JP2005117161A - Remote control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control apparatus with many operating keys by employing a few input ports and a small wiring pattern of a microcomputer without the need for many electronic components such as resistors even when the number of the operating keys is increased. <P>SOLUTION: When each of a plurality of the operating keys is depressed, a plurality of interdigital electrodes each having a different contact resistance are conducted, an analog signal from each of a plurality of wiring patterns interconnecting a plurality of the interdigital electrodes in parallel is converted into a digital signal, which of a plurality of the operating keys is depressed is discriminated on the basis of the converted digital signal and a remote control signal is transmitted corresponding to the depressed operating key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device, and more particularly to a remote control device capable of realizing a large number of operation key inputs with a small number of terminals of a microcomputer and a wiring pattern of a printed wiring board.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a key matrix circuit of a conventional remote control device, in which 21a to 24d are switches of operation keys, and R21 to R28 are pull-up resistors whose one ends are connected to the power supply voltage Vcc. Yes, 25 is a microcomputer, and 26 is an infrared LED. Next, the operation will be described. The microcomputer 25 outputs a low level signal to one terminal of the plurality of output ports, for example, the terminal of the output port to which the switch 21a, 22a, 23a, and 24a of the operation key is connected, and to the other terminal of the output port. A high level signal is output. The microcomputer 25 determines which input signal of the input port to which the operation key switches 21a, 22a, 23a, and 24a are respectively connected has become a low level, and presses any of the plurality of operation keys. Determine whether it was done. Similarly, the microcomputer 25 outputs the output port terminal to which the operation key switches 21b, 22b, 23b and 24b are connected, the output port terminal to which the operation key switches 21c, 22c, 23c and 24c are connected, and the operation key. Sequentially output a low level signal to the terminal of the output port to which the switches 21d, 22d, 23d and 24d are connected, and determine whether the input signal of any terminal of the input port has become a low level, It is determined which of a plurality of operation keys has been pressed. Then, the microcomputer 25 drives the infrared LED 26 to transmit an infrared signal remote control signal corresponding to the pressed operation key. However, in the remote control device configured as described above, when the number of operation keys increases, a large number of terminals are required between the output port and input port of the microcomputer, and the number of terminals between the output port and input port of the microcomputer is insufficient. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to provide a large number of operation keys. In addition, with the increase in the number of microcomputer output ports and input ports, a large number of electronic components and a large number of wiring patterns for connecting them become necessary, and the printed wiring board becomes larger and the remote control device becomes smaller. There was a problem that it was not possible.

As a background technology, an intermediate tap of two or more resistors connected in series is connected to an input terminal of an A / D converter, a pen-on detection threshold is set by a voltage dividing ratio of two or more resistors, and polymerization is performed with a small insulating gap. The input terminal of the A / D converter is connected to the electrode of one of the pair of X coordinate resistor plate and Y coordinate resistor plate, and the detection voltage is applied to one resistor plate in the standby state. The other resistor plate was controlled to be grounded, and when the potential of the input terminal of the A / D converter exceeded the pen-on detection threshold, it was determined that the resistor plate was pressed (for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, an A / D conversion request signal is provided for each of a plurality of analog input terminals, and when the level of the analog input signal input from the corresponding analog input terminal is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold or higher than a predetermined threshold The analog input signal input from the analog input terminal that generated the A / D conversion request signal is selected and output, and the analog input signal selected according to the A / D conversion request signal is A / D converted There was something like that (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-8-234892 JP 2003-8438 A

However, in the former of those described in the background art, an intermediate tap of two or more resistors connected in series is connected to an input terminal of an A / D converter, and a pen-on detection threshold is set by a voltage dividing ratio of two or more resistors. Then, the input terminal of the A / D converter is connected to the electrode of either one of the pair of X coordinate resistor plate and Y coordinate resistor plate superposed with a small insulating gap, and in the standby state, Applying a detection voltage to the resistor plate and controlling the other resistor plate to ground, and determining that the resistor plate is pressed when the potential of the input terminal of the A / D converter exceeds the pen-on detection threshold However, as the number of operation keys increases, a large number of terminals are required between the output port and input port of the microcomputer, and the number of terminals between the output port and input port of the microcomputer is insufficient. There is a problem that it is impossible to provide an operation key, and as the number of output ports and input ports of a microcomputer increases, a large number of electronic components and many wiring patterns to connect them are required. This has not solved the problem that the remote control device cannot be miniaturized due to the large substrate.

