JP2002159076A - Electronic equipment, wireless operating apparatus, position notifying system, method for notifying position, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position notifying system capable of instantaneously visually informing a presence when the presence of a wireless operating apparatus is not discovered. SOLUTION: When a search signal switch 3 of an electronic equipment body 1 is closed (S1), a search signal 11 is originated from an originator 4 toward a wireless operating apparatus 6 (S2). When a receiver 7 in the apparatus 6 succeeds a reception of the search signal, response signals 12a and 12b from an originator 8 in the apparatus 6 are originated toward the body 1 (S4). When receivers 5a and 5b in the equipment 1 succeed a reception of the response signals, the equipment 1 calculates a distance and a direction from the body 1 to the apparatus 6 (S6). The calculated distance and direction are displayed on a display unit 2 (S7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a function of confirming a position of a wireless operation device, a wireless operation device, a position notification system, a position notification method, a storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, wireless devices for remotely controlling these peripheral devices such as printers, copiers, facsimile devices, and wireless coordinate input devices in digitizers as well as display devices such as AV devices (audio / visual devices) and TVs. Operating devices are beginning to be heavily used. The wireless operating device used for operating such AV devices, PCs, and other peripheral devices is equipped with various functions, and is an indispensable item widely used in various devices.

[0003] As a wireless operating device, a small and highly operable device is required in use environment, and it is manufactured according to the request. The miniaturized wireless operation device is not stored and used in a fixed place,
It is stored and used in different places depending on the application, so that place changes. As a result, the number of cases where the location of the wireless operation device cannot be determined is increasing.

[0004] The wireless operating device is not only convenient for operation but also an indispensable item in function, and it is difficult to use each device without the wireless operating device. In such a case, the user is forced to search for a wireless operating device.

As a solution to this problem, a position notification system for notifying the position of a wireless operation device has been proposed. This position notification system is configured as follows. That is, a main body (hereinafter, referred to as a parent device) of an electronic device or the like operated by the wireless operation device has a transmitting unit that transmits signals (hereinafter, referred to as a search signal) such as radio waves, infrared rays, and ultrasonic waves. A search signal is transmitted in accordance with a decision-making operation for searching for the location of the wireless operation device, such as turning on the power of the device or a search start switch.

On the other hand, the wireless operation device receives a search signal and, after receiving the search signal, emits a sound (buzzer, voice, etc.), light, vibration, etc. for notifying the location of the wireless operation device. It has a notification unit and a transmission unit that transmits a signal such as an electromagnetic wave, and notifies the location.

There is also a device in which a device (hereinafter, referred to as a discovery device) that is movable away from the master unit is connected to the master unit by wire and outputs a search signal. In this case, when the wireless operation device receives the search signal emitted from the discovery device,
The transmitter emits a signal such as an electromagnetic wave. Then, when the discovery device approaches the wireless operation device, the wireless operation device activates the notification unit and notifies the location. Thereby, the user can confirm the location of the wireless operation device.

With the diversification of wireless operation devices,
The search signal can be set in a plurality of patterns in order to support not only a wireless operation device used for TV but also a wireless operation device used for other electronic devices. When the user manually changes the setting of the pattern, only the notification unit of the wireless operation device that matches the search signal pattern is activated, and it is possible to search for the wireless operation device according to the device.

[0009]

However, in the conventional position notification system, the wireless operation device is provided with light, sound,
Even if the location is notified by vibrating or the like, if there is a shield, it is difficult to search for the location,
It was impossible.

[0010] Further, as a means that can be searched for even if there is an obstacle, a wireless operating device that uses a discovery device or the like to help the user to search by groping is used, and the location of the wireless operating device is lost. Was not instantaneous.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic device, a wireless operation device, a position information system, a position information method, a storage medium, and a storage medium that can instantaneously visually notify the user of the location of a wireless operation device when the location is unknown. The purpose is to provide the program.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention has a display unit and is operated by a wireless operation device. Search signal transmitting means for transmitting a search signal, response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the wireless operating device in accordance with the transmitted search signal, and based on the received response signal,
Display control means for displaying the location of the wireless operation device on the screen of the display unit.

