JP2004055341A - Switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching device capable of accommodating for high performance and multifunction without increasing the number of input and output ports of a microcomputer. <P>SOLUTION: A switch matrix 6 is equipped with M pieces of first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3 and m4 to each of which one end of each operational switch is connected, and N pieces of second common conductive lines n1, n2, n3 and n4 to each of which the other end of the each operational switch is connected. A matrix input means 7b to which M pieces of first common conduction lines m1, m2, m3 and m4 are connected is installed. A matrix selection means 7c to which N pieces of second conductive lines n1, n2, n3 and n4 are connected is installed. An extension operational switch group 12 comprises operational switches 11 (switch members) each connected to M pieces of first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3 and m4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switch device including a switch matrix configured by assembling a plurality of switches in a matrix.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a switch device including a switch matrix configured by assembling a plurality of switches in a matrix, there is a remote control device that performs remote control, and these are disclosed in JP-A-5-191874 and JP-A-6-351070. Have been. The remote control device includes a switch matrix including M first common conductive lines to which one end of each operation switch is connected, and N second common electrode lines to which the other end of each operation switch is connected. , A matrix input unit to which each of the first common conductive lines is connected, and a matrix selection unit to which N second common conductive lines are connected, according to an input pattern of each of the operation switches. And control means comprising a microcomputer for performing predetermined processing. In the remote control device, any one of the N second common conductive lines is selected by the matrix selection unit based on a control signal from the control unit, and the switch in the selected line is selected. By inputting the input state of each operation switch of the matrix to the control means via the matrix input means, the number of input / output ports of the matrix input means and the matrix selection means is reduced to M * N (M and N Multiplication with the operation switch).
[0003]
Such a remote control device has been improved in performance and multi-functionality of an air conditioner in recent years (for example, operation switching of an air conditioner such as "cooling / heating / dehumidification", switching of "operation / stop", and "temperature", With the adjustment of the “air volume” and “wind direction”, the timer function, the time setting, and the like), the operation functions for controlling them are becoming more complicated and diversified, and the number of operation switches is also increasing. In the remote control device, with the increase in the number of operation switches, frequently used operation switches are provided on the outer case surface, and infrequently used operation switches are hidden by a cover (lid) provided on the outer case. The design of the remote controller is designed to increase the commercial value in consideration of the design.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a remote control device, it is necessary to increase the number of operation switches in the switch matrix in order to cope with higher performance and more functions. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the number of input / output ports in the microcomputer serving as the control means, so that an expensive microcomputer is required, which causes a problem that the cost is increased. In addition, as the number of input / output ports increases, the size of a microcomputer formed of an integrated circuit increases, and a remote control device that is desired to be downsized has a problem that layout design on a circuit board is complicated. .
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and provides a switch device capable of coping with high performance and multi-function without increasing the number of input / output ports of the microcomputer. The purpose is to:
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes a plurality of switches, and includes M first common conductive lines to which one ends of the switches are connected, and N second common conductive lines to which the other ends of the switches are connected. A switch matrix, matrix input means to which the M first common conductive lines are connected, matrix selecting means to which the N second common conductive lines are connected, and at least one of the first common conductive lines. And a switch member connected to the common conductive line.
[0007]
A switch including a plurality of switches, M first common conductive lines to which one ends of the switches are connected, and N second common conductive lines to which the other ends of the switches are connected; A matrix, matrix input means connected to the M first common conductive lines, matrix selection means connected to the N second common conductive lines, and M first common conductive lines And an extended switch group composed of switch members connected to the respective lines.
[0008]
Further, a regulating means for regulating the direction of current flow between the switch and the first common conductive line or between the switch and the second common conductive line is provided. It is.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A switch device of the present invention will be described using a remote control device used in an air conditioner or the like as an example.
[0010]
1 and 2, a remote control device 1 is for remotely controlling an air conditioner 2. The remote control device 1 includes a case body 3, a display unit 4, and a plurality of operation switches 5.
[0011]
The case body 3 is formed by assembling a plurality of components made of a synthetic resin material with hooks, screws, or the like, and is formed in a hollow shape so as to house an electronic device described later. A circuit board on which the electronic device is mounted is fixed and supported inside the case 2, and a battery serving as a power supply for the electronic device is provided so as to be replaceable by a battery cover (not shown) provided on the back surface. The case body 3 includes a cover body 3a that covers a part of the operation switch group 5. The operation switches 5 that are frequently used are located on the surface of the case body 3 and the operation switches 5 that are used less frequently. Are concealed by the cover body 3a.
[0012]
The display unit 4 has a display panel composed of a liquid crystal display element or an organic EL element divided into a predetermined segment shape, is connected to the circuit board, and is disposed so as to face the case body 3. You. In addition, the display unit 3 can display a setting state (operation state) of the air conditioner 2 such as a set temperature, an operation mode, and a wind speed for each item.
