JP2000209673A - Remote controller for electric appliance provided with infrared ray reception section - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To intensively operate electric home appliances in a lot from one remote controller even from a remote place by converting data received from an external entry device connected to an external part via a communication channel into an infrared ray signal to which a code corresponding to the electric home appliance being an operation object is set and outputting the infrared ray. SOLUTION: An external input device such as a computer terminal is connected to an input means 12 of a remote controller and data are given thereto. An output means 14 outputs an infrared ray signal to which a code corresponding to the input data is set. A central processing unit CPU 18 is connected to a memory means 16, according to a system program stored therein, operations of each means built in the remote controller is totally controlled. The memory means 16 consists of an area 162 in which the system program controlling the operation is stored and a storage area 161 in which codes set to the infrared ray outputted from the output means 14 are stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared signal output from a remote controller attached to each electric appliance, such as a television, a stereo, a video deck, an air conditioner, a lighting, an electric curtain, and an automatic hot water supply system for a bathtub. Signal receiving unit, ON, OFF, channel switching according to the code recorded in the received infrared signal,
A remote control device for remotely controlling an appliance that performs various operations such as changing a set temperature and remotely controlling the appliance using a communication line such as a telephone line, for example, connecting to the communication line The present invention relates to a remote control device that can remotely control an electric appliance at home based on data input via an external input device such as a telephone set at a place where the user is outside.

[0002] In this specification, the term "communication line" refers to a radio call service such as a so-called "pager" (pager), a mobile phone service, a telephone line including mobile communication such as PHS, and a text broadcast (bit). Including cast)
Includes lines for performing various communications capable of transmitting specific data to specific destinations, such as broadcasting, etc., and "external input device"
The term "phone" refers to, for example, a telephone, a computer terminal, and other various devices capable of inputting data, which are connected to the communication line.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of household electric appliances, a wide variety of electric appliances are used in ordinary households.

[0004] Such an electric appliance is expected to be convenient if it can be remotely operated from a place where the user is away from home. For example, if you want to operate a cooling and heating appliance such as an air conditioner at home before returning home, or if you make a recording reservation for a VCR at home from outside, you may forget to turn it off when you go home so that the room temperature is already comfortable when you return home. This is the case when the lighting is turned off from the outside.

As described above, as an electric appliance that can be remotely controlled from a place where the user is away from home, a telephone line is connected to each of the electric appliances, and for example, a push button signal (hereinafter, referred to as a push button signal) input via a telephone or the like at the outside destination There is an electric appliance configured to be operable in response to “PB signal”.

[0006] For convenience of operation of various electric appliances, a dedicated remote controller capable of outputting an infrared signal having a code recorded thereon and an infrared receiver for receiving the infrared signal output from the remote controller are provided. 2. Description of the Related Art Electric appliances configured to enable a desired operation in accordance with a code conveyed by an infrared signal received by the infrared receiving unit have become widespread.

[0007]

As described above, in a conventional electric appliance configured to be operable from outside, as described above, in order to enable remote operation using a telephone line, each of the operation objects has to be operated. Each electric appliance has a control circuit and a communication circuit, and the control circuit and the communication circuit provided for each electric appliance are dedicated to that electric appliance. Other appliances cannot be controlled by the provided control circuit or communication circuit.

[0008] Therefore, the structure of the electric appliance provided with the remote control function as described above is complicated, and the electric appliance provided with the function is expensive.

[0009] Further, in order to make the above-mentioned electric appliances operable from outside or the like, it is necessary to connect all the electric appliances to be remotely controlled to a telephone line, and wiring work for that purpose is required. For example, it takes a great deal of cost and time to prepare an environment for performing such a remote operation. Further, such wiring work needs to be performed every time the number of electric appliances to be remotely controlled increases, and the work for that is complicated.

On the other hand, as described above, a known remote controller (so-called "infrared remote controller") for an electric appliance, which is configured to operate in accordance with a code recorded in an infrared signal received from an infrared receiver, is provided. In this case, since the remote operation of each appliance is performed by an infrared signal, there is no need to connect each device and the remote controller with a wire.

