JP3324113B2 - Remote control communication system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a remote control communication system, and more particularly to a remote control communication system having a remote locator function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a remote control communication system composed of a remote control and a main unit, the remote control has sometimes been lost, so that a so-called remote locator function has been adopted. With the remote locator function, when the location of the remote control is lost, a predetermined radio wave is transmitted from the main unit side, this is received by the remote control side and sound is emitted, and the location is transmitted to the user. It is a function to inform.

[0003] On the other hand, on the other hand, on the other hand, the power consumption increases because the remote controller must receive radio waves. Could end up being Therefore, since the remote locator function is not used frequently, the power for the remote locator function is intermittently turned on at the remote controller every predetermined period, thereby reducing battery consumption. I was

On the other hand, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-253366, power is supplied intermittently to a transmitting / receiving means on the remote controller side, and unless there is a transmitting / receiving signal, the intermittent time is reduced to a predetermined time. By gradually increasing the length, the intermittent time was reset at a certain timing.

[0005]

The above-mentioned conventional remote control communication system has the following problems.
In the former, although the consumption of the battery is certainly reduced, the effect is not sufficient. On the other hand, according to the latter configuration, the intermittent time becomes longer as long as there is no transmission / reception signal, so that the battery consumption can be further reduced. However, even with such a configuration, the effect is not sufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a remote locator function.
An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control communication system capable of efficiently reducing power consumption on the remote control side and extending battery life.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a remote controller for transmitting a remote control signal according to an operation content, and a remote control signal received from the remote control for receiving the operation content A remote control communication system including a main unit that executes processing according to the locator reception notifying means for receiving a predetermined locator signal at the time of power supply and notifying a user of the location, and a locator reception notifying means. Locator power supply means capable of supplying power from a predetermined battery and switching between supply and cutoff of the same power, and a remote control signal received by the remote control side signal transmission / reception means is a predetermined locator power cutoff control. Locator power cutoff means for cutting off power to the locator reception notifying means by the locator power supply means; And a locator power resuming means for resuming the supply of electric power to the locator receiver notifying means in said locator power means from a state where power is shut off with respect to the locator receiver notification means by the force blocking means,
The main unit includes a main unit signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving a remote control signal, a locator signal transmitting unit for transmitting the locator signal, and a remote control signal for the locator power cutoff control in response to a locator power cutoff request. Locator power control transmission means for transmitting by the side signal transmission / reception means, wherein the locator power resumption means causes the remote control side signal transmission / reception means to transmit a remote control signal according to the locator power resumption request based on a predetermined remote control operation. And, when the remote control signal received by the remote control side signal transmitting / receiving means is locator power restart control, the power supply to the locator reception notifying means is restarted,
The locator power control transmission means is configured to transmit a remote control signal for the locator power restart control when the main unit side signal transmission / reception means receives a remote control signal for the locator power restart request.

In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, a remote controller for transmitting a remote control signal corresponding to the operation content, and receiving a remote control signal from the remote controller and executing a process corresponding to the operation content When a locator signal is transmitted by the locator signal transmission means on the main unit when the location of the remote control is lost, the locator reception notification unit on the remote control supplies power. Received at times to notify the location of the remote controller. The locator reception notifying means is supplied with power from a predetermined battery by the locator power supply means, and when a locator power cutoff request is issued, the locator power control transmitting means on the main unit side transmits a remote control signal for locator power cutoff control. Is transmitted by the main unit side signal transmitting / receiving means. Then, the remote control signal is received by the remote control signal transmission / reception means, and the locator power cutoff means causes the locator power supply means to cut off the power to the locator reception notification means.
To restart the power supply from the state in which the power to the locator reception notifying unit is cut off, the power supply to the locator receiving unit is restarted by the remote control operation. When such remote control operation is actually performed,
The locator power restarting means causes the remote control signal transmitting / receiving means to transmit a remote control signal relating to the locator power restart request. Then, the main body side signal transmitting / receiving means receives the remote control signal, and the locator power control transmitting means causes the main body side signal transmitting / receiving means to transmit a remote control signal for locator power restart control. Then, the remote control signal is received by the remote control signal transmission / reception means, and the locator power restart means restarts the power supply by the locator power supply means.

