JP2003348669A - Electric apparatus having remote control transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric apparatus for reducing the power consumption in an operation standby state by interrupting power only in a state that the apparatus itself is determined to be not in use in the operation standby state when the operation of the apparatus is controlled by remote control of a remote control transmitter. <P>SOLUTION: When the electric apparatus detects that the remote control transmitter 6 is in a contained state through an ON signal from a detection switch 23, a microcomputer 5 detects whether or not the apparatus is in a standby state of completed operation. The apparatus maintains power in the ON state until a prescribed delay time elapses after the determination of the standby state. The remote control transmitter 6 can be extracted from the contained part and operated for remote control or direct operation from an apparatus main body 10 can be performed for this period. After a lapse of the delay time, the power is interrupted to reduce wasteful power consumption in the standby state. <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 an electric device whose operation is controlled not only by direct operation by key input but also by remote operation by a remote control transmitter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric appliances such as televisions, videos, air conditioners, and air purifiers are generally operated by remote control transmitters. For this reason, the receiving device main body is in a state where the power is turned on even when the load such as the motor is not operating so that the signal from the remote control transmitter can be received at any time, and power is consumed during the standby. .

Therefore, there is a prior art in which the power is turned off to reduce power consumption when the remote control transmitter is not used, that is, when the remote control transmitter is stored in a predetermined position in the device body. JP-A-63-10
No. 7295 or Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-167777. In these, the power is turned on and off depending on whether the remote control transmitter is stored in a predetermined position.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of an electric device having such a function. The commercial power supply 1 is converted to a direct current by a rectifier circuit 4 through a connection terminal 2 and a power supply circuit 3, and power is supplied to a microcomputer 5. The microcomputer 5 has a reception input circuit 7 for receiving a remote control signal from the remote control transmitter 6.
Is connected, and a key input circuit 8
May be connected. By remote operation from the remote control transmitter 6 or direct operation by key input,
The microcomputer 5 enters the operation mode, and the load 9 such as a motor operates according to the drive signal from the microcomputer 5 to enter the operating state.

[0005] Then, the remote control transmitter 6 is
A power switch 11 that is turned on and off depending on whether or not it is stored at a predetermined position is interposed between the commercial power supply 1 and the power supply circuit 3. The power switch 11 includes, for example, a micro switch and a push switch. If the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in a predetermined position of the device main body 10, the power switch 11 is pressed and turned off, and the power is turned off.

[0006]

In the above prior art,
If the remote control transmitter is stored in a predetermined position on the main unit, the power will be turned off. Therefore, in an electric device that can be operated either by remote control using the remote control transmitter or key operation on the main unit, Even if the above key operation is performed, there is a problem that the microcomputer does not operate and the electric device does not operate. Moreover, when the remote control transmitter is stored in a predetermined position, the power is turned off even when the load is operating.

On the other hand, even when the remote control transmitter is stored, it is not known when the remote control transmitter will be used, so that the power cannot be simply turned off while the power is on. However, if the power is not turned off forever in spite of the high possibility that the power supply will not be used, the power such as the power supply circuit always consumes power wastefully during such standby.

In view of the above, according to the present invention, when the remote control transmitter is stored in the storage section of the main body of the apparatus, a power saving mode in which power supply is cut off during standby after the operation is completed is set, and power consumption during standby is set. The purpose is to provide electrical equipment that automatically reduces emissions. In addition, even if the remote control transmitter is not stored in the storage unit, if it is in a non-use state for a long time in a standby state of operation, an electric device that automatically reduces power consumption by shutting off power supply is provided. Aim.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus which is operated and controlled by remote control using a remote control transmitter, in a state where the remote control transmitter is stored in a storage portion. Alternatively, when the apparatus is in a non-use state for a long time and is in a standby state in which the operation is completed, the power saving mode is set. When the power saving mode is set, the power supply is cut off, the operating voltage to the microcomputer that controls the operation is reduced, and the operation of the microcomputer is limited.

[0010] As described above, the use state of the remote control transmitter and the operation state of the device are combined to determine comprehensively whether the power supply may be turned off for power saving. That is, if the remote control transmitter is stored in the storage unit, the remote control transmitter is not used, and if the remote control transmitter is in operation, the power supply must be continued. There is no problem. Therefore,
The power saving mode is executed only when the device itself is not used, and the power supply is cut off. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption during standby can be eliminated.

