JP2005204222A - Remote control testing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control testing system which enables remote control operations to be automatically performed in a remote control performance test, and which enables performance test to be made efficient. <P>SOLUTION: When a remote control performance test is conducted, and when waveform deformation data are added to a remote control command by a waveform deformation data adding means 11 at a personal computer 1, a command transmission means 12 repeatedly transmits the remote control command, to which a waveform deformation data have been added to a remote control transmitter 2 in accordance with a macro. The remote control transmitter 2 deforms the waveform of a remote control code, based on the waveform deformation data to which the remote control command transmitted from the personal computer 1 have been added by a waveform deforming means 61, and a remote control code transmission means 62 repeatedly transmits the deformed remote control code. Thus, the need for inspector to manually depress an operation key of the remote control transmitter 2 many times is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control test system for performing a performance test of a remote control (remote controller) transmitter used for operating a video device, a television, other electronic devices, and the like.

In recent years, many electronic devices are operated by a remote control transmitter using infrared rays, as represented by, for example, video devices and televisions. In order to perform such a performance test of the remote control transmitter, the manufacturer inspects the operator by pressing the operation key of the remote control transmitter many times.

For example, if the target device is a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player, the pause key is pressed once when the pause key of the remote control transmitter is pressed, and then the frame moves one frame each time the pause key is pressed once. There is such a frame advance function, and when checking the frame advance, the inspector presses the pause key of the remote control transmitter several times to perform the performance test of the remote control transmitter. In addition, if there is an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device, or if the voltage of the built-in battery of the remote control transmitter decreases, the waveform of the remote control code transmitted from the remote control transmitter will be disrupted. In some cases, remote control transmitter performance tests are conducted.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-87881 JP 2000-163123 A JP-A-2-283196

Thus, in the past, the performance test of the remote control transmitter was performed by the manufacturer, but the inspector manually pressed the operation key of the remote control transmitter many times. It took a lot of time to perform a performance test on the remote control transmitter of the above, and there was a problem that it was almost impossible from the viewpoint of production cost. Also, if there is an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device, or if the voltage of the built-in battery of the remote control transmitter drops, the remote control code waveform transmitted from the remote control transmitter will collapse, for example, When it is necessary to place an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device or to reduce the voltage of the internal battery of the remote control transmitter to perform a performance test of the remote control transmitter, the test efficiency is poor It takes a lot of time to perform a performance test on this remote control transmitter, and in this case, there is also a problem that it is almost impossible from the viewpoint of production cost.

The prior art of Patent Document 1 provides a learning remote controller that can easily learn a remote control function, and a technique for performing a performance test of the remote controller is not disclosed. Cannot be solved. The conventional technique of Patent Document 2 is configured to operate an unspecified number of devices with a single controller. However, this conventional technique also does not disclose a technique for performing a performance test of a remote controller. It cannot solve a difficult problem.

In the prior art of Patent Document 3, all remote control codes scheduled to be used in an electronic device are automatically and sequentially generated, a series of operation processes are executed for each remote control code, and records obtained by this execution are examined. The reliability of the remote control signal processing program in the microcomputer and the location of the problem can be known, but the output of the remote control code may be disrupted simply by outputting all scheduled remote control codes. As a result, remote control performance tests have not been performed, and thus all of the above problems cannot be solved.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control test system that can automatically perform remote control operation in a remote control performance test and can improve the efficiency of the performance test. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 has a plurality of operation keys for receiving operation commands, stores remote control codes indicating various operation contents to be transmitted to the operation target device, and the operation keys are pressed. A remote control test system for performing a performance test on a remote control transmitter configured to transmit the remote control code using an information processing device connected to the remote control transmitter via a USB communication cable. The information processing apparatus includes: waveform deformation data adding means for adding waveform deformation data for deforming a waveform of a remote control code transmitted from the remote control transmitter to a remote control command; and a remote control command to which the waveform deformation data is added Or the remote control command without the waveform deformation data is repeatedly output according to the macro before Command transmitting means for transmitting to the remote control transmitter via a USB communication cable, and the remote control transmitter transmits a remote control code based on waveform deformation data added to the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Waveform deforming means for deforming a waveform and remote control code transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting the deformed remote control code or the remote control code of the basic waveform, and the information processing apparatus incorporates an arbitrary remote control format from a host application. Firmware can be downloaded to the remote control transmitter, and by changing the embedded firmware, it is possible to cause the remote control transmitter to transmit a remote control code arbitrarily deformed in waveform, and the host application And before By adding the command communication between the embedded firmware provides remote testing system, characterized in that it possible to control the waveform of the remote control code from the information processing apparatus.

