JP2007194840A - Remote control unit and image receiving system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the incorrect operation when operable with less number of keys. <P>SOLUTION: A remote control unit for remote controlling electronic devices comprises a base body having an upper surface and a rear surface. It comprises a display unit having a front surface and a back surface and rotatably connected between a closed position for covering the upper surface of the base body by the front surface side and an open position at which the upper surface of the base body is exposed. It also comprises a first input key group provided to the upper surface of the base body for operating a first function of the electronic device, a second input key group provided to one of the back surface of the display unit and the rear surface of the base body for operating a second function of the electronic device, and a display part provided to the display unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device capable of remotely operating a plurality of functions, and an image receiving system.

Usually, a remote control device is used to operate a television. Usually, one remote control is assigned to one electronic device. In recent years, as the number of electronic devices operated by a remote control device increases, the number of remote control devices also increases. A remote control device capable of remotely operating a plurality of electronic devices is disclosed (Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-175800 A

  By the way, in order to remotely operate one electronic device, there are cases where it is possible to operate with a small number of keys and operations with a large number of keys. Since the current remote control device is designed for a case where it is necessary to operate with many keys, an erroneous operation may be performed when the operation can be performed with a small number of keys.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device and an image receiving system that can suppress erroneous operation when operation is possible with few keys.

  A remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device according to an example of the present invention includes a base having a top surface and a back surface, a front surface, and a back surface, and the front side covers the top surface of the base material, A display unit rotatably connected to an open position at which the upper surface of the base body is exposed; a first input key group provided on the upper surface of the base body; a rear surface of the base body; and a rear surface of the display unit A second input key group provided on one side of the display unit, and a touch sensor provided on the display unit for displaying a virtual third input key group and detecting an operation of the third input key. And a display unit provided.

  It is possible to suppress erroneous operation when operation is possible with a small number of keys.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a television with a STB (set-top box) function / TV tuner as an image receiving device (electronic device).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the STB function built-in television 100 is connected to a TV antenna for receiving TV waves and a network 500 through which broadcast data transmitted from the network distribution server 300 flows.

  The television 100 can be operated by a remote controller.

  The appearance of the remote control is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the remote controller. FIG. 3 is a side view of the remote controller. FIG. 4 is a front view of the remote controller.

  The remote controller 200 includes a remote controller main body 201 and a display unit 202. The display unit 202 incorporates a display device composed of an LCD 211 (Liquid Crystal Display), and the display screen of the LCD 211 is positioned substantially at the center of the display unit 202. A touch sensor 213 is disposed on the surface of the LCD 211 so that data can be input by a user operation.

  The display unit 202 is supported by the hinge portion 203 of the remote control main body 201 and rotates between the open position where the upper surface of the remote control main body 201 is exposed and the closed position covering the upper surface of the remote control main body 201 with respect to the remote control main body 201. It is attached freely. The remote control main body 201 has a thin box-shaped housing, and a first operation key group 213 is arranged on the upper surface thereof. In addition, a light emitting unit for transmitting an infrared signal is provided inside the remote control body 201. A transmission window 204 through which infrared rays emitted from the light emitting unit are transmitted is provided on the side surface of the remote control body. The transmission window 204 is preferably provided on the side facing the hinge portion 203. Providing the transmissive window 204 on the side facing the hinge portion 203 prevents the transmissive window 204 from being directed toward the television 100 when the display unit 202 is shifted from the closed position to the open position, thereby preventing malfunction. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a second operation key group 221 is arranged on the back side of the display unit 202. The second operation key group 221 may be provided on the back side of the remote control main body 201.

  The touch sensor 213 and the first operation key group 213 are keys for operating the STB function of the television 100. The second operation key group 221 is a key for operating the TV wave tuner of the television 100.

