JP2003333360A - Remote controller and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller capable of remotely and simply controlling an electronic apparatus independently of operations of a plurality of keys. <P>SOLUTION: The remote controller is provided with: a pressure sensor 11 for sensing a pressure exerted externally to itself; an angular velocity sensor 12 for sensing the angular velocity of its own; a remote control signal generating section 13 for generating a remote control signal on the basis of the pressure and a remote control signal on the basis of the angular velocity; and a transmission section 14 for transmitting the remote control signals by a wireless communication method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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 and electronic equipment to be remote controlled by the remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a remote control device for a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as a so-called remote controller), there is known a remote control device having channel keys for selecting a specific channel for the number of channels. The user can press the channel key of the remote controller to display the image of the selected channel on the television receiver and watch the program of the desired channel.

[0003]

However, the conventional remote controller described above is inconvenient because a desired channel cannot be selected unless a predetermined channel key is properly pressed from a plurality of channel keys. There is a problem. Usually, the remote controller is small in size from the viewpoint of portability, so the channel key is small, so you can make a mistake in pressing the key, or you can press two keys at once and malfunction.
It may be difficult to select the correct key from multiple keys. For example, in the case of an injured fingertip, an elderly person, or a physically handicapped person, it is difficult to select and operate a desired key from among a plurality of keys, and its improvement is desired.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a remote control device capable of easily remote controlling an electronic device without depending on the operation of a plurality of keys. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device to be remote controlled.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a remote control device of the present invention comprises a pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure applied to the device from the outside and an angular velocity for detecting the angular velocity of the device. It is characterized by further comprising: detection means, signal generation means for generating the remote control signal based on the pressure and remote control signal based on the angular velocity, and transmission means for transmitting the remote control signal by a wireless communication system. .
According to the present invention, the signal generating means generates the remote control signal based on the pressure applied from the outside or the remote control signal based on the angular velocity, so that it does not depend on the operation of the plurality of keys. , It is possible to easily remotely operate the electronic device.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention, when the pressure is detected, the signal generating means generates a remote control signal for instructing display of a menu of the remote controlled device, and the angular velocity is When detected, generating a remote control signal for instructing selection of the menu candidate, and when releasing the pressure, generating a remote control signal for instructing confirmation of the selected candidate. Characterize. According to the present invention, the remote control signal of the menu display instruction of the remote controlled device is generated by the pressure detection, the remote control signal of the candidate selection instruction is generated by the angular velocity detection, and the remote control of the selected candidate confirmation instruction by the pressure release. A signal is generated.
As a result, a pressure is applied to the remote control device to display a menu of the remote control device, and then a candidate is selected from the menu by shaking while applying the pressure, and then the pressure is released to confirm the candidate. It becomes possible to perform remote operation by a series of steps, and operability is improved.

In the remote control device of the present invention, the pressure detecting means can detect the intensity of the pressure in multiple stages, and the signal generating means generates an individual remote control signal for each stage. It is characterized by According to the present invention, since an individual remote control signal is generated according to the level of pressure intensity, different remote operations can be performed depending on the degree of pressure applied, and operability is improved.

