JP2008167459A - Remote control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control unit having both of operability that hard operators have and convenience achieved by displaying soft operators corresponding to various kinds of electronic devices on an LCD unit. <P>SOLUTION: The remote control unit is configured to remotely control the plurality of electronic devices using both of the hard operators and the soft operators displayed on a display means. The display means performs display in the order of priorities attached to the control function of a control object electronic device. In such a manner, by preferentially displaying the button of high machine dependence different from hard keys when displaying the function buttons of the control object electronic device on a display screen, it is made possible to switch an operation control device and then perform main control over the operation object device using the entire remote control unit, and the operability is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device that remotely operates various electronic devices such as AV devices and home appliances from a remote location, and more particularly to a remote control device that can remotely operate a plurality of electronic devices by a single unit.

A recent electronic device is provided with a remote control (remote control) device for remote operation. For example, there are separate remote control devices for electronic devices such as televisions, video cameras, CD players, MD / CD decks, disc players, video decks, video CD / DVD players, radio cassettes, and game machines. When multiple such electronic devices exist in a room, the number of remote control devices increases, and these are properly stored and managed so that it is not possible to know which remote control device belongs to which home appliance. Therefore, it is very troublesome for the user. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of electronic devices that can be operated separately using one remote control device has been proposed.
JP 2002-152863 A

The device described in Patent Document 1 uses an LCD unit equipped with a touch panel, displays operation keys and function keys corresponding to each electronic device on the LCD unit, and detects the operation state of these keys with the touch panel. Since the operation signal is transmitted, there is a convenience that it is not necessary to provide a hard key corresponding to an operable electronic device. However, what is described in Patent Document 1 is that all the operation keys and function keys are displayed on the LCD unit, so that the operation feeling such as a click feeling at the time of key operation is less than that of a normal hard key. There was a problem. In addition, in the case of hard key operation, it was possible to perform key operations continuously in a blind while looking at the screen of the electronic device that is the operation target, whereas the soft keys on the LCD unit were compared to the hard keys. Therefore, the operator feels that the operator is looking at the LCD unit of the remote control device, and confirms whether or not the operation has been performed by looking at the screen of the electronic device that is the target of operation. There was a problem that the operability was remarkably lacking.
An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device that has both the operability of a hardware operator and the convenience realized by displaying a software operator corresponding to various electronic devices on an LCD unit.

  A first feature of a remote control device according to the present invention is a remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device, comprising: main body means having a plurality of hardware operators; and a software operator capable of switching display of control functions. Display means for operably displaying on the display screen, the display means displaying in order of priority assigned to the control function of the electronic device to be controlled. In this case, when the function buttons of the electronic device to be controlled are displayed on the display screen, the buttons with high model dependency different from the hard keys are preferentially displayed. As a result, it becomes possible to perform main control of the operation target device using the entire remote control device after switching the operation target device, and the operability is improved.

  A second feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the first feature, the display means is freely movable between a state where the main body means and a part of the hardware operator are covered and a state where the part is not covered. is there. Since the display means can be appropriately moved to a state in which the main body means and a part of the hardware operator are covered or not covered, the electronic device can be controlled by both the hardware operator and the software operator as necessary. The operability can be improved.

  A third feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the first or second feature, a part of the hardware operator is located on the front surface of the main body means and not covered by the display means. Is provided. As described above, since the front surface of the main body means may be covered with the display means, the basic controls such as the power source of the remote control device itself and the power source of the output device are the front surface of the main body means and the display means. I tried to place it in a place where it wasn't broken. As a result, these keys can be operated at any time regardless of the state of the display means, so that they can be operated at any time and the operability is improved. Note that an input switching key, a tuning input key, a tuning key, a device selection key, a mute key, a volume key, and the like may be arranged on the front surface of the main body means. However, when these keys are arranged, there is a problem that the area that is not covered by the display means becomes wide, and the scale of the remote control device increases as a whole.

  According to a fourth aspect of the remote control device of the present invention, in the first, second, or third aspect, a part of the hardware operator is provided on a side surface of the main body. Since the side surface of the main body means is not covered by the display means, frequently used input switching keys, channel selection input keys, channel selection keys and device selection keys, mute keys, volume keys, etc. are arranged. As a result, these keys can be operated at any time regardless of the state of the display means, so that they can be operated at any time, and the operability is improved and the front panel is not provided as described above. There is an advantage that the scale of the apparatus does not need to be increased.

  A fifth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the second, third or fourth feature, the display means is integrated with a rotary dial means provided near the center of the front surface of the main body means. Then, it moves in conjunction with the rotational movement of the rotary dial means. In this case, the display means is rotated by a rotary dial provided in the vicinity of the center of the main body means. By rotating the display means, it is possible to easily form a state in which the display means does not cover the hardware operation element arranged on the main body means, and to easily rotate the display means by operating the rotary dial. And the operability is improved.

