JP3858421B2 - Remote controller - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote controller capable of sequentially transmitting a plurality of command signals by one transmission operation, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a remote controller, for example, a remote controller capable of performing remote operation on a plurality of types of devices such as a television receiver and a VTR is known. In such a remote controller, for example, an operation key unit for operating a television receiver or a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) is provided, and the user operates one of these keys to operate one key. Remote control of a plurality of devices is performed by a remote controller.
[0003]
Here, taking the case of operating the remote controller as described above in response to the case where the playback image of the VTR is displayed on the television receiver, for example, the user firstly at least uses the television receiver. After performing the operation for turning on the power, it is necessary to perform the operation for switching the input of the television receiver to the video input, and then sequentially performing the operation for turning on the power of the VTR. .
In other words, when playing back and viewing a VTR, the user must perform routine operations multiple times.
[0004]
It is very troublesome for the user to perform a certain series of operations as described above each time this is required.
Therefore, a remote controller as described above is known in which a user can sequentially transmit a plurality of command codes (command signals) programmed in advance according to a predetermined operation by a single key operation.
If such a function is provided, for example, even when a VTR is reproduced and viewed as described above, a command for sequentially turning on the power of the television receiver by one key operation. Code → Command code for switching the television receiver to video input → Command code for turning on the power of the VTR is sequentially transmitted and output.
[0005]
By the way, when a plurality of command codes are sequentially transmitted on the remote controller side as described above, it is common to set a “transmission cancellation period” as a period for suspension of transmission between command signals to be transmitted. Is. That is, the operation of command code transmission → transmission cancellation period → command code transmission → transmission cancellation period is repeated.
[0006]
As described above, the transmission cancellation period is provided for the following reason. FIG. 13A shows a state in which a single command code A is transmitted in a single shot with the passage of time. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the command code A is continuously transmitted according to the transmission cycle of the command code, or the command code B different from this is transmitted following the command code A. Consider the case.
[0007]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), when a command code is transmitted in a single shot, it is assumed that reception is performed without any problem particularly on the receiving device side. As shown in c), when continuous transmission is performed with a considerably short period of the command code transmission period, noise that interferes during the transmission period becomes a problem, and the command transmitted later is received on the receiving device side. Identification of codes can be difficult.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 13B, the possibility that the same command code is transmitted continuously and the possibility that different command codes are transmitted as shown in FIG. 13C coexist. Considering that, on the receiving device side, the command code transmitted later due to noise interference is the command code A shown in FIG. FIG. 13 (c) It is impossible to determine whether the command code B shown in FIG.
[0008]
For this reason, when it is estimated that it is difficult to identify the contents of the command code due to noise mixing by the internal control processing, the receiving device side executes processing to invalidate the received command code. It is normal.
[0009]
On the receiving device side, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the command code A is first received and an operation in response thereto is performed, an internal processing time TPRC for this response operation is required. The internal processing time TPRC here varies depending on the device and its operation type. For example, in the case of a VTR, various internal control programs are started when the power is turned on, or the tape is loaded at the start of playback and then run at a steady speed. The control process up to this also corresponds to this.
[0010]
During such an internal processing time TPRC, the receiving device cannot normally accept the next command code. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 14B, even if the command code B is transmitted and received before the internal processing time TPRC ends after the command code A is received, Will not respond.
That is, on the receiving device side, as shown in FIG. 14B, a reception cancel period TRC corresponding to the internal processing time TPRC occurs at that time, and after the reception cancel period TRC elapses, A reception enable period TREN for receiving a response is obtained.
Such a reception cancellation period TRC depends on the internal processing time TPRC, and may be several seconds depending on the device and its operation type.
[0011]
However, in consideration of this, there is also known a buffer provided with a buffer that temporarily holds a command code received within the internal processing time TPRC on the receiving side. If more than 16 command codes are received, the command codes that are not held in the buffer are invalid.
[0012]
Considering the operation of the receiving device as described in FIGS. 13, 14 (a) and 14 (b), the period from the end of transmission of one command code to the start of transmission of the subsequent command code is as described above. It is necessary to prevent malfunction due to noise interference and prevent the next command code from being transmitted within the reception cancellation period TRC on the receiving device side.
