JP2005142675A - Remote control system, remote controller, and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control system for remotely controlling electric equipment and electronic equipment whereby a user can visually execute remote control operations by making the display device of operation object equipment perform a display in accordance with the operation by a remote controller and to provide the remote controller and the display apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The remote control system includes the equipment provided with a display section and the remote controller for remotely controlling the equipment, and the display section includes: a first means that displays part or all of operation buttons of the remote controller and part or all of functions or services available by the equipment; and a second means that makes the remote controller carry out an operation for correlating the one operation button displayed on the display section with the one function or service or more. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “remote control”) system for remotely operating an electric device or an electronic device, and in particular, in a display device of an operation target device, a display corresponding to an operation by the remote control device is performed. Thus, the present invention relates to a remote control system, a remote control device, and a display device that enable a user to visually perform a remote control operation.

  Nowadays, a remote control device is attached to all electric devices and electronic devices, and a user can operate these devices from a remote location in a room. For example, a remote control device is generally attached to video equipment such as a video deck, television, DVD player, acoustic equipment such as a CD player or MD player, and air conditioning equipment such as an air conditioner.

  The remote control device is provided with a plurality of operation buttons or operation panels, and mainly transmits a control signal to an operation target device by optical communication such as infrared rays.

  By the way, in recent years, especially in video / audio equipment, multi-functionalization and diversification of services are rapidly progressing. As for video equipment, the number of channels has been increasing due to the spread of BS / CS satellite digital broadcasting and CATV, and in the future, terrestrial digital broadcasting services will be launched in earnest, and broadband broadcasting via the Internet will also become popular. It is thought that the trend of multi-channels will continue. In addition to broadcasting, playback video from a video deck, DVD player, hard disk recorder, etc. is viewed, so it is considered that the number of video equipment will be increased.

  For this reason, as the type of operation and the number of channels increase, the number of operation buttons of the remote control device also increases, and the operation method becomes complicated. A variety of operation buttons are arranged in a limited space on the surface of the remote control device, and the current situation is that the remote control operation is very troublesome and difficult for the user.

  In addition, in order to meet the diverse needs of users in home and business electrical and electronic devices, various functions and operation modes are installed by microcomputer control, etc. A desired operation must be selected and executed from a large number of operation menus by using the attached remote control device, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated while being multifunctional.

  On the other hand, electric devices and electronic devices are generally provided with different remote control devices for each product and each manufacturer. For this reason, a user who owns a large number of electric devices and electronic devices has to handle a large number of remote controllers with different operation targets, operation methods, and operation button arrangements, which is inconvenient.

  In order to cope with such a problem, a general-purpose remote control device that can be used for devices of a plurality of manufacturers is commercially available. Thereby, for example, even if the user owns TVs of a plurality of manufacturers, only one general-purpose remote control device is required.

  In general, a general-purpose remote control device can be operated by changing a setting mode for each model of an operation target device in order to cope with a difference in remote control operation method and function by a manufacturer. In addition, it has a memory for storing setting information. Each user can store a specific function in each operation button or store a manufacturer setting (specific model operation and function setting information) in advance. Some of them are designed for convenience.

  However, changing the operation method and setting mode of the remote control or calling the pre-stored setting information for many manufacturers and models is extremely troublesome for the user and causes confusion. There is also.

  Therefore, the television receiver described in Patent Document 1 displays an OSD (On Screen Display) image indicating the arrangement of the operation buttons of the remote control device on the screen, and indicates the operation button arrangement in response to reception of the remote control operation. There has been proposed a technique that allows a user to visually control a remote controller while viewing a screen by changing a display state of a portion corresponding to the operation button of the image.

In the remote control system described in Patent Document 2, when a video device such as a VTR or a DVD device is connected to a monitor having a large screen, a remote control key is displayed on the monitor screen, and the remote control key is operated. Then, a technique has been proposed in which a corresponding remote control code is read out and transmitted to a video device connected to the monitor, so that the video device can be remotely controlled via the monitor. This makes it easier for the user to perform remote control operations than to directly perform remote control operations on video equipment placed on the side of a large monitor.
JP 2002-330307 A (see FIG. 4) JP 2002-191081 A (see FIG. 2)

  In the techniques proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, by displaying the same image as the remote control device on the monitor screen, the user can perform the remote control operation while looking at the monitor screen without looking at the remote control device itself. The operability has been improved.