  A sixth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the fifth feature, a hard operator is provided on the front surface of the main body means, which is below the rotary dial means and is covered by the display means, Another hard operation element is provided on the front surface of the main body means, which is above the rotary dial means and covered by the display means, and another hard operation element is provided on the side surface of the main body means, above the rotation dial means. It is provided. This is a specific key arrangement of the remote control device, and is configured so that the upper and lower sides of the remote control device are covered by the display means that is rotated and moved by the rotary dial means, Different hardware controls are arranged on the side surfaces that are not covered. For example, a hardware control unit for recording / playback control is provided below the main unit, and a hard control unit such as a tuning system numeric keypad is provided above the main unit, so that input switching and channel selection input common to the side of the main unit are performed. This corresponds to the case where a hardware operator for controlling channel selection, mute, volume, etc. is provided.

  The seventh feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the fifth feature, only the lower side of the rotary dial means is covered by the display means, and a hard operator is placed on the front surface of the covered body means. Provided by another hard operator on the front surface of the main body means, which is above the rotating dial means and is not covered by the display means, but when covered, the entire upper side is hidden. And another hardware operator is provided on the side surface of the main body means above the rotary dial means. This is a specific key arrangement of the remote control device, and is configured such that only the lower side of the remote control device is covered by the display means rotated by the rotary dial means, and the upper side is not covered. , Different hardware operators are arranged in the covered part and the uncovered part. For example, a recording / playback control system hardware operator is provided on the lower side of the main unit, and a hardware operator for controlling input switching, channel selection input, mute, etc., which is a part of the common operation unit on the upper side of the main unit. This corresponds to a case where a hardware operator for controlling other channel selection, volume, etc. is provided on the side surface of the main body means. That is, in the present invention, the upper side of the main body is not covered with the display means, the number of hardware operators arranged therein is relatively small, the overall size of the remote control device is relatively small, and the common operation is performed. The operability is improved by concentrating and arranging the hardware operators.

  An eighth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the fifth, sixth or seventh feature, a screen control operator for controlling the display screen of the display means is provided near the center of the rotary dial means. Is. When controlling the display screen of the display means, the screen operation control such as movement and selection of the pointer / cursor, screen transition, and screen display erasure is continuous while looking at the screen. Since it is desirable to realize the operation, here, for this purpose, hard keys such as a joystick operator, a mouse, and a cross button are provided near the center of the rotary dial.

  A ninth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in the eighth feature, the first operator that controls the display screen by operating the screen control operator vertically and horizontally, The second and third operating elements for issuing commands at the time of the display screen control are provided in a vertical and oblique direction different from the vertical and horizontal directions operated by one operating means. The screen control operator provided near the center of the rotary dial is often composed of hard keys such as a joystick operator, a mouse, and a cross button. When the pointer / cursor is moved on the display screen, these controls are often operated up, down, left, and right. Therefore, even if the finger slides up, down, left, or right at the time of operation, the second and third positions are set. Added the operation controls. As the second and third operators, for example, a “return” key, a “clear” key, and the like correspond.

  According to a tenth feature of the remote control device of the present invention, in any one of the second to ninth features, a hardware operator at a location not covered by the display means and a screen of the display means One electronic device can be remotely operated with both of the operators shown in FIG. Since one electronic device can be remotely operated by parallel arrangement of the software operator displayed on the display means and the hardware operator provided on the main body means, it is easy to perform blind operation, continuous operation, and operation at specified timing. In this case, since the hardware operator can be used and the software operator can be used for other operations, the operability is improved.

  An eleventh feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is that, in any one of the second to tenth features, a software operation of a type different from a hardware operator at a location not covered by the display means The child is preferentially displayed on the screen of the display means. In this case, when the function buttons of the operation target device are displayed on the display screen, the buttons with high model dependency different from the hardware operator are preferentially displayed. As a result, it becomes possible to perform main control of the operation target device using the entire remote control device after switching the operation target device, and the operability is improved.

  In a twelfth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention, in any one of the second to eleventh features, in the case of remotely operating a composite device having a plurality of functions of the electronic device, The display means is configured so that it can be remotely operated by both the hard control element and the soft control element without covering the hard control element. In the case of a composite device, the number of operators is inevitably large. In such a case, the display means is moved to a state where the hardware operators are not covered, and all the hardware operators and display means of the main body means are moved. The composite device can be remotely operated efficiently with both of the software operators displayed on the screen.

  A thirteenth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is the remote control device according to any one of the second to twelfth features, wherein the orientation of the display screen is changed according to the moved position and orientation of the display means. Are displayed. This is such that the display direction of the display screen changes according to the position after the display means is moved. The user can always recognize the display screen in the same direction according to the display direction and position of the display screen.

