JP3709776B2 - Electronic equipment initial setting system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to an electronic device initial setting system for initializing an electronic device by storing setting data such as ROM data and initial value data in a memory of the electronic device .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recent electronic devices such as a television receiver, an air conditioner, and a video apparatus are often equipped with a microcomputer for control. A program for operating the microcomputer is stored in advance in the memory. However, setting data such as so-called ROM collection data and initial value data may need to be written to the memory after the assembly of the electronic device is completed. This is because even if the electronic device is the same model, if there are changes in the parts and the like that are actually used, the desired operation cannot be obtained unless the setting data is changed accordingly.
[0003]
Conventionally, a method as shown in FIG. 5 has been adopted to store the setting data in the memory of the electronic device. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a conveyor provided in the assembly / inspection process line of the electronic device 2 ′. A plurality of electronic devices 2 ′ are placed on the conveyor 5, and the electronic devices 2 ′ are transported in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. FIG. 5 shows the conveyor 5 as viewed from above. In the figure, 4 ′ is a personal computer arranged around the conveyor 5 and has a function of outputting initial setting information of the electronic device 2 ′.
[0004]
First, the electronic device 2 ′ and the personal computer 4 ′ after completion of assembly are connected using the communication cable 6. Then, the personal computer 4 ′ is operated to transmit initial setting information to the electronic device 1 ′. The initial setting information is input to the microcomputer of the electronic device 2 ′ via the bus line. As a result, the microcomputer is forced to operate, the memory is made writable, and the setting data included in the initial setting information is stored in the memory.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-56005 discloses a configuration of a terminal device that performs optical communication with a portable communication terminal such as a pager and stores a program or data in a memory of the terminal. Yes.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional example, noise such as electromagnetic waves easily enters the communication cable 6 and there is a problem that the setting data is not accurately stored in the memory of the electronic device 1 ′. In particular, when the initial setting information transmitted from the personal computer 4 ′ is in a fixed length or expansion data format, the data amount is always constant even when the number of setting data to be stored in the memory is small. The probability of being affected by noise increases in that the transmission time is long.
[0007]
When accurate setting data is not stored in the memory of the electronic device due to the influence of such noise, the expected operation cannot be obtained, and eventually it is necessary to perform work such as connecting the communication cable 6 again. In this respect, it is difficult to reduce the cost of the electronic device 1 ′.
[0008]
However, if the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-56005 is applied and the initial setting information is transmitted to the electronic device by optical communication, the noise problem is solved. However, since it is necessary to newly provide communication parts such as a light receiving element in the electronic device, and a large design change is involved, it is difficult to reduce the cost of the electronic device in this respect.
[0009]

The present invention was created under the circumstances described above, and the object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately store setting data in a memory of an electronic device by making a slight design change to the electronic device. It is to provide an initial setting system for electronic equipment.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An electronic device initial setting system according to claim 1 of the present invention stores an electronic device that can be remotely operated by a remote control device, and stores setting data such as initial value data in the memory of the electronic device. And an electronic device initial setting device for initialization,
Command data for making the memory writable when the setting data is input from the outside to the electronic device initial setting device and generating the command data and the setting data as a unit A controller that continuously outputs; and an optical transmitter that transmits each data output from the controller as an optical signal similar to the remote control device,
An optical receiver that receives data transmitted as optical signals from the remote control device and the optical transmitter to the electronic device, a memory that stores setting data, and the optical receiver that receives from the remote controller In addition to the function of controlling each unit while referring to the setting data stored in the memory according to the operation data, when command data and setting data transmitted from the optical transmission unit are input via the optical reception unit, And a microcomputer control unit having an interrupt program for storing the input setting data in the memory after the memory is made writable by command data .
[0011]
In such a configuration, the data required to store the setting data in the memory of the electronic device is transmitted as an optical signal similar to that in the case of the remote control device of the electronic device, so the setting is made via a conventional communication cable. The setting data can be accurately stored in the memory of the electronic device without being affected by noise due to electromagnetic waves or the like as in the case of transmitting data. On the other hand, as an electronic device , an object that can be remotely operated by a remote control device is targeted, and an existing optical receiver provided for receiving an optical signal from the remote control device is installed in the electronic device. Since the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the electronic device initial setting device can be received, a simple design change on the software is added that only requires modification to add a simple interrupt program to the control program of the microcomputer controller Thus, the cost of the electronic device can be reduced. Further, since the command data and the setting data are continuously output as a unit from the control unit of the electronic device initial setting device, only the minimum necessary data can be transmitted to shorten the transmission time.
