JP2014146923A - Remote control transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control transmitter capable of reducing the time necessary for activating an apparatus to start operation and the power consumption.SOLUTION: The remote control transmitter includes: a switch SW-G as an operation button allowing a long push; and a transmission control section 10 that controls the transmission of plural signals S1-S11 for activating a luminaire 101 responding to an operation made on the switch SW-G. The transmission control section 10 transmits a first signal S1 at a point when the switch SW-G is pressed, transmits a last signal S11 after a long push definite time has elapsed, and stops signal transmission when the operation on the switch SW-G is terminated before the long push definite time has elapsed. With this, undesired operation of the luminaire 101 is eliminated, and the time required for activating the luminaire 101 can be reduced. Also, the time required for the luminaire 101 to start the operation is reduced; thereby the power is saved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control transmitter that operates a controlled device by infrared communication using, for example, infrared rays.

  Conventionally, home appliances such as air conditioners, televisions, and video playback devices, AV equipment, and the like are often subjected to remote control control using an infrared communication system. As a remote control device for performing remote control control, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The remote control device described in Patent Document 1 includes a transmitter that transmits a radio signal, and a signal converter that receives the radio signal from the transmitter, converts the signal into an infrared signal in an infrared communication format, and outputs the infrared signal. A receiver provided; a control unit that receives an infrared signal from the receiver to control the controlled unit; and a connector that connects the control unit and the receiver.

  Some conventional remote control devices include a remote control transmitter having a long-pressable operation button (the transmitter described in Patent Document 1 also corresponds to this). In this remote control transmitter, when a long-pressable operation button is pressed for a long time, transmission of a plurality of signals for causing a controlled unit to execute a predetermined function is controlled. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transmission signal when the long-pressable operation button is operated. In the figure, when an operation start time t1 at which the long-pressable operation button is pressed becomes a long press confirmation time t2 at which the long press is confirmed, the first signal S1 is transmitted, and then the signals S2, S3,. , Sn are transmitted. When the last signal Sn is transmitted, the device to be controlled starts operating. The long press confirmation time from the operation start time t1 when the long pressable operation button is pressed to the long press confirmation time t2 when the long press is confirmed is, for example, 1.5 seconds.

JP 2011-071697 A

However, in the remote control transmitter that transmits the first signal after the long press operation is confirmed, there is a problem that it takes time until the controlled device actually starts operating. In particular, when the remote control transmitter is not pointed toward the controlled device, it may stay on until the controlled device starts operating.
In addition, since the time during which the remote control transmitter is operating becomes longer by transmitting the first signal after the long press operation is confirmed, there is a problem that power consumption is increased and battery consumption is accelerated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a remote control transmitter capable of shortening the time until the device to be controlled actually starts operation and reducing power consumption. With the goal.

  The remote control transmitter of the present invention includes an operation button that can be pressed for a long time, and transmission of a plurality of signals for executing a predetermined function according to the operation of the operation button, including at least a first signal and a last signal. A transmission control unit for controlling the transmission, and the transmission control unit transmits the first signal after the operation button is operated and before the long press confirmation time elapses when the long press of the operation button is determined, The last signal is transmitted after the long press confirmation time has elapsed, and when the operation button operation is interrupted before the long press confirmation time has elapsed, the final signal is not transmitted.

  In the above configuration, the transmission control unit transmits the first signal immediately after the operation button is operated.

  In the above configuration, the transmission control unit transmits the first signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the operation button.

  In the above-described configuration, a notification unit that notifies the completion of transmission of the last signal is provided, and the transmission control unit activates the notification unit after transmitting the last signal.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said alerting | reporting means is a liquid crystal display part.