  A fourteenth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is the remote control device according to any one of the first to thirteenth features, wherein the main body means is provided with a microphone means for detecting a sound, and according to the detected sound. This allows continuous operation of a plurality of functions registered in advance to be executed. This is so that a single call can be executed with a registered voice for a complex operation such as a macro. In the case of continuously operating a plurality of devices, the operation procedure of those devices is previously incorporated as a macro together with the operation name, and the operation name is called by the microphone means so that the operation is executed. Compared to a normal case in which operation names corresponding to continuous operations are selected and executed by a plurality of operations on the screen, they can be called and executed more intuitively and quickly.

  According to a fifteenth feature of the remote control device of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourteenth features, a hardware operator for switching the display screen is provided in the display means. . In this case, the display screen of the display means is sequentially switched. For example, a page switching key or the like is provided as a hard key other than the display screen. By not providing such a switching key as a software operator on the display screen, the display screen can be used effectively.

  According to a sixteenth feature of the remote control device of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifteenth features, a list of electronic devices to be remotely operated is displayed on the display screen. A hardware operator for performing selection is provided in the main body means, and a similar software operator is provided on the display screen. In this case, when an electronic device to be remotely operated is selected, it can be performed at any time by both a hardware operator and a software operator.

  A seventeenth feature of the remote control device according to the present invention is the remote control device according to any one of the first to sixteenth features, wherein the operator for performing the blind operation and the continuous pressing is provided as a hardware operator. This is because of the operation performance and the like of operators that are operated continuously such as screen operation keys and channel selection keys, and those that are operated blindly such as recording and playback keys that are to be operated reliably at a desired timing. In order to improve the use performance, it is provided as a hardware operator.

  As described above, according to the remote control device of the present invention, the operability of the hardware operator and the convenience realized by displaying the software operator corresponding to various electronic devices on the LCD unit are combined. There is an effect that can be done.

  Preferred embodiments of a remote control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a remote control device capable of operating a digital broadcast tuner and a DVD recording / playback device as a plurality of electronic devices will be described as an example. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a remote control device according to a first embodiment including an LCD unit that can be rotated and moved. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the LCD unit of the remote control device according to the first embodiment moves. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the first embodiment functions for a digital broadcast tuner. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the first embodiment functions for a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the first embodiment controls a composite device such as a digital broadcast receiver with a built-in DVD recording / playback function.

  The remote control device includes a main body 10a having various hard keys, and LCD units 20a to 20c that display operation keys and function keys corresponding to each electronic device and detect operation states of these keys with a touch panel. Composed. In the figure, three LCD units 20a to 20c are displayed, but this shows a state when the LCD units 20a to 20c are rotationally moved, and is actually composed of one LCD unit.

  The LCD units 20a to 20c are configured to rotate in conjunction with a rotary dial 23 provided at the center of the main body 10a. The rotary dial 23 is driven to rotate by a finger or the like. Near the center of the rotary dial 23, there is provided a joystick operator 24 that can operate the screens (remote control screens) of the LCD units 20a to 20c and the screen (device screen) of the electronic device to be operated. Yes. The operation target selection switch 25 determines whether the joystick operator 24 operates for remote control screen operation or device screen operation. The operation target selection switch 25 is a watch-like operator, and is selected by rotating to either “remote control” or “device” to select an operation target corresponding to the position at the time of rotational movement. It has become. That is, when the operation target selection switch 25 is in the “remote control” position, the operation menu displayed on the remote control device at hand can be operated to control the electronic device. ”Is displayed, the operation menu is displayed on the device screen (electronic device display section) of the electronic device to be operated. By operating the joystick operator 24, the operation menu is appropriately selected and set. The electronic device main body can be controlled. As described above, since the user can appropriately select whether to operate from the operation menu on the remote control device side or the device screen on the electronic device side, the usability can be selected according to the user's preference and usage situation. It is possible to improve. The operation object selection switch 25 is a button type switch other than a watch-like operator, as long as it can be determined whether the “remote control” or “device” is currently the operation object. It may be composed of other various switches. A clear key 26 and a return key 27 for controlling operations during screen control are provided on the upper right and lower left sides of the joystick operator 24. The reason why the clear key 26 and the return key 27 are provided at an angle of 45 degrees is that the operation direction of the joystick operator 24 is mainly up, down, left, and right, so that even if the finger slides up, down, left and right during operation, it is not erroneously operated It is to do.

