JP2008244634A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller that can acquire operation information for operating electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The remote controller 5 includes a display means 53 of displaying an operation picture for operating electronic devices 2 and 3, an input means 54 for performing input operation, an operation signal output means 55 of outputting an operation signal to the electronic devices 2 and 3, a communication means 51 of connecting for communication with the other electronic equipment 7 holding operation information for operating the electronic devices 2 and 3, and a control means 57 of controlling the remote controller 57. The control means 57 includes an operation information acquiring unit which acquires the operation information corresponding to the electronic devices 2 and 3 from the other electronic device 7, an operation picture generating unit which generates image information associated with the operation picture based upon the acquired operation information, an image output unit which outputs the generated image information to the display means 53 and an operation signal output unit which generates an operation signal corresponding to input operation on the input means 54 based upon the operation information and outputs it by the operation signal output means 55. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote controller for operating an electronic device.

  Conventionally, a remote controller (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “remote control”) for operating an electronic device is known. Such a remote control is provided with, for example, a power key for turning on / off the power of the electronic device and a plurality of keys for causing the electronic device to execute functions of the electronic device. An operation signal corresponding to the input operation is output to the electronic device. Such an operation signal is output as an electrical signal when the remote control and the electronic device are directly connected via a cable or the like, and when the remote control and the electronic device are not directly connected, for example, It is output as an infrared signal or radio signal.

Here, one general remote controller is provided for each electronic device operated by the remote controller, and an operation code corresponding to a key input is provided from the remote controller together with a type code corresponding to the electronic device to be operated. Is output. In such a remote control, when a plurality of electronic devices are arranged in one place, for example, an AV (Audio and Visual) device, there are remote controls depending on the number of the electronic devices. There was a problem of poor usability.
In order to solve such a problem, a remote control device capable of operating a plurality of electronic devices with one unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The remote control device described in Patent Document 1 stores a plurality of code data, and the remote control device reads code data corresponding to an electronic device to be remotely operated, and performs button operation based on the code data. A corresponding remote control signal is generated. Such code data is configured to be able to specify information such as a remote operation signal corresponding to the manufacturer, model (model number), and button input operation of the remote operation target device. By associating data with a remote operation target device, a remote operation signal is generated and output so that the target device can be remotely operated.

JP 2005-136837 A

However, the remote control device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that only an electronic device corresponding to code data stored in advance can be operated. That is, when the code data corresponding to the remote operation target device is not stored, the remote operation signal based on the code data cannot be generated and output, and thus the target device cannot be operated. is there.
Because of these problems, a remote controller that can increase the number of electronic devices that can be operated has been demanded.

  The objective of this invention is providing the remote controller which can acquire the operation information for operating an electronic device.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a remote controller of the present invention is a remote controller for operating an electronic device, the display unit displaying an operation screen for operating the electronic device, and the display unit displayed by the display unit An input unit that performs an input operation on the operation screen, an operation signal output unit that outputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation to the input unit, and operation information for operating the electronic device are held. Communication means for communicating with another electronic device and control means for controlling the remote controller, wherein the control means obtains the operation information according to the electronic device from the other electronic device And an operation screen generation unit that generates image information related to the operation screen based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit. An image output unit that outputs the image information generated by the operation screen generation unit to the display unit, and an operation signal corresponding to an input operation to the input unit based on the operation information, and the operation signal And an operation signal output unit that outputs the operation signal to the operation signal output means.

Here, examples of the other electronic devices include a computer having a non-volatile storage means, and an STB (Set Top Box) or a server connected to a network is particularly preferable.
Further, examples of the communication means for communication connection with other electronic devices include a module configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the other electronic device, and a module that performs wired communication with the other electronic device. You can also
Furthermore, the operation information acquired from such other electronic devices includes various operation items of the electronic device displayed on the operation screen, templates and layouts related to the operation screen, and input operations for the operation items. The signal format etc. of the operation signal output according to it can be mentioned.

In addition, the operation signal output means includes a module that is connected to the electronic device by wire or wirelessly and that can output a signal for operating the electronic device by an electric signal, an infrared signal, or the like. Can do.
The operation screen includes a normal operation screen for executing a general function of an electronic device (for example, switching of a selected channel when the electronic device is a television), and setting of the electronic device (for example, an electronic device). In the case of a television, a setting screen for changing image quality settings such as hue and contrast) may be used.

  According to the present invention, when an electronic device is operated using a remote controller (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “remote controller”), the operation information acquisition unit of the control unit is connected to the other via the communication unit. Operation information corresponding to the electronic device is acquired from the electronic device. Then, the operation screen generation unit generates image information related to the operation screen for operating the electronic device based on the acquired operation information, and the image output unit outputs the image information to the display unit. Therefore, an operation screen for operating the electronic device is displayed by the display means. In addition, an operation signal corresponding to an input operation performed on the operation screen displayed in this way via the input unit is generated by the operation signal output unit based on the acquired operation information. The operation signal output means outputs the electronic device.

According to this, by acquiring operation information for operating the electronic device from another electronic device, it is possible to increase the number of electronic devices that can be operated by the remote controller. Therefore, a plurality of electronic devices can be operated by one remote controller, and the convenience of the remote controller can be improved.
In addition, since the remote controller obtains operation information corresponding to the electronic device operated by the remote controller from another electronic device, the remote electronic device holds operation information related to the latest electronic device distributed in the market. If so, the remote controller can acquire the operation information related to the new model electronic device from the other electronic device and operate the electronic device. Therefore, the remote controller of the present invention can operate a new model of electronic equipment, and can improve the versatility of the remote controller.

