JPH06269056A - Receiver for remote control signal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the user to recognize the propriety of the reception state of a remote control signal through the use of a display means or the like in a device having a remote control function. CONSTITUTION:A digital signal obtained by receiving a remote control signal at a receiver 201 is led to a discrimination device 202. The discrimination device 202 discriminates whether or not the digital signal is a control code and outputs a control signal to control a controlled section when the code is a normal code and outputs an abnormality signal when not normal. A controller 203 receives the control signal/abnormality signal and outputs an abnormality display signal by using the abnormality signal. Then the display signal is fed to a display device 204 to display an abnormality of the remote control signal reception state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control signal receiving device which has a remote control function and which allows a user to recognize whether or not a remote control signal receiving state is good.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among general consumer devices, electronic devices that allow remote control operation are widely used. As a remote control method, infrared remote control using infrared rays is often adopted.

A CW (carrier burst) modulation method is used for transmitting a remote control signal (hereinafter, referred to as a remote control signal) by infrared rays, in which a carrier is intermittently output (burst) by a pulse of a digital signal. In this method, digital signals are basically
When it is "H", the carrier is transmitted, and the carrier itself becomes a signal.

A remote control signal (hereinafter referred to as a remote control signal) is a digital signal as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) at 38 kHz (cycle 26.3 μm) as shown in FIG. 5 (e).
s) The infrared rays oscillate to intermittently oscillate at the timings of FIGS. 5 (c) and 5 (d) and output from the transmitter.

FIG. 5 shows a transmission signal format of a general infrared remote control transmitter.

The remote control signal is, as shown in FIG.
For example, at an interval of 108 ms, the first time in FIG. 5 (b) (that is,
A signal having a format as shown in FIG. 5 (c)) is transmitted. This first signal is also called a remote control code,
It has a signal period of 67.5 ms and the remaining period (40.
5 ms) is a no signal period. The signal period is called a leader code and has a long period (13.5
ms), followed by a custom code and data code every 27 ms. The reader code is a signal that is composed of a signaled period of 9 ms and a non-signaled period of 4.5 ms and means data transmission. The custom code is a signal that specifies the target device, and is the first 8 bits and the second 8 bits.
It consists of bits. The 8 bits in the first half and the 8 bits in the latter half have an inversion relationship. The data code is
This signal represents the actual control content, and is composed of the first half 8 bits and the second half inverted 8 bits, similar to the custom code. As shown in FIG. 5C, the logic level of each code is determined by the length of the pulse interval. Here, the long pulse interval is defined as logic "1" and the short pulse interval is defined as "0". The presence / absence of a pulse, that is, the presence / absence of a signal corresponds to the presence / absence of a carrier, as can be understood from FIGS. 5 (c) and 5 (d). FIG. 5 (d) shows the second signal in (a) and is also called a continuous code.
As shown in FIG. 5 (e), the carrier has, for example, 38 kHz.
(Period 26.3 μs) is used.

An electronic device 20 whose controlled portion is controlled on the basis of the pulse signal received from the remote control signal as described above is received from the transmitter 10 as shown in FIG. And a determination device 22 that determines whether the digital signal from the reception device 21 is a normal remote control signal and outputs a control signal if the determination result is a correct remote control signal.
And a control device 23 that performs predetermined control on the controlled part based on the control signal from the determination device 22.

First, the remote control signal from the transmitter 10 is
The receiving device 21 of the electronic device detects 38 kHz of the carrier and outputs a digital signal. This digital signal is generally input to the determination device 22 as a digital signal of DC 0 to + 5V. The determination device 22 is shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the remote control signal has the format of (b), and when it is determined that the remote control signal is normal, a control signal for controlling the controlled unit is output to the control device 23, and the controlled unit is output to the controlled unit. Perform predetermined control.

By the way, in the remote control device using infrared rays, random pulses or periodic pulses are output from the receiving device 21 due to disturbance noise having a frequency near the infrared rays such as noise from lighting equipment, power supply ripple or spurious. To be done. When such disturbance noise is input at the same time as the remote control signal, the digital signal output from the receiving device 21 becomes abnormal. This state is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, (a) shows a digital signal obtained by detecting the remote control signal output from the transmitter 10 by the receiving device 21, and (b) shows the receiving device 2 due to disturbance noise.
1 shows a signal output from the receiver 1, and (c) shows a digital signal output from the receiving device 21 when disturbance noise is mixed in the remote control signal shown in (a).