  A main power key 11 of the remote control device and a device power key 12 for controlling on / off of each operable electronic device are provided on the uppermost front end portion of the main body 10a. The LCD unit 20a is configured such that the main power key 11 and the device power key 12 are always exposed so as not to be covered by the LCD unit 20a as shown in the figure. Frequently used hard keys are arranged on the side surface of the main body 10a. For example, an input switching key 13, a channel selection key 14, a channel selection key 15, and a device selection key 16 are arranged on the right side, and a mute key 17 and a volume key 18 are arranged on the left side. As described above, the keys arranged on the side surface of the main body 10a are not covered with the LCD unit 20a, so that the keys can be operated at any time regardless of the state of the LCD unit 20a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the display (function identification display) which shows the function of each key provided in the right-and-left side is stamped on the front surface of the main-body part 10a. Here, the characters “input switching”, “channel selection input”, “channel selection”, “device selection”, “mute” and “volume” are engraved. Similarly, although not shown in the drawing, a similar function identification display is also engraved on the side surface of the main body 10a, and even when the front surface of the main body 10a is covered by the LCD unit 20a, the key is viewed. The function can be recognized and operated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a channel tuning key composed of hard numeric keys “1” to “12” is provided above the rotary dial 23 on the front surface of the main body 10a. As shown in FIG. 2, microphones 28 are built in the lower left and right sides of the rotary dial 23 on the front surface of the main body 10a, so that a pre-registered macro can be called and executed with a registered voice in one shot. .

  Since FIG. 2 shows the case where the remote control device functions for a digital broadcast tuner, the LCD unit 20c has operation keys (digital broadcast dependent keys) corresponding to the operation of the digital broadcast tuner on the liquid crystal panel 21c. It is displayed. Note that the left and right triangle engraved hard keys on the upper and left sides of the LCD unit 20a are page switching keys 221 and 222, respectively. The page switching keys 221 and 222 are for sequentially switching display contents of the liquid crystal panel 21c of the LCD unit 20c.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the remote control device functions for a DVD recording / reproducing device. Therefore, an operation key (DVD model dependent key) corresponding to the operation of the DVD recording / reproducing device is provided on the LCD unit 20a. It is displayed above. Note that the left and right triangle-shaped hard keys on the lower left and right sides of the LCD unit 20a are page switching keys 221 and 222 for switching the page contents of the liquid crystal panel 21a. When such a page switching key is displayed on the liquid crystal panel, the display area of the liquid crystal panel is narrowed, and thus the liquid crystal panel can be effectively used by providing it as a hard key outside the liquid crystal panel. Also, below the rotary dial 23 on the front surface of the main body 10a, there are operation keys composed of hard keys for recording / playback control corresponding to a quick operation, for example, a recording key, a stop key, a pause key, and the like. Is provided.

  This remote control device can move the LCD units 20a to 20c that perform display as a multi-remote control function up and down and left and right. In addition, as hard keys, only keys corresponding to functions (such as channel selection, recording / playback stop, screen operation, etc.) considered to be common to AV devices are provided. Accordingly, the LCD units 20a to 20c can be freely moved to a position where the hard key to be used can be used, and the hard key is considered to be easier to operate depending on the operation target device. Therefore, the operability is improved. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the LCD units 20a to 20c are rotationally moved has been described. However, the LCD units 20a to 20c may be moved by being slid or replaced. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the screen operation that is continuously operated as the hard key, the channel selection key, the recording / playback key that the user wants to operate at the desired timing, and the like is arranged, but other keys may be arranged as the hard key. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the soft keys and the hard keys on the LCD units 20a to 20c that perform display as a multi-remote control function can be arranged in parallel, so that on the LCD units 20a to 20c as necessary. Screen keys (soft keys) and hard keys that are easy to perform blind operation, continuous operation, and operation at specified timing can be used simultaneously.

  Furthermore, since keys relating to power on / off and volume, which are basic controls of electronic devices, are permanently set as hard keys, the user can perform these controls at any time. Moreover, the electronic device to be controlled can be arbitrarily set. Selection of the electronic device to be controlled can be performed with the page switching keys 221 and 222 provided on the LCD units 20a to 20c, and the dial-like device selection key 16 provided on the side surface is rotated up and down. Can be done by. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the LCD units 20a to 20c when the device selection key 16 is operated. When the device selection key 16 is operated or “BS” (column for displaying the current corresponding device name) displayed on the liquid crystal panels 21a and 21c of the LCD units 20a and 20c of FIGS. In response to this, a device selection list screen including device names (DVD1, video 1, television 1, digital BS, etc.) as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the LCD units 20a to 20c. Therefore, the device selection key 16 is rotated up or down, or the device can be selected by selecting the desired device name by operating the upward triangle or the downward triangle on the liquid crystal panels 21a and 21c. It has become.

