JP2002232972A - Mobile communication unit and data communication system for remote control using the unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication unit with a remote control function for various electronic appliances in addition to a communication function and a remote control data communication system using the unit that can simply store data and remotely control various electronic appliances by the one unit. SOLUTION: A radio wave signal transmission reception section 15 receives data for remote control from a base station 12 in addition to a function as the communication unit, a storage section 17 stores the data, a control section 19 reads the data by the operation of an operation section 13 and outputs the data to a display section 14 and an infrared ray signal transmission section 18 to transmit a remote control infrared ray signal as a configuration of a mobile communication unit 11 so as to simplify the storage and one unit can remotely control the various electronic appliances.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a portable communication device having a remote control function for various electronic devices in addition to a communication function, and a data communication system for remote control using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been many electronic devices used by remote control by users, such as televisions, VCRs, air conditioners, and more recently, new electronic devices such as DVDs and various digital audio devices. With the release, the number of remote controllers used at home (hereinafter referred to as remote controllers) tends to increase more and more, and when operating these electronic devices, users use separate remote controllers for each electronic device. Had been used.

As a means for solving this inconvenience, a remote controller called a "learning remote controller" is also available which can perform functions of a large number of remote controllers by performing a predetermined operation. .

FIG. 7 shows such a conventional remote controller.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a conventional remote controller. In the same figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a remote controller of each electronic device, for example, a television carried by the user, 3 denotes a learning remote controller, and information of the remote controller 1 of the television carried by the user. Is stored in the learning remote controller 3, first, the infrared signal transmitter 1A of the remote controller 1 and the infrared signal transmitter / receiver 3A of the learning remote controller 3 face each other as shown in FIG.

[0006] Next, the TV button 3B and the copy button 3C of the learning remote controller 3, which are set for the TV, are depressed and stored on the display unit 4 having a touch panel or the like on the LCD. And the display of "copy" expressing the waiting state for storage is turned on, and the operation keys to be stored are 4A of channel ↑, 4B of channel ↓, 4C of volume 、, and 4D of volume ↓
Flashes the display indicating.

Then, first, the operation key 4A of the channel ↑, which is the operation key to be stored, is pressed to flash only the display indicating the operation key 4A, and the other operation key 4B of the channel ↓, the volume ↑ which is the operation key to be stored. 4C,
The display indicating 4D of the volume ↓ is turned on.

In this state, the channel 2 button 2A of the remote controller 1 is kept depressed, the information is learned and stored in the learning remote controller 3, the work is completed, and the blinking display indicating the operation key 4A of the channel # is turned on. When the display changes, the operation key 4B of the channel ↓ which is the operation key to be stored next is pressed, and the display indicating the operation key 4B of the channel ↓ blinks.

When the button 2B of the channel ↓ of the remote controller 1 is continuously pressed, the learning and storage of the information is completed, and the blinking display of the operation key 4B of the channel ↓ of the learning remote controller 3 changes to a lighted display. By repeating the same procedure for the operation keys of 4C of volume た い and 4D of volume ↓ to be stored, information of remote control signals corresponding to all operation buttons of the remote controller 1 can be stored in the learning remote controller 3. .

Similarly, other electronic devices possessed by
For example, information of a remote controller such as a VCR or an air conditioner can be learned and stored in one “learning remote controller”.

The general "learning remote controller" is provided with a dedicated button such as a TV button 3B for an electronic device having a high probability of being used, such as a television or a VCR. For electronic devices of the model,
The remote control operation of each device is performed using the option button 3E.

When the operation button 3D of the learning remote controller 3 which has been learned and stored in this way is pressed, the display section 4 displays "operation" representing the remote controller operable state and the "television" representing the remote control operable electronic device. , "VCR", "air conditioner" etc. blink, and then press the TV button 3B to display "TV" and operate 4A of channel ↑, 4B of channel ↓ and 4C of volume ↑ And volume ↓ 4
The display of the operation key of D lights up, and when any operation key is pressed, 2A of channel の, 2B of channel ↓ or 2C of volume の, volume ↓ of the TV remote control 1
The user can operate the television in the same manner as when pressing any of the 2D buttons.

On the other hand, the recent development of portable communication devices such as portable telephones and PHSs has been remarkable, and the penetration rate has been rapidly increasing. A plurality of remote controllers and portable communication devices as described above have been provided at home. Is no longer rare.