Further, the display control means displays the location of the wireless operation device as a relative position with respect to the electronic device.

Further, the display control means blinks the location of the wireless operation device on the screen.

Further, the display control means is characterized in that the location of the wireless operation device is represented by coordinates based on the position of the electronic device.

Further, the display control means is characterized in that the location of the wireless operation device with respect to the position of the electronic device is represented by a figure imitating the wireless operation device.

Further, the response signal receiving means comprises a pair of receiving units.

Further, the response signal receiving means comprises a single receiving portion which is rotatable in a pan direction about a predetermined axis and is rotatable in a tilt direction with respect to the predetermined axis. Features.

The wireless operating device according to the present invention is a wireless operating device for operating an electronic device, wherein: a search signal receiving means for receiving a search signal transmitted from the electronic device; and the electronic device according to the received search signal. Response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal to the device, wherein the location is displayed on a screen of a display unit of the electronic device.

Further, the location is displayed as a relative position with respect to the electronic device.

Further, the location is blinked on the screen.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the location is represented by coordinates based on the position of the electronic device.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the location is represented by a figure imitating the wireless operation device with reference to the position of the electronic device.

[0024] A position notification system according to the present invention comprises an electronic device having a display unit and a wireless operation device for operating the electronic device. In the position information system, the electronic device searches for the wireless operation device. Search signal transmitting means for transmitting a search signal, response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the wireless operation device, and the wireless operation device on a screen of the display unit based on the received response signal. Display control means for displaying the location of the wireless operation device, the wireless operation device, the search signal receiving means for receiving the transmitted search signal, according to the received search signal, toward the electronic device, Response signal transmitting means for transmitting a response signal.

Further, the display control means displays the location of the wireless operation device as a relative position with respect to the electronic device.

Further, the display control means blinks the location of the wireless operation device on the screen.

Further, the display control means is characterized in that the location of the wireless operation device is represented by coordinates based on the position of the electronic device.

Further, the display control means is characterized in that the location of the wireless operation device with respect to the position of the electronic device is represented by a figure imitating the wireless operation device.

A position notification system according to the present invention is a position notification system for displaying the location of an article to which a communication device is attached on a display unit of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device searches for the article. Search signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal, response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the communication device, and display control means for displaying the location of the article on the screen of the display unit, The communication device includes: a search signal receiving unit that receives the transmitted search signal; and a response signal transmitting unit that transmits the response signal to the electronic device in response to the received search signal. It is characterized by.

A position detection method according to the present invention is a position notification method for displaying the location of a wireless operating device for operating an electronic device on a display unit provided in the electronic device. Transmitting a search signal for searching; receiving the transmitted search signal at the wireless operation device; and responding to the electronic device from the wireless operation device in response to the received search signal. And transmitting the response signal transmitted from the wireless operation device to the electronic device.Based on the received response signal, the location of the wireless operation device is displayed on the screen of the display unit. And a step of displaying.

In the step of displaying the location,
The location is displayed as a relative position to the electronic device.

Further, in the step of displaying the location, the location is blinked on the screen.

In the step of displaying the location,
The location is represented by coordinates based on the position of the electronic device.

The present invention is characterized by a storage medium for holding a program code for realizing the position notification method, and a program having the program code.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an electronic apparatus, a wireless operation device, a position notification system, a position notification method, a storage medium, and a program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a position notification system including an electronic device and a wireless operation device will be described.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic device main body. Reference numeral 16 denotes a CPU provided in the electronic device main body 1 for calculating data to be transmitted and received. 5a and 5b are receiving sections for receiving signals emitted from the wireless operation device. 17 is the receiving unit 5
a is a receiving controller that controls the terminals 5a and 5b.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the wireless operation device. Reference numeral 18 denotes a transmission controller that controls the transmission unit 4. Reference numeral 3 denotes a transmission switch (search signal switch) that is turned on when a signal is transmitted to the wireless operation device. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display unit. Reference numeral 19 denotes a display controller that controls display of the display unit 2.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a RAM for storing data. 2
1 is a bus line. Here, the signal (hereinafter, referred to as a search signal) emitted from the transmitting unit 4 includes signals such as radio waves, ultrasonic waves, and infrared rays.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless operation device. In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes a wireless operation device. Reference numeral 22 denotes a CPU that controls both the transmitting unit and the receiving unit of the wireless operation device. 7 is the electronic equipment body 1
It is a receiving unit that receives the search signal issued from the. 23
Is a receiving controller that controls the receiving unit 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a transmitting unit that transmits a response signal to the electronic device main body 1.
Reference numeral 24 denotes a transmission controller that controls the transmission unit 8. 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a bus line for transmitting data and the like.