When the power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off, a remote control signal for locator power cutoff control for cutting off the power is transmitted from the main unit side, and the remote control signal is received by the remote control side and the power is actually turned off. Cut off. Therefore, at this point, the remote control should be within a certain range in which the remote control signal can be transmitted to and received from the main unit. In this sense, it can be said that the location of the remote control is clear. Therefore, there is no problem even if the locator reception notifying means is not activated due to the interruption of the power, so that the power consumption of the remote controller can be suppressed efficiently.

Further, the power supply to the locator reception notifying means may be restarted without performing the remote control operation. As an example, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the locator power restarting means performs the time counting process. It is possible that the locator power cutoff means starts the timing operation after the power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off by the locator power cutoff means. The power supply to the reception notifying unit is restarted.

In the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, when the power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off by the locator power cut-off means as described above, the locator power restarting means starts the time counting process. When the measured time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the locator power supply restarts the supply of power to the locator reception notifying means. Of course, when the locator power supply supplies the power intermittently as described above, the power supply is restarted.

The locator reception notifying means receives the locator signal and notifies the location. Needless to say, notifying the location means notifying the user of the location. Includes notification when issued. In this case, the locator reception notifying means only needs to be able to receive the locator signal from at least the main unit and notify the location of the locator signal while the locator signal is present. I can't say that.

As one example, the invention according to claim 3 is the remote control communication system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the locator power cut-off means is provided on the remote control side based on a predetermined remote control operation. The remote control signal according to the locator power cutoff request is transmitted by the signal transmitting / receiving means, and the locator power control transmitting means receives the remote control signal according to the locator power cutoff request by the main unit side signal transmitting / receiving means. It is configured to transmit a remote control signal for locator power cutoff control.

The invention according to claim 3 configured as described above is based on the premise that a locator power cutoff request is issued from the remote control, and the remote control operation is performed when issuing the locator power cutoff request. Then, the locator power cutoff means causes the remote control signal transmission / reception means to transmit a remote control signal for the locator power cutoff request. When the remote control signal is received by the main unit side signal transmitting / receiving unit, the locator power control transmitting unit transmits a remote control signal for the locator power cutoff control by the main unit side signal transmitting / receiving unit. Cuts off the power to the locator reception notifying means.

Further, the timing processing in claim 2 may be, for example, a case where the locator power cut-off means strictly measures the time after the power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off, and a case where the locator power cut-off means strictly measures the time. Shall also be included. As an example, the invention according to claim 4 is the remote control communication system according to claim 2, wherein the locator power restarting unit monitors the operation status of the remote control after starting the time counting process and operates the remote control. In this case, the clocking time is returned to the initial value and the clocking process is continued.

In the invention according to claim 4 configured as described above, the locator power resuming means similarly starts the timing processing after the locator power cutoff means cuts off the power to the locator reception notifying means. When the time exceeds a predetermined time, the power supply is restarted by the locator power supply means, but if the remote control is operated before the predetermined time is measured, the timekeeping process is continued after returning the timekeeping time to the initial value, As a result, the restart of the power supply is prolonged. That is, as long as the remote control is operated, the location of the remote control is clear, and in such a case, it can be determined that the restart of the power supply to the locator reception notifying means may be extended.

The applications of the remote control communication system are various and are not particularly limited. As a preferred example, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In the above remote control communication system, the main unit is a television, and the locator power control transmission means displays a predetermined screen and issues the locator power cutoff request on the display screen.

In the invention according to claim 5 configured as described above, the locator power control transmitting means of the television as the main unit performs a predetermined screen display when transmitting the remote control signal for the locator cutoff control described above. Therefore, a locator power cutoff request is issued on the display screen. Needless to say, here, a case where such a screen display is instructed from the remote controller side is naturally included.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, the main unit transmits a remote control signal for cutting off the power to the locator reception notifying means, and the remote control receives the remote control signal to control the locator reception notifying means. Since the power is cut off, remote control communication that can effectively reduce power consumption on the remote control side and extend battery life when the location of the remote control is clear and the remote locator function is not required A system can be provided. Further, since the power supply to the locator reception notifying means is restarted by operating the remote controller, it is easy for the user to understand.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the power supply to the locator reception notifying means is cut off and the power supply is restarted after a predetermined time has elapsed, the user is conscious of the restart of the power supply. No need to do.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3,
Since the power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off by the remote control operation, it is easy for the user to understand.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4,
When the remote controller is operated while the power is cut off, the restart of the power supply is extended, so that the power consumption can be further reduced efficiently.

