JP2001346277A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller that can operate devices. SOLUTION: The remote controller defines a CSM to remotely control the hardware operation of each device and a URC as a general-purpose device to download and activate the CSM for each device. A CSM manager is active on the URC to provide a common operating environment to various CSMs. The access method to a specific function of each device hardware unit is installed by the CSM exclusively used for each device. In the case of downloading the CSMs to the URC, coordinating user operations via each CSM can enhance the convenience of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote controller for remotely controlling various information devices and home electric appliances, and more particularly to a remote controller for performing a hardware operation on a plurality of devices.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a remote controller for performing hardware operation on a plurality of devices without depending on a model, and in particular, can be updated in response to a software upgrade on a device to be operated. , A remote controller that provides access to new features.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art It has long been known in the field of electrical and electronic technology that transmission media such as radio waves and infrared rays can be used for wireless data communication that does not require electrical or optical cables or other wiring. I have. In particular, a communication system using infrared rays has advantages such as low cost, low power consumption, and almost no legal restrictions in each country.
Further, the fact that no wiring is required also means that a connector for connecting cables is not required, which also reduces costs. There is no worry that the connector will be mechanically consumed by attaching and detaching the connector each time it is connected or disconnected.

For example, in the field of consumer electric and electronic devices such as home appliances, an "infrared remote controller" employing an AM modulation method has been developed as a means for remotely inputting user operation commands to the device, and has already been established. are doing. Also, in the field of information processing equipment, as one of the means of wireless communication between information terminals,
Infrared data communication such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association) has been widely adopted.

[0005] The former infrared remote controller selects a channel for a television receiver and reproduces / selects audio / visual equipment.
Various user commands, such as recording / volume control, start / stop of air conditioner, temperature / air volume control, etc., are transmitted to the device by infrared rays (well-known).

Recently, most home appliances and information devices have been equipped with a remote control and a remote control transmission / reception function. As a result, the number of remote controllers increases with the number of devices used.

In general, a remote controller is designed for a specific device hardware operation, and is highly model-dependent. For this reason, the user must understand and master the remote control operation style for each device, and the usability is degraded. In addition, a large number of remote controllers are scattered on the table in the living room, which impairs the beauty of the room.

In addition, the conventional remote control operation is based on the premise that the devices are individually operated, and a single remote control input command does not act on two or more devices in an interlocked manner. Therefore, when operating devices that are closely related to operation or operation processing (for example,
Even when the output data of one device is used as the input of the other listening device), the user must operate the remote controller of each device sequentially, which is bothersome.

Although there is a proposal example regarding a remote controller with a learning function, it is not a genuine manufacturer. Not easy to use.

[0010] STB (set top box) or DTV (digital
In digital home appliances such as televisions, software for controlling the operation of the device itself can be updated or introduced to the latest version via various storage media even after shipment. Was. Furthermore, many devices are connected to a communication medium such as a LAN, the Internet, or a general public line, and can remotely access the latest software without relying on physical distribution and distribution means of the storage medium. It is becoming possible.

On the other hand, in the case of a remote controller, it is still operated in a stand-alone state, and there are almost no industry cases of introducing an update program for the remote controller.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to perform hardware operations on a plurality of devices.
It is to provide an excellent remote controller.

A further object of the present invention is to enable hardware operations to be performed on a plurality of devices without depending on the model.
It is to provide an excellent remote controller.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent remote controller which can be updated in response to a software upgrade of a device to be operated and can access new functions. is there.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and is a remote controller for remotely controlling a plurality of external devices. A system controller for controlling, a memory, a user operation unit, a transmission unit for transmitting data to an external device, and a control module describing functions or operations of the external device. It is a remote controller.

[0016] The remote controller according to the present invention comprises:
For example, it can be realized in the form of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). PDA is easy to download / install software and has a GUI
(Graphical User Interface) is dynamically programmable and often comes standard with an infrared communication port.

The control module may be an application described in a program code for operating an external device by hardware. In such a case, the control module is loaded on the memory and executed by the system controller.

The control module is prepared for each external device. The control module is provided together with the device hardware, and is a program code in which logic for operating a target external device is described. In other words, each control module is configured as a complete software module, and when performing a software upgrade on the external device side, the control module is also updated at the same time, so that the remote controller can access new functions. Can be obtained. Since such an update does not involve a change in hardware, it can be easily realized.

Further, the user operation section can be constituted by a touch panel integrated with a display function. In such a case, the corresponding control module can display buttons and menus for calling functions provided by various external devices. Further, the system controller can transmit a signal to the external device via the transmission unit in response to a user operation on the touch panel.

The remote controller may further include a control module manager that provides a common operating environment for a plurality of control modules. The control module manager can consist of, for example, an operating system or a software layer that enhances platform independence. The control module manager describes how to implement the remote controller,
Abstracts platform-dependent parts to provide a common operating environment for each control module.