[0014]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional remote controller, with the increase in the number of electronic devices to be remotely controlled, the user has to use a separate remote controller when using each of the electronic devices. In addition, there is a problem in that a complicated storage operation is required in order to collect these into a “learning remote controller” so that they can be operated by one remote controller.

There is also a problem that many remote controllers need to appropriately exchange batteries for charging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and a portable communication device which can easily perform a storage operation and can remotely control various electronic devices with one device, and a remote control device using the same. It is an object to provide a data communication system.

[0017]

To achieve the above object, the present invention has the following arrangement.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a function as a communication device including an operation unit, a display unit, a radio signal transmission / reception unit, a transmission / reception unit, a storage unit, a control unit, and a power supply unit.
The radio signal transmission / reception unit receives the data for remote control, the storage unit stores the data, and the control unit reads out the data by operating the operation unit and outputs the data to the display unit and the infrared signal transmission unit. The portable communication device is configured to transmit a signal, the portable communication device is provided with an infrared signal transmission unit and the like, and by receiving a radio signal, receiving and storing data for remote control of various electronic devices, By having a function as an integrated remote control similar to the "learning remote control", storage work is easy, remote control of various electronic devices is possible with one device, and the power supply unit can be charged, This has the effect that a portable communication device that does not require battery replacement can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when storing data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device received by the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit, the data is input by the operating unit. The number is selected and determined, and the storage unit stores the data together with the input number.
Since the remote control data of various electronic devices to be stored can be organized according to the input number, when the remote control data of the desired electronic device is called, the input number can be used to easily operate with a small number of operations. Has the effect that it can be called.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a changeover switch for switching between a transmission / reception function of a radio signal transmission / reception unit and a transmission function of an infrared signal transmission unit is provided. Since it is possible to reliably distinguish between a case where the communication device has a transmission / reception function of the radio signal transmission / reception unit, that is, a function as a communication device, and a case of the transmission function of the infrared signal transmission unit, that is, a function as a remote control. This has the effect that erroneous operations can be prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable communication device according to the first aspect and a base station having data for remote control of various electronic devices. The base station transmits desired data to be requested by providing information on the predetermined electronic device to the base station as a radio signal to the mobile communication device, and the radio signal transmission / reception unit of the mobile communication device receives the data and the storage unit The data communication system for remote control is configured to store the information. The user only needs to provide information such as the manufacturer name and the product number of the electronic device to be remotely controlled using the portable communication device. Has the effect of easily and accurately storing data for remote control of a remote controller in a portable communication device as a remote controller.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the user verbally transmits the information of the electronic device to be remotely controlled to the base station via the transmitting / receiving section of the portable communication device. Even if a user is unfamiliar with the operation of a new electronic device, the user can easily and reliably store data on the portable communication device to remotely control the desired electronic device while talking verbally with the base station. It has the effect that it can be done.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, a user provides information of an electronic device to be remotely controlled to a base station by operating an operation unit of the portable communication device. By operating the operation button of the operation unit of the portable communication device owned by the user, the portable communication device can easily store data for remote control of a desired electronic device. Have.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the manufacturer of the predetermined electronic device updates the data for remote control of the predetermined electronic device held by the base station. When the data for remote control of various electronic devices held by the base station is changed or added, the necessary data is stored in the base station without losing timing. It has the effect that it can be done.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, a base station stores and manages a user who has provided data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device. In the event that changes or additions to the data for remote control of various electronic devices held by the base station occur, services such as changing the content of the data provided by notifying the user to the user, It has the effect that it can be easily and reliably performed.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1) Using Embodiment 1,
The invention of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data communication system for remote control. Is a base station that holds data for remote control of various electronic devices.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation unit on which a plurality of operation buttons such as a cursor key 13A, a dial button 13B, a decision button 13C, and a menu button 13D are arranged.
Is a display unit such as an LCD for displaying the operation content of the operation unit 13,
Reference numeral 15 denotes a radio signal transmitting / receiving unit such as an antenna for transmitting / receiving a radio signal, and 16 denotes a microphone 16A and a speaker 1
6B.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a storage unit for storing data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device, and 18 denotes an infrared signal transmission unit for transmitting a signal for remote control as an infrared signal. Is connected to a control unit 19 that outputs data in the storage unit 17 to the infrared signal transmission unit 18 as a signal for remote control.

