JP2010187236A - Electronic device, remote control system, and method of controlling electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device, a remote control system and a method of controlling the electronic device, capable of preventing incorrect operations under dark environment and when a back light is not lit. <P>SOLUTION: A brightness sensor 116 is mounted in a remote controller 101. If it is determined that it is dark under operation environment when key operations of the remote controller 101 are performed by a detected value of the brightness sensor 116, the back light 115 is lit. In addition, when surrounding environment is smaller than a predetermined threshold and the back light 115 is not lit, transmission of a command signal from the remote controller 101 is invalidated. Thus, the malfunction of the keys when the remote controller 101 is operated without lighting the back light 115 at a dark place is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device suitable for use as a remote control for remotely operating an electronic device such as a television receiver, a remote operation system, and an electronic device control method.

  Conventionally, remote operation systems that use infrared communication or the like to wirelessly communicate between a remote operation device (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) and a remote operation device have been widely used in various fields. On the other hand, in home appliances, the remote control operating environment is extensive. In particular, a television receiver, an AV (Audio Visual) device, and the like concentrate on video and audio, and thus it is common to use a remote controller in a dark environment. There has been a demand for a remote control that allows a user to operate accurately even in such a dark environment.

  In recent years, inexpensive, low power consumption, and long-life LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have come into widespread use. Conventionally, a configuration has been proposed in which this LED is built directly under a key of a remote control and used as a backlight to ensure user operability even in a dark environment. In addition, many new devices for controlling the backlight have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which the backlight is turned on by key input, the elapsed time from the last key input is measured, and the backlight is turned off. With this control configuration of Patent Document 1, the backlight is turned on while the key input is continued. If the key input is not within a certain time, the backlight is turned off to achieve both operability and power saving.

JP-A-1-237810

If the backlight is continuously turned on with a remote controller having a backlight, the power consumption increases and the battery runs out in a short time. On the other hand, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the backlight is turned off if the key input is not within a certain time, and both operability and power saving can be achieved.
However, in the case shown in Patent Document 1, the backlight is turned off if there is no key input for a long time in a dark environment. Therefore, when a key is input from a dark environment without a key input for a long time, it is necessary to perform an operation without turning on the backlight. As described above, the user's key operation in a dark environment and when the backlight is not lit is not accurate.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a remote operation system, and a method for controlling an electronic device that can prevent an erroneous operation in a dark environment and when a backlight is not lit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device including an input key for generating a command signal and an illumination unit for illuminating the input key, and when the input key is operated. In the case where the illumination unit is changed from the extinguished state to the illuminated state, a control unit is provided that invalidates the input.

  A remote operation system according to the present invention includes an input key, a first control unit that generates a command signal based on operation information from the input key, and a remote control device that includes a transmission unit that transmits a command signal. Remote operation comprising a remote operation device having a reception means for receiving a command signal from a transmission means of the remote operation device and a second control means for setting an operation state in accordance with the command signal received by the reception means In the system, the remote control device further includes illumination means for illuminating the input key and brightness detection means for detecting the brightness under the surrounding environment, and the first control means is configured to remotely operate when the input key is operated. If the brightness value in the surrounding environment obtained from the detection value of the brightness detection means of the operating device is smaller than a predetermined threshold value and the illumination means is turned off, the input is invalidated. The features.

  A remote operation system according to the present invention includes an input key, a remote control device having a first control unit that generates a command signal based on operation information from the input key, and a transmission unit that transmits the command signal, A remote operation system comprising: a reception unit that receives a command signal from a transmission unit of the operation device; and a remote operation device that includes a second control unit that sets an operation state according to the command signal received by the reception unit. The remote operation device further includes illumination means for illuminating the input key, the remote operation device further includes brightness detection means for detecting the brightness in the surrounding environment, and the second control means receives a command signal. When received, the brightness value in the surrounding environment obtained from the detection value of the brightness detection means of the remote operation device is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, and the illumination means is not turned on. If the condition to be constant, and wherein the disabling the command signal.