Further, each control module may receive a user setting for a corresponding external device. In such a case, the control module manager can compile user settings received in each control module to create a user preference. Settings for a plurality of external devices can be realized in a single data transmission transaction according to such user preferences.

The control module for an external device capable of outputting to the outside may set the output destination, and the control module for the external device capable of inputting from the outside may set the input source. . In such a case, the control module manager can search the setting contents of each control module and create a link between input and output.

[0023]

According to the present invention, a "Control Software Module (hereinafter also referred to as" CSM ")" for remotely controlling the hardware operation of each device and a CSM for each device are downloaded. Remote Controller (UniversalRemot) as a general-purpose device for operating
e Controller: hereinafter, also referred to as "URC").

The CSM is provided together with hardware by, for example, a device maker, and logic for operating the target device by hardware is described in a predetermined program code format. Since the CSM is a complete (or purely) software module, it is easy to change or update functions.

On the other hand, the URC provides an effective environment in which a large number of CSMs operate without assuming a specific device, and has a function of communicating with each device to be operated. The condition is that it can be set appropriately.

On the URC, an operating system or a software layer for ensuring platform independence operates, and a function for downloading a CSM from the outside and an interface to a general-purpose unit operable by the CSM are provided. providing. Below,
This software layer is also called “CSM manager”. The CSM manager abstracts URC implementation methods and platform-dependent parts, and provides a common operating environment for various CSMs.

A method of accessing a function specific to each device hardware (for example, channel selection in the case of a television receiver, reproduction / stop / recording in the case of a video deck) is controlled by a CSM dedicated to each device. Implemented.

Generally, the provided functions are different for each hardware (for example, the provided functions are different for a television receiver, a video deck, and an air conditioner). Therefore, it is preferable that the URC has a configuration that can be arbitrarily set such that necessary operation buttons are appropriately displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel, rather than arranging hardware buttons.

The CSM displays function buttons, menus, and the like for devices operated by the hardware itself on the URC touch panel. Then, when an arbitrary function is selected on the function button / menu screen, a signal (control code) is transmitted to a target device using a URC wireless communication function such as infrared communication.

As the URC, an existing PDA (Personal
An information processing terminal having an infrared communication port and a touch panel that can be software-configured, such as a digital assistant, can be applied.

When a plurality of CSMs are downloaded to the URC, it becomes easy to operate a plurality of device hardware at the same time. In addition, the user's convenience can be improved by cooperating with the user operation via each CSM. For example, by pressing a single button, it is possible to simultaneously adjust lighting, adjust temperature, play music, and the like.

According to the present invention, since the function of the remote controller can be described by CSM, that is, software, the cost can be reduced without changing the hardware for changing, updating, or expanding the function of the remote controller. it can.

Also, by downloading / installing a plurality of CSMs on a single remote controller, that is, a URC, a plurality of devices can be operated with a single remote controller, thereby eliminating the complexity of user operations. be able to.

For example, when performing a software upgrade on a system such as a digital home appliance, according to the present invention, by updating the CSM at the same time, it is possible to easily access a new function from the URC.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are:
It will become apparent from the following more detailed description based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a general-purpose remote controller (Universal Remote Controller) used in the embodiment of the present invention.
2 schematically shows a hardware configuration of the URC) 10. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

The system controller 11 has a URC1
0 is a main controller that comprehensively controls the operation of the entire device. More specifically, a CS for controlling hardware of each device under the control of an operating system.
It executes M (control software module) and controls the driving of the liquid crystal display unit 13, the touch panel 14, and the infrared transmitting / receiving unit 15.

The memory 12 is used as an area for storing program codes such as a CSM and a CSM manager for providing an operating environment to the CSM, or as a work area for the system controller 11.

The liquid crystal display unit 13 and the touch panel 14 are integrally formed, and can provide a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment in which software configuration is possible. More specifically, each CSM causes the URC touch panel 14 to display function buttons, menus, and the like for devices operated by the hardware itself.

The infrared transmitting / receiving unit 15 is a device for transmitting and receiving data to and from external information devices and home electric appliances (not shown) by an AM modulation method or an infrared data communication method such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association). When a predetermined function button or menu is selected on the display screen provided by the CSM, the infrared transmission / reception unit 15 transmits an infrared signal to a corresponding device.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a software execution environment in the URC 10.

The CSM (Control Software Module)
A software module for remotely controlling the hardware operation of each device. The logic for operating the target device in hardware is completely (or purely) written in the form of predetermined program code. ) It is a software module, and changing or updating its function is easier than changing the hardware. CS
M is provided together with the hardware, for example, by the equipment maker (see FIG. 3).