The operation of the position notification system having the above configuration will be described. 3 and 4 are views showing the appearance and a display screen of the position notification system. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the position notification processing procedure. This processing program is stored in a ROM (not shown) built in the CPU 16 in the electronic device main body 1 and the CPU 22 in the wireless operation device 6, and is appropriately executed by the CPU 16 and the CPU 22, respectively.

First, the search signal switch 3 is set by the user.
Is turned on (step S1), as shown in FIG.
The search signal 11 is transmitted from the transmission unit 4 to the wireless operation device 6 (step S2). It is determined whether or not the receiving unit 7 in the wireless operation device 6 has received the search signal (step S3). If the reception of the search signal has failed, the receiving process is repeated again.

On the other hand, when the search signal is successfully received, the search signal received by the receiving unit 7 is processed by the wireless device 6 and, at the same time, the response signals 12 a and 12 b are transmitted from the transmitting unit 8 in the wireless operation device 6. The message is transmitted to the device body 1 (step S4). A receiving unit 5a in the electronic device 1,
5b determines whether or not this response signal has been received (step S5). If the reception fails, the reception processing is repeated again.

On the other hand, if the reception is successful, the electronic device body 1
CPU 16 calculates the distance and direction from electronic device main body 1 to wireless operation device 6 (step S).
6). At this time, since the receiving units 5a and 5b are provided at two places on the left and right of the electronic device main body 1, it is possible to determine the left and right angles and distances with respect to the display unit 2. still,
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vertical direction of the display unit 2 is not important in searching for the wireless operation device 6, and although not particularly described, a receiving unit is arranged in the vertical direction, and the angle and distance in the vertical direction are set. It is needless to say that may be determined.

Thereafter, the data on which the distance and direction from the electronic device main body 1 to the wireless operation device 6 have been calculated are displayed on the display unit 2 (step S7), and the process is terminated.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 9 denotes a figure which is displayed on the screen of the display unit 2 and simulates the electronic device main body 1 when viewed from above. Reference numeral 10 denotes the electronic device main body 1 and the wireless operation device 6
This is a reference point representing a relative position with respect to. Reference numeral 13 is a figure imitating the wireless operation device 6 similarly viewed from above.
It is possible to recognize the relative positions of the two figures 9 and 13 from the display state. Further, since the distance 14 (here, 1.5 m) is also displayed on the screen of the display unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, both the relative position and the distance can be confirmed.

At this time, the figure 13 imitating the wireless operation device may be displayed by blinking to make it stand out. Further, the display method may be set. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the relative position and the distance of the wireless operation device from the reference point 10 can be displayed by coordinates 15.

[Second Embodiment] The configuration and operation of an electronic device according to a second embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the receiving unit is different. That is, the second
In this embodiment, instead of the pair of left and right receiving units 5a and 5b shown in the first embodiment, a receiving unit that receives a response signal from the wireless operation device responds to a signal from a specific direction. A response signal from the wireless operation device is detected by changing the direction by using a receiving unit having a high directivity (hereinafter, referred to as a directional receiving unit), and its location is determined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an appearance and a display screen of the position notification system according to the second embodiment. The first
The same components as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. A single directional receiver 5c is arranged on the upper part of the electronic device body 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the directivity receiving unit 5c. The directional receiver 5c is configured to be rotatable in the pan direction about the vertical axis a, and is configured to be rotatable in the tilt direction such that the center axis b forms a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical axis a. Therefore, it is possible to receive response signals from the wireless operation device 6 in various directions.

