JPH1093944A - Method for controlling recording device for set top box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent malfunction and to always stably and securely control a recording device by providing a control signal light reception means receiving a control signal from a remote controller and the generation means of second control signal light controlling the recording device based on first control signal light for a set top box and setting the wavelength to be that different from the wavelength of first control signal light. SOLUTION: For controlling VCR 3, first control signal light whose wavelength is λ 2 is sent to the set top box 1 from the remote controller 2. First control signal light is received by a control signal light reception part 1R, is converted into a control signal code corresponding to the machine type of VCR 3 which a subscriber has and is outputted to an IR bluster 4 from the set top box 1. Second control signal light whose wavelength is λ 1 is transmitted from LED 41 of the IR bluster 4 in accordance with the electric signal. Then, it is received by a control signal light reception part 3R and VCR operates. The wavelength whose sensitivity is inferior to that against the wavelength λ1 is used as the wavelength λ2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of controlling a recording device such as a VCR by a set-top box for receiving a multi-channel program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, pay programs provided by CATV or the like are transmitted via a set-top box as a receiver.
When recording on a recording device such as a CR, a device called an IR blaster is used. IR blaster is an electric wire,
An LED drive circuit and an LED are provided. One end of the electric wire is connected to a control signal output unit of the set-top box, and the other end is connected to the LED drive circuit unit. Further, the IR blaster is installed near the recording device.

When a CATV subscriber records a program by answering machine, the subscriber inputs a reservation channel number and a time to record the answering machine into the set-top box using a remote controller dedicated to the set-top box. At this time, the first control signal light is transmitted from the remote controller dedicated to the set top box to the control signal light receiving unit of the set top box. At the time when the subscriber makes a reservation, an electric signal is transmitted from the control signal output unit of the set-top box to the IR blaster in order to put the recording device in the recording state. When the IR blaster receives this control signal, a second control signal light is transmitted from the LED of the IR blaster. When the control signal light receiving unit of the recording device receives the second control signal light, the recording device starts recording the video selected and demodulated by the set-top box. Also, in order to convert the control signal code into a control signal code suitable for the recording device owned by each subscriber in the set-top box, the subscriber needs to set the model of the recording device in advance. The wavelength and control signal code of the first control signal light transmitted from the remote controller dedicated to the set-top box and the second control signal light transmitted from the IR blaster are the same.

[0004] If a subscriber wants to record a program during viewing, the user can control the recording device via an IR blaster using a remote controller dedicated to the set-top box. For this reason, there is no need for a dedicated remote control for the recording apparatus, which is convenient.

[0005]

The conventional method has no problem when the remote controller dedicated to the set-top box and the IR blaster do not operate simultaneously, such as in answering machine recording. However, when a subscriber operates a recording device by operating a remote controller dedicated to a set-top box during viewing, a control signal light is also transmitted from the IR blaster. The control signal light receiving section of the recording apparatus receives the first control signal light and the second control signal light simultaneously, and the first control signal light interferes with the second control signal light, and the control signal light is normally received. In addition, the recording device may not be controlled by the second control signal light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to stably and reliably prevent a first control signal light for controlling a set-top box from interfering with a second control signal light for controlling a recording apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple method capable of controlling a recording device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a recording apparatus for a set-top box, wherein the set-top box receives a transmitted program, and records a video signal selected and demodulated by the set-top box. A remote control for emitting a first control signal light for controlling the recording device and the set-top box, wherein the set-top box receives control signal light receiving means for receiving a control signal from the remote control, and a first control from the remote control A second control signal light generating means for controlling the recording device based on the signal light; and the recording device outputs a second control signal light from the generating means.
And a control signal light receiving means for receiving the control signal light, wherein the wavelength of the second control signal light is different from the wavelength of the first control signal light.

According to the present invention, since the control signal light receiving means of the recording device has a sensitivity characteristic with respect to wavelength, the recording device can be changed by changing the wavelength of the first control signal light and the wavelength of the second control signal light. Thus, the first control signal light can be prevented from interfering with the second control signal light, and the recording device can be safely and reliably controlled by the second control signal light.

In the method of controlling a recording device of a set-top box according to the present invention, the wavelength of the first control signal light is shorter than the wavelength of the second control signal light.

