JP2008124730A - Electronic apparatus with remote control function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of remotely operating electric appliances, suppressing the increase of development cost as much as possible and improving user's convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus comprises a main body device and a module and transmits remote control signals to electric appliances by radio. The main body device includes: a connection part which allows the module and a storage medium having a prescribed program stored therein to be freely detachably connected thereto; a control part which reads out a program from the connected module or storage medium and executes control based on the program; and an indication information acquisition part which acquires user's indication information. The module includes: a first storage part wherein a control program to be read out to the control part is stored; and a signal transmission part which generates a remote control signal and transmits it by radio. The control program includes a step of causing the signal transmission part to generate a remote control signal corresponding to indication information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of remotely operating a predetermined electrical appliance (remote control operation).

  Currently, various electric appliances are widely used in homes, and the number and types of electric appliances are increasing year by year, and the functions of the devices themselves are becoming multifunctional and complicated in order to differentiate them. Among such equipment products, video equipment, audio equipment, air-conditioning equipment, etc. are particularly equipped with a remote control device so that they can be operated remotely, increasing the convenience of each product.

  Usually, the remote control device is attached to the electrical appliance. In general, only the attached electrical appliances can be operated, and other electrical appliances cannot be operated at all.

  Due to the situation of home appliances as described above, there are an increasing number of cases where a large number of remote control devices exist in the home. In addition, various functions have been added to the electrical equipment itself for differentiation and higher performance, and the number of buttons has been increased so that the remote control device itself can cover the operation of all the functions of the equipment. , Complicated operations are required. For this reason, the user is often confused by the selection of the remote control device and is often troubled by the operation method.

  In order to alleviate such a situation, a general-purpose remote control that replaces the remote control of a plurality of electrical appliances is commercially available as a single unit. In this general-purpose remote controller, a signal pattern is designed so that a plurality of electrical appliances can be controlled by remote control in advance, and can be used as a remote controller for a plurality of electrical appliances by switching settings.

  However, because the general-purpose remote control has a fixed arrangement and number of buttons, only a common function can be assigned and it is difficult to respond flexibly. Further, it is necessary for the user to separately purchase a general-purpose remote controller that is used only for remote control operation, and the cost is excessive and wasted. Thus, there are several problems from the viewpoint of user convenience.

  Therefore, it is considered that a portable terminal having a main application or function other than the remote control function has a remote control function, thereby reducing the number of remote controls. Currently, the most popular portable terminals are mobile phones and then portable game machines. As for cellular phones, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 8, it is considered that an electrical appliance has a remote control function.

According to these descriptions, as a method considered for using a mobile phone as a remote controller, (1) an electric appliance control signal transmitting / receiving unit is provided outside the mobile phone casing, and an electric appliance control signal is provided inside. (2) A control program for electrical appliances is collectively stored in a server on a network via the Internet, and a control program for the desired electrical appliance is downloaded via the network to create a mobile phone. (3) Each time, the control program for the electrical device that the remote controller is desired to operate is started and the mobile phone is set as a one-to-one remote controller, or first, a plurality of electrical devices that can be remotely controlled are stored in the mobile phone. Select the appliance that you want to display on the display unit and you want to operate from the remote controller. Able to work, it is mentioned things like.
JP 2001-274899 A JP 2001-275172 A JP 2001-285945 A JP-A-10-271229 JP 2003-264612 A JP 2003-264613 A JP 2002-204292 A JP 2005-244676 A

  However, according to the method of using the mobile phone as a remote control as described above, for example, even when the specification of the signal transmission unit of the remote control signal is changed, it is necessary to significantly change the specification of the mobile phone body, which leads to development costs and development. There is a problem that the period is increased. Further, the number of operation buttons of a mobile phone used for remote control operation is not so different from the number of buttons provided on a conventional remote control, and it is difficult to say that confusion during operation is eliminated.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention can suppress an increase in development cost as much as possible while improving the convenience of the user even though it is an electronic device capable of performing remote operation of electrical appliances. An object is to provide an electronic device that can be operated.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention comprises a main unit and a module, and wirelessly transmits a remote control signal, thereby enabling remote operation of an electrical appliance that receives the remote control signal. The main unit includes a connection unit to which the storage medium storing the module and a predetermined program is detachably connectable; reads the program from the connected module or storage medium, and based on the program A control unit that executes control; an instruction information acquisition unit that acquires instruction information from a user; and the module stores a first storage unit that stores a control program to be read by the control unit; A signal transmission unit that generates a control signal and wirelessly transmits the control signal, wherein the control program includes the signal transmission unit , A structure including the step of generating said remote control signal corresponding to the instruction information (first configuration).

