JPH1079987A - Electronic equipment and its remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always grasp where remote controller is. SOLUTION: An originating radio wave processing part 121 outputs an identification signal corresponding to a switch to a radio wave originating part 105 in accordance with the switch that is operated by a user in a switch group 104, drives it, and makes the part 105 output the signal as radio waves. Remote controller receives the identification signal outputted from the part 105, emits tones and notifies the user of its location.

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 and an electronic device remotely controlled by operating the remote control device, and more particularly to a technique for grasping the location of the remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, remote control devices (hereinafter referred to as remote controls) have been widely used for operating various electronic devices such as televisions, coolers, and video tape recorders. The remote control is for improving the convenience and the like of the electronic device. The user can operate the electronic device from a remote position without touching the electronic device by using the remote control.

[0003] Since the remote control is small and lightweight,
Easy to carry. For this reason, the user can carry the remote controller to an arbitrary place such as a bed or a sofa, and operate the electronic device there. But on the other hand, because of its small size and easy portability,
There is a problem in that a remote control may be misplaced, a long time may be wasted searching for the remote control, or the remote control may be lost.

[0004] If the remote controller cannot be found (lost), it must be purchased anew. However, after purchasing the new remote controller, the remote controller sought is replaced with furniture, a gap between a wall and a bed or the like. Often found from. In this case, the purchase price of the remote controller is wasted.

[0005] Some electronic devices assume only remote control operation. If the remote controller for such an electronic device is lost, the electronic device itself becomes substantially unusable, and the damage caused thereby becomes enormous.

[0006] For example, a remote control is often used by a plurality of people, such as at home. For this reason, even if the user himself / herself manages the remote controller well, the above problem cannot always be avoided. The problem is
This is more likely to occur when the number of people who use the remote control increases, or when a person who is distracted and easily forgets to use the remote control, such as a child, uses the remote control.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to always grasp the location of a remote controller.

[0008]

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes receiving means for receiving a transmission signal output from a remote control device, and is assumed to be remotely operated by the receiving means. And transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined signal by radio waves, and instructing means for instructing the transmitting means to transmit the predetermined signal.

[0009] In the above configuration, the transmitting means includes:
As a predetermined signal, a plurality of different signals are output,
It is desirable that the instruction means instructs transmission of the signal for each signal output by the transmission means.

The remote control device according to the present invention is based on the premise that the electronic device is remotely operated, and a radio wave receiving means for receiving a predetermined signal, and emits a sound when the radio wave receiving means receives the predetermined signal. Sound emitting means.

[0011] In addition to the above configuration, it is desirable to further include a stop instructing means for stopping the sound emission of the sound emitting means. According to the present invention, a predetermined signal is transmitted from an electronic device, and the transmitted signal is received by a remote controller to emit sound. This allows the user to transmit a predetermined signal from the electronic device, and to search for the signal by relying on the sound emitted from the remote controller.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front external view of television 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) which occupies most of the television 100 is provided in front of the television 100.
A power switch 102 and a light receiving unit 103 for receiving a signal (remote control signal) output from the remote controller 200 shown in FIG. A switch group 104 and a radio wave transmitting unit 105 according to the present invention are disposed on the right side of the power switch 102 in the drawing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the television 100. Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. The tuner unit 111 extracts a signal of a corresponding station from signals input from the antenna 10 via an antenna input terminal (not shown) according to the channel selection signal input from the television signal processing unit 116, and extracts the extracted signal. After amplifying the signal, the signal is converted into an intermediate frequency signal of video and audio and output to the signal switching unit 112. The signal switching unit 112 divides the video and audio intermediate frequency signals input from the tuner unit 111 into an audio signal processing unit 113 and a television signal processing unit 116, respectively, and outputs the signals.

The audio signal processing unit 113 includes a signal switching unit 11
The audio signal is extracted from the intermediate frequency signal input from the second and output to the amplifier circuit 114. The amplification circuit 114
The sound signal is amplified and output to the speaker 115, and the sound is emitted from the speaker 115.

The television signal processing unit 116 includes the signal switching unit 1
A / D conversion is performed on the video signal input from the input unit 12 for each type of signal. The luminance signal after the A / D conversion is subjected to processing such as color component removal, and then D / A converted and output to the matrix circuit 118. For the color signal, only the color component is extracted. After demodulating the (RY) and (BY) color difference signals, the signal is D / A converted and output to the matrix circuit 118. The horizontal and vertical deflection coils (not shown) of the CRT 101 are driven to raster scan the electron beam.

The television signal processing section 116 analyzes a remote control signal input from the light receiving section 103, detects an operation of a switch group 117 provided on the television 100, and generates an analysis result or a detection result. TV 10 according to
0 overall control. Specifically, in the video output to the CRT 101, the brightness and contrast of the screen are adjusted, and in the audio output, the amplifier circuit 114 is controlled to adjust the volume.

