JP2001255861A - Automatic video-signal input switching method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the switching of video signal inputs by automatically selecting an input terminal to which a video signal is inputted without being awaring to which input terminal the source of the input video signal is connected. SOLUTION: In a video display device 1, the switching order of input terminals 61 to 63 and signal input state information for respective input terminals are stored in a storage part 4 and when a switching request to a next input terminal is applied from an input device 3, a first retrieval means 51 retrieves the switching order of the storage part 4 and a second retrieval means 52 checks whether an input signal is present or not in the signal input state information of a corresponding next input terminal 62 based on the retrieved input terminal information and when the input signal is present in the information, the device executes a switching processing to the input terminal 62 and, moreover, when the input signal is not present, the means 52 retrieves the switching order of the storage part 4 and also retrieves the signal input state information of the next input terminal 63. Then, an input video signal monitoring means 53 monitors input video signals for every input terminal to updates signal input state information according to the result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video display device having a plurality of video signal input terminals to which a plurality of video signal sources can be connected, and detecting the presence or absence of a video signal for each video signal input terminal. The present invention relates to a video signal input automatic switching method and apparatus capable of displaying a video by automatically switching to an input terminal having a video signal input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a video display apparatus having a plurality of video signal input terminals, such as a personal computer and a video recorder, to which a plurality of video signal sources can be connected, various video signal sources are connected to the respective video signal input terminals. By switching the video signal input terminal, the video from the video signal source is displayed on the video display device.

[0003]

However, the conventional video signal input switching system as described above has the following problems. The first problem is that since it is possible to switch to an input terminal to which no video signal is input, it is necessary to know whether or not a video signal is supplied to each input terminal. That is, it cannot be switched. In addition, when a video display device having a plurality of video input terminals is installed in a conference room or the like, each of the plurality of users changes the connection status as necessary. It is difficult to grasp the connection status of each terminal. The second problem is that the response of the input switching changes depending on the connection status of the input terminals and decreases. This is because the presence or absence of a video signal at the next input terminal cannot be confirmed without actually performing the switching process, so it is necessary to determine the presence or absence of the video signal by sequentially switching the input terminals until an input terminal with a video signal is found Because it does not become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video signal source without a user being conscious of which input terminal the video signal source is connected to. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video signal input automatic switching method and apparatus capable of automatically selecting and switching an input terminal to which a video signal is input.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a video display apparatus having a plurality of input terminals to which a plurality of video signal sources can be connected. A video signal input automatic switching method for detecting the presence or absence of a video signal and automatically switching to an input terminal having a video signal input, wherein the switching order of the input terminals and signal input state information for each input terminal are stored. A switching unit stored in the storage unit in response to a switching request to a switching destination input terminal when displaying a video signal from any one input terminal to which the video signal source is connected. The input terminal information of the switching destination is searched based on the order, the signal input state information stored in the storage unit is searched based on the searched input terminal information, and there is an input signal at the switching destination input terminal. Judge When it is determined that there is an input signal to the switching destination input terminal and executes a process of switching to the switching destination input terminal.

According to the present invention, in a video display device having a plurality of input terminals to which a plurality of video signal sources can be connected, the presence or absence of a video signal is detected for each of the input terminals, and a video signal input is detected. A video signal input automatic switching device that automatically switches to a certain input terminal, wherein a storage unit storing a switching order of the input terminals and signal input state information for each input terminal is connected to the video signal source. In response to a switching request to a switching destination input terminal while displaying a video signal from any one input terminal, search for switching destination input terminal information based on the switching order stored in the storage unit. A first search unit that searches for the signal input state information stored in the storage unit based on the input terminal information searched by the first search unit, and determines whether there is an input signal at the switching destination input terminal. The second to determine A search means; and a video signal switching means for switching the video display device to the switching destination input terminal when the second searching means determines that there is an input signal at the switching destination input terminal. .

