JPH10208329A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the operability and also to simplify setting of a repeat function, by making a TV changeover to be in an external input mode interlocking with at the time of reproducing operation and also at the time of using an OSD, when interlocking is selected by a TV interlocking/non- interlocking selecting part. SOLUTION: Interlocking is set by the TV interlocking/noninterlocking selecting part 7. When a TOC display operating part 6 is operated, a TOC display control signal is transmitted from a microcomputer 9 via an output part 11 to a VTR 12, and a control signal for making a TV 13 change for the external input mode is also transmitted. A list of programs of the recorded contents on a magnetic tape is displayed on a TV screen, and then whenever the operating part 6 is operated, an cursor on the screen is movable so that the cursor is set to a desired program. Then, a control signal for searching and reproducing the desired program is generated by the microcomputer 9, and its transmitted via the output part 11 to the VRT 12, where the program searching and reproducing are executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device capable of controlling the operation of a controlled device at a position remote from the controlled device such as a magnetic recording / reproducing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, remote control devices have been used for video tape recorders such as audio-related equipment and magnetic recording / reproducing devices, and have been widely used for video or audio recording commands.

A remote control device used in a conventional video tape recorder will be described below.

[0004] Generally, when a video tape recorder is used, a device having a function capable of operating the main functions of a television receiver (hereinafter, referred to as TV) while operating the main functions of the video tape recorder with a remote control device is used. is there.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 25 denotes a TV remotely controlled by the remote control device, reference numeral 26 denotes a VTR similarly remotely controlled by the remote control device, reference numeral 21 denotes a reproduction operation unit for reproducing and operating the VTR 26, and reference numeral 22 denotes a TV 25 in the linked mode or non-linked. A TV interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit that can be switched to a mode. Here, the interlocking mode refers to a mode in which the TV 25 is switched from the antenna input mode to the external input mode when the reproducing operation unit 21 performs a reproducing operation. A mode in which the TV 25 can switch between the external input mode and the antenna input mode regardless of the reproduction operation of the unit 21. 23 is a microcomputer that generates a control signal when the reproduction operation unit 21 and the TV interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit 22 are operated;
Reference numeral 24 denotes an output unit for transmitting and outputting a control signal generated by the microcomputer 23 to the TV 25 and VTR 26, and reference numeral 27 denotes a remote control device main body.

[0006] The operation of the conventional remote control device configured as described above will be described below.

First, when the reproduction operation of the VTR 26 is performed, T
“Linked” is selected by the V-linked / non-linked selection unit 22, and the reproduction operation unit 21 is operated. Playback operation unit 21 and TV linkage /
Information operated by the non-interlocking selector 22 is input to the microcomputer 23, and the microcomputer 23 generates a control signal. The control signal is output from the output unit 24 to the outside of the remote control device 27,
The control signal of the playback command operated by the playback operation unit 21 is a VTR
26, and the VTR 26 starts a reproducing operation. The control signal of the interlocking instruction operated by the TV interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit 22 is input to the TV 25, the TV 25 is set in the interlocking mode, and the video and audio reproduced by the VTR 26 are output from the TV 25.

Next, another configuration of the conventional remote controller will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device having an on-screen display (hereinafter, referred to as OSD) operation function. In FIG. 5, 31 is T
A menu operation unit for switching display / non-display of an OSD menu (a menu used for performing various settings such as time setting and mode setting) on the V35, a playback operation of the VTR 34, and an OSD menu displayed on the TV 35 at 32a. Sometimes play / operate to move the cursor upward
An upper cursor operation unit 32b performs a stop operation of the VTR 34 and a stop / down cursor operation unit for operating a downward movement of the cursor when the OSD menu is displayed on the TV 35. When the OSD menu is displayed, a fast-forward / right cursor operation unit for operating the rightward movement of the cursor is provided.
When the OSD menu is displayed at 35, a rewind / left cursor operation unit for operating the leftward movement of the cursor, 3
Reference numeral 7 denotes a microcomputer that generates a control signal based on information operated by each of the operation units, and reference numeral 38 denotes a remote control device main body having these components.

[0009] The operation of the conventional remote control device configured as described above will be described below.

When performing operations such as normal reproduction and fast-forward, without operating the menu operation unit 31, the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 32a or the fast-forward / right cursor operation unit 3 is operated.
Operate 2c. Control signals when operating the various operation units 32a to 32d are input to the microcomputer 37,
To the VTR 34 via the output unit 33. Then, at the time of reproduction, the user switches the TV 35 to the external input mode, so that the video / audio signal reproduced by the VTR 34 is output to the TV 35.

