JP2013110527A - Remote control device, electronic apparatus, television receiver, control method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user convenience.SOLUTION: A remote control device 20 comprises: a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are disposed; a setting unit 25 that sets any of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation-enabled state; and a transmission unit 27 that transmits a control signal associated with each operation button disposed on the operation surface set to the operation-enabled state. The setting unit 25 sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to the operation-enabled state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely controlling a target device. The present invention also relates to an electronic device controlled by a remote control device.

  In recent years, television receivers having a composite function in which a BD (blue-ray disc) recorder, a DVD (digital versatile disc) recorder, and the like are incorporated have been developed. A television receiver having a function of connecting to the Internet has also been developed.

  A remote controller (remote controller) for operating such a multifunctional television receiver is usually capable of performing not only operations related to broadcast program viewing functions but also operations related to other functions of the television receiver. It is configured. In the remote controller configured in this way, it is important how to realize operations related to many functions with a limited surface area of the remote controller without reducing operability.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a remote controller that assigns different functions to operation buttons according to the tilt state of a main body based on a detection signal output from a tilt sensor. If the technique described in this document is used, a plurality of functions can be assigned to the same operation button, so that the total number of operation buttons can be reduced.

  In addition, operation buttons are arranged on both the front and back of the remote control, the posture of the remote control is determined by sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, and a gravity sensor, and the operation buttons arranged on the upper surface in the vertical direction are displayed. A technique for enabling the operation is also known. If this technique is used, more operation buttons can be disposed without excessively deteriorating operability.

  As for the gravity sensor, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic device that includes a gravity sensor that detects the posture of the electronic device main body with respect to the direction of gravity, and that controls the receiving sensor based on the posture detected by the gravity sensor. Has been.

JP 2007-228136 A (published September 6, 2007) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-341423 (released on December 8, 2005)

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of functions are assigned to the same operation button, it is easy for a user to perform an erroneous operation, and there is a problem in terms of operability.

  In addition, in the configuration in which operation buttons are arranged on both the front and back surfaces of the remote control and the posture of the remote control is determined by the sensor, for example, even if the user tries to operate in a lying posture, the surface that the user actually wants to operate is effective. Problems such as not being in a state are likely to occur, and convenience for the user is not sufficiently achieved. Also, instead of providing a sensor, it may be possible to provide a manual switch on the remote control to switch the active operation surface. In such a configuration, it is necessary to bother operating switches that are not used in normal operation. Therefore, the convenience of the user cannot be sufficiently achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a remote control device and an electronic apparatus that can improve the convenience of the user as compared with the conventional art.

  In order to solve the above problems, a remote control device according to the present invention has a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and transmits a control signal associated with each operation button to a target device. A control device, which is associated with each setting button for setting one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation effective state, and each operation button arranged on the operation surface set to the operation effective state by the setting unit. Transmitting means for transmitting a control signal, wherein the setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation effective state. Yes.

  Since the remote control device having the above configuration sets the operation surface having the operation button operated in a predetermined mode among the plurality of operation buttons to the operation enabled state, the user can perform the operation arranged on the surface to be operated. An operation-effective surface can be switched by operating the button in the predetermined mode.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, the operation effective surface can be switched without requiring a manual switch for switching the operation effective surface or a sensor for detecting the attitude of the remote control. Can be improved.

  The operation of the predetermined mode may be any operation that can be distinguished from the normal operation mode of the operation button for operating the electronic device. For example, if the normal operation mode is a single press within a predetermined time, what is the operation of the predetermined mode different from the single press within the predetermined time? It may be anything. Pressing a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time and continuing pressing for a predetermined time or more are examples of the operation in the predetermined mode.

  In addition, it is preferable that the setting unit sets, in the operation valid state, an operation surface having an operation button that has been pressed a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time among the plurality of operation buttons.

  According to the above configuration, the setting unit sets the operation surface having the operation button pressed more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time to the operation effective state, so that the user places the operation surface on the surface to be operated. By pressing the operated button for a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, the operation effective surface can be switched. Therefore, according to the above configuration, user convenience is improved.