[0012]
The electronic device initial setting system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device initial setting device generates initial setting information including setting data to be stored in a memory of the electronic device to generate an assembly / inspection line for the electronic device. A communication unit connected to a control device for centralized management through a communication line, and a buffer memory. The control unit of the electronic device initial setting device inputs initial setting information from the control device to the communication unit. when it is, after having stored the head address of the buffer memory by counting the number of setting data included in the initial setting information, the set data is sequentially stored in the next address of the top address, then generates instruction data sequentially output to the optical transmission unit reads the setting data by the number which is stored in the leading address of the buffer memory Has a control function to repeat that process,
The electronic device is placed on a conveyor provided in the assembly / inspection process line and sequentially conveyed, while the electronic device initial setting device transmits from the optical transmission unit at a peripheral position of the conveyor. When the optical signal is placed in a positioning state that can be received by the optical receiver of the electronic device on the conveyor, and the electronic devices sequentially conveyed by the conveyor enter the transmission area of the optical transmitter, The electronic device is configured to be initialized by sequentially storing setting data transmitted from the optical transmitter in the memory of the electronic device .
[0013]
In such a configuration, only the minimum necessary data for storing the setting data in the memory of the electronic device among the initial setting information input from the control device via the communication line is received from the electronic device initial setting device. Since it is transmitted, the initial setting can be performed efficiently. In addition, the initial setting can be performed sequentially while each electronic device is being conveyed by the conveyor, so there is no need to connect a communication cable as in the prior art, and the initial setting for the electronic device can be made more effective. Can be done.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic device initial setting device and an electronic device, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electronic device initial setting method, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program processed by the control unit of the setting device. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a setting data storage program processed by the microcomputer control unit of the electronic device.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, 1 is an electronic device initial setting device, 2 is an electronic device such as a television receiver, an air conditioner, and a video device, 3 is a remote control device of the electronic device 2, and 4 is a personal computer. The personal computer 4 is used to centrally manage the assembly / inspection process line of the electronic device 2 and has a function of generating initial setting information including setting data to be stored in the memory 23 of the electronic device 2 here. are doing. The contents of the setting data vary depending on the type of the electronic device 2 and the like, but specifically, so-called ROM collection data, initial value data, and the like.
[0016]
First, the configuration of the electronic device initial setting device 1 will be described. The electronic device initial setting device 1 listed here is a device that stores setting data in the memory 23 of the electronic device 2 that can be remotely operated by the remote control device 3, and the memory 23 is in a writable state. Control unit 11 for outputting command data and setting data for transmission, optical transmission unit 12 for transmitting each data output from control unit 11 as light in the same manner as remote control device 3, and communication line L for RS232C The basic configuration includes an externally connectable communication unit 14.
[0017]
The control unit 11 is configured to output command data and setting data included in the initial setting information to the optical transmission unit 12 based on the initial setting information of the personal computer 4 input via the communication unit 14. Here, a microcomputer is used, and functions as the control unit 11 are exhibited by processing the program shown in FIG. Note that the memory storing the program is not shown.
[0018]
The memory 13 is a peripheral element of the microcomputer as the control unit 11, and here, an E 2 PROM for serial I 2 C is used. Setting data and the like are stored and held at this predetermined address.
[0019]
The communication unit 14 is a circuit that transmits and receives data between the control unit 11 and the personal computer 4, and here, an RS232C communication device is used.
[0020]
The light transmission unit 12 is a circuit that transmits data output from the control unit 11 as light. Here, an infrared light emitting LED or the like is used.
[0021]
Here, the contents of the program of FIG. 3 processed by the control unit 11 will be described, and the operation of the electronic device initial setting device 1 will also be described.
[0022]
First, when initial setting information transmitted from the personal computer 4 is input via the communication unit 14, the control unit 11 stores setting data and the like included in the initial setting information in the memory 13. More specifically, the number of input setting data is calculated and stored in the head address of the memory 13, while the setting data is sequentially stored below the next address (S1).
