KR100836222B1 - Apparatus for controlling electronics appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic equipment controller is provided to transmit a signal by a ring-type transmitter and select control target electronic equipment, and control the selected electronic equipment remotely through hand operation, thereby improving convenience in a use of an existing remote controller and making interaction between a user and the electronic equipment instinctive and easy. An apparatus for controlling electronic equipment comprises a receiver. The receiver comprises a signal sensor(22), a signal analyzer(23), an input result output device(26), a signal converter(24), and an infrared signal transmitter(27). The signal sensor senses the image trail of an infrared signal transmitted from a transmitter. The signal analyzer analyzes the image trail of the infrared signal sensed by the signal sensor to recognize the hand operation of a user. The input result output device displays whether the signal analyzer recognizes the hand operation of the user so as for the user to recognize the hand operation visually, and notifies the user of the hand operation recognition of the signal analyzer. The signal converter outputs an infrared signal command for performing the function of the electronic equipment corresponding to an abstraction function associated with an interactive sign according to the hand operation of the user recognized by the signal analyzer. The infrared signal transmitter generates an infrared signal according to the infrared signal command inputted from the signal converter and transmits the generated infrared signal to the infrared receiver of the electronic equipment.

Description

Apparatus for controlling electronics appliances

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a semantically integrated interaction scheme for electronic device control in accordance with the present invention;

2 is a flow diagram for building a semantically integrated interaction scheme for controlling electronics in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of extracting main functions of various electronic devices to construct a semantically integrated interaction scheme in the present invention. FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the main functions of various electronic devices are classified into eight higher concepts in the present invention.

5 illustrates an example of an interaction symbol that can be used to semantically integrate and control an electronic device in the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates the mapping between abstract functions and interaction symbols in the present invention.

7 is a perspective view of a transmitter and a receiver of the electronic device control apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of a transmitter worn on a finger in the present invention.

9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transmitter according to the present invention;

10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiver according to the present invention.

11 is a view showing an example of controlling a variety of electronic devices using the electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10; Transmitter 15; Infrared ray emitter

16; Infrared on / off portions 17, 28; Power supply

22; Signal sensing device 23; Signal analyzer

24; Signal converter 25; Communication module

26; Input result output device 27; Infrared signal transmitter

The present invention relates to a device for remotely controlling a plurality of electronic devices and a method of controlling the same. More particularly, when the user controls the universal function of each electronic device, only one type of interaction is known. The present invention relates to an electronic device control device capable of controlling a machine.

In general, electronic devices such as televisions, audio sets, air conditioners, and the like are provided with various switches for controlling the operation of the equipment on one side of the main body, and also have a remote controller called a remote controller to enable remote control. Such a remote control is provided for each electronic device. Therefore, in order to control the operation of the electronic device desired by the user, since each remote control must be operated individually, it is cumbersome to individually operate a plurality of remote controls according to the case where a plurality of electronic devices are provided.

In addition, when the user operates the remote control, the user controls the operation of the electronic device through the operation of pressing the button with the thumb of the clasped hand while holding the entire remote control body with one hand or both hands, There is a problem that the remote control cannot be easily operated.

Recently, the integrated remote control is used to control two or three electronic devices with only one remote control by integrating the functions of two or three remote controls into one, but the integrated remote control is not only complicated but also inconvenient to carry. It is made large. In addition, in the case of the integrated remote controller, it is possible to control only the electronic device that has already been set, and thus cannot be applied to the new electronic device.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate the control of various electronic devices in a semantically integrated interaction manner.

In addition, the present invention implements an electronic device control device applying a semantically integrated interaction method, but selects the control target electronic device by transmitting a signal by the transmitter while wearing a ring-shaped transmitter on the user's finger, By remotely controlling the selected electronic device through a simple hand operation, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that improves the inconvenience of using a conventional remote controller and provides an intuitive and easy interaction between a person and the electronic device.