According to the video signal input automatic switching method and apparatus of the present invention, when a video signal from any one input terminal to which a video signal source is connected is displayed, a request for switching to a switching destination input terminal is received. The input terminal information of the switching destination is searched based on the switching order of the storage unit, and the signal input state information of the storage unit is searched based on the searched input terminal information. Is determined, and when it is determined that an input signal is present at the switching destination input terminal, switching is automatically performed to the switching destination input terminal. Thus, according to the present invention,
By automatically detecting the presence or absence of a video signal for each input terminal and not switching to an input terminal to which no video signal is being input, the user can connect a video signal source to any input terminal It is possible to automatically select and switch an input terminal to which a video signal is input, without being conscious of whether or not the input terminal is being used. According to the present invention, instead of detecting the presence or absence of a video signal at the time of an input switching request, by constantly monitoring the signal state of all input terminals or registering the video signal state of all input terminals in advance, The input switching response can be improved.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a video display device provided with a video signal input automatic switching device according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing video signal input automatic switching operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the operation at the time of automatic switching of the video signal input according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic switching of the video signal input according to the first embodiment of the present invention. is there.

The automatic video signal input switching device of the present invention will be described below with reference to these drawings, and at the same time, the automatic video signal input switching method of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image display device operated by program control, and reference numerals 21 and 22 denote personal computers and VIs.
A video signal source 3 such as a DEO device is an input device such as a remote controller and a keyboard.

The video display device 1 switches between a video signal input section 6 including input terminals 61, 62 and 63 for inputting video signals from various video signal sources, and a video signal supplied from the video signal input section 6. A video signal processing circuit 8 for a display video signal including a video signal switching circuit 81 for performing a video signal switching circuit 81 and a video signal detecting circuit 82 for detecting a video signal switched and selected by the video signal switching circuit 81; A display signal generator 9 for generating a display signal based on the supplied video signal, a video display unit 10 for displaying the display signal supplied from the display signal generator 9 as an image, and a video signal input unit 6 The video signal switching circuit 71 for switching and selecting the video signal to be output and monitoring the signal state for each input terminal, and the video signal switched and selected by the video signal switching circuit 71 A video signal processing unit 7 of the input terminal status monitoring, including a video signal detection circuit 72 for output or the like, a data processing unit 5 for performing various controls, a storage unit 4 for storing information.

The storage section 4 includes an input terminal switching information storage section 41 and a signal input state information storage section 42. The input terminal switching information storage unit 41 stores the switching order of the input terminals 61, 62, and 63 of the video signal input unit 6. The signal input state information storage section 42 stores the video signal input section 6
Are stored for each input terminal 61, 62, 63. The data processing unit 5 includes a first search unit 51, a second search unit 52, and an input video signal monitoring unit 53. The first search unit 51 uses the processing code (command) given from the input device 3 as a key to check the input terminal information of the switching destination based on the switching order stored in the input terminal switching information storage unit 41. Things. The second search means 52 uses the input terminal information searched by the first search means 51 as a key to store the signal input state information storage 42
Is checked, and if a video signal is supplied, the video signal switching circuit 81 of the video signal processing unit 8 is switched to a matching input terminal. If no video signal is supplied, the first
Is returned to the search means 51, and the next input terminal information is examined. The input video signal monitoring unit 53 is configured to output the video signal switching circuit 7 according to the input terminal switching information stored in the input terminal switching information storage unit 41.
1, and the supply state of the video signal for each input terminal is stored in the signal input state information storage section 42 based on the detection result of the video signal detection circuit 72.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The processing command given from the input device 3 is transmitted to the data processing unit 5
When the content of the processing request is a request for switching to the next input terminal, the analysis result is supplied to the first search means 51. The first search means 51 checks the input terminal of the next switching destination stored in the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 (step A1 in FIG. 2), and then determines whether there is a next input terminal (step A1). Step A2 in FIG. 2). Here, when it is determined that there is the next input terminal, the input terminal information of the switching destination is read from the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 and given to the second search means 52. The second search means 52 checks the video signal supply state information of the input terminal at the switching destination stored in the signal input state information storage unit 42 (step A in FIG. 2).
3) It is determined whether a video signal is supplied to the input terminal of the switching destination (step A4 in FIG. 2).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the input terminal at the start of switching is the input terminal 61, and the signal input state information is “input terminal 61 = signal present”, “input terminal 62 = no signal”, “input If it is assumed that "terminal 63 = signal present", the signal state of input terminal 62 is searched first, and then the signal state of input terminal 63 is searched. Thereby, the input terminal 63 having the corresponding video signal is obtained (step A in FIG. 2).
5). Then, the information of the input terminal 63 is supplied to the video signal switching circuit 81, and the video signal of the video signal source 22 connected to the input terminal 63 is supplied to the video display unit 10. In FIG. 2, if the next input terminal matches the input terminal at the start of processing in steps A2 and A3, it is determined that there is no next input terminal, and no video signal is supplied to the other input terminals. (Step A6). If it is determined in step A4 that the video signal is not supplied to the input terminal of the switching destination, the process returns to step A1 and executes the processing of step A1 and subsequent steps.

