JP2001086575A - Remote controller and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow one remote controller to reliably and remotely control various devices with a simple operation by providing a data recording means which acquires information necessary to the transmission of a remote control signal from a memory included in a plate-shaped recording medium and stores the information in the recording medium. SOLUTION: A learning remote controller 1 acquires the information necessary to the transmission of a remote control signal, for instance, from a dedicated remote controller 2 controlling devices constituting a home network through a memory card 5 and can also remotely control the devices that become control object of the controller 2 with this. The card 5 here is a plate-shaped recording medium including a memory and can be inserted into the controller 2. Then, one remote controller can reliably and remotely control various devices with a simple operation by downloading and uploading the information necessary to the transmission of the remote control signal by using the card 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device and an information processing device, and can be applied to, for example, home network control. The present invention uses a memory card to download information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal,
By uploading, and at this time, accepting settings for the controls using an information processing device such as a personal computer, it is possible to reliably remotely control various devices with a single remote control device by a simple operation. It can be so.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, video equipment, audio equipment, and the like are configured to be remotely controlled using a remote control device, thereby improving usability. In such a remote control device, for a device of the same type, for example, a television receiver and a video tape recorder, a plurality of devices can be controlled by one remote control device by setting in advance. I have.

On the other hand, in the case of controlling different kinds of devices such as a television receiver, a lighting device, and an air conditioner by transmitting one remote control device signal, a so-called user learns the remote control device. Thus, a desired device can be controlled.

That is, learning of such a remote control device involves recording information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal to a remote control device having a learning function (hereinafter, referred to as a learning remote control), and at the same time, each of the learning remote controls. The function of the remote control is set to the operator and executed.

In recording the information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal to the learning remote controller, for example, the learning remote controller and a remote control device of a device to be controlled (hereinafter referred to as a dedicated remote controller) are used. The remote control signal is sequentially transmitted from the dedicated remote controller, and each remote control signal is received and executed by the learning remote controller.

On the other hand, in the operation of setting the remote control function to each operator of the learning remote controller, for example, when each remote control signal is received in this manner, the learning remote controller side to set the function is required. This is executed by sequentially pressing the operating elements.

[0007] Thus, the learning remote controller can transmit a remote control signal transmitted from the dedicated remote controller in response to the operation of each operation element. It can be remotely controlled by a control device.

[0008]

However, the task of learning the learning remote controller is that the dedicated remote controller presses each of the operators to send out a remote control signal while the learning remote controller transmits the remote control signal. Since the operation is to sequentially operate the operators and register the corresponding function in each operator, there is a problem that the operation is complicated. In addition, it is impossible to completely prevent the operator from erroneously pressing the operation button, and in this case, the control target of the dedicated remote controller cannot be remotely controlled for the corresponding function.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and proposes a remote control device and an information processing device capable of reliably remote-controlling various devices by a single remote control device with a simple operation. What you want to do.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plate-like recording device having a built-in memory by applying the present invention to a remote control device capable of remotely controlling a desired device by a remote control signal. A medium is detachably held, and information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal is acquired from a memory built in the plate-shaped recording medium, and the recording means is provided with a data recording means for storing the information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention is applied to a remote control device for remotely controlling a desired device by a remote control signal, and detachably holds a plate-shaped recording medium having a built-in memory. A data recording means for recording information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal held in the recording means in a memory built in the medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus capable of detachably holding a plate-shaped recording medium having a built-in memory and updating the data held in the memory, to control each control code, The setting of the correspondence with the operator of the remote controller is received, and the correspondence between each control code and the operator of the remote controller is recorded in accordance with the setting.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal can be acquired and stored in the recording means via the plate-shaped recording medium having a removable memory. For example, information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal can be collectively obtained from a dedicated remote controller, thereby simplifying the operation of recording this type of information, and the remote control device can be simplified by that simple operation. By learning, various control targets can be controlled by one remote control device. In addition, since information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal can be obtained from a dedicated remote controller without leaking, remote control of a desired device can be surely performed accordingly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal can be recorded on a plate-shaped recording medium having a built-in removable memory and transmitted to another remote control device. Information necessary for signal transmission can be collectively transmitted to, for example, a learning remote controller, and the learning remote controller can be learned by that simple operation to control various control targets with one remote control device. In addition, since information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal can be transmitted without leaking, remote control of a desired device can be surely performed accordingly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the setting of the correspondence between each control code and the operator of the remote control device is accepted, and each control code and the remote control are stored in the memory of the detachable plate-shaped recording medium. The correspondence between the control code and the operator of the remote control device can be set in the remote control device via the plate-shaped recording medium by recording the correspondence between the device and the operator. Thereby, the work of setting the remote control function to each operator of the remote control device can be simplified.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a learning remote controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention together with a dedicated remote controller. is there. The learning remote controller 1 obtains information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal via a memory card 5 from a dedicated remote controller 2 for controlling, for example, a device constituting a home network. Devices can also be remotely controlled.