  In the present invention, the apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the operation information, and the operation information acquisition unit associates the operation information acquired from the other electronic device with the type of the electronic device related to the operation information. It is preferable that an operation information storage unit stored in a storage unit is provided, and the operation signal output unit generates the operation signal based on the operation information stored in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, the operation information storage unit of the operation information acquisition unit stores the operation information acquired from another electronic device in the storage unit, and the operation signal output unit is based on the operation information stored in the storage unit. The operation signal is generated. According to this, every time the electronic device is operated by the remote controller, it is possible to omit the process of acquiring the operation information from the other electronic device by the remote controller. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the processing in the remote controller and to quickly operate the electronic device using the remote controller.

  In the present invention, the control unit includes an operation target acquisition unit that acquires a type of the electronic device operated by the remote controller, and the operation screen generation unit includes the operation device acquisition unit that is acquired by the operation target acquisition unit. It is preferable to generate the image information related to the operation screen according to the type based on the operation information.

Examples of the type of electronic device acquired by such an operation target acquisition unit include the model name and model number of the electronic device.
According to the present invention, the operation screen generation unit generates image information related to the operation screen according to the type of electronic device acquired by the operation target acquisition unit. According to this, even when operating electronic devices of the same classification (for example, a television or the like), a unique operation screen corresponding to the model of the electronic device operated by the remote controller can be displayed on the display means. Therefore, even an electronic device to which a new function is added can display an operation screen corresponding to the electronic device. In addition, an operation screen or the like configured according to the model of the electronic device can be generated by the operation screen generation unit and displayed on the display means. Therefore, the operation screen is operated by a remote controller attached to the electronic device. As described above, detailed operation of the electronic device can be performed.

In this invention, it is preferable that the said input means is provided with the touchscreen provided so that the display area in which the said operation screen in the said display means is displayed may be covered.
As such a touch panel, various touch panels such as a capacitance type, a pressure sensitive type, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, an infrared light shielding method, and an electromagnetic induction method can be adopted.
Here, when an input means is provided with a cursor key for selecting an item in the operation screen, a confirmation key for confirming the input content of the item, etc., selection of a desired item from the displayed operation screen In addition, the number of times each key is input until the input content is determined increases, and the operation becomes complicated.
On the other hand, in the present invention, the input means includes a touch panel, so that the items included in the operation screen can be easily selected and confirmed with a finger, a touch pen, etc. It can be easily implemented. Therefore, the input operation can be simplified.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of Projection System 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a projection system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a projection system (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “PS”) 1 forms and projects an external device 2 that outputs image information and an image corresponding to the image information input from the external device 2. Projector 3, a screen 4 on which an image projected from the projector 3 is displayed, and an external device 2 and a remote controller (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “remote control”) 5 for operating the projector 3. .

[Configuration of external device 2]
Although not shown in detail, the external device 2 is connected to the projector 3 via an analog terminal such as a video terminal, a digital terminal such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or a LAN, and is displayed by the projector 3. Output image information. In the present embodiment, the external device 2 is configured as an HDD recorder with a built-in HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and is configured to be able to record a television program or the like by processing a television signal input from an antenna line. In addition, the external device 2 is configured to be able to reproduce a disc type recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a TV recorded on the HDD with respect to the disc type recording medium. The program can be recorded. The external device 2 receives an infrared signal that is an operation signal input from the remote controller 5 and executes an operation according to the infrared signal.

The external device 2 is provided with an operation panel for directly operating the external device 2.
This operation panel includes a power key for turning on / off the power, a playback key for playing back a disk-type recording medium, a recording key for starting / stopping recording, and direction keys used for selecting a recorded program and selecting various items. In addition, a determination key or the like for determining a selection item is provided.
In the present embodiment, the external device 2 is configured as an HDD recorder. However, if the remote controller 5 can be operated, the external device 2 is another electronic device (particularly an AV (Audio and Visual) device). Also good.

[Configuration of Projector 3]
Although not shown in detail in the projector 3, the light source device, a light modulation device that modulates the light beam emitted from the light source device according to image information input from the external device 2, and forms image light, A projection optical device that enlarges and projects the image light onto the projection surface of the screen 4.
Among these, the light source device can be configured to include a discharge light source lamp such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a solid light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LD (Laser Diode), and an organic EL (Electroluminescence). It can also be set as the structure provided with an element.
The projection optical device enlarges and projects the image light formed by the light modulation device, and is configured as a combined lens in which a plurality of lenses are housed in a cylindrical lens barrel.

In this embodiment, the light modulation device includes a liquid crystal light valve including a liquid crystal panel and a pair of polarizing layers sandwiching the liquid crystal panel.
Among these, the liquid crystal panel has a configuration in which a liquid crystal as an electro-optical material is hermetically sealed between a pair of transparent glass substrates, and according to a drive signal as image information input from a control device described later, the liquid crystal panel The orientation state is controlled, and the polarization direction of the polarized light beam emitted from the polarizing layer located on the light beam incident side is modulated.
Each of the pair of polarizing layers transmits only polarized light in a predetermined direction among incident light beams and absorbs other light beams, and is attached to a glass substrate of the liquid crystal panel. Among the pair of polarizing plates, the transmission axes of the respective light beams are orthogonal to each other in the polarizing layer located on the light beam incident side of the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing layer located on the light beam emission side.
In the present embodiment, the light modulation device is configured by a liquid crystal light valve, but can also be configured by a device using a digital mirror.

Such a projector 3 is provided with an operation panel for directly operating the projector 3, similarly to the external device 2.
Specifically, on the operation panel, a power key for turning on / off the power, a zoom key for enlarging / reducing the projected image, direction keys used for adjusting the projection position and selecting various items, and selection items are determined. A decision key or the like is provided.