When the digital signal as shown in FIG. 7 (c) is supplied to the determination device 22 in the next stage, the determination device 22 does not determine that it is a correct remote control signal, and the electronic device 20 does not operate.

Further, since infrared rays are used as the remote control signal, the electronic equipment is hard to operate unless the infrared signal from the transmitter 10 is directly incident on the receiving device 21.

As a method for improving this, since a noise source such as a fluorescent lamp generally generates visible light, the visible light is normally operated by blocking it with a hand or a shield such as a magazine. Whether or not the noise source is searched for, the electronic device is installed in a state where it is not easily affected by the noise source.
In addition, there are cases where the transmitter side is defective and cannot be controlled, and it takes a lot of time to investigate the cause.

On the other hand, in order to expand the controllable range of the remote controller, there is also a device which adopts a remote control device using UHF band radio waves without using infrared rays. Instead of the 38 kHz oscillation of the infrared remote controller, 300 MHz UHF band radio waves are used for the above infrared rays. Control is possible with the same method as a remote control.

Unlike the infrared remote controller, this UHF remote controller has an advantage that it can be controlled if radio waves can reach it even if the receiving device 21 is not directly visible. However, when unnecessary radio waves from other digital devices (for example, personal computer, word processor, compact disc player, etc.) contain the same frequency component as the remote control radio wave, the correct code is obtained as in the case of FIG. Cannot transmit.
In order to improve such interference, the noise source may be stopped, or the UHF of the receiving device 21 may be set to a state where noise is difficult to receive.
It is sufficient to move or change the direction of the receiving antenna of the band.
However, unlike infrared noise, it is completely invisible to the eye, so it is difficult to determine the noise source, and even when the direction of the receiving antenna is changed, it is difficult to receive noise and it is possible to judge whether it is in the best state or in an unstable state. Have difficulty. For this reason, there are cases where the antenna operation is stopped after some extent of reception.

As a means for solving this problem, the applicant of the present application has proposed a receiving device which allows a user to recognize whether the reception state of a remote control signal is normal or abnormal by using a display device or the like (special feature. See Japanese Patent Application No. 4-111699 and Japanese Patent Application No. 4-283098). In these proposals, the operation of the display device etc.
It is very effective to judge whether the remote control reception status is good or bad.
As a result, it may be possible to move away the noise source.

However, it is sometimes difficult to find the noise source, and the noise source cannot be completely separated from the device. However, even if the noise source cannot be separated,
There are also cases where there is little effect on the reception of remote control signals.

In such a state, the display device frequently lights up during normal use, and although there is almost no problem in the remote control operation, the display flickers and an annoying defect occurs.

[0019]

As described above, both the infrared remote controller and the UHF remote controller may repeat trial and error with respect to external noise, and may stop the countermeasure after only accepting it to some extent. In addition, there are cases where the transmitter side is defective and cannot be controlled, and it takes a lot of time to investigate the cause.

In view of the above problems, the present invention allows a user to recognize the quality of the reception state of a remote control signal in a device having a remote control function by using display means or the like, and further, the reception function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a receiving device for a remote control signal that does not react to noise that has no influence.

[0021]

A remote control signal receiving device according to the present invention comprises a receiving means for receiving a remote control signal and converting the remote control signal into a pulse signal.
The pulse signal is input, it is determined whether or not it is a remote control signal, and when the pulse signal from the receiving means is determined to be the same as the remote control signal, a control signal for controlling the controlled unit is output, An abnormal signal is output when it is determined that it is different from the remote control signal, and an abnormal signal is output when it is determined that the pulse signal is the same as a part of the remote control signal and then it is different from the remote control signal. Or a remote control signal, which is an invalid remote control signal for controlling the controlled part, outputs an abnormal signal, and a determining means and a control signal and an abnormal signal from this determining means. Is input to cause the controlled unit to execute a predetermined process based on the control signal, while A control means for outputting a recognition signal corresponding to the abnormality based on the signal, and a reception state for making the user recognize that the reception state of the remote control signal is abnormal based on the recognition signal from the control means. And output means.