Thus, even when a single receiving unit is provided at one place in the electronic device main body 1, the location of the wireless operation device can be easily detected.

[Third Embodiment] The configuration and operation of an electronic device according to a third embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the display unit is different. That is, the third
In the embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an electronic device such as a CD player which cannot be connected to a display device such as a TV is shown. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an appearance and a display screen of the position notification system according to the third embodiment.

The display unit 26 can display only characters, and cannot display figures imitating the electronic device body and the wireless operation device on the screen. Therefore, only the coordinates from the reference point 10 are shown on the screen of the display unit 26, and the coordinates indicate the location of the wireless operation device.

[Fourth Embodiment] The CPU 22 is provided in the wireless operation device 6 in the first embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, the wireless operation device has a configuration in which the CPU is omitted. Having. That is, a CPU that controls the receiving unit 7 and the transmitting unit 8 that receive the search signal
It is possible to configure a wireless operating device even if is not present.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the wireless operation device according to the fourth embodiment. For example, the wireless controller operates the reception controller 23 and the transmission controller 2 only while the receiver 7 is receiving a search signal whose transmission is controlled by the CPU 16 in the electronic device body 1.
By transmitting a response signal from the transmission unit 8 via the transmission unit 4, the reception unit 7 and the transmission unit 8 can be linked directly without requiring time-series processing by the CPU.
Thereby, the configuration of the wireless operation device can be simplified.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment,
This shows a case where the present invention is applied to an article other than the wireless operation device. A communication device is attached to articles such as various devices and instruments in advance, and when an article is lost, a search for the article is facilitated. Here, a case where a communication device is attached to a key is shown.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an appearance of a key and a communication device according to the fifth embodiment. The communication device 27 has a receiving unit 7 and a transmitting unit 8, and is attached to the key 21 via a ring 28.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an appearance and a display screen of the position notification system. The communication unit 27 includes the electronic device body 1
The search signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 4 is received by the receiving unit 7, and the response signal is transmitted from the transmitting unit 8 to the electronic device body 1. As a result, the display unit 2 of the electronic device body 1
The graphic 28 imitating the communication device 27 is displayed together with the graphic 9 imitating the electronic device main body 1, so that the user can be notified of the location of the communication device 27.

The article attached to the communication device 27 is not limited to a key, but may be a wallet, a mobile phone, or the like.
Removably or adhesively attached.

The above is an explanation of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the structures of these embodiments, and the functions described in the claims or the structures of the embodiments are not limited to those described in the claims. Any configuration can be applied as long as it has the function that it has.

For example, in the above embodiment, only the location of the wireless operation device is displayed on the screen.
Along with the display, the location may be notified by sound (such as voice). This is effective when a blind person or the like searches.

Further, the electronic device is connected via a radio communication network to
It may have communication control means for notifying the location information to a mobile terminal or the like, so that the user can search for the wireless operation device based on the location information notified to the mobile terminal owned by the user. is there.

Further, as the wireless operation device, T
It is not limited to a remote control such as a V, but may also have a function such as a wireless mouse and a cordless phone.

The location of the wireless operation device is
On the screen of the display unit, it may be blinking, a specific color, or highlighted.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus using a recording medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. . In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the program itself and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the program codes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are stored in the ROM which is a storage medium. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

[0065]

According to the present invention, when the location of the wireless operation device is not known, the location can be instantly visually notified. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the user's trouble of searching, and also to eliminate anxiety and search with ease.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless operation device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appearance and a display screen of the position notification system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an appearance and a display screen of the position notification system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a position notification processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an appearance and a display screen of a position notification system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a directivity receiving unit 5c.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an appearance and a display screen of a position notification system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless operation device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a key and a communication device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an appearance and a display screen of the position notification system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device main body 2 Display part 3 Transmission switch (search start switch) 4, 8 Transmission part 5a, 5b, 5c, 7 Receiving part 6 Wireless operation device 16 CPU 19 Display controller 27 Communication device