[Configuration of remote control 5]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the remote controller 5 that is connected to the information processing apparatus 7 connected to the network N. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote controller 5.
The remote controller 5 outputs an infrared signal, which is an operation signal for operating the external device 2 and the projector 3, and also includes a plurality of information processing devices 7 (in FIG. 2, three information processing devices 71). To 73) are connected to a predetermined information processing apparatus 7 which is another electronic apparatus through the network N, and an operation for operating the electronic apparatus such as the external apparatus 2 and the projector 3 from the information processing apparatus 7 Get information. Further, when operating the electronic device, the remote controller 5 identifies the operator of the remote controller 5 and displays an operation screen corresponding to the operation authority given to the operator.
As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 5 includes a communication unit 51, an operator information acquisition unit 52, a display unit 53, an input unit 54, an operation signal output unit 55, a storage unit 56, and a control unit 57. Has been.

  The communication unit 51 has a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection function for connecting to the network N, and is controlled by a control unit 57 to be described later and a predetermined information processing apparatus 7 connected to the network N. Establish communication connection with. In this embodiment, the communication unit 51 is configured by a wireless LAN module. However, the communication unit 51 is directly connected to the information processing apparatus 7 via a connection terminal such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and communicates with the information processing apparatus 7. You may comprise by the module to connect.

  The operator information acquisition unit 52 acquires operator information unique to the operator who operates the remote controller 5. In this embodiment, the operator information acquisition unit 52 is configured by a fingerprint acquisition module that acquires an operator's fingerprint. Information related to the fingerprint acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 52 is stored in the storage unit 56 by the control unit 57.

  The display unit 53 displays an image corresponding to image information input from the control unit 57 described later. For example, the display unit 53 displays a selection screen for selecting an electronic device operated by the remote controller 5 and an operation screen for operating the selected electronic device. Such an operation screen is a screen unique to the electronic device. For example, an input screen for performing general operations when using the electronic device such as power on / off, and various settings of the electronic device. A setting screen (menu screen) for performing is included. In the present embodiment, the display unit 53 includes a backlight and a liquid crystal panel. However, the display unit 53 may include a self-luminous element such as an organic EL (Electroluminescence).

  The input unit 54 receives, for example, an input operation such as power on / off of the remote controller 5 and also receives an input operation on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 53, and a control signal corresponding to the input operation. Is output to the control means 57. Although not shown in detail, the input unit 54 includes a plurality of keys such as a key for turning on / off the power of the remote controller 5 and a touch panel disposed on a liquid crystal panel constituting the display unit 53. .

This touch panel has substantially the same dimensions as the image display area of the liquid crystal panel, and outputs the position information indicating the position input by the touch pen 6 or the finger to the control means 57, so that the control means 57 displays the display means 53. It acquires which part in the operation screen displayed above is input.
In this embodiment, the touch panel is a capacitive touch panel, but is not limited to this, and various touch panels such as a pressure sensitive type, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, an infrared light shielding method, and an electromagnetic induction method are adopted. It is also possible.

In this embodiment, the operation signal output means 55 is configured to include an infrared output module, and outputs an infrared signal corresponding to an operation signal input from the control means 57 described later.
In this embodiment, the storage unit 56 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage unit 56 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the remote controller 5.
For example, as such a program, various processes such as an OS (Operating System) that operates various devices, an operator registration process SA, an operation information acquisition process SB, an authority setting process SC, and a device operation process SD described later are executed. An application program is stored. Further, the storage means 56 stores, as such data, the above-described operator information such as fingerprint information and operation authority, as well as operation information acquired from the information processing apparatus 7 (operations constituting the operation screen). Items, operation screen templates and layout information, and signal formats and types of operation signals output in response to input operations on the input means 54 are stored.

4 to 6 are diagrams showing operation items related to the projector 3. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows items of “image quality setting”, “initialization setting”, and “password protection setting”, and FIG. 5 shows “video setting 1” and “video setting 2”. Further, each item of “Extended Settings” is shown in FIG. 6.
For example, the storage unit 56 stores the operation items of the projector 3 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 as operation items. At this time, each operation item and an operation authority indicating whether or not the operation related to the operation item can be executed are stored in association with each other.

For example, all authorized users who can perform all operations in the setting items of “image quality setting” shown in FIG. 4 (indicated as “Admin” in FIGS. 4 to 6) all of the “image quality setting”. “○” is set to permit the operation for the item. On the other hand, a general authorized person (indicated as “Guest” in FIGS. 4 to 6) with limited operations on each setting item, among the setting items of “image quality setting”, “mode switching” related to “color mode”. Only other operations are permitted, and “x” is set for other setting items, which does not permit the operation.
The operation authority for each item is set by the control means 57 described later in the operator registration process SA and the authority setting process SC.

[Configuration of Control Unit 57]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control means 57.
The control means 57 is configured as a circuit board on which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like are mounted, and controls the operation of the entire remote controller 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the control means 57 includes an operation signal output unit 571, an operator information acquisition unit 572, an operator registration unit 573, an operation information acquisition unit 574, an authority setting unit 575, an image generation unit 576, and an image output. A portion 577 is provided.
Among these, the operator information acquisition unit 572 acquires the operator information acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 52, that is, the fingerprint information of the operator in this embodiment.
The image output unit 577 outputs the image information input from the image generation unit 576 to the display unit 53 and causes the display unit 53 to display an image related to the image information.

The operation signal output unit 571 outputs a predetermined operation signal to the operation signal output unit 55 in accordance with an input operation of the operator with respect to the input unit 54. Specifically, the operation signal output unit 571 outputs an operation signal corresponding to an input operation with respect to each key constituting the input unit 54 and also displays an input object (an input object such as a button and a scroll bar) displayed on the display unit 53. ), The input object on which the input operation is performed is determined, and an operation signal corresponding to the input object is output. Therefore, the operation signal output unit 571 includes a position information acquisition unit 5711, an input determination unit 5712, a signal format acquisition unit 5713, and a signal output unit 5714.
The position information acquisition unit 5711 acquires position information input from the input unit 54 when the operator performs an input operation on the touch panel constituting the input unit 54.
The input determination unit 5712 determines whether the target of the input operation is an input object based on the operation screen currently displayed on the display unit 53 and the acquired position information. In addition, when the input target is an input object, the input determination unit 5712 specifies which object on the operation screen the object is.

