Abstract:
A graphic representation of a home AV system is shown on a video display in the system depicting CEC device hierarchy, if desired according to their physical addresses. Devices that failed to obtain physical addresses also can be depicted so indicating, and HDMI physical addresses and device types of each device may also be indicated. Furthermore, the path currently in use from an active source to the active sink is shown, as are alternate AV paths. At the initial setup or when new devices are to join the network, the graphic representation can be automatically presented, if desired with help text on screen to guide the user. A debug/information button is provided to the user in the case the devices are not functioning correctly.

Description:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application relates generally to high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) device displays of network maps pertaining to the HDMI devices. 
       II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Present principles recognize that the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) protocol of high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) allows various audio video (AV) devices to communicate and interoperate in a somewhat seamless manner, reducing the number of remotes/number of button pressing needed for typical AV devices use. For example, without CEC, to play a digital video disk the user must usually turn on the disk player, put in the disk, turn on the TV, switch TV&#39;s input to “disk player”, press the PLAY button on the player, turn on the AV receiver, and switch the AV receiver&#39;s input to “disk player”. With CEC, this somewhat cumbersome procedure reduces to energizing the disk player, put in the disk, and press the PLAY button. 
         [0003]    By way of precision, the terms Physical Address and Logical Address as used herein are defined by Section 8.7 of HDMI standards, and Section 10.2 of “Supplement 1 Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)”, respectively. For example, in more detail, for Physical address, the root device (usually a TV), has physical address 0.0.0.0 and logical address 0. A Blu-ray player connected to TV may have physical address 1 and logical address 4. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, the term “actual connection” or its synonym, “HDMI physical port number”, may be used to describe user-identifiable connections. For example, an “actual connection” between a Blu-ray player and a TV means that the Blu-ray player is connected to, e.g., a visually identifiable label “HDMI port1” of the TV. Under ideal situations, all devices on the HDMI-CEC network would have correct physical addresses. However, sometimes discrepancies between a physical address and a corresponding actual connection occur. For example, the user knows that his Blu-ray player is directly connected to his TV, therefore the physical address of the Blu-ray player should be n.0.0.0, where 1≦n≦m, where m is the maximum number of HDMI ports of the TV. However for some reason the Blu-ray player may “think” that it has a physical address of 1.n.0.0, which means that the Blu-ray player thinks that it is connected to TV through another device in the middle. As further understood herein, it can be difficult for the user to setup/track which devices are connected to which ports especially when devices from other manufacturers are involved, due the various timing/order/special operations demanded by different manufacturers. For example, the physical port label-to-HDMI physical address correspondence used by one manufacturer may be different than that used by another manufacturer. This sometimes leads to unexpected/very frustrating user experiences such as devices turning on and off unexpectedly when the power button of the remote control (RC) is selected, or the TV switching input/channels unexpectedly, or always skipping a particular device making it impossible to play content from that device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is to be understood that while a TV is used as an example device that implements present principles, the logic and on-screen graphics can be implemented on other types of devices within a HDMI-CEC network. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, a system includes a TV display, a TV processor controlling the display, and computer readable memory accessible to the processor and bearing instructions executable by the processor to present a network map on the display. The map shows respective icons representing the TV and plural components connected thereto. Also, the map shows a currently active audio video (AV) path from a component to the TV and a currently inactive AV path from a component to the TV, and the active video path appears differently than the inactive video path. The map also shows a selector element selectable to cause an address of an input port, or a component, or both an input port and a component to be presented on the display. 
         [0007]    In example embodiments, the icons may bear labels indicating what type of component they respectively represent. The currently active AV path can be highlighted relative to the currently inactive AV path. In non-limiting examples, an icon representing a source of AV has a first shape and an icon representing a player of AV has a second shape, and the first shape is different from the second shape. Indeed, all icons representing sources of AV may have the first shape and all icons representing players of AV may have the second shape. 
         [0008]    As set forth further below, in example implementations, responsive to selection of the selector element, physical port numbers of input ports to which connections have been made are shown on the display. Yet again, responsive to selection of the selector element, HDMI physical addresses based on connected input ports may be shown on the display. 