  In addition, it is preferable that the setting unit sets an operation surface having an operation button that has been pressed for a predetermined time or more among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.

  According to the above configuration, since the setting unit sets the operation surface having the operation button that has been pressed for a predetermined time or more to the operation enabled state, the user presses the operation button arranged on the surface to be operated. The operation effective surface can be switched by continuing to press the button for a predetermined time. Therefore, according to the above configuration, user convenience is improved.

  In addition, when the predetermined operation button among the plurality of operation buttons is operated in the predetermined mode, the setting unit sets the operation surface having the predetermined operation button to an operation effective state. It is preferable to set.

  According to the above configuration, when the predetermined operation button is operated in the predetermined mode, the setting unit sets the operation surface having the predetermined operation button to the operation valid state. The user switches the operation-effective surface by operating a predetermined operation button in the predetermined mode among the operation buttons arranged on the surface to be operated.

  According to said structure, even if operation buttons other than the said predetermined operation button are operated in the said predetermined | prescribed aspect, an operation effective surface does not switch. Therefore, according to the above configuration, malfunctions by the user can be suppressed, and operability is improved.

  An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device controlled by a control signal transmitted from a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and the control signal associated with each operation button Is associated with each operation button disposed on the operation surface set to the operation effective state by the setting unit. Control means for controlling each part of the electronic device based on the control signal, and the setting means effectively operates an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons. It is characterized by being set to a state.

  Since the electronic device having the above configuration sets the operation surface having the operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to the operation enabled state, the user operates the operation button arranged on the surface to be operated. The operation effective surface can be switched by operating in a predetermined manner.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, the operation effective surface can be switched without requiring a manual switch for switching the operation effective surface or a sensor for detecting the attitude of the remote control. Convenience can be improved.

  The operation of the predetermined mode may be any operation that can be distinguished from the normal operation mode of the operation button for operating the electronic device. For example, if the normal operation mode is a single press within a predetermined time, what is the operation of the predetermined mode different from the single press within the predetermined time? It may be anything. Pressing a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time and continuing pressing for a predetermined time or more are examples of the operation in the predetermined mode.

  Preferably, the setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button pressed more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation effective state.

  According to the above configuration, the setting unit sets the operation surface having the operation button pressed more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time to the operation effective state, so that the user places the operation surface on the surface to be operated. By pressing the operated button for a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, the operation effective surface can be switched. Therefore, according to the above configuration, user convenience is improved.

  It is preferable that the setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button that has been pressed for a predetermined time or more among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.

  According to the above configuration, since the setting unit sets the operation surface having the operation button that has been pressed for a predetermined time or more to the operation enabled state, the user presses the operation button arranged on the surface to be operated. The operation effective surface can be switched by continuing to press the button for a predetermined time. Therefore, according to the above configuration, user convenience is improved.

  A television receiver according to the present invention includes the above-described electronic device.

  Since the television receiver having the above-described configuration sets the operation surface having the operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to the operation effective state, the user is disposed on the surface to be operated. The operation-effective surface can be switched by operating the operation buttons in the predetermined manner. Therefore, according to said structure, the television receiver which can improve a user's convenience is realizable.

  A control method of a remote control device according to the present invention is a control method of a remote control device that has a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged and transmits a control signal associated with each operation button to a target device. A setting step for setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to the operation effective state, and a control signal associated with each operation button arranged on the operation surface set to the operation effective state in the setting step. A transmission step of transmitting the operation button, wherein the setting step sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation effective state. It is said.

  According to the said structure, there exists an effect similar to the said remote control apparatus.

  An electronic device control method according to the present invention is an electronic device control method controlled by a control signal transmitted from a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and each operation button A receiving step for receiving a control signal associated with the control signal, a setting step for setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation effective state, and an operation surface set to the operation effective state in the setting step. A control step of controlling each part of the electronic device based on a control signal associated with each operation button, wherein the setting step is an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons. It is characterized in that the operation surface having the is set to the operation valid state.