The signal format acquisition unit 5713 refers to the storage unit 56 and acquires the signal format of the operation signal corresponding to the input object specified by the input determination unit 5712.
The signal output unit 5714 generates an operation signal based on the signal format of the operation signal acquired by the signal format acquisition unit 5713 and outputs the operation signal to the operation signal output unit 55.
By such an operation signal output unit 571, an operation signal corresponding to the input operation on the displayed operation screen is output to the operation signal output unit 55, and the operation signal output unit 55 outputs an infrared signal corresponding to the input operation signal. Is output. As a result, the operator can remotely operate the external device 2 and the projector 3 that are the operation targets of the remote controller 5 via the remote controller 5.

  The operator registration unit 573 registers the operator of the remote controller 5. Specifically, the operator registration unit 573 stores the fingerprint information, which is the operator information acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 572, in association with the operation authority of the operator related to the fingerprint information in the storage unit 56. The operator is registered. Such an operator registration unit 573 includes a registration authority determination unit 5731, a registered determination unit 5732, an operation authority acquisition unit 5733, and an operator information registration unit 5734.

The registration authority determination unit 5731 determines whether or not the current operator of the remote controller 5 has registration authority to newly register an operator. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the fingerprint information acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 572 is stored (registered) in the storage unit 56 and the current operator related to the fingerprint is given registration authority. To do. In this embodiment, when a new operator is registered, the operator who performs the registration process needs to be all authorized persons.
The registered determination unit 5732 refers to the storage unit 56 when the registration authority determination unit 5731 determines that the registration authority is granted to the operator who newly registers the operator, and is newly acquired separately. In addition, it is determined whether the operator information (fingerprint) of the operator to be registered has already been registered. This is to prevent double registration of operator information.

The operation authority acquisition unit 5733 is displayed by the operator registration screen generation unit 5761 of the image generation unit 576 described later when the registered determination unit 5732 determines that the acquired operator information is not registered. On the operator registration screen, the operation authority selected by the operator, that is, the operation authority of the operator to be registered is acquired. Such operation authority includes, for example, all authorized persons (administrators) who have all operational authorities, limited authorized persons (users), and general operators (guests) further restricted than restricted authorized persons. Is mentioned. Note that the operating authority is not limited to these, and may have more or less classifications.
The operator information registration unit 5734 stores the acquired operator information and operation authority in the storage unit 56 in association with each other.
Note that the operator registration unit 573 may input the name of the operator to be registered, and register these in association with the operator information and the operation authority.

The operation information acquisition unit 574 is a predetermined electronic device stored in the information processing apparatus 7 when the communication connection with the information processing apparatus 7 (for example, the information processing apparatus 73 illustrated in FIG. 2) is established. Get operation information for. Such operation information includes an operation item such as the operation item of the projector 3 as an example, an item of a key arranged on the operation panel of the projector 3, and an output when the operation item is operated. The format of the operation signal to be performed, and a template and layout used when generating an operation screen for operating the predetermined electronic device on the display unit 53 are included.
The operation information acquisition unit 574 includes an acquisition authority determination unit 5741, an operation item acquisition unit 5742, a template acquisition unit 5743, a signal format acquisition unit 5744, and an operation information storage unit 5745.

When acquiring operation information of a predetermined electronic device from the information processing apparatus 7, the acquisition authority determination unit 5741 determines whether or not there is an operation authority for storing the operation information in the storage unit 56.
Specifically, it is determined whether or not the operator of the current remote controller 5 related to the fingerprint information acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 572 has already been registered by the operator registration unit 573, and is determined to be registered. When this is done, it is determined whether or not the operator has been given the operating authority to acquire operation information of a predetermined electronic device and store it in the storage means 56. In the present embodiment, only authorized persons are permitted to acquire and store operation information of the predetermined electronic device.

  The operation item acquisition unit 5742, the template acquisition unit 5743, and the signal format acquisition unit 5744 determine by the acquisition authority determination unit 5741 that the operator who is attempting to acquire and store the operation information is authorized to perform the operation. When this is done, the operation information of the predetermined electronic device is acquired from the information processing apparatus 7 with which the communication connection has been established. When the operation information of a plurality of electronic devices is held in the information processing apparatus 7, the operation item acquisition unit 5742, the template acquisition unit 5743, and the signal format acquisition unit 5744 are executed by an information acquisition screen generation unit 5762 described later. On the displayed operation information acquisition screen, the operation information of the electronic device selected by the operator of the current remote controller 5 is acquired.

  Specifically, the operation item acquisition unit 5742 includes the setting items such as the main item, the sub item 1 and the sub item 2 as well as the key items arranged on the operation panel in terms of the operation items of the projector 3 described above. get. Further, for example, when the predetermined electronic device is the external device 2, the operation item acquisition unit 5742 sets a recording setting for switching a recording mode (switching between high resolution recording and low resolution recording), a recorded program, and the like. Setting items related to various settings such as editing settings for editing and TV tuner settings, key items on the operation panel, and the like are acquired.

The template acquisition unit 5743 acquires a template and a layout related to an operation screen for operating the predetermined electronic device from the above-described operation information.
The signal format acquisition unit 5744 acquires the signal format of the operation signal that is output to the predetermined electronic device according to the input operation on the operation screen and is recognizable by the electronic device among the above-described operation information.
The operation information storage unit 5745 stores the operation information acquired by the acquisition units 5742 to 5744 in the storage unit 56.

