Patent Publication Number: US-2009219441-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-048646, filed Feb. 28, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of outputting a video signal and an audio signal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, a personal computer having a function for receiving, seeing and hearing television broadcast program data and reproducing AV (Audio and Visual) contents stored in a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) has spread widely. Consequently, it is possible to utilize image data during traveling or in a destination by carrying a personal computer of a notebook type which can be driven with a battery, for example. 
     Recently, a definition of a video has been enhanced and a personal computer capable of reproducing HD (High Definition) image data has also spread, for example. In some cases, the personal computer of this type has a function for externally outputting a high definition video signal. For example, therefore, it is also possible to take pleasure in a high definition video reproduced on a high definition television broadcast receiver having a large screen through a high definition television broadcast receiver having a large screen at home. 
     It is also possible to propose that a picture quality adjustment processing is carried out over a video signal obtained by decoding video data, thereby improving a picture quality (for example, see JP-A-2004-112169). Examples of the picture quality adjustment processing include a sharpness processing and a luminance adjustment. 
     However, a display characteristic is usually varied every display. Therefore, it is also supposed that a picture quality is deteriorated depending on a display to be an output destination even if a suitable picture quality adjustment for a certain display is set. It is also possible to propose that a user carries out setting on the display side, thereby performing an image adjustment. However, the user is forced to carry out a complicated operation in order to perform the setting to all displays which might execute an output. The problem is particularly remarkable when a display operation is intended for displays as in the case in which an apparatus on a video signal output side (a video data reproducing apparatus) is a personal computer having a high portability. The problem is the same as in an audio processing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary view showing a utilizing configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment, 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary diagram showing a structure of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment, 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary diagram showing an example of parameter set information stored in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment, 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary diagram showing a functional block related to a picture quality adjusting function implemented in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment, and 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary flowchart showing an operating procedure for a picture quality adjusting function control of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a decoder configured to decode video data to generate a video signal; an adjusting unit configured to execute an adjustment processing on the video signal; an input-output terminal configured to output to an external apparatus the video signal subjected to the adjustment processing by the adjusting unit and to receive identifying information from the external apparatus; and a switching unit configured to select the adjustment processing according to the identifying information. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a decoder configured to decode video data to generate a video signal; an adjusting unit configured to execute a first adjustment processing and a second adjustment processing on the video signal; an input-output terminal configured to output to an external apparatus the video signal processed by the adjusting unit and to receive identifying information from the external apparatus; and wherein the adjusting unit execute the first adjustment processing when the input-output terminal receives a first identifying information, and wherein the adjusting unit executes the second adjustment processing when the input-output terminal receives a second identifying information. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a decoder configured to decode audio data to generate a audio signal; an adjusting unit configured to execute an adjustment processing on the audio signal; an input-output terminal configured to output to an external apparatus the audio signal subjected to the adjustment processing by the adjusting unit and to receive identifying information from the external apparatus; and a switching unit configured to switch the adjustment processing according to the identifying information. 
     An information processing apparatus according to the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show utilizing configurations of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. An information processing apparatus  1  is implemented as a personal computer (PC) of a notebook type, for example. In  FIG. 1 , an example of a personal computer of a portable type is shown, and a DVD/HDD player (a reproducer) may be employed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the information processing apparatus  1  can be connected to video apparatuses  2 A and  2 B through a cable  3 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the video apparatus  2 A is a high definition television broadcast receiver having a large screen and the video apparatus  2 B is a projector apparatus. In the example, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus  1  is connected to the video apparatuses  2 A and  2 B through an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable  3 . 
     Software for reproducing high definition image data (an application program) is variously installed in the information processing apparatus  1 , and the connection is carried out through the HDMI cable  3  so that it is possible to take pleasure in a high definition video reproduced by the application program through the video apparatuses  2 A and  2 B. The information processing apparatus  1  receives unique identifying information assigned to specify an apparatus from the video apparatuses  2 A and  2 B. In the HDMI standards, EEID can be utilized as identifying information, for example. 
     It is assumed that the information processing apparatus  1  has a picture quality adjusting function (a picture quality enhancing function) for a video signal. Examples of the picture quality adjustment processing include a brightness correction, a contrast correction, a hue correction, a saturation correction and a gamma correction. A suitable picture quality adjustment processing (more specifically, a suitable parameter) is usually varied depending on a display for displaying a video. Accordingly, the picture quality adjustment processing is switched depending on an output destination of the video signal in the information processing apparatus  1  according to the example. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , description will be given to an output control of the video signal in the information processing apparatus  1  according to the example. A resource management of the information processing apparatus  1  is unitarily carried out through OS (Operation Soft), and the output destination of the video signal is controlled to be switched through a display driver to be a module in the OS. 
