JP5327679B2 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device that operates a controlled device by wireless communication using radio waves.

  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. However, in the infrared communication method, if there is a shielding object between a device that transmits infrared light and an electrical appliance, it cannot be controlled well. In addition, in infrared communication, the range of transmittable angles is narrow, and control is not possible unless the remote control device and the appliance are facing each other accurately. Therefore, it has been proposed to use a wireless / infrared conversion adapter that converts wireless communication data to infrared communication data and transfers it, and to control an appliance having an infrared communication function with a wireless communication remote control device. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Alternatively, an air conditioner controlled by an infrared signal and an infrared signal emitted from the air conditioner remote controller are input, and an optical wireless converter that transmits information related to the infrared signal as a wireless signal, and a wireless signal transmitted by the optical wireless converter And a wireless light converter that reproduces an infrared signal based on information contained in the wireless signal and radiates it to the air conditioner, so that infrared light is transmitted between the remote controller and the controlled device controlled by the infrared signal. Some provide a remote control system structure that can be controlled even in the presence of obstructing obstacles.

  Here, as an example of the format of the infrared signal, a schematic configuration of the home appliance association format will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the home appliance association format is a reader part including a part modulated with a carrier frequency F of 33 to 40 kHz, a custom code part constituting the first byte and the second byte, and a custom constituting the third byte. It consists of a code parity and a data code, a data code part composed of n bytes from the 4th byte, and a trailer part.

  The reader unit is a signal indicating the start of formatting, the custom code unit is an identification code set so as not to cause malfunction between remote control systems using infrared rays, the data code unit is data to be transmitted, and the trailer unit is the end of formatting. It is a signal to show. The infrared signal of the format shown in FIG. 5 is modulated by a PPM (Pulse Position Modulation) method, and the logical value “0” is followed by a section where a modulated wave having a length of T (unit time) exists. The logical value “1” is expressed in a section in which there is a T-length modulated wave and a section in which there is no subsequent 3T-length modulated wave. Is done. The leader section is composed of a section in which a modulated wave having a length of 8T exists, and a section in which no modulated wave having a length of 4T follows, and the trailer section has a section in which a modulated wave having a length of T exists. , And subsequent sections in which no modulated wave with a length of 8 msec or longer exists.

  Next, as an example of a radio signal format (wireless communication format) based on FIG. 6, a schematic configuration of a standard (RCR STD-16) format for a telemeter and telecontrol radio equipment of a specific low-power radio station explain. In FIG. 6, the format of RCR STD-16 follows the RCR data portion composed of a 100-bit long bit synchronization signal, a 31-bit long frame synchronization signal, and a 63-bit long identification code, and the RCR data. And a part for storing message data called a frame. The RCR data is encoded with an NRZ code, and the frame is encoded with a Manchester code.

  In the NRZ code, a logical value “0” is represented by a signal whose time does not change from a low level in a time slot having a unit time t, and a logical value “1” is a time slot having a unit time t. The level is represented by a signal that does not change from the high level. In the Manchester code, a logical value “0” is represented by a Low level section having a length of unit time t and a High level section having a length of unit time t following the logical value “1”. It is expressed as a High level section having a length of t and a Low level section having a length of unit time t following the t (see Patent Document 2). Currently, RCR STD-16 is integrated into ARIB STD-T67, and the frequencies used are 400 MHz band and 1200 MHz band.

JP 2004-031999 A JP 2000-184473 A

  RCR STD-16 and ARIB STD-T67 do not need infrared communication if they adopt wireless communication from the beginning, but both improve the communication performance of existing electrical appliances or controlled devices that have infrared communication functions. Is possible. Therefore, by using wireless communication in addition to infrared communication, the apparatus becomes complicated and expensive, and there is a problem in that the reliability of communication is reduced because the communication performance undergoes two communications, infrared communication and wireless communication. . Further, since infrared rays are directional, the wireless / infrared conversion adapter or the wireless optical converter must be arranged so as to be able to reliably communicate with the electrical appliance or the controlled device, and there are restrictions on the place of placement.

  In addition, since the communication format differs between the wireless communication method and the infrared communication method, and the frequency used is also different, the length of the entire signal (signal length) depends on the content of the data to be transmitted. Wireless communication is shorter than normal infrared communication. In the conventional example, when the unit time T is 0.5 msec, the length of the infrared signal per signal is 6 msec for the reader unit, 8.5 msec for the trailer unit, and the custom code unit and the data code unit differ depending on the contents. If the logical values “0” and “1” are halved and the total is 40 bits, the total is 40 msec, and the signal length is 74.5 msec as a whole. The length of the radio signal per signal is 10.4 msec when the RCR data portion is 194 bits in total and 40.4 msec for the frame portion, and the signal length is 53.7 msec as a whole.