  The authority setting unit 575 sets the authority of the operator already registered by the operator registration unit 573 in more detail. Specifically, the authority setting unit 575 individually sets the authority for allowing the operator to set each setting item included in the operation items described above for each setting item. The authority setting unit 575 includes a setting authority determining unit 5751, a setting target person acquiring unit 5752, a setting object acquiring unit 5753, a setting item acquiring unit 5754, and an operation authority setting unit 5755.

The setting authority determination unit 5751 is an operation of setting the operation authority of each operation item, that is, the operation of the current remote controller 5 related to the operator information (fingerprint information) acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 572. It is determined whether the user has the authority to set the operation authority. In the present embodiment, only all authorized persons are permitted to set the operation authority.
The setting subject acquisition unit 5752 is generated by an authority setting screen generation unit 5763, which will be described later, when the setting authority determination unit 5751 determines that the authority to set the operation authority is given to the current operator. In the authority setting screen, the operator who is selected by the current operator and whose operation authority is set is acquired.

The setting target acquisition unit 5753 is an electronic device that is selected by the operator on the authority setting screen among the electronic devices that are permitted to be operated by the operator acquired by the setting target person acquisition unit 5752 and sets the operation authority. Get the device ID.
The setting item acquisition unit 5754 acquires the operation item of the electronic device having the ID acquired by the setting target acquisition unit 5753, and among the setting items of the operation item, the authority is set by the current operator on the authority setting screen. The setting item selected to be executed is acquired.
The operation authority setting unit 5755 acquires the operation authority set by the operator on the authority setting screen for the setting item acquired by the setting item acquisition unit 5754, and is stored in the storage unit 56 with the operation authority. Update the operation authority of the setting item.
Thus, by setting the operation authority of each setting item, it is possible to set detailed operation authority according to the operator and the electronic device.

The image generation unit 576 acquires an operator registration screen displayed on the display unit 53 when the operator registration unit 573 registers an operator and the operation information acquisition unit 574 acquires operation information of a predetermined electronic device. Each image information related to the operation information acquisition screen displayed on the screen and the authority setting screen displayed when the authority setting unit 575 sets the operation authority of each setting item is generated, and the image information is displayed on the display unit 53. Output to. These screen templates and the like are stored in the storage means 56 in advance.
Further, the image generation unit 576 generates image information related to an operation screen for operating the electronic device such as the external device 2 and the projector 3, and outputs the image information to the display unit 53. For this reason, the image generation unit 576 includes an operator registration screen generation unit 5761, an information acquisition screen generation unit 5762, an authority setting screen generation unit 5762, an operator identification unit 5762, an object selection screen generation unit 5765, an operation target acquisition unit 5766, An operation item acquisition unit 5767 and an operation screen generation unit 5768 are provided.

The operator registration screen generator 5761 generates image information related to the operator registration screen displayed by the display unit 53 in an operator registration process SA described later.
The information acquisition screen generation unit 5762 generates image information related to the operation information acquisition screen displayed by the display unit 53 in an operation information acquisition process SB described later.
The authority setting screen generation unit 5763 generates image information related to the authority setting screen displayed by the display unit 53 in the authority setting process SC described later.
Each image information generated by the operator registration screen generation unit 5761, the information acquisition screen generation unit 5762, and the authority setting screen generation unit 5763 is output to the display unit 53.
The operator specifying unit 5762 has registered the information stored in the storage unit 56 based on the operator information (fingerprint information) acquired by the operator information acquiring unit 572 when displaying the operation screen for operating the electronic device. The current operator is identified among the operators. Note that the operator specifying unit 5762 regards the current operator as a general operator when no current operator is registered.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation target selection screen generated by the target selection screen generation unit 5765.
The target selection screen generation unit 5765 selects the type of electronic device that the operator operates using the remote controller 5 among the electronic devices to which the operation authority is given to the operator specified by the operator specifying unit 5765. Image information related to the operation target selection screen to be generated is generated. For example, in addition to the external device 2 and the projector 3 configured as an HDD recorder, the operator is given authority to operate a video, a television, a CD (Compact Disc) player, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player. If there is, the target selection screen generation unit 5765 generates image information related to the operation target selection screen as shown in FIG. Then, the operator selects an icon indicating each electronic device in the operation target selection screen.

  The operation target acquisition unit 5766 acquires the type of the electronic device that is displayed on the operation target selection screen and selected by the operator based on the position information input from the input unit 54. For example, when the operation target selection screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed and the operator selects the projector 3 as the operation target, the operation target acquisition unit 5766 displays information indicating that the projector 3 has been selected. get.

The operation item acquisition unit 5767 is included in the operation items of the electronic device that is the operation target acquired by the operation target acquisition unit 5766 based on the operation authority given to the operator specified by the operator specifying unit 5765. Among the setting items, setting items that can be operated and set by the operation authority are acquired.
For example, when the operator who is set as the full authority for the operation of the projector 3 is the current operator, the operation item acquisition unit 5767 acquires all the setting items of the projector 3. Further, when the operator who is partially limited in the authority for the operation of the projector 3 is the current operator, the operation item acquisition unit 5767 only sets the setting items for which the current operator is given the operation authority. To get.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for operating the projector 3 when the operator is an all authorized person. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for operating the projector 3 when the operator is a general operator. 9 and 10 show screens related to image quality setting among setting screens for performing various settings of the projector 3.
The operation screen generation unit 5768 is stored in the storage unit 56 and is based on the template and layout related to the operation screen of the electronic device that is the operation target, and the setting items acquired by the operation item acquisition unit 5767. Image information related to the operation screen of the device is generated. Then, the operation screen generation unit 5768 outputs the generated image information to the display unit 53.

For example, when the operator is an all authorized person and the electronic device to be operated is the projector 3, the operation screen for performing “image quality setting” is displayed as shown in FIG. As described above, all the setting items related to the above-described “image quality setting” are displayed.
On the other hand, when the operator is a general operator and the electronic device to be operated is the projector 3, on the operation screen for performing “image quality setting”, the operator is prompted to “switch color mode”. Only the “color mode” setting item is displayed on the setting screen as shown in FIG.