  In the remote control device according to this embodiment, when the rotary dial 23 is turned, the LCD units 20a to 20c are rotated in conjunction therewith. In addition, the display screens of the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c are switched in accordance with the rotation position so that the display is easy to see. That is, since the rotary dial 23 and the LCD units 20a to 20c have an integral structure, when the rotary dial 23 is turned, the positions of the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c are rotated accordingly. The position of the rotary dial 23 is at a fixed position (near the center of the remote control device) regardless of the positions of the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c, and can be easily rotated with one hand. Therefore, the user can easily change the positions of the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c with one hand. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the LCD unit 20b is positioned on the left side (or right side) of the main body 10a, it is displayed on all the hard keys provided on the main body 10a and the liquid crystal panel 21b. All screen keys can be used almost simultaneously.

  The remote control device according to this embodiment has a hard key configuration for channel selection keys that are frequently key-operated, such as a zapping operation. In other words, when operating a broadcast receiver, the remote control device is often operated so that the user can immediately select what he / she wants to watch while watching the screen, so it is easy to operate and allows blind operation. The use performance is improved by adopting a hard key configuration. When there is no function corresponding to the operation target device, the hard key becomes an invalid key even if operated, and does not operate.

  Keys necessary for screen operation as hard keys are arranged at positions where they can be used at all times. In other words, screen operation controls such as pointer / cursor movement and selection, screen transition, and screen display erasure are continuously performed while looking at the screen, and in order to realize a smooth operation without any sense of incompatibility in conjunction with the screen display. It can be operated with easy-to-operate hard keys. For example, in this embodiment, the device selection key 16, the page switching keys 221, 222, the joystick operator 24, or the like is applicable. In place of the joystick operator 24, a mouse, a cross button or the like may be used.

  When the function buttons of the operation target device are displayed on the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c, a button having a high model-dependent function that is not provided with a hard key is preferentially displayed. As a result, the main control of the operation target device can be performed using the entire remote control device after the operation target device is switched. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the remote control device functions for a digital broadcast tuner, a digital broadcast dependent key is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21c, and the remote control device is a DVD recording / playback device as shown in FIG. When functioning as an object, a DVD model dependent key is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21a, and the operation target device can be controlled immediately after the operation target device is switched.

  A description will be given of how the remote controller preferentially displays on the screen of the LCD unit a soft key of a type different from the hard keys that are not covered by the LCD unit. In the remote control device according to this embodiment, when displaying the function buttons of the operation target device on the display screen, the buttons with high model dependency different from the hard keys are displayed with priority. As a result, it becomes possible to perform main control of the operation target device using the entire remote control device after switching the operation target device, and the operability is improved. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a key code group of one model of the remote control code database indicating the assignment state of the key code to each hard key of the remote control device. A unique ID is defined for each hard key of the remote control device. For example, the upward key of the channel selection key 15 is CH_UP, the downward key is CH_DOWN, the input switch key 13 is CH_INPUT, the channel selection input key 14 is CH_NUM, and the numeric keys 1-12 are defined with unique IDs such as NUM_1-12. The Unique key numbers “0” to “45” are assigned to key codes (function names) corresponding to one model of the remote control code database. In the case of this remote control device, each key number value and a unique ID of the corresponding hard key are associated one-to-one as a hard key assignment for a key having a function corresponding to each hard key. As a result of device registration in the remote controller as described above, a key code (function name) that does not have a corresponding hard key unique ID is assigned no NONE in the figure because no hard key is assigned. Accordingly, the key code group of the device as shown in FIG. 6 does not have a hard key unique ID (not assigned to a hard key), and the priority order of display destination pages is assigned in order from the smallest key number value. It is supposed to be. In FIG. 6, the program table with the key number “2”, the current program with “3”, the broadcast switching with “4”, the TV / radio / data with “7”, the display destination page “1” with the program “41”. Information, “42” video switching, “43” subtitle display destination page “2”, “44” reservation cancellation, “45” confirmation registration, “0” channel selection, “1” selection Under the station, the display destination page “3” is switched to the input of “5”, the selection input of “6”, the numeric keypad 1 of “8”, the numeric keypad 2 of “9”, and the display destination page “4” respectively. Assigned. This display destination page indicates what page is displayed on the liquid crystal screen when the operation target device is operated with this remote control device, and the display screen has priority according to the assignment of the display destination page. The function button will be displayed.

  Normally, function keys used for recording / playback control in an AV device are provided as hard keys, so that control such as recording / playback that is desired to be pressed can be easily performed. In other words, when playing and recording video and audio, it is possible to control the video and audio while looking at the screen at the timing you want to operate, and to check the response immediately, making it easy to operate blind operations. It consists of various hard keys to improve its operating performance and usage performance. In this case as well, when there is no function corresponding to the operation target device, the hard key becomes an invalid key even when operated, and does not operate.