  In wireless communication and infrared communication, in order to improve communication accuracy, there are cases where transmission is repeatedly performed while an operation button is pressed, or a plurality of signals are transmitted as one set in one transmission. On the other hand, when adjusting the volume of the AV equipment or the brightness of the lighting equipment, the transmitter operation button changes once (single action) when pressed once, and continuously changes (continuous action) when pressed continuously. There is an infrared communication system. Schematic operation when such a device receives a radio signal and converts it into an infrared signal will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a time chart when the operation button is continuously pressed for a long time, and FIG. 8 is a time chart when the single button is repeatedly pressed for a short time. RF indicates a radio signal, IR indicates an infrared signal, and the length of each signal is an example. For convenience of explanation, processing time from when the operation button is pressed to when transmission is started or from when an RF signal is received to when it is converted into an IR signal and output is omitted.

  Several wireless signal transmission methods are conceivable. As described above, FIG. 7 shows a case where the operation button is continuously pressed for a long time, and FIG. 8 shows a case where the short press is repeated repeatedly. During the ON period when the operation button of the transmitter is pressed, RF00, RF10 (1 signal is periodically repeated), RF20 (1 set 5 signals are periodically repeated), RF30 (1 signal is continuously repeated), and so on It is assumed that each signal is transmitted, and when the operation button is turned off during transmission, the operation is stopped after the signal is completely transmitted. Depending on the length of one signal, repetition period, ON / OFF period, etc., there are cases where the pattern of signals transmitted by long press and single press is almost the same as in RF00 and RF20 in FIGS. It is difficult to reliably distinguish between long press and single press during reception. Further, when one radio signal is converted into one infrared signal, RF30 is converted like IR31. Therefore, the infrared signal becomes a continuous signal, and a delay occurs due to conversion due to the difference in signal length. As described above, there is a possibility that the intended operation cannot be performed such that the intention to press the operation button of the transmitter once is a continuous operation or the intention of the continuous operation is a single operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, is compatible with both wireless communication and infrared communication with a relatively simple and inexpensive configuration, and further receives a wireless signal and converts it to an infrared signal. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device that can properly use single operation and continuous operation without malfunction.

The remote control device of the present invention includes a transmitter for transmitting a radio signal in a radio communication format using radio waves, a radio signal transmitted by the transmitter, and converting the received radio signal into an infrared signal in an infrared communication format. A receiver having signal conversion means for output, a control unit for receiving the infrared signal output from the receiver to control the controlled unit, and a connection for connecting the control unit and the receiver by wiring And the transmitter continuously transmits a radio signal while the operation button is pressed, and the receiver transmits the next radio signal within a first determination time. A first determination unit that determines whether or not the signal is continuous depending on whether or not it is recognized; if the determination result of the first determination unit is continuous, the signal is converted into an infrared signal and output; , Receiving The second determination means for determining whether or not the infrared signal output from the second infrared signal is continuous depending on whether or not the next infrared signal is recognized within the second determination time, and the determination results of the second determination means are continuous. In some cases, the apparatus includes a third determination unit that determines whether or not the continuous signal continues for a predetermined determination time or more, and when the determination result of the third determination unit continues for a predetermined determination time or more, A control signal is output to

According to the above configuration, the signal conversion means included in the receiver converts the received wireless signal into an infrared signal in the infrared communication format and outputs it, so that the receiver can receive a wireless signal using radio waves. Those capable of receiving infrared signals using infrared rays can also be used, and can support both wireless communication and infrared communication. Further, it can be configured relatively easily and at a low cost. When a receiver that can receive a wireless signal is used, a transmitter that transmits a wireless signal is used. When a receiver that can receive an infrared signal is used, a receiver that can receive an infrared signal is used.
In the receiver, if the received radio signal is within the first determination time and the next radio signal is present, the receiver determines that the radio signal is continuous and converts it into an infrared signal, and the control unit outputs the infrared signal output from the receiver. Is within the second determination time, it is determined to be continuous, and if the continuous signal continues for a predetermined determination time or more, a control signal is output to the controlled unit. In the case of converting to, continuous operation can be reliably identified. That is, single operation and continuous operation can be used properly without malfunction.

  In the above configuration, a light receiver that receives an infrared signal in an infrared communication format using infrared light is provided, and the connection terminal has a common connector shape that can connect the control unit, the receiver, and the light receiver by wiring. It is.

  According to the said structure, a light receiver and a receiver can be handled easily.

  In the above configuration, when the first determination time is Tj1, the second determination time is Tj2, and it is determined that the receiver is continuous, an infrared signal is output with a repetition period Tr, and the radio signal The length of one signal Trf, the length Tir of one signal of the infrared signal, the determination time Tj1, and the determination time Tj2 satisfy the relationship of Tj1 = Tr−Tir, Tj2> Tr> Trf + Tir, Tj2> Tir × 2. To do.