delete

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention in the electronic device control device for remote control of the electronic device, by analyzing the infrared signal transmitted from the transmitter held in the user's hand to recognize the user's hand gestures and to the user's hand gestures A receiver for transmitting an infrared signal for performing a function of the electronic device corresponding to the interaction symbol according to the electronic device to an infrared receiver of the electronic device to control the electronic device; The receiver is a signal detecting device for detecting the image of the infrared signal transmitted from the transmitter, a signal analyzer for analyzing the image of the infrared signal detected by the signal detection device to recognize the user's hand motion, the signal An input result output device for visually confirming whether a user's hand gesture is recognized by an analyzer and informing the user, an electronic device corresponding to an abstract function corresponding to an interaction symbol according to the user's hand gesture recognized by the signal analyzer And an infrared signal transmitter for generating an infrared signal according to the infrared command signal inputted from the signal converter and transmitting the infrared signal to an infrared receiver of the electronic device. Electronic control device And balls.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a semantically integrated interaction scheme for controlling an electronic device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, when a user remotely controls a plurality of electronic devices using one transmitter, the main functions of each electronic device are extracted to generate an abstract function, and the interaction corresponding to the abstract function. After the symbol is generated, the abstract function and the interaction symbol are semantically mapped, and when the user transmits a common interaction symbol to the receiver by using the transmitter, the receiver corresponds to the received interaction symbol based on the mapping information. By controlling the function of the electronic device by outputting a control signal for controlling the function of the electronic device corresponding to the abstract function, the user semantically integrates a plurality of electronic devices into a single remote control transmitter. To interact.

2 illustrates a flow diagram for building a semantically integrated interaction scheme for controlling electronics in accordance with the present invention. First, the functions of various electronic devices to be controlled are extracted to list all the functions of the various electronic devices, and main functions frequently used by people in daily life are extracted (step S21). For example, as shown in Figure 3 extracts the main functions of various electronic devices, including TV, radio, air conditioner and the like.

Then, to generate an abstract function corresponding to a higher concept of each function from the main functions of the extracted various electronic devices (step S22), for example, as shown in Figure 4 of the various electronic devices to form an abstract function The main functions are classified into eight higher concepts, which are classified into eight higher concepts including power, media playback, primary intensity change, step selection, mode selection, physical motion control, user preference functions, and random functions. The following 13 abstract functions are generated from the classification of the four domains. That is, it means 13 kinds of power on, off, play, stop, next, previous, increase of intensity, decrease of intensity, change of high level, change of low level, mode change, user's favorite action execution and random execution. Eight higher concepts classified in the present invention and thirteen abstract functions derived therefrom are merely exemplary and may be modified or extended to other forms.

As such, after generating the abstract function, an interaction symbol corresponding to each abstract function is generated (step S23). Interaction symbols should be easily and intuitively used by humans, and consist of basic geometric shapes in the form of points, lines, circles, and arcs to enable hand gestures, joysticks, PDAs, and other devices as transmitters. Figure 5 shows an example that can be used as the interaction symbol, click, double click, long click (long press), up, down, left and right linear motion, clockwise, counterclockwise rotational movement, W letter, M An interaction symbol such as a child shape is illustrated, and thus, the symbol shown in FIG. 5 is merely an embodiment used in the present invention, and may be expanded in any form.

After generating the interaction symbol as described above, the abstract function and the interaction symbol are mapped (step S24). 6 shows an example of mapping results between abstract functions and interaction symbols. As a result of this mapping, multiple electronic devices can be controlled using one transmitter with a minimum command input system. For example, a button click command corresponding to a power on / off command can be used to power on / off a TV, radio, air conditioner and other devices. In addition, it is possible to increase the intensity of the light through the clockwise arc hand gesture to increase the intensity of the intensity, to increase the volume of the audio or TV, or to increase the intensity of the wind of the air conditioner. Using this semantically integrated interaction, the main functions of the electronics can be controlled from a single transmitter without multiple remote controls.

7 is a perspective view of the transmitter 10 and the receiver 20 of the electronic device control apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The transmitter 10 of FIG. 7 is configured to be worn on a user's finger as shown in FIG. 8, and includes an infrared output window 12 for transmitting an infrared signal and an infrared emission on for activating the output of the infrared signal. It is provided with an on / off button 13, it is made to insert the user's finger in the insertion portion (11). The transmitter 10 transmits an infrared signal through the infrared output window 12 when the user operates the hand while pressing the infrared transmission on / off button 13 with a thumb while being inserted into the user's index finger. As shown in the drawing, an infrared signal is moved and received by the receiver 20 according to the user's hand motion corresponding to the interaction symbol mapped to the abstract function. Although the transmitter 10 of FIG. 7 has been described to be wearable on a finger as shown in FIG. 8, this is merely exemplary and may be implemented in a form of being worn on a hand or gripped.

As such, when the transmitter 10 transmits an infrared signal, the receiver 20 detects the signal and analyzes a user's hand gesture. The receiver 20 is installed in the electronic device to be controlled to receive an infrared signal received from the transmitter 10 to recognize the interaction symbol and to generate an infrared signal for controlling the electronic device corresponding to the abstract function corresponding thereto It transmits to the infrared signal receiver of the electronic device to control the electronic device. The receiver 20 has an infrared input window 21 for receiving an infrared signal from the transmitter 10, in which the internal circuitry of the receiver 20 is in accordance with the infrared signal received through the infrared input window 21. An infrared signal for controlling the device is generated and sent to an infrared signal receiver of the electronic device to control the electronic device. In addition, the receiver 20 performs a function of informing the user by feeding back the recognition of the hand gesture of the user of the transmitter 10.