In this configuration, when the remote control performance test is performed, in the information processing apparatus, when the waveform deformation data adding means adds the waveform deformation data to the remote control command, the command transmitting means transmits the remote control command to which the waveform deformation data is added. Are repeatedly transmitted to the remote control transmitter according to the macro. In the remote control transmitter, the waveform of the remote control code is deformed by the waveform deformation means based on the waveform deformation data added to the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and the remote control code transmission means converts the deformed remote control code to the remote control code. Send repeatedly.

When the waveform deformation data is not added to the remote control command, the command transmission means repeatedly transmits the remote control command to the remote control transmitter according to the macro. In the remote control transmitter, the remote control code transmitting means repeatedly transmits the remote control code of the basic waveform in accordance with the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus.

In addition, since the information processing device can download embedded firmware in any remote control format from the host application to the remote control transmitter, it can be plugged in when you want to use the embedded firmware, and each company's standard remote control code However, the remote control transmitter can be controlled in the same way with one host application and one macro. In addition, by changing the embedded firmware, it is possible to transmit a remote control code whose waveform is arbitrarily deformed from a remote control transmitter. Further, by adding command communication between the host application and the embedded firmware, it becomes possible to control the waveform of the remote control code from the information processing apparatus side.

According to this configuration, the information processing apparatus repeatedly transmits the remote control command to the remote control transmitter, so that the remote control code is repeatedly transmitted from the remote control transmitter. Therefore, the inspector manually sets the operation key of the remote control transmitter. This eliminates the need for multiple presses, which improves test efficiency and allows a large number of remote control transmitters to perform performance tests in a short time.
Production costs can also be reduced.

In addition, because the remote control code waveform transmitted from the remote control transmitter can be transformed, the remote control code reception limit measurement becomes easier and the remote control code waveform may be corrupted. For example, it is necessary to perform a performance test of the remote control transmitter by placing an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device or reducing the voltage of the internal battery of the remote control transmitter. Disappears. Therefore, the test efficiency is improved, a performance test can be performed for a large number of remote control transmitters in a short time, and the production cost can be reduced.

The invention of claim 2 has a plurality of operation keys for receiving an operation command, stores a remote control code indicating various operation contents to be transmitted to the operation target device, and when the operation key is pressed,
A remote control test system for performing a performance test on a remote control transmitter adapted to transmit the remote control code using an information processing device connected to the remote control transmitter via a predetermined communication cable, wherein the information The processing device repeatedly transmits a remote control command to which waveform deformation data has been added or a remote control command to which waveform deformation data has not been added to the remote control transmitter via the communication cable in a macro manner. If waveform deformation data is added to the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the remote control code that has been waveform deformed based on the waveform deformation data is repeatedly transmitted, and the waveform deformation data must be added to the remote control command. For example, send the remote control code of the basic waveform repeatedly Providing remote test system characterized.

In this configuration, when performing the remote control performance test, the information processing apparatus adds waveform deformation data to the remote control command, and repeatedly transmits the remote control command with the waveform deformation data added to the remote control transmitter according to the macro. In the remote control transmitter, the waveform of the remote control code is deformed based on the waveform deformation data added to the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and the deformed remote control code is transmitted.

When the waveform deformation data is not added to the remote control command, the remote control command is repeatedly transmitted to the remote control transmitter according to the macro. The remote control transmitter repeatedly transmits a remote control code having a basic waveform in accordance with a remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus.

According to this configuration, the information processing apparatus repeatedly transmits the remote control command to the remote control transmitter, so that the remote control code is repeatedly transmitted from the remote control transmitter. Therefore, the inspector manually sets the operation key of the remote control transmitter. This eliminates the need for multiple presses, which improves test efficiency and allows a large number of remote control transmitters to perform performance tests in a short time.
Production costs can also be reduced.

In addition, because the remote control code waveform transmitted from the remote control transmitter can be transformed, the remote control code reception limit measurement becomes easier and the remote control code waveform may be corrupted. For example, it is necessary to perform a performance test of the remote control transmitter by placing an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device or reducing the voltage of the internal battery of the remote control transmitter. Disappears. Therefore, the test efficiency is improved, a performance test can be performed for a large number of remote control transmitters in a short time, and the production cost can be reduced.