Further, according to the invention according to claim 5,
This is suitable when the main unit is a television.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a remote control communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a television 10 as a main unit is
A television broadcast signal corresponding to a desired channel frequency is received via a U / V antenna and a tuner 11, and subjected to intermediate frequency amplification and video and audio detection by a one-chip IC 12, and then various detection outputs are provided. To generate a video signal and an audio signal. In addition, this 1
The chip IC 12 separates vertical and horizontal synchronization signals from the video detection output, and generates and outputs a vertical oscillation signal and a vertical oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency from these synchronization signals.

The video signal output from the one-chip IC 12 is supplied to the OSD circuit 13, but is usually supplied to the display circuit 14 via the OSD circuit 13. The display system circuit 14 includes a picture tube, horizontal and vertical coils (not shown), and the like.
An image is displayed based on the image signal from the D circuit 13 and the vertical and horizontal oscillation signals from the one-chip IC 12. On the other hand, the audio signal output from the one-chip IC 12 is appropriately amplified and supplied to the speaker 15, and the audio is output via the speaker 15.

In this embodiment, the television 10
Can be set by operating the operation panel 21 of the remote controller 20. More specifically, a channel button (not shown) is provided on the operation panel 21. When this channel button is operated, the remote control IC 22 detects the signal and transmits a predetermined infrared remote control signal to receive the corresponding channel. The data is transmitted via the transmission / reception unit 23. Then, the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 16 of the television 10 receives the remote control signal, the microcomputer 17 analyzes the remote control signal, and controls the tuner 11 to receive the corresponding channel.

In the present embodiment, the television 10
The remote control signal transmission / reception unit 16 and the microcomputer 17 can transmit and receive a predetermined remote control signal in cooperation with each other. In this sense, the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 16 and the microcomputer 17 constitute a main unit signal transmission / reception unit. . On the other hand, the remote control IC 22 of the remote control 20 and the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 23 can transmit and receive a predetermined remote control signal jointly. In this sense, the remote control IC 22 and the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 23 Is configured.

Further, the television 10 and the remote control 20
Has a so-called remote locator function. The remote locator function is such that, when the location of the remote controller 20 is lost as described above, the remote controller 20 is called from the television 10 serving as the main unit to generate sound, and the location is thereby clarified. Function. More specifically, when a predetermined operation is performed on an operation panel (not shown) provided on the television 10 side, the microcomputer 17 detects the signal and modulates it to a predetermined radio wave via the locator signal transmission unit 18 and the transmission antenna 19. The transmitted locator signal is transmitted for a considerable period. Then, the locator signal is transmitted to the remote controller 2.
0 side receiving antenna 24 and locator signal receiving unit 25
When the remote control IC 22 detects this, the locator circuit 26 generates sound. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 17 of the television 10, the locator signal transmitting unit 18, and the transmitting antenna 19
Constitute a locator signal transmitting means, and the remote control IC 22 of the remote controller 20, the receiving antenna 24, the locator signal receiving section 25, and the locator circuit 26 constitute a locator reception notifying means.

By the way, the remote controller 20 is capable of accommodating a predetermined dry battery, and the power supply circuit 27 appropriately adjusts the voltage from the accommodated dry battery and outputs the voltage to the remote controller IC 22, whereby the remote controller IC 22 operates and The remote control signal transmission / reception unit 23, locator signal reception unit 25, and locator circuit 26 operate by receiving power supply via the remote control IC 22. put it here,
The remote control IC 22 always supplies power to the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 23, but the locator signal receiving section 25
The locator circuit 26 can be selectively switched between supply and cutoff of power.

