JP3073796B2 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control transmission / reception device for remotely controlling a controlled device such as an audio device by radio, and more particularly, to a lighting technique for the device in a space where total illumination is not possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A remote control transmission / reception device (hereinafter abbreviated as "remote control device") for performing a so-called remote control has a receiving device in a controlled device and a commander for issuing an operation command for the receiving device. Such a remote control commander (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote control commander or a commander) usually includes a plurality of command keys exposed to the outside of the housing, ie, the remote control case, for commanding the operation of the controlled device. In some cases, a remote control signal including a command signal as an operation command corresponding to the command key is transmitted by infrared rays, radio waves, ultrasonic waves, or the like in response to operation of the command key.

In places where the entire room cannot be brightened while the controlled device is being used, such as an AV (Audio-Visual) room, a projection room, a vehicle room at night, or the like, the operation surface of the controlled device is operated. It is absolutely necessary to have partial lighting to clarify the position by illuminating-. If the controlled device is of a stationary type, it is sufficient to use an external illumination means near the operation key or a so-called self-illumination type using illumination means provided on the operation surface, and there is no problem.

However, since the commander is portable, it is difficult to illuminate the operation surface of the commander by the fixed lighting means. On the other hand, in order to use the self-illuminated type, the commander must be provided with wiring for supplying a power supply voltage to the illumination means in the commander, or a commander must have a built-in rechargeable battery sufficient for supplying the power supply voltage to the illumination means. Must. In the case of having the power supply wiring for lighting as in the former, freedom of movement is restricted, and in the case of simply having the built-in battery as in the latter, the built-in battery and its charging circuit are required, so that it is lightweight and inexpensive. It is difficult to compose a commander.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight and inexpensive remote control / commander without losing a degree of freedom in operability, and to provide a remote control to a user even in a dark space. -It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device in which the position of the command key of the commander can be clearly recognized.

[0006]

A remote control device according to the present invention comprises: a housing;
A remote controller / commander including a command key exposed to the outside from the housing, and a command generator disposed in the housing and wirelessly giving a command to a controlled device in response to an operation of the command key. A remote control device having a light and dark sensor that detects a dark state of the surrounding space and emits a dark detection signal, and a radiation unit that radiates radiation in response to the dark detection signal, Is characterized in that a pattern that emits fluorescence in response to the radiation is formed.

[0007]

The remote control device according to the present invention detects the dark state of the space around the remote control / commander by the light / dark sensor, emits a dark detection signal, and radiates radiation in response to the dark detection signal by the radiation means. The phosphor pattern formed on the surface of the housing forming the commander is irradiated, and this pattern is irradiated.
The position of the commander's command key can be visually recognized by the fluorescent display by the photochemical reaction of the button.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a space 1 is a housing, that is, a space around a commander 2, and a commander 2 and a controlled device which cannot be entirely illuminated during use of the controlled device such as the above-described AV room or a vehicle room at night. 3 is a used space. The controlled device 3 is arranged at one corner of the space 1 and is operated by pressing a command key of the commander 2. Above the space 1, fluorescent lamps 4a and 4b, which provide effective overall illumination when the controlled device 3 is not used, are suspended.

A command key of the commander according to the present embodiment, for example, a pattern "B" is written in a fluorescent paint on a pressing surface of a B command key 5 on an operation surface of the commander 2 as shown in the figure. . For other command keys, command names corresponding to the command keys are similarly written in fluorescent paint.
If the controlled device is a laser disc player, "PLA
"Y" and "STOP". Of course, a mark corresponding to the command name may be described.

As the fluorescent paint, for example, one that emits light by ultraviolet rays is employed. Above the space 1, an ultraviolet lamp 6 that emits weak ultraviolet rays that do not affect the eyes is used as a radiating means. It is suspended with the circuit 14. Further, the ultraviolet lamp 6 is controlled to blink by an output drive signal of a drive circuit 14 by a light / dark sensor 7 which detects a dark state in the space 1 and generates a dark signal.