The dedicated remote controller 2 is a remote control device for transmitting infrared rays to a device to be controlled and remotely controlling the device to be controlled, and instructs the device to be controlled to transmit a remote control signal. Operator 3 such as a numeric keypad
Are arranged on the tip side. In the dedicated remote controller 2, a copy operation element 4 is arranged at hand, and various information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal can be collectively downloaded to the memory card 5 by operating the copy operation element 4. ing.

Here, the memory card 5 is a flat recording medium having a built-in memory.
The dedicated remote controller 2 can be attached to the dedicated remote controller 2 by being inserted into an insertion opening 6 formed at the base thereof.

In the learning remote controller 1, an insertion slot 8 is formed at the short side end surface of the substantially rectangular casing, and the memory card 5 is inserted into the insertion slot 8 as shown by an arrow B, and the memory card 5 is inserted. It is made so that it can be worn. Further, the learning remote controller 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 9 so that various information can be provided to the user via the liquid crystal display unit 9. The learning remote controller 1 has an up control 10A and a down control 10B arranged adjacent to the liquid crystal display unit 9 so that a device to be controlled or the like can be selected by operating these controls 10A and 10B. Has been made. In the learning remote controller 1, a plurality of operators 11 are arranged near the liquid crystal display unit 9 and the up and down operators 10A and 10B, and are assigned to the operators 11 on these operators 11. A display unit 12 that displays the functions by symbols and characters is arranged. Further, the learning remote controller 1 has an upload operator 13 arranged on the left-hand side of the left side, and the data recorded on the memory card 5 can be uploaded and learned by operating the operator 13.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the dedicated remote controller 2. In the dedicated remote controller 2, the microcomputer 15 according to the information recorded in the memory 16 built in the microcomputer 15
The infrared light emitting section 17 is driven by the control of the above, and the file recorded in the memory 16 is downloaded to the memory card 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, transmission codes, which are various kinds of information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal, are recorded in a memory 16 in a file format together with other information. That is, in this file, a maker name and a device category are assigned to devices to be controlled. Here, the category is a name indicating the type of device such as a video tape recorder. Further, in this file, a display indicating a function of starting an operation by a transmission code by a symbol or a character is recorded for each transmission code.

When the operator 3 of the dedicated remote controller 2 is operated, the microcomputer 15 selects a corresponding transmission code from the memory 16 in response to the operation of the operator, and activates the infrared light emitting unit 17 based on the transmission code. Drive. Thus, the dedicated remote controller 2 can remotely control a device to be controlled by infrared rays transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit 17. The microcomputer 15 downloads the file stored in the memory 16 to the memory card 5 in response to the operation of the download operation element 4. Thus, the dedicated remote controller 2 can record information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal to the learning remote controller 1 via the memory card.

Thus, the microcomputer 15 and the infrared light emitting section 17 access the memory 16 as the recording means in response to the operation of the predetermined operation element 3 and transmit the remote control signal held in the recording means 16. A remote control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal based on the information is constituted. The microcomputer 15 is a memory card 5 that is a plate-shaped recording medium.
A data recording means for recording information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal held in the recording means 16 into a built-in memory.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the learning remote controller 1. In the learning remote controller 1, under the control of the microcomputer 21, the information recorded in the memory card 5 is uploaded to and acquired from the memory 22 built in the microcomputer 21, and further, the infrared light emitting unit 24 is activated according to the information recorded in the memory 22. Drive.

