JP2005348000A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television receiver capable of more easily carrying out operation entries in comparison with those by prior arts independently of a user such as a healthy subject and a handicapped person. <P>SOLUTION: The television receiver includes: a display section 4 exposed in front of a housing 1; operation sections 2a, 2b removably mounted to recessed parts 3a, 3b arranged to a lower side of the display section 4; a control section 100; a television broadcast signal reception 101; a video/audio signal reproduction section 103; a speaker 5; an operation instruction generating section 121 of an operation entry section 102; and a mount detection section 122, which are located inside the housing 1. Operation signals generated by shading pyroelectric elements 20a, 20b of the operation sections 2a, 2b by part of the body of a viewer are given to the operation instruction generating section 121, which outputs an operation instruction signal in response to a combination of the operation signals. The control section 100 controls the television broadcast signal reception section 101 and the video/audio signal reproduction section 103 in response to the operation instruction signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a television device that reproduces and displays a television broadcast signal in accordance with an operation input by a user, and more particularly to an operation input means of the television device.

  Conventionally, in a television apparatus that receives and plays a television broadcast signal, outputs an image on a display screen, and outputs sound from a speaker or the like, a channel to be viewed by a user is specified and a volume output from the speaker is adjusted. In order to do this, an operation unit comprising a plurality of operation buttons is provided. In addition, a remote operation device, that is, a remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as “remote controller”) is provided to perform these operations at a position away from the television device.

This remote control is provided with a large number of operation buttons in accordance with the recent multi-functionalization of television devices, and the user can select and operate an operation button for performing a desired operation from the many operation buttons. Then, an operation input is performed on the television device. Various remote controllers have been devised that have improved functionality while being multi-functional. Among them, a remote controller has been devised that can be comfortably operated not only for healthy people but also for handicapped people. For example, the remote control described in Patent Document 1 includes a button for a healthy person in a casing and a button for a disabled person separately. When the disabled person uses the button, the button for the disabled person is attached to the casing. Connect and perform operation input.
JP 2000-106050 A

  However, in the remote controller having the structure as shown in Patent Document 1, since the button for the handicapped is formed separately from the casing used by the healthy person, the shape of the remote control is different between the healthy person and the handicapped person. And if it is a person who can operate the button of a housing | casing side, the button formed separately is unnecessary and will become useless. In addition, when a healthy person and a disabled person share a television device, a separate part must be attached and detached each time the user changes. Further, the separate part has only one operation button, and a predetermined operation is performed by repeatedly pressing the operation button. Therefore, there is a possibility that many operations must be performed before the predetermined operation is completed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to allow a handicapped person having a hand, finger, or arm handicap to easily input an operation, and to easily perform an operation input compared to the conventional case regardless of a user such as a normal person or a handicapped person An object of the present invention is to provide a television apparatus including an operation input means that can perform the above operation.

  The present invention relates to a television apparatus including an operation input unit that receives an operation input and outputs an operation command signal, and a control unit that performs predetermined control related to reproduction of a television broadcast signal in accordance with the input operation command signal. The operation input means includes a plurality of operation means each provided with an object detection means, and an operation command signal generation means for generating an operation command signal based on a combination of object detection signals of the plurality of operation means. It is said.

  In this configuration, when a viewer puts a part of the body in the sensing range of the object sensing means provided in the operation means, an object sensing signal is generated accordingly. For this reason, two status signals are generated for one operation means by the viewer. That is, a Hi state signal (hereinafter simply referred to as a “Hi signal”) is generated by stroking a part of the body, and a Low state signal (hereinafter simply referred to as a “Low signal” by not wandering the entire body. ").). Since there are a plurality of operation means provided with object detection means, for example, when there are two operation means, that is, there are two object detection signals, (1) both are in the Hi signal state, and (2) are both in the Low signal state. , (3) one form is a Hi signal state and the other is a Low signal state, and (4) one form is a Low signal state and the other is a Hi signal state. The operation command signal is output to the control unit of the television apparatus by making these correspond to the power ON signal, the channel switching signal, the audio volume adjustment signal, the power OFF signal, etc. by the operation command signal generating unit, respectively.

  Further, the operation means of the television apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it is detachably installed on the apparatus main body.