  According to the present invention, a brightness sensor is provided in the remote operation device or the remote operation device, and it is determined whether or not to enable the key operation based on the brightness value in the surrounding environment and the lighting state of the illumination means. ing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the key from being operated erroneously in a situation where the lighting unit is not lit and the lighting unit is not turned on in a dark room, and the key operation can be performed in an appropriate environment.

It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the remote control system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the remote control in the remote control system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram used for description of the structure of the remote control and television receiver in the remote control system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the remote control in the remote control system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the television receiver in the remote control system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram used for description of the structure of the remote control and television receiver in the remote control system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the remote control in the remote control system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the television receiver in the remote control system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram used for description of the structure of the remote control and television receiver in the remote control system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the backlight on-off state flag in the remote control system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the remote control in the remote control system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the television receiver in the remote control system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram used for description of the structure of the remote control and television receiver in the remote control system of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the remote control in the remote control system of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the television receiver in the remote control system of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram used for description of the structure of the remote control and television receiver in the remote control system of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the television receiver in the remote control system of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram used for description of the reception process of the brightness sensor value in the remote control system of the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows an overview of a remote control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention remotely operates a television receiver 102 using a remote controller 101. In this remote operation system, the remote controller 101 corresponds to a remote operation device, and the television receiver 102 corresponds to a remote operation device.

As shown in FIG. 2, an input key group 112 is arranged on the remote control 101. The input key group 112 includes a power on / off key 120, a channel key 121, channel up / down keys 122a and 122b, volume up / down keys 123a and 123b, and the like.
When the remote controller 101 is used, as shown in FIG. 1, the user points the remote controller 101 toward the television receiver 102 and operates the input key group 112 of the remote controller 101. When the input key group 112 is operated, a command signal corresponding to the pressed input key is output from the light emitting unit 114 (transmission means) as a pulse train of infrared light. This infrared light is received by the light receiving unit 130 (receiving means) of the television receiver 102. When the infrared light pulse train from the remote controller 101 is received by the light receiving unit 130 of the television receiver 102, the operating state of the television receiver 102 is set according to the command signal of the infrared light pulse train.

  In addition, the remote controller 101 is provided with a backlight 115 (see FIG. 3) immediately below the input key group 112. The backlight 115 corresponds to an illumination unit that illuminates the input key group 112. 2A shows a state where the backlight 115 is turned off (off state), and FIG. 2B shows a state where the backlight 115 is turned on. When the surrounding is dark, as shown in FIG. 2B, the backlight 115 is turned on (changes from the unlit state to the lit state). Thereby, the input key operation of the remote controller 101 can be performed even in a dark place.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, a brightness sensor 116 (see FIG. 3) for detecting the brightness in the surrounding environment is provided. When the input key is operated, it is determined whether to enable or disable the input based on the brightness in the surrounding environment and the lighting state of the backlight 115. That is, if the input key operation of the remote controller 101 is performed without lighting the backlight 115 when the surroundings are dark, the transmission of the command signal from the remote controller 101 is stopped and the input key operation is invalidated. This prevents a malfunction when the remote controller 101 is operated in the dark without turning on the backlight 115.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the remote controller 101 and the television receiver 102 in the remote control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 101 includes a remote controller control unit 111 (first control means), an input key group 112, a code generation unit 113, a light emitting unit 114, a backlight 115, and a brightness sensor 116. (Brightness detection means).

As shown in FIG. 2, the input key group 112 includes a power on / off key 120, a channel key 121, channel up / down keys 122a and 122b, and volume up / down keys 123a and 123b.
The remote control unit 111 generates a command signal based on the operation information from the input key group 112. The code generator 113 stores command signals corresponding to the input keys of the input key group 112. The light emitting unit 114 includes an infrared LED that emits infrared light.

  The backlight 115 is built directly under the input key group 112 and irradiates the input key group 112. For example, an LED is used as the backlight 115. The brightness sensor 116 detects the brightness under the surrounding environment. As the brightness sensor 116, for example, a Cds (cadmium sulfide) cell or a photodiode is used.

  On the other hand, the television receiver 102 is provided with a television control unit 131 (second control means). The television control unit 131 performs overall control of the television receiver 102 such as channel setting and volume setting. A light receiving unit 130 is provided for the television control unit 131.