As described above, under the control of the microcomputer 21, the infrared light emitting section 24 transmits a remote control signal by infrared rays to the control target. As shown in FIG. 5, the memory 22 is assigned file numbers with information in the file format described above with reference to FIG. (Signs A to I
) Is recorded in association with the information.

The microcomputer 21 has a built-in work R
6, 7 and 8 by securing a work area in AM23
And the information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal is uploaded from the memory card 5,
In addition, the infrared light emitting section 24 is driven in response to the operation of the operation element 11 or the like.

That is, when starting the operation, the microcomputer 21 proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2, loads the file number used for the remote control until immediately before, and then proceeds to step SP3. Here, the microcomputer 21 accesses the memory 22 by using the file number, and loads the manufacturer and category information from the file specified by the file number. Further, the microcomputer 21 drives the liquid crystal display unit 9 based on the loaded information, and notifies the user of a device name which can be controlled thereby and a manufacturer name of the device.

Further, the microcomputer 21 displays the symbols and characters of the respective functions recorded in the file specified in this manner on the display section 12 of the corresponding operation element 11 so that the user can easily operate the display. The function assigned to the child 11 can be confirmed.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP4, and determines whether or not the up operation element 10A has been operated. If a positive result is obtained here, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP5, increments the value of the counter j specifying the file number of the memory 22, and returns to step SP3. In the process at step SP5, when the count value of the counter j is the file number J corresponding to the last file of the file recorded in the memory 22, the microcomputer 21 does not increment the count value at all and proceeds to step SP3. Return to

Thus, the microcomputer 21 sequentially operates the steps SP3-SP4 in response to the operation of the up operation element 10A.
The processing procedure of -SP5-SP3 is repeated, and controllable devices are sequentially switched.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP4, the microcomputer 21 proceeds from step SP4 to step SP6, decrements the value of the counter j specifying the file number in the memory 22, and returns to step SP3. . In the processing in step SP7, when the count value of the counter j is the file number 1 corresponding to the first file of the file recorded in the memory 22, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP3 without decrementing any count value. Return.

In response to this, the microcomputer 21 responds to the operation of the down operation element 10B to sequentially execute steps SP3-SP4.
The processing procedure of -SP6-SP7-SP3 is repeated, and controllable devices are sequentially switched.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP6, the microcomputer 21 proceeds from step SP6 to step SP8. Here, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the download operator 13 has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP9 and determines whether or not the operating element 11 has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP9.
Return to 4. Thereby, the microcomputer 21 sequentially switches the devices to be controlled by operating the up / down operators 10A and 10B, and waits for the operation of the operator 11 by the user.

On the other hand, when the operating element 11 is operated,
When a positive result is obtained in step SP9, the microcomputer 21 proceeds from step SP9 to step SP1.
Move to 0. Here, the microcomputer 21 operates the operated operator 1 among the transmission codes of the currently selected file number.
The transmission code corresponding to 1 is loaded from the memory 22, and the infrared emission unit 24 is driven by the transmission code. As a result, the microcomputer 21 sends a remote control signal to the device selected by the user in response to the operation of the operator 11.

Thus, the memory 22 constitutes recording means for holding information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal, while the microcomputer 21 and the infrared light emitting unit 24 operate the predetermined operating elements 10A, 10B, 11 Recording means 22 in response to
And a remote control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal based on information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal held in the recording means 22.

On the other hand, if the upload operator 13 is pressed, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP8.
Then, the process proceeds to step SP11 (FIG. 7). Here, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the memory card 5 is mounted by using a switch arranged in the insertion slot 8. If a negative result is obtained here, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP12, and displays a “NO DATA” message on the liquid crystal display unit 9.
To notify the user that there is no uploadable information.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP11, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP13 and determines whether the format of the memory card 5 is an allowable format. If a negative result is obtained here,
The microcomputer 21 proceeds from step SP13 to step SP1.
If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S2.
Move to P14. That is, since this type of memory card 5 is considered to be used for recording various data, the microcomputer 21 excludes the memory card used for recording video data, audio data, and the like by confirming the format. I do.