In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, since the predetermined communication cable is a USB communication cable, a general-purpose personal computer with a USB port and a remote control transmitter can be connected to each other. Remote control commands from a computer can be transmitted to a remote control transmitter.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the information processing apparatus adds waveform deformation data for adding waveform deformation data for deforming a waveform of a remote control code transmitted from a remote control transmitter to the remote control command. And a command transmission means for repeatedly transmitting a remote control command to which the waveform deformation data is added or a remote control command to which the waveform deformation data is not added to the remote control transmitter via a communication cable according to a macro. A remote control command from the information processing apparatus can be transmitted to the remote control transmitter, and the remote control transmitter can be controlled from the information processing apparatus side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the remote control transmitter is configured to deform the waveform of the remote control code based on the waveform deformation data added to the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus. And remote control code transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting the modified remote control code or the remote control code of the basic waveform, the remote control transmitter can repeatedly transmit the modified remote control code or the remote control code of the basic waveform. it can.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the information processing apparatus uses the embedded firmware by enabling the embedded firmware of an arbitrary remote control format to be downloaded from the host application to the remote control transmitter. Plug-ins can be set when desired, and remote control transmitters of various companies can control the remote control transmitter in the same way with one host application and one macro. In addition, by changing the embedded firmware, it is possible to transmit a remote control code whose waveform is arbitrarily deformed from the remote control transmitter. Further, by adding command communication between the host application and the embedded firmware, it becomes possible to control the waveform of the remote control code from the information processing apparatus.

As described above, according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus repeatedly transmits the remote control command to the remote control transmitter, so that the remote control code is repeatedly transmitted from the remote control transmitter. This eliminates the need to manually press the button several times, thereby improving test efficiency, enabling performance tests to be performed on a large number of remote control transmitters in a short time, and reducing production costs. In addition, because the remote control code waveform transmitted from the remote control transmitter can be transformed, the remote control code reception limit measurement becomes easier and the remote control code waveform may be corrupted. This can be done, for example, placing an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device,
It is no longer necessary to test the performance of the remote control transmitter by reducing the voltage of the internal battery of the remote control transmitter. Therefore, the test efficiency is improved, a performance test can be performed for a large number of remote control transmitters in a short time, and the production cost can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control test system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This remote control test system includes a personal computer (personal computer) 1 as an information processing apparatus, and a remote control transmitter 2 to be tested connected to the personal computer 1 via a USB communication cable 3. The personal computer 1 includes waveform modification data adding means 11 for adding waveform modification data for transforming the waveform of the remote control code transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2 to the remote control command, and the remote control command to which the waveform modification data is added or the Remote control command without waveform deformation data is output repeatedly according to macro
Command transmission means 12 for transmitting to the remote control transmitter 2 via the B communication cable 3 is provided.

The remote control transmitter 2 includes a USB connection circuit 4 for connecting to the USB communication cable 3, a control circuit 5 for performing control related to the remote control, and a transmission circuit 9 for transmitting a remote control code signal by infrared rays. The control circuit 5 includes a CPU 6 that performs arithmetic processing and the CPU 6
Are provided with a ROM 7 for storing programs and data necessary for the operation, and a RAM 8 for temporarily storing data necessary for the operation of the CPU 6. The CPU 6 receives the waveform deforming means 61 for deforming the waveform of the remote control code based on the waveform deformation data added to the remote control command transmitted from the personal computer 1, and the remote control code of the deformed remote control code or the basic waveform. Remote control code transmitting means 62 for repeated transmission.

The personal computer 1 can download embedded firmware of an arbitrary remote control format from the host application that it has to the RAM 8 of the remote control transmitter 2, and the waveform is arbitrarily deformed by changing the embedded firmware. The remote control code can be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2, and the command communication between the host application and the embedded firmware can be added to control the waveform of the remote control code from the personal computer 1. .

FIG. 2 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining an example in which the waveform of the remote control code is modified in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, 21 indicates a waveform of a basic remote control code transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2, and 22 indicates a waveform of a remote control code obtained by deforming the signal of the basic remote control code 21 by shortening the signal width in the time axis direction. Indicates. Reference numeral 23 denotes a remote control code waveform in which the signal of the basic remote control code 21 is deformed by increasing the signal width in the time axis direction. The waveform-modified remote control code signals 22 and 23 are generated on the remote control transmitter 2 side based on the waveform modification data added to the remote control command sent from the personal computer 1.