Next, the input video signal monitoring means 53 checks the input terminal of the next switching destination stored in the input terminal switching information storage section 41 (step B1 in FIG. 4). The video signal switching circuit 71 is switched to the obtained input terminal (step B2). Then, the state of the video signal supplied from the video signal detection circuit 72 is determined (step B3), the determination result is stored in the signal input state information storage unit 42, and the content is updated (step B3).
4). This operation is repeated while switching the input terminals.

Next, a specific example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, in the signal input state information storage unit 42, “input terminal 61 = with signal”, “input terminal 62 = no signal”, “input terminal 63”
= Signal present. It is assumed that, when the input terminal 61 is selected, a request for "switch to the next input" is given from the input device 3. Accordingly, the first signal is input.
Search means 51, the current input terminal "input terminal 61"
Using the as a key, the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 is checked.
An "input terminal 62" is obtained as the next input terminal (steps A1 and A2), and the search result is input to the second search means 52.
To supply. In the second search means 52, “input terminal 6
The signal input state information storage unit 42 is checked using 2 "as a key,
"No signal" is obtained (steps A3 and A4). Next, the first search unit 51 checks the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 using “input terminal 62” as a key, and finds “input terminal 6”.
3 "is obtained (steps A1 and A2). The search result is supplied to the second search means 52. The second search means 52 uses the" input terminal 63 "as a key to store the signal input state information storage section 42. Investigate and obtain "signal present" (step A3)
And A4). Then, the second search means 52 supplies the "input terminal 63" to the video signal switching circuit 81, and switches the input to the input terminal 63 of the video signal input unit 6 (step A5).

In the first embodiment as described above, the switching order of the input terminals 61, 62, 63 is stored in the input terminal switching information storage section 41, and each of the input terminals 61, 6
The signal input state (presence / absence of a video input signal) information is stored in the signal input state information storage unit 42, and, for example, the video signal from the input terminal 61 to which the video signal source 21 is connected is When a request for “switch to the next input terminal” is given from the input device 3 while displaying on the display unit 10, the first search unit 51 causes the input terminal switching information storage unit 4
The switching order stored in No. 1 is checked, and based on the input terminal information as the search result, the second search means 52 determines whether the signal input state information of the next input terminal 62 is “input signal present” or not. In the case of “input signal present”, a process of switching to the input terminal 62 is executed. In the case of “no input signal”, the switching order of the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 is examined, and further the next input terminal is checked. The signal input state information of 63 is checked. Hereinafter, this search processing is performed until a terminal of “input signal present” is found or the input terminal 61 becomes the input terminal 61 at the start of the input switching request.
The input video signal (horizontal / vertical synchronization signal, etc.) for each input terminal is monitored, and the signal input state information in the signal input state information storage unit 42 is updated.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment,
The presence / absence of a video signal for each of the input terminals 61, 62, 63 can be automatically detected, and switching to an input terminal to which no video signal is input is not performed. Even if the connection status is not grasped, only the video input terminal to which the video signal is actually supplied can be switched and used. Thus, the user can easily select the input terminal to which the video signal is input and perform the input switching operation without being conscious of which input terminal the video signal source is connected to. In addition, instead of detecting the presence or absence of a video signal at the time of an input switching request, the signal status of all input terminals is constantly monitored, or the video signal status of all input terminals is registered in advance. Can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a lock diagram showing the overall configuration of a video display device provided with a video signal input automatic switching device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a video signal input according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of automatic switching. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations will be omitted, and points different from FIG. 1 will be mainly described. The second embodiment differs from FIG. 1 in that the input terminal state monitoring video signal processing unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted, and the data processing unit 5 is connected to the first search unit 51 and the second search unit 51. It is configured to include a search unit 52 and an input video signal inspection unit 54. The first search means 51 of the data processing unit 5 and the second
The search means 52 of FIG. 1 functions in the same manner as shown in FIG. 1, and the input video signal monitoring means 54
The switching of the video signal switching circuit 81 is performed in accordance with the input terminal switching information stored in the storage unit 1, and the supply state of the video signal for each input terminal is stored based on the detection result of the video signal detection circuit 82. The configuration is such that it can be stored in the unit 42.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5, 2 and 6. The processing command given from the input device 3 is analyzed by the data processing unit 5, and if the content of the processing request is a request for switching to the next input terminal from the analysis result, the first
Is supplied to the search means 51. The first search means 51 checks the input terminal of the next switching destination stored in the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 (step A1 in FIG. 2), and then determines whether there is a next input terminal (step A1). Step A2 in FIG. 2). Here, when it is determined that there is a next input terminal, the input terminal information of the switching destination is read out from the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 and given to the second search means 52 (step A3). The second search means 52 checks the video signal supply state information of the input terminal of the switching destination stored in the signal input state information storage unit 42 (step A3 in FIG. 2), and outputs the video signal to the input terminal of the switching destination. (Step A4 in FIG. 2).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the input terminal at the start of switching is the input terminal 61, and the signal input state information is “input terminal 61 = signal present”, “input terminal 62 = no signal”, “input If it is assumed that "terminal 63 = signal present", first, the signal state of input terminal 62 is searched, and then input terminal 6
3 is searched. Thereby, the input terminal 63 having the corresponding video signal is obtained (step A in FIG. 2).
5). Then, the information of the input terminal 63 is supplied to the video signal switching circuit 81, and the video signal of the video signal source 22 connected to the input terminal 63 is supplied to the video display unit 10. Also in the second embodiment, if the next input terminal matches the input terminal at the start of the processing in steps A2 and A3 in FIG. 2, it is determined that there is no next input terminal.
It notifies that no video signal is supplied to the other input terminals (step A6).