When the OSD menu is displayed on the screen of the TV 35 to make various settings, the menu operation unit 31
The menu is displayed on the TV screen by operating
The various operation sections 32a to 32d are used to move the cursor. For example, when the reproduction / up cursor operation section 32a is operated, the cursor on the TV screen moves upward. Various operation units 32a to 32d
Is input to the microcomputer 37 and transmitted from the microcomputer 37 to the TV 35 via the output unit 33.

Next, the table of contents function will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device that can operate a VTR that operates a table of contents function. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 41 denotes a table-of-contents display operation unit that operates to display a table of contents on which a recorded content can be confirmed on a TV screen. Reference numeral 42 denotes a desired program from the table of contents displayed by operating the table-of-contents display operation unit 41. A selection unit 43 for selection, an execution unit for operating the program selected by the selection unit 42 to perform automatic cue reproduction, an operation unit 44 having a table of contents display operation unit 41, a selection unit 42, and an execution unit 43; Reference numeral 45 denotes a microcomputer that generates a control signal based on information operated by the operation unit 44; 47, an output unit that transmits and outputs a control signal output from the microcomputer 45 to an external device; 46, a remote controller having these components;
Is a VTR that operates based on a control signal output from the output unit 47, and 49 is a TV that outputs a video / audio signal reproduced by the VTR 48.

The operation of the table-of-contents function of the conventional remote control device configured as described above will be described below.

First, by operating the table of contents display operation unit 41, a list of programs recorded on the magnetic tape currently in the VTR 48 is displayed on the TV screen. From the programs displayed on the TV screen, the selection unit 42 selects a program to be reproduced,
When the execution unit 43 is operated, the microcomputer 45 generates a control signal, which is output from the output unit 47. Based on the control signal output from the output unit 47, the VTR 48 finds and reproduces the program on the magnetic tape. Such a function of displaying the recorded contents (program) of the magnetic tape on the TV screen is useful not only for cueing reproduction but also for confirming the recorded contents.

[0015]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional remote control device, the operation of switching the TV to the external input mode during reproduction is simplified by providing the TV interlocking / non-interlocking operation section 22 as shown in FIG. However, there is a problem that an operation for switching the TV to the external input mode is required when using the OSD. Also,
As shown in FIG. 6, the remote control capable of operating the table of contents function includes:
There is a problem that many operation buttons are required, such as the table of contents display operation unit 41, the selection unit 42, and the execution unit 43.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and improves the operability by sending a signal for switching a TV to an external input even when operating an OSD, and provides an operation button for operating a table of contents function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device that can reduce the number.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a remote control device capable of remotely controlling a video tape recorder and a television receiver. A menu operation unit capable of displaying a menu; a table of contents display operation unit for operating information of a program recorded on a magnetic tape to be displayed on a screen of the television receiver; When a menu is displayed, a reproduction / up cursor operation unit capable of operating upward movement of a cursor, and when the menu operation unit, the table of contents display operation unit, or the reproduction / up cursor operation unit is operated, the television receiver is operated. An interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit for setting whether to switch to the external input mode, the menu operation unit, and the table of contents display operation A microcomputer that generates a control signal when one of the playback / up cursor operation unit and the interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit is operated; and an output unit that transmits and outputs a control signal generated by the microcomputer to the outside. Things.