If the remote control transmitter can be operated directly as well as the remote control transmitter, the remote control transmitter may be operated directly when the remote control transmitter is stored. The power cannot be turned off immediately when is stored. Therefore, the power is kept on until a predetermined time elapses after the standby state is detected, and the power is turned off after the predetermined time elapses. The predetermined time can be arbitrarily changed. By providing such a time to delay the interruption of the power supply, operation can be performed for a certain period even during standby, and there is no problem that the power is turned off and operation cannot be performed directly from the device main body, improving ease of use. I do.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an electric apparatus having a remote control transmitter according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this electric device, operation control is performed by remote operation by the remote control transmitter 6 or direct operation from an operation key on the device main body 10, and the load 9 is driven. Therefore, the device body 10
A reception input circuit 7 for receiving a remote control signal such as an infrared ray, an ultrasonic wave, and a radio wave from a remote control transmitter 6 and a key input circuit 8 for converting an input from an operation key into an electric signal are provided therein. . These circuits 7 and 8 are connected to a microcomputer 5 that controls the operation of the device.

The microcomputer 5 is supplied with power from the commercial power supply 1 through the connection terminal 2 and the power supply circuit 3, which is DC-converted by the rectifier circuit 4. Then, the connection terminal 2 and the power supply circuit 3
A power switch 20 for turning on / off the power supply by turning on / off the power supply from the commercial power supply 1 to the power supply circuit 3 is provided between the power supply switch 3 and the power supply circuit 3. A contact 21a of the relay 21 is arranged in parallel with the power switch 20, and a coil 21b of the relay 21 is arranged on the upstream side of the microcomputer 5, and the relay 21 is driven by an operation of a relay drive circuit 22 composed of a transistor.

Here, the power switch 20 is a switch that is turned on and off by pressing a power button before the user operates the device, and is a momentary type switch whose contacts are closed only while the user presses the power button.
That is, when the power switch 20 is closed, power is supplied to the microcomputer 5 through the power circuit 3 and the microcomputer 5
Drives the relay 21. Then, the contact 2 of the relay 21
When the power switch 1a is closed and the power switch 20 is opened, the relay contact 21a keeps the closed state, and the power is continuously supplied. In order to stop the power supply, a stop switch (not shown) is pressed to demagnetize the coil 21b of the relay 21 and open the contact 21a of the relay 21.

A storage section for storing the remote control transmitter 6 is provided in the main body 10, and a detection switch 23 for detecting the presence or absence of the remote control transmitter 6 in the storage section is provided. An intermediate point of a circuit including the detection switch 23 and the detection resistor 24 is connected to the microcomputer 5, and a power supply Vcc is supplied to the circuit from the rectifier circuit 4 separately from the microcomputer 5, and an on / off signal is output to the microcomputer 5. You.

As the storage section, there is a hook type in which a claw 25 is formed on the side wall of the device main body 10 and the remote controller transmitter 6 is engaged with the claw 25 as shown in FIG. The device main body 10 is provided with a detection switch 23 composed of a micro switch. When the remote control transmitter 6 is hooked, the detection switch 23 is turned on, so that the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in the storage section. To detect. As another storage unit, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a main body storage type in which a storage recess 26 is formed in the device main body 10 and the remote control transmitter 6 is inserted thereinto to store the same. In the recess 26, a detection switch 23 composed of a push switch is provided.
Is inserted, the detection switch 23 is turned on.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the storage section is the same as the type shown in FIG. 2, but a detection switch 23 composed of a reed switch is provided on the device main body 10, and a magnet 27 is mounted on the remote control transmitter 6. Is provided. When the remote control transmitter 6 is hooked, this detection switch 2
3 turns on, and detects that the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in the storage unit in a non-contact manner.

The storage section is not limited to the one provided integrally with the apparatus main body 10, and may be provided separately from the apparatus main body 10. Even in this case, when the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in the storage section, a signal is transmitted from the storage section to the device main body 10 or a signal is transmitted from the remote control transmitter 6 so that the remote control transmitter 6 is in the storage state. I can tell you something.

The microcomputer 5 includes a detection switch 23
Remote control state detecting means for determining whether or not the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in the storage section based on the on / off signal from the remote controller; operating state detecting means for detecting the operation state of the device; And control means for setting the power saving mode when the load is in an operation standby state in which the load is not operating. Note that the standby state refers to a state in which the device is energized but the operation as the device is stopped, and the power consumed during the standby is standby power.

The remote control state detecting means determines that the remote control transmitter 6 is in the housed state based on the ON signal from the detection switch 23. The operating state detecting means determines the operating state by recognizing on the program of the microcomputer 5 what mode is currently operating. That is,
It is determined that the vehicle is in the standby state when the operation is completed and the operation start instruction is waiting. The control means sets the relay 21 in the power saving mode in the storage state and the standby state.
The power supply is cut off by stopping the power supply and turning off the power. In addition to the power saving mode, the operating voltage of the microcomputer 5 may be reduced or the operation of the microcomputer 5 may be limited.