  The remote control device according to this embodiment can also cope with a multi-function model such as a composite device such as a digital broadcast receiver with a built-in DVD recording / playback function. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the operation target device is a composite device such as a digital broadcast receiver with a built-in DVD recording / playback function, a portion where no hard key is arranged, that is, a side surface of the main body 10a (in the drawing, The LCD unit 20b is moved and arranged on the left side so that all the hard keys of the remote control device and the display keys displayed on the LCD unit 20b can be listed at the same time. It is possible to deal with complicated equipment such as

  In the remote control device according to this embodiment, the screen directions of the LCD units 20a to 20c liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c are changed according to the positions of the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c. That is, the orientation of the screen is changed so that the user can always recognize the display screen in the same orientation according to the orientation and position of the liquid crystal panels 21a to 21c.

  A description will be given of how the remote controller changes the display screen orientation according to the moved position and orientation of the LCD unit. That is, in this remote control device, the display direction of the display screen of the LCD unit changes according to the position after the movement. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the base portion of the main body 10a and the rotary dial 23 when the LCD unit 20b is located on the left side of the main body 10a as shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. And FIG. 7B is a side view of FIG. 7A viewed from below. As shown in FIG. 7, the base portion 200 of the LCD unit 20 b is attached to the lower side of the rotary dial 23. Sensors 23a to 23d for detecting the rotational position of the base portion 200 are provided for each 90 ° angle below the rotary dial 23 and on the surface side of the main body 10a. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, when the base portion 200 is located on the left side of the main body portion 10a, and the sensor 23b detects the root portion 200, the display screen is displayed as a display screen corresponding to the detection position of the LCD unit 20b. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21b. When the root portion 200 is detected by the sensor 23c, a screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21c. When the root portion 200 is detected by the sensor 23a, the screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21a. Note that the same display is performed when the root portion 200 is detected by the sensor 23d. In this way, the user can always recognize the display screen in the same direction according to the display direction and position of the display screen.

  The remote control device according to this embodiment has a built-in microphone 28 so that a combined call using a macro or the like can be executed with a registered voice. That is, when continuously operating a plurality of devices, the operation procedure of these devices is incorporated in advance as a macro together with the operation name, and the operation name is called by the microphone 28, so that the operation is executed with a registered voice. It can be done. Compared to a normal case in which operation names corresponding to continuous operations are selected and executed by a plurality of operations on the screen, they can be called and executed more intuitively and quickly. In this case, the correspondence between the fixed-word voice and the continuous operation / operation interval content is registered in advance and is called using the voice. Since the voice recognition process executed inside the remote control device is a process for recognizing a fixed word, the processing load is lighter than that of a normal voice recognition process and can be easily realized.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a macro and voice registration process for registering macros and voices using the microphone 28. The processing from step S150 to step S154 is an example of normal macro registration processing. In step S150, a macro operation registration instruction is accepted and macro registration processing is started. In step S151, since it is in the state which receives operation by a user, when a user performs a series of operation which wants to register, according to it, the operation content and operation interval will be memorized temporarily. In step S152, an instruction that the macro operation registration by the user has been completed is received. In step S153, an input for registering the name of the registered macro is requested, and the macro name is registered by the user. In step S154, the macro registration content registered in each of the above-described steps, that is, the macro name, the macro operation content, the operation interval, and the like are stored.

  The processing in steps S155 to S15H is an example of processing for registering a command voice for a registered macro. In step S155, a command voice registration instruction is accepted. In step S156, it is determined whether or not the number of voices of the registered command is less than the upper limit in response to acceptance of command registration. If no, the process proceeds to step S157, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S158. In step S157, since it is determined that the number of registered command voices has reached the upper limit, a registration impossible error is displayed and the process ends. In this case, it is necessary to register new command voices by deleting unnecessary command voices. In step S158, it is determined whether or not the macro to be registered has been specified. If yes, the process proceeds to step S15A, and if no, the process proceeds to step S159. In step S159, since it is determined that the registration target macro is not specified, the specification of the registration target macro is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S15A.

