JP2005171712A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller, equipped with a transmitter to which plural operation instructions can be given by a single operating button. <P>SOLUTION: A portable unit 1 is provided with a direction-detecting sensor 3 for detecting that this unit is directed vertically upward or vertically downward. When CPU 4 obtains an operating signal A or B, it obtains a signal output from the direction-detecting sensor 3; and when this signal is that of vertically upward signal, CPU 4 outputs an unlock or open signal and transmits it to a controller 6. If this signal is a vertically downward signal, CPU 4 outputs a lock signal or a close signal and makes it transmitted to the controller 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device that performs remote control of in-vehicle devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device for remotely operating an in-vehicle device is known, and one example thereof is a wireless portable device that performs an operation related to a vehicle door. The wireless portable device is provided with a plurality of operation buttons for instructing to lock / unlock the door and open / close the window, and an operation signal corresponding to the pressed button is transmitted to the vehicle. When the vehicle receives the operation signal transmitted from the wireless portable device, the vehicle locks / unlocks the door and opens / closes the window.

  In recent years, many functions have been provided in in-vehicle devices, and accordingly, many operation buttons have been provided in wireless portable devices. For this reason, the size of the portable device is increased, the size of each operation button is also reduced, the carrying of the portable device becomes inconvenient, and it is becoming difficult for the user to press a desired operation button.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote operation device including a portable device capable of instructing a plurality of operations with one operation button.

  In order to achieve the above object, the remote control device according to claim 1 includes a switch, receives a control signal transmitted from the transmitter, a transmitter that transmits a control signal when the switch is pressed, A remote control device composed of a controller that operates an in-vehicle device according to the operation signal, provided with detection means for detecting the direction in which the transmitter is directed, and the transmitter detects when the switch is pressed The direction detected by the means is acquired, and an operation signal corresponding to the direction is transmitted to the controller.

  Thus, the remote control device of the present invention is provided with detection means for detecting the direction in which the transmitter is directed. When the switch of the transmitter is pressed, the transmitter acquires the direction detected by the detecting means, and transmits an operation signal corresponding to the acquired direction to the controller. Accordingly, by changing the direction in which the transmitter is directed, the transmitter can transmit a plurality of operation signals by one switch. In other words, a plurality of operations can be instructed with one switch, and individual switches for instructing each of the plurality of operations are not necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size of the transmitter or to reduce the size of the switch provided in the transmitter, and the user can reliably press the desired switch without feeling inconvenience in carrying the portable device. It becomes possible.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the transmitter transmits the direction detected by the detection means as an operation signal, and the controller moves from the direction in which the transmitter received as the operation signal is directed to the direction. It is desirable to perform the corresponding operation on the in-vehicle device. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide the transmitter with a function for generating each operation signal, and the configuration of the transmitter can be simplified.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transmitter has a plurality of switches, and when transmitting the operation signal, the transmitter also transmits an identification signal indicating which of the plurality of switches has been pressed. It is desirable. Thereby, each function which vehicle equipment has can be operated more easily.

  As described in claim 4, it is desirable that the detection means is provided in the transmitter. Thereby, the detection means can more reliably detect the direction in which the transmitter is directed.

  As described in claim 5, it is desirable that the transmitter transmits an operation signal when the direction detected by the detection means is a predetermined direction. As a result, for example, even when a transmitter switch placed in a bag or pocket is accidentally pressed, an operation signal is not transmitted if the transmitter does not point in a predetermined direction, which is not intended by the user. It is possible to prevent the operation from being performed.

  Preferably, the predetermined direction is a vertically upward direction or a vertically downward direction. This is because when the transmitter is directed vertically upward or vertically downward, it is considered that the user has intentionally set the direction of the transmitter to the direction.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the remote control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The remote control device according to this embodiment includes a portable device 1 and a control device 6 mounted on a vehicle, and opens and closes a door lock device 9 that locks a door of a vehicle (not shown) and a door window of the vehicle (not shown). The window opening / closing device 10 is remotely operated.