  According to the said structure, there exists an effect similar to the said electronic device.

  The scope of the present invention also includes a program for operating a computer as each means included in the remote control device or the electronic apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium recording such a program.

  A remote control device according to the present invention is a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and transmitting a control signal associated with each operation button to a target device. A setting means for setting any one of the operation surfaces to an operation effective state; a transmission means for transmitting a control signal associated with each operation button arranged on the operation surface set to the operation effective state by the setting means; The setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device controlled by a control signal transmitted from a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and is associated with each operation button. Receiving means for receiving a control signal, setting means for setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation effective state, and each operation button arranged on the operation surface set to the operation effective state by the setting means Control means for controlling each part of the electronic device based on an associated control signal, and the setting means includes an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons. Set the operation valid state.

  According to said structure, a user's convenience can be improved compared with the past.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control and television receiver which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the remote control which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) has shown the structure of the surface of the said remote control, (b) has shown the structure of the back surface of the said remote control. . It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation effective surface switching process by the remote control which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen displayed by the television receiver which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control and television receiver which concern on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation effective surface switching process by the television receiver which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control and television receiver which concern on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The remote control device according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the electronic device by transmitting a control signal to the target device. In the following embodiments, description will be made assuming that the remote control device controls the television receiver. However, this is not intended to limit the present embodiment, and a configuration for controlling general electronic devices other than the television receiver. It is good.

[First Embodiment]
<Remote control>
First, the external appearance of the remote control (remote control device) 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the configuration of the front surface of the remote controller 20, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the configuration of the back surface of the remote controller 20.

  The remote controller 20 has operation surfaces 21 and 22 on the front and back surfaces, respectively, and a plurality of operation buttons 23 and 24 are arranged on each surface. Hereinafter, the operation button 23 disposed on the front surface is also referred to as “front surface operation button 23”, and the operation button 24 disposed on the back surface is also referred to as “back surface operation button 24”.

  The remote controller 20 is a remote control device for depressing each operation button to send a control signal associated therewith to a target device such as a television receiver so that the function of the target device is exhibited. A control signal is a signal received from a remote control device or the like by a target device such as a television receiver. When the target device receives the signal, the target device performs control associated with the signal. .

  The operation surface 21 is used for changing the channel, volume and the like of the television receiver, and the operation surface 22 is in a keyboard form. Therefore, the remote controller 20 can be suitably used as a remote controller for a television receiver having an Internet connection function. The configuration of the operation surface of the double-sided remote controller is not limited to the above example, and can be suitably applied to a television with a built-in BD that includes an operation surface of a television receiver and an operation surface of a BD recorder. It may also be applicable to a television receiver with a built-in game machine that includes an operation surface of a television receiver and an operation surface of a video game. That is, the configuration, usage, and the like of the operation buttons on the operation surface of the remote controller are not particularly limited, and can be changed as appropriate according to the target device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote control 20 according to the present embodiment and a television receiver 40 which is an example of a device to be controlled by the remote control 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the remote controller 20 includes a front operation button 23, a back operation button 24, a setting unit (setting unit) 25, a control unit 26, and a transmission unit (transmission unit) 27.

  The front surface operation button 23 and the back surface operation button 24 are a plurality of operation buttons arranged on the front surface and the back surface of the remote control 20, respectively. When the user operates each operation button, the operation mode of each operation button and each operation button is changed. The associated operation signals are transmitted to the setting unit 25 and the control unit 26.

  When the operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state among the front surface operation button 23 and the back surface operation button 24 is operated in a predetermined mode, the setting unit 25 has been in the operation effective state until then. Then, the operation surface is set to the operation disabled state, and the operation surface that has been in the operation disabled state is set to the operation enabled state. The setting unit 25 supplies an operation effective surface switching signal indicating that the operation effective surface has been switched to the control unit 26.

  The control unit 26 controls the television receiver 40 based on an operation signal from an operation button arranged on the operation surface set to the operation enabled state by the setting unit 25 among the front surface operation button 23 and the back surface operation button 24. A control signal for generating Further, the generated control signal is transmitted via the transmission unit 27. The transmitted control signal is received by the receiving unit 41 included in the television receiver 40.