  By separating the functions on the outer operation surface and the inner operation surface of the two-fold type remote controller, only the essential keys can be arranged on each operation surface and unnecessary keys can be eliminated. Therefore, erroneous operation can be suppressed by using the second operation key group 221 when watching TV.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a STB function built-in television and remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the television 100 will be described. The TV tuner 124 is a device that receives a TV program supplied using radio waves, and receives broadcast data of a channel number specified by a command from the tuner channel selection control unit 123. This internal TV tuner 124 is connected to the TV antenna 400. An infrared receiving and amplifying unit 121 and an infrared signal processing unit 122 for receiving an infrared signal from the remote controller 200 are provided. In response to the infrared signal from the remote controller 200, the tuner channel selection control unit 123 transmits a command to the tuner 124.

  An STB function for receiving broadcast data supplied via a network such as an optical fiber or ADSL is incorporated. The STB function includes a server communication unit 114 that requests content distributed through communication with the distribution server 300. The video / audio data separating unit 116 separates the video / audio data and the web data from the data transmitted from the network distribution server 300. The Web data is processed into a form that can be displayed on the LCD 211 of the remote controller by the Web data editing unit 115. In addition, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) transmission unit 111, a Bluetooth reception amplification unit 112, and a Bluetooth control unit 113 for performing communication with the remote controller 200 are provided.

  The TV signal received by the tuner is separated into a video signal and an audio signal by the video / audio separation unit 131. The separated video signal is demodulated by the video signal processing unit 132. The demodulated video data is displayed on the display 134 via the video driver 133.

  The audio signal separated by the video / audio separation unit 131 is demodulated by the audio demodulation unit 135 to obtain audio data. The audio data is converted into analog data by the audio signal control unit 136. The audio signal converted into analog data is amplified by the audio signal amplification output unit 137 and output from the speaker 138.

  The MPU 140 controls the tuner channel selection control unit 123, the video signal processing unit 132, the video driver 133, the audio signal control unit 136, and the audio signal amplification output unit 137.

  Next, the system configuration of the remote controller 200 will be described. The function switching detection unit 230 switches whether to control the terrestrial tuner function or the STB function by detecting whether the display unit 202 is in the closed position or the open position.

  The remote controller 200 determines whether to communicate with the television 100 via Bluetooth or to perform infrared communication according to the detection result of the function switching detection unit 230. When the function switching detection unit 230 detects that the display unit 202 is in the closed position, infrared rays are emitted from the infrared signal control unit 222 and the infrared signal light emission unit 223 in accordance with the operation of the second operation key group 221. To do. When the function switching detection unit 230 detects that the display unit 202 is in the open position, the data displayed on the LCD 211 is received by the Bluetooth reception amplification processing unit 216. The received display data is supplied to the display processing unit 217 and displayed on the LCD 211.

  Control system data from the network distribution server uses the HTTP format, which is a Web display language, and communicates with TCP. Control data is often encrypted from the viewpoint of confidentiality. Control system data from these network distribution servers is received by a TV equipped with an STB box function, encrypted and decoded, then re-encrypted, and transferred to the remote control side by a wireless method such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth, or wireless LAN.

  On the remote control side, a web browser and a descrambling function are installed, and the cipher of the control data is released. The canceled information is displayed on the LCD 211. As a software function on the remote control side, a web browser and a control data encryption / decoding function are installed. By implementing the encryption function, confidentiality between the TV and the remote control can be maintained.

  By using the Bluetooth authentication function between the remote control and the TV, it is possible to prevent the same type of remote control from using the network distribution function without permission. The initial setting method when purchasing a TV is shown below.

  The terminal that tries to communicate for the first time after turning on the main power of the TV performs “inquiry”. In the “inquiry”, the roles of the master and the slave are different, so here, the description will be made assuming that the television 100 is a master and the remote controller is a slave. The authentication setting image is shown in FIGS.

  After purchase, a battery or the like is attached to the remote controller 200 to activate it, and the remote controller is in the closed state (normal TV remote controller state). “Initial setting” is selected from the setting menu screen, settings are made according to a screen message such as a user name, and the closed state (normal TV remote control state) is restored.

