JP2002345057A - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control device which is compatible with a large number of apparatuses and has improved operability. SOLUTION: A remote control device 100 is provided with a touch panel type display means 105, is made compatible with a television receiver 200 by operating the touch panel type display means 105 and can remotely control an apparatus 200 thereafter. The remote control device 100 has a transmitting/ receiving part 110, the television receiver 200 has a transmitting/receiving part 205, and the remote control device 100 and the television receiver 200 mutually communicate by using the transmitting/receiving parts 110 and 205. When setting for controlling the television receiver 200 is not performed in the remote control device 100, the remote control device 100 acquires information required for control and enables control by communication between the transmitting/receiving parts 110 and 205.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device for various devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, remote control devices are used in various home appliances and other devices, and if all the remote control devices are used as they are, the remote control devices will flood the home. Therefore, a general-purpose remote control device capable of controlling a plurality of devices, for example, a TV, a VTR, a digital TV tuner, and the like is also used.

[0003] However, the conventional general-purpose remote control device has the following problems. A relatively complicated setting operation is required in order to adapt to the device, and it cannot be used by all users. Since operation means such as operation buttons are provided for operation of a plurality of devices, the operation means is relatively complicated, and the operability of the general-purpose remote control device itself cannot be sufficiently high. Many of the devices are compatible with related devices, and a relatively large number of general-purpose remote control devices are required for devices having different uses, such as AV devices such as TVs, lighting devices, and air conditioners. Even devices of the same use cannot be supported unless they are models registered in advance.
Depending on the combination of devices used by the user, a relatively large number of general-purpose remote control devices are required.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device which can be adapted to many devices and has high operability. And

[0005]

A remote control device according to the present invention comprises a transmitting / receiving unit capable of acquiring information for remote control of a plurality of devices, and a touch panel for displaying an operation unit for remote control of the devices. Pattern display means. Since the remote control device according to the present invention can automatically acquire information for remote control, the setting operation is easy. Further, the remote control device according to the present invention displays the operation unit on the touch panel type display means, so that an operation unit having an arbitrary layout can be configured, and the operation performance can be maximized.

In the present invention, the transmitting / receiving unit communicates with a device to obtain information for remote control from the device, or communicates with a remote control receiver having information for remote control. Get information for remote control. Since necessary information is acquired from the outside in this manner, the amount of information held by the remote control itself may be small.

[0007] In the present invention, the remote control device may transmit a request signal when acquiring information for remote control.

In the present invention, the apparatus further includes a storage unit capable of storing information for remote control of a plurality of devices, and the transmission / reception unit acquires a signal specifying one of the devices, and based on the signal, Reads information for remote control from the storage unit. Thus, the amount of communication information in the transmission / reception unit may be small.

In the present invention, a pager receiving unit may be further provided, and information for remote control may be received and acquired by the pager receiving unit. As a result, information for devices that cannot communicate with each other can be obtained, and necessary information can be supplied from a remote place.

On the other hand, the repeater according to the present invention comprises a first transmitting / receiving section for communicating with a remote control device, a second transmitting / receiving section for communicating with a device to be remotely controlled, and a second transmitting / receiving signal of the first transmitting / receiving section. And a conversion unit that converts the transmission / reception signal of the second transmission / reception unit to be compatible with the first transmission / reception unit. This can extend the range of compatible devices for the remote control device.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device to which the first embodiment of the remote control device according to the present invention conforms, and FIGS. 2 to 9 show screens of the remote control device. Front view showing display, FIG.
Is a block diagram of the remote control device, FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the remote control device, and FIG. 13 is a table showing data stored in the storage unit of the remote control device.

In FIG. 1, a remote control device 100 is adaptable to various devices, for example, a television receiver 200. The remote control device 100 is provided with a touch-panel display unit 105, and can be adapted to the device 200 by operating the touch-panel display unit 105, and thereafter can remotely control the device 200.

The remote control device 100 has a transmission / reception unit 110, the television receiver 200 has a transmission / reception unit 205, and the remote control device 100 and the television receiver 200 communicate with each other in the transmission / reception units 110 and 205. When the setting for controlling the television receiver 200 is not made in the remote control device 100, the transmitting / receiving units 110 and 20
5 and the remote control device 100
Obtains information necessary for control and enables control.

After the necessary settings are made, the remote control device 100 remotely controls the television receiver 200 by communication between the transmission / reception units 110 and 205 or other transmission / reception means.

The remote control device 100 can control a plurality of devices, and can select one or a plurality of devices to be controlled.