  The lighting device of the present invention includes the above-described remote control transmitter and a lighting fixture that operates by receiving a signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while shortening the time until the apparatus to be controlled actually starts operation | movement, power consumption can be achieved.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the illuminating device using the remote control transmitter which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the circuit structure of the remote control transmitter of FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance of the remote control transmitter of FIG. The figure which shows the name of each of 15 switches of the remote control transmitter of FIG. 1, the signal output when each is operated, and the effect The figure which shows the signal transmitted from a remote control transmitter, when the "automatic button" which is an operation button which can be pushed long is pressed in the remote control transmitter of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display transition in a liquid crystal display part when the "automatic button" is pushed in the remote control transmitter of FIG. The figure which shows the signal transmitted from a remote control transmitter, when the "automatic button" which is a long pressable operation button is pressed in the remote control transmitter which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the signal transmitted from a remote control transmitter, when the "automatic button" which is a long pressable operation button is pressed in the remote control transmitter which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the transmission signal when the operation button which can be pushed long is operated

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a lighting apparatus using a remote control transmitter according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the remote control transmitter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the remote control transmitter according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a lighting device 100 includes a remote control transmitter 1 according to the present embodiment and a lighting fixture (for example, an LED ceiling light) 101. The luminaire 101 operates by receiving a signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1.

  2 and 3, the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment turns on / off three LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 2 to 4 and three LEDs 2 to 4 for transmitting infrared signals. A switching transistor 5 that is inserted in series with each of the three LEDs 2 to 4 and resistors 6 to 8 that limit current, and a door opening / closing switch SW0 for detecting opening and closing of the door portion 1C (see FIG. 3) , 15 switches SW1 to SW7 and SW-A to SW-H for controlling the lighting fixture 101 such as dimming and toning, and operations of these switches SW1 to SW7 and SW-A to SW-H, respectively The transmission control unit 10 that generates infrared signals from the three LEDs 2 to 4 and displays the status of the transmission control unit 10 is generated by switching the switching transistor 5 on and off according to the generated signal. Do And a crystal display unit 11.

  As shown in the figure, the three LEDs 2 to 4 are connected in parallel and transmit infrared signals simultaneously. The three LEDs 2 to 4 are arranged in different directions to enable transmission at various angles. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the names of the 15 switches SW1 to SW7 and SW-A to SW-H of the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment, and signals and effects that are output when the switches are operated. It is. In the switches SW-A to SW-H, names are changed depending on whether the door opening / closing switch SW0 is on (ON) or off (OFF), and output signals and effects also vary. In the switches SW1 to SW7, there is no change caused by turning on / off the door opening / closing switch SW0. The door opening / closing switch SW0 is turned on / off in response to opening / closing of the door portion 1C on the lower end side of the remote control transmitter 1 shown in FIG. 3, and is turned on when the door portion 1C is closed, and turned off when opened. become.

  The switch SW1 is a “normal button”, the switch SW2 is a “light-off button”, the switch SW3 is an “nightlight button”, the switch SW4 is a “toning white color button”, the switch SW5 is a “toning warm color button”, and the switch SW6 is “ The “dimming button” and the switch SW7 are “dimming buttons”. By pressing each of these switches SW1 to SW7, a signal corresponding to each switch is transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1. When the lighting fixture 101 receives a signal from the remote control transmitter 1, an operation corresponding to the signal is performed. For example, when the switch SW1 is pressed, the “normal signal” is transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1, and when the “normal signal” is received by the lighting apparatus 101, the “normal mode” operation is performed.

  The switch SW-A becomes a “relaxation button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is on, and a “sleep button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off. The switch SW-B becomes a “theater button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is ON, and becomes a “channel button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is OFF. The switch SW-C becomes an “eco-navigation button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is on, and an “environment setting button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off. The switch SW-D becomes a “brightness adjustment button” only when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is OFF. The switch SW-E becomes a “clean button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is on, and a “ruban button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off. The switch SW-F becomes a “study button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is on, and a “time setting button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off. The switch SW-G is an “automatic button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is on, and a “Δ button” when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off. The switch SW-H is a “▽ button” only when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off.

  By pressing the switches SW-A to SW-H, signals corresponding to the switches SW-A to SW-H are transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1. When the lighting fixture 101 receives a signal from the remote control transmitter 1, an operation corresponding to the signal is performed. For example, when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is turned on, pressing the switch SW-A causes a “relaxation signal” to be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1, and the lighting apparatus 101 receives this “relaxation signal”. Perform "Relax Mode" operation. Further, when the door open / close switch SW0 is off, pressing the switch SW-A sets the “sleep timer” in the remote control transmitter 1, and transmits a “light-off signal” when the timer expires. Further, when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is turned on, pressing the switch SW-E causes a “clean signal” to be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1, and the “luminous signal” is received by the lighting fixture 101. Performs “clean mode” operation. Further, when the door open / close switch SW0 is turned off, pressing the switch SW-E sets the “Rusban timer” in the remote control transmitter 1, and the “normal signal” or “ A “light-off signal” is transmitted. In addition, when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is turned on, pressing the switch SW-G causes the remote control transmitter 1 to transmit an “automatic signal”, and the lighting apparatus 101 receives the “automatic signal”. Operate in “auto mode”. Further, when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is off, the time is advanced by the remote control transmitter 1 by pressing the switch SW-G.