  Next, turn on the main power of the TV. The initial setting menu screen is displayed on the television. Closed state (normal TV remote control state) Using the television remote control, follow the instructions on the menu screen and select “Remote control setting”. On the remote control setting screen, set to Master: TV Slave: Remote Control.

As shown in FIG. 6, connection name: Bluetooth RM
Connection destination: Remote control Method: Bluetooth
Device name:
Set to. When “search start” is selected, the Bluetooth master search function of the Bluetooth control unit of the television 100 is activated. Regardless of the presence of slaves in the vicinity, the search for Bluetooth devices starts by broadcasting IQ packets containing IAC (Iniquriy Access Code) continuously. The Bluetooth control unit 214 of the remote controller 200 in the “inquiry state” around it receives the IQ packet including the IAC via the Bluetooth reception amplification processing unit 216. Each time the Bluetooth control unit of the remote controller 200 receives an IQ packet, the Bluetooth transmission unit 215 returns an FHS packet to the television 100 that is the master in order to transmit the attribute of the remote controller 200 that is the slave.

  The Bluetooth device attribute of the Bluetooth device responding from the DAC (Device Access Code) included in the FHS packet is recognized via the Bluetooth reception amplification unit 112 of the television 100, and the received device is listed to complete the search.

  When the Bluetooth device search is complete, a list of connectable device names is displayed. Select the remote control device name proposed in this patent: TSB TV RM1 (the one that matches the name set on the remote control 200) from that device group. To do. When selected, the passkey screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Enter unique characters or numbers using the remote control in the closed state (normal TV remote control state).

  When the input is completed, the remote control is set to the open position in the closed state (normal TV remote control state). When in the open position, the pass function authentication screen is displayed on the remote control display screen, so enter the same password as the characters entered on the TV. Check the input end and initial setting end message. After confirmation, other initial settings of the television are performed as a closed state (normal TV remote control state).

  With the above operation, the remote controller 200 is registered in the television 100 as a Bluetooth device. This operation is performed once at the initial setting.

  A normal operation sequence outline flowchart is shown in FIGS. A case where the television 100 is a master and the remote controller 200 is a slave as set in the initial setting will be described.

  The user operates the power key in the second operation key group 221 of the remote controller 200 in the closed state (normal TV remote controller state) (step S11), and the television 100 returns from the standby state to the operating state (step S12).

  When the television 100 is in an operating state, the Bluetooth master function of the Bluetooth control unit of the television 100 is activated (step S13), and an ID packet is transmitted from the Bluetooth transmission unit 111 to a specific slave (step S14). Search for.

  When the Bluetooth control unit 214 of the remote controller 200 receives the ID packet via the Bluetooth reception amplification unit 216, the Bluetooth control unit 214 performs call response communication between the master and the slave as reception confirmation (step S15).

The Bluetooth control unit 113 on the television 100 side authenticates the remote controller 200, which is a registered Bluetooth device, from the received response slave data via the Bluetooth reception amplification unit 112 (step S16). When the authentication is completed, communication is performed between the remote controller and the television regarding the encryption method (step S17).
The encryption processing method between the remote controller and the television is transmitted from the Bluetooth control unit to the encryption application (step S18).

  When the remote controller 200 which is the registered specific device is found and the procedure such as authentication / encryption is completed, registration is performed as an available device (step S19). Thereafter, other work for establishing a communication connection with the remote control 200 that is a communicable Bluetooth device is performed, and a network distribution start command from the remote control 200 is awaited (step S20). If the remote controller 200 is not found in the specific device search, the system waits in the “standby state”. When the user opens the remote controller 200 and sets the display unit 202 to the open position, the function switching detection unit 230 notifies the Bluetooth control unit 214 (step S21). The Bluetooth control unit 214 transmits a command for viewing network-based distribution content to the Bluetooth control unit 122 on the television 100 side that is the Bluetooth master (step S22).