When the remote control device 100 is adapted to the television receiver 200, a request signal RQS is transmitted from the remote control device 100 to the television receiver 200. On the other hand, the television receiver 200 transmits a signal IFS of information on the control signal to the remote control device 100.
The remote control device 100 prepares a signal group for remotely controlling the television receiver 200 based on the signal IFS. The signal IFS is the device 2
A control signal group for controlling 00, a code number representing the signal group, and the like.

When only a code number is received to prepare a control signal or the like, the amount of communication information in the transmitting / receiving section 110 of the remote control device 100 is small.

On the other hand, when a control signal group is received, the amount of data to be stored in storage unit 150 of remote control device 100 is small.

The power of the remote control device 100 is turned on by touching the touch panel display means 105, and a main menu shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

The main menu includes an OFF button 1000 for turning off the power of the remote control device 100 again, a code setting button 1001 for setting a signal group that allows the remote control device 100 to be compatible with a new device, A device selection button 1002 for selecting one or more devices to which the signal group is set and controlling these devices is displayed.

Touching the code setting button 1001 in FIG. 2 displays a code setting menu in FIG. As a code setting method, “automatic acquisition” for automatically setting by communication between the transmission / reception units 110 and 205 and “list display” for selecting a signal group from information stored in the remote control device 100 in advance and setting a signal group There is. An automatic acquisition button 1003 is displayed to execute “automatic acquisition”, and a list display button 10
04 is displayed.

Further, a title display 100 indicating that the menu at that time is a code setting menu is displayed on the screen.
5 is displayed at the top, and a cancel button 1006 for ending the code setting and returning to the main menu is displayed.

When the automatic acquisition button 1003 is touched in FIG. 3, the remote control device 100 communicates with all devices that can communicate, and displays all the devices that have communicated as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the displays 1007 and 1008 of two television receivers, the display 1009 of one air conditioner, and the display 10 of one lighting fixture are shown.
10, a display 1011 of one video tape recorder and a display 1012 of one personal computer are provided. The user selects the device by touching the display of the device to be controlled from these devices.

When the number of devices is large and display on one screen is impossible, screen scroll is performed. Therefore, scroll buttons 1013 and 1014, a scroll bar 1015, and page feed buttons 1016 and 1017 are displayed on the screen.

Further, on the screen, a title display 1018 indicating that the menu at that time is an automatic acquisition menu of the code setting is displayed at an upper portion, and a cancel button 1019 for ending the automatic acquisition and returning to the main menu is displayed. Is done.

When the user touches a list display button 1004 in FIG. 3, the remote control device 100 reads out the data held therein, and as shown in FIG. 5, a list of devices which can be set for control by the internal data. Is displayed.

FIG. 4 shows displays 1020 to 1023 of four television receivers and displays 1024 and 1025 of two video tape recorders. The user selects the device by touching the display of the device to be controlled from these devices.

When the number of devices is large and display on one screen is impossible, screen scroll is performed. Therefore, scroll buttons 1026 and 1027, a scroll bar 1028, and page feed buttons 1029 and 1030 are displayed on the screen.

Further, on the screen, a title display 1031 indicating that the menu at that time is an automatic acquisition menu of the code setting is displayed at the top, and a cancel button 10311 for ending the automatic acquisition and returning to the main menu is displayed. Is done.

When the user touches the device selection button 1002 in FIG. 2, the remote control device 100 displays a list of devices that have already been set for control as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the displays 1032 to 1034 of the three television receivers, the displays 1035 and 1036 of the video tape recorders, and the displays 10 of the two luminaires.
37 and 1038 are performed. The user selects the device by touching the display of the device to be controlled from these devices.

When the number of devices is large and display on one screen is impossible, screen scroll is performed. For this reason, scroll buttons 1039 and 1040, a scroll bar 1041, and page forward buttons 1042 and 1043 are displayed on the screen.

Further, on the screen, a title display 1044 indicating that the menu at that time is an automatic acquisition menu of the code setting is displayed at the top, and a cancel button 1045 for ending the automatic acquisition and returning to the main menu is displayed. Is done.

When the user touches the display of one of the devices in FIG. 6 to select it, an operation unit 115 for controlling the selected device is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an operation unit 115 for the television receiver 200. The operation unit 115 displays a power button 1046, a channel button 1047, a volume button 1048, and a mute button 1049.

Further, on the operation unit 115, a device display 1050 indicating the device to be controlled at that time is displayed at the top, a device change button 1051 for changing the control target, a power source for turning off the power of the remote control device 100. An OFF button 1052 is displayed.