         [0009]    If desired, the selector element can be a first selector element and the map can include a second selector element selectable to present an onscreen display (OSD) on the TV display giving a viewer an option to refresh the map. The OSD may give a viewer an option to remove an icon from the map. Also, the OSD can include a selectable entry allowing a user to define multiple functions for a single key on a remote control (RC). 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a method includes presenting a graphic representation of a home audio video (AV) system on a video display depicting consumer electronics control (CEC) device hierarchy in the AV system, and indicating, on the video display along with the graphical representation, logical addresses and device types of each CEC device. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a TV includes a TV display, a TV processor controlling the display, and computer readable memory accessible to the processor and bearing instructions executable by the processor to present a network map on the display. The map shows respective icons representing the TV and plural components connected thereto. Also, the map can show a selector element selectable to cause at least one address of at least one input port or at least one component or at least one input port and at least one component to be presented on the display. Responsive to a first selection of the selector element, logical addresses based on connected input ports are shown on the display. In contrast, responsive to a second selection of the selector element, the logical addresses are removed from the display. 
         [0012]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can be best understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example TV in an example network; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an example screen shot of a network map showing the devices in the network of  FIG. 1  along with various feature selector elements; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a screen shot as shown in  FIG. 2  with the “show port number” selection made; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a screen shot as shown in  FIG. 2  with the “show all addresses” selection made; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a screen shot showing an example onscreen display presented in response to selection of the modify/debug selector element from  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a system is shown, generally designated  10 , which includes a TV  12  having a TV chassis  14 . While a TV  12  is depicted it is to be understood that present principles apply to audio-video display devices in general that that have a sufficiently good display screen and that support CEC. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , signals from an AV receiver  16  can be sent, typically via a wired or wireless high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) link  18 , to the TV  12  for display thereof. The TV  12  and AV receiver  16  may be controlled by one or more remote commanders (RC)  20 . The TV  12  may also communicate with the Internet through an Internet interface  22  such as a wired or wireless modem. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows that TV signals on the HDMI link  18  are received at the TV  12  by a HDMI receiver or transceiver  24  for provisioning to a TV digital processor  26  accessing computer readable storage media  28  such as disk or solid state storage to execute relevant logic set forth herein. The TV signals are output to a TV display  30  and audio speakers  32  controlled by the TV processor  26 . Note that while  FIG. 1  shows that the TV signals are provided to the processor  26  from the HDMI receiver  24 , in actual implementation the signals may be routed to a TV tuner  34  controlled by the processor  26  and thence through display drivers to the TV display  30 . User commands from a RC can be received by the TV processor  26  through a command signal receiver  36  such as an infrared (IR) receiver. 
         [0021]    In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the TV  12  includes four physical input ports  37 . Assume the ports are numbered 1-4 from left to right. It will readily be appreciated form  FIG. 1  that in the example shown, the AV receiver  16  is connected to input port “1” of the TV  12 . 
         [0022]    Turning to the AV receiver  16 , this component may also include a HDMI transceiver  38  communicating with the TV  12  over the HDMI link  18 . The receiver  16  includes a processor  40  accessing a computer readable storage medium  42  to transfer AV data between the TV  12  and various AV source devices described further below. In he example shown, the AV receiver  16  includes four input ports numbered 1-4 from left to right as shown. 
         [0023]    Connected to receiver port “1” is a satellite integrated receiver/decoders (IRD)  44 , also referred to herein for familiarity as a satellite “set top box” (STB). Among other components the satellite STB  44  includes a processor  46  accessing a computer readable storage medium  48  to send AV data from a satellite disk or antenna  50  to the AV receiver  16 . 
         [0024]    On the other hand, in the non-limiting example shown a video disk player  52  such as but not limited to a Blu-Ray disk player is connected to receiver port “2” of the AV receiver  16 . Among other components the disk player includes a processor  54  accessing a computer readable storage medium  56  to send AV data from a removable video disk to the AV receiver  16 . 
         [0025]    Still further, in the non-limiting example shown a cable STB  58  is connected to receiver port “4” of the AV receiver  16 . Among other components the STB  58  includes a processor  60  accessing a computer readable storage medium  62  to send AV data from a cable head end to the AV receiver  16 . In the example shown, receiver port “3” of the AV receiver  16  has nothing connected to it. 