  The Bluetooth control unit 122 on the television 100 side that has received a command for viewing network-based distribution content activates the built-in STB function. The server communication unit 114 issues a connection request to the contracted network distribution server 300 via the wide area network, and starts communication with the network distribution server 300 (step S23).

  When receiving data requesting user selection input through communication with the network distribution server 300, the video / audio / web data separation unit 116 analyzes the received data and uses the web communication data from the control communication data (TCP data). Is extracted (step S24). The web system data editing unit 115 edits the WEB system data into a format adapted to the display form of the LCD 211 of the remote controller 200 (step S25). The edited data is transmitted to the remote controller 200 using Bluetooth (step S26).

  The remote controller 200 receives data using Bluetooth (step S27). The received data is analyzed by the display processing unit 217, and a content selection screen is displayed on the LCD 211 of the remote controller (step S28). Since the content selection screen and the viewing screen are separated, the user need not interrupt the viewing of the program.

  The user responds to the contents displayed on the LCD 211 by operating the first operation key group 213 or the touch sensor 213. The data input by the user is transmitted to the television 100 using Bluetooth (step S29).

  The television 100 receives data (step S30). The server communication unit 114 analyzes the received data (step S31). The server communication unit 114 transmits the analyzed data to the network distribution server 300 (step S32).

  Content to be viewed repeatedly from step S24 to step S32 is determined (step S33). The same applies to control communication such as parental lock (age-restricted program).

  The video / audio data sent from the content distribution server is decoded and displayed on the display 134, and the audio is output from the speaker 138 (step S34).

  Even when there is a channel change accompanied by a Web screen, a channel input key, or a channel up / down key input while watching a program, the processing is performed according to the processing procedure from step S24 to step S32.

  When stopping the viewing of the network distribution content, the remote controller 200 is folded and the display unit 202 is set to the closed position. The function switching detection unit 230 transmits a viewing stop command to the television 100 (step S41).

  Receiving the network distribution stop request, the server communication unit 114 transmits a distribution stop command to the network distribution server 300 (step S42).

  When the network distribution is stopped, the server communication unit 114 transmits network distribution stop confirmation information to the remote controller 200, and the STB function of the television 100 enters a command standby state from the remote controller 200 (step S43).

  The remote controller 200 obtains the transmission information of the network distribution stop confirmation, and stops the network distribution program remote control function on the remote control side (step S44). When stop confirmation information cannot be received, a warning sound is emitted from the remote control.

  The digital high-definition screen has a 16: 9 screen size (landscape). It is necessary to consider the case where the Web screen transmitted from the content control server is also transmitted with a screen size of 16: 9 in accordance with the TV screen. It corresponds to 16: 9 screen size by putting the remote control screen sideways. In order to detect the vertical and horizontal states, it is necessary to mount a gravity sensor or an accelerometer on the remote control side.

  It is preferable to detect the attitude of the remote control with a gravity sensor and adjust the screen displayed on the LCD of the remote control on the remote control side as shown in FIG. Similarly, the key function is changed by vertical and horizontal operations corresponding to the posture of the remote control.

  Some users do not subscribe to network distribution services. In such a case, the satellite broadcast system program control can be arranged on the inner operation surface folded in half by a specific key operation.

  There is also a method of eliminating the infrared channel switching portion for channel control that has been used conventionally and switching to a wireless communication system. In this case, since infrared communication cannot be used for the initial setting, the initial setting is performed using a key attached to the TV main body.

  The effects of the above-described apparatus will be described below.

[1] Improved operation performance by reducing the number of keys on the operation surface The current TV remote control is separated from the type that shares the broadcasting channel keys such as terrestrial broadcasting and BS / CS, but is arranged on the same operation surface There are many things. There are many keys on the operation surface that are unnecessary for selecting the most frequently used terrestrial TV program. In the present invention, the TV remote controller is folded in the same manner as a mobile phone, and only keys necessary for the selected channel operation function (terrestrial TV or network distribution system TV) are arranged. Therefore, unnecessary keys on the operation surface can be reduced, and user operability is improved.