Specifically, the connection form of the power supply system in the remote controller 20 is conceptually configured as shown in FIG. 2, and the remote controller IC 22 is connected to the power supply line of the power supply VDD generated by the power supply circuit 27. Are connected, and a remote control signal transmitting / receiving unit 23 and a locator signal receiving unit 25
And the locator circuit 26 are connected. A switching element 22a is interposed between the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 23 on the power supply line inside the remote control IC 22, the locator signal receiving section 25 and the locator circuit 26.
By turning on and off a, the supply and cutoff of power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 are switched. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remote control IC having the switching element 22a as described above is provided.
22 and power supply circuit 27 constitute locator power supply means.

For example, as described above, locator signal receiving section 25 transmits television 10 via receiving antenna 24.
The locator circuit 26 receives the locator signal transmitted from the side, and the locator circuit 26 generates sound. However, the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 are actually transmitted to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 every 4.7 seconds by the remote control IC 22. Power is supplied, and a locator signal can be received when the power is supplied. Then, when locator signal receiving section 25 receives the locator signal during power supply, remote control IC 2
2 detects and holds the switching element 22a in the ON state, and holds the state where the locator circuit 26 can operate.

That is, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 3, the switching element 22a repeatedly turns on and off at 4.7-second intervals, and accordingly the locator signal receiving section 25 and the locator circuit 26 intermittently receive power. Is supplied. On the other hand, when a predetermined operation is performed on the television 10 side, the locator signal is transmitted for a considerable period as described above, so that locator signal receiving section 25 can receive the locator signal. And remote control I
When C22 detects that locator signal receiving section 25 has received the locator signal, it turns on switching element 22a for a considerable period to supply power, and causes locator circuit 26 to generate sound. Then, the user senses the location of the remote controller 20 by relying on the voice.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the power is intermittently supplied to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26, so that the consumption of the dry battery is reduced. The effect was not enough. Therefore, in the present embodiment,
When the remote locator function as described above is not required, locator signal receiving section 25 and locator circuit 26
To completely reduce the power consumption, thereby reducing the consumption of the dry battery, and when the remote locator function is required, the above-described intermittent power supply can be restarted. It has become. Next, a specific method for performing such power control will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the power control on the remote controller 20 side. In the same figure, in order to completely cut off or restart the power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation panel 21 of the remote control 20, the remote control IC 22 detects in step S105, A predetermined remote control signal is transmitted via the signal transmitting / receiving unit 23. The remote control signal is for displaying a selection screen on the television 10 side for selecting either complete interruption or resumption of power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26. Receives the remote control signal via the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 16 and detects the OSD
Instruct circuit 13. Then, the OSD circuit 13
The selection screen is displayed on-screen by superimposing a predetermined character signal on the video signal from the one-chip IC 12. Therefore, the user operates the remote control 20.
The user operates the operation panel 21 on the side to select and confirm the complete cutoff or restart of the power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 on the same selection screen.

Here, when complete shutoff of power to locator signal receiving section 25 and locator circuit 26 is selected, branching is made at step S110, and remote control IC 22 is turned on at step S115 via remote control signal transmitting and receiving section 23. To transmit a remote control signal according to a predetermined cutoff request code. Then, the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 16 of the television 10 receives the remote control signal, and the microcomputer 17 detects the remote control signal and transmits a remote control signal relating to a predetermined shutdown control code corresponding to the shutdown request code to the remote control signal transmission / reception unit 16. To send through. Then, on the remote control 20 side, the remote control signal transmission / reception section 23 receives the remote control signal in step S120, and in the next step S125, the remote control IC 22 determines whether or not the shutoff control code is normal. Here, if it is determined that the power is normal, in the next step S130, the switching element 22a is kept in the off state to completely cut off the power. Then, when the power is completely shut off as described above, in a next step S135, a timer circuit (not shown) inside the remote control IC 22 starts a time counting process.