That is, when the user uses the controlled device 3 to extinguish the fluorescent lamps 4a and 4b, which are the entire illumination of the space 1, the space 1 naturally goes into a dark state,
In accordance with this, the light / dark sensor detects this and turns on the ultraviolet lamp 6. In this dark state, when the ultraviolet ray radiated from the ultraviolet lamp 6 is irradiated on the operation surface of the commander 2, the photochemical reaction of the fluorescent paint stimulated by this causes the pressing surface of the command key as described above. Will emit light, respectively. In this way, the remote control / commander itself does not involve extra power consumption,
In addition, the user can clearly recognize the position of the command key with the characters and marks illuminated and displayed from the commander while keeping the used space dark.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a remote controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted. This embodiment is particularly effective when the space to be used is relatively large. For example, infrared rays for detecting the position of itself in the space 1 are provided on the operation surface of the housing, that is, the remote control 2. An infrared light emitter 8 for generating light is provided. Above the space 1, an infrared light receiver 9 for receiving infrared light radiated from the infrared light emitter 8 is suspended.

The infrared light receiver 9 is composed of an infrared light sensitive element which converts infrared light into an electric signal (light receiving output signal) in response to the infrared light.
0, and the position of the commander 2 is detected. For example, it is detected whether the commander 2 as shown is in front of or behind the space 1 with the infrared receiver 9 as a boundary. The ultraviolet lamp lighting switching circuit 11, to which the position detection signal of the remote control position detection circuit 10 is supplied, supplies the driving signal to the front ultraviolet lamp 6a with the driving circuit 14a when the commander 2 is located in front of the space 1, and turns it on. In other words, when it is behind, the drive circuit 14b supplies a drive signal to the rear ultraviolet lamp 6b to turn it on.
The ultraviolet lamp lighting switching circuit 11 receives an enable signal input from the same sensor output from the light / dark sensor 7 as described above, and switches the ultraviolet lamp lighting when the light / dark sensor 7 is in the bright state of the space 1. The disable signal is given to the circuit 11 to extinguish both the ultraviolet lamps 6a and 6b. Although the light / dark sensor 7 has been described as being configured separately from the commander 2 here, the commander 2
In consideration of the reduction of the power consumption of the infrared light emitter 8 in the above, it is desirable that a means such as the light / dark sensor 7 is also provided inside the commander to control the lighting of the light emitter 8.

As described above, in this embodiment, the position of the remote controller / commander is detected in a relatively large use space, and a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are selectively turned on in accordance with the detected position. Even if is moved, only the destination ultraviolet lamp will be illuminated on the commander operation surface, and the driving power consumed by the ultraviolet lamp will be reduced while maintaining the clear emission display of the command key. You can do it.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a remote controller according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted. In this embodiment, when the space to be used is larger than that in the second embodiment, or in a vehicle interior or the like, the receiving surface of the remote control signal of the controlled device 3 is blocked by another passenger, a seat, or the like. This is effective when there is a possibility of interfering with so-called remote operation.

The remote controller / commander 2 transmits an operation command to the controlled device 3 in addition to a so-called position detection signal for detecting the position of the remote controller / commander 2 by an infrared light emitter 8 arranged on its operation surface. The remote control command signal is also radiated by infrared radiation. Above the space 1, infrared light receivers 9a and 9b for receiving infrared light radiated from the infrared light emitter 8 include front and rear ultraviolet lamps 6a.
And 6b, respectively, and are suspended adjacent to each other.

The received light output signals of the front and rear infrared light receivers 9a and 9b are supplied to a remote control position detection circuit 10 to detect the position of the commander 2 in the space 1, and for example, the commander 2 It is detected which is closer to 9a or 9b. The ultraviolet lamp lighting switching circuit 11, to which the position detection signal of the remote control position detection circuit 10 is supplied, supplies a driving signal to the front ultraviolet lamp 6a with the driving circuit 14a when the commander 2 is at a position close to the front infrared light receiver 9a. When it is located near the rear infrared receiver 9a, the drive circuit 14b supplies a drive signal to the rear ultraviolet lamp 6b to turn it on. As described above, the ultraviolet lamp lighting switching circuit 11 receives an enable signal from the sensor output from the light / dark sensor 7, and when the light / dark sensor 7 is in the bright state of the space 1, the ultraviolet lamp lighting switching circuit 11 is turned on. Is supplied with a disable signal to extinguish both of the ultraviolet lamps 6a and 6b.