In the following step SP14, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not there is a sufficient free area in the memory 22 for uploading the information recorded on the memory card 5. Here, if a negative result is obtained, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP15 and executes “MEMORY”.
A message “FULL” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 9 to notify the user that there is no available free area to be uploaded.

On the other hand, if there is a free area that can be uploaded, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP14.
To obtain a positive result, the process proceeds to step SP16. In this step SP16, the microcomputer 21
Saves the file recorded on the memory card 5
Upload to AM23. At this time, the microcomputer 2
1 stops displaying symbols and characters on the display unit 12.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP17.
, The manufacturer and the category are detected from the file uploaded to the work RAM 23 and the liquid crystal display unit 9 is detected.
To be displayed. Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP18.
And the count value n of the counter for specifying the transmission code
Is set to the value 1. Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP19 (FIG. 8) and describes the function of the transmission code specified by the count value n from the file uploaded to the work RAM 23, and displays symbols and characters indicating the function on the liquid crystal display unit. 9 is displayed.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP20
Then, it is determined whether or not the operation element 11 has been operated. If a negative result is obtained here, the step SP20 is repeated. Thereby, the microcomputer 21 waits for the operation of the operator 11 desired to be assigned by the user for the information necessary for transmitting the uploaded remote control signal, and when the operator 11 is operated, the operated operator 11 The corresponding display unit 12 displays the symbols and characters that have been displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 9 until then.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP22.
Then, for the file recorded in the work RAM 23, the number of the operating element 11 pressed by the transmission code specified by the count value n is recorded. Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP23, in which the work RAM 2
It is determined whether or not all the transmission codes have been assigned to the operator 11 for the file recorded in No. 3, and if a negative result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step SP24, where the count value n
Is returned to step SP19.

As a result, the microcomputer 21 sequentially executes steps SP19-SP20-SP21-SP22-SP23-
The processing procedure of SP24-SP19 is repeated, and for all the transmission codes of the file uploaded from the memory card 5, the symbols, characters, and functions are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 9, and the assignment to the operator 11 by the user is accepted. When the assignment is completed for the operator 11 of
The process moves from step SP23 to step SP25.

Here, the microcomputer 21 displays a "registration completed" message indicating that the assignment of the operation elements 11 has been completed for all the transmission codes, and then proceeds to step SP2.
Move to 6. Here, the microcomputer 21 is provided with a work RAM 23.
Of the file recorded in the memory 22 assuming the file number J + 1 following the file number J for specifying the last file recorded in the memory 22,
Register with. Subsequently, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step SP27
Then, the last number of the file held in the memory 22 is incremented and recorded, and the process returns to step SP3.

Thus, the microcomputer 21 constitutes data recording means for acquiring information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal from a memory built in the plate-shaped recording medium and storing it in the recording means 22.

(1-2) Operation of First Embodiment In the above configuration, in the learning remote controller 1 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), the memory card 5 is inserted into the insertion slot 6 of the dedicated remote controller 2. By operating the download operation element 4 by inserting it, the transmission code necessary for transmitting the remote control signal is downloaded together with the information to the memory card 5, and then the memory card 5 is inserted into the insertion slot 8 of the learning remote controller 1. By operating the upload operator 13, information necessary for transmitting the control signal downloaded to the memory card 5 and the like are collectively collected.
It is taken in.

As a result, the learning remote controller 1 can upload information necessary for transmitting a control signal via a memory card, and can operate this type of remote controller and learning remote controller one by one to operate this type of remote controller. A complicated operation such as receiving information can be omitted, and the learning remote controller can be learned by a simple operation. Therefore, various devices can be remotely controlled by a single learning remote controller by a simple operation. In addition, since the information necessary for transmitting the control signal can be uploaded collectively, this information can be recorded in the learning remote controller 1 without leaking, and the learning remote controller reliably controls the device by the dedicated remote controller 2 accordingly. Can be possible.

Further, in the learning remote controller 1, for the information necessary for transmitting the control signal uploaded in this way, symbols and characters indicating the function of each transmission code are displayed together with the function on the liquid crystal display section 9, and the display is performed. A function is sequentially assigned to each operator 11 by the operation of the operator 11 performed by the user, and the relationship between the function and the operator is recorded in the memory 22 in a file format together with information necessary for transmitting a control signal. You. As a result, in the learning remote controller 1, erroneous operations such as duplicate settings can be effectively avoided as in the learning in the conventional learning remote controller, whereby the dedicated remote controller 2 can surely remotely control the device. be able to.