In order to solve the above problems, a remote control device of the present invention comprises a switch that can be turned on and off from the outside, an angular velocity detecting means for detecting the angular velocity of the device itself, and
Signal generating means for generating a remote control signal based on the switch operation and a remote control signal based on the angular velocity; transmitting means for transmitting the remote control signal by a wireless communication system;
It is characterized by having. According to the present invention, the signal generating means generates the remote control signal based on the switch operation or the remote control signal based on the angular velocity, so that the electronic control can be performed easily without depending on the operation of the plurality of keys. Remote control of equipment is possible.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention, the signal generating means, when the switch is turned on,
A remote control signal for instructing display of a menu of the remote controlled device is generated, and when the angular velocity is detected, a remote control signal for instructing selection of the menu candidate is generated and the switch is turned off. Is performed, a remote control signal for instructing confirmation of the candidate being selected is generated. According to the present invention, when the switch is turned on, the remote control signal for instructing the menu display of the remote controlled apparatus is generated, when the angular velocity is detected, the remote control signal for instructing the candidate selection is generated, and when the switch is turned off, the remote control for the instructing selection of the currently selected candidate is performed. A signal is generated. With this, the switch of the remote control device is turned on to display the menu of the remote controlled device, and then the candidate is selected from the menu by shaking while turning the switch on, and then the switch is turned off to select the candidate. It becomes possible to perform remote control by a series of steps to determine, and operability is improved.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention, the switch is a multistage switch that can be turned on in multiple stages, and the signal generating means generates an individual remote control signal for each stage. To do. According to this invention,
Since an individual remote control signal is generated according to the switch-on stage, different remote operations can be performed depending on how the switch is turned on, and operability is improved.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention, the angular velocity detecting means can detect the direction of the angular velocity, and the signal generating means generates an individual remote control signal for each of the directions. And According to this invention,
Since individual remote control signals are generated according to the direction of the angular velocity, different remote operations can be performed depending on the direction of shaking the remote control device, and operability is improved.

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device of the present invention comprises a receiving means for receiving a remote control signal transmitted by the remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A control means for controlling the operation of the device itself according to the remote control signal. According to the present invention, the control means controls the operation of the device itself in accordance with the remote control signal from the remote control device, so that the remote control device of the present invention can be operated remotely, and the remote control target of the remote control device of the present invention can be controlled. It is possible to provide the electronic device.

In the present invention, the wireless communication system means a system for transmitting a signal by using light such as infrared rays, or an RF (Radi
o Frequency) that transmits signals using radio waves in the band, such as those that do not require a line for transmitting signals (such as electric wires or optical fiber cables).

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in the first embodiment, as a specific example of an electronic device to be remotely controlled, a case where the electronic device is applied to a television receiver will be described. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a remote control system including a remote control device (remote control) 1 and a television (TV) receiver 2 according to the first embodiment. In this system, the remote controller 1 transmits a remote control signal for controlling the operation of the TV receiver 2 by a wireless communication method. The TV receiver 2 receives the remote control signal and operates according to the received remote control signal.
Thus, the user can operate the TV receiver 2 remotely by operating the remote controller 1.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the remote controller 1 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, the pressure sensor 11 has a function of detecting pressure applied to the remote controller 1 from the outside. The angular velocity sensor 12 has a function of detecting the angular velocity of the remote controller 1. The remote control signal generation unit 13 has a function of generating a remote control signal based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11 and a remote control signal based on the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor 12.

The transmitter 14 has a function of transmitting the remote control signal generated by the remote control signal generator 13 by a wireless communication system. For example, infrared rays are used to transmit a remote control signal. Alternatively, radio waves in the RF band may be used.

3 to 5 show the external structure of the remote controller 1. 3 is a front view, FIG. 4 is a top view, and FIG. 5 is a side view. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the remote controller 1 has a main body 21.
And lever 22. The main body 21 is provided with a marking object 23 showing the upper side of the remote controller 1. The user
The main body 21 and the lever 22 are gripped by the hand to operate the remote controller 1. At this time, the lever 22 can be gripped with a finger. The pressure sensor 11, as shown in FIG.
The pressure applied to the lever 22 when the user grips the lever 22 with his / her finger is detected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the user shakes the remote controller 1 laterally to operate it. Angular velocity sensor 12
Detects this lateral angular velocity. In use, it is preferable to direct the remote control signal transmission direction shown in FIG. 3 to the TV receiver 2 in order to normally transmit the remote control signal to the TV receiver 2.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the TV receiver 2 shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the receiver 31 has a function of receiving the remote control signal transmitted by the remote controller 1. The screen control processing unit 32 has a function of controlling the screen display of the display unit 34 according to the remote control signal received by the receiving unit 31. The storage unit 33 stores data such as image data and is accessed by the screen control processing unit 32. The display unit 34 includes a display device such as a CRT that displays image data, and displays the image data output from the screen control processing unit 32. The TV receiver 35 receives the input T
The TV image data based on the V antenna signal is output to the screen control processing unit 32.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the remote controller 1 shown in FIG.
The operation of will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of remote control processing of the remote controller 1 shown in FIG. First,
When the user grips the lever 22 of the remote controller 1, the pressure sensor 11 detects the pressure applied to the lever 22 and outputs a pressure detection signal. The pressure sensor 11 continues to output the pressure detection signal until the user stops gripping the lever 22 and consequently the pressure applied to the lever 22 is released. Then, the remote control signal generator 13
Generates a remote control signal for instructing the display of the menu of the TV receiver 2 based on this pressure detection signal, and the transmitter 1
4 transmits this remote control signal (steps S1, S
2).