[0011] However, the remote controllers that output infrared signals are each dedicated to each appliance, and are recorded in the infrared signal transmitted for each manufacturer, model, and operation to be performed. Code is different. Therefore, it is not possible to operate other appliances with the remote controller attached to one appliance, and to remotely control each appliance using infrared signals,
A dedicated remote controller for each appliance is required.

Further, even if it is possible to remotely control a plurality of electric appliances by one remote controller, the effective distance of infrared rays is about 5 m.
If there is an obstacle such as a wall, remote control cannot be performed, and indoor appliances cannot be controlled from outside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, and it has been pointed out that electric appliances which can be remotely controlled by infrared signals have become widespread in ordinary households. Focusing on the fact that various communication lines capable of communicating with individuals are available, data input from external input devices connected to the outside via telephone lines, computer terminals, etc. By converting and outputting an infrared signal recorded with a code corresponding to the home appliance to be operated, the appliance can be operated collectively and centrally by one remote control device, so that when going out, etc. Can be operated from a remote location, and wiring for individually connecting the communication line and each appliance, and a control circuit and communication circuit for receiving signals via a telephone line etc. It was unnecessary to be provided for each of the product, and an object thereof is to provide a remote operation apparatus of the appliance.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A remote control device 1 according to the present invention.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a remote controller that outputs an infrared signal in which a predetermined code is recorded, and an infrared receiver that receives the infrared signal, and remotely controls an appliance operated according to the code recorded in the received infrared signal. A memory means 1 having a storage area 161 for storing a code corresponding to each operation of each electrical appliance to be remotely controlled, for each code or for any combination of codes
6, a telephone 31 and a computer terminal 32 for inputting data such as an address in the storage area 161.
And the like. The input means 12 is configured to be connectable to the external input device 30 via a communication line 40, and receives data input from the external input device 30, and a storage area based on the data received by the input means 12. 161 is provided with a means for searching for a code in 161 and an output means 14 for outputting an infrared signal in which the searched code is recorded.

The remote control device 10 includes an infrared input means 122 for receiving an infrared signal and discriminating a code recorded in the received infrared signal;
Means for storing the code determined in step 2 in a designated section in the storage area 161.

Further, the input means receives a radio signal transmitted from a radio base station in a mobile communication such as a radio paging service, a cellular phone service, a PHS or a teletext (including bitcast) broadcasting station. A wireless signal receiving means such as a receiver may be provided, and the communication line 40 and the remote control device 10 may be configured to be wirelessly connectable.

[0017]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The remote control device 10 of the present invention can transmit data input from an external input device 30 such as a telephone 31 or a computer terminal 32 from a remote place such as a place where the user is away from the office by a radio call service (so-called pager or pager). And a code corresponding to the data received through a telephone line 42 including mobile communication such as a mobile phone and a PHS, and a broadcasting station 44 such as teletext (including bitcast), and based on the received data. 1 is shown in FIG. 1 as an example of the configuration of the remote control device 10 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a remote control device 1 according to the present invention
Reference numeral 0 denotes a mobile phone or the like via a telephone line 42 including mobile communication such as a mobile phone, a PHS, and a radio call service, and a communication line 40 including a broadcast service such as a text broadcast (including a bit cast). In accordance with the input means 12 connected to an external input device 30 such as a telephone 31 and a computer terminal 32, and the data input from the external input device 30 connected to the input means 12, it corresponds to the input data. Output means 14 for outputting an infrared signal in which a code to be recorded is recorded, a storage area 161 for storing a code recorded in the infrared signal output by the output means 14, and the operation of each means included in the remote control device 10. Storage area 1 storing a system program for controlling
And a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “CPU”) 1 for controlling the above-mentioned units.
8 is provided.

The CPU 18 is connected to the memory means 16 and controls the operation of each means incorporated in the remote control device 10 in accordance with a system program stored in the memory means 16.