Further, by changing the embedded firmware that is downloaded from the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2, a signal of a remote control code whose waveform is arbitrarily deformed (disintegrated) can be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2. Further, by adding command communication between the host application of the personal computer 1 and the embedded firmware, it is possible to control the waveform of the remote control code from the host application side.

In the waveform example shown in FIG. 2, the entire waveform of the basic remote control code is shortened,
Although what was lengthened was shown, it is not restricted to this, You may test the remote control performance by producing the remote control code which shortened partially, lengthened, or partially destroyed.

FIG. 3 is a signal flow diagram for explaining the flow of signals from the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2 and the flow of signals from the remote control transmitter 2 to the target device Y in the present embodiment.

When performing a performance test on the remote control transmitter 2, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the embedded firmware is downloaded from the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2, and the firmware is stored in the RAM 8 in the control circuit 5 of the remote control transmitter 2. To do. Next, a remote control command is transmitted from the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2. In response to this, the remote control transmitter 2 sends the target device Y
Send a remote control code to. Thereafter, the remote control command is transmitted again from the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2, and in response to this, the remote control transmitter 2 transmits a remote control code to the target device Y.

Thus, the remote control command is repeatedly transmitted from the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2 by the macro, and in response to this, the remote control code is repeatedly transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2. By making the remote control command transmission into a macro on the host application side of the personal computer 1, it is possible to automate remote control operations that have been performed manually in the past, thereby saving labor such as automation of performance measurement and investigation under development.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a remote control code is transmitted to a plurality of target devices of different models in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, A indicates the target device of the company a standard, B indicates the target device of the company b standard, C indicates the target device of the company c standard, and the embedded firmware in the remote control format of the company a standard is remotely controlled from the host application of the personal computer 1 If downloaded to the transmitter 2, the remote control code of company a can be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2, and the target device A can be operated.
If the embedded firmware in the remote control format of company b is downloaded from the host application of the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2, the remote control transmitter 2 to b
A company-standard remote control code can be transmitted, and the target device B can be operated. In addition, if the embedded firmware in the remote control format of the c company standard is downloaded from the host application of the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2, the remote control code of the c company standard can be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 2 and the target device C can be operated. It becomes possible.

As described above, since embedded firmware in an arbitrary remote control format can be downloaded from the host application of the personal computer 1 to the remote control transmitter 2, the embedded firmware can be plugged in. The same can be controlled with macros.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation until the remote control code is transmitted in this embodiment. The operation until the remote control code is transmitted will be described with reference to this flowchart.

In order to perform the remote control performance test, the personal computer 1 and the remote control transmitter 2 are connected by the USB communication cable 3 (step S1). Then, the personal computer 1 is turned on to start up (step S2), and the remote control transmitter 2 is also turned on, and then the embedded firmware in the remote control format is downloaded to the remote control transmitter 2 from the host application of the personal computer 1 (step S2). S3). By this download, the embedded firmware is stored in the RAM 8 of the remote control transmitter 2.

Here, when adding waveform deformation data to the remote control command transmitted from the personal computer 1 (step S4), the waveform deformation data adding means 11 of the personal computer 1 adds the waveform deformation data after the remote control command (step S5). The command transmission means 12 transmits the remote control command to the remote control transmitter 2 via the USB communication cable 3 (step S6).

On the other hand, when waveform deformation data is not added to the remote control command transmitted from the personal computer 1 (step S4), the command transmission means 12 directly uses the remote control command as US
It transmits to the remote control transmitter 2 via the B communication cable 3 (step S6).

In the remote control transmitter 2, processing according to the remote control command transmitted from the personal computer 1 is performed. That is, the CPU 6 decodes the remote control command using the firmware stored in the RAM 8 to create a remote control code, and determines whether or not waveform deformation data is added after the remote control command (step). S7) When the waveform modification data is added after the remote control command, the waveform modification means 61 of the CPU 6 deforms the waveform of the remote control code according to the waveform modification data (step S8). After this,
The remote control code transmission means 62 of the CPU 6 transmits the modified remote control code via the transmission circuit 9 (step S9).

On the other hand, when the waveform deformation data is not added after the remote control command, the remote control code transmission means 62 of the CPU 6 transmits the remote control code of the basic waveform via the transmission circuit 9 (step S10).