  According to this configuration, the main body device plays a role as a device (game machine main body or the like) that executes the program by connecting a storage medium (game cartridge or the like) that stores the predetermined program. it can. On the other hand, the main unit can serve as a remote control transmitter for remote control of predetermined electrical appliances by connecting modules. Thus, for the user, the common main device can be used as an execution device (game machine or the like) for a predetermined program or a remote control transmitter, so that convenience is improved.

  In this configuration, a module provided separately from the main body device includes a first storage unit (stores a control program) and a signal transmission unit for executing remote control. Therefore, for example, even when the specification of the signal transmission unit is changed, the specification change of the main body device itself can be avoided as much as possible, so that the development cost and development period of the device can be easily reduced. Also, it is convenient for the user to add only a module when adding a remote control function to an electronic device.

  In the first configuration, the main unit includes a communication unit that downloads the control program from a predetermined communication server, and the first storage unit stores the control program (second configuration). Configuration).

  According to this configuration, if various control programs are prepared in the predetermined communication server, these control programs can be obtained by downloading the control program by the main body device. Thus, for example, by preparing a control program related to a plurality of types of electrical appliances, it becomes easy to make the electronic device a remote control transmitter for the plurality of types of electrical appliances.

  In the first or second configuration, the main unit is configured to be a portable game machine by connecting the storage medium storing the game program to the connection unit (third configuration). It is good.

  According to this configuration, the same main device can be used as either a portable game machine or a remote control transmitter. Note that since portable game machines and remote control transmitters often do not require a large number of operation buttons, the number of operation buttons on the main unit is reduced as much as possible, and the operability is easily improved.

  In any one of the first to third configurations, the main body device includes a display device, the module includes a second storage unit that stores an application program, and the application program includes: A first step of displaying a list of types of the control program held by the first storage unit on the display device, and enabling a user to select one of the lists; and the selection related to the selection It is good also as a structure (4th structure) including the 2nd step which starts a control program.

  According to this configuration, by executing the first step and the second step, the user can grasp the type of each control program held by the electronic device and can activate a desired one from among them. Therefore, even if the electronic device has a plurality of control programs, it is possible to avoid the loss of user convenience as much as possible.

  A module that is detachably connectable to a predetermined main body device that executes processing based on the program; a storage unit that stores a control program read by the main body device; and a module that transmits the control program to the predetermined electric appliance. A signal transmission unit that generates and transmits a remote control signal for wireless transmission, and the control program includes a step of causing the signal transmission unit to generate the remote control signal (fifth) According to the module of the configuration, a remote control transmitter can be realized together with a predetermined main body device.

  Also, a connection unit that corresponds to the main unit in the fifth configuration and that removably connects a cartridge storing a game program; and reads out the game program and executes processing based on the program A portable game machine having a control unit, wherein the connection unit can connect the module according to the fifth configuration instead of the cartridge, and when the module is connected, the control unit According to the portable game machine having the configuration (sixth configuration) for reading the control program and executing the processing related to the control program, a remote control transmitter can be realized together with the module according to the fifth configuration.

  As described above, according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the main body apparatus is connected to a storage medium (such as a game cartridge) that stores a predetermined program, thereby executing the program (game machine main body or the like). Can serve as. On the other hand, the main unit can serve as a remote control transmitter for remote control of predetermined electrical appliances by connecting modules. Thus, for the user, the common main device can be used as an execution device (game machine or the like) for a predetermined program or a remote control transmitter, so that convenience is improved.

  In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, a module provided separately from the main body device includes a first storage unit (stores a control program) and a signal transmission unit for executing remote control. Therefore, for example, even when the specification of the signal transmission unit is changed, the specification change of the main body device itself can be avoided as much as possible, so that the development cost and development period of the device can be easily reduced. Also, it is convenient for the user to add only a module when adding a remote control function to an electronic device.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, a portable game machine (portable game machine) in which various game cartridges can be attached and detached, and a remote control specification module (hereinafter simply referred to as “module” that can be attached to a portable game machine instead of the cartridge) The remote control system will be described.