[Operator registration process SA]
Here, the operator registration process SA will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of the operator registration process SA.
When a new operator is registered, the control unit 57 reads the operator registration program stored in the storage unit 56 and executes the operator registration process SA in accordance with the program.
In the operator registration process SA, as shown in FIG. 11, first, the operator information acquisition unit 572 uses the operator information acquisition unit 52 to execute the operator registration process SA. Operator information (fingerprint information) is acquired (operator information acquisition step SA01).

Thereafter, the registration authority determination unit 5731 of the operator registration unit 573 refers to the storage unit 56 and executes registration processing for the operator based on the acquired operator information of the operator (registration executor). It is determined whether or not there is a registration authority, that is, whether or not the operator is a full authority (authorization determination step SA02).
Here, when the registration authority determination unit 5731 determines that the operator (registration executor) does not have registration authority, that is, the operator is not a full authority, the control means 57 performs the operator registration. The process SA ends. As a result, it is possible to prevent an operator having no registration authority from being registered without permission.

On the other hand, when the registration authority determination unit 5731 determines that the operator (registration executor) has registration authority, that is, the operator is all authority persons, the operator to be newly registered (registered person) Operator information (fingerprint information) is acquired by the operator information acquisition means 52, and the operator information is acquired by the operator information acquisition unit 572 (operator information acquisition step SA03).
Next, the registered determination unit 5732 refers to the storage unit 56 to determine whether or not the operator information of the newly acquired operator (registered person) has already been registered (registration determination step SA04). ). At this time, if the registered determination unit 5732 determines that the operator information has already been registered, the control unit 57 ends the operator registration process SA in order to prevent double registration of the operator. .

On the other hand, when the registered determination unit 5732 determines that the operator information is not registered, the operation authority acquisition unit 5733 is selected by the current operator (registration executor) on the operator registration screen. The operation authority is acquired (operation authority acquisition step SA05).
Then, the operator information registration unit 5734 associates the operator information of the operator (registered person) to be registered with the operation authority acquired by the operation authority acquisition unit 5733 and stores it in the storage unit 56 (operation). Registration step SA06). Thereby, the new registration of the operator is completed.
Thus, the operator registration process SA ends.

[Operation Information Acquisition Processing SB]
Next, the operation information acquisition process SB will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process of the operation information acquisition process SB.
When acquiring operation information for operating a new electronic device from the information processing apparatus 7 described above, the control unit 57 reads the operation information acquisition program stored in the storage unit 56 and follows the program. The operation information acquisition process SB is executed.
In this operation information acquisition process SB, as shown in FIG. 12, first, the operator information acquisition unit 572 acquires the operator information related to the operator who executes the operation information acquisition process SB by the operator information acquisition means 52. (Operator information acquisition step SB01).

Thereafter, the acquisition authority determination unit 5741 of the operation information acquisition unit 574 refers to the storage unit 56, and based on the acquired operator information, the current operator of the remote control 5 acquires the operation information acquisition authority related to the electronic device. It is determined whether there is an operator, that is, whether the operator is a full authority (authority determination step SB02).
Here, when it is determined by the acquisition authority determination unit 5741 that the acquisition authority is not given to the operator, that is, when it is determined that the operator is not an all authority, the control unit 57 Then, the operation information acquisition process SB ends. Thereby, it is possible to prevent operation information related to the electronic device from being acquired and stored in the storage unit 56 by an operator who has no acquisition authority.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the acquisition authority determination unit 5741 that acquisition authority is given to the operator, that is, when it is determined that the operator is an all authority, the operation item acquisition unit 5742. The operation information of the electronic device to be acquired is acquired by the template acquisition unit 5743 and the signal format acquisition unit 5744 (operation information acquisition steps SB03, SB04, SB05). At this time, as described above, when the operation information related to the plurality of electronic devices is held in the information processing apparatus 7, each of the acquisition units 5742 to 5744 displays the operation information on the operation information acquisition screen. The operation information selected by the operator is acquired.

Then, the operation information storage unit 5745 associates the acquired operation information with the type of electronic device operated based on the operation information, and stores it in the storage unit 56 (operation information storage step SB06). As a result, it is possible to remotely operate the electronic device related to the newly acquired operation information with the remote controller 5.
Thus, the operation information acquisition process SB ends.

[Authority setting process SC]
Next, the authority setting process SC will be described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process of the authority setting process SC.
When setting the operation authority of the operator who has already been registered in detail, the control unit 57 reads the authority setting program stored in the storage unit 56 and executes the authority setting process SC along with the program. .
In this authority setting process SC, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the operator information acquisition unit 572 acquires operator information related to an operator who executes the authority setting process SC by the operator information acquisition means 52 ( Operator information acquisition step SC01).

Thereafter, the setting authority determination unit 5751 of the authority setting unit 575 refers to the storage unit 56 and sets the operation authority of the registered operator to the current operator of the remote controller 5 based on the acquired operator information. It is determined whether or not there is a setting authority, that is, whether or not the operator is an all authority (authority determination step SC02).
Here, when the setting authority determination unit 5751 determines that the setting authority is not granted to the operator, that is, when it is determined that the operator is not an all authority, the control unit 57 The authority setting process SC is terminated. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation authority of the registered operator from being changed by an operator who does not have the setting authority.

On the other hand, if it is determined by the setting authority determination unit 5751 that the setting authority is granted to the operator, that is, if it is determined that the operator is an all authority, the setting target person acquisition unit 5752 is selected by the operator on the authority setting screen and the operator whose operation authority setting is changed is acquired (setting target person acquisition step SC03).
Next, the setting target acquisition unit 5753 acquires the operation authority given to the operator whose operation authority setting is changed, and acquires the type of the electronic device selected by the operator (processing person) on the authority setting screen. (Setting target device acquisition step SC04).

