KR100839888B1 - Unit and method for remote control - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote control unit according to the present invention is a remote control unit capable of remotely controlling a first electronic product and a second electronic product, the external input mode key for selecting the first electronic product or the second electronic product, A control key comprising a function key for remote control input of an electronic product; A control unit for controlling a key code corresponding to a signal input through the control key to be transmitted; An IR output unit for transmitting an infrared signal for controlling the electronic product according to a control signal of the controller; And a memory unit in which a key code for controlling the first electronic product and a key code for controlling the second electronic product are stored, wherein the first electronic product is selected by the external input mode key. When a function key whose function is changed among the control keys is input, the controller is configured to control a key code for controlling the second electronic product from a key code corresponding to the input function key.

Remote control unit

Description

Unit and method for remote control

1 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the remote control unit according to the prior art.

2 shows a part of a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 is a block diagram for explaining a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

5 and 6 are messages output through the display unit by a remote control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 and 9 are messages output through the display unit by a remote control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a remote control unit, by allowing the user to set a different key code value for each of the plurality of keys formed in the remote control unit, so that it is possible to control different home appliances using a plurality of keys It relates to a remote control unit and a remote control method.

Currently, digital TVs and set-top boxes that can receive digital broadcasts in connection with digital broadcasts are being distributed to the public, and many kinds of electronic products such as DVDs and 5.1-channel digital amplifiers for home theaters have been introduced to general homes. The situation is expanding.

1 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the remote control unit according to the prior art.

In the prior art, when a plurality of devices are to be controlled by one remote control unit, first select each device to be controlled by a remote control unit in which the control codes of all the devices are embedded, and then emit infrared light according to a command input by a user. By controlling the operation of each device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a user having a TV, a set-top box, a DVD, audio, or the like must perform the following series of operations to play one DVD movie.

First, the user selects the TV selection terminal of the remote control unit on in order to turn on the TV (S1). The user selects and drives the TV and then switches the TV reception mode to the external input mode (S2).

In addition, in order to switch to the external input mode, a separate channel setting process is required. When the TV is selected and switched to the external input mode, the user selects the DVD power on (S3), and finally, the desired content is available through the play function (S4).

Therefore, in the related art, in order to perform one specific function desired by a user, there is a problem in that a process that needs to be performed as described above is too complicated. That is, in the prior art, in order to control several devices at once, a problem that causes inconvenience to a user is required because a necessary operation can be performed only through a complicated process such as mode selection and device change selection (mode change operation) arranged in a remote control unit. have.

In addition, due to the widespread use of home theaters, watching movies or TVs through an audio device having multiple channels while the TV and the DVD are connected, the following problems are required to adjust the volume after changing the channel of the TV. There is this.

That is, after selecting a key for the TV input mode, the channel button is operated to change the channel of the TV, and after selecting a key for the audio input mode, the volume button must be operated to adjust the volume of the TV.

The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to propose a remote control unit and a remote control method for controlling a plurality of device options without having to perform a mode change of the remote control unit.

In addition, the user does not need to change the mode of the remote control unit by setting an option of each frequently used device to each of a plurality of keys, and controls a desired operation of a desired device by simply inputting the corresponding key. An object of the present invention is to propose a remote control unit and a remote control method.

In addition, the remote control unit according to the present invention is a remote control unit for selecting a first electronic product or a second electronic product to be controlled remotely by an external input mode key, the remote control unit of the electronic product selected by the external input mode key A control key including function keys for controlling an operation; A memory unit for storing key codes assigned to each of the control keys; And a controller configured to read a signal input through the control key and to control a key code corresponding to the corresponding control key from the memory unit, wherein the memory unit includes the first electronic product for each control key. And a first memory unit for storing a key code for controlling and a key code for controlling the second electronic product, and a second memory unit for storing a changed function of the control key. It is characterized by determining whether a change function for the corresponding control key is stored in the second memory unit.

delete

In addition, the remote control method according to the present invention, in order to remotely control the first electronics and the second electronics, a plurality of external input mode keys for selecting the first electronics or the second electronics and the first A remote control unit having a plurality of function keys for inputting an operation command of an electronic product or a second electronic product, comprising: inputting a specific combination of the external input mode key or a function key; Inputting a first function key together with a first external input mode key; And storing the key code for the first function key as a key code for the electronic product selected by the first external input mode key.