According to the present invention, the control signal light receiving means of the recording apparatus is commercially available which has a large rate of decrease in sensitivity on the short wavelength side from the maximum sensitivity, and the wavelength of the first control signal light is large. Is set to a wavelength shorter than the wavelength of the second control signal light, the recording apparatus can be more safely and reliably controlled by the second control signal light.

Further, in the recording apparatus control method for a set-top box according to the present invention, a filter for cutting the second control signal light is provided in the control signal light receiving means constituting the set-top box.

According to the present invention, since the control signal light receiving means of the set-top box has the function of cutting off the second control signal light, the second control signal incident on the control signal light receiving means of the set-top box is provided. Light can be cut off, and the set-top box can be reliably controlled.

A method of controlling a recording device of a set-top box according to another aspect of the present invention is a set-top box for receiving a transmitted program, and a recording device for recording a video signal selected and demodulated by the set-top box. And a remote controller for emitting a first control signal light for controlling the set-top box, wherein the set-top box receives control signal light receiving means for receiving a first control signal light from the remote control, and a control signal from the remote control. A second control signal light generating means for controlling the recording device based on the, the recording device comprises a control signal light receiving means for receiving a second control signal light from the generating means, Further, the remote control is provided with means for detecting a second control signal light.

According to the present invention, the remote control has a function of detecting the second control signal light for controlling the recording apparatus, and controls the set-top box from the remote control while detecting the second control signal light. Transmission of the first control signal light can be stopped, so that the first control signal light in the recording apparatus can be prevented from interfering with the second control signal light, and the second control signal light can be used. It is possible to safely and reliably control the recording device.

Further, in the method of controlling a recording device of a set-top box according to the present invention, the wavelength of the first control signal light and the wavelength of the second control signal light are different, and the control signal constituting the set-top box is different. The optical receiving means is provided with a filter for cutting the second control signal light.

According to the present invention, since the control signal light receiving means of the set top box has a function of cutting off the second control signal light, the second control signal incident on the control signal light receiving means of the set top box is provided. Light can be cut off, and the set-top box can be reliably controlled.

A recording apparatus control method for a set-top box according to another aspect of the present invention includes a set-top box for receiving a transmitted program, and a recording apparatus for recording a video signal selected and demodulated by the set-top box. And a remote control that emits a first control signal light for controlling the set-top box, wherein the set-top box receives control signal light receiving means for receiving a first control signal light from the remote control and the second signal from the remote control. A second control signal light generating means for controlling the recording apparatus based on the first control signal light, and the recording apparatus receiving a second control signal light from the generating means; A receiving means, wherein the second control signal light generating means and the control signal light receiving means of the recording device are brought into close contact with each other by a shielding device. A.

According to the present invention, the first control signal light transmitted from the remote controller can be blocked by the shielding device from the control signal light receiving means of the recording device. Thus, it is possible to prevent the second control signal light from being disturbed by the second control signal light, and to control the recording device safely and securely by using the second control signal light, and to provide an additional device at low cost and easily.

In the method of controlling a recording device of a set-top box according to the present invention, the shielding means is made of a material having a property of being opaque to the first control signal light.

According to the present invention, since the first control signal light transmitted from the remote controller is blocked by the shielding device, it is possible to prevent the first control signal light from interfering with the second control signal light in the recording device. Thus, the recording device can be controlled safely and reliably by the second control signal light.

Further, the method of controlling a recording apparatus of a set-top box according to the present invention is realized as an additional device in which the shielding means is attached to an existing IR blaster, or is realized by being integrated with an IR blaster. This makes it possible to easily provide an additional device at a low cost.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus according to the first embodiment has a configuration including a set-top box 1 to which an IR blaster 4 is attached, a remote controller 2 dedicated to the set-top box, and a VCR 3 as a recording device. is there. The set-top box 1 is for receiving a program being broadcast, and the remote controller 2 is for receiving the set-top box 1
To transmit the first control signal light having the wavelength λ2 to the first control signal light. The VCR 3 is for recording video information received and demodulated by the set-top box 1 and
The blaster 4 is for transmitting a second control signal light having a wavelength λ1 different from the wavelength λ2 to the VCR 3. In addition, the set-top box 1 includes a control signal light receiving unit 1 </ b> R that receives the first control signal light from the remote controller 2 and a control signal output unit that sends a signal to the IR blaster 4. Also,
The IR blaster 4 includes a light emitting unit 41 including an LED 41, and the VCR 3 includes a control signal light receiving unit 3R including a light receiving circuit for infrared remote control reception. Since the infrared remote control receiving light receiving circuit has a sensitivity characteristic with respect to wavelength as shown in an example in FIG. 2, the wavelength λ1 of the second control signal light is used.
Is set to a wavelength near the maximum of the sensitivity, and the wavelength λ2 of the first control signal light is set to a wavelength having a lower sensitivity.