  In particular, in the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment, the switch SW-G is continuously pressed for a predetermined time when the door opening / closing switch SW0 is turned on in order to shift the lighting fixture 101 to the “automatic mode”. I am doing so. Pressing the switch SW-G continuously for a predetermined time is referred to as “long press”. The long press confirmation time in which the long press is confirmed is, for example, 1.5 seconds. The reason for this is that a person consciously presses and holds for more than 1 second, and if it is too early, it malfunctions, and if it is too late, the usability deteriorates. It is within. Note that mode setting by long pressing is also possible in modes other than the “automatic mode”.

Next, the operation of remote control transmitter 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1 when the “automatic button (switch SW-G)” that is a long-pressable operation button is pressed in the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. In the figure, in the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment, the signal S1 is “automatic signal”, the signal S2 is “current time second signal”, the signal S3 is “current time signal”, and the signal S4 is “current time”. Minute signal ”, signal S5 as“ morning time signal ”, signal S6 as“ morning time signal ”, signal S7 as“ normal time signal ”, signal S8 as“ normal time signal ”, and signal S9 as“ night time ” The “time signal”, the signal S10 are “night time signal”, and the signal S11 is “final signal”.

  When the “automatic button” is pressed (operation start time t1), the transmission control unit 10 detects the pressing of the switch SW-G and transmits the first automatic signal S1 as an infrared signal. Thereafter, if the switch SW-G is continuously pressed, the final signal S11 is sequentially transmitted from the current time second signal S2 following the automatic signal S1. Here, when the period of each signal from the automatic signal S1 to the final signal S11 is 150 milliseconds, the total signal transmission time from the first automatic signal S1 to the final final signal S11 is 1.65 seconds (150 milliseconds × 11). ) When the switch SW-G is continuously pressed until the final signal S11 is transmitted (1.5 seconds (150 ms × 10) of the long press confirmed time from the operation start time t1 to the long press confirmed time t2). All signals are transmitted only to, and the “automatic mode” is determined by the lighting apparatus 101.

  After transmitting the final signal S11, the transmission control unit 10 displays on the liquid crystal display unit 11 that the final signal S11 has been transmitted. That is, the user is notified of the completion of transmission of the final signal S11. In addition, the notification of the completion of transmission of the final signal S11 may be performed by, for example, a buzzer, a vibrator, an LED, or the like, in addition to the notification by the liquid crystal display unit 11.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of display transition in the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the “automatic button (switch SW-G)” is pressed in the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment. In this figure, in (a), “current time”, “Rusban” and “good night” are displayed. In (b), “Channel (CH1)”, “Rusban” and “Good night” are displayed, and this is a display while the “Automatic button (switch SW-G)” is being pressed. Subsequently, in (c), “Omakase” and “Morning time setting” are displayed, and these lights up for 2 seconds after the “Omakase button (switch SW-G)” is released. Subsequently, in (d), “Omakase” and “Usually” time setting are displayed, which are lit for 2 seconds. Subsequently, in (e), “Random” and “Night” time setting are displayed, which are lit for 2 seconds. After the display of (e) is performed for 2 seconds, the display returns to the current time display of (a).

  When the transmission control unit 10 detects that the switch SW-G is released within the long press confirmation time until the final signal S11 is transmitted (that is, when it detects that the long press is released halfway), Stop signal transmission at the time. When the final signal S11 is an important signal in the operation of the lighting fixture 101 (that is, for example, when the lighting fixture 101 operates for the first time by receiving the final signal S11), the long press is canceled in the middle. Sometimes at least the final signal S11 should not be transmitted. Moreover, in the lighting fixture 101, when the final signal S11 is not transmitted, it is sufficient to discard the automatic signal S1 to the night time signal S10 received so far.