When any input key of the input key group 112 of the remote controller 101 is pressed, a command signal corresponding to the pressed input key is read from the code generation unit 113. The remote control unit 111 generates a command signal based on operation information from the input keys. This command signal is sent to the light emitting unit 114, and the light emitting unit 114 outputs infrared rays in a pulse train corresponding to the command signal.
The command signal based on the infrared pulse train is received by the light receiving unit 130 of the television receiver 102. The detection value of the light receiving unit 130 is sent to the television control unit 131. The television controller 131 sets the operating state of the television receiver 102 in accordance with the command signal.

The remote controller 101 is provided with a brightness sensor 116. The brightness sensor 116 detects the brightness under the operating environment. The detection value of the brightness sensor 116 is sent to the remote control unit 111.
When it is determined by the detection value of the brightness sensor 116 that the operating environment is bright, the backlight 115 is turned off as shown in FIG. When the input key operation of the remote controller 101 is performed, if the operating environment is determined to be dark based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 116, the backlight 115 is turned on as shown in FIG. Change from state to light). Thereby, the user can perform correct input key operation of the remote controller 101 even in a dark place.

  If no input key operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer after the backlight 115 is turned on, the backlight 115 is turned off. Thereby, power saving is achieved. Further, it is determined that the operating environment is dark based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 116, and it is determined whether or not the backlight 115 is turned on when the input key operation of the remote controller 101 is performed. If the backlight 115 is not lit when the ambient environment is dark, the transmission of the command signal from the remote controller 101 is stopped. This prevents malfunction of the remote controller 101 in a dark place.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control of the remote control unit 111 in the remote operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The remote control unit 111 waits for processing until any input key of the input key group 112 is pressed (step S101). If the pressing of any input key in the input key group 112 is detected, the remote controller control unit 111 advances the process to step S102.

In step S102, the remote controller control unit 111 compares the value of the brightness sensor 116 with a threshold value. If the value of the brightness sensor 116 is greater than the threshold value (Yes in step S102), the remote control unit 111 transmits a command signal corresponding to the pressed input key (step S103), and returns to step S101.
If the value of the brightness sensor 116 is smaller than the threshold value in step S102, the remote controller control unit 111 determines whether the backlight 115 is already lit (step S104). If the backlight 115 is already lit in step S104 (Yes in step S104), the remote control unit 111 transmits a command signal corresponding to the pressed input key (step S105). Then, the timer is reset (step S106), and the process returns to step S101.

If the backlight 115 is not turned on in step S104 (No in step S104), the remote control unit 111 turns on the backlight 115 (changes from the unlit state to the lit state) (step S107). Then, the timer is reset (step S106), and the process returns to step S101.
If the operating environment is bright as a result of the processing in steps S101 to S103, the command signal corresponding to the pressed input key is transmitted without turning on the backlight 115.

Further, when the surrounding environment is dark and the backlight 115 is not turned on by the processing of step S102, step S104, and step S107, the backlight 115 is turned on. At this time, the transmission of the command signal is stopped because the key operation was performed in a dark operation environment.
On the other hand, if the backlight 115 is already lit even if the operating environment is dark, the command signal corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted by the processing of step S102, step S104, and step S105. Yes.

  Next, returning to step S101, the process waits until any key of the input key group 112 is pressed. Here, when any key of the input key group 112 is not pressed (No in step S101), the remote control unit 111 determines whether or not the backlight 115 is in a lighting state (step S108). If the backlight 115 is not in a lighting state (No in step S108), the process returns to step S101.

  If the backlight is on in step S108 (Yes in step S108), the remote control unit 111 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S109). In step S109, the elapsed time since the timer was reset in step S106 is measured. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S109 (No in step S109), the process returns to step S110. If it is determined in step S109 that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S109), the remote control unit 111 turns off the backlight 115 (step S110) and returns to step S101.

  When the backlight is turned on in step S107, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed in step S109. If there is no key input for the predetermined time, the backlight 115 is turned off in step S110. If there is a key input before the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step S102, step S104, step S105, and step S106. In step S106, the timer is reset and the backlight 115 is kept in the lighting state. Is done.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the television control unit 131 in the remote operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the television controller 131 side waits for processing until it receives the infrared light of the command signal (step S151). If the infrared light is received, the operation according to the command of the infrared light is performed. Execute (Step S152).