Further, the case where the portable communication device 11 has a transmission / reception function by the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15, ie, a function as a communication device, and the case where the portable communication device 11 has a transmission function by the infrared signal transmission unit 18, ie, a function as a remote controller. And a changeover switch 20 for changing
The portable communication device 11 is configured by connecting a chargeable power supply unit (not shown) to these.

The portable communication device 11 is configured such that the changeover switch 20 is set to the transmission / reception function of the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15, that is, the state of the communication device.
Display unit 14, radio signal transmission / reception unit 15, and transmission / reception unit 16
The microphone 16A and the speaker 16B can be used as a general mobile phone.

Next, a method of storing remote control data when a user uses the portable communication device 11 as a remote controller will be described.

First, the changeover switch 2 of the portable communication device 11
0 is the transmission / reception function of the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15, that is, the state of the communication device.
The user calls the base station 12 using the microphone 16A and the speaker 16B of the transmission / reception unit 16, and the type of desired electronic device (for example, television) to be remotely controlled, the manufacturer (for example, Company A), The product number (for example, AAA11) is given verbally.

Then, the confirm button 1 of the portable communication device 11
When 3C is pressed, the base station 12 as shown in the display diagram of FIG.
The data for remote control of the television of the designated product number transmitted from the display unit 14 is displayed on the display unit 14.

At this time, since the "input number" portion blinks, if the dial button 13B is pressed to select and determine, for example, "00", the "00" is used to remotely control the television which is the designated electronic device. When the confirmation button 13C of the operation unit 13 is pressed, the data shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 17.

Similarly, other electronic devices possessed by
For example, information of a remote controller such as a VCR or an air conditioner can be stored in one portable communication device 11.

As described above, the portable communication device 11 storing information of various electronic devices to be remotely controlled is stored.
Will be described next when the user uses the remote control.

First, the changeover switch 2 of the portable communication device 11
0 is the state of the transmission function by the infrared signal transmission unit 18, that is, the state of the remote control function.
When D is pressed, the control unit 19 reads the menu of the electronic device that can be remotely controlled and stored in the storage unit 17 as shown in the display diagram of FIG.
Will be displayed.

If the electronic device to be remotely controlled is, for example, a "television", the operation unit 13
Select "TV" with the cursor key 13A and press the confirm button 13C, or press the dial button 13B
When the input number "00" is input, the control unit 19 reads out the data for remote control of the television stored in the storage unit 17, and the contents thereof are displayed on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. You.

In the case where the types of electronic devices stored in the portable communication device 11 are small and the user remembers the input number, for example, after switching the changeover switch 20 without going through the display diagram of FIG. Alternatively, an input number may be input with the dial button 13B to display the content as shown in FIG.

By operating the cursor key 13A or a predetermined operation button of the operation unit 13 in accordance with the displayed contents, an infrared signal for remote control is transmitted from the infrared signal transmission unit 15 and the remote control of the television is used. You can remote control the TV as you would if you did.

When the portable communication device 11 is used as a remote controller, a call is received or the like.
When the user wants to switch to the transmission / reception function by the communication device 5, that is, the communication device, the switch 20 is switched or the communication device is automatically switched to the communication device.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the function as the communication device, the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15 receives the data for remote control, stores the data in the storage unit 17, and stores the data in the operation unit 13. The portable communication device is configured so that the control unit 19 reads out data and transmits an infrared signal by an operation, receives and stores data for remote control of various electronic devices, and performs an integrated remote control similar to the “learning remote control”. Because it has a function as
A portable communication device that is easy to memorize, enables remote control of various electronic devices with one device, and can charge a power supply unit, so that the battery does not need to be replaced, and a data communication system for remote control using the same. Can be obtained.

When storing the data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device received by the radio signal transmitting / receiving section 15, an input number is selected and determined by the operation section 13, and the storage section 17 stores the data together with the input number. By storing the data, if the number of electronic devices to be remotely controlled is large, the data for remote control of various electronic devices stored in the storage unit 17 can be organized. Can be easily called with a small number of operations by using the input number.