  However, even with these technologies, the remote control operation is cumbersome and difficult for the user due to the increase in the number of operation buttons of the remote control device and the complexity of the operation method due to the multi-functionality of video equipment and the increase in the number of channels described above. It is not a solution for the current situation.

  In addition, the current remote control device that supports multi-function and multi-channel is generally equipped with a function capable of assigning a specific channel to each operation button according to user settings. FIG. 11 is a display example of a conventional channel registration screen. For example, such a registration screen is OSD-displayed on a display unit of a television, and a user designates a button number using a remote control device, selects a broadcast channel, and sets additional information such as an audio mode and a video mode. Is a general operation of channel registration.

  However, in order to set or change channel registration, it is necessary to perform such a complicated channel setting operation for each operation button, which is very troublesome for the user. In particular, it is extremely troublesome to select a desired viewing target from a variety of broadcast channels and data sources and assign them to each operation button.

  Similarly, in other electric devices and electronic devices, the more diversified functions, the more complicated the remote control operation for the user to use these functions becomes. Similar to the above example, it is conceivable to register frequently used functions in the operation buttons of the remote control device, but the registration operation to select from a number of functions and assign to the operation buttons of the remote control device is also troublesome for the user. Is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a remote control system that displays a remote control image on a display device of an operation target device, a user can perform a remote control operation visually in a simple manner. A remote control device and a display device are to be provided.

  As a result of diligent research in view of the above-described problem, the inventor displays an image simulating an operation button of a remote controller in the display device of the operation target device, and a list of channels or functions that can be used in the operation target device. A technology that allows a user to perform an operation of assigning a specific channel, function, or service to a specific operation button of a remote control image by performing a visual operation using the remote control device while viewing these displays. I came up with it.

  That is, the present invention is a remote control system including a device provided with a display unit and a remote control device for remotely operating the device, in the display unit, a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device, The first means for displaying a part or all of the functions or services available in the device and the one remote control device associate one operation button displayed on the display unit with one or more functions or services. And a second remote control system for performing the operation.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, when the second means performs an operation of selecting one or more functions or services after selecting one operation button on the display unit by the remote control device, The selected operation button is associated with a function or service.

  Alternatively, the second means selects the operation button selected when an operation for selecting one operation button is performed after selecting one or more functions or services on the display unit by the remote control device. And a function or service.

  Thereby, the user can register a function or service in the operation button of the remote controller with a simple operation.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, the device further includes means for displaying a cursor that can be operated by the remote control device on the display unit, and the second means is provided on the display unit by the remote control device. When an operation of dragging and dropping one function or service onto one operation button is performed by operating the cursor, the operation button and the function or service are associated with each other.

  Alternatively, the device further includes means for displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit, and the second means operates the cursor on the display unit by the remote control device. Thus, when an operation of dragging and dropping one operation button onto one function or service is performed, the operation button is associated with the function or service.

  Drag and drop is a visual and easy-to-understand operation commonly used in operations on personal computers and the like, and a user can register a function or service to an operation button of a remote control very visually and easily using a remote control device. it can.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, the first means displays each operation button with a display area, and when the operation button is associated with a function or service by the second means, the operation button The function or service is displayed in a display area attached to the screen.

  The first means may display the name of each function or service or an image showing each function or service on the display unit.

  Thereby, the user can immediately confirm the current registration state of each operation button of the remote controller.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, the device is a television receiver, and the first means can be used in the display unit in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and in the television receiver. Or a part or all of the broadcast channels that can be viewed.

  As a result, the utility value of the remote control system of the present invention in the television receiver is very high, especially considering the recent increase in the number of tuners and functions of the television receiver and the increase in the number of buttons of the remote control device.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, the first means performs OSD display on a display unit of the television receiver.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, the first means further displays video / audio contents that can be viewed on the television receiver on the display unit.

  Future television receivers include a number of data sources such as VCR devices, DVD devices, MD players, hard disk recorders, personal computers, in addition to conventional terrestrial broadcasting stations, satellite broadcasting stations, and cable broadcasting stations. A usage form in which video / audio content is acquired and viewed from a LAN, the Internet, or the like is common, but the present invention is applicable to all these usage forms.

  The present invention also provides a remote control device used in the above-described remote control system.