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the brightness sensor 116 is mounted in the remote controller 101. Thus, it can be determined whether or not the backlight 115 is turned on on the remote control 101 side. That is, when it is determined that the operating environment is dark when a key operation of the remote controller 101 is performed based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 116, the backlight 115 is turned on (changes from the unlit state to the lit state). . Further, if no key operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer after the backlight 115 is turned on, the backlight 115 is turned off. Thereby, power saving is achieved. Further, it is determined that the operating environment is dark based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 116, and it is determined whether or not the backlight 115 is turned on when a key operation of the remote controller 101 is performed. When the ambient environment is dark and the backlight 115 is turned off, the transmission of the command signal from the remote controller 101 is stopped. This prevents a key malfunction when the remote controller 101 is operated without turning on the backlight 115 in a dark place.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the remote controller 201 and the television receiver 202 in the remote control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the remote operation system according to the second embodiment, the remote controller 201 includes a remote controller control unit 211 (first control unit), an input key group 212, a code generation unit 213, a light emitting unit 214 (transmission unit), and a back. It comprises a light 215 (illuminating means).

  Further, the television receiver 202 is provided with a television control unit 231 (second control means). The television control unit 231 performs overall control of the television receiver 202 such as channel setting and volume setting. For the television control unit 231, a light receiving unit 230 (receiving unit) and a brightness sensor 233 (brightness detecting unit) are provided.

In the first embodiment described above, the brightness sensor 116 is provided on the remote controller 101 side. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the brightness sensor 233 is provided on the television receiver 202 side.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control of the remote controller 211 in the remote operation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, the remote controller control unit 211 stands by for processing until any key of the input key group 212 is pressed (step S201). If the pressing of any key of the input key group 212 is detected, the remote control control unit 211 advances the process to step S202.

  In step S202, the remote controller control unit 211 determines whether the backlight 215 is already lit. In step S202, if the backlight 215 is already lit (Yes in step S202), the remote controller control unit 211 transmits a command signal corresponding to the pressed key (step S203). Then, the timer is reset (step S204), and the process returns to step S201.

If the backlight 215 is not lit in step S202 (No in step S202), the remote control control unit 211 turns on the backlight 215 (changes from the unlit state to the lit state) (step S205). Then, a command signal corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted (step S203), the timer is reset (step S204), and the process returns to step S201.
When the key is operated by the processing of steps S201 to S203, if the backlight 215 is not lit, the backlight 215 is lit and a command signal corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted. As a result, key operations can be performed even in a dark operating environment. Then, the timer is reset when a key operation is performed by the process of step S204.

  Next, the process returns to step S201, and the process waits until any key of the input key group 212 is pressed. Here, when any key of the input key group 212 is not pressed, the remote controller control unit 211 determines whether or not the backlight 215 is in a lighting state (step S206). If the backlight 215 is not lit (No in step S206), the process returns to step S201.

  If the backlight 215 is on in step S206 (Yes in step S206), the remote control unit 211 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was reset in step S204 (step S207). If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S207 (No in step S207), the process returns to step S201. If it is determined in step S207 that the predetermined time has elapsed (No in step S207), the remote control unit 211 turns off the backlight 215 (step S208) and returns to step S201.

  Thereby, after the backlight 215 is turned on in step S204, the backlight 215 is turned off if there is no key input for a predetermined time. If a key is input while the backlight 215 is turned on before the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step S202, step S203, and step S204. The timer is reset in step S204, and the backlight is returned. The light 215 is kept on.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control of the television control unit 231 in the remote control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
8, the television control unit 231 waits the process until receiving the infrared light of the command signal (step S251), If receiving infrared light, captures the current key operation time t _n (step S252). Then, a key operation interval Ta (Ta = t _n −t _n−1 ) between the current key operation time t _n and the previous key operation time t _n−1 is obtained (step S253).