  In this configuration, since the operation means is detachable, it is possible to arrange the operation means at the viewing position of the viewer, and by staying at the viewing position while leaning a part of the body against these operation means, An operation command for the control means in the television apparatus is input.

  Further, the operation input means of the television apparatus of the present invention comprises a mounting detection means for detecting the mounting state of the operating means on the apparatus main body, and the operation command signal generated by the combination of the object sensing signals differs depending on the mounting state. It is characterized by that.

  In this configuration, a different operation command is set for each by detecting whether or not the operation means is mounted on the apparatus main body. Use this to set the mode to be used when the operating means is attached to the main body of the device for the free-handed healthy person, and remove the operating means from the main body of the handicapped person who is difficult to use. Set the mode to be used around. Accordingly, it is possible to use the same operation means in different modes, and it becomes easy to share a television device between a healthy person and a disabled person.

  Further, the object sensing means of the television apparatus of the present invention is an infrared sensor.

  In this configuration, since the infrared rays used in a normal remote controller can be used, the configuration of the apparatus is simplified.

  Further, the object detection means of the television apparatus of the present invention is a pyroelectric sensor.

  In this configuration, by using a pyroelectric sensor for sensing an object, the object sensing is performed by a method different from the infrared ray that communicates between the operation means and the apparatus main body, so that malfunctions due to interference with each other are suppressed.

  Further, the control means of the television apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a setting content display image corresponding to an operation command signal is generated.

  In this configuration, when a command input by the operation input unit is transmitted to the control unit, the control unit controls processing according to the command to each unit in the apparatus and displays a display corresponding to the command content on the display screen. Display above. As a result, the viewer is made aware of the details of the operation performed by the viewer.

  According to the present invention, by using a plurality of operation means each having an object detection means, an operation command signal is formed by not allowing each of the object detection means to sense a part of the body, thereby reducing Various operation commands can be generated depending on the number of operations. Thereby, it is possible to perform a predetermined operation input to the television apparatus by an easy operation without being related to the state of a user such as a healthy person or a disabled person.

  Further, according to the present invention, the operation input means can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, so that a person who has difficulty in movement, such as a disabled person, can operate by placing the operation input means in the vicinity of himself / herself. it can. As a result, it is possible for a handicapped person to input an operation to the television apparatus more easily than in the past.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the mode is switched depending on whether or not the operating means is attached to the main body, there is no need to perform the mode switching operation. Thus, the viewer can determine whether or not to attach the operation input means to the main body according to his / her state, and can perform operation input in different modes according to this. For example, since the body is free for a healthy person, operation means can be attached to the main body and operation input can be performed in a normal person mode (normal operation mode). Therefore, the operation means can be separated from the main body and arranged in the vicinity of the operation means to perform operation input in the disabled person mode. Thereby, the same operation input means can be shared by the healthy person and the handicapped person.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the operation input means can be formed with a simple structure that can achieve the above-described effects by using an infrared sensor.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the malfunction which arises by interference with an infrared communication signal can be suppressed by using a pyroelectric sensor.

  Further, according to the present invention, the operation content is displayed on the display screen, so that the viewer can confirm the operation content while watching this. Thereby, the television apparatus provided with the operation input means which is further excellent in operativity can be comprised.

  A television apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1A and 1B are external perspective views of the television apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which an operation unit is mounted on a housing, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the operation unit is separated from the housing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the television apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television apparatus of the present invention is disposed on the display unit 4 exposed on the front surface of the housing 1 and on both ends in the width direction of the housing 1 on the lower side of the display unit 4. Operation units 2a and 2b are provided. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, operation commands for the control unit 100, the television broadcast signal receiving unit 101, the video / audio signal reproducing unit 103, the speaker 5, and the operation input unit 102 are provided inside the housing 1 (not shown). A generation unit 121 and a mounting detection unit 122 are installed.

  The operation units 2a and 2b are each formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped body, and are inserted into recesses 3a and 3b formed on the lower front side of the housing 1 and into which the operation units 2a and 2b are inserted. Further, pyroelectric elements 20a and 20b exposed on one surface of the main body are respectively installed in the operation units 2a and 2b, and a pyroelectric sensor using these pyroelectric elements 20a and 20b is installed in the main body. In addition, infrared lamps 21a and 21b are installed on a surface different from the surface where the pyroelectric elements 20a and 20b of the operation units 2a and 2b are exposed, and an infrared transmission circuit using the infrared lamps 21a and 21b is installed in the main body. Yes. These pyroelectric sensors and the infrared transmission circuit are connected, and an object detection signal output from the pyroelectric sensor is transmitted from the infrared transmission circuit to the outside using the infrared lamps 21a and 21b.