The matrix circuit 118 generates an RGB signal from the luminance signal and the color difference signal output from the television signal processing section 116 and outputs it to the CRT driving section 119. CR
The T drive unit 119 uses the RGB signals to
The three electron guns 1 (not shown) are driven, and an image is drawn on the screen.

The feature section 120 has a memory therein, and realizes functions such as multi-screen and still image reproduction using the memory. The switch group 117 is provided in a case (not shown),
And a switch group 104 shown in FIG. Each switch constituting the switch group 104 includes:
Different numbers are assigned to each other. Switch group 1
Reference numeral 04 is connected to a channel display circuit (not shown) in the television signal processing unit 116. When a switch constituting the switch group 104 is operated, the number assigned to the switch is the same as the station number on the CRT 101. Will be displayed. Thereby, the operated switch, in other words,
As will be described later, it is possible to visually confirm the remote controller that is currently emitting sound. The only operation performed by the television signal processing unit 116 on the switch group 104 is the display of the number.

The transmission radio wave processing unit 121 has a function of detecting an operation performed on the switch group 104 and a function of outputting a different signal (identification signal) for each switch constituting the switch group 104. I have. When the user operates one of the switches in the switch group 104, a signal corresponding to the operated switch is transmitted to the radio wave transmitting unit 10
5 is output. The radio wave transmitting unit 105 includes the transmitted radio wave processing unit 1
It is driven by a signal input from 21 and outputs the signal to the outside as a radio wave. Thus, when the user operates any switch in the switch group 104, a signal (identification signal) corresponding to the switch is output as a radio wave. In the present embodiment, the signal (identification signal) transmitted from radio wave transmitting section 105 is a signal that is amplitude-modulated (AM) in the 314.9 MHZ band.

Next, a remote controller for remotely controlling the television 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a top external view of the remote controller 200.

As shown in FIG. 3, a switch group 201 composed of various switches is arranged on the upper surface.
In the figure, a transmission window 202 through which a remote control signal is transmitted is provided on a side surface indicated by an arrow. Also, the remote control 200
A speaker 203 and a sound stop button (switch) 204 according to the present invention are provided on the upper surface of the speaker. In addition,
A battery (not shown) serving as a power source of the remote controller 200 is configured such that a part of the case on the rear side is removed, housed inside, and attached.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote controller 200. Referring to FIG.
The configuration and operation of 0 will be described. The operation performed on the switch group 201 illustrated in FIG. 3 is detected by the transmission unit 211. The transmission unit 211 detects that one of the switches in the switch group 201 is operated,
A signal corresponding to the switch is output to the LED 212 to drive it.

The LED 212 is an infrared light emitting diode. By driving the LED 212 with a signal corresponding to the switch operated by the transmission unit 211, the transmission window 202
A remote control signal is output to the outside in the form of infrared rays. When the remote control signal is incident on the light receiving unit 103 of the television 100, the television signal processing unit 116 analyzes the signal and performs control processing according to the function assigned to the switch operated on the remote control 200. Thereby, the television 1
00 is remotely controlled by the remote controller 200.

On the other hand, the identification signal transmitted from the radio wave transmitting unit 105 of the television 100 is received by the receiving antenna 213 and transmitted to the radio wave processing unit 214. Radio wave processor 2
14 amplifies and detects the signal and outputs the amplified signal to the sound generator 215.

In the sound generator 215, one of the identification signals output from the radio wave transmitter 105 is set as an identification signal of itself (the mounted remote controller 200). The sound generation unit 215 analyzes the signal input from the radio wave processing unit 214, determines whether or not the signal is the set identification signal, and determines that the signal is its own identification signal, 203 is sounded. In other words, when the user operates a switch in the switch group 104 corresponding to the remote controller 200, the sound generator 215 emits sound from the speaker 203. The sound emission is continuously performed for a predetermined time, and when the sound stop button 204 is operated during the sound emission, the sound emission is stopped immediately.

As described above, when the user operates a switch in the switch group 104 corresponding to the remote controller 200, the speaker 203 provided on the remote controller 200 can emit sound. Therefore, when the location of the remote controller 200 cannot be determined, the user can easily and quickly find the remote controller 200 by searching for the sound emitted from the remote controller. Further, after the remote controller 200 has been searched, the sound emission can be stopped immediately by operating the sound stop button 204, so that the sound emission can be minimized. As a result, it is possible to suppress discomfort caused by sound emission such as noise.

By the way, usually, one remote control is attached to one electronic device. If there is one remote control, only one type of signal is required to emit the sound. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of signals can be transmitted. this is,
This is for the following reasons.

