JP3216406B2 - AV system rack - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an AV system for simplifying the operation of a home theater comprising a plurality of video and audio equipment (hereinafter abbreviated as AV equipment) such as a plurality of video tape recorders and laser disc players. It relates to a system rack.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a home theater may be configured as a system. In order to simplify the operation, only one remote control means (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote control) is used at hand of the user, and a remote control signal (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote control signal) is transmitted from the remote control. This remote control signal is received and decoded by the microcomputer. Further, an AV system has been considered in which a signal light emitting element controlled by a microcomputer emits a preset remote control code so that AV equipment of various manufacturers can be operated with a common remote control.

[0003] A conventional AV system rack will be described below. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a conventional AV system rack.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a remote controller that emits an optical signal as a remote control signal when the user operates the remote controller, and 2 denotes an AV system rack in which AV equipment 8 is built.
3 is a light receiving element for receiving a signal from the remote controller 1, 4 is a microcomputer for decoding the received remote control signal, 5 is a preset memory storing a remote control code of the AV equipment 8, and 6 is a remote control signal for the AV equipment 8. Reference numeral 7 denotes an openable and closable door that covers the front surface of the AV system rack 2, and 8 denotes an AV device installed in the AV system rack 2.

The operation of the AV system rack configured as described above will be described below.

First, when the user operates the remote control 1 at hand to the AV system rack 2, the remote control signal is received by the light receiving element 3 mounted outside the AV system rack 2, and the received remote control signal is transmitted to the microcomputer. In step 4, the operation contents of the user are decoded. The preset memory 5 stores remote control codes from various manufacturers, and is controlled by the microcomputer 4 to read out remote control codes that match the AV equipment. Further, a remote control signal is emitted from the light emitting element 6 controlled by the microcomputer 4 into the AV system rack 2, and the AV equipment 8 is operated.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, when the door 7 of the AV system rack 2 is open, a remote control signal from the remote control 1 for the user to operate the AV system rack 2 and the AV signal are output. Since the remote control signal for controlling the AV device 8 in the system rack 2 interferes, the operation may be disabled against the user's intention, and as a result, there is a disadvantage that the user is uncomfortable. .

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problem. When the door 7 is open, even if the remote control signal interferes and the operation becomes impossible, a message is displayed on the screen of the image display device or turned on. Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide an AV system rack 2 which has a means for blinking to notify a user of a state in which a door 7 is opened, thereby enabling accurate remote control.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, an AV system rack according to the present invention controls a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of a door and a video / audio device by a remote control signal,
A microcomputer that decodes the received remote control signal, and a character generator that is controlled by the microcomputer and generates a character signal indicating that the image display device cannot be operated by receiving a signal from the sensor. Or a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the door, a microcomputer that controls the audiovisual equipment with a remote control signal, decodes the received remote control signal, and receives a signal from the sensor that is controlled by the microcomputer. Lighting or blinking means.

[0010]

With this configuration, it is detected that the door is open and operation is disabled, a message is displayed on the screen, and a means for lighting or blinking on the outer wall of the AV system rack is provided, so that the state in which the door remains open can be detected. By notifying the user, the state can be prevented beforehand, and a reliable remote operation can be performed. As a result, the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

[0011]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an AV system rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a remote controller operated by a user at hand,
Reference numeral 2 denotes an AV system rack having built-in AV equipment, 3 denotes a signal light receiving element from the remote control 1, 4 denotes a microcomputer for decoding a received remote control signal, and 5 denotes a remote control for each AV equipment 8 installed in the AV system rack 2. A preset memory storing a code, 6 is a signal light emitting element for emitting a remote control signal to AV equipment, 7 is a door covering the front of the AV system rack 2, 9 is external light, and the level of the detection is detected. An optical sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door, a character generator 10 for generating a character signal indicating that the door is open, and an image display device 11 such as a television receiver or a projection type image display device. The operation of the AV system rack 2 configured as described above will be described below.

First, when the user operates the dedicated remote controller 1 at hand to the AV system rack 2, a remote control signal is received by the light receiving element 3 mounted outside the AV system rack 2. The contents of the user's operation indicated by the received remote control signal are decoded by the microcomputer 4 in the rack. Remote control codes from many manufacturers are stored in the preset memory 5, and are controlled by the microcomputer 4 to read out remote control codes suitable for the AV device 8. Further, a remote control signal is emitted from the light emitting element 6 controlled by the microcomputer 4 into the AV system
Is controlled.