  Infrared light receiving elements 30a and 30b are installed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 3a and 3b. The infrared light signals output from the infrared lamps 21a and 21b of the operation units 2a and 2b are received and converted into electrical signals for operation. Output to the instruction generation unit 121. At this time, the infrared lamps 21a and 21b of the operation units 2a and 2b are narrowed in directivity so that the infrared signal output from the infrared lamp 21a of the operation unit 2a is received by the infrared light receiving element 30a of the recess 3a, and the operation unit The infrared signal output from the 2b infrared lamp 21b is set to be received by the infrared light receiving element 30b in the recess 3b. Thereby, an infrared signal based on the content operated by the operation unit 2a is input from the infrared light receiving element 30a, and an infrared signal based on the content operated by the operation unit 2b is input from the infrared light receiving element 30b.

  The operation command generation unit 121 combines the operation signal from the operation unit 2a input from the infrared light receiving element 30a and the operation signal from the operation unit 2b input from the infrared light receiving element 30b, and is preset and stored from this combination. Operation command signals (for example, a power ON signal, a channel switching signal, a volume adjustment signal, a power OFF signal, etc.) are generated and output to the control unit 100. At this time, the operation command generation unit 121 receives a signal indicating whether or not the operation units 2a and 2b are mounted in the recesses 3a and 3b from the mounting detection unit 122. The operation command generation unit 121 In response to the signal, an operation command signal generated by a combination of signals input from the infrared light receiving elements 30a and 30b is switched. For example, in this embodiment, if the operation parts 2a and 2b are attached to the recesses 3a and 3b, the operation parts 2a and 2b are attached to the recesses 3a and 3b in the healthy person mode mainly for healthy persons. If not, the disabled person mode with the disabled person as the main symmetry is set. Here, the basic operation (power ON / OFF, channel switching, voice volume switching, etc.) does not change between the healthy person mode and the disabled person mode. However, in the healthy person mode, the two operation units 2a and 2b are used for a long time. There is a difference such that a function of automatically turning off the power when a Hi signal is input from is provided, or in the disabled person mode, the operation waiting time (input waiting time) is set longer.

  The control unit 100 controls the television broadcast signal receiving unit 101 and the video / audio signal reproducing unit 102 based on the operation command signal input from the operation command generating unit 121. For example, based on the channel designated by the operation command signal, the television broadcast signal receiving unit 101 extracts and amplifies the signal of the designated channel of the television broadcast signal, and the video / audio signal reproduction unit 103 performs video signal and audio It reproduces | regenerates to a signal and outputs it to the display part 4 and the speaker 5. FIG.

  As described above, an operation command signal can be input depending on whether an object is detected by the pyroelectric sensors of the operation units 2a and 2b. If the handicapped person has a disability in the arm, an operation command can be easily input by placing a part of another body in the sensing area.

  Next, a specific operation method and operation flow will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation signal and an operation command signal, that is, a signal inputted / outputted by the operation command generation unit 121. In FIG. 3, the operation signal 2A indicates an operation signal output from the operation unit 2a, and the operation signal 2B indicates an operation signal output from the operation unit 2b.

  First, when the operation signals 2A and 2B of the Hi signal for a predetermined time (about 5 seconds (hereinafter referred to as α time)) are input from the operation units 2a and 2b in the standby mode state, the operation command generation unit 121 A power ON signal A is output as an operation command signal. In accordance with the power ON signal A, the control unit 100 performs control to supply power from a power supply unit (not shown) to each unit in the apparatus.