  In step S15A, since the user is in a state where the voice can be registered using the microphone 28, the user waits until the registered voice is input. In step S15B, the registration voice input completion is received from the user when the voice registration by the user is completed. In step S15C, the input voice is AD converted. In step S15D, index information is created based on the characteristics of the registered voice. In step S15E, based on the index information created in the previous step, it is determined whether there is any voice similar to the command voice that has already been registered. If the similar voice has already been registered (no), step S15F is performed. If there is no similar sound (yes), the process proceeds to step S15G. In step S15F, since a similar voice has already been registered, a re-registration request is made to register with another voice, and the process returns to step S15A. In step S15G, the registered voice feature index information is stored in the command voice / macro information database as command voice information in association with the macro.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation process for calling and executing a registered macro using the microphone 28. Step S160 detects an input as to whether or not the command voice button arranged on the side surface of the microphone 28 has been operated. This command voice button maintains a voice command input acceptance state when pressed. In step S161, the voice input by the user via the microphone 28 is temporarily stored. In step S162, it is detected whether or not the command voice button being pressed is released. In step S163, the audio content temporarily stored by the processing in steps S160 to S162 is AD converted. In step S164, index information indicating the characteristics of the AD-converted temporarily stored voice is created. In step S165, the index information (temporarily stored voice information) indicating the characteristics of the temporarily stored voice is collated with the command voice information in the command voice / macro information database. In step S166, it is determined whether the matching command voice information exists in the command voice / macro information database as a result of the collation. If no matching command voice information exists (no), the process proceeds to step S167. If there is matching command voice information (yes), the process proceeds to step S168. In step S167, since there is no corresponding voice, a process for informing the user of the voice and prompting the voice input again is performed. In step S168, the macro corresponding to the corresponding command voice is extracted from the command voice / macro information database. In step S169, the extracted macro registration operation content is executed at registration operation intervals. As a result, a macro registered in advance can be called once with registered voice.

  10 to 13 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a remote control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the LCD unit of the remote control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the second embodiment functions as a digital broadcast tuner. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the remote control device according to the second embodiment functions as a DVD recording / playback device. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the second embodiment controls a composite device such as a digital broadcast receiver with a built-in DVD recording / playback function.

  In the remote control device according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the same components as those of the remote control device according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Description is omitted. The remote control device according to the second embodiment is different from the remote control device according to the first embodiment in the following points. First, the channel selection key composed of hard numeric keys “1” to “12” is omitted from the main body 10b of the remote control device, and the overall length of the remote control device is shortened. is there. Thus, by omitting the channel selection key and shortening the overall length, it is possible to easily operate the whole without moving the position of the hand. Second, the LCD units 20d and 20e can be arranged only under the main body 10b and in the left-right direction. This is because the keys that are always used are arranged at the top of the main body 10b, so that the LCD units 20d and 20e are moved to the top of the main body 10b so as not to cover these keys. Thirdly, the length of the main body 10b is shortened. In the first embodiment, the input switching key 13, the channel selection input key 14 and the mute key 17 which are arranged on the side surface of the main body 10a are arranged on the upper front of the main body 10b, and the frequently used upper and lower channel selection keys. 15 and the volume key 18 are arranged on the front surface of the main body 10b of the remote control device to make it easier for fingers to reach and improve operability. The numeric keypad operation can be executed by displaying on the LCD unit screen keys corresponding to the hard numeric keys “1” to “12”.

  14-16 is a figure which shows schematic structure of the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 3rd Example. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the third embodiment functions for a digital broadcast tuner. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the remote control device according to the third embodiment functions for a DVD recording / playback device. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remote control device according to the third embodiment controls a composite device such as a digital broadcast receiver with a built-in DVD recording / playback function. In the remote control device according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the same components as those of the remote control device according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Description is omitted.

  The remote control device according to the third embodiment is different from the remote control device according to the first embodiment in the following points. First, an input switching key 13, a channel selection key 14, and a channel selection key 15 composed of hard keys provided on the side surface of the main body 10a of the remote control device of the first embodiment are arranged on the front surface of the main body 10c. It is a point that has been. Further, the device selection key 16 composed of hard keys provided on the side surface of the main body 10a of the remote control device of the first embodiment is omitted, and the LCD units 20f, 20g, It is displayed as a screen key on the 20h liquid crystal panels 21f, 21g, and 21h. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the input switch key 13, the channel selection key 14, the channel selection key 15, and the channel selection keys "1" to "12" are covered by the LCD unit 20g. Only the main power key 11, the device power key 12, the mute key 17, the volume key 18 and the voice switching key 19 are not covered by the LCD unit 20g.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where there is one LCD unit has been described. However, a plurality of (for example, four) LCD units may be arranged at a plurality of positions in the vertical and horizontal directions. In other words, FIG. 1 shows a case where one LCD unit operates. However, by arranging a plurality of LCD units, the LCD units can be simultaneously installed at a plurality of locations such as upper and lower left as shown in FIG. It may be arranged. In this case, a plurality of LCD units may overlap and function as a single LCD unit as shown in FIGS. The LCD unit has been described as rotating in a plane including the front surface of the main body 10a (the plane in FIG. 1). However, the LCD unit includes a hard key on the back side, and the LCD unit is in a direction perpendicular to the plane. It may be rotated and turned upside down so that the hard key on the back side of the LCD unit appears on the surface. In the above-described embodiment, a digital broadcast receiver having a DVD recording / playback function as an example of the operation of a plurality of functions has been described. However, remote control of separate devices for the DVD recording / playback apparatus and the digital broadcast receiver can be performed simultaneously. Of course, it is possible.