The memory means 16 stores an area 162 in which a system program for controlling the operation of the remote control device 10 is stored as described above, and a code recorded in an infrared signal output via the output means. Storage area 161
It has.

The storage area 161 for storing the code is
For example, a ROM (Read Only) that stores all or main codes used by each manufacturer in advance for operation of each appliance.
Memory), and receives an infrared signal output from a dedicated remote controller attached to the appliance to be operated, determines the code recorded in the infrared signal, and determines the code. A RAM (Randam Access Memor) that stores codes in code units or in a specified address section for each code combination.
It can be realized by y), and can also be realized by a combination of both.

The input unit 12 includes a receiving unit 121 connected to a communication line 40 such as a telephone line 42. The receiving unit 121 is connected to the communication line 40.

For connection to the communication line 40, for example, a general public line can be connected (wired) via a telephone line, or a radio base station in mobile communication such as a radio call service, a portable telephone, or a PHS. Alternatively, a wireless signal or a wired signal transmitted from a teletext broadcasting station may be received and wirelessly or wiredly connected, and the connection may be made by any one or a plurality of methods (see FIG. 2).

When the receiving means 121 is connected to the communication line 40 by radio, the receiving means 121 includes a receiver for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the radio base station or the broadcasting station. For this receiver, for example, the configuration of a known receiver in the radio paging service, a known transceiver in a mobile phone service, a PHS, or the like, and a known receiver in teletext can be used.

As described above, the code recorded in the infrared signal output from the remote controller attached to the electric appliance to be remotely controlled is determined, and the determined code is stored in the storage area 161 of the memory means 16. In the case of storing in the input means 12, in addition to the receiving means 121,
An infrared input means 122 is provided for receiving an infrared signal output from a remote controller attached to an appliance to be operated and determining a code recorded in the received infrared signal.

The infrared input means 122 includes a receiving unit such as a photodiode for receiving an infrared signal output from a remote controller attached to the appliance to be operated, and amplifies the infrared signal received by the receiving unit. ,
A known amplifier circuit, a detection circuit, a waveform shaping circuit, a code discriminating circuit, and the like for determining a code recorded in the infrared signal by shaping or the like are provided, and the code recorded in the infrared signal received by the infrared input means 122 is provided. Is determined. The code determined in this way is stored in the section of the storage area 161 at the designated address.

In this embodiment, the input means 12
Further, a manual input means 123 provided with various switches, operation keys and the like is provided, and a section for storing the determined code is designated by inputting the operation keys of the manual input means 123. Note that the section may be specified so that the section can be sequentially stored in a predetermined section, for example, in accordance with the input order of the infrared signal.

The manual input means 123 includes various switches and operation keys, and is operated by operating the switches and operation keys to switch the operation of the remote control device 10 or is stored in the code storage area 161. Enter the data to specify the address to be used.

The output means 14 is provided with the receiving means 121
In accordance with the data received from the external input device 30 via the external input device 30, an infrared signal in which a code specified by the data input by the external input device 30 is recorded.

The output means 14 has an output section such as a light emitting diode for outputting a predetermined infrared signal in accordance with a code in the memory means 16 received via the CPU 18. The infrared signal output from the output means 14 is provided. Is configured to be able to perform a desired operation in accordance with the code recorded in the infrared signal received by each home electric appliance to be operated.

Further, the remote control device 10 of the present invention includes:
For example, a display means 20 including a liquid crystal (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), or the like can be provided, and the display means 20 can be configured to display an operation state of the remote control device 10 or the like.

The remote control device 10 configured as described above
The operation of the remote control device 10 will be described below.

[Basic Operation] The basic operation of the remote control device 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
The remote control device 10 is connected to the receiving means 121 of the input means 12 via the communication line 40, for example, the telephone 3
1. Data input from an external input device 30 such as a computer terminal 32 is transmitted from a wireless base station in mobile communication such as a wired signal via a telephone line or the like and / or a radio call service, a mobile phone service, and a PHS. Wireless signal,
A broadcast wave output from a teletext (including bitcast) broadcast station is input to the receiving means 121, and an infrared signal in which a code corresponding to the signal input to the receiving means 121 is recorded is output from the output means 14. A telephone 31 connected to a general public line is used as an external input device 30, a signal input by the external input device 30 is received via a communication line 40, and based on the received data, The operation of the remote control device 10 of the present invention that outputs an infrared signal in which a predetermined code is recorded will be described as an example.
It is as follows (see FIG. 3).