When the key operation interval Ta is obtained, the television control unit 231 determines whether or not the key operation interval Ta is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S254). If less than key operation interval Ta is a predetermined time (No in step S254), performs an operation according to the command of the infrared light (step S255), the current key operation time _{t n} to the last key operation time _{t n-1} (Step S256), the process returns to step S251.

If the key operation interval Ta is equal to or longer than the predetermined time in step S254 (Yes in step S254), the value of the brightness sensor 233 is compared with the threshold value (step S257). If the value of the brightness sensor 233 is larger than the threshold value (Yes in step S257), an operation according to the infrared light command is executed (step S255). Then, the current key operation time t _{n is set} to the previous key operation time t _n−1 (step S256), and the process returns to step S251.

In step S257, If less than the value of the brightness sensor 233 threshold (No in step S257), without performing the operation corresponding to the command of the infrared light, the last key operation time of the current key operation time t _n t _n-1 is set (step S256). Then, the process returns to step S251.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the television control unit 231 estimates whether or not the backlight 215 is turned off (turned off) from the reception timing of the command signal. When the infrared light command is received, it is estimated that the backlight 215 is turned off from the reception timing, and it is determined that the surrounding environment is smaller than the predetermined threshold based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 233. The operation of the received command signal is invalidated.

  That is, the backlight 215 of the remote controller 201 is turned off when there is no key input for a predetermined time. Therefore, when the key operation interval Ta is equal to or longer than the predetermined time and the operating environment is dark, it can be estimated that the key operation is performed with the backlight 215 turned off. Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is determined by the detection value of the brightness sensor 233 at a timing when the key operation interval Ta exceeds a predetermined time, whether or not the surrounding environment is dark is determined according to an infrared light command. The operation is not executed. This prevents erroneous key operation when the remote controller 201 is operated without turning on the backlight 215 in a dark operating environment.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 9 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the remote controller 301 and the television receiver 302 in the remote control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 301 in the remote operation system of the third embodiment includes a remote controller 311 (first controller), an input key group 312, a code generator 313, a light emitter 314 (transmitter), and a backlight. 315 (illuminating means). The remote controller 311 has a state flag insertion function 317.

  Further, the television receiver 302 is provided with a television control unit 331 (second control means). The television control unit 331 performs overall control of the television receiver 302 such as channel setting and volume setting. For the television control unit 331, a light receiving unit 330 (receiving unit) and a brightness sensor 333 (brightness detecting unit) are provided. The television control unit 331 has a state flag detection function 335.

  In this embodiment, a backlight on / off state flag is provided in the command signal from the remote controller 301. The backlight on / off state flag is added to the command signal. That is, FIG. 10 shows a pulse train of command signals. As shown in FIG. 10, the first bit of the pulse train of the command signal is a backlight on / off state flag, followed by a command pulse train. For example, if the first bit of the pulse train of this command signal is “1”, it indicates that the backlight 315 is turned on, and if the first bit of the pulse train of this command signal is “0”, the backlight 315 indicates that it is turned off.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control of the remote controller 311 in the remote control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 11, the remote controller 311 waits for processing until any key in the input key group 212 is pressed (step S301). If the pressing of any key of the input key group 312 is detected, the remote control control unit 311 advances the process to step S302.

  In step S302, the remote controller control unit 311 determines whether the backlight 315 is already lit. If the backlight 315 is already lit in step S302 (Yes in step S302), the remote control unit 311 sets the backlight on / off state flag to “1” (step S303) and transmits a command signal (step S304). . Then, the timer is reset (step S305), and the process returns to step S301.

  If the backlight 315 is not turned on in step S302 (No in step S302), the remote control unit 311 turns on the backlight 315 (changes from the unlit state to the lit state) (step S306). Then, the backlight on / off state flag is set to “0” (step S307), and a command signal corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted (step S308). Then, the timer is reset (step S305), and the process returns to step S301.

  If the backlight 315 is turned on by the processing of steps S303 and S304, the backlight on / off state flag is set to “1” and a command signal is transmitted. If the backlight 315 is not turned off, the backlight on / off state flag is set to “0” and a command signal is transmitted in steps S307 and S308.