[0023]
Next, after generating the instruction data, the control unit 11 reads the number of setting data stored in the memory 23 (not including the number of start codes and end codes), and sequentially stores these data to the optical transmission unit 12. Output (S2). This process is repeated, and as a result, the command data and the setting data are continuously output as one unit and transmitted as light by the optical transmitter 12.
[0024]
When the next initial setting information is transmitted from the personal computer 4, the program of FIG. 3 is processed again from the beginning.
[0025]
That is, not all the data of the initial setting information transmitted from the personal computer 4 is transmitted, but the minimum necessary data, specifically, the command data and the setting data recorded in the memory 13 are continuously processed as one unit. Sent. In other words, the amount of data to be transmitted is not constant, but changes according to the amount of setting data.
[0026]
Next, the configuration of the electronic device 2 will be described. The electronic device 2 listed here is a device having a function capable of being remotely operated by the remote control device 3, the operation data transmitted as light from the remote control device 3, and the electronic device initial setting device 1. The optical receiver 22 that receives data transmitted as light from the optical receiver 22, the memory 23 that stores the setting data, and each unit while referring to the setting data on the memory 23 according to the operation data input via the optical receiver 22 The basic configuration includes a microcomputer control unit 21 to be controlled.
[0027]
The light receiving unit 22 uses an infrared light receiving LED, while the memory 23 uses a serial I 2 C E 2 PROM. Setting data is stored and held at a predetermined address of the memory 23.
[0028]
The microcomputer control unit 21 is configured to control each unit by processing a program stored in advance in a memory (not shown), and refers to setting data as needed when performing the control. The contents of this program are the same as before. However, the program shown in FIG. 4 is newly added. According to the program, the microcomputer control unit 21 stores the setting data in the memory 23 when command data and setting data are input via the light receiving unit 22.
[0029]
The contents of the program of FIG. 4 processed by the microcomputer control unit 21 will be described here.
[0030]
The program shown in FIG. 4 is an interrupt program. That is, when command data and setting data transmitted from the electronic device initial setting device 1 are input to the microcomputer control unit 21 via the light receiving unit 22, the microcomputer control unit 21 sequentially processes the program. ing.
[0031]
First, the memory 23 is made writable by command data input via the optical receiver 22 (S1). Similarly, all the input setting data are recorded in the memory 23 (S2). This ends the program. This completes the initial setting of the electronic device 2.
[0032]
Next, a specific initial setting method of the electronic device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a conveyor provided in the assembly / inspection process line of the electronic device 2. The electronic device 2 is placed on the conveyor 5 and is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. FIG. 2 shows the conveyor 5 as seen from above.
[0033]
An electronic device initial setting device 1 is disposed around the conveyor 5. The optical transmitter 12 of the electronic device initial setting device 1 and the optical receiver 22 of the electronic device 2 placed on the conveyor 5 are adjusted in height and transmitted from the electronic device initial setting device 1. Each data can be received by the electronic device 2.
[0034]
In short, in the process in which the assembled electronic device 2 is conveyed by the conveyor 5, the electronic device 2 enters the transmission area of the electronic device initial setting device 1, and at this time, the setting data is recorded in the memory 23 of the electronic device 2. Is done. In the process in which a plurality of electronic devices 2 are conveyed by the conveyor 5, the initial setting is performed one after another. Unlike the case of the conventional example, the operation of connecting a communication cable is not necessary, and the initial setting for the electronic device 2 can be performed efficiently.
[0035]
In addition, the electronic device 2 for which the initial setting has been completed is further conveyed by the conveyor 5 and moved to the inspection process. However, unlike the conventional example, the setting data is correctly recorded in the memory 23 of the electronic device 2.
[0036]
The reason why the setting data is accurately recorded in the memory 23 of the electronic device 2 is that the command data and the setting data transmitted from the electronic device initial setting device 1 are transmitted as light and are not easily affected by the noise of the electromagnetic wave. Because. In addition, the amount of data to be transmitted is smaller and the transmission time is reduced compared to the case of the conventional example in which all the initial setting information transmitted from the personal computer is transmitted to the electronic device. Because it becomes difficult.
[0037]
Therefore, the initial setting of the electronic device 2 is not performed again, and a series of steps from assembly of the electronic device 1 to inspection are smoothly performed. Moreover, the design change of the electronic device 2 is slight and only the program shown in FIG. 4 is added. Therefore, there is a great significance in reducing the cost of the electronic device 2.
