a processor capable of performing digital signal processing required for various digital devices. For example, mounted on a DVD player,
MPEG2, AC-3 which is an image and audio compression technology, or closed caption, multi-angle, Pan scan, and A which is an audio compression technology mounted on a player
TRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding)
MPEG audio, QPSK, 16QAM, DAB (Digital Audio)
A processor capable of executing a wide variety of digital signal processing technologies such as FFT used in Broadcasting, 2D / 3D graphics used in Internet connection, and modem. As a multimedia processor having such a function, for example, there is a multimedia processor sold by Chromatic Inc. in the United States under the trade name MPACT.

The above-described digital signal processing technology is an example, and is applicable to other digital signal processing technologies. Commands required for these digital signal processings are stored in the program storage memory 19.

The media processor 11 performs digital signal processing according to a digital signal input from the connector of each expansion slot 17 via the expansion bus Eb, and outputs a composite video signal for TV display, an AC-3 digital signal, audio Output a signal. Note that an S video signal, an RGB signal, a synchronization signal, or the like may be output instead of or in addition to the composite video signal. Image signals, still image signals, and the like that are being processed by the media processor 11 are temporarily written to the local memory 13.

Each expansion slot 17 of the slot 15 is
Although not shown in detail, it includes a guide member for guiding and holding the inserted digital device, and a connector connected to a connector of the digital device. Although a power supply is not disclosed in FIG. 1, the power supply includes a power supply for supplying drive power to each electronic component of the AV / PC system and a drive power for a digital device mounted in the expansion slot 17.
It is supplied through some terminals of the connector.

On the other hand, the digital device mounted in the expansion slot 17 is formed so as to conform to the shape of the expansion slot 17, the position and shape of the connector, and the like. Further, the digital device includes an input / output circuit capable of transmitting and receiving digital signals and operation commands via the extension bus Eb.

Further, a program storage medium 19 is connected to the extension bus Eb. The program storage medium 19 stores a program for controlling the operation and digital signal processing of the digital device mounted on the slot unit 15 by the media processor 11. The program storage medium 19 includes cigarette smoke and dust,
A high-stability, high-speed accessible, readable and writable storage medium, such as a flash memory, which can withstand vibration is suitable.

The extension bus Eb is connected to the bus interface 2
1 and the internal bus Ib. The internal bus Ib has a built-in CPU 23, a keypad I / F 25 capable of infrared communication as an interface for inputting operation signals of the controller, an I / O 27 as input / output means for peripheral devices, and a storage means. Main memory 29 and boot ROM 31 are connected.

The CPU 23 is a control means for receiving the operation signal from the controller and controlling the operation of the entire AV / PC system. Programs necessary for the operation of the CPU 23 are stored in the boot ROM 31. Boot R
By storing the program in the OM 31, the time from when the power is turned on to when the activation is completed is greatly reduced.

The keypad I / F 25 has a slot 1
A keypad 33 is connected as a remote controller for operating the digital device mounted on the digital camera 5 (see FIG. 2). When receiving the selection signal and the operation signal of the digital device from the keypad 33, the CPU 23 communicates a command for causing the selected digital device to perform an operation according to the operation signal to the media processor 11. The media processor 11 controls the digital device according to the command, and converts the digital signal input from the digital device into a composite video signal, an analog audio signal, or an A / V signal.
The signal is converted into a C-3 digital audio signal and output.
In this embodiment, the communication between the keypad 33 and the keypad I / F 25 is performed by infrared rays. However, electromagnetic waves or cables may be used, but cordless operation by infrared rays or the like has better operability.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an AV apparatus constructed by the AV / PC system of the present invention. This AV /
The PC system 51 includes four expansion slots 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D on the front surface of the housing, and also includes the expansion slots 17 on the side surface or the rear surface of the housing (not shown). Terrestrial tuners and satellite (BS, CS) tuners are mounted in side or rear slots. DVD drive 4 that requires storage media to be inserted and removed
1. The MD drive 43 has a front expansion slot 17C,
17D.

Video output of AV / PC system 51, AC
-3 digital output or analog audio output respectively
The video input of the monitor TV 53 and the digital input or analog input of the AV amplifier 55 are connected. The AV amplifier 55 includes left and right front speakers 57 and 58, left and right rear speakers 59 and 60, and a center speaker 61.
Then, the subwoofer 62 is driven to reproduce a sound field full of a sense of reality.