As a modified example of the present embodiment, a motion detection sensor such as an acceleration sensor may be mounted on a ring transmitter to transmit a user's hand signal wirelessly from a transmitter using a short range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, and analyze the same at a wireless receiver. In another variation, the present invention may be configured as a joystick type transmitter that can be held in a hand and a wireless receiver for receiving a radio signal of an operation.

In addition, the transmitter 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment has an infrared ray transmitting direction when the user wears it on a finger so that the infrared ray emitted when the user points or receives a hand gesture is easily recognized by the receiver 20. It should be configured to face the direction of pointing.

9 shows the configuration of the transmitter 10. The transmitter 10 includes an infrared emitter 15, an infrared emitter on / off 16, and a power supply 17, such that the internal circuitry of the transmitter 10 fits the user's finger or touches the user. It is mounted on a small body made to be gripped by. The infrared transmitter 15 is implemented using an infrared transmitter, including an infrared LED (used in this embodiment), and transmits the generated infrared signal to the receiver 20 through the infrared output window 12. The infrared emitting unit 15 is preferably configured to project high power infrared rays so that it can be recognized by the remote receiver 20. The infrared ray on / off unit 16 is configured to emit an infrared signal when the infrared ray on / off button 13 is pressed, and to emit no infrared ray signal when the button 13 is not pressed. Although it is preferable, this is only an example, and any device capable of controlling ON / OFF may be replaced with any one. For example, by using a motion sensor, including an acceleration sensor to detect the user's hand movement is turned on (On) only when the user's hand movements, it is possible to replace the device is turned off (OFF) when there is no hand movement. In this embodiment, the transmitter is worn on the index finger and designed to press a button using a thumb. In addition, the power supply device 17 is preferably configured to be small in size so that it can be mounted inside the small body of the transmitter 10, in the present embodiment, a small rechargeable battery is used and can be replaced by a small battery capable of supplying other power. Do.

10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the receiver 20 of the electronic device control apparatus. The receiver 20 includes a signal sensing device 22, a signal analyzer 23, a signal converter 24, a communication module 25, an input result output device 26, an infrared signal transmitter 27, and a power supply device 28. ). The signal detecting device 22 detects an infrared signal input through the infrared input window 21 provided in the receiver 20, but detects an image path according to the movement of the infrared signal and applies it to the signal analyzer 23. Although an infrared camera of a wide-angle lens capable of receiving an infrared signal having a wide angle range of about degrees may be used, it is preferable to use an infrared filter attached to a general web camera or a low-cost digital camera in consideration of cost reduction. In addition, the signal analyzer 23 analyzes image trajectories of the infrared signals detected by the signal sensing device 22 to recognize a user's hand gesture. The infrared rays generated by the user's hand gesture (gesture) are performed. By analyzing the image rule according to the movement of the signal, it is implemented to find out which of the predefined movements the user's hand gesture corresponds to. In addition, the input result output unit 26 performs a function of notifying the user of the transmitter 10 by feeding back whether the user's hand gesture is recognized according to the signal input from the signal analyzer 23. The input result output unit 26 may display whether the user's hand gesture is recognized by using an LCD or the like, but LED or FND may be used for cost reduction, and above all, the user may distinguish feedback on different inputs from a distance. It is desirable to design to the extent possible.

The signal converter 24 outputs a corresponding infrared command signal to the infrared signal transmitter 27 according to a signal analysis result of the signal analyzer 23, which corresponds to a user's hand gesture analyzed by the signal analyzer 23. It is preferable to convert the infrared command signal to perform the function of the selected electronic device corresponding to the abstract function of the semantically integrated interaction method and transmit it to the infrared emitting unit 27. In addition, the infrared signal transmitting unit 27 is preferably configured to transmit the infrared signal corresponding to the infrared command signal received from the signal converter 24 to the infrared signal receiver of the control target electronic device to control operation of the electronic device. Do.

When the user selects a specific electronic device to be controlled, the communication module 25 has a function of transmitting a command to an infrared receiver of the peripheral electronic device so as to deactivate a reception standby state of the peripheral electronic devices except the electronic device. It is desirable to have a short-range wireless communication module, including Bluetooth, Zigbee (Zigbee). In addition, the power supply device 28 preferably uses a separate power source (general battery, rechargeable battery, household AC power) when the receiver 20 is mounted outside the electronic device, and the receiver 20 is embedded in the electronic device. In this case, it is preferable to connect directly to the power supply of the internal circuit of the electronic device.