(1-3) Effect of First Embodiment According to the above configuration, information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal is downloaded and uploaded using a memory card, thereby transmitting the remote control signal. Necessary information can be collectively taken into the learning remote controller 1, whereby various devices can be remotely controlled by one learning remote controller with a simple operation.

Also, based on the information uploaded at this time, a symbol or the like indicating the function of each transmission code is displayed, and the setting of the operating element 11 by the user is accepted,
This also makes it possible to reliably control the device by the dedicated remote controller 2.

Also, by downloading and uploading the function information together with the information necessary for the transmission of the control signal, and further by downloading and uploading the information of the symbols and characters representing the functions, the dedicated remote controller can be controlled. It is possible to flexibly cope with a function unique to an object, a newly added function, and the like, and to enable remote control.

Also, after uploading, by accepting the setting of the function for each operator, the desired device can be remotely controlled by the key arrangement desired by the user.
The usability can be improved accordingly.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, after the information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal is downloaded from the dedicated remote controller 32 to the memory card 5, the personal computer 30 edits the information.
Upload to 1.

In this embodiment, a transmission code is assigned to each operator of the learning remote controller 31 in the editing processing by the personal computer 30. Correspondingly, in the learning remote controller 31, the memory card 5
The configuration is the same as that of the learning remote controller 1 according to the first embodiment, except that the information recorded in the learning remote controller 1 is directly uploaded in a file format and recorded in a memory. The dedicated remote controller 32 is a dedicated remote controller 3 according to the first embodiment.
2 is the same as that of FIG.

That is, this kind of memory card 5 can be mounted on a personal computer 30 for access. Thus, in this embodiment, the learning remote controller 3
A transmission code is assigned to each operator of
The learning remote controller 31 can be made to learn by a simpler operation than in the embodiment.

Here, when the personal computer 30 starts up the application program related to the learning remote controller 31, a message prompting the user to insert the memory card 5 is displayed. Check the format of the data. Here, when information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal is recorded in the memory card 5, the personal computer 30 displays a predetermined setting screen.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the setting screen. The personal computer 30 displays the operation panel of the learning remote controller 31 on the left side of the display screen. Further, the personal computer 30 is provided with the learning remote controller 31.
The information recorded on the memory card 5 is displayed adjacent to the display of, and an icon for instructing the end of the operation is displayed below the display of this information. Here, in the display of the information recorded on the memory card 5, a maker name, a category of a device, a symbol or a character indicating a function, and a function are displayed. Further, a column for a corresponding operator to which each function is assigned is displayed, and this column is held blank on the initial screen.
In the display of the learning remote controller 31, letters of the alphabet are assigned to the operators 11 whose functions can be set. In the display unit 12 showing the function of each operator,
It is designed to be displayed without displaying any symbols or characters.

In this state, the personal computer 30
Is operated by the user using a mouse or the like.
When the user grabs the display and moves it to the corresponding operator column (Fig. 1
1, the trajectory of the movement is indicated by an arrow C). As shown in FIG. 12, in the column of the corresponding operation element in which the display of the operation element 11 is moved, the code assigned to the display of the moved operation element 11 is displayed. Is displayed. Further, a symbol and a character representing the function corresponding to the display of the function corresponding to the display of the moved operator 11 are displayed so as to correspond to the display of the corresponding operator column.

The personal computer 30 sequentially sets the functions of the respective operators 11 by repeating the operation of grasping the display of the operators 11 and moving the display to the corresponding operator column. Further, when the end icon is operated by the user, the corresponding relationship between each operator 11 and each function is recorded on the memory card 5 so as to correspond to the display of the corresponding operator column set in this manner. As a result, the personal computer 30 can visually and periodically grasp the relationship between each operator and the function and set the function to each operator. It has been made configurable.