Therefore, in practice, as shown in FIG. 14C, for example, after the command code A is transmitted, at least a time length exceeding the reception cancel period TRC is transmitted, and the subsequent command code B is transmitted. It is what you want to do. The period provided between the transmission of the command code A and the command code B is the transmission cancellation period TSC described above.
[0013]
By sequentially transmitting the command code every time this transmission cancellation period TSC elapses, the receiving device can receive and respond to the command code properly. In practice, each AV device It is possible to reliably and sequentially perform operations according to the program contents set for the user's remote controller.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The transmission cancellation period TSC is required to have a time length exceeding the reception cancellation period TRC as described above, but the reception cancellation period TRC differs depending on the device and its operation type as described above. .
For this reason, the actual transmission cancellation period TSC in the remote controller is normally set in consideration of the maximum value of the reception cancellation period TRC that can be assumed in the AV system set. In this case, since each transmission time interval for each command code (that is, transmission cancellation period TSC) is considerably long, the user feels that the waiting time is long and is inconvenient. .
[0015]
Therefore, if the transmission cancellation period TSC is set to be short and the command code is transmitted, on the contrary, if there is a device having an operation mode with a relatively long reception cancellation period TRC, This should be avoided because it is more likely that the device will not work properly. Such a problem is conspicuous in the case of a remote controller, which is called a so-called learning remote controller, which learns and holds the contents of an input command code and can transmit the command code obtained by learning corresponding to a certain operation. Become.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in consideration of the above-described problems, the present invention sets the transmission cancellation period when command codes are sequentially transmitted as an appropriate time length corresponding to the device to be operated, so that the usability of the remote controller is improved. It aims at improving.
[0017]
For this reason, as a remote controller, a transmission suspension period with a certain length of time is set, and when transmitting a plurality of required command signals, each command signal is sequentially transmitted every time the transmission suspension period elapses. Transmitting means, operating means for changing the time length of the transmission suspension period, and the transmission suspension period when transmitting the plurality of command signals by the transmission means with the time length of the transmission suspension period changed by the operating means And a control means that can be set as:
[0018]
As a result, the transmission suspension period (transmission cancellation period) can be made variable by a user operation.
[0019]
Further, a designation operation means for enabling designation operation for individually designating command signals to be transmitted according to the transmission order, and a command signal to be transmitted based on the designation operation for the designation operation means. And the first storage means for storing together with the operation interval time until the next command signal specifying operation is performed following the previous command signal specifying operation when the specifying operation by the specifying operation means is performed, A transmission pause period setting means that can be set in correspondence with a transmission pause period from when the previous command signal is transmitted until the next command signal is transmitted, and a transmission pause period set by the transmission pause period setting means Based on the storage contents of the second storage means, the first storage means, and the second storage means, the command signal to be transmitted is transmitted after the transmission suspension period has elapsed. It was decided to constitute a remote controller and a transmission means capable of sequentially transmitting output.
[0020]
And, under the above configuration, for the transmission suspension period, the minimum time length and the longest time length are defined, The transmission suspension period setting means further includes a transmission suspension period corresponding to the operation interval time when the operation interval time set corresponding to the command signal is shorter than the shortest time length. Is set to a predetermined time length equal to or greater than the shortest time length, and the operation interval time set corresponding to the command signal is longer than the longest time length, the operation interval time is set to Set the corresponding transmission suspension period as a predetermined time length within the above longest time length It was decided to constitute as follows.
[0021]
As a result, the user designates command codes to be transmitted sequentially according to the transmission order. Basically, the operation interval time for each designated operation is set as a transmission suspension period at the time of each command code transmission. Will be set as.
When the operation interval time exceeds the range of the maximum time length to the minimum time length of the transmission suspension period, the operation interval time is not directly set as the transmission suspension period, but is within the range of the maximum time length to the minimum time length. By setting in this way, when the operation interval time deviates from a value that can be taken, a transmission suspension period in which this is automatically corrected is set.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The following description will be given in the following order.
1. Appearance of remote controller
2. Internal configuration of remote controller
3. Auto program operation
4). First embodiment
5). Second embodiment
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of a remote controller 1 that is common to first and second embodiments to be described later. In this figure, an upper surface portion of the main body of the remote controller 1 provided with an operation panel portion and a display portion is shown.