In the latter case, A / D is provided for each of a plurality of analog input terminals, and when the level of the analog input signal input from the corresponding analog input terminal is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. A conversion request signal is generated, an analog input signal input from the analog input terminal that generated the A / D conversion request signal is selected and output, and the analog input signal selected according to the A / D conversion request signal is A However, when the number of operation keys increases, it is necessary to mount a large number of electronic components such as resistors on the printed wiring board, and to connect the large number of electronic components to them. Many wiring patterns are required, and there is a problem that the printed wiring board becomes large and the remote control device cannot be miniaturized.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the background art, and the object of the present invention is that even when the number of operation keys is increased, a large number of electronic components are not required. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device that can realize a remote control device having a large number of operation keys with a small number of input ports and a small wiring pattern.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a remote control device having a plurality of operation keys and transmitting a remote control signal corresponding to the plurality of operation keys, and a plurality of comb electrodes each having different contact resistances. A printed wiring board formed with a plurality of wiring patterns for connecting the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes in parallel and each of the plurality of operation keys, and when the plurality of operation keys are pressed, A plurality of switch means for conducting each of the comb electrodes, a plurality of AD conversion means connected to the plurality of wiring patterns, respectively, for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and a digital signal respectively converted by the plurality of AD conversion means Determining means for determining which one of the plurality of operation keys is pressed based on the signal;

The plurality of switch means may be a plurality of switch means composed of carbon contacts.

The plurality of comb electrodes may be a plurality of comb electrodes in which carbon is applied to different U-shaped patterns.

The plurality of comb electrodes may be a plurality of comb electrodes in which carbon is applied to a U-shaped pattern having a different length.

The plurality of comb electrodes may be a plurality of comb electrodes in which carbon is applied to a U-shaped pattern having a different width.

By these means, even when the number of operation keys increases, a large number of electronic parts are not required, and a remote control device having a large number of operation keys is realized with a small number of input ports and a small wiring pattern of a microcomputer. Can do.

According to the remote control device of the first aspect of the present invention, the length, width, or length formed on the printed wiring board by the switch means composed of a plurality of carbon contacts when the plurality of operation keys are pressed. A plurality of wirings that connect a plurality of comb-shaped electrodes in parallel so that a plurality of comb-shaped electrodes having different contact resistances are electrically connected to each other by applying carbon to U-shaped patterns having different lengths and widths. An analog signal from each of the patterns is converted into a digital signal, which one of the plurality of operation keys is pressed is determined based on the converted digital signal, and a remote control signal corresponding to the pressed operation key is transmitted. Therefore, even when the number of operation keys increases, the number of microcomputers is not required and the number of microcomputers is small. In the force port and less wiring pattern, it is possible to realize a remote control device having a plurality of operation keys.

According to the remote control device of the second aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of operation keys are pressed, a plurality of comb-shaped electrodes formed on the printed wiring board and having different contact resistances are respectively conducted. The analog signal from each of the plurality of wiring patterns connecting the plurality of comb electrodes in parallel is converted into a digital signal, and any of the plurality of operation keys is pressed based on the converted digital signal. Because the remote control signal corresponding to the pressed operation key is transmitted, even if the number of operation keys increases, many electronic parts are not required and the input port with few microcomputers A remote control device having a large number of operation keys can be realized with a small wiring pattern.

According to the remote control device of the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of carbon contacts are provided on each of the plurality of operation keys, and the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are respectively conducted when the plurality of operation keys are pressed. Thus, a plurality of operation key switches can be formed at low cost.

According to the remote control device of the fourth aspect of the invention, the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are formed by applying carbon to the different U-shaped patterns of the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes. By changing the shape of each of the pattern patterns, the contact resistance when the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are conducted can be changed to different contact resistances, so that it is not necessary to mount a large number of resistors on the printed wiring board.

According to the remote control device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are formed by applying carbon to the U-shaped patterns having different lengths, the length of the U-shaped pattern. By changing each, the contact resistance when the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are conducted can be changed to different contact resistances, so that it is not necessary to mount many resistors on the printed wiring board.

According to the remote control device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are formed by applying carbon to the U-shaped patterns having different widths. By changing the contact resistances when the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes are conducted, the contact resistances can be different from each other, so that it is not necessary to mount a large number of resistors on the printed wiring board.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a wiring pattern of a printed wiring board of the remote control device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a remote control of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the equivalent circuit of the printed wiring board of an apparatus.