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

In the following description, 'control signal output data' indicates a code value for performing functions such as power on / off, channel change, volume change, number change, etc., and 'control signal transmission format' indicates control signal output data. It represents a waveform format for transmission, 'key code' is used to mean that the control signal output data and the control signal transmission format.

2 is a view showing a part of a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the remote control unit 100 according to the present invention includes a power key 101 for turning off the power of the TV, DVD, audio, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "electronic products"), and External input mode keys (102 to 104) for selecting a specific electronic product among the electronic products of the, and function keys (105, 106) for remotely controlling the operation of the selected electronic product.

The function keys 105 and 106 may be, for example, a channel key 105 for changing a channel and a volume key 106 for adjusting a volume.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a function change key 107 may be further provided to enter a setting mode for changing a function of each key.

In addition, the display unit 150 may be further formed to display the operation status and the like of the remote control unit 100.

As described above, a plurality of keys provided in the remote control unit 100 will be collectively described as a control key. However, in the specific description, the description will be made by dividing into a channel key and a volume key.

In the related art, a remote control unit capable of controlling a plurality of home appliances is called an integrated remote controller (universal remote control unit), and the present invention relates to this.

The universal remote control unit is set to control a plurality of electronic products from one remote control unit. In addition, the remote control signal transmission format of each of a large number of electronic products is stored in an internal memory and stored in a database, and then the appropriate signal transmission format is set for each electronic product owned by the user. .

The remote control signal setting method of the universal remote control unit is as follows.

From the external input mode keys 102 to 104 installed in the universal remote control unit, press an external input mode key 102 to 104 to select a specific product. Thereafter, a plurality of key operations are performed to set a remote control signal format suitable for the corresponding electronic product to a database setting code value.

That is, the external input mode keys 102-104 are pressed to select the corresponding electronic product such as a TV, a VCR, a DVD, and the like to be set. Then, as specified in the user manual, press the setup key for the setup status to specify the remote control signal transmission format of the electronic product model.

Then, after pressing the preset number key that is set in combination with 3-4 preset numbers, when the setup confirmation key is pressed, the power key value of one signal transmission format is sent out, and the setup procedure is performed such that the power is turned on or off. In this case, the setting state of the remote control signal format which is determined to be suitable is stored in the memory of the universal remote control unit.

After that, when the universal remote control unit is operated, the command code signal according to the stored remote control signal transmission format is transmitted.

The present invention is not necessarily such, but will be described based on the case where the electronic products are set in the remote control unit.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the remote control unit 100 of the present invention is a control key 110 for the user's remote control input and the input of a key having a changed function of the signal input through the control key 110 In this case, the control key identification unit 120 for identifying the signal, an IR output unit 160 for outputting an IR signal for controlling an electronic product according to the input signal, and the input through the control key 110 The control unit 130 to transmit the IR signal corresponding to the signal is included.

In addition, although the control key identification unit 120 is illustrated as being separately formed from the control unit 130 in the drawing, the function of the control key 110 in which the role of the control key identification unit 120 is input by the user is changed in function. Since it is a function of the controller 130 in identifying whether or not it can be seen that formed in the controller 130.

In addition, a memory unit 140 storing a transmission format and key codes of an IR signal to be transmitted through the IR output unit 160 is included, and the memory unit 140 includes a control unit 110 of the control key 110 by a user. If a function is changed, it is saved.

In particular, the user may set the control key 110 to transmit a key code for controlling each of the different electronic products by operating the control key 110, in which case the set contents are stored in the memory unit 140. .

For example, the user may set the volume key for up or down the volume of the TV among the control keys 110 to change the volume of the audio. In this case, the user may use the channel key to You can change the channel of the, and use the volume key to change the volume of the audio.

A process of performing a function change by operating the control key 110 will be described later with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As described above, the memory unit 140 stores key codes such as control signal output data and a control signal transmission format, and the controller 130 corresponds to a signal input through the control key 110. The key code is controlled to be transmitted through the IR output unit 160.

That is, the memory unit 140 stores a key code assigned to the control key 110 for each of a plurality of electronic products, and when the function change of the control key according to the present invention is performed, The key code for this is added and stored.

To this end, the memory unit 140 may be divided into an area for storing only the contents of the control key is changed, the control unit 130 is a case where the control key is input after performing the function change of the control key In addition, a separate storage area of the memory unit 140 may be searched to transmit a key code for the corresponding key.