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device having a display unit and operated by a wireless operation device, wherein: a search signal transmitting means for transmitting a search signal for searching for the wireless operation device; Response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the wireless operation device; display control means for displaying the location of the wireless operation device on a screen of the display unit based on the received response signal; An electronic device comprising: 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a location of the wireless operation device as a relative position with respect to the electronic device. 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means causes the location of the wireless operation device to blink on the screen. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means expresses the location of the wireless operation device by coordinates based on the position of the electronic device. 5. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the position of the wireless operation device is determined based on a position of the electronic device.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless operation device is represented by a figure imitating the wireless operation device. 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the response signal receiving unit includes a pair of receiving units. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the response signal receiving means comprises a single receiving unit rotatable in a pan direction about a predetermined axis and rotatable in a tilt direction with respect to the predetermined axis. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: 8. A wireless operation device for operating an electronic device, wherein: a search signal receiving means for receiving a search signal transmitted from the electronic device; and a response signal to the electronic device in response to the received search signal. And a response signal transmitting means for transmitting the electronic device, wherein the location is displayed on a screen of a display unit of the electronic device. 9. The wireless operation device according to claim 8, wherein the location is displayed as a position relative to the electronic device. 10. The wireless operation device according to claim 8, wherein the location is blinked on the screen. 11. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the location is represented by coordinates based on a position of the electronic device.
A wireless operating device as described. 12. The wireless operation device according to claim 8, wherein the location is represented by a figure imitating the wireless operation device with reference to the position of the electronic device. 13. A position notification system comprising an electronic device having a display unit and a wireless operation device for operating the electronic device, wherein the electronic device transmits a search signal for searching for the wireless operation device. Search signal transmitting means; response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal transmitted from the wireless operating device; and displaying the location of the wireless operating device on a screen of the display unit based on the received response signal. Display control means, the wireless operation device comprising: a search signal receiving means for receiving the transmitted search signal; and a response for transmitting the response signal to the electronic device in response to the received search signal. A position notification system, comprising: signal transmission means. 14. The position notification system according to claim 13, wherein said display control means displays a position of said wireless operation device as a position relative to said electronic device. 15. The position notification system according to claim 13, wherein said display control means blinks and displays the location of said wireless operation device on said screen. 16. The position notification system according to claim 13, wherein said display control means represents the position of said wireless operation device by coordinates based on the position of said electronic device. 17. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein the display control means represents a location of the wireless operation device with reference to a position of the electronic device, in a figure imitating the wireless operation device. Location reporting system. 18. A position notification system for displaying a location of an article on which a communication device is mounted on a display unit of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device transmits a search signal for searching the article. A transmitting unit; a response signal receiving unit that receives a response signal transmitted from the communication device; and a display control unit that displays a location of the article on a screen of the display unit. Position information, comprising: search signal receiving means for receiving a transmitted search signal; and response signal transmitting means for transmitting the response signal to the electronic device in response to the received search signal. system. 19. A position notification method for displaying a location of a wireless operation device for operating an electronic device on a display unit provided in the electronic device, wherein a search signal for searching for the wireless operation device from the electronic device is provided. Transmitting the search signal transmitted by the wireless operation device; and transmitting a response signal from the wireless operation device to the electronic device in response to the received search signal. Receiving a response signal transmitted from the wireless operation device by the electronic device; and displaying a location of the wireless operation device on a screen of the display unit based on the received response signal. A position notification method characterized by the above-mentioned. 20. The position notification method according to claim 19, wherein, in the step of displaying the location, the location is displayed as a relative position with respect to the electronic device. 21. The position notification method according to claim 19, wherein, in the step of displaying the location, the location is blinked on the screen. 22. The position notification method according to claim 19, wherein, in the step of displaying the location, the location is represented by coordinates based on the position of the electronic device. 23. A storage medium storing a program code for realizing the position notification method according to claim 19. A program having a program code for realizing the position notification method according to any one of claims 19 to 22.