Referring to the operation process of controlling the electronic device using the electronic device control device of the present invention made of a transmitter 10 and a receiver 20 as described above are as follows. First, the user selects the electronic device to be controlled by extending the hand or finger toward the receiver 20 of the electronic device to be controlled while long-clicking the infrared ray transmitting on / off button 13 on the side of the finger-wearable transmitter 10. Then, the receiver 20 of the selected electronic device activates the reception standby state, and transmits a reception standby deactivation command to the receiver 20 of the peripheral electronic device by the communication module 25. In addition, while the user is wearing the transmitter 10, the user may operate the hand, such as up, down, left, right, and rotation, and buttons 13 on the side of the transmitter 10 corresponding to the interaction symbol mapped with the abstract function illustrated in FIG. 6. Click, double-click, or long-click to send the command corresponding to the interactive symbol as an infrared signal. Accordingly, the signal analyzer 23 of the receiver 20 analyzes image trajectories of the infrared signals detected by the signal sensing device 22 to recognize clicks, double clicks, long clicks, and hand gestures of the user, and the signal converter 24. ) Is converted into an infrared command signal for performing the operation of the electronic device corresponding to the analyzed result and transmitted to the infrared signal transmitter 27, but means corresponding to the interaction symbol according to the user's hand gesture recognized by the signal analyzer 23. It is converted into an infrared command signal for performing the function of the selected electronic device corresponding to the abstract function of the theoretically integrated interaction method and transmitted to the infrared emitter 27. The infrared signal transmitter 27 of the receiver 20 transmits the received infrared command signal to the infrared signal receiver of the electronic device to operate and control the electronic device. On the other hand, if you want to use other electronic devices other than the current electronic device, long click the button 13 on the side of the wearable transmitter 10 and select the receiver 20 of the electronic device to be controlled, The same operation can be used to select a new electronic device and use an interactive method to control the new electronic device.

11 shows an example of controlling various electronic devices using the electronic device control device according to the present invention. The TV 71 is operated by the user's hand operation using the transmitter 10 fitted to the user's finger. In addition, the audio device 72, the air conditioner 73 and the lamp 74 can be selectively remotely controlled. The receiver 701 is assigned to the TV 71 and the receiver 702 is assigned to the audio device 72. The receiver 703 is assigned to the air conditioner 73, and the receiver 704 is assigned to the lamp 74, and the receiver 704 is allocated. Receives the infrared signal by the corresponding receiver (701 ~ 704) to recognize the user's hand gestures by applying the control signal corresponding to the interaction symbol according to the hand gestures in the form of an infrared signal or an electrical signal to the corresponding electronic device TV (71), audio equipment (72), air conditioner (73) and electric Optionally the remote control to the 74. The

In the above description, the case where only one user operates the electronic device in a situation where one transmitter and several receivers are installed is not limited thereto. If necessary, two or more transmitters may be provided. The above can also control a some electronic device simultaneously.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other forms of implementation are possible therefrom. Such modifications and other equivalent forms of implementation will fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention uses a small transmitter that can be worn on the user's hand or finger without a separate portable device, or using a small transmitter that can be held in the hand to select a plurality of electronic devices in the remote and to function Wireless control is possible, and users can understand how to interact semantically integrated and intuitively and easily control various electronic devices in the distance with simple hand gestures.

In addition, since the present invention applies a semantically integrated interaction scheme to control multiple electronic devices using a single transmitter, the main functions of the various electronic devices with a single transmitter without the need to use a remote control of each of the various home appliances Control them.

Claims (8)

delete delete delete delete An electronic device control device for remotely controlling an electronic device, Analyzes the infrared signal transmitted from the transmitter held in the user's hand, recognizes the user's hand movement, and sends the infrared signal to the infrared receiver of the electronic device to perform the function of the electronic device corresponding to the interaction symbol according to the user's hand gesture. A receiver for controlling the electronic device; The receiver, A signal sensing device for sensing an image path of an infrared signal transmitted from the transmitter; A signal analyzer which analyzes an image path of an infrared signal detected by the signal sensing device and recognizes a user's hand motion; An input result outputter for visually confirming whether the user's hand gesture is recognized by the signal analyzer and informing the user A signal converter for outputting an infrared command signal for performing a function of an electronic device corresponding to an abstract function corresponding to an interaction symbol according to a user's hand gesture recognized by the signal analyzer; And an infrared signal transmitter for generating an infrared signal according to the infrared command signal inputted from the signal converter and transmitting the infrared signal to the infrared receiver of the electronic device. delete delete The method of claim 5, The signal detection device is an electronic device control device, characterized in that equipped with an infrared camera or a PC camera and an infrared filter.

Images