For example, the telephone 31 connected to the general public line, which is the telephone line 42, is used as the external input device 30. When the telephone 31 is dialed and the line to which the remote control device 10 is connected is called, the input waits. The remote control device 10 in the state described above opens a line by receiving, for example, a predetermined number of ringing tones (step 1), and a telephone line 31 and a remote control device 10 at an outing place or the like are connected via a telephone line 42. Connected.

When the telephone 31 and the remote control device 10 are connected to each other, a predetermined number sequence for designating the address of a section in the storage area 161 for storing the code of the memory means 16 is stored, for example, by operating a push button of the telephone 31. , A PB signal corresponding to this input is output from the telephone 31.

The output PB signal is received by the receiving means 121 of the remote control device 10 via the telephone line 42 (step 2), and the signal received as the PB signal is decoded into a predetermined signal. (Step 3).

Upon receiving the composite signal, the CP
U18 finds the address corresponding to the decoded signal,
Among the codes stored in the code storage area 161 of the memory means 16, the code stored in the section of the corresponding address is transmitted to the output means (step 4).

The output means 14, having received the code, causes the light emitting diode to emit light and outputs an infrared signal with the code recorded (step 5).

The storage area 161 storing the codes in the memory means 16 stores respective codes corresponding to the operation of the electric appliance to be operated, for example, a reader unit which is information necessary when the receiving side reads an infrared signal. A code consisting of a combination of a custom code acting as an ID of a receiving device for preventing a malfunction between devices and a data code specifying the operation of each device is stored in advance, and the output infrared signal is The received appliance determines whether or not the output infrared signal is a signal for itself based on, for example, a custom code, and when the received infrared signal is an infrared signal for itself, performs a desired operation based on the data code. Do.

FIG. 4 shows an operation flow in a case where the remote control device 10 is configured to output an infrared signal only when receiving data having a predetermined content such as a password.

By configuring the remote control device 10 to operate on the condition that it has received data of a predetermined content, it is possible to prevent mischief and accidents caused by others.

When setting a password or the like, an area for storing a password is provided in the memory means 16, and a password having a predetermined number of digits is stored in the area in advance.

In the remote control device 10 configured as above, for example, the operation (step 1) until the line between the telephone 31 at the outside and the like and the remote control device 10 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. Same as in the case.

After the line between the telephone 31 and the remote control device 10 is connected, a password of a predetermined number of digits and data for specifying a code of an infrared signal to be output are stored in the predetermined number of digits. When a number or a combination of a number and a symbol such as # or * is input from the telephone 31, the corresponding P
The B signal is received by the input means of the remote control device 10 via the telephone line 42 (step 2), and the signal received as the PB signal is decoded into a predetermined signal (step 3).

The CPU 18 having received the decoded signal,
In the received signal, it is determined whether or not a portion corresponding to the password coincides with the password stored in the memory means 16 (step 4), and the input password and the password stored in the memory means in advance are determined. If the passwords match, the address specified by the data following this is found, and the code in the section corresponding to the found address is transmitted to the output means (step 5).

Upon receiving the code, the output means 14 including, for example, a light emitting diode outputs an infrared signal in which the code is recorded (step 6).

If the entered password does not match the password stored in the memory means, the remote control device 10
The line between the telephone and the telephone 31 is disconnected, and the remote operation device returns to a standby state of waiting for reception.

When the mismatch of the password is confirmed, the line is not disconnected immediately, for example, the remote control 1
0 transmits a warning sound to the telephone 31 or the like as the external input device 30 via the communication line 40, and then returns to a state of waiting for signal reception (a state between steps 1 and 2 in FIG. 3). In this case, if the password input from the external input device 30 and the password stored in the memory means 16 do not match each other for a predetermined number of times, for example, Can be cut.