In detail, the memory unit 140 includes a first memory unit and a second memory unit, and the first memory unit stores key codes for each of a plurality of electronic products, and the second memory unit is stored by the user. The changed contents are saved.

That is, in the first memory unit, a key set by performing a plurality of key operations to set a remote control signal format suitable for the electronic product by the user together with key codes for each of the plurality of electronic products to a database setting code value. The code is saved.

The second memory unit stores corresponding function keys whose functions have been changed by the user and changed function contents. For example, when the user sets the volume of the audio for the volume key, the contents are stored in the second memory unit, and the first memory unit stores the key code for the control key before being changed by the user. do.

In this case, the controller 130 first determines whether a signal input through the control key 110 is stored in the second memory unit, and in the case of the control key stored in the second memory unit, The key code corresponding to the function stored in the second memory unit is sent out.

If the input control key is not stored in the second memory unit, the infrared signal is transmitted by the key code stored in the first memory unit.

The display unit 150 may further include a display unit 150 displaying items inputted through the control key 110 and an operation state of the remote control unit 100.

And, although not shown in the figure, if the electronic product is a display video device, such as a TV, since the OSD circuit is generally provided, the user reports the OSD displayed on the electronic product such as a TV remote control unit Of course, the operation of the 100 can be set.

First, when the function change key 107 for changing the function of each of the control keys 110 is not formed with respect to the operation of the remote control unit 100 having the above configuration and the function change key 107. The case of using will be described separately.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are messages output through the display unit by the remote control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In order for the user to change the function of the control key 110, the remote control unit 100 should be in the function change mode. For example, the function change mode of the remote control unit 100 may be a TV input mode key 102. ) And the channel key 105 may be entered at the same time (S101).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, contents currently set for the respective control keys 110 may be displayed through the display unit 150.

Referring to FIG. 5, the channel keys 105 perform a function for controlling channel up and down of the TV, and the volume keys 106 also perform a function for controlling volume up and down of the TV. Is set to.

In addition, when the remote control unit 100 enters the function change mode as a specific key is input among the control keys 110, a predetermined LED (not shown) provided in the remote control unit 100 is provided. It may be turned on (S102).

Then, the user inputs the corresponding electronic product and its detailed operation contents to be controlled. For example, when the volume of the audio is to be increased through the key for increasing the volume among the volume keys 106, the volume up key is input together with the audio input mode key 103 among the external input mode keys (S103). .

In this case, the controller 130 stores the setting contents of the volume up key in the memory unit 140, and when the volume up key is input, the controller 130 generates a key code for increasing the volume of the audio. Read from) to be output through the IR output unit 160 (S104).

As described above, when the function change of the control key 110 is performed, as shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 150 indicates that the volume up key is set to perform a function for increasing the volume of the audio. ) To let the user know.

In addition, if the volume down key for lowering the volume of the corresponding electronic product in the volume key 106 is also set to lower the volume of the audio, the same way as described above, the volume together with the audio input mode key 103 Enter the down key.

In this case, the display unit 150 may also indicate that the volume down key is set as a function for lowering the volume of the audio, and the controller 130 is set by the combination of the control key 110. Is stored in the memory unit 140, and when the corresponding key is input, the contents thereof are read from the memory unit 140, and the corresponding key code is transmitted through the IR output unit 160 as described above.

And, the termination of the function change mode of the remote control unit 100 can be performed by simultaneously inputting the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105.

Therefore, when a function is changed after the setting of each function of the control keys 110 is finished by the above method, the control unit 130 controls the volume of the audio. The memory unit 140 and the IR output unit 160 are controlled to transmit a key code.

After the user presses the TV input mode key 101 to remotely operate the TV, the remote control unit 100 is operating in an external input mode for TV control.

In this case, when the function-changed volume key 106 is input, the controller 130 allows a key code for controlling the volume of the audio from the memory unit 140 to be transmitted through the IR output unit 160.

That is, when the function-changed volume key 106 is input, the controller 130 transmits a control signal for controlling a corresponding audio among a plurality of control signal transmission formats and control signal output data stored in the memory unit 140. The control signal output data for up or down the volume of the audio is sent out in the format.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are messages output through the display unit by the remote control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The remote control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a case where the function change key 107 is provided in the remote control unit 100, and the remote control unit 100 is controlled by the input of the function change key 107. The control key enters the function change mode (S201).