First, a description will be given based on the block diagram showing the configuration of the remote control device of one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

The remote control device includes a plurality of operation keys 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d, 3a to 3d, and 4a to 4d, AD conversion circuits 5 to 8 that convert analog signals into digital signals, and a microcomputer that controls the entire system of the remote control device. 9, infrared LED 10 that emits infrared light and transmits a remote control signal of infrared signal, and one end of each of the plurality of operation keys 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d, 3a to 3d, and 4a to 4d are connected to the power supply voltage Vcc. And pull-up resistors R1 to R4 that are pulled up to the right. The plurality of operation keys 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d, 3a to 3d, and 4a to 4d are grounded at the other ends as described later, and each of these operation keys is depressed when pressed. Signals having different voltage levels are input to the input terminals of the AD conversion circuits 5 to 8.

2 will be described based on an explanatory diagram showing a wiring pattern of the printed wiring board of the remote control device of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the remote control device is connected to AD conversion circuits 5, 6, 7 and 8, and the other end is connected to pull-up resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4. A plurality of carbon wiring patterns A1 to A4 and a plurality of carbon wiring patterns B1 to B4 each having one end grounded to GND are formed. A plurality of U-shaped pattern pairs are formed so as to protrude from the plurality of carbon wiring patterns A1 to A4 and the plurality of carbon wiring patterns B1 to B4 and to face each other. A plurality of pairs of U-shaped patterns are coated with carbon to form a plurality of carbon comb electrodes P1a to P4d. The U-shaped patterns of the plurality of carbon comb-shaped electrodes P1a to P4d are formed in different lengths, and when the carbon comb-shaped electrodes are conducted, their contact resistances are different depending on the electric resistance of the carbon. It is formed to have a resistance value of, for example, about 200Ω, 400Ω, 600Ω, and 800Ω. Carbon contacts (not shown) are provided on the back surfaces of the plurality of operation keys 1a to 4d on the printed wiring board side, and when these operation keys are respectively pressed, the carbon comb electrodes P1a to P4d The pairs are short-circuited, and signals having different voltage levels are input to the input terminals of the AD conversion circuits 5 to 8, converted into different digital signals by the AD conversion circuits 5 to 8, and sent to the microcomputer 9. The microcomputer 9 determines different digital signals converted by the AD conversion circuits 5 to 8, and determines which of the plurality of operation keys 1a to 4d is pressed. When the plurality of operation keys 1a to 4d are not pressed, the power supply voltage Vcc is converted into a digital signal by the AD conversion circuits 5 to 8, so that the microcomputer 9 has a predetermined voltage lower than the digital signal of the power supply voltage Vcc. When it is, it is determined that any one of the plurality of operation keys 1a to 4d is pressed.

3 will be described based on a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the printed wiring board of the remote control device of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a switch S1a that connects the carbon contacts provided on the back surfaces of the plurality of operation keys 1a to 4d of the remote control device on the printed wiring board side and the plurality of comb electrodes P1a to P4d (see FIG. 2). S4d, when the plurality of operation keys 1a to 4d of the remote control device are respectively pressed, the carbon contacts provided on the back surface of the plurality of operation keys on the printed wiring board side and the respective carbon comb electrodes P1a to Equivalent resistances R1a to R4d indicate contact resistances when the carbon comb-shaped electrodes P1a to P4d are brought into conduction by being in contact with P4d. As shown in FIG. 2, since the U-shaped patterns of the carbon comb electrodes P1a to P4d are formed to have different lengths, equivalent resistances R1a to R4d of contact resistance when the carbon comb electrodes are conducted. Have different resistance values, and the resistance values of the equivalent resistors R1a to R4d are R1a to R4a <R1b to R4b <R1c to R4c <R1d to R4d.

The operation of the remote control device configured as described above will be described below.