Next, when the user shakes the remote controller 1 laterally, the angular velocity sensor 12 detects the lateral angular velocity and outputs an angular velocity detection signal. Remote control signal generator 13
Generates a remote control signal for instructing selection of a menu candidate of the TV receiver 2 by the angular velocity detection signal,
The transmitter 14 transmits this remote control signal (step S
3, S4). Here, the remote control signal generation unit 13 generates the remote control signal in step 4 each time the angular velocity sensor 12 detects the angular velocity and outputs the angular velocity detection signal, and causes the transmission unit 14 to transmit the signal.

Next, when the user stops gripping the lever 22 and, as a result, the pressure applied to the lever 22 is released, the pressure sensor 11 stops outputting the pressure detection signal. By stopping the output of this pressure detection signal, the remote control signal generation unit 13 generates a remote control signal for instructing the confirmation of the candidate currently selected in the TV receiver 2, and the transmission unit 1
4 transmits this remote control signal (steps S5, S
6). After that, the process returns to step S1 and waits for detection of the pressure applied to the lever 22.

Next, the operation of the TV receiver 2 shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where the user operates the remote controller 1 to select a channel of the TV receiver 2 will be described as an example. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the menu screen control process of the screen control processing unit 32 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the user selects the channel of the TV receiver 2.

First, the TV receiver 2 is displaying the TV screen of channel number 1 (ch1) as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, when the receiving unit 31 receives a remote control signal from the remote controller 1, the screen control processing unit 32 performs processing based on this remote control signal. First, the user grips the lever 22 of the remote controller 1, and thereby the remote controller 1 transmits a remote control signal indicating a menu display. Upon receiving the remote control signal, the screen control processing unit 32 displays the channel menu screen 101 on the display unit 34, as shown in FIG. This channel menu screen 101
Is composed of nine TV screens of ch1 to ch9. Here, for convenience, as the initial value of the channel candidate, c
h1 has been selected, and the display of this selection is displayed (steps S11 and S12).

Next, the user looks at the displayed channel menu screen 101 and shakes the remote controller 1 in the lateral direction to select another channel, whereby the remote controller 1 sends a remote control signal for instructing selection of a menu candidate. Send. Upon receipt of this remote control signal, the screen control processing unit 32, as shown by the arrow in the channel menu screen 101,
Channel 2 next to 1 is selected as a channel candidate (step S
13, S14). The screen control processing unit 32 sequentially selects this channel candidate selection from ch1 to ch9 each time the remote control signal of the menu candidate selection instruction is received, and then ch
It repeats cyclically as returning to 1. Therefore,
The user may shake the remote controller 1 sideways while looking at the channel menu screen 101 until the desired channel is selected.

Next, the user stops gripping the lever 22, and the remote controller 1 transmits a remote control signal for instructing the selection of the selected candidate. Upon receiving this remote control signal, the screen control processing unit 32 receives the channel menu screen 1
The selected channel candidate (ch2 in FIG. 11) is confirmed by 01 and the display of the menu screen is canceled (step S1).
5, S16). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the TV screen of the selected ch2 is displayed.