  The present invention is compatible with both wireless communication and infrared communication with a relatively simple and inexpensive configuration. Further, when receiving a wireless signal and converting it to an infrared signal, the remote operation can be used properly for single operation and continuous operation without malfunction. A control device can be provided.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the remote control apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the light receiver which performs the infrared communication replaced with the receiver of the remote control apparatus of FIG. 1 is a time chart for explaining a schematic operation of radio signal / infrared signal conversion when the operation button is continuously pressed in the remote control device of FIG. 1 is a time chart for explaining the schematic operation of radio signal / infrared signal conversion when the operation button is single-pressed in the remote control device of FIG. Illustration for explaining the Home Appliances Association format The figure for demonstrating the format of the standard (RCR STD-16) of the radio equipment for telemeters of a specific low power radio station and telecontrol In the prior art, a time chart for explaining a schematic operation of radio signal / infrared signal conversion when an operation button is continuously pressed In the prior art, a time chart for explaining a schematic operation of radio signal / infrared signal conversion when a single operation button is pressed

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light receiver that performs infrared communication used in the remote control device of the present embodiment.

  First, in FIG. 1, a remote control device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a transmitter 1, a receiver 6, and a control unit 11. The transmitter 1 includes an antenna 2, a transmission circuit unit 3, a microcomputer 4, and operation buttons (consisting of a plurality of buttons) 5. A receiver 6 includes an antenna 7, a reception circuit unit 8, a microcomputer (signal conversion means) 9, and A connector 10 is provided. The control unit 11 includes a connector 12, a microcomputer 13, and a memory 14. The controlled unit 15 controlled by the remote control device 100 is, for example, an illumination device including a lighting circuit 16 and a lamp 17 (hereinafter referred to as “illumination device 15”).

  The receiver 6 and the control unit 11 are connected to each other via connectors 10 and 12. One of the connectors 10 and 12 is a male and the other is a female. In the present embodiment, the receiver 6 and the control unit 11 are separated from the lighting device 15, but may be incorporated in the lighting device 15. To turn on the lamp 17 of the illumination device 15, the operation button 5 of the transmitter 1 is pressed. As a result, a predetermined signal is output from the microcomputer 4 of the transmitter 1, the signal is modulated by the transmission circuit unit 3, and a radio signal using a radio wave as a signal medium is transmitted from the antenna 2.

  The radio signal transmitted from the transmitter 1 is received by the receiving circuit unit 8 via the antenna 7 of the receiver 6 and demodulated into a signal code. Then, the demodulated signal code is input to the microcomputer 9. The microcomputer 9 converts the input signal code into an infrared signal of the home appliance association format and inputs it to the microcomputer 13 of the control unit 11. That is, the microcomputer 9 converts the radio signal received by the receiving circuit unit 8 into an infrared signal having an infrared communication format and inputs the infrared signal to the microcomputer 13 of the control unit 11. The microcomputer 13 of the control unit 11 generates a signal for lighting the lamp 17 of the lighting device 15 from the infrared signal input from the microcomputer 9 of the receiver 6 and inputs the signal to the lighting circuit 16 of the lighting device 15. Further, the microcomputer 13 temporarily stores a signal generated for lighting the lamp 17 in the memory 14. The lighting circuit 16 of the lighting device 15 lights the lamp 17 when a lamp lighting signal is input from the microcomputer 13 of the control unit 11.

  The above is a case of transmitting a radio signal using radio waves. However, if there is no problem in communication performance even with infrared communication that can be configured at a lower cost than wireless communication, the light receiver 18 shown in FIG. It is also possible to connect to the control unit 11 and operate using a conventional transmitter (not shown) for infrared communication. The light receiver 18 includes a light receiving module 19 including a light receiving element 20 and an amplifier IC 21, and connectors 22 and 23. The connector 22 is a connector used in the light receiving module 19, and the connector 23 is a connector for connecting to the connector 12 of the control unit 11. One of the connectors 23 and 12 is a male and the other is a female. The connectors 23 and 12 allow the controller 11 and the light receiver 18 to be easily connected. A conventional infrared communication transmitter (not shown) transmits an infrared signal code in the home appliance association format and is received by the light receiver 18.

  Next, a specific method for converting a radio signal into an infrared signal will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a time chart when the operation button 5 of the transmitter 1 is continuously long pressed, and FIG. 4 is a time chart when the single press is repeatedly repeated. RF indicates a radio signal, IR indicates an infrared signal, and the length of each signal is an example. For convenience of explanation, processing time from when the operation button is pressed to when transmission is started or from when an RF signal is received to when it is converted into an IR signal and output is omitted.