  Next, the process returns to step S301, and the process waits until any key of the input key group 312 is pressed. Here, when any key of the input key group 312 is not pressed, the remote controller control unit 311 determines whether or not the backlight 315 is in a lighting state (step S309). If the backlight 315 is not in the lighting state (No in step S309), the process returns to step S301.

  If the backlight 315 is on in step S309 (Yes in step S309), the remote control unit 311 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was reset in step S305 (step S310). If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S310 (No in step S310), the process returns to step S301. If it is determined in step S310 that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S310), the remote control unit 311 turns off the backlight 315 (step S311) and returns to step S301.

  Accordingly, if the key input is not performed for a predetermined time after the backlight 315 is turned on in step S306, the backlight 315 is turned off in step S311. If there is a key input before the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step S302, step S303, step S304, and step S305, the timer in step S305 is reset, and the backlight 315 is held in the lighting state. The

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control of the television control unit 231 in the remote control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 12, the television control unit 231 waits for processing until it receives the infrared light of the command signal (step S351). When receiving the infrared light of the command signal, the television control unit 231 compares the value of the brightness sensor 333 with a threshold value (step S352). If the value of the brightness sensor 333 is larger than the threshold value (Yes in step S352), an operation according to the infrared light command is executed (step S354), and the process returns to step S351.

In step S352, if the value of the brightness sensor 333 is smaller than the threshold value (No in step S352), the television control unit 231 determines whether or not the backlight on / off state flag in the command is “1” (step S352). S353). If the backlight on / off state flag is “1” (Yes in step S353), it can be estimated that the backlight 315 is turned on. In this case, an operation corresponding to the infrared light command is executed (step S354), and the process returns to step S351.
If the backlight on / off state flag is “0” in step S353 (No in step S353), it can be estimated that the remote controller 301 has been operated without turning on the backlight 315 in a dark environment. In this case, the command is not executed and the process returns to step S351.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the backlight of the remote control 301 is lit, the backlight on / off state flag is set to “1” and the command signal is transmitted. The television control unit 331 estimates whether the backlight 315 of the remote controller 301 is lit by detecting the backlight on / off state flag. If it is estimated that the ambient environment is dark based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 333, the backlight on / off state flag is “0”, and the execution of the command is invalidated. This prevents a key malfunction when the remote controller 301 is operated in a dark place without turning on the backlight 315.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 13 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the remote control 401 and the television receiver 402 in the remote control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 401 in the remote operation system of the fourth embodiment includes a remote controller control unit 411 (first control unit), an input key group 412, a code generation unit 413, a light emitting unit 414 (transmission unit), and a backlight. 415 (illuminating means).

As shown in FIG. 14, the input key group 412 includes special keys in addition to the power on / off key 420, the channel key 421, the channel up / down keys 422a and 422b, and the volume up / down keys 423a and 423b. 425 is included.
As shown in FIG. 13, the television receiver 402 is provided with a television control unit 431 (second control means). The television control unit 431 performs overall control of the television receiver 402 such as channel setting and volume setting. For the television control unit 431, a light receiving unit 430 (receiving unit) and a brightness sensor 433 (brightness detecting unit) are provided. Further, the television control unit 431 includes a special key detection function 435 for determining a command of the special key 425.

  In the fourth embodiment, the remote controller 401 includes a special key 425. When the special key 425 is pressed, the command is executed unconditionally with the brightness in the surrounding environment. Note that the special key 425 is disposed at a position away from other keys or provided with a protrusion or the like so that it can be easily recognized even when the backlight 415 is not turned on.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control of the television control unit 231 in the remote control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 15, the television controller 431 waits for processing until it receives the infrared light of the command signal (step S451). When the command signal is received, it is determined whether this command signal is a special key command ( Step S452). If the command is the special key 425 (Yes in step S452), an operation corresponding to this command is executed (step S453), and the process returns to step S451. If the received command signal is a command signal other than the special key 425, the process according to the detected value of the brightness sensor 433 is performed as in the second or third embodiment (step S454).