  The present invention is also a display device capable of communicating with a remote control device and an operation target device of the remote control device, and a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and functions or services available in the operation target device. A display unit that displays a part or all of the display unit, and a registration unit that allows the remote controller to perform an operation of associating one operation button displayed on the display unit with one or more functions or services. A device is provided.

  As described above, the display unit for the registration screen and the functional unit for performing the registration operation can be configured independently of the operation target device of the remote control device.

  In the display device of the present invention, the registration unit is selected when an operation for selecting one or more functions or services is performed by the remote control device after selecting one operation button on the display unit. The operation button is associated with a function or service.

  Alternatively, the registration unit selects the operation button and function selected when an operation for selecting one operation button is performed after selecting one or more functions or services on the display unit by the remote control device. Or it is characterized by associating with a service.

  In the display device of the present invention, the display device further includes means for displaying a cursor that can be operated by the remote control device in the display unit, and the registration unit is provided on the display unit by the remote control device. When an operation of dragging and dropping one function or service onto one operation button is performed by operating the cursor, the operation button and the function or service are associated with each other.

  In the display device of the present invention, the display device further includes means for displaying a cursor that can be operated by the remote control device in the display unit, and the registration unit is provided on the display unit by the remote control device. When an operation of dragging and dropping one operation button onto one function or service is performed by operating a cursor, the operation button is associated with the function or service.

  In the display device of the present invention, the display unit displays each operation button with a display area attached thereto, and when the operation button is associated with a function or service by the registration unit, the display associated with the operation button is displayed. The function or service is displayed in the area.

  In the display device of the present invention, the display unit displays a name of each of the functions or services or an image indicating each of the functions or services.

  In addition, the display device of the present invention is a television receiver, and the display unit includes a part or all of operation buttons of the remote control device, functions available in the television receiver, or broadcasts that can be viewed. A part or all of the channel is displayed.

  The present invention is also a method for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and can be used in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the device. A step of displaying a part or all of a function or service on the display unit; a step of selecting one operation button and one or more functions or services displayed on the display unit by the remote control device; Associating the operated button with a function or service.

  The present invention is also a method for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and can be used in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the device. A step of displaying a part or all of a function or service on the display unit, a step of displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit, and a function or service using the cursor. The method includes the step of associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping onto the operation button is performed.

  The present invention is also a method for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and can be used in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the device. A step of displaying a part or all of functions or services on the display unit, a step of displaying a cursor that can be operated by the remote control device on the display unit; And a step of associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping on the function or service is performed.

  The present invention is also a method for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and includes a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the operation buttons. Displaying a display area and a part or all of a function or service available in the device on the display unit, displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit, A step of associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the operation button onto the function or service with the cursor is performed; Is displayed, the function or service is displayed in the display area associated with the operation button. There is provided a method comprising.

  The present invention is also a program for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and is used in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the device. Displaying a part or all of possible functions or services on the display unit; and causing the remote control device to select one operation button and one or more functions or services displayed on the display unit; And a step of associating a selected operation button with a function or service.

  The present invention is also a program for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and is used in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the device. Displaying a part or all of possible functions or services on the display unit, displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit, and using the cursor, When an operation of dragging and dropping a service onto one operation button is performed, a program including a step of associating the operation button with the function or service is provided.

  The present invention is also a program for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit, and is used in part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and the device. A step of displaying a part or all of possible functions or services on the display unit, a step of displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit, and one operation button using the cursor And a step of associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the function onto one function or service is performed.

  The present invention is also a program for setting a remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and has a display unit, and a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and each of the operation buttons A step of displaying a display area associated with the device, a part or all of a function or service available in the device on the display unit, and a step of displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit; , When an operation of dragging and dropping one operation button onto one function or service is performed using the cursor, the step of associating the operation button with the function or service; When the service is associated, the function or service is displayed in the display area associated with the operation button. A step, there is provided a program including.

  As described above, according to the remote control system, the remote control device, and the display device of the present invention, the user operates the remote control device in a simple and visual manner while looking at the screen of the display device, so that the desired viewing target can be viewed. Channel registration operation assigned to each operation button can be performed.