Thereafter, the setting item acquisition unit 5754 acquires all setting items constituting the operation information of the electronic device based on the type of the electronic device acquired in step SC04 (setting item acquisition step SC05).
And the operation authority setting part 5755 memorize | stores the operation authority according to a setting item by the operator (processing person) in the memory | storage means 56 (operation authority setting step SC06). Thereby, the operation authority according to each setting item is set.
Thus, the authority setting process SC ends.

[Equipment operation processing SD]
Next, the device operation process SD will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the process of the device operation process SD.
When remotely operating the electronic device (in this embodiment, the external device 2 and the projector 3) related to the operation information that has already been acquired, the control unit 57 reads the device operation program stored in the storage unit 56. Then, the device operation processing SD is executed according to the program.
In this device operation processing SD, as shown in FIG. 14, first, the operator information acquisition unit 572 acquires the operator information related to the current operator of the remote controller 5 by the operator information acquisition means 52 (operator Information acquisition step SD01).

Next, the operator specifying unit 5762 of the image generating unit 576 refers to the storage unit 56, specifies the operator related to the acquired operator information, the operation authority given to the operator, and the use The type or the like of the electronic device that is permitted is acquired (operator specifying step SD02).
Thereafter, the target selection screen generation unit 5765 generates image information related to the operation target selection screen for selecting the operation target electronic device from the acquired type of the electronic device, and the display unit 53 causes the operation target selection screen to select the operation target selection screen. Display the screen. Then, the operation target acquisition unit 5766 acquires the type of the electronic device that is selected by the operator on the operation target selection screen and is remotely controlled by the remote controller 5 (operation target acquisition step SD03).
Thereafter, the operation item acquisition unit 5767 refers to the storage unit 56, and among the operation items related to the electronic device that is the operation target, the operation items that are permitted to be operated by the operator who is currently operating the remote controller 5 ( (Operation item acquisition step SD04).

  Then, the operation screen generation unit 5768 generates image information related to the operation screen based on the operable items acquired in step SD03 and the template and layout related to the operation target electronic device stored in the storage unit 56. The generated image information is output to the display means 53 (operation screen display step SD05). As a result, an operation screen for operating the electronic device to be operated is displayed on the display means 53.

  Next, the operation signal output unit 571 determines whether or not an input operation on the operation screen has been performed based on information input from the input unit 54 (input determination step SD06). Specifically, the operation signal output unit 571 determines whether or not position information indicating an input position on the operation screen is input from the input unit 54. Here, when the operation signal output unit 571 determines that the position information is not input, the operation signal output unit 571 waits until the position information is input.

On the other hand, when the operation signal output unit 571 determines that the position information is input, the position information acquisition unit 5711 acquires the position information (position information acquisition step SD07).
Then, the input determination unit 5712 determines whether or not the input object is located at the position of the operation screen indicated by the position information, that is, whether or not an input operation has been performed on the input object arranged on the operation screen. Determination (input object determination step SD08). If the input determination unit 5712 determines that an input operation has not been performed on the input object, the operation signal output unit 571 ignores the input operation and returns to step SD06.

On the other hand, if the input determination unit 5712 determines that an input operation has been performed on the input object, the signal format acquisition unit 5713 determines the signal format of the operation signal related to the input object that has been determined that the input operation has been performed. The data is acquired from the storage means 56 (signal format acquisition step SD09). For example, when a determination key on the operation screen is input, the signal format acquisition unit 5713 acquires the signal format of the operation signal indicating that the determination key is input.
Thereafter, the signal output unit 5714 generates an operation signal in the signal format acquired in step SD09 (operation signal generation step SD10), and outputs the operation signal to the operation signal output means 55. Thereby, the operation signal output means 55 outputs an infrared signal corresponding to the operation signal (operation signal output step SD11).

  As described above, the device operation process SD is completed. However, when the operator performs an input operation on the same operation screen, the control unit 57 returns to step SD06, and the input operation causes a screen transition. In the case where it is detected, the control means 57 returns to step SD05. Further, when the electronic device operated by the operator is changed, the control means 57 returns to step SD03.

According to PS1 of this embodiment as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, the communication unit 51 establishes a communication connection with the information processing device 7, and the operation information for the operation information acquisition unit 574 to operate the electronic device such as the external device 2 and the projector 3 from the information processing device 7. To get. Then, the operation signal output unit 571 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the electronic device operated by the remote controller 5 to the electronic device via the operation signal output unit 55 based on the acquired operation information. Accordingly, a plurality of different electronic devices can be operated by the remote controller 5.

  Further, since the operation information acquisition unit 574 acquires operation information corresponding to the electronic device operated by the remote controller 5, the operation screen generation unit 5768 generates image information related to the operation screen corresponding to the function of the electronic device. Accordingly, the operation screen can be displayed by the display means 53. Therefore, the convenience of the remote controller 5 can be improved. In addition, if the information processing apparatus 7 holds operation information relating to the latest electronic device, it is possible to operate a new model electronic device with the remote controller 5, and to improve the versatility of the remote controller 5. it can.

  Further, the operation information storage unit 5745 of the operation information acquisition unit 574 stores the operation information acquired from the information processing apparatus 7 in the storage unit 56, and the signal output unit 5714 of the operation signal output unit 571 stores in the storage unit 56. An operation signal corresponding to the electronic device to be operated is generated based on the operated operation information. According to this, it is possible to prevent the execution of the operation information acquisition process SB for connecting to the information processing device 7 and acquiring the operation information every time the electronic device to be operated is switched. Therefore, the processing in the remote controller 5 can be simplified and the operation of the electronic device by the remote controller 5 can be performed quickly.