[0024]
A liquid crystal touch panel 2 is provided in a substantially upper half portion of the upper surface portion of the remote controller 1 shown in FIG. The liquid crystal touch panel 2 has a structure capable of displaying on the liquid crystal display device and operating the touch panel. Here, the liquid crystal touch panel 2 is mainly selected in accordance with a key operation provided in an operation mode selection key unit 7 described later. The key display for operating the device as the operation target is performed. Then, when the user performs a pressing operation on the displayed key, a command code corresponding to the key operation is transmitted.
In addition, the mode display unit 2 a provided on the upper side of the liquid crystal touch panel 2 mainly displays the name of the operation target device currently displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 2.
A display form example on the liquid crystal touch panel 2 will be described later.
[0025]
In the operation key part 3, the auto program key part 4, the illumination key 5, the power off (decision key) 6, the operation mode selection key part 7, the volume key part 8, the channel key part 9, the muting key 10, and the cancel time setting A key portion or key such as the key 11 is provided.
[0026]
The auto program key section 4 is provided with auto program keys 4a, 4b, 4c, and these keys are for setting an auto program. The “auto program” here refers to a function for storing key operations that the user wants to perform continuously up to a predetermined number of steps. In this case, since three auto program keys are provided, three different consecutive key operations can be set and registered (programmed).
After the auto program is set, any one of the auto program keys 4a, 4b, 4c is pressed once, so that a command code corresponding to the key operation stored corresponding to the auto program key is obtained. Sent sequentially. The operation of this auto program will be described later.
[0027]
The illumination key 5 is operated when the liquid crystal touch panel 2 is used in a dark place, for example. For example, by operating this key, the liquid crystal touch panel 2 is illuminated, and thereafter. If no key operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the light is automatically turned off.
[0028]
The power off (decision key) 6 is operated when turning off the power of the remote controller 1. In order to turn on the power of the remote controller 1, any one of the keys indicated by broken lines in the figure is operated.
The power-off (decision key) 6 also functions as a decision key for confirming and registering the designated operation so far during the auto program operation.
[0029]
As shown in the figure, the operation mode selection key section 7 includes “TV”, “VTR1”, “VTR2”, “VTR3”, “VDP (Video Disk Player)”, “BS TUNER”, “AMP”, “CDP”. (Compact Disk Player) "..." and other operation mode selection keys corresponding to various AV devices are provided. When the user operates a desired key from among these operation mode selection keys, a key display for operating the AV device corresponding to the operated key is performed on the liquid crystal touch panel 2.
[0030]
The volume key unit 8 is a key unit for adjusting the volume by operating the VOL + key 8a and the VOL− key 8b.
[0031]
The channel key unit 9 is used to select a channel of a tuner provided in, for example, a television receiver or a VTR so as to be raised or lowered one by one by operating the CH + key 9a and the CH-key 9b. The key part.
[0032]
The muting key 10 is a key for temporarily lowering the volume of a television receiver, for example. For example, when the muting key 10 is operated once, the volume is lowered, and when the muting key 10 is operated again thereafter, the volume is restored to the original level.
[0033]
The cancel time setting key 11 is provided for performing an operation for setting a “cancel time setting mode” for changing the cancel time, which will be described later as the first embodiment.
[0034]
The transmission unit 12 is a part where a command code to be transmitted in accordance with a user's key operation is transmitted and output by, for example, infrared rays.
[0035]
Here, FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of key display on the liquid crystal touch panel 2. FIG.
FIG. 2A shows a key display corresponding to the case where the operation mode selection key of “TV (television receiver)” in the operation mode selection key section 7 is operated.
In this case, the mode display unit 2a of the liquid crystal touch panel 2 displays the mode “TV” and indicates that the current key display is “TV”. Although detailed illustration is omitted here, in the actual mode display unit 2a, in addition to the mode display, a battery exhaustion warning and a command code of some other remote controller are stored in the remote controller 1. Various displays necessary for so-called learning operations are also performed.
[0036]
In the area other than the mode display section 2a in the liquid crystal touch panel 2, for example, a numeric key 30 for switching channels, a power key 31 for power on / off, a display key 32, a received image and a video input A TV / VIDEO key 33 for switching, a sound mode switching key 34 for switching between the main sound and the sub sound, a surround key 35 for turning on / off the surround effect, and a sleep key 36 for setting the sleep mode are displayed. Has been.