  While the operation button 5 of the transmitter 1 shown in FIG. 1 is being pressed, a signal is continuously transmitted like RF30. The microcomputer 9 of the receiver 6 converts the infrared signal IR32 into a code corresponding to the content of the RF 30 and inputs the infrared signal IR32 to the microcomputer 13 of the controller 11. The microcomputer 13 determines whether it is continuous, performs a predetermined process based on the determination result, and inputs a control signal for controlling the lamp 17 of the lighting device 15 to the lighting circuit 16.

  When the first signal of RF30 is received, it is converted to IR32 by the microcomputer 9 and output, and if at least one next signal of RF30 is received within a predetermined continuous determination time Tj1 (first determination time), IR32 The IR32 signal is not output unless it is continuously received and received. Thereafter, when a new RF 30 is received, the above operation is repeated. The signal of IR32 is input to the microcomputer 13, and after one signal is recognized, it is determined to be continuous if at least one next signal of IR32 is recognized within a predetermined continuous determination time (second determination time) Tj2. If it cannot be recognized, it is determined that the signal is stopped. These operations are executed by a program stored in a memory built in each of the microcomputer 9 and the microcomputer 13. At this time, assuming that the repetition period Tr of IR32 is Trf and the length of one RF30 signal is Trf, and the length of one IR32 signal is Tir, the relationship is Tj1 = Tr−Tir, Tj2> Tr> Trf + Tir, Tj2> Tir × 2. Is determined in advance to satisfy The magnitude relationship between Trf and Tir is not particularly relevant.

  Between each signal of IR32 is substantially equivalent to extending the length of the trailer. In the conventional example, the trailer section is composed of a section in which a modulated wave having a length of T exists, and a section in which no modulated wave having a length of 8 msec or more follows. It is only necessary to confirm that it is 8 msec or longer, and even if the length of the trailer is extended to 8 msec or longer, there is no particular problem because it does not have a meaning as a signal. In addition, the time of a single press in the button operation by the actual user is about several hundreds msec, but there is a variation and is longer than the time of one signal. Therefore, a single press does not become one signal but a plurality of continuous signals. If the continuous signal is shorter than a predetermined determination time (for example, 500 msec), it may be processed as a single press, and if it is longer than the determination time, it may be processed as a continuous press.

  Note that the receiver 6 includes first determination means, and the control unit 11 includes second determination means and third determination means.

  As described above, according to the remote control device 100 of the present embodiment, infrared communication using an infrared transmitter by connecting the light receiver 18 to the control unit 11 and wireless communication using radio waves as a medium for the control unit 11. By connecting the communication receiver 6, a remote control device that can handle both wireless communication using a wireless transmitter can be configured relatively simply and inexpensively. Moreover, when receiving a radio signal and converting it into an infrared signal, it is possible to use a single operation and a continuous operation properly without malfunction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmitter 2, 7 Antenna 3 Transmission circuit part 4, 9, 13 Microcomputer 5 Operation button 6 Receiver 8 Reception circuit part 10, 12, 22, 23 Connector 11 Control part 14 Memory 15 Controlled part (illuminating device)
16 lighting circuit 17 lamp 18 light receiver 19 light receiving module 20 light receiving element 21 amplifier IC
100 Remote control device

Claims (3)

A transmitter that transmits a radio signal in a radio communication format using radio waves;
A receiver including signal conversion means for receiving a wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter, converting the received wireless signal into an infrared signal of an infrared communication format and outputting the infrared signal;
A control unit that receives the infrared signal output from the receiver and controls the controlled unit;
A connection terminal for connecting the control unit and the receiver by wiring ;
The transmitter continuously transmits a radio signal while the operation button is pressed, and the receiver determines whether the received radio signal recognizes the next radio signal within a first determination time. 1st determination means which determines whether it is continuous, when the determination result of this 1st determination means is continuous, it converts into an infrared signal and outputs, The said control part is output by the said receiver The second determination means for determining whether the infrared signal to be performed is continuous depending on whether or not the next infrared signal is recognized within the second determination time, and the determination result of the second determination means is continuous And a third determination means for determining whether or not the continuous signal continues for a predetermined determination time or more, and when the determination result of the third determination means continues for a predetermined determination time or more, control to the controlled part Remote control device that outputs signals . It has a receiver that receives infrared signals in infrared communication format using infrared rays.
The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal has a common connector shape capable of connecting the control unit, the receiver, and the light receiver by wiring. When the first determination time is Tj1, the second determination time is Tj2, and it is determined that the receiver is continuous, an infrared signal is output with a repetition period Tr, and the length of one signal of the radio signal is is Trf, the one signal of the infrared signal length Tir, the determination time Tj1, the determination time Tj2 is, Tj1 = Tr-Tir, Tj2 >Tr> Trf + Tir, Tj2> claim 1 which satisfies the relation of Tir × 2 The remote control device described in 1.

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