  First, the shape of the portable device 1 and the configuration of each part will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the portable device 1, and the portable device 1 has a quadrangular frustum shape whose upper surface is narrower than the bottom surface. In addition, an operation button A21 and an operation button B22 are provided on the front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation button A21 and the operation button B22 are, for example, push button switches, and when the button is pressed, a press signal A and a press signal B are output. The operation buttons described above may be configured by a touch switch provided with a touch panel.

  The direction detection sensor 3 detects a direction in which the portable device 1 is directed, and outputs any one of a vertical upper signal, a vertical lower signal, and an invalid signal according to the detected direction. Specifically, the direction detection sensor 3 includes a slidable pendulum 31, an end plate A32, and an end plate B33. The end plate A32 is the upper surface side of the portable device 1, and the end plate B33 is the bottom surface side of the portable device 1. It is mounted inside the portable device 1 so as to be positioned at (see FIG. 3). When the upper surface of the portable device 1 is directed vertically upward and the pendulum 31 comes into contact with the end plate B33, the direction detection sensor 3 outputs a vertical upward signal (FIG. 4A). When the upper surface of the portable device 1 is directed vertically downward and the pendulum 31 comes into contact with the end plate A32, the direction detection sensor 3 outputs a vertical downward signal (FIG. 4B). When the pendulum 31 is not in contact with either the end plate A31 or the end plate B32, for example, when the portable device 1 is facing sideways, the direction detection sensor 3 outputs an invalid signal (FIG. 4C). ). The reason why the direction detection sensor 3 is provided inside the portable device 1 is to reliably detect that the portable device 1 is directed vertically upward or vertically downward. The direction in which the portable device 1 is directed may be detected using a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like.

  When the CPU 4 acquires the press signal A from the operation button A21, the CPU 4 outputs an unlock signal or a close signal according to the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3. Further, when the pressing signal B is acquired from the operation button B22, a lock signal or an open signal is output according to the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3.

  Specifically, when the CPU 4 obtains the pressing signal A, if the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 is a vertically upward signal, the CPU 4 determines that an instruction to unlock the vehicle door has been given, An unlock signal is output. On the other hand, if the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 is a vertically downward signal, it is determined that an instruction to close the door window of the vehicle is given, and a close signal is output. When the signal acquired from the direction detection sensor 3 is an invalid signal, it is determined that the operation is invalid, and neither an unlock signal nor a close signal is output.

  Further, when the CPU 4 obtains the press signal B and the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 is a vertical upward signal, the CPU 4 determines that an instruction to open the vehicle door window has been given, and outputs an open signal. To do. On the other hand, if the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 is a vertical downward signal, it is determined that an instruction to lock the door of the vehicle is given, and a lock signal is output. If the signal acquired from the direction detection sensor 3 is an invalid signal, it is determined that the operation is invalid, and neither an open signal nor a lock signal is output.

  The above-described operation of the CPU 4 has a form in which the direction in which the portable device 1 is directed and the operation required when the user gets on and off the vehicle are associated with each other. That is, when the user gets on the vehicle, the user presses the operation button A21 and the operation button B22 with the portable device 1 pointing vertically upward, and the user can get the door of the vehicle necessary for getting on the vehicle. Unlocking and opening the vehicle door window can be performed. Further, when the user gets off the vehicle, the user presses the operation button A21 and the operation button B22 with the portable device 1 directed vertically downward, so that the door of the vehicle necessary for the user to get off the vehicle is removed. An operation of closing the lock and the door window of the vehicle can be performed. In other words, when the user gets on the vehicle, the portable device 1 is directed upward, and when the user gets off the vehicle, the portable device 1 is directed downward, and the user performs a necessary operation by pressing each operation button. It can be done easily.

  The transmitter 5 is a small communication device, and transmits a lock signal, an unlock signal, an open signal, and a close signal output from the CPU 4 to the control device 6.

  Next, each apparatus which comprises the control apparatus 6 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the receiver 7 is a small communication device, and receives a lock signal, an unlock signal, an open signal, and a close signal transmitted from the portable device 1.