     More specifically, description will be given. The output of the video signal is sent to a built-in display  15  such as an LCD and a video is thus displayed through the display driver or is sent to the video apparatus  2 A as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), or both of them are carried out. By changing a connecting destination of the cable  3  as shown in  FIG. 1(   b ), it is also possible to output a video to the video apparatus such as the video apparatus  2 B (the projector apparatus in the example of  FIG. 2)  which is different from the video apparatus  2 A (the high definition television broadcast receiver in the example of  FIG. 1 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ), the video signal can be output to plural types of video apparatuses. Therefore, the information processing apparatus  1  according to the example acquires identifying information such as EEID from the video apparatus to be the connecting destination and carries out an image adjustment processing corresponding to the identifying information. 
     In the information processing apparatus  1  according to the example, it is assumed that at least a video signal obtained by reproducing copyrighted digital video data is output to at least one of the built-in display  15  and the HDMI connector when the copyrighted DVD video data are to be reproduced. Consequently, the copyrighting can be carried out more suitably. It is possible to prevent a deterioration in a picture quality related to a video of one of the displays from being caused by outputting a video signal subjected to a picture quality adjustment for the other display to the one of the displays. 
     While the description will be given by taking, as an example, the case in which the HDMI cable is used as the cable  3  in the example, it is also possible to utilize a DVI cable in place of the HDMI cable if the cable can transmit a video signal and can carry out a communication of identifying information, for instance. Also in the case in which the DVI cable is used, EDID can be utilized as the identifying information in the same manner as in the HDMI, for example. 
     The identifying information is not restricted to the EDID but ID acquired through COPP (Certified Output Protection Protocol) may be utilized, for example. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a structure of the information processing apparatus  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the information processing apparatus  1  includes a CPU  11 , a north bridge  12 , a main memory  13 , a graphics controller  14 , a VRAM  14 A, a display  15 , a south bridge  16 , a BIOS-ROM  17 , an HDD  18 , an optical disk driving device (ODD)  19 , a sound controller  20 , a speaker  21 , an embedded controller/keyboard controller (EC/KBC)  22 , a keyboard  23 , a touch pad  24 , a network controller  25 , an HDMI connector  26 , and a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) controller  27 . 
     The CPU  11  is a processor for controlling an operation of each portion in the information processing apparatus  1 . The CPU  11  executes an operating system (OS)  100  loaded onto the main memory  13  from the HDD  18  and an application which is operated under control of the OS  100  and serves to handle a utility and AV contents data (for example, a video reproducing program  101 ). The CPU  11  also executes a basic input/output system (BIOS) stored in the BIOS-ROM  17 . The basic input/output system itself stored in the BIOS-ROM  17  will be hereinafter referred to as the BIOS  17  in some cases. 
     The north bridge  12  is a bridge device for connecting a local bus of the CPU  11  to the south bridge  16 . The north bridge  12  has a function for executing a communication with the graphics controller  14  through a bus and also includes a memory controller for access controlling the main memory  13 . The graphics controller  14  is a display controller for controlling the display  15  on the information processing apparatus  1  side. The graphics controller  14  generates a video signal to be transmitted to the display  15  from image data written to the VRAM  14 A. The graphics controller  14  also has a function for externally outputting the video signal to the HDMI connector  26 . 
     The south bridge  16  is a controller for controlling various devices provided on a PCI bus and an LPC bus. The BIOS-ROM  17 , the HDD  18 , the ODD  19  and the sound controller  20  are directly connected to the south bridge  16 , and the south bridge  16  also has a function for controlling them. The HDD  18  stores television broadcast program data and AV contents downloaded via internet, for example, and the ODD  19  accommodates a DVD storing the AV contents data, for example. The sound controller  20  is a sound source controller for controlling the speaker  21 . The sound controller  20  also has a function for externally outputting an audio signal from the HDMI connector  26 . 
     The HDD  18  stores parameter set information  102  of a parameter to be used in an execution of a picture quality adjustment processing through the video reproducing program  101 . This is stored by setting a suitable parameter through a user when outputting a video signal, for example. The parameter sets are set/stored every video apparatus to be an output destination. 
       FIG. 3  shows an example of the parameter set information  102 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , an ID of the video apparatus to be the output destination (which corresponds to an apparatus ID 1  or an apparatus ID 2 ) and a corresponding parameter set (a combination of at least one of parameters A 1 , B 1  and C 1 ) are caused to make a pair. The video reproducing program  101  carries out the picture quality adjustment processing by utilizing the parameter set corresponding to received identifying information with reference to the parameter set information  102 . 