When the computer terminal 32 is used as the external input device 30, the operation is substantially the same as that when the telephone 31 is used as the external input device 30, but when the computer terminal 32 is used as the external input device 30. , Telephone 31
Can be input as compared with the PB signal when the external input device 30 is used.

When the remote control device 10 is connected to the communication line 40 via the radio base station in the radio call service, the procedure until the remote control device 10 receives the data is slightly different from that described above. The operation of the remote control device 10 after receiving the command is the same as that after step 2 in FIG. 3 and FIG.

When data is transmitted using the radio call service, for example, the telephone 31 as the external input device 30
The user dials the telephone number unique to the receiver provided in the corresponding remote control device 10, inputs the message as the transmission data according to the voice guidance, and disconnects the line. The data input and stored as a message is output as a wireless signal via a wireless base station, and the output wireless signal is received by a receiver provided in the remote control device 10. The operation of the remote control device 10 after the data has been received as a wireless signal in this manner is the same as that after step 2 in FIGS.

Further, the case where data is input to the remote control device 10 via a broadcast station 44 such as a text broadcast (including bitcast) is substantially the same as the case of the above-mentioned radio paging service.

In the case of transmitting data by teletext (including bitcast), the data is input from the telephone 31 or the computer terminal 32 as the external input device 30 in accordance with, for example, an agreement with a broadcasting station or the like which performs teletext in advance. The environment in which the converted data is converted into a predetermined radio signal and transmitted together with the broadcast wave is prepared.

Then, for example, an ID number corresponding to the personal identification number in FIG. 4 is added to each of the remote control devices 10, and the telephone 31 as the external input device 30 is provided.
When the ID number and the data specifying the infrared signal to be output by the remote control device 10 are transmitted to a host computer provided in, for example, a broadcasting station via the computer terminal 32, the host computer receiving the ID number and the data Converts the received ID number and data into a predetermined radio signal and transmits it together with the broadcast wave.

The remote control device 10 that has received the teletext broadcast,
It is determined whether the data received by the added ID number is data for itself. Then, when the data for itself is received, a code corresponding to the data is retrieved from the code stored in the memory means 16 according to the received data, and the output means 14
Output means 14 which has transmitted the code and received the code.
Outputs an infrared signal in which the code is recorded, and operates the appliance to be operated.

[Code Input Method] In the remote control device 10 of the present invention, the code is stored in the memory means 16 by:
For example, codes of all patterns adopted by each manufacturer or main codes expected to be frequently used can be stored in a ROM or the like in advance, and the operation target can be selected by the user of the remote control device 10. Receiving the infrared signal output from the remote controller provided in the electronic appliance, determining the code recorded in the received infrared signal, and storing the determined code in the storage area 161 of the memory means 16. The predetermined code can be stored in the memory means 16 by combining the above two methods. Then, by selecting a code required to cause the appliance to be operated to perform a desired operation from the codes stored in the storage area 161, and transmitting the selected code to the output unit 14, the output unit 14 receives the code. Is configured to output an infrared signal in which the code is recorded.

An infrared signal output from a remote controller provided in an electric appliance to be operated is received, a code recorded in the infrared signal is determined, and the code can be stored in the memory means 16. The remote control device 10 includes, as the input unit 12, an infrared input unit 122 that can receive an infrared signal, and the present embodiment further includes a manual input unit 123 that includes switches, numeric keys, and the like. In accordance with the address specified by the manual input unit 123, a code determined from the infrared signal input from the infrared input unit 122 can be written in the section corresponding to the specified address.

The procedure for storing a code in the memory means 16 of the remote control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the infrared input means 122 is connected to the CPU 18, the infrared input means 122 can receive an infrared signal, and the mode of the remote control device 10 becomes "registered" (step 1).

In this state, for example, the remote control device 1
The address of the section where the code of the received infrared signal is to be stored is designated by the key input provided at 0 (step 2).