  The best mode for carrying out a remote control system, a remote control device and a display device of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 10 are diagrams illustrating embodiments of the present invention. In these drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and the basic configuration and operation are the same. Shall.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a remote control system, a remote control device, and a display device of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is composed of a television having a function corresponding to a multi-channel, multi-tuner, and a remote control device for performing operations on the television.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the remote control device of the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a remote control device 10 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 11, a ROM (read only memory) 12, a RAM (random access memory) 13, a button operation input unit 14, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 15, and the like. And a wireless communication unit 16.

  The control unit 11 is a control arithmetic processing device including a CPU, an MPU, and the like, and controls the operation of each component of the remote control device 10 and data communication between the components.

  The ROM 12 is constituted by a read-only semiconductor memory element or the like, and stores an operation program for the control unit 11 and fixed data such as control data.

  The RAM 13 is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory element or the like. In particular, it is preferable to use a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The RAM 13 stores various data used for the operation of the remote control device 10, a control program, user setting information, and the like.

  Therefore, according to the operation program stored in the ROM 12, the control unit 11 can use the RAM 13 as a working memory to execute necessary control, calculation, and data transmission / reception processes in the remote control device 10.

  The button operation input unit 14 is a processing unit that receives an input by pressing an operation button provided on the surface of the remote control device 10. The LCD 15 is provided on the surface of the remote control device 10 and displays a display necessary for operation, date and time, and a warning for an erroneous operation by the user.

  The wireless communication unit 16 is a processing unit for performing wireless communication with the television 20 as an operation target device by optical communication or transmission / reception of radio waves. Specifically, it is possible to use an IrDA (Infrared Data Association) or ASK that transmits data using infrared rays, a short-range wireless communication system using FM waves, Bluetooth, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the television 20 operated by the remote control device shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the television 20 includes a control unit 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an operation input unit 24, an OSD display unit 25, and a wireless communication unit 26. In the figure, only the portion related to the remote control function in the internal configuration of the television 20 is shown, and the other components are omitted.

  The control unit 21 is a control arithmetic processing device including a CPU, an MPU, and the like, and controls the operation of each component of the television 20 and data communication between the components.

  The ROM 22 is composed of a read-only semiconductor memory element or the like, and stores an operation program for the control unit 21 and fixed data such as control data.

  The RAM 23 is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory element or the like. In particular, it is preferable to use a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as EPROM or EEPROM. The RAM 23 stores various data used for the operation of the television 20, a control program, user setting information, and the like.

  The operation input unit 24 is a processing unit that receives an input by pressing an operation button provided on the surface of the television 20, and receives an operation similar to that of the remote control device 10.

  The OSD display unit 25 generates OSD display data to be displayed on the display unit of the television 20 in accordance with a command from the control unit 21. A specific example of OSD display on the television 20 will be described later.

  The wireless communication unit 26 is a processing unit for performing wireless communication with the remote control device 10 by optical communication or transmission / reception of radio waves, and has a configuration corresponding to the wireless communication unit 16 of the remote control device 10.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the remote control device 10 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 3, the remote control device 10 includes a display screen 15 a of the LCD 15 and a transmission unit 16 a of the wireless communication unit 16. The transmitter 16a can be constituted by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared light in the case of optical communication, and a wireless antenna in the case of using radio waves.

  The remote control device 10 includes a plurality of channel selection buttons 31, a cursor button 32, a determination button 33, a channel registration button 34, and an end button 35 as operation buttons, as well as general remote control operation buttons (volume up / down buttons). Channel up / down button, power button, input switching button, etc.).

  The channel selection button 31 is normally assigned a number corresponding to the channel number. By default, the channel selection button 31 is set to select a broadcasting station of the corresponding channel number when each button is pressed. As will be described later, the user can assign an arbitrary broadcast channel to the channel selection button 31.

  The cursor button 32 is an operation button for moving the cursor up / down / left / right in the OSD display of the television 20. The determination button 33 is an operation button for selecting and determining an item in the OSD display of the television 20 and for performing a drag and drop operation described later.

  The channel registration button 34 is for performing channel registration operation in the OSD display of the television 20, and the end button 35 is for ending channel registration. These operation buttons will also be described later.

  Next, a method for a user to perform channel registration operation on the television 20 using the remote control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing in the remote control device 10 and the television 20 when performing a channel registration operation. The processing shown in the figure is stored as programs in the ROMs 12 and 22 of the remote control device 10 and the television 20, respectively, and is performed by the control units 11 and 21, respectively.