  A schematic configuration of the remote control system is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the system 1 includes a portable game machine 2, a module 3, an electric appliance 4, a server 5, and the like.

  First, the configuration of the portable game machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the portable game machine 2 includes a CPU 21, a wireless communication unit 22, operation buttons 23, a display device 24, a speaker 25, a connection unit 26, and the like.

  The CPU 21 executes various processes based on the program recorded in the game cartridge 6 or the module 3 attached to the connection unit 26. For example, in the case of a game program related to the game cartridge 6, processing such as character display through the display device 24, output of sound effects through the speaker 25, and character movement according to the state of the operation buttons 23 is executed. To do. The contents of processing when the module 3 is connected will be described again.

  The wireless communication unit 22 performs wireless communication, and can thereby access the server 5 and the like via a communication path such as the Internet. The wireless communication unit 22 makes it possible to execute a game battle with a person at a remote location, for example.

  The operation button 23 is configured by, for example, a push button switch or a cross-shaped button switch. Thereby, the portable game machine 2 can acquire information (instruction information) reflecting the user's intention through a button operation by the user.

  The display device 24 includes a display device such as an LCD, and performs various displays according to control by the CPU 21. The speaker 25 outputs various sounds according to the control by the CPU 21.

  The connection unit 26 has a shape that allows the module 3 and the game cartridge 6 to be detachably attached to the portable game machine 2 side, and when attached, connects the internal circuits to each other in a predetermined state.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the module 3 includes a flash memory 31, a ROM 32, a remote control signal generation unit 33, a remote control signal transmission unit 34, a connection unit 35, and the like. The flash memory 31 stores various control programs acquired by downloading from the server 5 or the like. The control program is a program necessary for executing remote control of a predetermined electrical appliance, and the specific contents will be described later. The ROM 32 stores application programs and the like which will be described later.

  The remote control control signal generator 33 generates a remote control signal for executing remote control according to the control of the CPU 21 on the portable game machine 2 side, and outputs it to the remote control signal transmitter 34. The remote control control signal transmission unit 34 has, for example, infrared communication means, modulates the received remote control signal into a wireless signal, and wirelessly transmits it to a predetermined electrical appliance 4.

  As described above, the portable game machine 2 can be connected not only to the module 3 but also to the game cartridge 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the game cartridge 6 includes a flash memory 41 and a ROM 42. The flash memory 41 records, for example, game progress information and the like under the control of the CPU 21 on the portable game machine 2 side. The ROM 42 stores a program for executing the game. The connection portions (35, 43) in the module 3 and the game cartridge 6 all correspond to the connection portion 26 on the portable game machine 2 side.

  The electrical appliance 4 includes a receiving unit for receiving a remote control signal, and can perform processing corresponding to the received remote control signal (for example, power ON / OFF). FIG. 1 shows a TV receiver and a DVD player as an example, but the present invention is not limited to these.

  The server 5 can communicate with the portable game machine 2 and the like via a communication path such as the Internet. Further, the server 5 has a database in which control programs corresponding to the various electric appliances 4 are recorded, and can provide various control programs in response to a request from the portable game machine 2 or the like. ing.

  With the above configuration, when the game cartridge 6 is connected, the portable game machine 2 can execute the game by reading the game program recorded therein. On the other hand, when the module 3 is connected, it can be used as a remote control transmitter for controlling a predetermined electrical appliance 4. Here, the flow of processing when the portable game machine 2 is used as a remote control transmitter will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When the power source of the portable game machine 2 is turned on (or the reset button or the like is pressed) with the module 3 connected to the connection unit 26 of the portable game machine 2, the CPU 21 executes the application program stored in the ROM 32. Read (step S11). Thereafter, various processes executed by the CPU 21 are performed based on this application program. A program for causing the CPU 21 to read data in the ROM 32 is provided on the portable game machine 2 side.

  Next, the CPU 21 causes the display device 24 to display a selection screen for allowing the user to select which control program is to be executed or whether to download the control program (step S12). At this time, in order to improve the convenience for the user, a list of the types of the control programs stored in the flash memory 31 is also displayed.