  Next, in this state, when only the operation signal 2A is input with a Hi signal shorter than the α time and a β time (for example, 2 to 3 seconds) longer than the γ time described later, the operation command generating unit 121 It is set so that channel switching signals B and C are output as operation command signals in accordance with operation signals 2A and 2B that are input thereafter. Next, when only the operation signal 2A is input with the Hi signal within γ time (for example, within 1 second), the operation command generating unit 121 outputs the channel switching signal B for increasing the channel by one channel to the control unit 100. To do. The control unit 100 performs control for switching the extraction channel to the television broadcast signal receiving unit 101 in accordance with the channel switching signal B. On the other hand, when the Hi signal is input only to the operation signal 2B, the operation command generation unit 121 outputs a channel switching signal C for decreasing the channel by one channel to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls the television broadcast signal receiving unit 101 to switch the extraction channel according to the channel switching signal C.

  In this state, when the operation signals 2A and 2B are both Hi signals, the operation command generation unit 121 generates a channel switching end signal D as the operation command signal and outputs it to the control unit 100. Returns to the initial state after ON.

  In this initial state, when only the operation signal 2B is input with a Hi signal in β time, the operation command generating unit 121 switches the sound volume as the operation command signal by the operation signals 2A and 2B that are input thereafter. , F are set to output. Next, when only the operation signal 2 </ b> A is input with the Hi signal in γ time, the operation command generation unit 121 outputs a sound amount switching signal E that increases the one-step sound amount to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls the video / audio signal reproduction unit 103 to switch the audio volume of the audio signal according to the audio volume switching signal E. On the other hand, when the Hi signal is input only to the operation signal 2 </ b> B, the operation command generation unit 121 outputs a sound volume switching signal F that decreases the one-step sound volume to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls the video / audio signal reproduction unit 103 to switch the audio volume of the audio signal in accordance with the audio volume switching signal F. In this state, when the Hi signal is input to both the operation signals 2A and 2B, the operation command generation unit 121 generates a sound volume switching end signal G as the operation command signal and outputs it to the control unit 100. Return to the initial state.

  In any of the above-described states, if the operation signals 2A and 2B are continuously input with a Hi signal for a predetermined time (α time) or longer, the operation command generator 121 outputs the power OFF signal H as the operation command signal. Generate and output to the control unit 100. In accordance with the power OFF signal H, the control unit 100 performs control to stop power supply from a power supply unit (not shown) to each unit in the apparatus and shift to the standby mode.

  As described above, the operation command generation unit 121 stores the operation command signal output according to the combination of the input operation signals 2A and 2B, and further stores the current control state including the previous operation command signal contents. . Then, an operation command signal corresponding to the combination of the next input operation signals and the stored current control state is output to the control unit 100. Thus, a large number of operation commands can be generated by a combination of operation signals that are input simultaneously and a combination of operation signals that change in time. For example, if there are no state changes when two operation signals are in the Low state at the same time, three kinds of state change signals, that is, operation command signals can be generated, and the following combinations of operation signals further Since three types of operation command signals can be generated, a large number of operation command signals can be generated with a small number of operations. Thereby, the viewer can input more operations with fewer operations, the operability is improved, and a desired operation can be easily input.

  The sensing time (α time, β time, γ time) at the time of the above-described operation input is an example, and can be arbitrarily set by the viewer.

  Further, in the above description, the channel switching operation and the sound volume switching operation are each individually, that is, the other operation cannot be interrupted during one operation. While the operation unit 2a is continuously turned on, the operation unit 2a is turned on for a short time (γ time) to increase the amount of sound, and while the operation unit 2a is continuously turned on, the operation unit 2b is turned on for a short time (γ Time) Operation control such as reducing the volume of sound by turning it on may be performed.

  By the way, in the above description, when the viewer operates the operation units 2a and 2b, an operation command signal is generated according to the contents. However, as shown in FIG. You may make it operate 2a, 2b. Note that whether or not to output the menu screen can be set by the viewer. For example, the menu screen may be output in the disabled person mode that requires assistance for operation input instead of the normal person mode.

  4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of the menu screen. FIG. 4A shows the main menu screen, and FIG. 4B shows the sub menu screen when the channel switching menu is selected.

  In this case, when the operation units 2 a and 2 b are operated and the power is turned on from the standby mode as described above, the control unit 100 generates a menu screen and outputs it to the display unit 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the menu screen displays a channel switching menu bar 401, an audio volume switching menu bar 402, and an input switching menu bar 403 in a column, and a power OFF bar 404 is displayed at the lower side corner of the screen. Is done.