  Further, the control unit 26 determines which of the operation surfaces 21 and 22 of the remote controller 20 is in the operation valid state and which of the operation surfaces is in the operation invalid state, from the setting unit 25. Manage based on. The control unit 26 transmits only the control signal associated with the operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation valid state via the transmission unit 27, and associates the control signal with the operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state. The transmitted control signal is not transmitted.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to operation effective surface switching by the remote controller 20.

(Step S101)
First, when the setting unit 25 included in the remote controller 20 receives an operation signal from the front surface operation button 23 and the back surface operation button 24, the setting signal 25 is in an operation invalid state, whether the operation signal is from an operation surface in an operation valid state. It is determined whether it is from a certain operation surface. If the operation signal is from the operation surface in the operation invalid state, the process proceeds to step S102, and if not, the process returns to the beginning.

(Step S102)
When the operation signal is from the operation surface in the operation invalid state (YES in step S101), the setting unit 25 determines whether or not the operation signal is a signal indicating an operation in a predetermined mode. To do. If the operation signal is a signal indicating an operation of a predetermined mode, the process proceeds to step S103, and if not, the process returns to the beginning.

(Step S103)
When the operation signal is a signal indicating an operation in a predetermined mode (YES in step S102), the setting unit 25 switches the operation surface that has been in the operation valid state to the operation invalid state, and the operation is invalid until then. The operation surface in the state is switched to the operation valid state. Further, the setting unit 25 supplies an operation effective surface switching signal to the control unit 26.

<Television receiver>
Next, the television receiver 40 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 again.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television receiver 40 includes a receiving unit 41, a control unit 42, a display driver 43, and a display unit 44.

  The television receiver 40 receives a control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 27 of the remote controller 20 at the reception unit 41. Then, the reception unit 41 transmits the received control signal to the control unit 42.

  The control unit 42 controls each unit of the television receiver 40 based on the received control signal. For example, the control unit 42 selects either the antenna input signal or the external input signal based on the received control signal, and supplies the selected input signal to the display driver 43. Further, when the control unit 42 selects an antenna input signal, the control unit 42 extracts a broadcast signal related to a predetermined channel from the antenna input signal based on the received control signal, and sends the extracted broadcast signal to the display driver 43. Supply.

  The display driver 43 drives each pixel of the display unit based on the input signal supplied from the control unit 42 and causes the display unit 44 to display an image represented by the input signal.

  Examples of antenna input signals include terrestrial digital broadcast signals and satellite digital broadcast signals. Examples of external input signals include video equipment, communication equipment, and audio equipment connected to the television receiver 40. Examples include an image signal to be supplied.

  Further, the television receiver 40 is configured to include a non-removable recording medium such as a hard disk, and the control unit 42 is configured to be supplied with image data read from the recording medium. The image data may be supplied to the display driver 43 based on the received control signal. The television receiver 40 is configured to be able to read image data from a removable recording medium such as a BD instead of the non-removable recording medium, and the control unit 42 is based on the received control signal. The image data read from the removable recording medium may be supplied to the display driver 43.

<Example of operation in a predetermined mode>
The “operation in the predetermined mode” is particularly limited as long as it can be distinguished from a normal operation of the operation button (for example, an operation of pressing the operation button once to change the channel). is not.

  For example, pressing the operation button for a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, or pressing the operation button for a predetermined time or more, is an example of the operation in the predetermined mode. .

  Further, in the above case, the operation buttons to be operated are not particularly limited as long as they are operation buttons on the same operation surface. For example, the operation buttons arranged on the operation surface are unspecified and determined in advance within a predetermined time. Depressing the operation button more than the given number of times is also mentioned as a predetermined mode.

  In addition, one or a plurality of operation buttons operated in a predetermined mode may be set in advance as specific operation buttons. In the case of such a configuration, the setting unit 25 is configured to determine whether or not an operation of a predetermined mode has been performed for the specific operation button.