  That is, when processing is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment, the detection value of the brightness sensor 433 is determined in step S454. If it is determined that the surrounding environment is bright based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 433, an operation corresponding to the command is executed, and the process returns to step S451. If it is determined that the surrounding environment is dark based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 433, if the key operation interval is less than the predetermined time, an operation corresponding to the command is executed, and the process returns to step S451. If the key operation interval is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the process returns to step S451 without executing the operation according to the command.

  When processing is performed in the same manner as in the third embodiment, the detection value of the brightness sensor 433 is determined in step S454. If it is determined that the surrounding environment is bright based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 433, an operation corresponding to the command is executed, and the process returns to step S451. When it is determined that the surrounding environment is dark based on the detection value of the brightness sensor 433, if the backlight on / off state flag is “1”, an operation corresponding to the command is executed, and the process returns to step S451. If the backlight on / off state flag is “0”, the process returns to step S451 without performing the operation according to the command.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the special key 425 of the remote controller 401 is pressed, a command can be executed regardless of the brightness in the surrounding environment. Such a special key 425 may be used as a backlight on / off switch.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 16 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the remote controller 501 and the television receiver 502 in the remote control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 501 in the remote operation system of the fifth embodiment includes a remote controller controller 511 (first controller), an input key group 512, a code generator 513, and a wireless transmitter / receiver 514 (first transmitter / receiver). And a backlight 515 (illuminating means).

  The television receiver 502 is provided with a television control unit 531. The television control unit 531 performs overall control of the television receiver 502 such as channel setting and volume setting. A radio transmission / reception unit 530 (second transmission / reception unit) and a brightness sensor 533 (brightness detection unit) are provided for the television control unit 531 (second control unit).

  In the embodiments described above, the command signal is transmitted by infrared rays in one direction from the remote control side to the television receiver side. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the wireless transmission / reception unit 514 on the remote controller 501 side and the wireless transmission / reception unit 530 on the television receiver 502 side perform wireless communication in both directions. As such wireless communication, Bluetooth, IEEE801.11 or the like can be used.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a control flow of the remote control unit of this embodiment. This process is executed by the remote controller control unit 511 in the remote controller 501.
In FIG. 17, the remote control control unit 511 waits for processing until any key of the input key group 512 is pressed (step S501). If the pressing of any key of the input key group 512 is detected, the remote control control unit 511 advances the process to step S502.

In step S <b> 502, the remote control control unit 511 communicates with the television control unit 531 on the television receiver 502 side, and performs a brightness value acquisition process from the brightness sensor 533 on the television receiver 502 side.
When the brightness value is acquired, the remote controller control unit 511 determines whether the brightness value exceeds a predetermined value (step S503). If the brightness value exceeds the predetermined value (Yes in step S503), the remote control unit 511 determines whether the backlight 515 is already lit (step S504). In step S504, if the backlight 515 is already on (Yes in step S504), the remote control control unit 211 turns off the backlight (step S505). Then, a command signal corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted (step S506), and the process returns to step S501. If the backlight 515 is not lit in step S504 (No in step S504), the remote control unit 211 transmits a command signal corresponding to the pressed key (step S506), and returns to step S501.

  If the brightness value does not exceed the predetermined value in step S503 (No in step S503), the remote control unit 511 determines whether the backlight 515 is already lit (step S507). If the backlight 515 is already lit in step S507 (Yes in step S507), the remote control unit 211 transmits a command signal corresponding to the pressed key (step S506), and returns to step S501. If the backlight 515 is not lit in step S507, the remote control unit 211 turns on the backlight 515 (changes from the unlit state to the lit state) (step S508). At this time, the command signal is not transmitted, and the process returns to step S501.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing the brightness value acquisition processing in step S502. In FIG. 18, the remote controller 511 of the remote controller 501 transmits a brightness value request signal to the television controller 531 of the television receiver 502 (step S551). Upon receiving the brightness value request signal, the television control unit 531 of the television receiver 502 transmits the brightness value detected by the brightness sensor 533 to the remote control unit 511 of the remote controller 501 (step S552). . As a result, the remote control unit 511 of the remote controller 501 can acquire the brightness value under the surrounding environment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a brightness value request signal is transmitted from the remote controller 501 side to the television controller 531, and the brightness detected by the brightness sensor 533 is transmitted from the television receiver 502 to the remote controller 501. Sending value. As a result, the remote control unit 511 of the remote controller 501 can acquire the brightness value under the surrounding environment.