  When the ECU 8 acquires the lock signal or the unlock signal from the receiver 7, the ECU 8 instructs the door lock device 9 to lock or unlock the door of the vehicle. Further, when the receiver 7 receives the open signal or the close signal, it instructs the window opening / closing device 10 to open or close the door window of the vehicle.

  The door lock device 9 locks or unlocks the door of the vehicle by a door lock switch (not shown). Furthermore, the door lock device 9 also locks or unlocks the door of the vehicle according to an instruction from the control device 6.

  The window opening / closing device 10 opens and closes the door window of the vehicle by a window opening / closing switch (not shown). Further, the window opening and closing device 10 opens and closes the door window of the vehicle in response to an instruction from the control device 6.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart regarding processing in which the portable device 1 transmits a signal related to the door lock of the vehicle and a signal related to the opening / closing of the door window of the vehicle to the control device 6 in the remote control device of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed when the CPU 4 acquires the pressing signal A or the pressing signal B output from the operation button A21 or the operation button B22.

  In step 501, the CPU 4 determines whether the pressing signal A or the pressing signal B is acquired. If the press signal A is acquired, the process proceeds to step 502. If the press signal B is acquired, the process proceeds to step 505.

  In step 502, the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 is acquired, and the direction in which the portable device 1 is directed is determined. If a vertical upward signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the portable device 1 is directed vertically upward, and the process proceeds to step 503. If a vertical downward signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the portable device 1 is directed vertically downward, and the process proceeds to step 504. When the invalid signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the signal is directed in the other direction, and the processing is ended as it is. Thereby, for example, even when a switch of the portable device 1 placed in a bag or pocket is pushed by mistake, the control device 6 can be prevented from performing an operation unintended by the user. In addition, when the user presses the operation button A21 or the operation button B22 with the portable device 1 directed vertically upward or vertically downward, the control device 6 is surely operated by the user. Can do.

  In step 503, an unlock signal is output to the transmitter 5 to be transmitted to the control device 6, and the process is terminated. In step 504, a close signal is output to the transmitter 5 to be transmitted to the control device 6, and the process is terminated.

  In step 505, the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 is acquired, and the direction in which the portable device 1 is directed is determined. If a vertical upper signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the portable device 1 is directed vertically upward, and the process proceeds to step 506. If a vertical downward signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the portable device 1 is directed vertically downward, and the process proceeds to step 507. When the invalid signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the signal is directed in the other direction, and the processing is ended as it is.

  In step 506, an open signal is output to the transmitter 5 to be transmitted to the control device 6, and the process is terminated. In step 507, a lock signal is output to the transmitter 5 to be transmitted to the control device 6, and the process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to processing in which the control device 6 controls the operations of the door lock device 9 and the window opening / closing device 10 in the remote operation device of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed when the receiver 7 receives various signals transmitted from the portable device 1.

  In step 601, the ECU 8 determines whether the receiver 7 has received a lock signal, an unlock signal, an open signal, or a close signal. If a lock signal has been received, the process proceeds to step 602. If an unlock signal has been received, the process proceeds to step 603. If an open signal is received, the process proceeds to step 604. If a close signal is received, the process proceeds to step 605.

  In step 602, the door lock device 9 is instructed to lock the door of the vehicle, and the process ends. Thereby, the door of the vehicle is locked by the door lock device 9. In step 603, the door lock device 9 is instructed to unlock the door of the vehicle, and the process ends. Thus, the door lock device 9 unlocks the door of the vehicle.

  In step 604, the window opening / closing device 10 is instructed to open the door window of the vehicle, and the process ends. Thereby, the door window of the vehicle is opened by the window opening and closing device 10. In step 605, the window opening / closing device 10 is instructed to close the door window of the vehicle, and the process ends. As a result, the door window of the vehicle is closed by the window opening and closing device 10.