As described above, the PC repeatedly transmits the remote control command to the remote control transmitter, so that the remote control code is repeatedly transmitted from the remote control transmitter. This eliminates the need to press the button, thereby improving test efficiency, enabling performance tests to be performed on a large number of remote control transmitters in a short time, and reducing production costs.

In addition, because the remote control code waveform transmitted from the remote control transmitter can be transformed, the remote control code reception limit measurement becomes easier and the remote control code waveform may be corrupted. For example, it is necessary to perform a performance test of the remote control transmitter by placing an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the target device or reducing the voltage of the internal battery of the remote control transmitter. Disappears. Therefore, the test efficiency is improved, a performance test can be performed for a large number of remote control transmitters in a short time, and the production cost can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control test system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a signal waveform diagram for demonstrating the example which deform | transformed the waveform of the remote control code in the said embodiment. It is a signal flow diagram for demonstrating the flow of the signal from a personal computer to a remote control transmitter in the said embodiment, and the flow of the signal from a remote control transmitter to an object apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a mode that a remote control code | cord | chord is transmitted to the target apparatus of several different models in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement until it transmits a remote control code in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC (information processing equipment)
2 Remote control transmitter 3 USB communication cable 11 Waveform deformation data addition means 12 Command transmission means 61 Waveform deformation means 62 Remote control code transmission means A, B, C, Y Target device

Claims (6)

It has a plurality of operation keys for receiving operation commands, stores a remote control code indicating various operation contents to be transmitted to the operation target device, and transmits the remote control code when the operation key is pressed. A remote control test system for performing a performance test on a remote control transmitter using an information processing apparatus connected to the remote control transmitter via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication cable, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits the remote control transmission A waveform deformation data adding means for adding waveform deformation data for deforming the waveform of the remote control code transmitted from the machine to the remote control command, and the remote control command to which the waveform deformation data is added or the waveform deformation data is not added Remote control commands are repeatedly output according to the macro and sent via the USB communication cable. Command transmitting means for transmitting to the remote control transmitter, wherein the remote control transmitter deforms the waveform of the remote control code based on the waveform deformation data added to the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus. And remote control code transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting the modified remote control code or the remote control code of the basic waveform, and the information processing device transmits embedded firmware of an arbitrary remote control format from a host application to the remote control transmitter. It is possible to download the remote control code arbitrarily deformed from the remote control transmitter by changing the embedded firmware, and between the host application and the embedded firmware. A remote control test system characterized in that a waveform of a remote control code can be controlled from the information processing apparatus by adding command communication. It has a plurality of operation keys for receiving operation commands, stores a remote control code indicating various operation contents to be transmitted to the operation target device, and transmits the remote control code when the operation key is pressed. A remote control test system for performing a performance test on a remote control transmitter using an information processing device connected to the remote control transmitter via a predetermined communication cable, wherein the information processing device has waveform deformation data added thereto A remote control command or a remote control command to which waveform deformation data is not added is repeatedly transmitted by the macro to the remote control transmitter via the communication cable, and the remote control transmitter transmits the remote control command transmitted from the information processing apparatus. If waveform modification data is added to the waveform modification data, the waveform modification data is based on the waveform modification data. Remote test system control code to repeatedly transmit, if no waveform deformation data is added to the remote control commands, characterized by repeatedly transmitting a remote control code of the basic waveform. The remote control test system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined communication cable is a USB communication cable. The information processing apparatus includes: waveform modification data adding means for adding waveform modification data for deforming a waveform of a remote control code transmitted from a remote control transmitter to a remote control command; a remote control command to which the waveform modification data is added; The remote control test system according to claim 2, further comprising command transmission means for repeatedly transmitting a remote control command to which waveform deformation data is not added to the remote control transmitter via a communication cable according to a macro. The remote control transmitter includes: waveform deforming means for deforming a remote control code waveform based on waveform deformation data added to a remote control command transmitted from an information processing device; and the deformed remote control code or a remote control code of a basic waveform The remote control test system according to claim 2, further comprising remote control code transmission means for repeatedly transmitting. The information processing apparatus can download embedded firmware in an arbitrary remote control format from a host application to a remote control transmitter, and can change the embedded firmware to transmit a remote control code whose waveform is arbitrarily deformed by the remote control A remote control code waveform can be controlled from the information processing apparatus by adding command communication between the host application and the embedded firmware. The remote control test system according to claim 2.

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