[0022]

According to the present invention, when the control by the remote control does not operate normally, it becomes possible for the user to recognize the abnormality of the remote control signal by the reception state output means such as the display device. When the judging means outputs an abnormal signal, the difference in the total number of bits of the control code, the difference in the logical relationship of the control codes (the relationship between the first half and the latter half of the code), and the content of the code are different from those of the target controlled part. Includes cases that do not match. Also,
It does not react to noise that does not hinder the control by the remote control, and the erroneous recognition that the reception state output means is operating arbitrarily and the annoyance are not felt.

[0023]

EXAMPLES Examples will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a remote control signal receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 is, for example, an infrared remote control transmitter.
The remote control signal from 0 is the receiving device 2 in the electronic device 200.
It is received at 01. The electronic device 200 receives and decodes a remote control signal, and controls an internal controlled unit by the decode signal. The receiving device 201 receives and decodes the remote control signal from the transmitter 100, and the receiving device 201. A determination device 202 that determines whether the digital signal from 201 is a normal remote control signal, outputs a control signal if the remote control signal is correct as a result of the determination, and outputs an abnormal signal if the remote control signal is not correct; Device 202
While causing the controlled unit to perform a predetermined process based on the control signal from, the display signal for notifying the user that the current remote control signal reception state is abnormal based on the abnormality signal is displayed. Output control device 20
3 and a display device 204 for displaying an abnormal reception state based on the display signal from the control device 203.

The judging device 202 outputs an abnormal signal to the control device 203 when the inputted digital signal does not have a pulse width equivalent to that shown in FIGS. )
If the pulse width is equivalent to
Output to 3.

Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described. Briefly describing the remote control signal reading process, first, when the remote control signal is input, a 9 m signal called a reader code shown in FIG.
A waveform of about s is input. In order to distinguish the judgment device 202 from the custom code judgment described later, the first pulse width t1s
A value treader where t is a certain value or more (however, 0.56 ms <trea
der <9.0 ms is the predetermined value), it is judged that the reader code is input, and from the next pulse, it goes to the logic judgment processing of the custom code. A pulse having a pulse width t1st smaller than treader is regarded as noise and the determination process is ignored.

Here, a particularly important process of the determination device 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the waveform of the custom code input section (first half of the custom code) of the digital signal input to the judging device 202. However, the waveform shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a part of the waveform obtained by inverting the envelope waveform of the first half of the custom code of the remote control signal in FIG. 5 (c). It is assumed that the waveform of this custom code input unit is input to the determination device 202 as a digital signal. In this digital signal waveform, the high level period corresponds to the period without carrier (when no signal is input), and the low level period corresponds to the period with carrier (pulse period). The high level period is + 5V and the low level period is 0V. The judging device 202 judges the logical levels "1" and "0" of the custom code shown in FIG. 5 (c) based on the pulse width t1 and the pulse period t2 of the digital signal.

Code 0 ... t1 = 0.56ms t2 = 1.125ms Code 1 ... t1 = 0.56ms t2 = 2.25ms Here, t1 and t2 are caused by the output variation of the transmitter 100, the reception sensitivity difference of the receiver 201, and the like. In both cases, it is necessary to consider the temporal variation, and the determination is made by considering the allowable value of ± α time. However, in the case of the infrared remote controller, the value of t1 is affected by the distance between the transmitter 100 and the receiving device 201 and varies. . Therefore, as for t1, a value tp (however, tp
Is a predetermined value of tp <0.56 ms), and the pulse duration is determined to be a pulse period, and a pulse having a width smaller than that is regarded as noise and the determination process is ignored. When the next pulse is further input and the pulse width is tp or more, it is determined whether it is "0" or "1" depending on the time of t2.

The logic level determination process is repeated and the process shown in FIG.
Up to the custom code in the first half of (b), the custom code in the second half (the logic level of the custom code in the first half is inverted), the data code in the first half, and the data code in the second half (the logic level of the first half data code is inverted) When all 32 bits of are the same as the predetermined code, the control signal is output to the control device 203.