On / off of the power of the AV / PC system 51, selection of a television, a DVD, an MD, a television, selection of a television channel, audio volume, reproduction, recording, and the like are performed by key operations of the keypad 33. The keypad 33 sends out an infrared signal according to the operated key, the AV / PC system 51 receives this infrared signal at the keypad I / F 25, and the CPU 23 mounts it in the expansion slot 17 according to the received signal. The operated digital device and the media processor 11 are operated.

A display for identifying a device operable by key operation of the keypad 33, for example, a display means for displaying a device name, a device diagram, an icon, a slot number, or the like is provided by the keypad 33 or the AV / PC system 51. , The operability is further improved.

In the illustrated embodiment, the keypad 33 is used as an operating means by which the user operates the AV / PC system 51, but a keyboard can also be used.

Electronic equipment in the illustrated embodiment, for example, D
The VD drive includes a DVD disk loading and rotation drive device, a pickup and its tracking device, an electronic circuit for driving these devices, a digital signal processing circuit for processing a digital signal written on a recording medium and read from the recording medium, and an AV / PC. System 51
DVD, such as an interface that exchanges signals with the
It has mechanical, optical and electrical components and members unique to the player.

The AV / PC system 51 of the embodiment shown
Since there are two empty expansion slots 17A and 17B, two more digital devices can be added. Of course, DVD
The drive 41 and the MD drive 43 can be removed, or can be removed and another digital device can be attached.

As means for identifying and controlling the operation of the digital device mounted in the expansion slot 17, a control device is mounted on the digital device, and an operation signal is sent from the AV / PC system 51 to the control device to transmit the operation signal to the digital device. Is controlled by the control means. As another form, digital devices do not have control means but only memory,
In this memory, data necessary for identification of digital equipment, data on functions and data for operation are written,
There is a form in which the AV / PC system 51 reads these data and causes the media processor 11 to control the operation of the digital device. In addition, a form in which data for operating and operating the DVD player is written in the memory of the AV / PC system 51, for example, the program storage medium 19 is also possible.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the DV /
Since these digital devices can be used only by inserting digital devices such as the D drive 41 and the MD drive 43, the digital devices can be selected and purchased according to the user's preference. Even if a new digital device is developed, the drive control of the digital device can be easily handled by changing the data stored in the program storage medium 19 or the program. If data and programs related to drive control are stored in the digital device,
Since the / PC system 51 itself does not need to be changed, it becomes more convenient.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description, the invention according to claim 1 can process digital signals input / output from a plurality of electronic devices mounted on a plurality of slots by the same digital signal processing means. In addition, the number of parts is reduced, desired electronic devices can be easily added and removed, and even if a plurality of electronic devices are mounted, the overall size is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an embodiment of an AV / PC system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an AV system constructed by the AV / PC system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Media Processor 15 Slot 17 Expansion Slot 17A 17B 17C 17D Expansion Slot 19 Program Storage Medium 23 CPU 33 Keypad 41 DVD Drive 43 MD Drive 51 AV / PC System

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of slots to which an electronic device can be attached and detached, control means for controlling each electronic device mounted in the slot, and a common digital signal processing for processing digital signals input / output from each electronic device. AV / PC system comprising: 2. A storage device in which data for driving and controlling an electronic device mounted in the slot is stored.
2. The AV / PC system according to claim 1, wherein said control means drives and controls a corresponding electronic device based on the data read from said storage means. 3. The AV / PC system according to claim 1, wherein said control means and digital signal processing means are media processors. 4. The AV / PC system according to claim 3, wherein said media processor has a conversion function of converting an input digital signal into a composite video signal, an analog audio signal, or digital audio. 5. An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for selecting and operating an electronic device mounted in said slot.
An AV / PC system according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The AV / PC system according to claim 5, wherein said operation means is a keypad capable of performing infrared communication with said control means. 7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a digital device that performs digital signal processing, such as an optical disk player, a magneto-optical disk player, a magnetic disk player, a tuner, and a modem. An AV / PC system according to claim 1.