It is a figure which shows an example of the movement how the LCD unit of the remote control device which concerns on a 1st Example moves. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example functions for digital broadcast tuners. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example functions for DVD recording / reproducing apparatuses. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example controls the digital broadcast receiver which built in the DVD recording / reproducing function. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on an LCD unit at the time of operation of this apparatus selection key. It is a figure which shows an example of the key code group of one model of the remote control code database which shows the allocation state of the key code to each hard key of a remote control device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the base portion of the main body and the rotary dial when the LCD unit is located on the left side of the main body as shown in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of the macro & audio | voice registration process which registers a macro and an audio | voice using a microphone. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of the operation processing which calls and performs the registered macro using a microphone. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement how the LCD unit of the remote control device which concerns on a 2nd Example moves. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 2nd Example functions for digital broadcast tuners. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 2nd Example functions for DVD recording / reproducing apparatuses. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 2nd Example controls the digital broadcast receiver which built in the DVD recording / reproducing function. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 3rd Example functions for digital broadcast tuners. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 3rd Example functions for DVD recording / reproducing apparatuses. It is a figure which shows an example in case the remote control apparatus which concerns on a 3rd Example controls the digital broadcast receiver which built in the DVD recording / reproducing function.

Explanation of symbols

10a to 10c ... main body 11 ... main power key 12 ... device power key 13 ... input switching key 14 ... channel selection key 15 ... channel selection key 16 ... device selection key 17 ... mute key 18 ... volume key 19 ... voice switching key 20a to 20h ... LCD units 21a to 21h ... Liquid crystal panels 221, 222 ... Page switching key 23 ... Rotation dial 24 ... Joystick operator 25 ... Operation target selection switch 26 ... Clear key 27 ... Return key 28 ... Microphone

Claims (17)

A remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device,
Main body means having a plurality of hard controls;
Display means for operably displaying on the display screen a software operator capable of switching the display of the control function;
The display means displays in order of priority assigned to a control function of an electronic device to be controlled.   2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the display means is freely movable between a state where the main body means and a part of the hardware operator are covered and a state where the display means is not covered.   3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein a part of the hardware operation element is provided on a front surface of the main body means so as not to be covered by the display means.   4. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the hardware operator is provided on a side surface of the main body.   5. The display means according to claim 2, wherein the display means is formed integrally with a rotary dial means provided near the center of the front surface of the main body means, and moves in conjunction with the rotational movement of the rotary dial means. Remote control device characterized by.   6. The main body according to claim 5, wherein a hard operation element is provided on a front surface of the main body means, which is below the rotary dial means and covered by the display means, and is above the rotary dial means and covered by the display means. A remote control device characterized in that another hard operation element is provided on the front surface of the means, and further another hard operation element is provided on the side surface of the main body means above the rotary dial means.   6. The lower side of the rotating dial means is covered only by the display means, and a hard operation element is provided on the front surface of the covered body means, and the upper side of the rotating dial means is covered by the display means. Although not covered, another hard operation element is provided on the front surface of the main body means so that the entire upper surface of the main body means is hidden when covered. A remote control device characterized in that another hardware operation element is provided on a side surface.   8. The remote control device according to claim 5, further comprising a screen control operator for controlling a display screen of the display means in the vicinity of the center of the rotary dial means.   In Claim 8, the said screen control operator differs from the 1st operation element which controls the said display screen by operating up and down, right and left, and the up and down and right and left direction operated by this 1st operation element means. A remote control device comprising a second and a third operator for instructing clearing and returning at the time of control of the display screen in a diagonal direction.   10. One of the operators according to claim 2, wherein both the hardware operator not covered by the display means and the soft operator displayed on the screen of the display means are provided. A remote control device configured to be able to remotely control an electronic device.   11. The method of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein a soft operation element of a type different from a hardware operation element not covered by the display means is preferentially displayed on the screen of the display means. Features remote control device.   12. The hardware operation according to claim 2, wherein when the composite device having a plurality of functions of the electronic device is remotely operated, the display unit does not cover the hardware operator. A remote control device characterized in that it can be remotely operated by both the child and the soft operator.   The remote control device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the display screen is changed in direction according to the moved position and orientation of the display means.   14. The method according to claim 1, wherein microphone means for detecting sound is provided in the main body means so that continuous operation of a plurality of functions registered in advance according to the detected sound can be executed. A remote control device characterized by that.   15. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein a hardware operation element for switching the display screen is provided in the display means.   16. The main body means according to claim 1, wherein a hardware operator for displaying a list of electronic devices to be remotely operated on the display screen and selecting the same is provided in the main body means. A remote control device characterized in that a software operator is provided on the display screen.   17. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation element that performs the blind operation and the continuous pressing is provided as a hard operation element.

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