A method for controlling the recording device of the set-top box 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. When the subscriber controls the VCR 3 using the remote controller 2, the remote controller 2
, The first control signal light having the wavelength λ2 is transmitted to the set-top box 1. The first control signal light is received and photoelectrically converted by the control signal light receiver 1R of the set-top box 1, and then converted into a control signal code corresponding to the model of the VCR 3 owned by the subscriber. Is output to the IR blaster 4. In response to this electric signal, the wavelength λ1
Is transmitted. Then, it is received by the control signal light receiving section 3R of the VCR 3, and the VCR 3 operates according to the content of the control signal.

As the wavelength λ1 of the second control signal light, a wavelength near the maximum of the sensitivity of the infrared remote control receiving light receiving circuit is used, and as the wavelength λ2 of the first control signal light, the second control signal light is used. The attenuation of the first control signal light in the infrared remote control receiving light receiving circuit is increased by using a wavelength having a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the control signal light to the wavelength λ1.
Therefore, even if the control signal light is transmitted from the remote controller 2 and the LED 41 of the IR blaster 4 at the same time, the first control signal light in the VCR 3 is prevented from interfering with the second control signal light, and the second control signal is prevented. Safe and secure VCR with signal light
3 can be performed.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 2, a commercially available light receiving circuit for infrared remote control reception has wavelength sensitivity characteristics. The wavelength λ1 of the second control signal light is set to a wavelength near the maximum sensitivity of 950 nm. In the sensitivity characteristic with respect to the wavelength of the infrared remote control receiving light receiving circuit shown in FIG.
The sensitivity at a wavelength 150 nm or more from the wavelength near the maximum sensitivity of 950 nm is 50% or less of the maximum, and particularly 10% or less on the short wavelength side. Thus, the wavelength λ2 of the first control signal light is a wavelength shorter than the second control signal light,
For example, if the wavelength is set in the 800 nm band, even if the first control signal light enters the control signal light receiving unit 3R of the VCR 3, the effect can be greatly reduced.

If a wavelength filter such as a dielectric multilayer filter is attached to the control signal light receiving portion 1R of the set-top box 1 in order to cut light having a wavelength longer than 900 nm, the filter is attached to the front of the light receiving element. In the control signal light receiving section 1R of the set top box 1, the second control signal light λ1 from the IR blaster 4 can be cut, and the influence of the second control signal light λ1 on the set top box 1 can be reduced. .

<< Embodiment 2 >> FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an apparatus according to a second embodiment. The remote controller with detection 21 dedicated to the set-top box includes a control signal light detection unit 2R that detects the second control signal light transmitted from the LED 41 of the IR blaster 4. The control signal light detection unit 2R includes a light receiving element and an amplification circuit, and when the second control signal light is detected, a predetermined time is set to the first control of the wavelength λ2 from the remote controller 21 with detection to the set-top box 1. It has a function of stopping transmission of signal light. Those having the same functions or functions as those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers and names, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

As described above, while the control signal light detection unit 2R of the remote control with detection 21 is detecting the second control signal light, the first control transmitted from the remote control with detection 21 to the set-top box 1 is performed. Stop transmitting the signal light. By doing so, the second control signal light transmitted from the IR blaster 4 and the first control signal light transmitted from the remote controller 21 with the detection are simultaneously transmitted and simultaneously transmitted to the control signal light receiving unit 3R of the VCR 3. It is possible to reliably prevent the incident light, and it is possible to safely and reliably control the VCR 3 using the second control signal light.