         [0026]    Similarly, input ports “2” and “3” of the TV  12  have no components connected to them, but to illustrate that an AV component may be connected directly to the TV  12  if desired without going through the AV receiver  16 ,  FIG. 1  shows that a computer game console  64  is connected directly to input port “4” of the TV  12 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows an onscreen display (OSD)  66  that may be presented automatically on the video display  30  of the TV  12  upon power on, or upon a component being added or removed from the network, or responsive to a viewer manually commanding the TV to present the OSD  66  from, e.g., a setup menu on, for instance, a cross-media bar (XMB). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the OSD  66  depicts a map of the network shown in  FIG. 1 , i.e., a map of the user&#39;s home network. The map shows icons corresponding to the components in  FIG. 1  as well as communication path lines between the components, so that a viewer can easily ascertain the hierarchy and topography of the network. Thus, the map shows a TV icon  12   a  connected to an AV receiver icon  16   a.  Note that the icons can bear labels indicating what type of device they represent. The map shows icons  44   a,    52   a,    58   a  connected via respective lines to the AV receiver icon  16   a  respectively representing the satellite STB  44 , disk player  52 , and cable STB  58 . An icon  64  labeled as a game console and representing the console  64  is shown connected directly to the TV icon  12   a.    
         [0028]    The reader will note at this point that a currently used path, in this case, the path from the satellite STB icon  44   a  through the AV receiver icon  16   a  to the TV icon  12   a,  is highlighted, depicted in  FIG. 2  by double lines, relative to the other (single) line paths, it being understood that the brightness or contrast of the current path may be increased or a different color used relative to the inactive, potentially useful lines. This indicates that the current TV input is from the satellite STB through the AV receiver. 
         [0029]    The reader will further note that the cable STB icon  58   a  is grayed out as indicated by dashed lines. This is because, as an example, while the STB  58  may have been previously registered with the system, upon the most recent map refresh its presence was not detected. Note further that shapes of the icons can vary to indicate that they are receiving devices or source devices. Thus, the AV receiver icon  16   a  and TV icon  12   a  are round, whereas the icons for the source devices are square. Different colors may also or alternatively be used, e.g., receiver device icons may be green and AV source icons may be red. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a “show port number” selector element  68 , “show all addresses” selector element  70 , and “modify/debug” selector element  72  may be presented on the OSD  66 . Responsive to user selection of the “show port number” selector element  68  using, e.g., the RC  20 , the OSD of  FIG. 3  is presented, whereas responsive to selection of the “show all addresses” selector element  70 , the OSD of  FIG. 4  is presented.  FIG. 5  is presented responsive to selection of the “modify/debug” selector element  72 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the physical port number to which each communication line entering a receiving device is connected is shown, preferably nearer the receiving device than the source device. Thus, and recalling the AV receiver ports to which the satellite STB  44 , disk player  52 , and cable STB  58  were connected,  FIG. 3  shows a numeral “1” next to the line from the satellite STB icon  44   a,  a numeral “2” next to the line from the disk player icon  52   a,  and a numeral “4” next to the line from the cable box icon  58   a . Recalling that the AV device  16  in turn is connected to physical port “1” of the TV  12 , a numeral “1” is shown between the AV receiver icon  16   a  and the TV icon  12   a.  Also, recall that the game console  64  is connected to TV port “4” in  FIG. 1 . Consequently, a numeral “4” is shown between the game console icon  64   a  and the TV icon  12   a.  Thus, the physical ports to which the various components in  FIG. 1  are connected are reflected in the display shown in  FIG. 3 . Note that if desired, for rigor the label could indicate that the physical ports are HDMI ports, so that the ports could be labeled “HDMI 1” as opposed to simply “1”. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4 , on the other hand, shows both physical ports and HDMI physical addresses, it being understood that the “a.b.c.d” format shown in  FIG. 4  is sometimes referred to as HDMI physical addresses. It is to be understood that while the choices shown enable the user to present only physical ports or both physical port numbers and HDMI physical addresses, in other embodiments a selector element may be provided enabling presentation of HDMI physical addresses only. 
         [0033]    In any case, as shown in the example of  FIG. 4  the physical port numbers shown and described in relation to  FIG. 3  are presented on the display  30 , along with their corresponding HDMI physical addresses. Additionally, since the TV itself has an HDMI physical address, its address is shown next to the TV icon  12   a  and is 0.0.0.0. Since by HDMI specification, the TV physical port “1” usually tells the device to which it connects to take physical address 1.0.0.0, the address shown by the AV receiver icon  16   a  is 1.0.0.0. The HDMI physical address of the game console (connected to TV physical port 4) is 4.0.0.0 as shown. 