<Modifications and application examples>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the television receiver is remotely operated by the remote controller, but the electronic device to be remotely operated is not limited to the television receiver. The present invention can be similarly applied to an input control method for controlling a backlight that irradiates an input key of a mobile phone.

101, 201, 301, 401.501 Remote control 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 Television receiver 111, 211, 311, 411, 511 Remote control unit 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 Input key group 113, 213 , 313, 413, 513 Code generator 114, 214, 314, 414 Light emitter 115, 215, 315, 415, 515 Backlight 116 Brightness sensor 130, 230, 330, 430 Light receiver 131, 231, 331, 431 Television John controller 233, 333, 433, 533 Brightness sensor

Claims (9)

An electronic device comprising an input key for generating a command signal and illumination means for illuminating the input key,
An electronic apparatus comprising: control means for invalidating an input when the illumination means is changed from a light-off state to a light-on state when the input key is operated. It further has brightness detection means for detecting brightness in the surrounding environment,
If the brightness of the surrounding environment is not more than a predetermined brightness and the lighting unit is turned off when the input key is operated, the control unit turns the lighting unit from the off state to the on state. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the input is invalidated. A remote operation device comprising: an input key; a first control unit that generates a command signal based on operation information from the input key; and a transmission unit that transmits the command signal;
A remote control device having a reception means for receiving a command signal from a transmission means of the remote operation device and a second control means for setting an operation state in accordance with the command signal received by the reception means; In the remote control system,
The remote control device further includes illumination means for illuminating the input key, and brightness detection means for detecting brightness in the surrounding environment,
When the input key is operated, the first control means has a brightness value under an ambient environment obtained from a detection value of the brightness detection means of the remote control device smaller than a predetermined threshold value, If the means is turned off, the remote operation system is characterized by invalidating the input. A remote operation device comprising: an input key; a first control unit that generates a command signal based on operation information from the input key; and a transmission unit that transmits the command signal;
A remote control device having a reception means for receiving a command signal from a transmission means of the remote operation device and a second control means for setting an operation state in accordance with the command signal received by the reception means; In the remote control system,
The remote control device further includes illumination means for illuminating the input key,
The remote control device further includes brightness detection means for detecting brightness in the surrounding environment,
When the second control means receives the command signal, a brightness value in an ambient environment obtained from a detection value of the brightness detection means of the remote operation device is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, and the illumination A remote operation system, wherein the command signal is invalidated if the means is assumed not to be lit.   The remote control system according to claim 4, wherein the second control unit estimates whether or not the illumination unit is turned off based on a reception timing of the command signal. The first control means adds a status flag indicating whether or not the lighting means is lit to the command signal, and transmits the command flag.
The remote control system according to claim 4, wherein the second control unit detects a state flag of the command signal and estimates whether or not the illumination unit is turned off.   7. The input key includes a special key, and when the special key is operated, the received command signal is validated regardless of the determination of the second control means. The remote control system described in Crab. A remote operation having an input key, a first control means for generating a command signal based on operation information from the input key, and a first transmission / reception means for bidirectionally communicating with the remote operation device Equipment,
A second transmission / reception unit configured to perform bidirectional communication with the remote control device; and a second control unit configured to set an operation state according to a command signal received by the second transmission / reception unit. In a remote operation system including an operation device,
The remote control device further includes illumination means for illuminating the input key,
The remote control device further includes brightness detection means for detecting brightness in the surrounding environment,
The first control unit communicates with the second control unit when the input key is operated, acquires a detection value of the brightness detection unit of the remote operation device, and If the brightness value in the surrounding environment obtained from the detection value of the brightness detection means of the remote operation device is smaller than a predetermined threshold and the illumination means is turned off, the input is invalidated. Remote control system. An electronic device control method comprising an input key for generating a command signal and an illumination means for illuminating the input key,
When the input key is operated, if the illumination unit changes from a light-off state to a light-on state, the input is invalidated.

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