By the way, the power may be turned off immediately after entering the storage state and the standby state. However, the power is kept on until a predetermined delay time elapses after the detection of the standby state. Alternatively, the power supply may be turned off after the elapse of the delay time. That is, even during standby, there is a possibility that the remote control transmitter 6 is taken out or a key operation from the device main body 10 is performed within a predetermined time after the standby state. Further, there may be a time interval between when the power switch 20 is turned on and when the operation is started. Therefore,
The power supply is not turned off immediately, but can be operated either by remote control from the remote control transmitter 6 or directly from the device body 10 only during the delay time.
If the microcomputer 5 is in the housed state and the standby state even after the elapse of the delay time, the microcomputer 5 turns off the relay 21 to turn off the power. The delay time is specifically set to 30 seconds or more.

If the delay time can be arbitrarily set and changed in accordance with the use situation of the user, the usability of the user can be improved. The setting, change, and determination of the delay time are performed in order by the method exemplified below. However,
This method is an example, and may be performed by other methods.

First, the delay time change mode is set by: 1) pressing a dedicated key provided on the device body 10 or the remote control transmitter 6 2) using the device body 10 or the remote control transmitter 6 without using the dedicated key. 3) Simultaneously press the keys for a specified time 3) Without using a dedicated key, press the keys one after another within a specified time in the order determined by the device main body 10 and the remote control transmitter 6.
The delay time change mode is entered by such a method.

At this time, the display section 28 indicates that the change mode has been entered, and at the same time the current set time is displayed. If the display unit 28 is a liquid crystal display or the like and can display digital numbers, it is displayed here. If a lamp such as an LED that cannot display a digital number is the display unit 28, it is indicated by lighting the lamp, and it is described in a manual or the like that which lamp is lit and how long it is X minutes. Good.

The delay time can be changed by pressing a key or a dedicated key of the device body 10 or the remote control transmitter 6,
At this time, the set time after the change is displayed on the display unit 28. Finally, as a method of determining the changed delay time, 1) after a certain period of time from the above-mentioned change work, it is automatically determined, and the operation returns to the normal operation mode. A method such as returning to the normal operation mode is used.

Next, the operation when the power is turned off in accordance with the use state of the device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the initial state, the power switch 20 is also connected to the contact 21a of the relay 21.
Is also off, and the power consumption is zero. First, when the user presses the power button provided on the device body 10,
The power switch 20 operated by the power button is turned on, the commercial power supply 1 starts to be energized through the power supply circuit 3, is converted into a direct current by the rectification circuit 4, and is supplied as power to the microcomputer 5. When power is supplied to the microcomputer 5, the microcomputer 5 drives the relay drive circuit 22. Relay 21
Voltage is applied to the coil 21b of the relay 21 and the contact 2 of the relay 21
1a is closed. In this state, even if the user releases the power button, the contact 21a of the relay 21 is in the closed state, so that the energization to the microcomputer 5 is continuously maintained.

The microcomputer 5 is connected to a reception input circuit 7 for receiving a remote control signal from the remote control transmitter 6 and further to a key input circuit 8, so that the user can perform a remote operation from the remote control transmitter 6 or By performing a direct operation by key input, the microcomputer 5 enters an operation mode, and a load 9 such as a motor operates by a drive signal from the microcomputer 5.

The microcomputer 5 always detects whether the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in a predetermined storage section. If the remote control transmitter 6 has been removed from the storage unit, the detection switch 23 remains off, and there is a possibility that the remote control transmitter 6 will be used. Power is not turned off.

Here, when the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in the storage section, the detection switch 23 is turned on, and the microcomputer 5 determines from the ON signal that the remote control transmitter 6 is in the stored state. Next, the operating state is detected, and it is determined whether the apparatus is on standby or operating. If the load is in a standby state in which the load is not operating, time counting is started from the time when the standby state is entered, and it is determined whether a predetermined delay time has elapsed. If this delay time has elapsed and the apparatus is still in the standby state, the microcomputer 5 turns off the relay 21 and cuts off the circuit. In this state, the power is turned off, and the standby power becomes zero again. If the remote control transmitter 6 is removed from the storage unit or operated by key input from the device main body 10 while the delay time is being counted, the remote control transmitter 6 is in the use state, and the power is not turned off.