On the other hand, when the power supply is restarted after the power is completely shut off as described above, the selection screen is displayed as described above, and the restart of the power supply is selected on this selection screen. And confirm. Then, step S11
0, and the remote controller 2 is similarly set in step S140.
A remote control signal relating to the supply request code is transmitted from the 0 side. Then, the remote control signal is received by the television 10 and a remote control signal relating to a predetermined supply control code corresponding to the supply request code is transmitted. Therefore, in step S145, the remote control 20 receives the remote control signal, In the next step S150, it is determined whether or not the supply control code is normal. Here, if it is determined that the power supply is normal, the intermittent power supply as described above is restarted in the next step S155, and in step S160
To end the timing process of the timer circuit.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the power cutoff and restart instructions to the locator signal receiving section 25 and the locator circuit 26 are completely issued from the remote controller 20 side.
Actually, the complete interruption and restart of the electric power is performed based on a remote control signal transmitted from the television 10 side. Therefore, when instructing the complete shutoff of the power, the remote controller 20 exists in a certain range in which the remote controller 20 can transmit and receive the remote control signal to and from the television 10, and in this sense, the location of the remote controller 20 is clear. It does not matter if the power is shut off as described above and the remote locator function is stopped. In addition, an instruction to cut off or restart power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 can be selected on the television screen, which can be easily understood by the user.

In step S135, the timer circuit inside the remote control IC 22 starts the time measurement process. In the present embodiment, the timer start process shown in FIG.
It is running in. In the figure, in step S210, the time measured by the timer circuit is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the time measured in the next step S220 is greater than 24 hours. Here, if the counted time is within 24 hours, it is next determined in step S230 whether or not a remote control operation has been performed. Then, only when a remote control operation is being performed, the timer circuit is reset in step S240 to start a new timekeeping process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S220 that the time counted by the timer circuit is greater than 24 hours, the time counting process of the timer circuit is terminated in step S250, and the intermittent power supply as described above is restarted in step S260. I do.

That is, as described above, the restart of the power supply is basically performed based on a remote control signal transmitted from the television 10 by performing a predetermined operation on the remote control 20 side. If the location of the remote controller 20 is lost while the power is shut off, the remote locator function may not be able to be used. Therefore, in the present embodiment,
The period in which the power can be cut off is 24 hours in principle,
If the remote controller 20 is operated during that time, it is determined that the location of the remote controller 20 is clear, and the period is further extended by 24 hours based on the time point when the remote controller 20 is operated. In the present embodiment, the period during which the power can be cut off is set to 24 hours in principle.
The period is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed.

As described above, the remote control IC 22 on the remote control 20 causes the microcomputer 17 and the OSD circuit 13 on the television 10 to display a predetermined selection screen based on the remote control operation, and receives a locator signal on the selection screen. When the shutoff of the power to the unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 is selected, a remote control signal relating to the shutoff request code is transmitted, and the microcomputer 1
7 returns a remote control signal related to the cutoff control code in accordance with the remote control signal, and
Has cut off the power supply accordingly. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remote control IC 22 of the remote control 20 side
Constitute the locator power cutoff means, and the OSD circuit 13 on the television 10 side and the microcomputer 17 constitute a part of the locator power control transmission means.

Also, the remote control IC 22
When the restart of power supply is selected on the selection screen displayed by the circuit 13 and the microcomputer 17, a remote control signal relating to the supply request code is transmitted, and on the main unit 10, the microcomputer 17 controls the supply according to the remote control signal. The remote control signal corresponding to the code is returned, and the remote control IC 22 resumes power supply accordingly. Further, the remote control IC 22 uses an internal timer circuit to restart the power supply when it is determined that a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the power was cut off as described above. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remote controller 2
The remote control IC 22 on the 0 side also constitutes locator power restart means, and the OSD circuit 13 and the microcomputer 17 on the television 10 constitute a part of locator power control transmission means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. When selecting a reception channel on the television 10 side, the operation panel 2 on the remote control 20 side is selected.
1. Operate the channel button provided in 1. Then
The remote control IC 22 detects and detects a remote control signal
The corresponding remote control signal is transmitted via the. Then, the remote control signal transmitting / receiving unit 16 of the television 10 receives the remote control signal, and the microcomputer 17 detects the remote control signal and sets a reception channel in the tuner 11. Tuner 11
Is output to the one-chip IC 12,
The one-chip IC 12 generates a video signal and an audio signal, and the video signal is supplied to the display system circuit 14 via the OSD circuit 13 and is output as an image by the display system circuit 14. On the other hand, the audio signal is supplied to the speaker 15 after being appropriately amplified or the like.
5 is output as voice.