     Examples of the information about the parameters included in the parameter set information  102  include set values of a brightness, a contrast, a hue, a saturation and a gamma. 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the parameter set information also includes a parameter set of a default (A 0 , B 0 , C 0 , . . . ). This is the parameter set to be utilized in an output of a video signal to a video apparatus to which a suitable parameter set for a user has not been designated. 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , a parameter set for the built-in display  15  is also included in the parameter set information. 
     While description will be given on the assumption that the user sets the parameter set in the example, this is not restricted but the parameter set may be preset in a shipment. However, a more flexible action can be carried out when the user can perform a customization. In addition, it is not necessary for the user to carry out a reset every output. 
     Although the parameter set is simply prepared corresponding to only the video apparatus (identifying information) to be a video output destination in the example of  FIG. 3 , this is not restricted but the parameter set may also correspond to video data to be reproduced, for example. For instance, it is possible to propose the case in which a parameter set to be used in an output of a video obtained by reproducing video data of a specific DVD to a video apparatus having the apparatus ID 1  is stored as the parameter set information  102  in the HDD  18 . 
     Returning to the description of  FIG. 2 , the EC/kBC  22  is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for a power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard  23  and the touch pad  24  are integrated. The EC/KBC  22  is also operated during power-OFF of the information processing apparatus  1  and monitors whether a power-ON operation is carried out or not, and executes a control for starting the information processing apparatus  1  when an event to be turned ON is generated, for example. The EC/KBC  22  also executes a power supply to the CEC controller  27  continuously during power-OFF of the information processing apparatus  1 . 
     The network controller  25  is a communicating device for executing a communication with an external network such as internet. 
     The HDMI connector  26  is a terminal which is provided for removably connecting the HDMI cable  3 . The CEC controller  27  executes a data transfer control for transmitting and receiving various commands (control signals) for an operation control through the HDMI connector  26  under control of the EC/KBC  22 . The commands to be transmitted and received include a power-ON request command to be received by the CEC controller  27 , for example. EDID to be identifying information for identifying the video apparatus  2 A or  2 B is also received by the HDMI connector  26 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a functional block related to a video data reproducing and image adjusting function which is implemented in the information processing apparatus  1  having the structure. Description will be given on the assumption that the video reproducing program  101  is an application program for reproducing video data read from an optical disk through the ODD. However, it is sufficient that the video reproducing program  101  is a program for reproducing a video signal from video data. For example, the video reproducing program  101  may be a program for reproducing a TV broadcast received through a tuner, a program for reproducing an IPTV broadcast received through an IP network or a program for reproducing video data recorded onto an HDD. 
     For example, the video data read from the optical disk through the ODD  19  are decoded into a video signal by a decoding portion (a video decoder)  202  under control of a data reading portion (a source filter)  201 . 
     An output destination monitoring portion  203  detects whether an output destination switching portion  208  of a display driver  100   a  is set to output the video signal to the HDMI connector  26  or the display  15 . More specifically, there is proposed a method of periodically calling (through polling) an API (Application Program Interface) for inquiring an output destination of the video signal which is provided by the OS  100  when or after starting the video reproducing program  101 , for example. Alternatively, it is also possible to previously request the OS  100  in order to give a notice of a generation of an event for output destination switching, for example. 
     An output destination information acquiring portion  204  acquires identifying information (for example, EDID) of the video apparatus  2  (an external display) connected to the HDMI connector  26  through the HDMI cable  3  when an output destination for the video signal is set to be the HDMI connector  26 . The information is led as a control signal (a CEC signal) into the information processing apparatus  1  through the HDMI connector  26 , for example, and is received by the CEC controller  27  so that a notice of the receipt of the control signal is given to the EC/KBC  22 . Upon receipt of the notice, the EC/KBC  22  generates a key code which indicates the contents of the notice (identifying information about the video apparatus  2 , and information about a type name and a manufacturer name may be included, for example) as data to be input to the output destination information acquiring portion  204 . The key code is transferred to the OS  100  through the BIOS  17 , and furthermore, is transferred from the OS  100  to the output destination information acquiring portion  204 . 
     An adjustment switching portion  205  switches a picture quality adjusting function for an output of the video signal decoded by the decoding portion  202  depending on an output destination of the video signal which is acquired by the output destination monitoring portion  203  and a type of the video apparatus  2  which is acquired by the output destination information acquiring portion  204  when the video signal is output to the HDMI connector  26 . More specifically, the adjustment switching portion  205  refers to the parameter set information  102  stored in the HDD  18 , thereby switching which parameter set is to be used by a picture quality adjusting control portion  206  depending on the output destination of the video signal, a parameter set adjusted corresponding to the built-in display  15 , a parameter set adjusted for the video apparatus  2 A, a parameter set adjusted for the video apparatus  2 B or a parameter set of a default value (a parameter set for a video apparatus to which a parameter is not set), for example. 