  For example, for the operation surface 21, an operation button with “1” is set as the specific operation button, and for the operation surface 22, an operation button with “A” is set as the specific operation button. Also good. A plurality of specific operation buttons may be operated in a predetermined manner. For example, for the operation surface 21, operation buttons with “1”, “2”, and “3” are set as specific operation buttons, and the setting unit 25 presses these specific operation buttons in order. The operation effective surface may be switched depending on whether or not it has been pressed or whether or not it has been pressed in any order.

  Note that “more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time” may be arbitrarily determined as long as it is not inconvenient as the time required to switch the operation surface and the number of repeated hits. For example, what is necessary is just to determine arbitrarily pressing down 3 times within 2 seconds.

  In the case of determining the number of times of pressing, it is often the case that the operation surface is accidentally switched under the condition that it is pressed twice within a predetermined time. It is preferable to set.

  Furthermore, when an operation button that can switch the operation surface in an operation valid state by repeatedly hitting a predetermined number of times is specified and set in advance, the specific operation button is set to an operation button that is difficult to be repeatedly hit. It is preferable to do.

  In this way, when an operation button that can switch the operation surface in the operation enabled state is set in advance as a specific operation button, the user is not intentionally compared with the case of using an unspecified operation button. The possibility of switching the operation valid state can be reduced.

  When the remote control has an operation surface whose operation button is a joystick or the like, as a predetermined mode, instead of pressing as described above, the predetermined number of times within a predetermined time There are cases where the joystick is played, the joystick is continuously tilted for a predetermined time, or the like.

  The above-mentioned “predetermined time (predetermined time)”, “predetermined number of times (predetermined number of times)”, and “specific operation button” may be determined in advance at the manufacturing stage of the remote control. In addition, the user may arbitrarily set it.

  In addition, when the configuration can be arbitrarily set by the user, the control unit 42 of the television receiver 40 displays a selection screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 44, for example, and can be arbitrarily selected by the user. It is preferable to do.

  As described above, the remote controller 20 according to the present embodiment sets a certain operation surface to the operation effective state and sets the operation surface having the operation button operated in a predetermined mode to the operation effective state. The operation surface of the remote controller can be switched without separately providing a switch for switching between and a sensor for detecting the attitude of the remote controller. Therefore, it is possible to realize a remote control with high user convenience while suppressing an increase in cost.

(Additional notes regarding the first embodiment)
The operation effective surface switching signal from the setting unit 25 may be transmitted to the television receiver 40 via the transmission unit 27. For example, a switching signal indicating that the operation valid state has been switched is transmitted to the television receiver 40, and the television receiver 40 notifies the user that the operation valid state has been switched based on the switching signal. Good.

  For example, the television receiver 40 may be configured to display an image indicating that the operation effective state has been switched on the display unit 44 or may be configured to notify the user by voice. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which notifies a user by lighting or blinking LED with which the television receiver 40 is equipped.

  Alternatively, the remote controller 20 may be configured to include an LED, and when the operation valid state is switched, the LED may be turned on or blinking to notify the user.

  In FIG. 1, the setting unit 25 and the control unit 26 are described as separate blocks. However, the setting unit 25 may be integrated with the control unit 26.

  In this embodiment, an electronic device that receives a control signal from a remote controller is described as a television receiver. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any electronic device that can be used for operation in a double-sided remote controller is used. It can be used for electronic equipment.

  In this embodiment, a remote controller having two operation surfaces is described. However, a remote controller having three or more operation surfaces may be used. That is, a setting signal may be transmitted from the setting unit 25 to the control unit 26 so that any one of the plurality of operation surfaces is set to the operation valid state and the other operation surfaces are set to the operation invalid state. In addition, by operating the operation button provided on any operation surface that is not in the operation effective state in the predetermined manner as described above, the operation surface including the operation button is set to the operation effective state, A setting signal may be transmitted from the setting unit 25 to the control unit 26 so that the operation surface is in an operation invalid state. The control unit 26 that has received the setting signal transmits, via the transmission unit 27, only the control signal associated with the operation button on the operation surface in the operation valid state based on the setting signal.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the case where the television receiver is controlled by the remote controller is described as an example. However, this embodiment is not limited to this embodiment, and the electronic apparatus is controlled by the remote controller. Such a television receiver can also be regarded as having such an electronic device, and the television receiver according to the present embodiment can also be regarded as such an electronic device itself.