As described above, since the power is turned off only when the device is not in use, such as when the remote control transmitter 6 is housed in the device main body 10 and the device itself is in a standby state, there is no waste during the standby. Power consumption can be reduced. Moreover, just by storing the remote control transmitter 6,
By controlling the power supply not to be turned off immediately but to cut off the power supply after a lapse of a predetermined time, the operation can be performed for a model that can be directly operated from the device body 10 in addition to the remote operation by the remote control transmitter 6. It becomes possible and usability improves.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention. For example, the power saving mode may be set when the remote control transmitter 6 is in the housed state regardless of the driving state. In this case, the power saving mode does not simply cut off the power supply, but lowers the operating voltage of the microcomputer 5 or restricts the operation of the microcomputer 5, which can also reduce power consumption.

That is, when the remote control transmitter 6 is stored in the storage unit while the load 9 is operating and in the operating state, the power saving mode is set and the above-described operation is performed on the microcomputer 5. However, if software is provided to maintain the operation control so that the operation does not stop, the operation state is maintained. Further, in this power saving mode, it is possible to add a control to cut off the power supply when the remote control transmitter 6 is in the housed state after the operation is completed and the standby state is completed.

The state of the remote control transmitter 6 is as follows.
In addition to the storage state, there is also a case where the storage unit is not stored in the storage unit but is left unused in a room or the like. In such a situation, since the remote control transmitter 6 is not in the housed state, it is necessary for the device main body 10 to hold the remote control signal from the remote control transmitter 6 in a receivable state. Therefore, the standby power may be consumed even though the remote control transmitter 6 is actually in the non-use state.

Therefore, when the remote control transmitter 6 is not in the housed state, but the remote control transmitter 6 has not been operated for a long time, the microcomputer 5 does not receive the remote control signal from the remote control transmitter 6, so that The remote control state detecting means of the microcomputer 5 determines that the remote control transmitter 6 is not in use. Then, when in the non-use state and the standby state, the power saving mode may be set to perform control to cut off the power supply, for example. This prevents the power from being turned off due to forgetting to store the remote control transmitter 6 and consuming unnecessary standby power even though the electric equipment is not used. The reduction effect can be enhanced.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the power saving mode is set when the remote control transmitter is in the housed state or the non-use state and the device is in the operation standby state. Power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since power saving can be performed in such a situation, when the remote control transmitter is stored, it is possible to prevent the power from being turned off during operation and to prevent direct operation from the device itself, which makes it easy to use. Is improved.

In addition, even if the remote control transmitter is forgotten to be stored, if no operation is performed for a long time, it is regarded as a non-use state, and a power saving mode such as turning off the power is set. The effect is obtained and can be used with confidence.

In particular, by turning off the power after a lapse of a predetermined time from the standby state, even if it takes time to start the operation after turning on the power switch, the power is not turned off. Remote operation by the device or direct operation from the device main body becomes possible, improving usability. By making the predetermined time changeable, the power can be turned off at a timing according to the usage status of each user, and the ease of use is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an electric device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage section of a remote control transmitter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another storage unit of the remote control transmitter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another storage unit of the remote control transmitter.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when the power is turned off according to the use state of the device itself.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a conventional electric device.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 microcomputer 6 Remote control transmitter 9 Load 10 Equipment body 20 Power switch 21 Relay 23 Detection switch

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 5G065 AA01 EA06 JA02 KA06 KA08                       LA07 MA07                 5K048 AA16 BA01 DB04 HA04 HA12                       HA33                 5K060 AA02 AA08 BB00 CC04 CC06                       CC11 DD08 MM00 NN09

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electrical device whose operation is controlled by remote control by a remote control transmitter, wherein a storage portion for storing the remote control transmitter in the device main body and a storage of the remote control transmitter in the storage portion are detected. An electronic apparatus having a remote control transmitter, comprising: a remote control storage detecting means for performing the operation, and a control means for setting a power saving mode when the apparatus is in an operation standby state based on a detection signal from the detecting means. 2. An electric device whose operation is controlled by remote control by a remote control transmitter, wherein a storage portion for storing the remote control transmitter is provided in the device main body, and the remote control transmitter is stored in the storage portion. Remote control storage detecting means for detecting storage; operating state detecting means for detecting the operating state of the electric device; and shutting off power supply when the remote control transmitter is in the stored state and in the operation standby state in which the operation has been completed. An electrical device having a remote control transmitter, comprising: 3. An electric device having a remote control transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is cut off after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the operation in the operation standby state. 4. An electric device having a remote control transmitter according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined time can be changed. 5. An electric device whose operation is controlled by remote control by a remote control transmitter, wherein a use state detecting means for detecting whether or not the remote control transmitter is in use, and detecting an operation state of the electric device. Operating state detecting means, and control means for shutting off power supply when the remote control transmitter is in a non-use state for a predetermined time or more and is in an operation standby state in which operation is completed. An electric device having a transmitter.