Further, the remote control signal is followed by the custom code and the data code at a cycle of 108 ms, and the waveform of FIG. 5D called a continuous code is inputted to the judging device 202 as a digital signal. The determination device 202 outputs a control signal indicating that the remote control key is continuously pressed to the control device 203 only when the continuous code is input after the previously determined code is input.

After the reader code is recognized, the determination device 202 outputs an abnormal signal when the pulses are not aligned and 32 bits are not aligned during the reading of the custom code or the data code, and the custom code is its own code. An abnormal signal is output even in the case of non-input, and an abnormal signal is input even in the case where the custom code is not the code of the own machine, and the first 8 bits of the custom code and the latter 8 bits of the custom code are mutually predetermined. Is not logically the same (in this example, when the latter 8 bits are inverted, it becomes the same data as the first 8 bits), or the data code is the same between the first 8 bits and the latter 8 bits. If not, an abnormal signal is output, and the remote control signal does not have the first custom code and data code (Fig. 5 (b)) input When it is judged that only the input (FIG. 5 (d)) is made (for example, 108 after the first remote control signal input
When ms or more has elapsed and a continuous code is input), an abnormal signal is output to the control device 203.

The control device 203 receives an L signal (not shown) used as the display device 204, for example, according to the abnormal signal.
The ED is turned on for a certain period of time so that the user can recognize that the reception state of the remote control signal is abnormal.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an abnormal signal processing operation in the judging device 202.

In order to read the remote control code, it is necessary to memorize which pulse the input pulse is (see FIG. 5 (b)). Therefore, various remote control reading flags are set. To do.

When the remote control signal is input as a digital signal from the receiving device 201 to the determining device 202, it is determined whether or not this input is the first reader code input (step S10), and the first input will be described later. When a certain reader code input flag is not set, it is determined whether the pulse width is larger than treader (step S
11) If the pulse width is larger than treader, it is determined that the first pulse of the reader code has been input, the reader code input flag is set to "1" (step S12), and the next pulse input is the first of the custom code. The process shifts to the pulse or continuous code determination process (steps S13 to S15). If the pulse width is smaller than treader, it is determined to be noise and prepared for the next input.

In step S10, if the pulse input is already performed after the reader code is input, the pulse width is tp.
It is determined whether the pulse width is larger than that (step S13). If the pulse width is larger than tp, it is determined whether it is the first pulse after setting the reader code input flag (step S14). If the pulse width is smaller than tp, it is determined to be noise and prepared for the next input.

In the step S14, if it is the first pulse after the leader code input flag is set, it is judged whether or not it is a continuous code (step S15). It is determined whether or not the pulse is the pulse from the time from the reader code input (step S16). If it is the first pulse of the custom code, set the custom code start flag (step S
17), prepare for the next input. Also, in step S16,
If it is determined that the time is different from the initial input of the custom code, the setting of various remote control reading flags is canceled, the pulse input is returned to the initial state (step S27), and an abnormal signal indicating that the remote control signal is abnormal is output. Yes (Step S
28).

In step S15, whether a continuous code is input or a custom code for which remote control signal input is valid 108 ms before, and a data code is input, and whether the remote control input valid flag described below has been set. Alternatively, after that, it is determined whether or not a valid continuous code is input at a cycle of 108 ms (step S18), and if it is determined that the currently input continuous code controls the continuous operation of normal processing, Cancel the reading flag setting for each remote controller and reset the pulse input to the initial state (step S1
9) The continuous code valid flag is set to "1" (step S20), and the control signal is output (step S25).

If it is determined in step S18 that the continuous code is invalid without input of the custom code or the data code, it is determined that the continuous code is invalid. The flag for use (step S
27), and outputs an abnormal signal (step S28).