  In FIG. 4, when the user presses the channel registration button 34 of the remote control device 10 to start the channel registration mode, the remote control device 10 notifies the television 20 of the start of the channel registration mode through the wireless communication unit 16 (step A41). Receiving this notification, the television 20 displays the channel registration screen on the display screen by the OSD display unit 25 (step B41).

  In the following, when the user presses various operation buttons of the remote control device 10, if the operation is related to channel registration, the operation content is appropriately transmitted to the television 20 through the wireless communication unit 16.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of a channel registration screen on the display screen of the television 20. In FIG. 5, a channel selection button 31 of the remote control device 10 is schematically displayed on the left side of the channel registration screen, and a display area for displaying a broadcast channel assigned to the button exists below each button. . Note that information on the channel selection button 31 of the remote control device 10 displayed on the channel registration screen is stored in advance in the ROM 22 or RAM 23 of the television 20. Alternatively, it is preferable that the television 20 can acquire information for displaying the channel selection button 31 from the remote control device 10 at any time through the wireless communication function.

  On the right side of the channel registration screen, broadcast services currently available on the television 20 are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, terrestrial analog broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting, and two CS broadcasting services are currently available, but BS digital broadcasting is selected and provided as BS digital broadcasting service. Each channel of TV broadcasting, radio broadcasting, and data broadcasting is displayed together with a logo image of the broadcasting station. The logo image data is acquired from EPG data or the like.

  When the channel registration screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display screen of the television 20, first, an operation can be performed on a portion in which the left channel selection button is schematically displayed. That is, the user can select one of the channel selection buttons displayed on the channel registration screen by using the cursor button 32 and the enter button 33 of the remote control device 10 to perform channel registration ( Step A42). The channel selection button displayed on the channel registration screen can be selected not only by the cursor button 32 but also by pressing the channel selection button on the remote control device 10 and then pressing the decision button 33. it can.

  When the user selects the channel selection button displayed on the channel registration screen, the television 20 highlights the channel selection button selected on the channel registration screen (step B42). For example, the channel selection button may be colored and displayed or blinked.

  Subsequently, on the channel registration screen of the television 20, an operation for selecting a broadcast channel to be assigned to the channel selection button selected above from the currently available broadcast services displayed on the right side becomes possible. That is, the user selects a desired broadcast service from terrestrial analog broadcast, terrestrial digital broadcast, BS digital broadcast, and CS broadcasts 1 and 2 using the cursor button 32 and the decision button 33 of the remote control device 10, and then A desired channel can be selected from broadcast channels (television broadcast, radio broadcast and data broadcast) included in the service (step A43).

  When the user selects a broadcast channel displayed on the channel registration screen, the television 20 displays the broadcast channel in the display area below the channel selection button selected above (step B43). At this time, the broadcast channel may be displayed using a channel number such as “BS101” or a logo of the broadcast channel. At this time, the television 20 temporarily stores information on the channel selection button and the broadcast channel assigned thereto in the RAM 23.

  Although the broadcast channel is assigned to the channel selection button as described above, the user can also continuously assign the broadcast channel to another channel selection button (step A44).

  6 and 7 are diagrams showing display examples of the display screen when a broadcast channel is assigned to each channel selection button as described above. In the example of FIG. 6, the assigned broadcast channel number is displayed in the display area below each channel selection button. In the example of FIG. 7, the assigned broadcast channel number is displayed in the display area below each channel selection button. The logo image of the channel is displayed. By performing such display, the user can visually and intuitively grasp the current channel registration state.

  When the user finishes assigning the broadcast channel to the channel selection button, the user performs a confirmation operation of the channel registration content by the remote control device 10 (step A45). The confirmation operation of the channel registration content can be performed, for example, by selecting a “registration” key shown on the channel registration screen, or by pressing the channel registration button 34 or the end button 35 of the remote control device 10. The television 20 may display a dialog for confirming the completion of the channel registration setting on the display screen.

  When the user performs a channel registration confirmation operation, the remote controller 10 transmits a channel registration confirmation command to the television 20 (step A46). The television 20 that has received the channel registration confirmation command stores the channel selection button and the broadcast channel assignment information temporarily stored in the RAM 23 in step B43 as channel registration information (step B44).