[2] Arrangement of network-related channel control function on the inner surface by folding the remote control in half The remote control has a double-folded structure and cannot be viewed unless a contract is made arbitrarily as in the network distribution system Built-in remote control function for programs. Until the network distribution system remote control surface is opened, it operates as a TV remote control, and the network system remote control operates by opening the network distribution system remote control surface. By separating the two surfaces, the mutual control of the functions becomes easy, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

[3] Improved operability by separating TV channels and network channels The current TV remote control is separated from the type that shares terrestrial broadcasting and BS / CS broadcasting channel keys, but has the same operation Many are arranged on the surface. In the present invention, the TV remote controller is folded in half like a mobile phone. The surface uses a terrestrial TV remote control operation surface for normal use, and the inner surface is a network distribution remote control operation surface that requires screen display for channel operation. By separating the remote control operation surface, it becomes clear whether the user is operating the terrestrial TV or the network distribution broadcasting, and the operability is improved.

[4] Mounting the display A new internal operation surface was created by folding the remote control in half, making it possible to mount a display for display on the internal operation surface that was difficult to mount due to area problems.

  By installing the display display surface, it is possible to display the control screen related to STB program selection display from the TV screen display to the remote control side display screen. In addition, it became possible to mount a touch panel display, etc., because it became possible to mount a display.

  As a result, compared to conventional TV remote control with built-in STB, such as a multi-function TV remote control, only the TV reception function can be downsized as a remote control. It is expected to improve.

[5] Program selection display that does not hinder program viewing when selecting network distribution system channels Network distribution distribution broadcasts that cannot be viewed without an arbitrary contract have a large number of channels because of the wide variety of network distribution contents. In many cases, the program is selected from the unique channel switching Web screen. Various types of contents can be selected so that they cannot be displayed without using the Web screen. In the network distribution using the current STB, since the STB does not have a sufficient display function, it is necessary to interrupt the TV viewing program once when switching channels and display the channel control display using the TV display.

In the STB function-equipped TV, the channel selection Web screen and the viewing program video data are separated on the TV by utilizing the difference between the network system distribution program control protocol and the video data protocol. A display is mounted on the inner surface of the two-fold remote control. By moving the network distribution channel control display to the remote control inner operation surface, the selected TV viewing program can be selected without interruption.

[6] Improved channel switching operability on the Web screen The network distribution program has a great variety of contents. Key operation is complicated due to the large number of channels. In particular, since the input on the Web screen is selected using the up / down key and the left / right movement key, the operation is complicated. In normal channel switching, an up / down key, a left / right movement key, and an enter key are often used. In order to facilitate this operation, the display on the network distribution system remote control operation surface on the internal operation surface of the two-fold remote control is a touch panel system. The number of key inputs can be reduced by the touch panel method. Further, unnecessary key input communication can be reduced.

[7] Position of infrared remote control device of TV remote control By placing the infrared transmission window of TV remote control on the opposite side of hinge part 203, when the network distribution system remote control surface is opened, a key is input during TV remote control operation. However, since the infrared light emitting surface is difficult to face to the TV side, it is possible to prevent the channel switching signal from reaching the TV.