In step S14, if the input pulse is not the first pulse after setting the reader code input flag, this pulse is the last pulse of the custom code and the data code of 32 bits (pulse interval). so"
It is judged whether or not 33 bits are required in total to judge 1 "and" 0 "(step S21), and if this is the last pulse, this code judgment is performed, then each of the custom code and data code controls. It is determined whether or not the code matches a predetermined code for execution (step S22) In step S22, the custom code determination process measures the time interval between the next pulse input and the logic. level"
0 "and" 1 "are stored and the number of bits of the code is measured. When 8 bits of custom code and 8 bits of this inversion code, 16 bits in total, are input, the 8 bits of inversion code are inverted and it is the same as the custom code. If it is the same and is the same as the predetermined code of the device controlled by the custom code, the custom code flag is set to "1" and the data code determination process is performed. Similar to the case of the custom code, the time interval from the next pulse input is measured, the logical levels “0” and “1” are stored and the number of bits of the code is measured. When a total of 16 bits are input, the inversion code 8 bits are inverted and it is judged whether it is the same as the data code. Same case and data codes are predetermined in the device to release the leader code input flag, a custom code flags respectively ( "0", and) (step S23), the remote control input valid flag "
1 "(step S24) and outputs a control signal (step S25). The remote control input valid flag is
This is a flag for indicating that continuous processing is performed when a continuous code is input next. If it is determined in step S22 that the code is invalid, each setting flag is released (step S27) and an abnormal signal is output (step S28).

In step S21, if the pulse input is not the last bit of the custom code and the data code, it is determined whether the code is "1" or "0" depending on the time interval between the previous valid pulse input. It is determined whether it is an interval (step S26). In S26, if the time of the pulse interval is neither the predetermined code l nor code 0, the various setting flags are released to return the pulse input to the initial state (step S27), and the abnormal signal is output. Output (step S28). If the pulse interval is normal in S26, the number of input pulses (that is, the bit order of the code) and the data ("
0 "or" 1 ") is stored and used for the determination in step S22 (step S29).

Next, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart in which the display processing operation in the control unit 203 can be repeatedly executed at intervals of a fixed time tc.

First, it is determined whether the time tc has elapsed since the interval time counter started (step S31). If the time tc has elapsed, then it is determined in step S32 whether there is an abnormal signal input. To determine.
If an abnormal signal is input, the LED of the display device 204
Is turned on to display that an abnormal reception has been received (step S
33). If no abnormal signal is input, the LE
The D is turned off (step S34). After that, the abnormal signal input latch is cleared to the initial state, and the interval counter is reset (steps S35 and S36).

In the above embodiment, the display device 203 is L
The display device is an ED (light emitting diode), but instead of this, a liquid crystal display device, a fluorescent display device, or an on-screen display means by a video signal may be used. Also, the user can similarly recognize the sound output device such as a buzzer instead.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the noise does not react to the noise that does not affect the remote control signal receiving function, but the noise affects the control operation, and the receiving function becomes defective. In this case, since it is possible to let the user recognize it by using the display means or the like, the user does not feel the annoyance that the display means operates unnecessarily even in normal use, and the display means is displayed only when the control operation is defective. Operates, making it easier to understand the effect of noise.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a remote control signal receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the waveform of a custom code input of a digital signal input to the determination device in FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an abnormal signal processing operation in the determination device of FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a display processing operation in the control device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of a general infrared remote control signal.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a conventional remote control signal receiving device.

7 is a waveform diagram for explaining the influence of noise in the receiving device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200 electronic equipment 20l receiver (reception means) 202 judgment device (judgment means) 203 control device (control means) 204 display device (reception state output means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving a remote control signal and converting it into a pulse signal, and inputting the pulse signal to determine whether or not the signal is a remote control signal. The pulse signal from the receiving means is remote controlled. When it is determined that the pulse signal is the same as the signal, a control signal for controlling the controlled part is output, and when it is determined that the signal is different from the remote control signal, an abnormal signal is output. If it is judged that it is the same as part of the remote control signal and then it is judged that it is different from the remote control signal, an abnormal signal is output, or even a remote control signal is invalid for controlling the controlled part. In some cases, the determining means that outputs an abnormal signal and the control signal and the abnormal signal from this determining means Control means for outputting a recognition signal corresponding to the abnormality based on the abnormality signal while causing the controlled part to execute a predetermined process based on the control signal. A receiving device for a remote control signal, comprising: a receiving state output means for making a user recognize that the receiving state of the remote control signal is abnormal based on the recognition signal.