  Although not shown, when the user cancels channel registration in step A45, the remote control device 10 preferably transmits a channel registration cancel command to the television 20. Canceling channel registration can be performed by selecting a “delete” key shown on the channel registration screen or by pressing a cancel button on the remote controller 10 (not shown). Alternatively, when the user does not perform the channel registration confirmation operation for a certain period of time in step A45, it may be automatically canceled.

  If the channel is registered as described above, the user can immediately view the broadcast channel by pressing a channel selection button to which a broadcast channel has been assigned in advance on the remote control device 10.

  In step B44, the channel registration information is stored in the RAM 23 of the television 20, but the channel registration information may be wirelessly transmitted to the remote control device 10 and stored in the RAM 13 of the remote control device 10.

  In the above, in the channel registration operation, after selecting a channel selection button to be set, a broadcast channel to be assigned to the channel selection button is selected. On the contrary, first, a broadcast channel to be set is selected. It is also possible to adopt an operation method in which a channel selection button to which broadcast channel is assigned later is selected.

  Further, as an application example of the present embodiment, instead of a channel registration screen for displaying and registering broadcast channels that are currently viewable on a television, a list of functions that can be used on the television is displayed, and the remote control device is operated by the same operation as above It is also possible to realize a form in which a function registration screen to be registered in the operation buttons is displayed. In this case, the functions available on the television are, for example, functions such as mute, main / sub sound switching, power-off timer, recording reservation, and the like.

  Incidentally, in FIG. 2, only the part related to the remote control system of the present embodiment is displayed in the internal configuration of the television 20, but for example, only the component shown in FIG. An independent remote control display device can also be provided. In this case, the remote control operation display device and the TV to be operated may be provided with wired or wireless communication means so that the data necessary for displaying the channel registration screen and storing the channel registration information can be transmitted and received. .

  According to the remote control system, remote control device, and display device of the present embodiment described above, the user selects a desired broadcast channel or the like using the remote control device's cursor buttons, enter buttons, etc. The channel registration operation assigned to the button can be performed in a simple and visual manner on the channel registration screen.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the remote control system, the remote control device, and the display device of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is composed of a remote control device and a television that are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a channel registration operation method and a channel registration screen display method different from those in the first embodiment are adopted, which will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of a channel registration screen on a television display screen and a channel registration operation method in the present embodiment. Each display on the channel registration screen is the same as that shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the channel selection for allocating the broadcast channel while the user selects the broadcast channel to be viewed on the channel registration screen by using the cursor button and the decision button of the remote control device. One broadcast channel can be assigned to one channel selection button by moving the cursor over the button and performing a so-called drag-and-drop operation to cancel the selection.

  To perform the above drag-and-drop operation using the cursor button and the enter button of the remote control device, for example, after placing the cursor on a specific broadcast channel, select the specific channel while holding down the enter button This can be done by moving over the button and releasing the enter button.

  Alternatively, as a simpler operation method, after placing the cursor on a specific broadcast channel and pressing the enter button once, moving the cursor onto the specific channel selection button and pressing the enter button again, It may be determined that a drag-and-drop operation has been performed.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing in the remote control device and the television when performing a channel registration operation in the present embodiment. In the figure, steps other than steps A92, A93, B92, and B93 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  In step A92, when the user selects a specific broadcast channel on the channel registration screen by using the cursor button and the selection button of the remote control device and starts a drag operation, the television performs processing for highlighting the broadcast channel on the channel registration screen. Perform (step B92). Further, during the drag operation, it is preferable to display the channel number or logo image of the broadcast channel in association with the cursor.

  After that, when a drop operation is performed on a specific channel selection button on the channel registration screen (step A93), in the television, on the channel registration screen, the display area below the channel selection button displays the broadcast channel selected above. A channel number or a logo image is displayed (step B93).

  Although the broadcast channel is assigned to the channel selection button as described above, the user can also continuously assign the broadcast channel to another channel selection button (step A44).

  In the above, in the channel registration operation, after selecting a broadcast channel to be viewed, it is dragged and dropped onto the channel selection button to be set, but on the contrary, the channel to be set is selected. It is also possible to employ an operation method in which, after selecting a button, dragging and dropping onto the broadcast channel to be viewed.

  According to the remote control system, remote control device, and display device of the present embodiment described above, the user selects a desired broadcast channel or the like using the remote control device's cursor buttons, enter buttons, etc. The channel registration operation assigned to the button can be performed by a very simple and visual method called drag-and-drop on the channel registration screen.