  An example of the display state at this time is shown in FIG. In this example, the flash memory 31 has already stored a control program for remote-controlling a TV receiver, DVD player, audio device, etc., and any of these can be activated via the operation button 23. It can be selected. It is also possible to shift to the download execution mode by selecting “(*) shift to download execution mode”.

  As a result, for a user, when a control program to be executed (device for which remote control operation is desired) exists in the list, the user can activate the control program by selecting it. On the other hand, if it does not exist in the list, it is possible to proceed to a download execution mode in order to download a desired control program.

  In the stage where the display as shown in FIG. 4 is made, when the selection to shift to the download execution mode is made (“download required” in step S13), the mode for downloading the control program from the server 5 (download) (Execution mode) (step S14).

  In the download execution mode, the portable game machine 2 accesses the server 5 through the wireless communication unit 22 and notifies the server 5 of the types of control programs that can be downloaded (control programs currently held by the server 5). To request. Then, a list of downloadable control programs sent from the server 5 is displayed.

  The user can designate a control program desired to be downloaded from the list, and the portable game machine 2 downloads the designated control program (step S15). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S12 (a newly downloaded control program can also be selected).

  On the other hand, when one control program is selected at the stage where the display as shown in FIG. 4 is made (“control program is selected” in step S13), the CPU 21 activates the selected control program. (Step S16). Thereafter, various processes performed by the CPU 21 are executed based on the control program.

  By starting the control program, the CPU 21 causes the display device 24 to display a selection screen for control items (what to control) and control contents (how to control) (step S17). When the user gives a selection instruction through the operation button 23 (Y in step S18), the CPU 21 causes the remote control signal generation unit 33 to generate a remote control signal corresponding to the instruction. This remote control signal is transmitted to the outside (electric appliance 4 corresponding to the control program) through remote control signal transmitter 34.

  Here, the process of step S17 will be specifically described on the assumption that a control program related to the TV receiver is activated as an example. By starting the control program (step S16), the display device 24 displays as shown in FIG. In this example, as control items, power ON / OFF, channel switching, volume adjustment, and the like can be arbitrarily selected through the operation buttons 23.

  When “(3) Volume adjustment” is selected in this state, as shown in FIG. 6, a display for allowing the user to select the control content is displayed. At this time, if a predetermined button is pressed by the user (Y in step S18), a remote control signal (a signal for adjusting the volume of the TV receiver) corresponding to the button operation is generated and wirelessly transmitted.

  As described above, the control program is based on the process of causing the user to determine the control item and the control content through the operation button 23 and the display device 24, and the user's instruction through the remote control control generation unit 33 and the remote control control signal transmission unit 34. A process of generating a remote control signal and wirelessly transmitting it is executed.

  As described above, the remote control system 1 of the present embodiment has been described. Here, the electronic device comprising the portable game machine 2 (main device) and the module 3 in the system 1 can remotely control the electric appliance 4 that receives the remote control signal by wirelessly transmitting the remote control signal. To do.

  In this electronic apparatus, the portable game machine 2 reads the program from the connected module 3 or the game cartridge 6 to which the module 3 and the game cartridge 6 can be detachably connected; A CPU 21 (control unit) that executes control based on the operation button; and an operation button 23 for acquiring instruction information reflecting the user's intention through the user's button operation.

  The module 3 includes a flash memory 31 that stores a control program read by the CPU 21; a remote control signal generation unit 33 and a remote control signal transmission unit 34 that generate and wirelessly transmit a remote control signal. Yes. Further, the control program includes a step of causing the device that generates and transmits such a remote control signal wirelessly to generate a remote control signal according to the user's button operation.

  Therefore, the portable game machine 2 can play a role as a game machine main body for executing the game program when the game cartridge 6 is connected. On the other hand, the portable game machine 2 can serve as a remote control transmitter that controls the electrical appliance 4 by remote control by connecting the module 3. Thereby, for the user, since a common main body device can be used as a game machine main body or a remote control transmitter, convenience is improved.