With such a configuration, a remote control device capable of improving operability by sending a signal for switching a TV to an external input even when operating the OSD and reducing the number of operation buttons for operating the table of contents function. Is obtained.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a remote control device capable of remotely controlling a video tape recorder and a television receiver. , A table of contents display operation unit for operating the information of the program recorded on the magnetic tape to be displayed on the screen of the television receiver, and a reproduction operation of the video tape recorder and the various menus. When displaying, the reproduction / up cursor operation unit capable of operating the upward movement of the cursor, and when the menu operation unit, the table of contents display operation unit, or the reproduction / up cursor operation unit is operated, the television receiver is externally operated. An interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit for setting whether to switch to the input mode, the menu operation unit, the table of contents display operation unit, and the / Up cursor operation unit and the interlocking /
A microcomputer that generates a control signal when any of the non-interlocking selection units is operated, and an output unit that transmits and outputs the control signal generated by the microcomputer to the outside, and allows the TV to be used as an external input when operating the OSD. By sending a switching signal, it is possible to obtain a remote control device capable of improving operability and reducing the number of operation buttons for operating the table of contents function.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a remote control device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of a signal output from an output unit at the time of a reproduction operation by the remote control device of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a menu operation unit for operating a menu (a menu on which time setting and mode setting can be performed) on a TV screen, and 2 denotes a reproducing operation of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, and an upper side during OSD operation. A reproduction / upper cursor operation section that operates as a cursor, 3 is a stop / down cursor operation section that performs a stop operation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus and operates as a lower cursor at the time of OSD operation, and 4 is a fast forward operation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. And a fast-forward / right-cursor operation unit 5 which operates as a right cursor during OSD operation.
A rewind / left cursor operation unit that operates as a left cursor at the time of operation, a table of contents display operation unit 6 that operates to display a program list recorded on a magnetic tape (table of contents function),
After the program list is displayed on the TV 13, the cursor can be moved to the program. When the cursor is moved to the desired program and left for about 3 seconds, the program is operated so that the program is located at the beginning. Here, the time for matching the cursor is 3 seconds, but is not limited to this. Reference numeral 7 denotes a TV interlocking / non-interlocking selection unit that sets whether or not to interlock the TV and switch to the external input mode when operating the menu operation unit 1 and the table of contents display operation unit 6 at the time of the reproduction operation by the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2. ,
Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation unit, 9 denotes a microcomputer that generates a control signal based on information operated by the operation unit 8, 11 denotes an output unit that transmits and outputs a control signal output from the microcomputer 9 to an external device, and 10 includes these components. Remote control, 12 is a VTR that operates based on a control signal from the output unit 11, and 13 is a VTR 12
Output the video and audio signals reproduced by the
Is a TV that operates based on a control signal from the TV.

The operation of the remote control device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

First, normal VTR operation will be described. First, “interlock” is set by the TV interlock / non-interlock selector 7. When performing operations such as normal playback and fast-forward, the playback / up cursor operation unit 2 is operated or the fast-forward / right cursor operation unit 4 is operated. When the various operation units 2 to 5 are operated, the microcomputer 9 generates a VTR control signal. Here, at the time of the reproduction operation by the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2, since the TV interlock / non-interlock selection unit 7 is set to "interlock", the TV 13 is switched to the external input mode.
The V control signal is also generated in the microcomputer 9. The VTR
The control signal and the TV control signal are output from the microcomputer 9 to the output unit 11.
Is transmitted to the VTR 12 and the video / audio signal reproduced by the VTR 12 is output to the TV 13.

Next, the operation of the table of contents function will be described.
First, “interlock” is set by the TV interlock / non-interlock selector 7. When the table-of-contents display operation unit 6 is operated, a control signal for switching the TV 13 to the external input mode is transmitted and output from the microcomputer 9 to the VTR 12 via the output unit 11 together with the table-of-contents display control signal. A list of programs of the contents recorded on the magnetic tape is displayed on the TV screen, and the cursor on the screen moves each time the table of contents display operation unit 6 is operated next time. Move the cursor to the desired program and 3
If the user does not operate the table-of-contents display operation unit 6 for a second, the microcomputer 9 generates a control signal for cueing reproduction of a desired program, and
1 to the VTR 12, and the VTR 12 performs cue reproduction. Here, since the TV interlocking / non-interlocking selection section 7 is set to “interlock”, when the table of contents display operation section 6 is operated, a table of contents control signal is transmitted to the VTR 12 and output to the TV 13 externally. A control signal for switching to input is also transmitted and output.

Next, a function for displaying and operating a menu on the TV screen will be described. First, “interlock” is set by the TV interlock / non-interlock selector 7. Next, menu operation unit 1
Is operated, the microcomputer 9 generates a control signal for switching the TV 13 to the external input mode and a control signal for controlling display of the menu.
Is input to As a result, the TV 13 enters the external input mode, and a menu on which various settings of the VTR 12 can be made is displayed on the screen. Thus, the operation units 2 to 5 can be used for moving the cursor on the screen. For example, when moving the cursor upward, the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2 is operated. When the various operation units 2 to 5 are operated, the microcomputer 9 generates a VTR control signal. The VT
The R control signal is transmitted from the microcomputer 9 to the TV 1 via the output unit 11.
3 and various settings can be made on the TV 13.