However, when the rack door 7 is open, a remote control signal from the remote control 1 for the user to operate the AV system rack interferes with a remote control signal for controlling the AV equipment 8 inside the AV system rack. Therefore, there is a possibility that operation becomes impossible against the intention of the user. Therefore, the open / closed state of the door is detected by the optical sensor 9 and a character signal of “the door is open” is generated in the character generator 10 controlled by the microcomputer 4, and the signal is superimposed on the RGB signal to generate an image. A message is displayed on the screen 11 of the display device.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the light sensor 9 and the character generator 10, a message can be displayed on the screen of the image display device 11 even if the door 1 is opened and operation becomes impossible. Thus, remote control can be performed, and as a result, the user does not feel uncomfortable in operation.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an AV system rack showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a remote controller operated by a user at hand, 2 is an AV system rack incorporating AV equipment, 3 is a signal light receiving element from the remote controller 1, 4 is a microcomputer for decoding a received remote control signal, and 5 is an AV system. A preset memory that stores a remote control code of each AV device 8 installed in the system rack 2, a signal light emitting element 6 that emits a remote control signal for the AV device, a door 7 that covers the front of the AV system rack 2, and a reference numeral 9 that An optical sensor that detects outside light and detects the open / closed state of the door based on the level of the detection level, and a laser light emitting diode (LED) 12 is shown.

The operation of the AV system rack 2 configured as described above will be described below.

As in the first embodiment, there is a possibility that operation becomes impossible when the rack door 7 is open. However, the open / closed state of the door is detected by the optical sensor 9 and the LED 11 mounted on the AV system rack 2 is turned on. By flashing or lighting, it is possible to perform remote control, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable in operation. AV as above
By equipping the system rack with the LED 12, even if the door is opened and operation becomes impossible, it is possible to allow the user to perform remote control by simply adding components.

Although the optical sensor 9 is used as a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door in the first and second embodiments, the same applies to the case where a light reflection sensor using infrared rays or a mechanism sensor using a microswitch is used. The result can be obtained.

[0020]

As described above, the present invention enables remote control to be performed by providing an optical sensor on a door and providing a character generator or a means for lighting or blinking in an AV system rack. As a result, it is possible to realize an AV system rack that does not give the user any operational discomfort.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an AV system rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an AV system rack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional AV system rack.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote control 2 AV system rack 3 Signal receiving element 4 Microcomputer 5 Preset memory 6 Signal light emitting element 7 Door 8 AV equipment 9 Optical sensor 10 Character generator 11 Image display device 12 Laser light emitting diode

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI H04Q 9/00 371 H04Q 9/00 371Z // G11B 33/02 505 G11B 33/02 505Z (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , (DB name) A47B 81/06 G11B 31/00 511 G11B 31/00 525 H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 371 G11B 33/02 505

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A door for blocking an external remote control signal, a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door, a light receiving element for receiving an external remote control signal, a plurality of audiovisual devices, A microcomputer that decodes an external remote control signal and controls the audiovisual device,
A preset memory which is controlled by the microcomputer and stores a remote control signal for controlling the plurality of audiovisual devices; and a signal which is controlled by the microcomputer and emits a remote control signal for controlling the audiovisual device. An AV comprising: a light-emitting element; and a character generator controlled by the microcomputer and receiving a signal from the sensor to generate a character signal indicating that an external image display device cannot be operated. System rack. 2. A door for blocking an external remote control signal, a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door, a light receiving element for receiving an external remote control signal, a plurality of audiovisual devices, A microcomputer that decodes an external remote control signal and controls the audiovisual device,
A preset memory that is controlled by the microcomputer and stores a remote control signal for controlling the plurality of audiovisual devices; and a signal that is controlled by the microcomputer and emits a remote control signal for controlling the audiovisual device. An AV system rack comprising: a light emitting element; and means for turning on or off in response to a signal from the sensor, controlled by the microcomputer. 3. The AV system rack according to claim 1, wherein the sensor for detecting the open / close state of the door is a light reflection sensor using infrared rays or a mechanism sensor using a microswitch.