The CSM manager abstracts the URC implementation method and platform-dependent parts, and
A software layer that provides a common operating environment for M, and is composed of, for example, an operating system and a library. The CSM manager also provides a function to download the CSM from the outside and an interface to a general-purpose unit operable by the CSM.

The access method to the function specific to the hardware of each device (for example, channel selection in the case of a television receiver, playback / stop / recording in the case of a video deck) is controlled by a CSM dedicated to each device. Implemented.

That is, each CSM can display function buttons and menus for operating hardware of the device on the liquid crystal display unit 13 via the CSM manager. On the other hand, the user can select a desired function button or menu via the touch panel 14. Then, when an arbitrary function is selected on the function button / menu screen, a signal (control code) can be transmitted to the target device using the infrared communication function of the URC 10 (see FIG. 4). ).

When a plurality of CSMs are downloaded to the URC, the user's convenience can be improved by coordinating a plurality of user operations via each CSM. For example, just press one button to adjust lighting,
Temperature control, music playback, etc. can be performed simultaneously.

As the URC 10, an existing PDA (Pers
onal Digital Assistant) can be applied,
This depends on the following reasons. (1) Equipped with an infrared communication port as standard. (2) Software can be easily downloaded via an infrared communication function, a LAN, or a recording medium. (3) It is possible to provide a touch panel having a GUI function and capable of software configuration.

In such a case, the operating system running on the PDA corresponds to the AFL, and each C
The SM can be implemented as a separate application that can be downloaded and installed on the PDA.

For example, a CSM corresponding to a remote control function for a television receiver can be described as one application. The CSM to a PDA or URC
When downloaded / installed on 10, the following functions are provided.

(1) A button for TV operation (for example, a channel selection button) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 13 (see FIG. 5). (2) When a specific function button is pressed on the touch panel 14 (for example, when a channel number button is pressed), a control signal for channel selection is transmitted from the infrared transceiver 15 of the URC 10.

Similarly, a CSM for operating other AV equipment such as a video deck or a stereo, or other information equipment, must be described as an individual application and downloaded / installed on a PDA as a URC. Can be. Further, by providing a mechanism in which the installed applications mutually call each other, a cooperative operation between the CSMs can be realized. For example, by pressing a single button, it is possible to simultaneously adjust lighting, adjust temperature, play music, and the like.

The CSM is a program code in which logic for operating hardware of a target device is described, and presents to the user parameters that are allowed to be set by the target device. . The following describes examples of target devices and parameters that can be set by the user.

(1) TV receiver: video / audio input,
Viewing channel, volume (2) Video deck: video / audio output (3) Lighting: brightness (4) Air conditioner: temperature, air volume, wind direction

The user selects parameters presented in each CSM from a settable range. The setting content is transferred as a command to the corresponding device via the infrared transmission unit 15 of the URC 10. URC according to the present embodiment
According to 10, the following functions can be further provided.

A. Perform multiple device settings at once. B. Enhance multiple devices.

Hereinafter, these extended functions will be described.

A. Simultaneous setting of multiple devices The parameters that are currently set for each device are known by the CSM (in other words, stored as work data of the CSM). A CSM manager that provides a common platform for the CSM can create user preferences by grouping the settings in each CSM. Also, the CSM manager may create a unique user preference for each user.

The user can first call the CSM manager and then select his / her user preferences to set his / her favorite device operating environment with a single button operation (see FIG. 6). See).

With such a function, it is possible to collectively perform the setting operation which had to be performed for each device one by one using an individual remote controller.

Create a new user preference,
Of course, it is also possible to make only settings for necessary devices.

B. Cooperative operation between a plurality of devices By using the URC 10 according to the present embodiment, a cooperative operation by a plurality of devices can be easily realized.
However, as a premise, it is preferable that the devices are connected not by a point-to-point connection but by a bus-type or interconnect-type network.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which a plurality of hardware-operable devices by the URC 10 are interconnected by a bus-type home network. On the bus,
One or more TVs as video output destinations are connected, and a plurality of VCRs as video input sources are connected. CSM for hardware operation of each device
Is already downloaded / installed on the URC10.

In the following, consider a scenario for establishing a connection between a video output and a TV input.

For the CSM for TV, the video input source is
This is one of the parameters that can be set by the user. Similarly, for the video CSM, the video output destination is one of the parameters that can be set by the user.

Therefore, a particular video output is
To connect to the V input, set the parameter “video input source” of the CSM for TV to the “video output destination” of the CSM for video, or conversely, set the parameter “video output destination” of the CSM for video to the TV. May be set as the “video input source” of the CSM for use.

The CSM manager processes such device settings on the CSM in the following procedure.

(1) For example, on the touch panel 14, a TV
Select and activate the CSM.

(2) On the TV CSM setting screen (not shown), select the parameter of "video input source".