[Third embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the remote control system, the remote control device, and the display device of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an electric device or an electronic device (hereinafter simply referred to as “electric device” in the description of the present embodiment) capable of selecting and executing various operation modes, and an operation on this It is comprised from the remote control apparatus for performing.

  In the present embodiment, the electric device includes a display unit made up of an LCD or the like (in FIG. 2, it may be configured to include an LCD display unit or the like instead of the OSD display unit 25). A function registration screen including an image and a list of functions or services (hereinafter simply referred to as “functions”) that can be used in the device is displayed, and the user uses the remote control device to display the first embodiment and Function registration for assigning a specific function to a specific remote control button can be performed by the same method as the channel registration shown in the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, as an example, a fully automatic washing machine and a remote control device used therefor will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of a function registration screen on the display screen of the washing machine of the present example and a function registration operation method. On this function registration screen, the user can assign each function of the washing machine to each button of the remote control image by operating the remote control device in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. In the example shown in the figure, the “automatic full automatic” function is dragged and dropped onto the button “8” to register the function.

  In this example, an operation for executing a combination of a plurality of functions can be registered in one button. In this case, all the functions to be registered for one button may be dragged and dropped. For example, “automatic full automatic” and “water saving” can be combined, or “washing” and “hand washing” can be combined.

  In FIG. 10, the name of each function of the washing machine is displayed on the function registration screen, but each function is shown following the example of the logo display of the broadcast channel in the first embodiment and the second embodiment mobile phone. Of course, it does not matter if an image is displayed.

  Examples of electrical devices applicable to this embodiment include so-called home appliances such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators, AV devices such as videos, personal computers, radios, MD / CD players, etc. There are various electric products for business use.

  According to the remote control system, remote control device, and display device of the present embodiment described above, the user operates the remote control device while looking at the function registration screen of the display unit even in electrical equipment that has rapidly become multifunctional and complicated in recent years. By doing so, it is possible to visually perform a function registration operation for assigning a specific function to a specific remote control button.

  The remote control system, the remote control device, and the display device of the present invention have been described above with specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these. A person skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the configurations and functions of the invention according to the above-described embodiments or other embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the first and second embodiments, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, and data broadcasting are exemplified as viewing targets. However, the present invention is not limited to these broadcasting services, but also VTR devices and DVD devices owned by users. The present invention can also be implemented in the usage mode for viewing content such as.

  The remote control system, the remote control device, and the display device of the present invention can be used in all electrical products and electronic devices that include a display unit and are remotely operated by the remote control.

It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the remote control apparatus contained in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the television operated by the remote control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a remote control device. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process in the remote control apparatus and television at the time of a user performing channel registration operation. In 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the channel registration screen in the display screen of a television. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display screen when a broadcast channel is assigned to a channel selection button in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the assigned broadcast channel number is displayed in a display area below each channel selection button. doing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display screen when a broadcast channel is assigned to a channel selection button in the first embodiment of the present invention, and a logo image of the assigned broadcast channel is displayed in a display area below each channel selection button. Is displayed. In 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the channel registration screen in the display screen of a television, and the operation method of channel registration. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process in the remote control apparatus and television at the time of a user performing channel registration operation. In 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the function registration screen in the display screen of a washing machine, and the operation method of function registration. It is a display example of the channel registration screen which assigns a specific channel to each operation button by a conventional remote control device.

Explanation of symbols

10 Remote control device 11 Control unit 12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Button operation input unit 15 LCD
15a Display screen 16 Wireless communication unit 16a Transmission unit 20 Television 21 Control unit 22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Operation Input Unit 25 OSD Display Unit 26 Wireless Communication Unit 31 Channel Selection Button 32 Cursor Button 33 Enter Button 34 Channel Registration Button 35 End Button

Claims (27)