  When receiving the final signal S11 from the automatic signal S1, the lighting apparatus 101 that is the device to be controlled recognizes that the final signal S11 from the automatic signal S1 is a signal in the “automatic mode”, and performs the operation in the “automatic mode”. Do. Thus, instead of transmitting the first automatic signal S1 after the long press is confirmed, the first automatic signal S1 is transmitted when the switch SW-G, which is an operation button capable of long press, is pressed. The final signal S11 is transmitted after the long press on the switch SW-G is confirmed. By doing in this way, the time until the lighting fixture 101 actually starts operation | movement can be shortened. And even if the remote control transmitter 1 is not facing the lighting fixture 101, it becomes possible to operate the lighting fixture 101 without being sluggish. In addition, since the time until the lighting fixture 101 starts operating can be shortened, power saving can be achieved. In addition, when the long press is released before the long press is confirmed, the transmission of the signal is stopped at that time, so that unnecessary operation of the lighting fixture 101 can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment, when the switch SW-G, which is an operation button that can be pressed for a long time, is pressed, the first automatic signal S1 is transmitted, and the long press confirmation time has elapsed. When the final signal S11 is transmitted later, and the operation of the switch SW-G is interrupted before the long press confirmation time elapses, the signal transmission is stopped. The time until the start of the operation 101 can be shortened. In addition, since the time until the operation of the lighting fixture 101 can be shortened, power saving can be achieved.

(Embodiment 2)
The remote control transmitter 1 according to Embodiment 1 described above transmits the first automatic signal S1 when the switch SW-G, which is an operation button that can be pressed for a long time, is pressed. The remote control transmitter according to the second embodiment transmits the first automatic signal S1 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the switch SW-G, which is an operation button that can be pressed for a long time, is pressed. Note that the circuit configuration and appearance of the remote control transmitter according to the second embodiment are the same as those in FIGS. In this case, the remote control transmitter according to Embodiment 2 is denoted by reference numeral 1A, and the transmission control unit is denoted by 10A.

  FIG. 7 shows a signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1A when the “automatic button (switch SW-G)” that is a long-pressable operation button is pressed in the remote control transmitter 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. In this figure, when the “automatic button” is pressed, the transmission control unit 10A detects the pressing of the switch SW-G, and from that time (time t1), a predetermined time (for example, the long press confirmation time is set to 1.5 seconds). In this case, the first automatic signal S1 is transmitted as an infrared signal when about 0.8 seconds have elapsed. Thereafter, if the switch SW-G is continuously pressed, the signals of the current time second signal S2 to the final signal S11 are sequentially transmitted following the entrusted signal S1. The switch SW-G is continuously pressed for a long press and the final signal S11 is transmitted, and then the “automatic mode” is determined in the lighting fixture 101.

  After transmitting the final signal S11, the transmission control unit 10A displays on the liquid crystal display unit 11 that the transmission of the final signal S11 has been completed. That is, the completion of transmission of the final signal S11 is notified. Note that the remote control transmitter 1A according to the second embodiment may also notify the completion of transmission of the final signal S11 using the buzzer, vibrator, LED, or the like, for example, in addition to the notification using the liquid crystal display unit 11.

  Further, when the transmission control unit 10A detects that the switch SW-G is released within the long press confirmation time (that is, detects that the long press is released halfway), the transmission control unit 10A stops signal transmission at that time. To do. When the final signal S11 is an important signal in the operation of the lighting fixture 101, that is, when the lighting fixture 101 operates for the first time by receiving the final signal S11, for example, when the long press is released halfway. It is sufficient that at least the final signal S11 is not transmitted.

  As described above, according to the remote control transmitter 1A according to the second embodiment, the first automatic signal S1 is transmitted when a predetermined time elapses from when the switch SW-G is pressed, and then the current time second signal is continuously transmitted. Since the signal transmission is stopped when the operation of the switch SW-G is interrupted before the long press confirmation time elapses (before time t2) by transmitting S2 to the final signal S11, unnecessary operation of the lighting fixture 101 is performed. The time until the operation of the lighting fixture 101 is started can be shortened without causing it to occur. In addition, since the time until the operation of the lighting fixture 101 can be shortened, power saving can be achieved.