Here, a method of transmitting a control signal for switching the TV 13 to the external input mode will be described with reference to a signal waveform diagram of FIG. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the playback / up cursor operation unit 2 is operated once, the VTR
After outputting a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a reproduction command signal) 51 four times (four pulses), the control signal 52 for switching the TV 13 to the external input mode is output four times, that is, one operation unit The control signal was transmitted eight times by the operation described above. However, in such a transmission method, when the operation button is operated intermittently, the VTR control signal 51 and the TV control signal 52 are transmitted alternately, and the VT is continuously transmitted in the VTR.
Since many R control signals 51 are input, the cursor continuously moves only when the playback / up cursor operation unit 2 is intermittently pressed during the menu display, and other operation units are operated intermittently. There is a problem that the operation is confused for the user because it does not always move continuously.

In this embodiment, when the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2 is intermittently pressed as shown in FIG.
The V control signal 52 is transmitted at least once at the beginning when the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2 is pressed, and the VTR control signal 51 is continuously output thereafter. However, even if the button is momentarily pressed, the VTR control signal 51 is set to 1
The output is repeated and the transmission is terminated. In this method, since the TV control signal 52 is only the first time, the VTR
The control signal 51 can be received intermittently. By doing so, even if the playback / up cursor operation unit 2 is intermittently pressed when the menu is displayed, the cursor moves only once upward and moves in the same manner as the other operation units.
Operational confusion at the user can be eliminated.

Further, according to such a transmission method, the magnetic tape can be used also for a repeat function which enables continuous reproduction by repeating. Hereinafter, the repeat function will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of a control signal recorded on a magnetic tape. The setting of the repeat function can be set by intermittently pressing the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2 of FIG. 1 for about 5 seconds. Here, the time for intermittently pressing the reproduction / up cursor operation unit 2 is set to about 5 seconds, but is not limited to this. When the intermittent VTR control signal of about 5 seconds is input, the VTR 12 enters the repeat mode. When the control head (not shown) detects a part of the control signal as shown in FIG. 3 (normally provided between recorded programs for about 3 seconds), the magnetic tape reproducing operation is performed. Is stopped, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the tape, and the reproduction is started again.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the TV
When “interlock” is selected by the interlock / non-interlock selection unit 7, the TV switches to the external input mode in conjunction with the playback operation and the use of the OSD, so that the operability can be improved. The table of contents function is operated only by the table of contents display operation unit 6 so that the program can be selected and searched for. In addition, playback /
By setting the signal at the time of operating the upper cursor operation unit 2 as shown in FIG. 2B, the operability at the time of menu operation can be improved and the setting of the repeat function can be easily performed.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, when "interlocking" is selected by the TV interlocking / non-interlocking selection section, the TV interlocks and switches to the external input mode when using the OSD together with the reproduction operation. Therefore, operability can be improved. Further, the operation of the table of contents function is such that the selection and cueing of the program can be performed only by the table of contents display operation section. Further, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of operating the menu and to easily set the repeat function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a waveform diagram showing a control signal output from a conventional remote control device. FIG. 2B is a waveform diagram showing a control signal output from the remote control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a waveform chart of a control signal in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Menu operation unit 2 Play / up cursor operation unit 3 Stop / down cursor operation unit 4 Fast forward / right cursor operation unit 5 Rewind / left cursor operation unit 6 Table of contents display operation unit 7 TV interlock / non-interlock selection unit 9 Microcomputer 11 Output Department

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device capable of remotely controlling a video tape recorder and a television receiver, comprising: a menu operation unit capable of displaying various menus such as time setting on the television receiver; A table-of-contents display operation unit that operates to display the information of the program on the screen of the television receiver; and a reproduction / up cursor that can operate the video tape recorder to reproduce and operate to move the cursor up when the various menus are displayed. Interlocking / non-interlocking for setting whether or not to switch the television receiver to the external input mode when any of the operation unit, the menu operation unit, the table of contents display operation unit, and the playback / up cursor operation unit is operated A selection unit, the menu operation unit, the table of contents display operation unit, the playback / up cursor operation unit, and the linked / non-linked selection. A remote control device comprising: a microcomputer that generates a control signal when one of the selection units is operated; and an output unit that transmits and outputs a control signal generated by the microcomputer to the outside. 2. A table-of-contents display operation unit includes an operation for shifting to a table-of-contents function, an operation for selecting a desired program from information on a program displayed on a television receiver, and a step of performing a cue reproduction of the selected program. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device performs a shift operation.