In addition, when the function change key 107 is input, a predetermined LED formed on the remote control unit 100 may be turned on, and as shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 150 enters the function change mode. It may be displayed that it has been set.

In addition, when the user sets the volume of audio among electronic products to be controlled by the volume key formed in the remote control unit 100, the audio input mode key 103 and the volume key 105 are input together. (S202). That is, by inputting the audio input mode 103 and the volume up key together, the key for volume up in the volume key 105 is set to increase the volume of the audio.

The setting of a key for volume down among the volume keys 105 is the same.

By the setting method as described above, the memory unit 140 stores setting contents for controlling a specific function of a specific electronic product with respect to a specific key (S203).

And, as shown in Fig. 9, the setting contents can be displayed, and the termination of the function change mode is performed by inputting the function change key 106 again.

The foregoing first and second embodiments can be distinguished by being provided with a function change key for setting and terminating the function change mode of the remote control unit 100, but as described in the description of the first embodiment. The same function as the function change key may be performed by inputting a specific key combination, that is, the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105.

In the above embodiments, the input of the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105 or the input of the function change key 107 to enter the function change mode of the control key has been described. Therefore, sometimes you do not want to use the changed state.

To this end, when the input of the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105 or the input of the function change key 107 is performed for the first time, the remote control of the electronic product is possible using the control keys with the changed functions. When the input of the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105 or the input of the function change key 107 is performed for a second time, a mode for changing the function of the control key 110 is entered. When the input of the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105 or the input of the function change key 107 is performed a third time, the end of the mode for changing the function of the control key 110 is performed. When the input of the TV input mode key 102 and the channel key 105 or the input of the function change key 107 is performed for the fourth time, the control unit does not use the changed control keys. Remote control is available Be sure to

By the remote control unit and the remote control method as proposed, it is possible to control different electronic products through each control key provided in the remote control unit without changing the input mode.

In particular, if a home theater is provided in the home, the remote control unit for controlling the separate audio must be operated to change the volume of the TV or the volume can be adjusted after inputting the audio input mode key provided in the universal remote control unit. Discomfort such as having to be can be eliminated.

Claims (11)

delete delete A remote control unit for selecting a first electronic product or a second electronic product to be remotely controlled by an external input mode key, A control key including function keys for controlling an operation of the electronic product selected by the external input mode key; A memory unit for storing key codes assigned to each of the control keys; And And a controller configured to read a signal input through the control key and control a key code corresponding to the corresponding control key to be transmitted from the memory unit. The memory unit stores a key code for controlling the first electronic product and a key code for controlling the second electronic product for each control key, and a changed function of the control key. The second memory unit, And the control unit determines whether a change function for a corresponding control key is stored in the second memory unit prior to the input of the control key. The method of claim 3, wherein And when a specific combination of the control keys is input, the controller stores the input details in the second memory unit. The method of claim 3, wherein It further includes a display unit for displaying the operation of the remote control unit, And when a specific combination of the control keys is input, a changed function for a specific control key is displayed through the display unit. A remote control unit capable of remotely controlling a first electronic product and a second electronic product, A control key comprising an external input mode key for selecting a first electronic product or a second electronic product and a function key for remote control input of the selected electronic product; A control unit for controlling a key code corresponding to a signal input through the control key to be transmitted; An IR output unit for transmitting an infrared signal for controlling the first electronic product or the second electronic product according to a control signal of the controller; A memory unit for storing a key code for controlling the first electronic product and a key code for controlling the second electronic product; And Includes; function change key for changing the function of the control key, When the first function key is input among the control keys while the first electronic product is selected by the external input mode key, the controller determines that the key code is set for the first function key. Upon inputting the first function key, the control unit controls to transmit a key code for controlling the first electronic product among key codes corresponding to the first function key, By the input of the function change key, the controller operates in a control key function change mode, and an external input mode key and the first function key for selecting the second electronic product are input while the function change key is input. And the controller stores the key code corresponding to the second electronic product among the key codes for the first function key in the memory unit. delete delete delete delete A remote control unit capable of remotely controlling a first electronic product and a second electronic product, Inputting a channel key formed on the remote control unit together with a first external input mode key for selecting an object to be controlled through the remote control unit as the first electronic product; and And inputting a volume key formed in the remote control unit together with a second external input mode key for selecting the second electronic product. And when the volume key is input after the input of the first external input mode key, a key code for adjusting a volume of the second electronic product is sent to the second electronic product.

Images