As described above, the touch panel type display means 105
If the operation unit 115 is displayed, an operation unit having an arbitrary shape and function can be configured, and the operation performance can be maximized. The layout of the operation unit is stored in the storage unit 150 (FIG. 10) of the remote control device 100.

FIG. 7 shows the operation unit 115 for controlling one device. However, when a plurality of devices are selected in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG.
0 and 125 are displayed up and down in one screen.

The operation unit 120 is a television receiver 200
Control. The operation unit 120 includes a power button 1053, a channel button 1054, a volume button 10
55 and a mute button 1056 are displayed.

Further, on the operation unit 120, a device display 1057 indicating the device to be controlled at that time is displayed at the top, and a device change button 1058 for changing the control target of the operation unit 120 is displayed.

The operation unit 125 controls the video tape recorder. The operation unit 125 includes a power button 10
59, channel button 1060, play button 106
1, a fast forward button 1062, a rewind button 1063, a stop button 1064, a pause button 1065, and a record button 1066 are displayed.

Further, a device display 1067 indicating the device to be controlled at that time is displayed on the upper part of the operation unit 125, a device change button 1068 for changing the control target of the operation unit 125, and a power supply of the remote control device 100. A power OFF button 1069 for disconnecting is displayed.

As described above, if a plurality of operation units are appropriately combined and displayed, various devices can be controlled in various combinations, and the shapes and functions of the operation units can be arbitrarily set.

Further, without displaying a plurality of operation units on one screen,
As shown in FIG. 9, the operation unit may be appropriately switched and displayed.

FIG. 9 shows an operation unit 130 for a television receiver.
070, channel button 1071, mute button 107
2, a volume button 1073, a device display 1074, a device change button 1075, and a power OFF button 1076 are displayed. Further, on the operation unit 130, an operation unit switching button 1077 for switching the operation unit is displayed, a video tape recorder (displayed as "VTR"), an air conditioner (displayed with "AirCon"), and a lighting device (displayed as "AirCon"). (Displayed as “Lamp”).

In FIG. 10, a remote control device 100 includes a display unit 10 as a touch panel type display means.
5. The transmission / reception unit 110 is connected to a bus 135. The bus 135 further includes a display control unit 140 for controlling the display unit 105, a request unit 145 for transmitting a request signal RQS from the transmission / reception unit 110, and various devices. A storage unit 150 in which information related to control is stored, and a control unit 155 for performing remote control are connected.

When the signal IFS is received in the process of automatic acquisition (FIG. 4) or when a device is selected in the list display (FIG. 5), data necessary for control is read from the storage unit 150.

In the main routine of FIG. 11, when the power of the remote control device 100 is turned on, a main menu is displayed (step S1101, FIG. 2).
The process proceeds to a selection routine (step S1102) for selecting "code setting" or "device selection".

When "device selection" is selected, a device selection screen (FIG. 6) is displayed (step S1103), an operation section for controlling the selected device is displayed (step S1104), and a device selection routine is performed. The process proceeds to (Step S1104).

When any device is selected in the device selection routine, an operation unit for remote control of the device is displayed (step S1105), and remote control (step S1106) becomes possible. When a device change determination routine is executed during remote control execution and device change is selected, the process returns to step S1103.

If end (cancel) is selected without selecting a device, the process returns to step S1101.

When "code setting" is selected, a code setting menu is displayed (FIG. 3), and the routine proceeds to a code setting menu selection routine (step S1109).

When "automatic acquisition" is selected in step S1107, an automatic acquisition routine (step S111)
0, FIG. 12). After the “automatic acquisition” ends, the process returns to step S1101.

When "list display" is selected in step S1107, the list shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (step S11).
10), and proceed to a selection routine (step S1112). When a device to be controlled is selected from the list, control signal setting such as code setting (step S111)
When 3) is performed, a control signal for the target device is set (step S1110).

If end (cancel) is selected without selecting a device, the process returns to step S1101.

In FIG. 12, in the process of automatic acquisition (FIG. 11, step S1111), first, the request signal RQ
S is transmitted (step S1201), and it is determined whether a code number or a control signal is received (step S120).
2). It is determined whether a plurality of received code numbers or the like exist (step S1203). When the received code number or the like is single, the control signal is registered immediately (step S1206), and when there are a plurality of the control signals, a selection screen is displayed (step S1204, FIG. 4). When a device is selected here, a control signal is registered (step S120).
6), end the process. If end (cancel) is selected without making a selection (step S1207), the process ends.