A remote control system including a device including a display unit and a remote control device for remotely operating the device,
In the display unit, a first means for displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device;
A second means for performing an operation of associating one operation button displayed on the display unit with one or more functions or services by the remote control device;
A remote control system.   The second means is configured such that when the remote controller device selects one operation button on the display unit and then performs an operation of selecting one or more functions or services, the selected operation button and function are selected. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control system is associated with a service.   The second means includes the selected operation button and function when an operation for selecting one operation button is performed after selecting one or more functions or services on the display unit by the remote control device. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control system is associated with a service. The device further includes means for displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device in the display unit,
The second means operates when a cursor on the display unit is operated by the remote control device and an operation of dragging and dropping one function or service onto one operation button is performed. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the function or service is associated. The device further includes means for displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device in the display unit,
The second means operates when a cursor on the display unit is operated by the remote control device and when an operation of dragging and dropping one operation button onto one function or service is performed. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the function or service is associated.   The first means displays a display area associated with each operation button, and when the operation button is associated with a function or service by the second means, the display area associated with the operation button 6. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein a function or service is displayed.   The said 1st means displays the image which shows each name of the said function or service, or each of the said function or service in the said display part, The one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Remote control system. The device is a television receiver;
The first means displays, on the display unit, a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of a function that can be used in the television receiver or a broadcast channel that can be viewed. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:   9. The remote control system according to claim 8, wherein the first means performs OSD display on a display unit of the television receiver.   10. The remote control system according to claim 8, wherein the first means further displays video / audio content viewable on the television receiver on the display unit. 10.   A remote control device used in the remote control system according to claim 1. A display device capable of communicating with a remote control device and an operation target device of the remote control device,
A display unit for displaying part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and part or all of the functions or services available in the operation target device;
Registration means for performing an operation of associating one operation button displayed on the display unit with one or more functions or services by the remote control device;
Provided display device.   The registration means selects the selected operation button and function or service when an operation for selecting one or more functions or services is performed after selecting one operation button on the display unit by the remote control device. The display device according to claim 12, wherein   The registration means selects the operation button and the function or service selected when an operation for selecting one operation button is performed after selecting one or more functions or services on the display unit by the remote control device. The display device according to claim 12, wherein The display device further includes means for displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device in the display unit,
The registration unit operates the cursor on the display unit with the remote control device and performs an operation of dragging and dropping one function or service onto one operation button. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the display device is associated with a service. The display device further includes means for displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device in the display unit,
The registration means operates the cursor on the display unit by the remote control device, and when an operation of dragging and dropping one operation button onto one function or service is performed, the operation button and the function The display device according to claim 12, wherein the display device is associated with a service.   The display unit displays each operation button with a display area, and when the operation button is associated with the function or service by the registration unit, the function or service is displayed in the display area associated with the operation button. The display device according to claim 12, wherein display is performed.   The display device according to claim 12, wherein the display unit displays a name of each of the functions or services or an image indicating each of the functions or services. The display device is a television receiver;
The display unit displays a part or all of operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of a function that can be used in the television receiver or a broadcast channel that can be viewed. The remote control system according to any one of 12 to 18. A method of setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device on the display unit;
Selecting one operation button and one or more functions or services displayed on the display unit by the remote control device;
Associating a selected operation button with a function or service;
Including methods. A method of setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device on the display unit;
Displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit;
A step of associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the function or service onto the operation button is performed using the cursor. A method of setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device on the display unit;
Displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit;
Associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the operation button onto the function or service with the cursor is performed;
Including methods. A method of setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and includes a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device, a display area associated with each operation button, and a part or all of functions or services available in the device;
Displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit;
Associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the operation button onto the function or service with the cursor is performed;
When the operation button is associated with the function or service, displaying the function or service in a display area associated with the operation button;
Including methods. A program for setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and has a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device on the display unit;
Selecting one operation button and one or more functions or services displayed on the display unit by the remote control device;
Associating a selected operation button with a function or service;
Including programs. A program for setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and has a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device on the display unit;
Displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit;
A program comprising a step of associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the function or service onto the operation button is performed using the cursor. A program for setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and has a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device and a part or all of functions or services available in the device on the display unit;
Displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit;
Associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the operation button onto the function or service with the cursor is performed;
Including programs. A program for setting the remote control device in a device that can be operated by the remote control device and has a display unit,
Displaying a part or all of the operation buttons of the remote control device, a display area associated with each operation button, and a part or all of functions or services available in the device;
Displaying a cursor operable by the remote control device on the display unit;
Associating the operation button with the function or service when an operation of dragging and dropping the operation button onto the function or service with the cursor is performed;
When the operation button is associated with the function or service, displaying the function or service in a display area associated with the operation button;
Including programs.

Images