  The module 3 provided separately from the portable game machine 2 includes a flash memory 31 (stores a control program) for executing remote control, a remote control control signal generator 33, a remote control signal transmitter 34, and the like. I have. Therefore, for example, even when the specifications of the remote control control generation unit 33, the remote control control signal transmission unit 34, etc. are changed, the specification change of the portable game machine 2 itself can be avoided as much as possible. Can be easily reduced. Further, it is convenient for the user to add only the module 3 to the portable game machine 2 used as a game machine with a remote control function.

  In addition, the portable game machine 2 includes a wireless communication unit 22 (communication means) that downloads a control program from the server 5, and the flash memory 31 stores the control program. In the server 5, control programs relating to various electric appliances are prepared.

  Therefore, these control programs can be obtained by downloading the control program from the server 5 by the portable game machine 2. This makes it easy to use the electronic device including the portable game machine 2 and the module 3 as a remote control transmitter for a plurality of types of electric appliances.

  Further, the portable game machine 2 can be a portable game machine by connecting the game cartridge 6 (storage medium) storing the game program to the connection unit 26. Therefore, the same main device (portable game machine 2) can be used as either a portable game machine or a remote control transmitter. Note that portable game machines and remote control transmitters often do not require a large number of operation buttons, and therefore, it is easy to improve operability by minimizing the number of operation buttons on the main unit.

  The portable game machine 2 includes a display device 24, and the module 3 includes a ROM 32 that stores an application program. The application program displays a list of control program types held in the flash memory 31 on the display device 24, and allows the user to select one of the lists (corresponding to step S12), Includes a step (corresponding to step S16) of starting a control program related to the above.

  Therefore, by executing the processes related to these steps, the user can grasp the types of the respective control programs held by the electronic device composed of the portable game machine 2 and the module 3, and can activate a desired one from them. . Therefore, even if such an electronic device has a plurality of control programs, it is possible to avoid the loss of user convenience as much as possible.

  The present invention is useful in an electronic device using a portable game machine and a remote control transmitter in combination.

It is a block diagram of the remote control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a lineblock diagram of a portable game machine etc. concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart regarding the remote control processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the process of step S12 in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the process of step S17 in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the process of step S17 in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Remote control system 2 Portable game machine (main unit)
3 module 4 electrical appliance 5 server (communication server)
6 Game cartridge (storage media)
21 CPU (control unit)
22 Wireless communication unit (communication means)
23 Operation buttons (instruction information acquisition unit)
24 display device 25 speaker 26 connection part (portable game machine side)
31 Flash memory (first storage unit)
32 ROM (second storage unit)
33 Remote control control signal generator (signal transmitter)
34 Remote control signal transmitter (signal transmitter)
35 Connection (module side)
41 Flash memory 42 ROM
43 Connection (game cartridge side)

Claims (6)

An electronic device comprising a main unit and a module, which allows remote control of an electrical appliance that receives the remote control signal by wirelessly transmitting a remote control signal,
The main unit is
A connection unit in which the module and a storage medium storing a predetermined program are detachably connectable;
A control unit that reads a program from the connected module or storage medium and executes control based on the program;
An instruction information acquisition unit for acquiring instruction information by a user;
The module is
A first storage unit for storing a control program read by the control unit;
A signal transmission unit that generates the remote control signal and wirelessly transmits the signal;
The control program is
An electronic apparatus comprising: causing the signal transmission unit to generate the remote control signal according to the instruction information. The main unit is
A communication means for downloading the control program from a predetermined communication server;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit stores the control program. The main unit is
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device storing the game program is connected to the connection unit to be a portable game machine. The main device includes a display device,
The module includes a second storage unit that stores an application program,
The application program is
A first step of causing the display device to display a list of types of the control programs held by the first storage unit, and enabling a user to select one of the lists in the list;
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a second step of starting the control program related to the selected one. 5. A module that is detachably connectable to a predetermined main body device that executes processing based on a program,
A storage unit for storing a control program read by the main unit;
A signal transmitting unit that generates and wirelessly transmits a remote control signal for transmission to a predetermined electrical appliance;
The control program is
A module comprising the step of causing the signal transmitter to generate the remote control signal. It corresponds to the main body device according to claim 5,
A portable game machine comprising: a connection unit that removably connects a cartridge that stores a game program; and a control unit that reads the game program and executes processing based on the program;
The connection unit can connect the module according to claim 5, instead of the cartridge.
When the module is connected, the control unit reads the control program and executes a process related to the control program.

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