Generally, since a remote control signal differs depending on a maker or a model, a remote control attached to a certain electronic device cannot remotely control another electronic device. However, recently, a so-called learning remote controller capable of storing (learning) a remote control signal and remotely controlling an arbitrary electronic device has been commercialized. The attached remote control was broken,
For some reason, such as the inconvenience of the remote control, many users purchase the learning remote control and use it. For this reason, in one electronic device, not only a remote control that can remotely control the electronic device cannot always be specified,
The fact is that the number of remote controls cannot be specified.

In the case where the identification signals of the remote controllers are made the same and each remote controller emits sound only by transmitting one type of identification signal, the sound emitted from the remote controller to be searched cannot be specified. Problems such as being hard to find and noisy occur. Therefore, it is desirable to make the identification signal different for each remote controller. However, when the identification signal is different for each remote controller, if one type of identification signal is transmitted from the electronic device, another remote controller (learning remote controller) that is not attached to the electronic device and used for remote operation of the electronic device is emitted. Can not do. That is, the above-described problem that the location of the remote controller cannot be determined occurs, and the problem cannot be always avoided.

In the present embodiment, a receiver that receives an identification signal and emits sound in order to avoid the above-described problem that occurs when a remote controller other than the one attached to the electronic device is used, A plurality is prepared separately from the attached remote controller 200 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The basic configuration of the receiver is the same as the configuration of the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 4 (including the power supply) (thus not shown). These receivers may be attached to the television 100 or may be purchased by the user as needed.

Each receiver is manufactured in the form of a card, for example.
It is set so that the identification signals emitted by it are different from each other. By attaching such a receiver to a newly purchased remote control (such as a learning remote control) with double-sided tape,
The present invention can be applied to the remote controller. Therefore, as with the attached remote controller 200, it can be easily and quickly searched for, and the above problem can always be avoided.

The receiver may be provided with a function of learning the identification signal without previously setting the identification signal to be emitted. By adding a learning function, the receiver can have versatility. Further, the shape may not be a card shape, but it is preferable that the shape is not bulky when attached to a remote controller.

At present, each home is provided with a large number of electronic devices, but since the electronic devices are often provided with remote controllers, the number of remote controllers is also increasing. When the above-mentioned receivers are attached to these remote controllers, the above-mentioned problems of those remote controllers can be avoided, and the location of many remote controllers can be managed by one electronic device. Become like As a matter of course, when the receiver is put in a wallet or attached to a key of a car or the like, it is possible to prevent them from being lost. In addition, when it is carried by an individual, it can also be used for personal calling.

In the present embodiment, the television 100 can transmit a plurality of identification signals. However, only one type of identification signal can be transmitted. Further, the configuration for transmitting the identification signal is built in the television 100, but it is provided in the form of an external transmitter (as an option).
You may make it mountable in the television 100. Furthermore,
A transmitter that transmits an identification signal and a receiver that receives and emits the identification signal transmitted by the transmitter are separately prepared, and the transmitter and the receiver are arbitrarily set to an electronic device, a remote control, or other devices. It may be used by attaching to (providing). In this case, the present invention can be easily applied to existing electronic devices or other devices.

In the present embodiment, the remote controller 200 directly receives the identification signal output from the television 100. However, depending on the location of the remote controller 200, the identification signal is weak and is received (sensed). You may not be able to. In order to avoid such a situation, a repeater that receives an identification signal, amplifies it, and outputs it again (one,
Or a plurality) may be prepared.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a television (and its remote controller), but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to electronic devices remotely controlled by a remote controller.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, a predetermined signal is transmitted from an electronic device, and the transmitted signal is received by a remote controller to emit sound. For this reason, the user
By transmitting a predetermined signal from the electronic device, it is possible to search for the sound emitted from the remote control, thereby finding the remote control easily and quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front external view of a television according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top external view of the remote controller according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 television 104 switch group 105 radio wave transmitting section 121 transmitted radio wave processing section 200 remote control 203 speaker 204 sound stop button 213 receiving antenna 214 radio wave processing section 215 sound generating section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device, comprising: receiving means for receiving a transmission signal output from a remote control device; wherein the electronic equipment is remotely operated by the transmission signal received by the receiving means. An electronic device, comprising: an instruction unit that instructs the transmission unit to transmit a predetermined signal. 2. The transmission means outputs a plurality of different signals as the predetermined signal, and the instruction means instructs transmission of the signal for each signal output by the transmission means. The electronic device according to claim 1. 3. A remote control device for remotely operating the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave receiving means receives the predetermined signal, and the radio wave receiving means receives the predetermined signal. And a sound emitting means for emitting a sound when the remote control device is operated. 4. The remote control device according to claim 3, further comprising stop instruction means for stopping sound emission of said sound emitting means.