Also, by providing a changeover switch 20 for switching between the transmission / reception function of the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15 and the transmission function of the infrared signal transmission unit 18, the portable communication device can function as a transmission / reception function of the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15, ie, a function as a communication device. , And the function of the infrared signal transmitting unit 18 as a remote controller, that is, a function as a remote controller, can be reliably distinguished, so that erroneous operation can be prevented.

When the changeover switch 20 is not provided, a menu for selecting "telephone function" or "remote control" is displayed on the display section 14 by pressing the menu button 13D, and "remote control" is selected by the cursor key 13A. May be switched to the remote control function by selecting and pressing the confirm button 13C.

The procedure for operating the remote controller in this case is exactly the same as when the changeover switch 20 is provided.

(Embodiment 2) Using Embodiment 2,
The invention described in claim 6 of the present invention will be particularly described.

This embodiment is directed to a portable communication device 11 similar to that described in the first embodiment.
The method of storing data for remote control of a desired electronic device is different.

That is, the changeover switch 20 of the portable communication device 11 is set to the transmission / reception function by the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15, that is, the state of the communication device, and the user uses the operation unit 13 and the radio signal transmission / reception unit 15 to connect to the base station 12. When a call is made, a “download menu” is transmitted from the base station 12 and displayed on the display unit 14 as shown in the display diagram of FIG.

When downloading data for remote control, "remote control" is selected from the menu by the cursor key 13A of the operation unit 13, and the enter button 13C is pressed.

Then, the contents displayed on the display unit 14 are changed to those shown in FIG.
“Electronic equipment that can be remotely controlled” shown in (b)
For example, when remote control of “TV” is desired, “TV” is selected by the cursor key 13A and the enter button 13C is pressed.

Subsequently, the display content of the display unit 14 is shown in FIG.
When the menu of “TV maker” shown in FIG. 5C is displayed, for example, “Company A” is selected by the cursor key 13A and the confirm button 13C is pressed, the display unit 14 is displayed on the display unit 14 in FIG.
The “part number of the TV manufactured by Company A that can be remotely controlled” shown in (d) is displayed.

Then, similarly, for example, "AAA11" is selected by the cursor key 13A and the enter button 13C
When "" is pressed, "information including the product number of the desired TV to be remote-controlled" shown in FIG. Data for remote control,
You will be asked to select "send" or "cancel".

Finally, if the display content is desired,
With the cursor key 13A, select “transmit” and
When the confirm button 13C is pressed, the display unit 14 displays the desired TV remote control data shown in FIG.

At this time, as in the case of the first embodiment,
"Input number" flashes, so dial button 1
If the user presses 3B and selects and determines, for example, “00”, this “00” becomes an input number for remote-controlling the television, which is the specified electronic device.
When the third confirm button 13C is pressed, the data shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 17 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The operation when the user uses the portable communication device 11 storing the information of various electronic devices to be remotely controlled as a remote controller in this manner is exactly the same as that in the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can operate the operation button of the operation unit 13 of the portable communication device 11 in accordance with the display on the display unit 14 and can easily and surely obtain a desired electronic device. Data for remotely controlling the device can be stored in the portable communication device 11.

In the above description, the portable communication device 11
In the above, a mobile phone is used as a base, and a function as a remote controller integrated into the mobile phone has been described.However, the base unit is connected to the base station by general wire, and a slave unit separate from the base unit is used as the base unit. The present invention is also applicable to a so-called parent-child telephone handset that is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone, or to a case where this handset is a PHS.

(Embodiment 3) Using Embodiment 3,
The present invention will be described in particular with reference to claims 7 and 8.

The present embodiment relates to a data communication system of a base station that transmits data for remote control using portable communication device 11 described in the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data communication system for remote control according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 11 denotes the portable communication device described in the first and second embodiments, and reference numeral 21 denotes a remote control of various electronic devices. A base station that holds data for control and the like.

The base station 21 stores various data in a remote control data storage unit 21A (hereinafter, referred to as a remote control data storage unit), a game data storage unit 21B, a music data storage unit 21C, and the like. Of these, the remote control data storage unit 21A is provided by the electronic device manufacturer 2
2 with a wireless or wired connection.

The remote control data in the remote control data storage section 21A is configured so that the manufacturer 22 of the electronic device can change the data periodically or as needed.