[0013]
The operation switches 5 are respectively provided on the same surface of the case body 3 as the display unit 4 and at a location concealed by the cover body 3a, and a plurality of tact switches provided on the circuit board; And a key member corresponding to the key member, and a pressing operation on the key member by a user is transmitted to the tact switch. The group of operation switches 4 provided on the surface of the case body 3 is used for setting frequently used "run / stop", "run switching", "temperature rise", "temperature fall", etc. The group of operation switches 4 provided at each location is used for setting time setting, timer setting, and the like, which are inexpensive.
[0014]
Next, the electrical configuration of the remote controller 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing only a connection state between the control means and the switch matrix.
[0015]
The remote control device 1 mainly includes a switch matrix 6, a control unit 7, a display unit 4, and a transmission unit 8.
[0016]
The switch matrix 6 is configured by assembling a plurality of operation switches 5 in a matrix. The switch matrix 6 includes M (M = 4 in FIG. 4) first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4 to which one ends of the operation switches 5 are connected, respectively. It has N (N = 4 in FIG. 4) second common conductive lines n1, n2, n3, and n4 each of which is connected at one end. Each of the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4 is connected to an input port of the control means 7 described later, and each of the second common conductive lines n1, n2, n3, and n4 is It is connected to the output port of the control means 7. A pull-up power supply 10 is connected to each of the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4 via a resistor 9.
[0017]
The switch matrix 6 includes operation switches (switch members) 11 each having one end connected to each of the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4 and the other end grounded to a ground (GND) level. An extended operation switch group 12 is provided.
[0018]
The display unit 4 has a display panel composed of a liquid crystal display element or an organic EL element partitioned into a predetermined segment shape, and receives a control signal from the control unit 7 via a drive circuit (not shown). In addition, the control contents such as operation switching of the air conditioner 2 such as cooling, drying and air blowing, and set temperature are displayed.
[0019]
The transmitting means 8 is composed of, for example, an infrared light emitting diode for light transmission. The transmitting means 8 converts a transmission signal voltage, which is a control signal output from the control means 7, into an optical control signal, and outputs the light control signal to the air conditioner 2 which is a controlled device. Is what you do. In addition, the air conditioner 2 is provided with a receiving unit for receiving the light control signal, and is configured to be driven and controlled based on the light control signal received by the receiving unit.
[0020]
The control means 7 includes a microcomputer, has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and executes a predetermined process, a processing unit 7a, a matrix input means 7b as the input port, and a matrix selection as the output port. Means 7c are provided.
[0021]
The matrix input means 7b has an input stage such as a transistor or a photocoupler. Each of the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4 is connected to the input stage and each of the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4. The input state of each of the operation switches 5 and 11 connected to m1, m2, m3 and m4 is transmitted to the processing unit 7a.
[0022]
The matrix selecting means 7c has an output stage such as a transistor or a photocoupler, and connects each second common conductive line n1, n2, n3, n4 to one line based on an output signal output from the processing unit 7a at a predetermined cycle. Select every time.
[0023]
Next, a method of recognizing the switch matrix 6 in the control means 7 will be described in detail.
[0024]
The processing unit 7a controls the air conditioner 2 based on a combination input pattern of the input state (on / off state) of each operation switch 5 and the selected state of each of the second common conductive lines n1, n2, n3, n4. Are preset (stored in the ROM of the processing unit 7a) in a state in which various control contents such as “run / stop”, “switch operation”, “temperature rise”, and “temperature fall” are associated with each other. The control contents are read from the actual input patterns of the second operation switches 5 and 11 based on the selected state of each of the second common conductive lines n1, n2, n3 and n4, and the setting conditions in the air conditioner 2 are determined. Things.
[0025]
That is, the processing unit 7a recognizes, for example, the input state of each operation switch 5 when the second common conductive line n1 is selected, through the matrix input unit 7b, and then performs a predetermined operation from the line n2 to the line n4. , The input state of each operation switch 5 is recognized by sequentially scanning in the cycle of, so that the input state of the operation switch 5 having M * N resolutions can be recognized. The processing unit 7a enables input confirmation of the operation switch 5 by the matrix input means 7b when the level is "L", and disables input confirmation when the level is "H".
[0026]
Further, the processing unit 7a can further increase the resolution by being provided with the extended operation switch group 12. The processing unit 7a sequentially scans the lines n1 to n4 in the second common conductive line at a predetermined cycle, and confirms the input of the operation switch 5 corresponding to the scanning timing, thereby achieving M * N resolutions. In this scanning cycle, by providing a time during which the lines n1 to n4 are not selected, it is possible to confirm the input state of each operation switch 11 in the extended operation switch group 12. That is, the processing unit 7a sets the second common conductive line n1 in a cycle of “no selection” → “line n1” → “line n2” → “line n3” → “line n4” → “no selection” →. , N2, n3, and m4, the input state of the operation switch 5 having M * N + M resolutions can be recognized.