The wavelength λ2 of the first control signal light transmitted from the remote controller with detection 21 and the LED of the IR blaster 4
The wavelength λ1 of the second control signal light transmitted from 41 is set to another wavelength, and the control signal light receiving section 1R of the set-top box 1 is provided with a wavelength filter. By doing so, even if the second control signal light transmitted from the LED 41 of the IR blaster 4 enters the control signal light receiving section 1R of the set top box 1, the second control signal light is blocked by the wavelength filter. The effect of the second control signal light can be reduced.

<< Embodiment 3 >> FIG. 4 shows a configuration of an apparatus according to a third embodiment. In this device configuration, the shielding device 42 is an LE that constitutes the second control signal light generating means.
The D41 and the control signal light receiving unit 3R of the VCR 3 are configured to be in close contact with each other. Those having the same functions or functions as those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers and names, and detailed descriptions are omitted. For example, the shielding device 42 is a cylindrical or hemispherical shielding made of a substance having a property of being opaque to the first control signal light. The first control signal light transmitted from the remote controller 2 is blocked by the blocking device 42 and is not received by the control signal light receiving unit 3R of the VCR 3. Therefore, the first control signal light does not interfere with the second control signal light, and V
The control of CR3 can be reliably performed. In addition, this method can be realized at low cost because only the shielding device 42 is added to the conventional IR blaster 4. In addition, the shielding device 4
2 may be realized as an additional device attached to the conventional IR blaster 4, or may be realized integrally with the IR blaster 4.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the signal light for set-top box control transmitted from the remote controller dedicated to the set-top box is incident on the control signal light receiving means of the control device, causing the recording device to malfunction. Can be prevented, and the recording apparatus can be controlled constantly and reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a recording device control method for a set-top box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception sensitivity characteristics of the infrared remote control receiving light receiving circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a recording device control method for a set-top box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a set-top box recording device control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 set-top box 2 remote control 3 VCR 4 IR blaster 41 LED 42 shielding device 1R control signal light receiving section of set-top box 3R control signal light receiving section of VCR 21 remote control with detection 2R control signal light detecting section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A set-top box for receiving a transmitted program, a recording device for recording a video signal selected and demodulated by the set-top box, and a first control signal light for controlling the set-top box A control signal light receiving means for receiving a first control signal light from the remote control; and a second control for controlling the recording device based on the control signal light from the remote control. The recording apparatus further includes control signal light receiving means for receiving a second control signal light from the generating means, and the wavelength of the second control signal light is changed to the first control signal. A recording apparatus control method for a set-top box, wherein the wavelength is different from the wavelength of light. 2. The wavelength of the first control signal light is equal to the second control signal light.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the control signal light is shorter than the wavelength of the control signal light. 3. The filter according to claim 1, wherein said control signal light receiving means constituting said set top box is provided with a filter for cutting off said second control signal light.
Or the recording device control method for a set-top box according to claim 2. 4. A set-top box for receiving a transmitted program, a recording device for recording a video signal selected and demodulated by the set-top box, and a first control signal light for controlling the set-top box. A remote control for emitting the first control signal light from the remote control; and a control signal light receiving means for receiving the first control signal light from the remote control, and a control device for controlling the recording apparatus based on the first control signal light from the remote control. The recording apparatus further comprises control signal light receiving means for receiving the second control signal light from the generating means, and the remote control detects the second control signal light. A recording device control method for a set-top box, comprising: 5. The wavelength of the first control signal light and the wavelength of the second control signal light.
5. The filter according to claim 4, wherein the control signal light has a different wavelength, and the control signal light receiving means constituting the set-top box is provided with a filter for cutting the second control signal light. A recording device control method for a set-top box. 6. A set-top box for receiving a transmitted program, a recording device for recording a video signal selected and demodulated by the set-top box, and a first control signal light for controlling the set-top box. A remote controller that emits a signal from the remote controller;
Control signal light receiving means for receiving the control signal light and the first control signal light from the remote controller for controlling the recording device, wherein the control signal light receiving means of the recording device A second control signal light generating means configured to be brought into close contact with the shielding means; and the recording apparatus includes a control signal light receiving means for receiving the second control signal light from the generating means. And a recording device control method for a set-top box. 7. The set-top box recording apparatus control method according to claim 6, wherein said shielding means is made of a material having a property of being opaque to said first control signal light. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the shielding means is realized as an additional device attached to an existing IR blaster. 9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said shielding means is realized by being integrated with an IR blaster.
3. The recording device control method for a set-top box according to item 1.