Further, the base station 21 stores a user who has provided data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device in the past, and stores the portable communication device 11 owned by the user, the contents of the provided data, and the like. It is configured to manage.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the remote control data held by the base station 21 can be changed by the electronic device maker 22 so that the already sold electronic device can be changed. When a new function can be added or when a new electronic device capable of remote control is released, the data is changed to data for remote control of various electronic devices held in the remote control data storage unit 21A of the base station 21. In the event that the data is added or the like occurs, the base station 21 can retain necessary data without losing timing.

The base station 21 stores and manages the user who provided the data for remote control, so that when the data for remote control is changed or added, the user is provided with the information. Through the portable communication device 11, services such as changing the contents of the data provided by notifying the contents can be reliably and easily performed.

Even when there is no update in the data for remote control, it is possible to periodically inform the user of information related to a new product of the electronic device that can be remotely controlled.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a portable communication device which can easily perform a storage operation and can remotely control various electronic devices with one device, and a data communication system for remote control using the same. The advantageous effect that it can be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data communication system for remote control.

FIG. 3 is a display diagram of the display unit screen.

FIG. 4 is a display diagram of the display unit screen.

FIG. 5 is a display diagram of a display unit screen of a mobile communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data communication system for remote control according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a conventional remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Portable communication device 12, 21 Base station 13 Operation part 13A Cursor key 13B Dial button 13C Confirmation button 13D Menu button 14 Display part 15 Radio signal transmission / reception part 16 Transmission / reception part 16A Microphone 16B Speaker 17 Storage part 18 Infrared signal transmission part 19 Control Unit 20 Changeover switch 21A Remote control data storage unit 21B Game data storage unit 21C Music data storage unit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── of the front page continued (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification mark FI theme Court Bu (reference) H04M 1/02 H04M 1/02 a C 1/21 1/21 Z 1/725 1/725 H04N 5/00 H04N 5/00 A (72) Inventor Yoshiharu Abe 1006 Kazuma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. F-term (reference) in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. AA11 BB01 CC08 FF22 HH26 MM04 MM17 5K048 AA14 BA02 CA08 DA02 DB04 DC01 EA11 EB02 FB15 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA13 HA23

Claims (8)

[Claims] An operation unit on which a plurality of operation buttons are arranged, a display unit for displaying operation contents of the operation unit, a radio signal transmission / reception unit, a transmission / reception unit including a microphone and a speaker, and a communication device serving as a communication device. In addition to the data, a storage unit for storing data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device, an infrared signal transmitting unit for transmitting a signal for remote control, and reading data from the storage unit by operating the operation unit A control unit, comprising a chargeable power supply unit, in addition to the function as a communication device using the operation unit, the display unit, the radio signal transmission and reception unit, the transmission and reception unit and the storage unit and the control unit, the radio signal transmission and reception unit The storage unit stores the received data for the remote control, and the control unit reads out the data by operating the operation unit and displays the data. A portable communication device that outputs an infrared signal for remote control by outputting the signal to a unit and an infrared signal transmitting unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when storing the data for remote control of the predetermined electronic device received by the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit, an input number is selected and determined by an operation unit, and the storage unit stores the data together with the input number. The mobile communication device according to claim 1. 3. The portable communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch for switching between a transmission / reception function of a radio signal transmission / reception unit and a transmission function of an infrared signal transmission unit. 4. The portable communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a base station having data for remote control of various electronic devices, wherein a user is provided with a predetermined electronic device to said base station via said portable communication device. The remote control in which the base station transmits the desired data to be requested by providing information as a radio signal to the portable communication device, and the radio signal transmission / reception unit of the portable communication device receives the data and stores it in the storage unit Data communication system. 5. The remote control data communication system according to claim 4, wherein a user verbally provides information of a predetermined electronic device to be remotely controlled to the base station via a transmission / reception unit of the portable communication device. 6. The remote control data communication system according to claim 4, wherein the user operates the operation unit of the portable communication device to provide information of a predetermined electronic device to be remotely controlled to the base station. 7. The remote control data communication system according to claim 4, wherein a maker of the predetermined electronic device can update data for remote control of the predetermined electronic device held by the base station. 8. The data communication system for remote control according to claim 4, wherein a user who has provided data for remote control of a predetermined electronic device is stored and managed by the base station.