  By operating the operation units 2a and 2b in this state, the selected menu bar is changed. For example, when the operation unit 2a is turned on, that is, when a Hi signal is output from the operation unit 2a, the operation command generation unit 121 generates a signal that causes the control unit 100 to shift the selection to the menu bar one level higher. Output. In accordance with this signal, the control unit 100 moves the selection display to the menu bar one level above the currently selected menu bar. Conversely, when the operation unit 2b is turned on, that is, when a Hi signal is output from the operation unit 2b, the operation command generation unit 121 generates a signal that causes the control unit 100 to shift the selection to the next lower menu bar. Output. In accordance with this signal, the control unit 100 moves the selection display to the menu bar immediately below the currently selected menu bar. The operation command generation unit 121 generates a determination signal and outputs the determination signal to the control unit 100 by simultaneously turning on the operation units 2a and 2b while repeating such an operation. The control unit 100 outputs the submenu screen of the selected menu bar according to the determination signal. For example, when a determination signal is input while the channel switching menu bar 401 is selected, a channel switching submenu screen as shown in FIG. 4B is output.

  Even when this screen is displayed, the same operation as that when the above-mentioned menu screen is displayed is performed, so that the predetermined channel bars 411a to 411i, 412a to 412c, 413a to 413i, and the main menu can be transferred. The control unit 100 selects the designated channel by performing the determination operation with the predetermined channel selected (the operation units 2a and 2b are simultaneously turned on). Control is performed and the video of this channel is displayed.

  By using the menu screen in this way, the viewer can confirm the operation content that the viewer is currently performing, and the operability is further improved.

  As described above, by using the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to configure a television device including an operation unit that can be easily operated by a viewer regardless of whether a person is a normal person or a handicapped person.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pyroelectric sensor is used for object detection, but other sensors such as an infrared sensor may be used. And when an infrared sensor is used, since the infrared rays are also used for communication with the main body, the structure can be simplified.

1 is an external perspective view of a television device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a television device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Timing chart showing examples of operation signals and operation command signals Figure showing an example of the menu screen

Explanation of symbols

1-casing 2a, 2b-operation part 20a, 20b-pyroelectric element 21a, 21b-infrared lamp 3a, 3b-recessed part 30a, 30b-infrared light receiving element 4-display part 5-speaker 100-control part 101-television Broadcast signal reception unit 102-operation input unit 121-operation command generation unit 122-mounting detection unit 103-video / audio signal reproduction unit 401-channel switching bar 402-audio volume switching bar 403-input switching bar 404-power OFF bar 411a ˜411i, 412a˜412c, 413a˜413i—channel selection bar 414—main menu transition bar

Claims (7)

In a television apparatus comprising an operation input means for receiving an operation input and outputting an operation command signal, and a control means for performing predetermined control relating to reproduction of a television broadcast signal in accordance with the input operation command signal,
The operation input means includes object sensing means each composed of an infrared sensor or pyroelectric sensor, and a combination of a plurality of operation means detachably installed on the apparatus body and object detection signals of the plurality of operation means An operation command signal generating means for generating the operation command signal based on, and a mounting detection means for detecting a mounting state of the operating means on the apparatus body,
It has a plurality of operation modes for generating the operation command signals that differ according to the wearing state, and outputs an operation command signal based on the selected operation mode and the combination of the object detection signals to the control means,
The said control means performs the predetermined control regarding television broadcast signal reproduction | regeneration based on this operation command signal, and produces | generates a setting content display image, The television apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In a television apparatus comprising an operation input means for receiving an operation input and outputting an operation command signal, and a control means for performing predetermined control relating to reproduction of a television broadcast signal in accordance with the input operation command signal,
The operation input unit includes a plurality of operation units each including an object detection unit, and an operation command signal generation unit that generates the operation command signal based on a combination of object detection signals of the plurality of operation units. .   The television apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit is detachably installed on the apparatus main body.   The operation input unit includes a mounting detection unit that detects a mounting state of the operation unit in the apparatus main body, and the operation command signal generated by a combination of the object detection signals is varied depending on the mounting state. Item 4. The television device according to Item 3.   The television apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the object sensing means is an infrared sensor.   The television apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the object detection unit is a pyroelectric sensor.   The television apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit generates a setting content display image according to the operation command signal.

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