  In the first embodiment, the setting unit 25 and the control unit 26 are provided in the remote controller, and only the control signal based on the operation of the operation button on the operation surface set to the operation valid state is transmitted from the transmission unit 27. However, the second embodiment deals with a configuration for switching the operation effective surface of the remote controller in the television receiver.

  The remote control according to the present embodiment transmits a control signal associated with the operation button to the television receiver when the operation button is operated regardless of the operation button arranged on any operation surface. To do.

  In addition, the description about the part similar to the part demonstrated in 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.

<Television receiver and remote control>
The television receiver 50 according to the present embodiment is an electronic device that is controlled by a control signal transmitted from a remote controller 30 having two operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the remote controller 30 and the television receiver 50 according to the present embodiment.

  Since the external appearance of the remote controller 30 is the same as that of the remote controller 20, the description thereof is omitted. Further, the operation surfaces 31 and 32 and the operation buttons 33 and 34 correspond to the operation surfaces 21 and 22 and the operation buttons 23 and 34, respectively, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  A remote controller (remote control device) 30 according to the present embodiment includes a front surface operation button 33, a back surface operation button 34, a control unit 35, and a transmission unit 36.

  In the present embodiment, since it is determined whether or not the operation surface is in an operation enabled state in the television receiver 50, the remote control 30 needs to include the setting unit described in the first embodiment in the remote control. There is no.

  Therefore, both the control signal associated with the operation of the operation button 33 of the remote controller 30 and the control signal associated with the operation button 34 are transmitted via the transmission unit 36. The control signal transmitted by the transmission unit 36 is received by the reception unit 51 of the television receiver 50.

  The television receiver 50 includes a receiving unit (receiving unit) 51, a setting unit (setting unit) 53, a control unit (control unit) 52, a display driver 54, and a display unit 55. Note that the receiving unit 51, the display driver 54, and the display unit 55 correspond to the receiving unit 41, the display driver 43, and the display unit 44 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  First, the reception unit 51 receives a control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 36 of the remote controller 30 and transmits the control signal to the setting unit 53 and the control unit 52. In the setting unit 53 and the control unit 52, one of the operation surfaces 31 and 32 of the remote controller 30 is set to the operation valid state, and the other operation surface is set to the operation invalid state.

  In the television receiver 50 according to the present embodiment, not only the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 30 is a control signal associated with an operation in which aspect of which operation button, but also on which operation surface. The related control signal can also be identified.

  In order to realize such a configuration, for example, in a memory included in the television receiver 50, correspondence information that associates each operation button with an operation surface on which the operation button is arranged is held, and the television receiver is set. The control unit 52 included in the device 50 may be configured to identify which operation surface the received signal corresponds to by referring to the correspondence information.

  The setting unit 53 analyzes the control signal from the remote controller 30 received by the receiving unit 51, and the control signal is a control signal associated with the operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state, and has a predetermined value. If the control signal indicates that the operation was performed in the mode of Set. In addition, the setting unit 53 supplies an operation effective surface switching signal indicating that the operation effective surface has been switched to the control unit 52.

  Based on the operation effective surface switching signal from the setting unit 53, the control unit 52 indicates which of the operation surfaces 31 and 32 of the remote controller 30 is in the operation effective state and which surface is in the operation invalid state. Manage. The control unit 52 controls the display driver 54 and the display unit 55 based on a control signal associated with the operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation valid state. On the other hand, the control signal associated with the operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state is not used for controlling the display driver 54 and the display unit 55.

  The “operation in a predetermined mode” according to the present embodiment is the same as that already described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to operation effective surface switching by the television receiver 50.

(Step S201)
First, the setting unit 53 included in the television receiver 50 analyzes the control signal received via the receiving unit 51.