(Embodiment 3)
In the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment and the remote control transmitter 1A according to the second embodiment, signals for executing the “auto mode” in the lighting fixture 101 are transmitted from the auto signal S1 to the final signal S11. In the remote control transmitter according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the signal for executing the “automatic mode” is transmitted from the automatic signal S1 to the morning time signal S6 and the final signal S11. In addition to the seven signals, the same operation as the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment is performed according to the number of signals. That is, it is possible to cope with a case where the “automatic signal” is short. In addition, since the circuit configuration and external appearance of the remote control transmitter according to Embodiment 3 are the same as those in FIGS. 2 and 3, these drawings are used. In this case, the remote control transmitter according to Embodiment 3 is denoted by reference numeral 1B, and the transmission control unit is denoted by 10B.

  FIG. 8 shows a signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1B when the “automatic button (switch SW-G)” that is a long-pressable operation button is pressed in the remote control transmitter 1B according to the third embodiment. FIG. In this figure, when the “automatic button” is pressed, the transmission control unit 10B detects the press of the switch SW-G and transmits the initial automatic signal S1 as an infrared signal. Thereafter, if the switch SW-G is continuously pressed, each signal of the current time second signal S2 to the morning time minute signal S6 following the automatic signal S1 is sequentially transmitted. After the morning time minute signal S6 is transmitted, it waits for a long time until the fixed press time elapses, and then transmits the final signal S11. For example, since the cycle of each signal of the automatic signal S1 to the morning time signal S6 is 150 milliseconds, the time required for all transmissions of the automatic signal S1 to the morning time signal S6 is 0.9 seconds (150 milliseconds × 6 = 0.9). After a second), after waiting for the time 0.6 seconds (150 milliseconds × 4 = 0.6 seconds) required for transmission of the above-described normal time signal S7 to night time signal S10, the final signal S11 is transmitted. That is, the final signal S11 is transmitted when the switch SW-G is pressed and held for 1.5 seconds. Thereby, the “automatic mode” is determined in the lighting fixture 101.

  When the transmission control unit 10B detects that the switch SW-G is released within the long press confirmation time (that is, detects that the long press is released halfway), the transmission control unit 10B stops signal transmission at that time. To do. When the final signal S11 is an important signal in the operation of the lighting fixture 101, that is, when the lighting fixture 101 operates for the first time by receiving the final signal S11, for example, when the long press is released halfway. It is sufficient that at least the final signal S11 is not transmitted.

  As described above, according to the remote control transmitter 1B according to the third embodiment, when the switch SW-G is pressed, the first automatic signal S1 is transmitted, and after the morning time signal S6 is transmitted, the long press confirmation time is transmitted. Since the final signal S11 is transmitted after the long press confirmation time elapses and the operation of the switch SW-G is interrupted before the long press confirmation time elapses, the signal transmission is stopped. The time until the operation of the lighting fixture 101 is started can be shortened without causing unnecessary operations of the 101. In addition, since the time until the operation of the lighting fixture 101 can be shortened, power saving can be achieved.

1,1A, 1B Remote control transmitter 2-4 LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Switching transistor 6-8 Resistance 10, 10A, 10B Transmission control part 11 Liquid crystal display part SW-G switch 100 Lighting device 101 Lighting fixture

Claims (6)

An operation button that can be pressed for a long time,
A transmission control unit that controls transmission of a plurality of signals for executing a predetermined function including at least a first signal and a last signal in accordance with an operation of the operation button;
The transmission control unit
After the operation button is operated, the first signal is transmitted before the long press confirmation time elapses when the long press of the operation button is determined,
Send the last signal after the long press confirmation time,
If the operation button operation is interrupted before the long press confirmation time has elapsed, the last signal is not transmitted.
Remote control transmitter. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1,
The transmission control unit
The first signal is transmitted immediately after the operation button is operated.
Remote control transmitter. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1,
The transmission control unit
Transmitting the first signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the operation button;
Remote control transmitter. The remote control transmitter according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Informing means for informing completion of transmission of the last signal,
The transmission control unit
Activating the notification means after transmitting the last signal;
Remote control transmitter. The remote control transmitter according to claim 4,
The notification means is a liquid crystal display unit.
Remote control transmitter. A remote control transmitter according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A lighting fixture that operates by receiving a signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter,
Lighting device.

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