         [0034]    On the other hand, the addresses of the components connected to the AV receiver  16  all begin with “1” to reflect the fact that the AV receiver  16  is connected to TV port 1, with the second numeral representing the physical port of the AV receiver  16  to which the component is connected. Thus, the address of the satellite STB  44 , connected to AV receiver port 1, is 1.1.0.0, while the address of the disk player  52 , connected to AV receiver physical port 2, is 1.2.0.0. The address of the cable STB  58  connected to physical port 4 of the AV receiver is 1.4.0.0. It is to be appreciated that in the event that a device is connected to an input port of one of the components connected to the AV receiver  16 , the first two numerals of its address would be the same as the component that is connected to the AV receiver  16 , while the third numeral would be the physical port number of the input port of the component to which the device is connected. 
         [0035]    In any case, it may now be appreciated that not only do the maps shown in  FIGS. 2-4  graphically show the network depicted in  FIG. 1  including its hierarchy and levels, but also, if desired by the viewer, the various physical and/or logical network addresses involved. Toggling either selector element  68  or  70  as the case may be removes the addresses from view to de-clutter the OSD as desired by the viewer. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows an example OSD  74  that may be presented on the TV display  30  responsive to the selector element  72  being selected. As shown at  76  the viewer may be given the option to refresh the map shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . As shown at  80  the user may click on “auto” to cause the TV processor to automatically refresh the map using CEC query/registration procedures. In case a particular component requires a manual action such as switching inputs or re-plugging in the connector line in order to refresh the map, the user is so prompted at  80 . 
         [0037]    Examples of situations where user needs to use element  72  are: 1) the network map itself is not consistent, for example, two or more devices are showing the same physical address. 2) the network map is not consistent with actual connection, for example, a device connected to port 1 of TV is not showing physical address 1.0.0.0, or a connected device is not showing on the map at all. In case one, some visual cue (for example, an exclamation mark next to each offending device&#39;s icon) can be presented on the UI to prompt user about the potential problem and advise the use of element  72 . In the case that a problem still exists after element  72  is selected by user, possible explanation/advice for further debugging can be present to user. For example, in the case a connected device not showing in the map, the possible explanation could be: A) that device does not support HDMI-CEC; B) that device&#39;s HDMI-CEC function has not been turned on; C) that device is beyond the 5 th  layer of the HDMI-CEC network; D) all the logical addresses suitable for that device have been taken by other devices, thus that device cannot join the HDMI-CEC network. 
         [0038]    Recall the above postulate that the cable STB  58  may have been previously registered with the network but may have become undetected for some reason, e.g., either removal of the STB or communication connection failure. The grayed out icon  58   a  signals this to the user. In case the user deliberately removed the STB  58 , at  82  in  FIG. 5  the user can select to remove the icon  58   a  from the map using a single click. If  82  is selected the map of  FIGS. 2-4  reappears and the user need only click on the icon to be removed to remove it from the map. Thus, icon removal entails accessing the OSD  74  of  FIG. 5 , clicking on selection  82 , then automatically presented the map and receiving a user click of an icon to be removed. 
         [0039]    Entry  84  indicates but one non-limiting example for allowing a user to define multiple functions for the RC  20 , in this, for the power button of the RC  20 . As shown, the non-limiting example options include energizing the TV only responsive to manipulation of the power button, or energizing the TV plus one or more other components responsive to manipulation of the power button. Should the latter option be selected, the map is again presented and the user simply clicks the icon representing each component the user wishes to energize along with the TV. At the reception of each click a prompt can be presented on the map informing the user that the corresponding component will be energized when the power button is pressed, and asking if the user is done. If the user proceeds to click on additional icons, the user is informed that the corresponding components will be added to those energized when the power button is pressed. When the user indicates “done” the use case is complete and the OSD  74  of  FIG. 5  or the above-described map reappears. All OSDs herein may be exited and normal video resumed from the currently active input source by pressing a “DONE” selector  86  shown in  FIG. 5  only for brevity. 
         [0040]    While the particular TV SHOWING NETWORK MAP AND DEVICE ADDRESSES is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.