[0027]
The remote control device 1 includes a plurality of operation switches 5, M first common conductive lines (m 1 to m 4) to which one end of each operation switch 5 is connected, and the other end of each operation switch 5. A switch matrix 6 including N second common conductive lines (n1 to n4), matrix input means 7b to which M first common conductive lines (m1 to m4) are connected, and N A matrix selection means 7c to which the second common conductive lines (n1 to n4) are connected, and an extended operation switch group 12 comprising operation switches 11 respectively connected to the M first common conductive lines (m1 to m4) With this configuration, it is possible to increase the resolution of the input stage without increasing the number of input / output ports in the control means 7, and to cope with higher performance and more functions in the remote controller 1. It becomes possible.
[0028]
Further, it is possible to use an inexpensive microcomputer having a small number of input / output ports, which is very advantageous in terms of cost of the remote controller 1. Further, since a small microcomputer including an integrated circuit having a small number of input / output ports can be used, the layout design of a circuit board on which the integrated circuit is mounted does not become complicated. .
[0029]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5, but the same or corresponding parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0030]
Remote control device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from remote control device 1 described in the above embodiment in that switch matrix 6 is provided with a diode (restriction means) for restricting the direction of current flow. The switch matrix 6 is provided with a diode 13 between each first common conductive line m1, m2, m3, m4 and each operation switch 5. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anode electrode of each diode 13 is connected to the first common conductive line m1, m2, m3, m4, and the cathode electrode of each diode 13 is connected to one end of each operation switch 5. Structure. The diode 13 is provided between each operation switch 5 of the switch matrix 6 and the second common conductive line n1, n2, n3, n4, that is, the anode electrode of each diode 13 is At the end, the cathode electrode of each diode 13 may be connected to the second common conductive line n1, n2, n3, n4.
[0031]
Such a remote control device 1 is provided between each operation switch 5 and the first common conductive line m1, m2, m3, m4, or between the operation switch 5 and the second common conductive line n1, n2, n3, n3. This is a configuration including a diode 13 that regulates the direction of current flow. When the output port of the matrix selection means 7c is at the "H" level (when no line is selected), current flows into another output port. Since it is possible to prevent this, breakage of the matrix selection means 7c can be prevented.
[0032]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4 are provided with the operation switches 11, respectively. The operation switches 11 may be provided on at least one of the first common conductive lines m1, m2, m3, and m4, and the number of the operation switches 11 can be changed according to a required number.
[0033]
In each of the embodiments described above, the polarity of the diode 13 is set to the direction in which the current flows to the matrix selection unit 7c. However, the polarity of the diode 13 is set to the direction in which the current flows to the matrix input unit 7b depending on the type of the microcomputer. The diode according to the present invention may be provided between the operation switch 5 and the first common conductive line m1, m2, m3, or m4, or between each operation switch 5 and the second common conductive line n1, n2, n3, n3. What is necessary is just to be arrange | positioned between these.
[0034]
In the above-described embodiments, the other end of the operation switch 11 in the extended operation switch group 12 is grounded to the ground level. However, depending on the type of the microcomputer, the other end of the operation switch 11 is set to the power supply level. It may be connected.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention relates to a switch device including a switch matrix configured by assembling a plurality of switches in a matrix, and is capable of responding to high performance and multifunction without increasing the number of input / output ports of a microcomputer. A possible switch device can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view showing the remote control device of the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the remote control device of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a switch matrix according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a switch matrix in a remote control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Remote control device (switch device)
5 operation switch 6 switch matrix 7 control means 7a processing unit 7b matrix input means 7c matrix selection means 11 operation switch (switch member)
12 Extended operation switches (extended switches)

Claims (3)

A switch matrix including a plurality of switches, M first common conductive lines to which one ends of the respective switches are connected, and N second common conductive lines to which the other ends of the respective switches are connected; ,
Matrix input means to which the M first common conductive lines are connected;
Matrix selection means to which the N second common conductive lines are connected;
A switch member connected to at least one of the first common conductive lines;
A switch device comprising: A switch matrix including a plurality of switches, M first common conductive lines to which one ends of the respective switches are connected, and N second common conductive lines to which the other ends of the respective switches are connected; ,
Matrix input means to which the M first common conductive lines are connected;
Matrix selection means to which the N second common conductive lines are connected;
An extended switch group including switch members respectively connected to the M first common conductive lines;
A switch device comprising: 2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting means for restricting a current flow direction between said switch and said first common conductive line or between said switch and said second common conductive line. Alternatively, the switch device according to claim 2.

Images