[0038]
The electronic device initial setting device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the control unit has a function of outputting instruction data and setting data for making the electronic device memory writable. Any structure may be used as long as it has As the optical transmission unit, one having a configuration suitable for the type of the optical transmission unit of the remote control device of the electronic device may be used. The same applies to the electronic device according to the present invention, and the type of memory is not limited.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electronic device initial setting system of the first aspect of the present invention, the data necessary for storing the setting data in the memory of the electronic device is the same optical signal as that of the remote control device of the electronic device. Since the data is transmitted, the setting data can be accurately stored in the memory of the electronic device without being affected by noise such as electromagnetic waves as in the case of transmitting the setting data via a conventional communication cable. On the other hand, as an electronic device, an object that can be remotely operated by a remote control device is targeted, and an existing optical receiving unit provided for receiving an optical signal from a remote control device is installed in the electronic device. Since the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the electronic device initial setting device can be received, a simple design change on the software is added that only requires modification to add a simple interrupt program to the control program of the microcomputer controller Thus, the cost of the electronic device can be reduced. Further, the control unit of the initialization device electronics, since it is continuously output and said setting data and instruction data as one unit, can shorten the time of transmission by sending only the minimum data required.
[0040]
According to the electronic device initial setting system according to claim 2, the minimum necessary for storing the setting data in the memory of the electronic device among the initial setting information input from the control device via the communication line. Since only the data is transmitted from the electronic device initial setting device, the initial setting can be performed efficiently. In addition, since each electronic device can be sequentially set in the process of being conveyed by the conveyor, it is not necessary to connect a communication cable as in the prior art, and the initial setting for the electronic device can be performed more efficiently. Is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, and is a configuration diagram of an electronic device initial setting device, an electronic device, and the like.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an initial setting system of the electronic device.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program processed by a control unit of the setting device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a setting data storage program processed by the microcomputer control unit of the electronic device.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an initial setting method of a conventional electronic device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Initial setting apparatus 11 for electronic devices Control part 12 Optical transmission part 13 Memory 14 Communication part 2 Electronic equipment 21 Microcomputer control part 22 Light receiving part 23 Memory 3 Remote control apparatus

Claims (2)

An electronic device that can be remotely operated by a remote control device, and an electronic device initial setting device that initializes the electronic device by storing setting data such as initial value data in its memory ,
Command data for making the memory writable when the setting data is input from the outside to the electronic device initial setting device and generating the command data and the setting data as a unit A controller that continuously outputs; and an optical transmitter that transmits each data output from the controller as an optical signal similar to the remote control device,
An optical receiver that receives data transmitted as optical signals from the remote control device and the optical transmitter to the electronic device, a memory that stores setting data, and the optical receiver that receives from the remote controller In addition to the function of controlling each unit while referring to the setting data stored in the memory according to the operation data, when command data and setting data transmitted from the optical transmission unit are input via the optical reception unit, An initial setting of an electronic device comprising: a microcomputer control unit having an interrupt program for storing the input setting data in the memory after making the memory writable by command data system. The electronic device initial setting device generates initial setting information including setting data to be stored in a memory of the electronic device, and is connected to a control device that centrally manages an assembly / inspection line of the electronic device through a communication line. A setting provided in the initial setting information when the initial setting information is input from the control device to the communication unit by the control unit of the electronic device initial setting device. After counting the number of data and storing it at the head address of the buffer memory, the setting data is sequentially stored at the next address of the head address , and then the instruction data is generated and the head address of the buffer memory is generated. Has a control function to repeat the process of reading out the set data of the number stored in and sequentially outputting to the optical transmitter ,
The electronic device is placed on a conveyor provided in the assembly / inspection process line and sequentially conveyed, while the electronic device initial setting device transmits from the optical transmission unit at a peripheral position of the conveyor. When the optical signal is placed in a positioning state that can be received by the optical receiver of the electronic device on the conveyor, and the electronic devices sequentially conveyed by the conveyor enter the transmission area of the optical transmitter, 2. The electronic device initial setting system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is initialized by sequentially storing setting data transmitted from the optical transmission unit in the memory of the electronic device.

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