As described above, the user holds the lever 22 of the remote controller 1 to display the channel menu screen 101 on the TV.
It can be displayed on the receiver 2. Further, while observing the channel menu screen 101, the remote controller 1 is shaken sideways to select a channel and the lever 22 is released, whereby the selected channel can be confirmed. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily perform the remote operation of the TV receiver 2 without depending on the operation of the plurality of keys.

In the first embodiment described above,
As shown in FIG. 7, the remote controller 1 detects the angular velocity in the horizontal direction, but it may detect the angular velocity in the vertical direction or the diagonal direction.

The direction of the angular velocity detected by the remote controller 1 may be detected. By doing so, it is possible to generate an individual remote control signal for each of the detected directions.

Further, as the pressure sensor 11 of the remote controller 1, a pressure sensor capable of detecting the strength of the pressure applied to the lever 22 in multiple stages may be used. By doing so, a separate remote control signal can be generated for each stage.

Next, as a second embodiment, a case will be described in which the remote controller 1 detects the pressure in two steps and detects the angular velocity in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction as described above. FIG. 12 shows an example of a menu screen of an electronic device that is remotely controlled by the remote controller 1 according to the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 12, a plurality of image devices (TV (TV receiver),
The image display system includes a DVD (DVD play), a VCR (video cassette recorder), and a BS (satellite broadcast receiver), a display device, and a screen control processing device. The menu of this image display system is hierarchical. In FIG. 12, the input menu screen 201
Shows an example of a menu on the first layer, and is for selecting an image device for image input. DV
The D operation menu screen 202 shows an example of the menu of the second layer and is for selecting the operation of the DVD selected on the input menu screen 201.

The operation of controlling the image display system as a remote control target by the remote controller 1 of the second embodiment will be described below. First, when the user lightly grips the lever 22 of the remote controller 1, the remote controller 1 issues a first-step menu display instruction, and as shown in FIG. 12, the input menu screen 201 is displayed on the display device. Here, TV is selected as the initial value of the input candidate for convenience.

Next, when the user shakes the remote controller 1 upward, the remote controller 1 instructs the remote controller 1 to select an upward candidate. As a result, the display device selects the DVD. Similarly, when TV is selected, BS down is selected and VCR is selected while shaking right. Then the user is DV
If the remote controller 1 is squeezed more strongly during D selection, the remote controller 1 issues a second-stage menu display instruction, and as shown in FIG. 12, the DVD operation menu screen 202 on the display device.
Is displayed. Here, for convenience, the stop is selected as the initial value of the DVD operation candidate.

Next, while the user is watching the DVD operation menu screen 202, the direction of the desired motion candidate (up, down,
By shaking the remote control 1 to either the right or left),
A motion candidate in that direction is selected. Next, when the user releases the lever 22 of the remote controller 1 during the selection of the desired operation candidate, the operation during the selection is started. For example, during stop selection, the DVD is played back by shaking it up and releasing the lever. Also, if you shake it to the right and release the lever, fast forward, on the other hand,
Swing to the left and release the lever to reverse feed.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the remote controller 1 is provided with the pressure sensor 11 and the lever 22.
The pressure applied to the pressure sensor 11 is detected.
Alternatively, a switch that can be turned on and off by the lever 22 may be provided. In this case, when the switch is turned on, the remote control signal generation unit 13 generates a remote control signal for instructing the display of the menu of the remote controlled device. When this switch is turned off, a remote control signal for instructing the confirmation of the selected candidate is generated.

Further, a multi-stage switch capable of being turned on in multiple stages may be used as the switch, and the remote control signal generator 13 may generate an individual remote control signal for each stage.