As described above, in the remote control device according to the present embodiment, when the portable device 1 is directed vertically upward when the operation button A21 or the operation button B22 is pressed, the unlock signal or An open signal is transmitted to the control device 6. On the other hand, when the portable device 1 is directed vertically downward, a lock signal or a close signal is transmitted to the control device 6. Thus, the user can perform necessary operations by pressing each operation button with the portable device 1 facing upward when boarding the vehicle and with the portable device 1 facing downward when getting off the vehicle. It can be done easily. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size of the portable device or to reduce the size of the switch provided in the portable device, and the user can press the desired switch reliably without feeling inconvenience in carrying the portable device. It becomes.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a remote control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The remote operation device according to this embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the control device 6 determines the operation contents of various signals transmitted from the portable device 1.

  CPU4 of this embodiment will acquire the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3, if the pressing signal A and the pressing signal B are acquired from the operation button A21 and the operation button B22. Then, the acquired two signals are output to the transmitter 5 and transmitted to the control device 6. However, when the signal acquired from the direction detection sensor 3 is an invalid signal, the above-described operation is not performed.

  When the receiver 7 receives the press signal A, the ECU 8 of this embodiment determines that an instruction to unlock the door of the vehicle or close the door window of the vehicle is given. Then, the receiver 7 checks the signal received together with the pressing signal A, and if the signal is a vertically upward signal, instructs the door lock device 9 to unlock the door of the vehicle. When the signal received together with the press signal A is a vertically downward signal, the window opening / closing device 10 is instructed to close the door window of the vehicle.

  Further, when the receiver 7 receives the press signal B, the ECU 8 determines that an instruction has been given to lock the door of the vehicle or open the door window of the vehicle. Then, the receiver 7 examines the signal received together with the press signal B, and when the signal is a vertically upward signal, instructs the window opening / closing device 10 to open the door window of the vehicle. If the signal received together with the press signal B is a vertically downward signal, the door lock device 9 is instructed to lock the door of the vehicle.

  Other configurations and operations are the same as in the case of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to a process in which the portable device 1 transmits the press signal A or the press signal B and the vertical upper signal or the vertical lower signal to the control device 6 in the remote control device of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed when the CPU 4 acquires the pressing signal A or the pressing signal B output from the operation button A21 or the operation button B22.

  In step 701, the CPU 4 acquires the signal output from the direction detection sensor 3 and determines the direction in which the portable device 1 is directed. If a vertical upward signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the portable device 1 is directed vertically upward, and the process proceeds to step 702. If a vertical downward signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the portable device 1 is directed vertically downward, and the process proceeds to step 703. When the invalid signal is acquired from the direction detection sensor 3, it is determined that the signal is directed in the other direction, and the processing is ended as it is.

  In step 702, the acquired pressing signal A or pressing signal B and the vertical upward signal acquired from the direction detection sensor 3 in step 701 are output to the transmitter 5 to be transmitted to the control device 6, and the process is terminated. . In step 703, the acquired pressing signal A or pressing signal B and the vertical downward signal acquired from the direction detection sensor 3 in step 701 are output to the transmitter 5 to be transmitted to the control device 6, and the process is terminated. .

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to processing in which the control device 6 controls the operation of the door lock device 9 and the window opening / closing device 10 in the remote operation device of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed when the receiver 7 receives two signals transmitted from the portable device 1.

  In step 801, the ECU 8 determines whether the receiver 7 has received the pressing signal A or the pressing signal B. If the press signal A is received, the process proceeds to step 802. If the press signal B is received, the process proceeds to step 805.

  In step 802, it is determined whether the signal received together with the pressing signal A by the receiver 7 is a vertical upper signal or a vertical lower signal. If it is a vertically upward signal, the process proceeds to step 803. If it is a vertically downward signal, the process proceeds to step 804.

  In step 803, the door lock device 9 is instructed to unlock the door of the vehicle, and the process ends. As a result, the door lock device 9 unlocks the vehicle door. In step 804, the window opening / closing device 10 is instructed to close the door window of the vehicle, and the process ends. As a result, the door window of the vehicle is closed by the window opening and closing device 10.

  In step 805, it is determined whether the signal received together with the pressing signal B is a vertical upper signal or a vertical lower signal. If it is a vertically upward signal, the process proceeds to step 806. If it is a vertically downward signal, the process proceeds to step 807.

