Audio visual apparatus

Abstract: An audio-visual system allows a plurality of audio-visual devices to be interconnected for convenient operation from a single set of function keys. The system includes a first AV device and other connected AV devices connected so as to bidirectionally transfer data. Control data from connected devices are read by a CPU of the first device and written to a RAM memory portion of the first device. When a function key of the first device is operated, a connected device is operated according to the control data read therefrom and stored in the first device. A memory card incorporating control data for the external devices may further be accessed by the first AV device for reading control data for the external devices. A particular function key may control as many functions as there are connected devices in the AV system.

Description: The present invention relates generally to an audio/visual (AV) system. Particularly, the present invention relates to an AV system which systematically functions to allow interconnected AV devices to function from a single set of control, or function keys. US-A-4,771,283 discloses the provision of a common remote control device for operating any one of a plurality of remote-controllable equipment. US-A-4,825,200 discloses a reconfigurable remote control transmitter for use with a plurality of remotely controlled products. Conventionally, AV devices are equipped with function keys for accessing various functions of the device. However, when shipped, the operation performed by function keys on such AV devices are predetermined and cannot be varied after shipment. Therefore, when two or more AV devices are connected together, respective operations must be accomplished via the function keys of each device, separately. Thus, operation becomes complicated and inconvenient. In order to operate one AV device from the function keys of another device, preparation of function keys combinable with all of the AV devices to be operated is required. This may require a large number of function keys to be needed further complicating operation. Further, preparation of function keys which may be required for operation of future AV devices is difficult to accomplish. It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an AV system in which an AV device with a minimum of function keys, the functions thereof being variable, may accomplish simplified operation of interconnected AV components. In order to accomplish the aforementioned and other objects, there is provided an audio-visual device for use in combination with at least one second audio-visual device having a plurality of second device function keys for operating said second device, said second device function keys being associated with a set of second device control data, the first device having: a plurality of first device function keys for operating it, each first device function key being associated with first device control data from a set of first device control data, corresponding thereto; connection means (c) for connection to said at least one second audio-visual device; transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and/or receiving data from at least one second audio-visual device when connected; characterised by including: first reading means for reading the at least one set of second device control data from said at least one second device; memory means for storing said at least one set of second device control data; and means for associating the control data from each of the at least one set of second device control data with respective ones of the first device function keys; and means for reading corresponding stored second device control data and transmitting same to the appropriate at least one second audio-visual device via said transmitting/receiving means in response to operation of one of said respective ones of said first device function keys. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio-visual device for use in combination with at least one second audio-visual device having a plurality of second device function keys for operating said second device, said second device function keys being associated with a set of second device control data, the first device having: a plurality of first device function keys for operating it, each first device function key being associated with first device control data from a set of first device control data, corresponding thereto; connection means (c) for connection to said at least one audio-visual device; characterised by including: reading means for reading an information storage medium containing at least one set of second device control data and storing said at least one set of second device control data in memory means; means for associating the control data from each of the at least one set of second device control data with respective ones of the first device function keys; and means for reading corresponding stored second device control data and transmitting same to the appropriate at least one second audio-visual device via said connection means in response to operation of one of said respective ones of said first device function keys. The invention will be further described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit of an AV system according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a flow chart detailing a downloading operation of the AV device of the invention; and Fig. 3 is a flow chart detailing execution of a function by the AV device of the invention. Referring now to the drawings, particularly to Figs. 1 - 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelow. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit of an AV system according to the invention. As seen in the drawing, the AV system comprises a first AV device 1, a television for example, and a second AV device 2, a CD-ROM unit for example. The first and second AV devices 1, 2 are connected via a cable C. The first AV device 1 includes a programmed read only memory (ROM) 3 and a programmable random access memory (RAM) 4. The reading and writing of the memories 3, 4, is controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 5. Main processing data is stored in the ROM memory 3 and control data (functions A - E) corresponding to each function (F1 - F5) of the first AV device 1 are stored in the programmable RAM memory 4. A plurality of function keys (not shown) are installed in a function key panel 6 to select various functions according to a desired operation of the AV device 1. Data output from the function key panel 6 is input to the CPU 5 via a serial input/output circuit (SIO) 7 and an input data detecting processor 8. A communication adapter 9 is installed in the first AV device 1 to bidirectionally transfer data between the first AV device 1 and the second AV device 2. External signals (i.e. from the second AV device 2) are input from the communication adapter 9 and fed to the CPU 5 via a second S10 10 and a download data receptor 11. On the other hand, command signals from the first AV device 1 are output from the CPU 5 via the communication adapter 9. In addition, according to a second embodiment of the invention, the first AV device 1 may be further equipped with a memory card reader (not shown) to input data stored in a memory card 13 to the CPU 5 via an input/output (I/O) bus 12. Control data for any of the AV devices 1, 2, or for additional devices to be connected may be written into the memory card 13. The memory card may be a RAM card, magnetic card, photo card, photomagnetic cards, etc., or alternatively any other information storage medium (i.e. a disk drive etc.) may be employed. As for the second AV device 2, a memory 14 is provided as well as a CPU 15 to control reading and writing done by the memory 14. Main processing data and control data (functions A' - E') corresponding to each function (F1 - F5) of the second AV device are stored in the memory 14. A communication adapter 16, similar to that of the first AV device 1 is provided in the second AV device 2. External signals input to the communication adapter are fed to the CPU 15 via a SIO 17. On the other hand, output signals from the second AV device 2 are output by the communication adapter 16. Referring now to Fig. 2, the functioning of the AV system of the invention will be explained hereinbelow. First, downloading operation is selected at the function key panel 6 when the AV system is formed by connection of the first AV device 1 and the second AV device 2 via the cable C. According to selection of downloading operation, the CPU 5 outputs a download command signal which is routed to the CPU 15 of the second AV device through the cable C. Control data functions (A' - E') stored in the memory 14 are read by the CPU 15 of the second AV device and transferred to the first AV device 1 via the cable C and the communication adapters 9 and 16. The transferred data is written to the programmable RAM 4 of the first AV device by the CPU 5 thereof. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, control data (functions A - E) of the first AV device 1 are stored in a Table 1 of the programmable RAM 4, other control data (i.e. functions A' - E' of the second AV device 2) are stored in Table 2 of the programmable RAM 4 of the first AV device 1. Referring now to Fig. 3, when a TV (television) mode, for example, is selected at the function key panel 6, function 1 (F1) is concurrently selected therewith. Then, the CPU 5 reads the main processor of the programmed ROM 3, and the main processor outputs a control signal to execute function A according to the control data stored in Table 1 of the programmable RAM 4 (i.e. function A). Thus, function A is executed by the first AV device. Alternatively, when a mode or function of the second AV device 2 is selected at the function key panel 6 (e.g. by using a key to indicate that the second device is to be controlled) and the function 1 (F1), for example, is concurrently selected the CPU 5 reads the main processor of the programmed ROM 3 and the main processor outputs a control signal to execute function A' according to the control data in Table 2 of the programmable RAM 4 to the second AV device 2 via the cable C and the communication adapters 9 and 16. Thus the second AV device 2 executes function A' according to the control signal from the first AV device 1. Accordingly, the functions executed by the function keys of the function key panel 6 are varied according to which of the AV devices is to be operated. Therefore a minimum of operation keys are required. In addition, operation is kept easy because the number of functions executable by each function key is limited. In addition, according to the above-mentioned second embodiment of the invention which incorporates a card reader, the second AV device 2 can also be controlled if control data for the second AV device 2 (functions A' to E') are read from a memory card 13. The data may be read from a memory card installed in the first AV device 1, or alternatively, the second AV device 2 may have a port for installation of a memory card. The read data may be fed to the programmable RAM 4 of the first AV device, or alternatively, the memory card 13 itself may be utilized as RAM or ROM memory and receive control signals from the ROM memory 3 main processing data of the first AV device 1. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in terms of the interconnection of two AV devices, three or more AV devices may me interconnected according to the system of the invention. In such case, each function key must be capable of at least as many functions as there are interconnected devices. According to this, a larger number of tables will be implemented in the RAM memory 4, or memory cards or the like may be accessed as additional function tables. For example, video tape recorders, laser disk players, personal computers, game devices, compact disk players and tuners may be utilized as components of an AV system according to the invention. It will further be noted that image display data may be incorporated in control data. Accordingly according to the first embodiment of an AV system of the invention, control data of second, connected AV device may be read by a first AV device and stored therein, allowing the second AV device to be conveniently operated from function keys of the first AV device. The functions of each function keys are therefore varied, or added, corresponding to the number of connected AV devices external to the first AV device. Further, according to the second embodiment of the invention utilizing a memory card and a memory card reader, functions of external, connected AV devices may be read from a memory card, installed in the external device, or in the first AV device and stored in the first AV device, allowing the external devices to be controlled by each function key of the first AV device according to the stored control data. Thus the same advantages as the aforementioned first embodiment are available.

Claims: An audio-visual device (1) for use in combination with at least one second audio-visual device (2) having a plurality of second device function keys for operating said second device (2), said second device function keys being associated with a set of second device control data, the first device (1) having: a plurality of first device function keys (6) for operating it, each first device function key (6) being associated with first device control data from a set of first device control data, corresponding thereto; connection means (c) for connection to said at least one second audio-visual device (2); transmitting/receiving means (9) for transmitting and/or receiving data from at least one second audio-visual device (2) when connected; characterised by including: first reading means (11) for reading the at least one set of second device control data from said at least one second device (2); memory means (4) for storing said at least one set of second device control data; and means for associating the control data from each of the at least one set of second device control data with respective ones of the first device function keys (6); and means (5) for reading corresponding stored second device control data and transmitting same to the appropriate at least one second audio-visual device (2) via said transmitting/receiving means (9) in response to operation of one of said respective ones of said first device function keys (6). An audio-visual device as set forth in claim 1, further including second reading means for reading an information storage medium (13) containing at least one set of second device control data and storing said at least one set in said memory means (4). An audio-visual device (1) for use in combination with at least one second audio-visual device (2) having a plurality of second device function keys for operating said second device (2), said second device function keys being associated with a set of second device control data, the first device (1) having: a plurality of first device function keys (6) for operating it, each first device function key (6) being associated with first device control data from a set of first device control data, corresponding thereto; connection means (c) for connection to said at least one audio-visual device (2); characterised by including: reading means for reading an information storage medium (13) containing at least one set of second device control data and storing said at least one set of second device control data in memory means (4); means for associating the control data from each of the at least one set of second device control data with respective ones of the first device function keys (6); and means (5) for reading corresponding stored second device control data and transmitting same to the appropriate at least one second audio-visual device (2) via said connection means (9) in response to operation of one of said respective ones of said first device function keys (6). An audio-visual device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said storage medium is a memory card (13). An audio-visual device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims further including a communication adaptor connected to said transmitting/receiving means (9). An audio-visual device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims further including mode selection means provided in a function key panel of said first device (1) to vary the set of control data in said memory means (4) from which control data is taken in response to operation of the first device function keys (6). An audio-visual device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a plurality of second audio-visual devices (2) connected thereto, wherein said associating means is arranged to vary each of said first device function keys (6) to correspond to second device control data from at least as many second audio-visual devices (2) as are connected.

Inventors: SATO MASARU, TANAKA SHIGEO, SATO, MASARU, TANAKA, SHIGEO
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H04B1
IPC codes: G11B15, H04B1, H04N5