Next, in the input video signal inspection means 54, when an update request for the signal input state information is received from the input device 3, for example, the input terminal of the next switching destination stored in the input terminal switching information storage section 41 is output. (Step C1 in FIG. 6), and switches the video signal switching circuit 81 to the input terminal obtained from the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 (Step C in FIG. 2).
2). Next, the state of the video signal supplied from the video signal detection circuit 82 is determined (step C3 in FIG. 2), and the determination result is stored in the signal input state information storage unit 42 (step C4 in FIG. 2). Next, it is determined whether the inspection of all the input terminals has been completed (step C5 in FIG. 2). If the inspection has not been completed, the above operation is performed on all the input terminals, and the signal input state is determined. The information storage unit 42 updates the signal input state information. When the connection of the video signal source is changed, the input device 3 issues a request for updating the signal input state information. Also, it is possible to update the signal input state information when the power of the video display device 1 is turned on. Also, by manually requesting the update of the signal input state information, FIG.
, The input terminal state monitoring video signal processing unit 7 can be omitted, and an inexpensive system can be provided.

Next, a specific example of switching in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, in the signal input state information storage unit 42,
“Input terminal 61 = with signal”, “input terminal 62 = without signal”, and “input terminal 63 = with signal” are stored.
It is assumed that when the input terminal 61 is selected, a request for “switch to the next input” is given from the input device 3.
In this state, the first search unit 51 checks the input terminal switching information storage unit 41 using the current input terminal “input terminal 61” as a key. As the next input terminal, “input terminal 6
2 "(steps A1 and A2) and supplies the search result to the second search means 52. The second search means 52 uses the" input terminal 62 "as a key to store the signal input state information storage section. (Steps A3 and A4) Then, the first search means 51 uses the "input terminal 62" as a key to input the input terminal switching information storage unit 4 (steps A3 and A4).
1 to obtain an "input terminal 63" (steps A1 and A2). By supplying the search result to the second search means 52, the second search means 52 outputs the "input terminal 6".
By using the "3" as a key, the signal input state information storage section 42 is checked to obtain "signal present" (steps A3 and A4) .The second search means 52 sets the "input terminal 63" to the video signal switching circuit 81. And switches the input to the input terminal 63 of the video signal input unit 6 (step A5).

According to the second embodiment as described above,
The same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the input terminal state monitoring video signal processing unit 7 shown in FIG.
Can be omitted, and an inexpensive system can be provided.