(Step S202)
Subsequently, the setting unit 53 determines whether or not the received signal is a control signal associated with an operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state. If the received signal is a control signal associated with an operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state, the process proceeds to step S203, and if not, the process returns to the beginning.

(Step S203)
When the received signal is a control signal associated with an operation button arranged on the operation surface in the operation invalid state (YES in step S202), the operation button is operated in a predetermined manner. Is determined. If the control signal indicates that the operation button has been operated in a predetermined manner, the process proceeds to step S204, and if not, the process returns to the beginning.

(Step S204)
When the control signal indicates that the operation button has been operated in a predetermined manner (YES in step S203), the setting unit 53 changes the operation surface that has been in the operation enabled state to the operation disabled state. The operation surface that has been in the operation invalid state until then is switched to the operation valid state. The setting unit 53 supplies an operation effective surface switching signal to the control unit 52.

  As described above, the television receiver 50 according to the present embodiment sets an operation surface with a remote control to an operation effective state, and sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined mode to an operation effective state. Therefore, the remote controller can switch the operation surface of the remote controller without separately providing a switch for switching the operation effective surface, a sensor for detecting the attitude of the remote controller, and the like. Therefore, user convenience can be improved while suppressing an increase in cost.

(Additional notes regarding the second embodiment)
When receiving the operation effective surface switching signal from the setting unit 53, the control unit 52 may notify the user that the operation effective state has been switched.

  For example, the television receiver 50 may be configured to display an image indicating that the operation effective state has been switched on the display unit 55 or may be configured to notify the user by voice. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which notifies a user by lighting or blinking LED with which the television receiver 50 is equipped.

  In addition, the setting unit 53 is configured to transmit an operation effective surface switching signal to the remote controller 30 via the reception unit 51, and the remote control 30 lights or blinks its own LED or the like, thereby enabling the operation effective surface switching signal. It is good also as a structure which notifies a user that has switched.

  In FIG. 5, the setting unit 53 and the control unit 52 are described as separate blocks. However, the setting unit 53 may be integrated with the control unit 52.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic device that receives a control signal from the remote controller is described as a television receiver. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a double-sided remote controller can be used for the operation. The electronic device is not particularly limited as long as the electronic device has a configuration capable of switching the operation surface in the state.

  In the present embodiment, a remote controller having two operation surfaces has been described. However, a remote controller having three or more operation surfaces may be used. That is, any one of the plurality of operation surfaces may be set to the operation valid state, and a setting signal for setting the other operation surface to the operation invalid state may be transmitted from the setting unit 53 to the control unit 52. In addition, by operating an operation button provided on any operation surface that is not in an operation effective state in a predetermined manner, the operation surface including the operation button is set to an operation effective state, and the other operation surface is operated. A setting signal that causes an invalid state may be transmitted from the setting unit 53 to the control unit 52.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the remote controller 20 ′ according to the present embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 28 in addition to the components included in the remote controller 20 described in the first embodiment.

  The acceleration sensor 28 detects the attitude of the remote controller 20 and supplies a detection signal indicating the detection result to the setting unit 25.

  As already described in the first embodiment, the setting unit 25 according to the present embodiment determines whether the operation signals supplied from the front surface operation button 23 and the back surface operation button 24 indicate an operation in a predetermined mode. Switch the effective operation surface.

  Furthermore, the setting unit 25 according to the present embodiment switches the operation effective surface of the remote controller 20 ′ based on the detection signal supplied from the acceleration sensor 28. For example, the setting unit 25 according to the present embodiment sets the operation surface located on the upper side in the vertical direction to the operation effective state.

  Here, the setting unit 25 according to the present embodiment preferentially operates the operation effective surface depending on whether or not the operation signals supplied from the front surface operation button 23 and the back surface operation button 24 indicate the operation of a predetermined mode. Is preferably switched. For example, when the setting unit 25 once sets the operation surface positioned on the upper side in the direct direction to the operation valid state and sets the other operation surface to the operation invalid state based on the detection signal supplied from the acceleration sensor 28. However, it is preferable that the operation effective surface is switched when the operation button arranged on the operation invalid surface is operated in a predetermined mode.