When the location of the remote controller 20 is lost, a predetermined operation is performed on the operation panel of the television 10. Then, the microcomputer 17 detects and transmits the locator signal via the locator signal transmission unit 18 and the transmission antenna 19 for a considerable period. On the other hand, the remote control 20
On the side, the remote control IC 22 is connected to the internal switching element 2
By turning on / off 2a, power is intermittently supplied from the power supply circuit 27 to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26. The locator signal receiving unit 25 supplies the locator signal when power is supplied. To receive. Then, the remote control IC 22 detects and holds the switching element 22a in the ON state, and the locator circuit 26 generates sound. The user senses the location of the remote controller 20 by relying on the sound.

Since the locator signal is a radio wave,
The power consumption on the remote controller 20 receiving the locator signal also naturally increases. Of course, as described above, since the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 are intermittently supplied with power, the power consumption is reduced as a whole. However, since the effect is not enough, when the remote locator function as described above is not required, a predetermined selection screen is displayed in order to completely cut off the power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26. It is operated by the remote controller 20 to make it operate.

Then, the remote control IC 22 detects the signal and transmits a remote control signal for displaying the selection screen via the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 23. The remote control signal is transmitted to the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 16 of the television 10.
Is received, the microcomputer 17 detects and instructs the OSD circuit 13, and a predetermined selection screen is displayed on-screen by the OSD circuit 13 (step S10).
5). Therefore, the user operates the remote control 2 on this selection screen.
By operating “0”, complete shutoff of power to the locator signal receiving unit 25 and the locator circuit 26 is selected and determined (step S110).

Then, the remote control IC 22 transmits a remote control signal according to the predetermined cutoff request code via the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 23 (step S115). Then, the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 16 of the television 10 receives the remote control signal, and the microcomputer 17 detects the remote control signal and transmits a remote control signal relating to a predetermined shutoff control code corresponding to the shutoff request code to the remote control signal transmitting / receiving section 16. To send through. Further, on the remote controller 20 side, the remote controller signal transmission / reception section 23 receives the remote control signal (step S120), and determines whether or not the shutoff control code is normal (step S125). Here, if it is determined that the power is normal, the internal switching element 22a is kept in the off state to completely shut off the power (step S130), and thereafter, the internal timer circuit (not shown) starts the timing process. (Step S13)
5).

After the power to the locator signal receiving section 25 and the locator circuit 26 is completely cut off in this way, if a remote locator function is required, a selection screen is displayed on the television 10 in the same manner. On this selection screen, restart of power supply is selected (steps S105 and S105).
110). Then, the remote control IC 22 transmits a remote control signal according to the predetermined supply request code, similarly receives the remote control signal on the television 10 side, and transmits a remote control signal according to the predetermined supply control code corresponding to the supply request code. Send. Further, the remote controller 20 receives the remote control signal and determines whether or not the supply control code is normal. Here, if it is determined that it is normal, the switching element 22a is turned on / off as appropriate to restart the intermittent power supply as described above, and then the timer circuit of the timer circuit is terminated (steps S140 to S140). S160).

Further, when the power is completely cut off as described above, the remote control IC 22 monitors the time counted by the timer circuit, and when the measured time exceeds 24 hours, the timer circuit performs the time counting process. At the same time, the intermittent power supply as described above is restarted. When the remote controller 20 is operated while the power is cut off, the remote controller IC 22 similarly detects and resets the timer circuit, so that the remote controller 20 is not operated for substantially 24 hours. Then, the above-described power supply is restarted (steps S210 to S260).