On the other hand, the respective light receiving output signals of both infrared light receivers 9a and 9b are both supplied to a light receiving output switching circuit 12 as a remote control signal supplying means, and selectively by the position detecting signal of the remote control position detecting circuit 10. And is supplied to the signal decoding circuit 13 of the controlled device 3.
That is, when the position detection circuit 10 detects that the commander 2 is at a position close to the front infrared receiver 9a, it detects the reception output signal of the front infrared receiver 9a to detect that the commander 2 is at a position close to the rear infrared receiver 9a. Then, the light receiving output signal of the rear infrared light receiver 9b is supplied to the signal decoding circuit 13.

Thus, the commander 2 is provided with the infrared receiver 9
A remote control command signal as a light receiving output signal is provided by arranging an infrared light emitting device 8 on a position in a direction facing a and 9b, that is, on the operation surface, by irradiating the operation surface with the nearest ultraviolet lamp, and by the closest infrared light emitting device. To reduce the driving power consumed by ultraviolet lamps while maintaining a clear light emission of the command key in a large space or a space that prevents direct remote control of the controlled device. Not only can be performed, but also the reception of the remote control command signal is ensured. This configuration is preferable because a remarkable effect can be obtained especially in a vehicle cabin.

In the first to third embodiments, the configuration for detecting the position of the remote controller and detecting the signal using infrared rays has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to infrared rays.
It is easy for those skilled in the art to appropriately perform other means such as radio waves and ultrasonic waves. Also, the fluorescent paint for notation on an ultraviolet lamp or a remote control / commander does not need to be stopped merely based on the photochemical reaction of ultraviolet light, and has a wavelength at which a substantially equivalent effect can be obtained, for example, a photochemical reaction of visible light. Of course, it may be used. That is, such a photochemical reaction may be performed by radiation that causes a fluorescent substance to be described on a commander to fluoresce. Further, the present invention is not limited to the two ultraviolet lamps and infrared receivers disposed in the front and the rear in the predetermined space, and may be configured by providing more ultraviolet lamps and infrared receivers at arbitrary locations.

[0023]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
A light / dark sensor detects the dark state of the space around the remote controller / commander and emits a dark detection signal, and radiating means radiates radiation in response to the dark detection signal to form fluorescent light on the surface of the housing forming the commander. By irradiating the body pattern and displaying the position of the commander key of the commander by fluorescent display by the photochemical reaction of this pattern, a lightweight and inexpensive commander without losing the freedom in operability is constructed. it can. Then, the commander's command key can be clearly recognized even in a space where the entire illumination cannot be performed while the controlled device is being used, without extra power consumption by the commander itself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a remote control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a remote control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs of Main Parts]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Predetermined space 2 ... Remote control commander 3 ... Controlled equipment 4a, 4b ... Fluorescent lamp 5 ... B command key 6 ... Ultraviolet lamp 6a, 6b ... Forward and rear ultraviolet lamp 7 ... Brightness / darkness Sensor 8 Infrared light emitter 9 Infrared light receiver 9a, 9b Front and rear infrared light receiver 10 Remote control position detection circuit 11 Ultraviolet lamp lighting switching circuit 12 Light reception output switching circuit 13 Remote control Signal decoding circuit 14, 14a, 14b ... Drive circuit

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A housing, a command key exposed to the outside from the housing, and a command wirelessly provided to a controlled device in the housing in accordance with an operation of the command key. A remote control device having a remote control / commander including a command generation unit, a light / dark sensor that detects a dark state of the surrounding space and emits a dark detection signal, and a radiation unit that radiates radiation in response to the dark detection signal. And a pattern that emits fluorescence in response to the radiation is formed on the surface of the housing. 2. The radiation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of radiation generating elements disposed apart from each other and each generating radiation in response to a drive signal; and detecting a position of the remote controller / commander to generate a position detection signal. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, further comprising remote control position detecting means, and driving means for selectively supplying the driving signal to the radiation generating element in accordance with the position detecting signal. 3. The remote control position detecting means includes an infrared light emitting element mounted on the housing, and an infrared light sensitive element for emitting an electric signal as the position detection signal in response to infrared light from the infrared light emitting element. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, comprising: 4. The infrared sensitive element is disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of radiation generating elements in a pair, and selectively outputs the electric signal according to each position detection signal of the infrared sensitive element. 4. The remote control device according to claim 3, further comprising a remote control signal supply unit that supplies the remote control signal to the controlled device.