(3) The CSM of “device capable of outputting video” registered in the CSM manager is searched, and options are presented to the user in a menu format. In the example shown in FIG. 7, VCRs # 1 and V
CR # 2, VCR # 3... Are presented in a menu format.

(4) The user selects, from the search result list,
Select the appropriate one (for example, the VC closest to the TV
R).

(5) With this setting, by transmitting a command from the infrared transmitting / receiving section 15 of the URC 10, a connection is established between a video signal output from a specific video deck and a video signal input of a specific TV.

In the above step (3), “a parameter that can be input from the outside” on one device and “a parameter that can be output for that parameter” on another device are dynamically added. Searching. Then, in step (4), a link "input-output" can be established.

On the home network, "input-output"
Devices that can be a target of the pair are searched for by some criteria. In the example described above, a device is searched for on the home network based on the criterion that “video can be output”. As a result, one or more video decks are presented to the user as candidates. Further, based on the information of the CSM of each video deck, it is possible to automatically and optimally set the aspect ratio of the video.

According to this embodiment, the link between the devices is
It can be controlled freely using URC10. For example, video output from one VCR
It is possible to easily set inputting to a plurality of TVs or recording input of a certain TV as it is by a video recorder.

[Supplement] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example, and should not be construed as limiting. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims described at the beginning should be considered.

[0077]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
An excellent remote controller capable of performing hardware operations on a plurality of devices can be provided.

According to the present invention, hardware operations can be performed on a plurality of devices without depending on the model.
An excellent remote controller can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an excellent remote controller which can be updated in response to a software upgrade of a device to be operated and can access a new function. it can.

In the present invention, a CSM (Control SoM) for remotely controlling the hardware operation of each device is provided.
ftware Module) and URC (Unable to use as a general-purpose device to download and operate CSM for each device)
iversal Remote Controller).

On the URC, a CSM manager that provides a common operating environment for various CSMs operates. The method of accessing the specific functions for each device hardware is implemented by a CSM dedicated to each device. If you download multiple CSMs to URC, each CSM
By cooperating with the user operation via, the convenience of the user can be improved.

According to the present invention, since the function of the remote controller can be described by CSM, that is, software, the cost can be reduced without changing the hardware for changing, updating, or expanding the function of the remote controller. it can.

Further, by downloading / installing a plurality of CSMs on a single remote controller, that is, a URC, it is possible to operate a plurality of devices with a single remote controller, thereby eliminating user operation complexity. be able to.

For example, when performing a software upgrade on a system such as a digital home appliance, according to the present invention, by updating the CSM at the same time, it is possible to easily access a new function from the URC.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a universal remote controller (URC) 10 for implementing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the hardware configuration of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a software execution environment in URC10.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a CSM provided together with hardware by a device maker is downloaded to a URC 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a signal (control code) is transmitted to a target device using the infrared communication function of the URC 10.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen provided by a CSM for operating a television receiver.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which user settings of a plurality of devices are simultaneously performed using a user preference created on the URC 10 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of hardware-operable devices by the URC 10 according to the embodiment are connected to a bus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Universal remote controller (UR
C) 11 System controller 12 Memory 13 Liquid crystal display unit 14 Touch panel 15 Infrared transmitting / receiving unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/00 F term (Reference) 5B020 AA12 BB02 BB10 CC06 CC12 DD30 FF17 FF53 KK13 KK14 5C056 AA05 BA01 BA08 BA10 CA06 CA13 DA06 DA11 EA05 EA12 5K048 AA04 BA03 DA02 DB04 EB02 FC01 HA04 HA06 HA23

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A remote controller for remotely controlling a plurality of external devices, comprising: a system controller for comprehensively controlling the entire operation; a memory; a user operation unit; A remote controller comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits data; and a control module that describes functions or operations of an external device. 2. The control module according to claim 1, wherein the control module is described in a program code for operating an external device by hardware, and is loaded on the memory and executed by the system controller. The remote controller according to claim 1. 3. The remote controller according to claim 1, wherein said control module is prepared for each external device. 4. The user operation section comprises a touch panel integrated with a display function, the control module displays function buttons / menus for operating an external device on the touch panel, and the system controller includes a touch panel on the touch panel. The remote controller according to claim 1, wherein a signal is transmitted to an external device via the transmission unit in response to a user operation of the remote controller. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control module manager for providing a common operating environment to a plurality of control modules.
The remote controller according to 1. 6. Each control module accepts user settings for a corresponding external device, and said control module manager creates a user preference by combining the user settings received in each control module. 6. The remote controller according to claim 5, wherein settings for a plurality of external devices are realized in one data transmission transaction according to user preferences. 7. A control module for an external device that can output to the outside can set an output destination, and a control module for an external device that can input from the outside can set an input source. The remote controller according to claim 5, wherein the module manager searches the setting contents of each control module to create a link between the input and the output.