As described above, the locator signal transmitted from the television 10 is received by the locator signal receiving section 25 of the remote controller 20, the locator circuit 26 generates a sound, and the remote locator function for notifying the location is provided. Locator signal receiving section 25 and locator circuit 26
In shutting off the power to the remote controller 20, a predetermined remote control signal is transmitted from the remote controller 20, and a remote control signal for shutting off the same power is returned from the television 10 that has received the remote control signal. And the remote control IC 22 cuts off the power, so that when the location of the remote control 20 is clear and the remote locator function is not required,
It is possible to provide a remote control communication system capable of efficiently reducing power consumption on the remote control side and extending battery life.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a television and a remote control to which a remote control communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing a connection form of a power supply system in the remote controller.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a relationship between on / off timing of a switching element in a remote control IC in the remote control and a locator signal.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of power control by the remote controller.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing remote control signals transmitted and received between the television and the remote controller in performing the power control.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a timer starting process by the remote control IC.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Television 11 ... Tuner 12 ... 1 chip IC 13 ... OSD circuit 14 ... Display system circuit 15 ... Speaker 16 ... Remote control signal transmission / reception part 17 ... Microcomputer 18 ... Locator signal transmission part 19 ... Transmission antenna 20 ... Remote control 21 ... Operation panel Reference Signs List 22 remote control IC 23 remote control signal transmitting / receiving unit 24 receiving antenna 25 locator signal receiving unit 26 locator circuit 27 power supply circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04B 1/02-1/04 H03J 9/00-9/06 H04Q 9/00-9/16 H04N 5 / 00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A remote control communication system comprising: a remote control for transmitting a remote control signal according to an operation content; and a main unit for receiving a remote control signal from the remote control and executing a process in accordance with the operation content. The remote control is a remote control signal transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving a remote control signal,
Locator reception notifying means for receiving a predetermined locator signal at the time of power supply and notifying the user of the location, supplying power from a predetermined battery to the locator reception notifying means, and switching between supply and cutoff of the same power Locator power supply means capable of shutting down power to the locator reception notifying means by the locator power supply means when the remote control signal received by the remote control side signal transmission / reception means is a predetermined locator power cutoff control. Interrupting means, and locator power restarting means for restarting power supply to the locator reception notifying means in the locator power supply means from a state in which power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off by the locator power interrupting means, The main unit is equipped with a main unit signal transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives remote control signals. Comprising a locator signal transmitting means for transmitting the locator signals, and a locator power control transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal according to said locator power cutoff control in the body-side signal transmitting and receiving means in response to the locator power-off request, the Locator power restart means
The remote control signal transmission / reception means based on the remote control operation
Sends remote control signal for locator power restart request
And received by the remote control side signal transmission / reception means.
Remote control signal is locator power restart control
The power supply to the locator reception notifying means is restarted.
And the locator power control transmitting means communicates with the main unit side signal.
Signal transmission / reception means
Locator power restart control when a remote control signal is received
And transmitting a remote control signal according to (1) . 2. A remote control communication system comprising: a remote control for transmitting a remote control signal corresponding to the operation content; and a main unit for receiving a remote control signal from the remote control and executing a process corresponding to the operation content, The remote control includes a remote control signal transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving a remote control signal, a locator reception notifying means for receiving a predetermined locator signal at the time of power supply and notifying a user of a location, and a predetermined locator reception notifying means for the locator reception notifying means. Locator power supply means for supplying power from a battery and switching between supply and cutoff of the same power, and the locator when a remote control signal received by the remote control side signal transmission / reception means is a predetermined locator power cutoff control A locator power cutoff means for cutting off power to the locator reception notifying means by a power supply means; Locator power resuming means for resuming supply of power to the locator reception notifying means by the locator power supply means from a state in which power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off by the locator power interrupting means. A main unit side signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving a signal, a locator signal transmitting unit for transmitting the locator signal, and a remote control signal for the locator power cutoff control in response to the locator power cutoff request. Locator power control transmission means for transmitting the locator power,
Locator power cutoff means
Therefore, power to the locator reception notifying means is cut off.
After that, the timekeeping process is started and the time
When the above is reached, the same locator power
A remote control communication system for resuming the supply of power to the data reception notifying means . 3. The remote control communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said locator
The power cut-off means performs the above-described reset based on a predetermined remote control operation.
Locator power cut-off request by signal transmission / reception means on the remote controller
The locator power control
The transmission means is the signal transmission / reception means of the main unit.
If a remote control signal for a cater
Remote control signal for the locator power cutoff control
A remote control communication system for transmitting . 4. The remote control communication system according to claim 2,
In the system, the locator power restarting means includes
After starting the process, monitor the operation status of the remote control
When the remote control is operated, the time is reset to the initial value.
A remote control communication system characterized in that the timekeeping process is continued after the operation . 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The remote control communication system of the mounting, the body machine, Te
A revision, wherein the locator power control transmitting means is:
Perform the specified screen display, and on the display screen
A remote control communication system for issuing a locator power cutoff request .