  Further, the operation screen generation unit 5768 is selected by the operator of the remote controller 5 and based on operation information (particularly, template and layout) related to the electronic device acquired by the operation target acquisition unit 5766. Image information relating to the corresponding operation screen is generated. According to this, an operation screen unique to each electronic device model can be displayed on the display means 53. Therefore, even when operating a new type of electronic device, the operation screen corresponding to the electronic device can be displayed, and the details of the electronic device can be operated so as to be operated by a remote control attached to the electronic device. Operations can be performed.

  Further, the input unit 54 includes a touch panel provided so as to cover an image forming area of a liquid crystal panel constituting the display unit 53. When an input operation is performed on the touch panel, the input unit 54 gives the control unit 57 position information indicating the position on the touch panel where the input operation is performed, that is, the position on the operation screen. The input determination unit 5712 determines which input object on the operation screen has been subjected to the input operation based on the position information. According to this, the remote controller 5 can be operated and an operation signal can be output to the electronic device by the remote controller 5 as if the operation screen was directly operated. Therefore, the operator's input operation to the remote controller 5 can be simplified.

[Modification of Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the embodiment, the operation screen generation unit 5768 generates image information related to the operation screen unique to the electronic device based on the operation information related to the operation target electronic device, and displays the operation screen on the display unit 53. Although displayed, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the storage unit 56 stores a general-purpose operation screen template and layout, and the operation screen generation unit generates image information related to the operation screen in accordance with the template, layout, and operation items included in the operation information. You may make it do. That is, there is no need to have a unique operation screen for each electronic device model.

  In the embodiment, the operation information storage unit 5745 of the operation information acquisition unit 574 stores the acquired operation information in the storage unit 56 in association with the type of the electronic device related to the operation information, and the operation signal output unit 571 Although the signal output unit 5714 generates and outputs an operation signal based on the operation information stored in the storage unit 56, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, every time the electronic device to be operated is switched, the operation information acquisition unit 574 may acquire the operation information of the electronic device from the information processing device 7 via the communication unit 51.

  In the embodiment, the input unit 54 includes the touch panel arranged to cover the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel, which is the display area of the display unit 53, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the configuration of the input unit 54 is not limited as long as the input operation can be performed on various screens such as an operation screen, an operator registration screen, an operation information acquisition screen, and an authority setting screen. For example, examples of such input means include a pointing device such as a mouse for operating a pointer displayed on the operation screen, a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys such as cursor keys, and the like.

  In the embodiment, the operator information acquisition unit 52 of the remote controller 5 acquires the operator's fingerprint as the operator information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operator's face, voiceprint, iris, retina, vein pattern, bone pattern, DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), etc. may be acquired as the operator information.

  In the above embodiment, the operation signal output to the external device 2 and the projector 3 by the operation signal output means 55 is an infrared signal, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as long as the remote controller 5 can remotely control other electronic devices, the transmission format of the operation signal is not limited. Further, the remote controller 5 and the electronic device may not be wirelessly connected for communication, and may be connected for communication by wire.

  In the embodiment, the electronic device includes a video, a television, a CD player, and a DVD player in addition to the external device 2 and the projector 3 configured as an HDD recorder, and operation information related to these is stored in the storage unit 56. However, the present invention is not limited to these. That is, other types of electronic devices may be used as long as they can be operated by a remote controller, for example, an air conditioner or a lighting device.

  The present invention can be used for a remote controller.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the projection system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the remote control connected to the information processing apparatus in the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control in the said embodiment. The figure which shows the operation item regarding the projector in the said embodiment. The figure which shows the operation item regarding the projector in the said embodiment. The figure which shows the operation item regarding the projector in the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control means in the said embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation target selection screen in the said embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen in case the operator in the said embodiment is all authorized persons. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen in case the operator in the said embodiment is a general operator. The flowchart which shows the operator registration process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation information acquisition process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the authority setting process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the apparatus operation process in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  2 ... External device (electronic device), 3 ... Projector (electronic device), 5 ... Remote controller, 7 ... Information processing device (other electronic device), 51 ... Communication means, 53 ... Display means, 54 ... Input means, 55 ... operation signal output means, 56 ... storage means, 57 ... control means, 571 ... operation signal output section, 574 ... operation information acquisition section, 777 ... image output section, 5745 ... operation information storage section, 5766 ... operation target acquisition section, 5768: Operation screen generation unit.

Claims (4)

A remote controller for operating an electronic device,
Display means for displaying an operation screen for operating the electronic device;
Input means for performing an input operation on the operation screen displayed by the display means;
An operation signal output means for outputting an operation signal corresponding to an input operation to the input means to the electronic device;
Communication means for communicating with other electronic devices that hold operation information for operating the electronic devices;
Control means for controlling the remote controller,
The control means includes
An operation information acquisition unit that acquires the operation information according to the electronic device from the other electronic device;
Based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit, an operation screen generation unit that generates image information related to the operation screen;
An image output unit that outputs the image information generated by the operation screen generation unit to the display unit;
A remote controller comprising: an operation signal output unit that generates an operation signal corresponding to an input operation to the input unit based on the operation information and causes the operation signal output unit to output the operation signal. The remote controller according to claim 1,
Storage means for storing the operation information;
The operation information acquisition unit
An operation information storage unit that stores the operation information acquired from the other electronic device in the storage unit in association with the type of the electronic device related to the operation information;
The operation signal output unit is
A remote controller that generates the operation signal based on the operation information stored in the storage unit. The remote controller according to claim 1 or 2,
The control means includes
An operation object acquisition unit for acquiring the type of the electronic device operated by the remote controller;
The operation screen generator is
A remote controller that generates image information related to the operation screen according to a type of the electronic device acquired by the operation target acquisition unit based on the operation information. The remote controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The remote controller characterized in that the input means includes a touch panel provided so as to cover a display area in which the operation screen is displayed on the display means.

Images