As a result, in the learning remote controller 31,
The information of the correspondence set in this way and the information downloaded from the dedicated remote controller 32 are collectively uploaded and recorded in one file format, and like the learning remote controller 31 according to the first embodiment, Devices to be controlled by the dedicated remote controller 32 can also be remotely controlled.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 9, information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal is uploaded via a memory card, and a transmission code is assigned to each operator by a personal computer during the upload, and By setting the function of the operation device, various devices can be connected by a simpler operation than in the first embodiment.
The remote control can be reliably performed with one learning remote control.

In this case, since a dedicated remote controller is not necessary, the resource can be effectively used by omitting the attachment of the dedicated remote controller to the device to be controlled.

(3) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal is downloaded from a dedicated remote controller to a memory card. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, as in the case of downloading from a homepage on the Internet, the program may be downloaded from a server or the like via a communication line. When downloading via a communication line in this way, when downloading via a device other than the object of remote control such as a personal computer, or when connected to a communication line like a so-called communication karaoke device, There may be a case where downloading is performed via a device to be controlled by a remote controller or a dedicated remote controller. In the case of downloading with a personal computer as described above, the process of setting the functions for the respective operators described above in the second embodiment is also executed on the application program for downloading in the personal computer. Is also good. When downloading via a device to be controlled by the learning remote controller or the dedicated remote controller, after downloading to this device, the functions to the respective operators described above in the first embodiment are performed on this device. The setting process may be executed together.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the infrared light emitting unit is driven by the transmission code corresponding to the operation of the operation element has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Also, the present invention can be widely applied to a case where the infrared light emitting unit is driven by a combination of a category code indicating a category of a device and a control code indicating switching of operation. In this case, as the information, the manufacturer name code, the category code, and the control code correspond to information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the learning remote controller is learned for each control object by downloading the information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal from the dedicated remote controller to the memory card has been described. But,
The present invention is not limited to this, and information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal may be uploaded collectively for a plurality of control devices.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, information necessary for transmitting a remote control signal is downloaded and uploaded using a memory card, and at this time, an information processing device such as a personal computer is used. By receiving the settings for the controls, it is possible to obtain a remote control device and an information processing device capable of securely controlling various devices with a single remote control device by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a learning remote controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention together with a dedicated remote controller and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a dedicated remote controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a table showing information recorded on a dedicated remote controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the learning remote controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a table showing information recorded on a learning remote controller in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a microcomputer in the learning remote controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an initial display screen of the personal computer shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining operations on the display screen of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a display screen immediately after setting a function to an operator in comparison with FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 31 learning remote control, 2, 32 dedicated remote control, 5 memory card, 15, 21 dedicated remote control

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device capable of remotely controlling a desired device by a remote control signal, wherein a plate-shaped recording medium having a built-in memory is detachably retained, and information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal is retained. Recording means, remote control for accessing the recording means in response to operation of a predetermined operation element, and transmitting the remote control signal based on information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal held in the recording means Remote control, comprising: signal transmitting means; and data recording means for acquiring information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal from a memory built in the plate-shaped recording medium and storing the information in the recording means. apparatus. 2. The information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal includes a plurality of control codes for switching an operation of a control target, and the data recording unit records the information required for transmitting the remote control signal. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the correspondence between each control code and the operation element is received when storing the control code in the means. 3. A remote control device for remotely controlling a desired device by a remote control signal, wherein a plate-shaped recording medium having a built-in memory is detachably retained, and a recording retaining information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal is provided. Means, a remote control signal for accessing the recording means in response to operation of a predetermined operation element, and transmitting the remote control signal based on information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal held in the recording means. A remote control device comprising: a transmitting unit; and a data recording unit that records information necessary for transmitting the remote control signal held in the recording unit in a memory built in the plate-shaped recording medium. 4. An information processing apparatus capable of removably holding a plate-shaped recording medium having a built-in memory and updating data stored in the memory, wherein the memory remotely controls a desired device by a remote control signal. Attaching the plate-shaped recording medium to a remote control device, supplying information to the remote control device, which is information necessary for sending the remote control signal, by at least a plurality of control codes for switching an operation of a control target, The information processing apparatus receives a setting of a correspondence relationship between each control code and an operator of the remote control device, and stores the correspondence relationship between each control code and an operator of the remote control device according to the setting in the memory. An information processing apparatus characterized in that the information is recorded on a computer.