In the equivalent circuit diagram shown in FIG. 3, when the operation key 1a is pressed, the switch S1a is turned on, and the power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the pull-up resistor R1, the carbon contact of the operation key 1a, and the carbon comb electrode P1a. A voltage of Vcc × R1a / (R1 + R1a) divided by the equivalent resistance R1a of the contact resistance is input to the input terminal of the AD conversion circuit 5 and converted into a digital signal by the AD conversion circuit 5 to the microcomputer 9 Sent out. When the operation key 1b, 1c, or 1d is pressed, the power supply voltage Vcc is divided by the pull-up resistor R1 and the equivalent resistance R1b, R1c, or R1d in the same manner as when the operation key 1a is pressed. A signal having a voltage level of Vcc × R1b / (R1 + R1b), Vcc × R1c / (R1 + R1c) or Vcc × R1a / (R1 + R1a) is input to the input terminal of the AD conversion circuit 5, and the AD conversion circuit 5 outputs a digital signal. And is sent to the microcomputer 9. Since the equivalent resistances R1a to R1d are R1a <R1b <R1c <R1d, when the operation key 1a, 1b, 1c or 1d is pressed, the voltage level of the signal input to the AD conversion circuit 5 is Vcc × Since R1a / (R1 + R1a) <Vcc × R1b / (R1 + R1b) <Vcc × R1c / (R1 + R1c) <Vcc × R1a / (R1 + R1a), which operation key 1a to 1d was pressed by the microcomputer 9 And the infrared LED 10 is driven, and a remote control signal of an infrared signal corresponding to the pressed operation key is transmitted from the remote control device. When one of the operation keys 2a to 2d, 3a to 3d, or 4a to 4d is pressed, the microcomputer 9 is connected to the AD conversion circuits 6 to 8 in the same manner as when one of the operation keys 1a to 1d is pressed. The sent digital signal is discriminated, it is discriminated which one of the operation keys 2a to 2d, 3a to 3d or 4a to 4d is pressed, the infrared LED 10 is driven, and the pressed operation key A remote control signal of the corresponding infrared signal is transmitted from the remote control device.

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of carbon comb-shaped electrodes having different contact resistances are printed by changing the lengths of the U-shaped patterns of the plurality of carbon comb-shaped electrodes, respectively. Since it can be formed on a substrate, even if the number of operation keys increases, a large number of operation parts are not required, and a large number of operation keys can be provided on the remote control device with a small wiring pattern on the printed wiring board. .

Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to this, and modifications and improvements can be made within the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art. For example, by changing the length of the U-shaped pattern of the carbon comb electrode, the contact resistance between the carbon contact and the carbon comb electrode is changed, and when the operation key is pressed, the input terminal of the AD converter circuit is changed. I explained changing the voltage level of the input signal, but changing the width of the U-shaped pattern of the carbon comb electrode changed the contact resistance between the carbon contact and the carbon comb electrode, and the operation key was pressed. In this case, the voltage level of the signal input to the input terminal of the AD conversion circuit may be changed.

In addition, it was explained that the contact resistance when the carbon comb-shaped electrode is conducted due to the electrical resistance of the carbon, but when the comb-shaped electrode is conducted due to the electrical resistance of the electrical material using another electrical material. The contact resistance may be changed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the wiring pattern of the printed wiring board of the remote control apparatus of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the equivalent circuit of the printed wiring board of the remote control device of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the key matrix circuit of the conventional remote control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1a to 4d Operation keys 5 to 8 AD conversion circuit 9 Microcomputer 10 Infrared LED
R1 to R4 Pull-up resistors A1 to A4, B1 to B4 Carbon wiring patterns P1a to P4d Carbon comb electrodes S1a to S4d Switches R1a to R4d Equivalent resistance Vcc Power supply voltage GND Ground

Claims (6)

A remote control device having a plurality of operation keys and transmitting a remote control signal corresponding to the plurality of operation keys,
A plurality of comb-shaped electrodes each having a different contact resistance, and a plurality of wiring patterns that connect the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes in parallel, wherein carbon is applied to U-shaped patterns having different lengths, widths, or lengths and widths; And a plurality of switch means each comprising a carbon contact provided to each of the plurality of operation keys and electrically conducting the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes when the plurality of operation keys are pressed. A plurality of AD converters connected to the plurality of wiring patterns, respectively, for converting analog signals into digital signals, and a plurality of the operation keys based on the digital signals respectively converted by the plurality of AD converters. A remote control device comprising: discrimination means for discriminating whether the button has been pressed. A remote control device having a plurality of operation keys and transmitting a remote control signal corresponding to the plurality of operation keys,
A plurality of comb electrodes having different contact resistances and a printed wiring board on which a plurality of wiring patterns for connecting the plurality of comb electrodes in parallel are formed, and the plurality of operation keys are provided respectively. A plurality of switch means for conducting the plurality of comb-shaped electrodes, respectively, when the operation key is pressed, a plurality of AD conversion means connected to the plurality of wiring patterns, respectively, for converting analog signals into digital signals; A remote control apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines which of the plurality of operation keys is pressed based on the digital signals respectively converted by the plurality of AD conversion units. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of switch means are a plurality of switch means composed of carbon contacts. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of comb electrodes are a plurality of comb electrodes in which carbon is applied to different U-shaped patterns. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of comb electrodes are a plurality of comb electrodes in which carbon is applied to a U-shaped pattern having a different length. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of comb electrodes are a plurality of comb electrodes in which carbon is applied to a U-shaped pattern having a different width.

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