  With such a configuration, when switching of the operation effective surface by the acceleration sensor 28 is unwilling to the user, the user can easily operate the operation effective surface by operating the operation button in a predetermined manner. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be greatly improved.

  Further, a configuration similar to that of the present embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment. Even with such a configuration, when switching of the operation effective surface by the acceleration sensor is unwilling to the user, the user can easily operate the operation effective surface by operating the operation button in a predetermined manner. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be greatly improved.

(Program and recording medium)
Finally, each block included in the remote controllers 20 and 30 and the television receivers 40 and 50 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the microcomputers 20 and 30 and the television receivers 40 and 50 each have a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and the program A random access memory (RAM) for expanding the program, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of control programs for the microcomputers 20 and 30 and the television receivers 40 and 50 which are software for realizing the functions described above. The readable recording medium is supplied to the microcomputers 20 and 30 and the television receivers 40 and 50, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code recorded on the recording medium. Can also be achieved.

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the remote controllers 20 and 30 and the television receivers 40 and 50 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The remote control device according to the present invention can be suitably applied to a remote controller for controlling an electronic device such as a television receiver. A television receiver is an example of the electronic apparatus according to the invention.

21, 22, 31, 32 Operation surface 23, 24, 33, 34 Operation button 25 Setting unit (setting means)
26, 35 Control unit 27 Transmission unit (transmission means)
28 Accelerometer 36 Transmitter 41, 51 Receiver (Receiver)
42 control unit 43, 54 display driver 44, 55 display unit 52 control unit (control means)
53 Setting part (setting means)
20, 20 ', 30 Remote control (remote control device)
40, 50 Television receiver (electronic equipment)

Claims (12)

A remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and transmitting a control signal associated with each operation button to a target device,
Setting means for setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation valid state;
Transmitting means for transmitting a control signal associated with each operation button arranged on the operation surface set in the operation valid state by the setting means;
With
The setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.
A remote control device characterized by that. The setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button pressed more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.
The remote control device according to claim 1.   2. The remote according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets, in the operation valid state, an operation surface having an operation button that has been pressed for a predetermined time or more among the plurality of operation buttons. Control device.   The setting means sets an operation surface having the predetermined operation button to an operation valid state when a predetermined operation button is operated in the predetermined mode among the plurality of operation buttons. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device is a remote control device. An electronic device controlled by a control signal transmitted from a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged,
Receiving means for receiving a control signal associated with each operation button;
Setting means for setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation valid state;
Control means for controlling each part of the electronic device based on a control signal associated with each operation button arranged on the operation surface set in the operation valid state by the setting means;
With
The electronic device is characterized in that the setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state. The setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button pressed more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.
The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein:   6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the setting means sets an operation surface having an operation button that has been pressed for a predetermined time or more among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state. machine.   A television receiver comprising the electronic device according to any one of claims 5 to 7. A control method of a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, and transmitting a control signal associated with each operation button to a target device,
A setting step of setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation valid state;
A transmission step of transmitting a control signal associated with each operation button arranged on the operation surface set in the operation valid state in the setting step;
Including
The setting step is to set an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.
A control method for a remote control device. A method for controlling an electronic device controlled by a control signal transmitted from a remote control device having a plurality of operation surfaces on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged,
A receiving step for receiving a control signal associated with each operation button;
A setting step of setting any one of the plurality of operation surfaces to an operation valid state;
A control step of controlling each part of the electronic device based on a control signal associated with each operation button arranged on the operation surface set in the operation enabled state in the setting step;
Including
The setting step is to set an operation surface having an operation button operated in a predetermined manner among the plurality of operation buttons to an operation valid state.
A method for controlling an electronic device.   The program for operating a computer as each means with which the remote control apparatus of Claim 1 or the electronic device of Claim 5 is provided.   The computer-readable recording medium which has recorded the program of Claim 11.

Images