In FIG. 13, information necessary for controlling various devices is stored in the storage unit 150 of the remote control device 100. The information includes, for example, “device type, product number”, “control A signal group ", a" layout of the operation unit ", and a" code number "representing these pieces of information.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the remote control device.
The second embodiment has a configuration in which the pager receiving unit 1 is added to the configuration of the first embodiment.
55, and the components other than the pager receiving unit 155 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The pager receiving section 155 can receive a control signal or the like of a device through a pager line, and the remote control device 100 can obtain a control signal or the like without performing direct communication with the device. That is, a control signal or the like can be obtained even when a device to be controlled cannot communicate with the remote control device 100, and a control signal or the like is transmitted and supplied from the service center of the device to the remote control device 100. It is also possible to do.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a communication status with a remote control receiver 300 in a third embodiment.

The remote control receiver 300 transmits a signal IFS of information necessary for controlling various devices to the remote control device 100 when the remote control device 100 transmits the request signal RQS. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can acquire a control signal or the like without performing direct communication with the device.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a communication status with a repeater 400 in a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a table showing data stored in the storage unit of the remote control device in FIG.

The repeater 400 includes a transmission / reception unit 405 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the remote control device 100 and the device 2
A transmission / reception unit 415 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the transmission / reception unit 415, a conversion unit 410 for converting a signal received by the transmission / reception unit 405 and inputting the converted signal to the transmission / reception unit 415, and converting a signal received by the transmission / reception unit 415 and inputting the converted signal to the transmission / reception unit 405 And

When direct communication between the two is impossible, for example, when the communication protocol related to the control signal supply of the device 200 is different from the communication protocol of the remote control device 100, the use of the repeater 400 enables the remote control device 100 Can easily obtain necessary control signals and the like.

The repeater 400 has a storage section 420 and holds the correspondence between the control signal of the device 200 and the corresponding control signal of the remote control device 100.

FIG. 17 shows correspondence data stored in the storage section 420.

[0068]

According to the present invention, the remote control device can be adapted to many devices and has high operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a remote control device according to the present invention and devices compatible with the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing another screen display of the remote control device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing still another screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing another screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing another screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing another screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing another screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view showing another screen display of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of automatically acquiring a control signal and the like of the remote control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a table showing data stored in a storage unit in the remote control device of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a communication state between a third embodiment of the remote control device according to the present invention and a remote control receiver.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a communication state between a fourth embodiment of the remote control device according to the present invention and a remote control receiver.

17 is a table showing data stored in a storage unit of the remote control device in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 remote control device 105 display unit (touch panel display unit) 110 transmission / reception unit 145 request unit 150 storage unit 155 pager reception unit 200 device (television receiver) 205 transmission / reception unit 300 remote control receiver 400 repeater 405, 415 transmission / reception unit 410 Conversion unit 420 Storage unit RQS request signal Information signal related to IFS control CTS control signal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/00 H04N 5/00 A F term (Reference) 5C056 BA01 BA02 BA03 BA05 CA08 CA11 DA20 EA02 EA05 EA09 EA12 5E501 AA20 AB05 AB06 CA02 CB05 CC02 EA05 EA10 FA03 FA05 FA09 FB32 5K048 AA04 BA03 DB04 EB02 FB15 HA04 HA06 HA11 HA21

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device comprising: a transmission / reception unit that can acquire information for remote control of a plurality of devices; and a touch panel display unit that displays an operation unit for remote control of the devices. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception unit communicates with the device to acquire information for remote control from the device. 3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception unit obtains information for remote control by intercommunicating with a remote control receiver having information for remote control. . 4. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device transmits a request signal when acquiring information for remote control.
The remote control device according to the item. 5. A storage unit capable of storing information for remote control of a plurality of devices, wherein the transmission / reception unit acquires a signal specifying one of the devices,
The information for remote control is read from the storage unit based on the signal.
The remote control device according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The remote control according to claim 1, further comprising a pager receiving unit, wherein information for remote control can be received and acquired by the pager receiving unit. apparatus. 7. A first transmitting / receiving unit for communicating with the remote control device according to claim 1, a second transmitting / receiving unit for communicating with a device to be remotely controlled, and a first transmitting / receiving unit. And a conversion unit that converts the transmission / reception signal of the second transmission / reception unit so as to be suitable for the second transmission / reception unit and converts the transmission / reception signal of the second transmission / reception unit to be suitable for the first transmission / reception unit.