The remote controller of the above-described embodiment may be provided with a key for remote operation so that it can be used auxiliary. For example, a four-direction key for selecting one of the four directions corresponding to up, down, left and right is provided. As a result, the user can select whether to shake the remote control or use the four-direction key according to the convenience.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. included.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a remote control device that can easily remotely operate an electronic device without depending on the operation of a plurality of keys. Further, it is possible to provide an electronic device which is a remote control target of the remote control device.

According to the present invention, the menu of the remote controlled device is displayed by applying pressure (or turning on the switch) to the remote control device, and then the menu is displayed by shaking while applying the pressure. It is possible to perform remote operation in a series of steps of selecting a candidate from the above, then releasing the pressure (or turning off the switch) to confirm the candidate, and an effect that the operability is improved is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform different remote operations depending on how much pressure is applied (or how much the switch is turned on), and the operability is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform different remote operations depending on the direction in which the remote control device is shaken, and the operability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system including a remote control device (remote control) 1 and a television (TV) receiver 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a remote controller 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the remote controller 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the remote controller 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the remote controller 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a pressure detection operation of the remote controller 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an angular velocity detection operation of the remote controller 1.

8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the TV receiver 2 shown in FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a flow of remote control processing of the remote controller 1 shown in FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a flow of menu screen control processing of the screen control processing unit 32 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation when a remote control is performed by the remote controller 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation when a remote control is performed by the remote controller 1 according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Remote control device (remote control), 2 ... Television (T
V) Receiver, 11 ... Pressure sensor, 12 ... Angular velocity sensor,
13 ... Remote control signal generation unit, 14 ... Transmission unit, 21 ... Main body unit, 22 ... Lever, 23 ... Indicator, 31 ... Reception unit, 32
... screen control processing unit, 33 ... storage unit, 34 ... display unit, 35
... TV receiver, 101 ... Channel menu screen, 201
… Input menu screen, 202… DVD operation menu screen

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinichi Sagawa             1-7 Aki, Otsuka-cho, Yukiya, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Su Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C056 AA05 BA02 CA06 DA06 DA11                       EA05                 5K048 AA04 BA02 EB02 FB10 HA04                       HA11

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure applied to the device from the outside, an angular velocity detecting device for detecting an angular velocity of the device, a remote control signal based on the pressure and a remote control signal based on the angular velocity. A remote control device comprising: a signal generating unit for transmitting the remote control signal by a wireless communication method. 2. The signal generating means, when the pressure is detected, generates a remote control signal for instructing display of a menu of the remote controlled device, and when the angular velocity is detected, the menu of the menu is displayed. The remote control signal for generating selection of a candidate is generated, and when the pressure is released, a remote control signal for generating confirmation of a candidate being selected is generated. Remote control device. 3. The pressure detecting means can detect the intensity of the pressure in multiple stages, and the signal generating means generates an individual remote control signal for each stage. Alternatively, the remote control device according to claim 2. 4. A switch that can be turned on and off from the outside, an angular velocity detection unit that detects an angular velocity of the device itself, a remote control signal based on the switch operation, and a signal that generates a remote control signal based on the angular velocity. A remote control device comprising: a generation unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the remote control signal by a wireless communication method. 5. The signal generating means generates a remote control signal for instructing display of a menu of the remote controlled device when the switch is turned on, and when the angular velocity is detected, the menu is generated. 5. A remote control signal for instructing the selection of the candidate is generated, and when the switch is turned off, a remote control signal for instructing the confirmation of the selected candidate is generated. The remote control device according to. 6. The switch according to claim 4, wherein the switch is a multi-stage switch that can be turned on in multiple stages, and the signal generating unit generates an individual remote control signal for each stage. The remote control device according to. 7. The angular velocity detecting means is capable of detecting the direction of the angular velocity, and the signal generating means generates an individual remote control signal for each of the directions. 7. The remote control device according to any one of 6 above. 8. Receiving means for receiving a remote control signal transmitted by the remote control device according to claim 1, and control for controlling the operation of the device itself according to the remote control signal. An electronic device comprising means and.