JPH04299695A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and surely perform the operation by providing a remote controller, which is provided with plural stages of operation keys, with a means which indicates one or more keys to be next operated by the operation of a specific key. CONSTITUTION:A lamp and key group 1 consists of a key group 1a and a lamp group 1b and is controlled by a control part 3, and key functions are displayed on key tops or in peripheries of keys. Three modes of TV, video 1, and video 2 can be selected. When a power-on key is depressed, keys of TV, video 1, and video 2 are lit to indicate that reception of only three keys is possible. When the key of TV is depressed, the TV mode is set, and lamps for channel, sound volume, audio main/auxiliary, etc., are lit, and their keys can be accepted. Since keys to be next operated are indicated, the operation is easily and surely performed to improved the operability.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely controlling television receivers, air conditioners, etc.
In particular, the present invention relates to a remote control device with improved operability.

0002

[Prior Art] Many of the recent household electrical appliances, especially AV products, are composite products made by integrating multiple products.
The number of keys used to operate remote control transmitters that remotely control these devices has increased dramatically, resulting in a decrease in operability.

Therefore, in order to make the operability as high as possible, a main remote control device is used that has all the keys arranged to control multiple functions, and a secondary remote control device that has only frequently used keys arranged is used separately. Some come with equipment attached.

0004

However, this method of attaching a slave remote control device not only increases the cost, but also does not solve any of the problems when using a master remote control device. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device that does not require a slave remote control device and has improved operability.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problem] To this end, the present invention provides a means for instructing one or more keys to be operated next by operating a specific key in a remote control device provided with a plurality of operating keys. It was configured by setting up.

[0006]

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote control device A for a television receiver according to one embodiment. This remote control device A has a lamp/squeak group 1 for operation and a signal light emitting section 2 that emits control infrared light.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing its internal circuit block. The lamp/key group 1 consists of a key group 1a and a lamp group 1b. 3 is a control section consisting of a microcomputer. The lamp/key group 1 is constructed by having a lamp built into the key top portion of the key, or by making the key and lamp separate and arranging the lamp near the key (not shown). LEDs are suitable as individual lamps. Note that the display representing the key function is placed on the key top or around the key.

For example, assuming that there are three types of selectable modes for the remote control device A for the television receiver: TV mode, video 1 mode, and video 2 mode, as shown in FIG. First press the "power key"
By pressing N, "TV key", "Video 1 key"
, "Video 2 key" lights up, indicating that only those three keys can currently accept input. Here, "T
Turn on the "V key" to enter TV mode. and,
After this, keys for TV reception control, such as "CH (channel) key", "volume key", "audio main/sub key"
The lamp will light up and the item can be accepted. After this, no further keys are required for TV reception, so
These "CH (channel) key", "volume key", "
"Voice main/sub key" etc. continue to be displayed and the ready state continues. Note that since the "power key" needs to be available for reception at all times, it is kept in a similar state of lighting, for example by displaying a red display, and no special lamp display is made.

[0009] As described above, the other keys in lamp key group 1 except for the "power key" are keys that should be operated only in specific cases, but they are illuminated and displayed for identification in the specific case. This reduces the hassle of key operations.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a remote control device B of another embodiment. This remote control device B is provided with a key group 11 and a signal light emitting section 12, and further provided with a display section 13 using an LCD or the like on the surface on which the key group 11 is arranged. In this embodiment, after turning on the "power key," the next key to be operated is, for example, the "TV key,"
Turn on either the video 1 key or the video 2 key. " is displayed. Also, for example, "press the ○○ key twice"
Please N. It is also possible to instruct a special operation method (toggle method) such as "."

FIG. 5 shows a remote control device C of still another embodiment.
FIG. This remote control device C is provided with a key group 21 and a signal emitting section 22, and further provided with a touch panel 23 on the surface where the key group 21 is arranged. In this embodiment, when a specific key in the key group 21 is operated, the next key to be operated is displayed on the touch panel 23.
The number of keys provided in the key group 21 can be minimized. Further, similar to the remote control device B shown in FIG. 4, a special key operation method can be instructed. In addition, in the above explanation, infrared rays are used for signal transmission, but
Of course, the present invention can also be applied to devices that use UHF radio waves or the like or cables.

0012

As described above, according to the present invention, since the next key to be operated is specified, the operation can be performed easily and reliably, even if a large number of keys are arranged.
Operability can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a remote control device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same device according to yet another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Lamp/key group, 1a: Key group, 1b: Lamp group,
2: Signal light emitting section, 11: Key group, 12: Signal light emitting section, 13: Display section, 21: Key group, 22: Signal light emitting section,
23: Touch panel.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device provided with a plurality of operating keys, characterized in that the remote control device is provided with means for instructing one or more keys to be operated next by operating a specific key. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein said instruction means comprises a lamp provided in association with each key, or a display section for displaying instruction contents.