[8] Position detection and display screen of remote control using gravity sensor Remote control screen in consideration of the case where the Web screen transmitted from the content control server is also transmitted with a screen size of 16: 9 in accordance with the digital program screen It corresponds to a 16: 9 screen size by setting the side. The gravity sensor mounted on the remote control detects the posture of the remote control and adjusts the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the screen displayed on the remote control display on the remote control side. Similarly, the key function also changes vertically and horizontally according to the posture of the remote control. This function improves the visibility of the Web screen for the user.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a television with a built-in STB function as an image receiving device (electronic device). The front view which shows the external appearance of a remote control. The side view which shows the external appearance of a remote control. The front view which shows the external appearance of a remote control. The block diagram which shows the system structure of the image receiving system which consists of a television with a built-in STB function and a remote control. The figure which shows the authentication setting image by Bluetooth. The figure which shows the authentication setting image by Bluetooth. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement sequence of a television with a built-in STB function and a remote control. The flowchart which shows the operation sequence of a television with a built-in STB function and a remote controller. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement sequence of a television with a built-in STB function and a remote control. The figure which shows the content selection screen displayed on LCD, when a remote control is made into the vertical and horizontal.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... STB function built-in television, 111 ... Bluetooth transmission part, 112 ... Bluetooth reception amplification part, 113 ... Bluetooth control part, 114 ... Server communication part, 115 ... Web system data editing part, 116 ... Web system data separation part, 121 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Infrared light reception amplification part, 122 ... Infrared signal processing part, 123 ... Tuner channel selection control part, 124 ... Television tuner, 131 ... Video / audio separation part, 132 ... Video signal processing part, 133 ... Video driver, 134 ... Display, 135 ... Audio demodulator 136. Audio controller 137 Audio signal amplifier output 138 Speaker 140 MUP 200 Remote controller 201 Remote body 202 Display unit 203 Hinge 204 Transmission Window, 211 ... LCD, 212 ... Touch sensor 213 ... first operation key group, 214 ... Bluetooth control unit, 215 ... Bluetooth transmission unit, 216 ... Bluetooth reception amplification processing unit, 217 ... display processing unit, 221 ... second operation key group, 222 ... infrared signal control unit , 223 ... Infrared signal light emitting unit, 230 ... Function switching detection unit, 300 ... Network distribution server, 400 ... TV antenna, 500 ... Network

Claims (9)

A remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device,
A substrate having an upper surface and a back surface;
A display unit having a front surface and a back surface, the display unit being rotatably connected between a closed position where the front surface covers the upper surface of the base body and an open position where the upper surface of the base body is exposed;
A first input key group provided on the upper surface of the base for operating the first function of the electronic device;
A second input key group provided on one of the back surface of the base and the back surface of the display unit to operate the second function of the electronic device;
A display unit provided in the display unit;
A remote control device comprising:   The display unit displays a virtual third input key group for operating the first function, and a touch sensor for detecting an operation of the third input key is provided on a surface of the display unit. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device is provided. The electronic device remotely operated by the remote control device is
The first function includes means for receiving first broadcast data from a network;
The second function includes a tuner connected to an antenna and receiving second broadcast data;
The remote control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for reproducing one of the first broadcast data or the second broadcast data.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for remotely operating the first function by notifying the electronic device of data input by the first input key group using wireless communication. Remote control device.   2. The remote control device according to claim 1, further comprising means for remotely operating the electronic device by notifying the electronic device of data input by the second input key group using an optical signal. . Means for receiving first broadcast data distributed from the server; means for processing selection screen display data for selecting the first broadcast data distributed from the server; and An image receiving device having a tuner for receiving broadcast data, and means for reproducing one of the first broadcast data or the second broadcast data;
A remote control device for remotely operating the image receiving device, comprising: a base having a top surface and a back surface; a front surface; and a back surface, wherein the front side covers the top surface of the substrate; and the top surface of the base material A display unit that is pivotably connected to an open position where the light is exposed, a first input key group for remotely operating the receiving means provided on the top surface of the base, a back surface of the base, and A second input key group for remotely operating the tuner provided on one of the rear surfaces of the display unit, and a display unit provided on the display unit for displaying selection screen display data processed by the processing means An image receiving system comprising: a remote control device including:   The display unit displays a virtual third input key group for operating the first function, and a touch sensor for detecting an operation of the third input key is provided on a surface of the display unit. The image receiving system according to claim 6, wherein the image receiving system is provided.   7. The image receiving system according to claim 6, further comprising means for remotely operating the electronic device by notifying the electronic device of data input by the first input key group using wireless communication. .   7. The image receiving system according to claim 6, further comprising means for remotely operating the electronic device by notifying the electronic device of data input by the second input key group using an optical signal.

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