[0024]

As described above, according to the video signal input automatic switching method and apparatus of the present invention, the video input terminal to which the video signal is actually supplied even if the connection status of the video signal source is not grasped. Just switch and use it. Thus, the user can easily select the input terminal to which the video signal is input and perform the input switching operation without being conscious of which input terminal the video signal source is connected to. According to the present invention, instead of detecting the presence or absence of a video signal at the time of an input switching request, by constantly monitoring the signal state of all input terminals or registering the video signal state of all input terminals in advance, The input switching response can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a video display device provided with a video signal input automatic switching device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of video signal input automatic switching according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an operation at the time of video signal input automatic switching according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of automatic switching of a video signal input according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a lock diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a video display device including a video signal input automatic switching device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of automatic switching of a video signal input according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... video display device, 21, 22 ... video signal source, 3 ...
.. Input device, 4 storage unit, 41 input terminal switching information storage unit, 42 signal input state information storage unit, 5 data processing unit, 51 first search means, 52. Searching means 2 53 Input video signal monitoring means 54 Input video signal inspection means 6 Video signal input sections 61 6
2, 63 ... terminal, 7 ... input terminal status monitoring video signal processing unit, 71 ... video signal switching circuit, 72 ... video signal detection circuit, 8 ... display video signal video signal processing unit, 81
... Video signal switching circuit, 82 video signal detection circuit, 9
... Display signal generation unit, 10 ... Video display unit.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A video display device having a plurality of input terminals to which a plurality of video signal sources can be connected, wherein the presence or absence of a video signal is detected for each of the input terminals, and the input terminal having a video signal input is detected. A video signal input automatic switching method for automatically switching, comprising: a storage unit storing a switching order of the input terminals and signal input state information for each input terminal, wherein any one of the video signal sources is connected. When displaying a video signal from an input terminal, in response to a switching request to a switching destination input terminal, searching for switching destination input terminal information based on the switching order stored in the storage unit, Based on the searched input terminal information, the signal input state information stored in the storage unit is searched to determine whether the switching destination input terminal has an input signal, and it is determined that the switching destination input terminal has an input signal. Was done Video signal input automatic switching method characterized in that, to execute a process of switching to the switching destination input terminal. 2. When it is determined that there is no input signal at the switching destination input terminal, an input terminal switching order of the storage unit is searched,
2. The signal input state information of the next input terminal is further searched, and this search processing is performed until an input terminal having an input signal is found or the input terminal becomes an input terminal at the start of an input switching request. Video signal input automatic switching method. 3. An input video signal for each input terminal when a video signal is switched based on the switching order stored in the storage unit, and based on the monitoring result, each of the input terminals is monitored. 3. The video signal input automatic switching method according to claim 1, wherein the signal input state information is updated every time. 4. A video display device having a plurality of input terminals to which a plurality of video signal sources can be connected, wherein the presence or absence of a video signal is detected for each of said input terminals, and A video signal input automatic switching device for automatically switching, comprising: a storage unit storing a switching order of the input terminals and signal input state information for each input terminal; and an arbitrary input to which the video signal source is connected. In response to a switching request to a switching destination input terminal when displaying a video signal from a terminal, a first search for switching destination input terminal information based on a switching order stored in the storage unit is performed. Searching means for searching signal input state information stored in the storage unit based on the input terminal information searched by the first searching means to determine whether there is an input signal at the switching destination input terminal; 2 search means, Video signal switching means for switching the video display device to the switching destination input terminal when the second search means determines that there is an input signal at the switching destination input terminal. Automatic switching device. 5. When the first search means determines that there is no input signal at the switch destination input terminal, the first search means searches the input terminal switching order of the storage unit, and the second search means performs the search input The signal input state information of the next input terminal is searched based on the terminal information, and this search processing is performed until an input terminal having an input signal is found or the input terminal becomes an input terminal at the start of an input switching request. The automatic video signal input switching device according to claim 4. 6. An input video signal for each input terminal when a video signal is switched based on the switching order of the storage unit, and a signal for each input terminal is monitored based on a result of the monitoring. 6. The automatic video signal input switching device according to claim 4, further comprising input video signal monitoring means for updating input status information. 7. A video signal switching circuit for switching and selecting a video signal supplied through the input terminal and monitoring a signal state for each input terminal, and detecting a video signal switched and selected by the video signal switching circuit. 7. The automatic video signal input switching device according to claim 4, further comprising a video signal processing unit for monitoring an input terminal state, the video signal processing unit including a video signal detection circuit for supplying a detection result to the input video signal monitoring means. 8. The video signal switching means is switched in accordance with an input terminal switching order stored in the storage unit, and each video signal switching means is switched based on a detection result of a video signal selected by the video signal switching means. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an input video signal inspection unit that stores a supply state of the video signal for each input terminal in the storage unit.
The automatic video signal input switching device as described in the above.