  In step 806, the window opening / closing device 10 is instructed to open the door window of the vehicle, and the process ends. Thereby, the door window of the vehicle is opened by the window opening and closing device 10. In step 807, the door lock device 9 is instructed to lock the door of the vehicle, and the process ends. Thereby, the door of the vehicle is locked by the door lock device 9.

  As described above, in the remote operation device according to the present embodiment, the portable device 1 includes the push-down signal A or the push-down signal B output from the operation button A21 and the operation button B22, and the vertical upward signal or the vertical signal output from the direction detection sensor 3. The downward signal is transmitted to the control device 6. The control device 6 determines what operation is instructed from the pressing signal and the vertical upper signal or the vertical lower signal received from the portable device 1, and operates on the door lock device 9 and the window opening / closing device 10. Instruct. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide the portable device 1 with a function of determining the operation content or generating a signal indicating the operation content, and the configuration of the mobile device 1 can be simplified.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the portable device 1 operates the door lock device 9 and the window opening / closing device 10 when the respective operation buttons are pressed and the portable device is directed vertically upward or vertically downward. The signal regarding was transmitted to the control apparatus 6. However, the present invention is not limited to the vertically upward direction and the vertically downward direction. For example, when the portable device 1 is directed laterally, a signal may be transmitted to the control device 6. Further, in addition to the vertically upward direction and the vertically downward direction, for example, when the portable device 1 is directed in the lateral direction, a signal related to the operation of another in-vehicle device may be transmitted. Thus, more types of operations can be instructed with one operation button.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the mobile device 1 is remotely controlled to lock and unlock the door of the vehicle and to open and close the door window of the vehicle. However, each operation described above may be performed by the user using the portable device 1 from the passenger compartment. As a result, the user can easily lock and unlock the door of the vehicle and open and close the door window of the vehicle from the portable device 1 even when the user is in the vehicle.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the remote control apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a portable machine in the remote control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows each apparatus which comprises the direction detection sensor with which the inside of the portable device was mounted | worn in the remote control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. In the remote control device of a 1st embodiment, it is a figure showing signs that the position of a pendulum which a direction detection sensor has changes with directions to which a portable machine was directed. In the remote control device of a 1st embodiment, it is a flow chart about processing in which a portable machine transmits a signal about a door lock of a vehicle, and a signal about opening and closing of a door window of a vehicle to a control device. In the remote operation device of the first embodiment, the control device is a flowchart relating to processing for controlling operations of the door lock device and the window opening and closing device. In the remote control device according to the second embodiment, the portable device relates to a process for transmitting a press signal A or a press signal B and a vertical upward signal or a vertical downward signal to the control device. It is a flowchart regarding the process which a control apparatus controls operation | movement of a door lock apparatus and a window opening / closing apparatus in the remote control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... portable device 21 ... operation button A
22 ... Operation button B
3 ... Direction detection sensor 4 ... CPU
5 ... Transmitter 6 ... Control device 7 ... Receiver 8 ... ECU
9 ... Door lock device 10 ... Window opening and closing device

Claims (6)

A remote operation comprising a switch and a transmitter that transmits an operation signal when the switch is pressed and a controller that receives the operation signal transmitted from the transmitter and operates the in-vehicle device according to the operation signal A device,
Providing detection means for detecting the direction the transmitter is directed;
When the switch is pressed, the transmitter acquires a direction detected by the detection unit, and transmits an operation signal corresponding to the direction to the controller. The transmitter transmits the direction detected by the detection means as an operation signal,
The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs an operation corresponding to the direction from the direction in which the transmitter received as the operation signal is directed to the in-vehicle device. The transmitter has a plurality of switches;
3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein, when transmitting the operation signal, the transmitter also transmits an identification signal indicating which one of the plurality of switches is pressed. 4. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided in the transmitter. 5. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits an operation signal when a direction detected by the detection unit is a predetermined direction. 6. . The remote control device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined direction is a vertically upward direction or a vertically downward direction.

Images