     Consequently, also in the case in which an output to the built-in display  15  is carried out and the case in which the video signal is output from the HDMI connector  26 , it is possible to output a video signal having a picture quality adjusted in a parameter which is optimized depending on an output destination. Thus, it is possible to improve a picture quality of an output video. Since an initial value is prepared, it is possible to carry out a picture quality adjustment processing using a parameter set based on the initial value even if a video signal is output to a video apparatus to be connected for the first time. Therefore, it is possible to expect the improvement in the picture quality more greatly as compared with the case in which any processing is not carried out. 
     The picture quality adjusting control portion  206  carries out a picture quality adjustment processing in a picture quality adjusting parameter set selected by the adjustment switching portion  205  for the video signal decoded by the decoding portion  202 . The picture quality adjustment processing includes processings of correcting a brightness, a contrast, a hue, a saturation and a gamma (and a combination of the processings), for example. 
     A drawing control portion  207  executes a rendering processing for writing an image to the VRAM  14 A from a video signal subjected to the picture quality adjustment through the picture quality adjusting control portion  206 . 
     The display driver  100   a  controls a driving operation of the graphics controller  14  under control of the OS  100 . The display driver  100   a  has the output destination switching portion  208  for switching the output destination of the video signal. The display driver  100   a  switches the output destination of the video signal of an image output from the drawing control portion  207  (which is temporarily stored in the VRAM  14 A) into either the built-in display  15  or the HDMI connector  26  through the output destination switching portion  208 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an operating procedure for a picture quality adjusting function control of the video reproducing program  101  which is to be executed by the information processing apparatus  1  according to the example. 
     When the video reproducing program  101  is started (S 501 ), the output destination monitoring portion  203  inquires of the OS  100  about the built-in display  15  or the HDMI connector  26  to which an output destination of a video signal is set (S 502 ). If the output destination is the HDMI connector  26  (Yes in S 502 ), the output destination information acquiring portion  204  acquires identifying information of the video apparatus  2  connected to the HDMI connector  26  (S 503 ). 
     The adjustment switching portion  205  confirms whether or not a parameter set corresponding to the acquired identifying information is registered as the parameter set information  102  (S 504 ). If the parameter set is registered (Yes in S 504 ), the picture quality adjusting control portion  206  carries out a picture quality adjustment processing based on the parameter set (S 505 ). If the parameter set corresponding to the acquired identifying information is not registered in the parameter set information  102  (No in S 504 ), the picture quality adjusting control portion  206  carries out a picture quality adjustment processing based on a parameter set of a default (S 506 ). In the case in which the parameter set is not defined (the parameter set of the default is used), it is also possible to create a message indicating that a suitable parameter set has not been set and to output the message as a video/ voice. 
     The display driver  100   a  outputs, to the HDMI connector  26 , a video signal subjected to the video adjustment processing through the picture quality adjusting control portion  206  (S 507 ). At this time, a video signal (a video signal obtained by reproducing copyrighted digital video data) is not output to the built-in display  15  in the example. 
     On the other hand, if the output destination is the built-in display  15  at the S 502  (No in S 502 ), the adjustment switching portion  205  selects a picture quality adjusting parameter set which is adjusted corresponding to the built-in display  15  and the picture quality adjusting control portion  206  carries out a picture quality adjustment processing based on the parameter set (S 508 ). The display driver  100   a  outputs, to the built-in display  15 , a video signal subjected to the picture quality adjustment processing (S 509 ). At this time, the video signal (the video signal obtained by reproducing copyrighted digital video data) is not output to the HDMI connector  26  in the example. 
     When the output destination monitoring portion  203  detects that the output destination of the video signal is changed after a start of the output of the video signal at the S 507  or S 509  (Yes in S 510 ), the processing returns to the S 502  in which the picture quality adjustment processing is switched. 
     If the output destination of the video signal is not switched (No in S 510 ) and the video reproducing program  101  is not ended (No in S 511 ), the output destination monitoring portion  203  continuously monitors the output destination of the video signal at the S 510 . 
     As described above, according to the example, the picture quality adjustment processing is switched depending on whether the output destination of the video signal is the built-in display  15  or the HDMI connector  26  and depending on a type of the video apparatus  2  when the output destination is the HDMI connector  26 . Consequently, it is possible to display a video subjected to the picture quality improvement through the picture quality adjustment processing which carries out an adjustment suitably for the built-in display or each of the video apparatuses  2 . 
     While the video data/video signal processing has been described in the example, a voice data/audio signal processing can be executed in the same manner. 
     As described with reference to the embodiment, there is provided an information processing apparatus capable of suitably switching a picture quality adjustment and a sound quality adjustment. 
     According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of suitably switching a picture quality adjustment and a sound quality adjustment.