After that, after the registration is instructed by the key input of the manual input means 123 (step 3), the remote controller provided in the appliance to be operated is operated to input the infrared signal to be stored into the infrared input means 122. Output to a light receiving unit such as a photodiode provided in the camera, the infrared input means 122 receives an infrared signal (step 4). That is, when a light receiving unit such as a photodiode provided in the infrared input unit 122 is irradiated with infrared light, the infrared light received from the light receiving unit is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is provided in the infrared input unit 122. It is amplified by the amplifier circuit. Then, the amplified signal is converted into a predetermined code through known circuits such as a detection circuit, a waveform shaping circuit, and a code discrimination circuit, and the converted code is stored in a designated address.

In one section of the designated address,
For example, a plurality of codes can be simultaneously inputted, such as a code 2 for instructing ON of the air conditioner and ON of the lighting,
Further, each code can be stored for each section.
As described above, when a plurality of codes are stored in one section, two operations frequently performed by the user at the same time are defined as one operation.
In this case, at the time of inputting the infrared signal, for example, another infrared signal is input after inputting one infrared signal.

As described above, after the input of the infrared signal, the end of the input of the infrared signal is input by the manual input means 123 (step 5), and a confirmation as to whether or not to register is displayed by, for example, the display means. In response to this confirmation, when the execution of registration is input by a key or the like, the input is confirmed, and the code converted from the received infrared signal is stored in the specified address section.

On the other hand, when the user selects not to register in response to the confirmation, the code of the inputted infrared signal is not stored in the memory means 16 and the standby state before the mode switching (the state before step 1) Return to).

The codes stored in the storage area 161 of the memory means 16 as described above include a reader unit, a custom code, and a data code recorded in an infrared signal output from a remote controller attached to each electric appliance. Since the code is stored as it is, it is possible to specify which electric appliance is to be operated by simply outputting an infrared signal recording the code.

It should be noted that the remote control device 10 may be provided with a display means 20 having, for example, a liquid crystal (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) or the like. Alternatively, the remote operation device 10 may be configured to display an operation state of the remote operation device such as, for example, that the remote operation device 10 is in a registration mode, an address input by key input, and “registering” (see FIG. 5). ).

[0067]

According to the configuration of the present invention described above, a plurality of appliances having an infrared receiver can be operated collectively and collectively by a single remote control device. Can be operated, and it is unnecessary to provide a wiring for individually connecting a communication line and each appliance, and a control circuit and a communication circuit for receiving a signal via a telephone line or the like to each appliance. Could provide a remote control device for electrical appliances.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a remote control device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of use of a remote control device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote control device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of inputting a code of the remote control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Remote control device 12 Input means 121 Receiving means 122 Infrared input means 123 Manual input means 14 Output means 16 Memory means 161 Code storage area 162 Program storage area 18 CPU 20 Display means 30 External input device 31 Telephone 32 Computer terminal 40 Communication circuit 42 Telephone line 44 Broadcasting station

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A remote controller for outputting an infrared signal having a predetermined code recorded thereon and an infrared receiving section for receiving the infrared signal, wherein an electric appliance operated in accordance with the code recorded in the received infrared signal is remotely controlled. A memory means having a storage area for storing a code corresponding to each operation of each electric appliance to be remotely controlled, for each code or for any combination of codes; and in the storage area, An input unit configured to be connectable via a communication line to an external input device for inputting data for specifying the stored code, and input means for receiving data input from the external input device; Means for searching for a code in the storage area based on the data, and output means for outputting an infrared signal recording the searched code. Remote control device appliance comprising an infrared receiving portion to symptoms. 2. An infrared input means for receiving an infrared signal and determining a code recorded in the received infrared signal; and storing the code determined by the infrared input means in a designated section in the storage area. The remote control device for an electric appliance having the infrared receiving unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is configured to be wirelessly connectable to the communication line, and the input unit includes a unit that receives a wireless signal. Appliance remote control device equipped with an infrared receiver.