[0037]
FIG. 2B shows a key display corresponding to the case where the operation mode selection key “VTR1” in the operation mode selection key section 7 is operated.
In this case, in the mode display section 2a of the liquid crystal touch panel 2, the mode display of “VTR1” is performed, indicating that the current key display is “VTR1”.
Also, other than the mode display 2a Territory The liquid crystal touch panel 2 includes a numeric key 40 for switching a tuner channel, a power key 41, a display key 42, and an antenna switching key for switching between a reception channel of a built-in tuner and a playback image of a VTR for antenna output. 43, an audio mode switching key 44, and an index key 45 for displaying an index (list of recorded contents) are displayed.
The keys 46 to 55 are keys for performing operations related to the recording / reproducing operation of the VTR. Here, the reproducing key 46, the fast forward key 47, the rewind key 48, the stop key 49, the pause key 50, Heading keys 51 and 52, a recording key 53, a double speed reproduction key 54, and a slow reproduction key 55 are displayed.
[0038]
2. Internal configuration of remote controller
Next, an example of the internal configuration of the remote controller 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0039]
In this figure, an operation performed on the operation key unit 3 is output to the control unit 20 as operation information by the key matrix encoding unit 3A.
Further, the liquid crystal touch panel 2 of the present embodiment includes a key matrix encoding unit 2A that outputs key operations on the touch panel as operation information to the control unit 20, and a liquid crystal display panel so that, for example, the display shown in FIG. The display drive unit 2B is configured to be provided.
[0040]
The ROM 21 is, for example, a flash EEPROM-ROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) For example, various command codes obtained by learning using a learning function are stored. In addition, setting information by an auto program described later is also stored. The setting information by the auto program here is mainly information on command codes to be transmitted in sequence corresponding to each of the auto program keys 4a, 4b, 4c, information indicating the transmission order, and each command code. Information such as the length of the transmission cancellation period when transmitting. Further, for example, a program for realizing a process to be executed by the control unit 20 is stored after rewriting by the user is not performed.
[0041]
The RAM 22 is a storage area for temporarily storing the calculation results and various information obtained at that time when the control unit 20 is executing processing operations.
[0042]
The control unit 20 executes a required control process based on operation information obtained based on an operation performed on the operation key unit 3 or the liquid crystal touch panel 2 transmitted from the key matrix encoding units 3A and 3B. For example, the command code corresponding to the transmitted operation information is transmitted and output from the transmission unit 12, and the required contents are displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 2 by controlling the display drive unit 2 </ b> B.
Further, according to the operation mode switching operation, for example, a learning mode for learning a remote control code, etc., as well as an auto program setting mode and a cancellation period setting mode, which will be described later, are set. In this figure, for convenience of explanation, the illustration of the configuration corresponding to the learning mode is omitted.
[0043]
When the control unit 20 transmits a command code, for example, a drive signal is generated based on the command code to be transmitted to control on / off of the transistor 12b. Thereby, the light emission of the light emitting diode 12a is turned on / off, and for example, a command code by infrared light is transmitted and output.
[0044]
3. Auto program operation
The operation for the auto program by the remote controller 1 having the above configuration is performed as follows, for example.
First, in order to set the “auto program setting mode” for registering the auto program, as shown in FIG. 4A, the auto program key (4a, 4b, 4c) is pressed while the power off key 6 is pressed. Operate any one. Thereby, the “auto program setting mode” is set.
Subsequently, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the key corresponding to the device to be operated is operated from the keys of the operation mode selection key unit 7. On the liquid crystal touch panel 2, key display of the device designated by this operation is performed. In this state, the user selects and operates the key to be operated from the key display on the liquid crystal touch panel 2 as shown in FIG.
By the operations so far, the key operation to be performed first (command code to be transmitted first) is registered as the auto program. As a specific example, in FIG. 4 (b) → (c), the operation mode selection key of the VTR 1 is selected, and thereafter the procedure of operating the power key 31 on the liquid crystal touch panel 2 is shown. In this case, the power on of the VTR 1 is designated as the first key operation to be performed.
[0045]
Thereafter, the operation shown in FIGS. 4B to 4C is repeated in accordance with the order of key operations that the user wants to perform by the auto program. Here, when specifying a key operation within the same mode display, only the operation shown in FIG. 4C corresponding to the key operation may be repeated.
[0046]
As described above, when all the key operations specified by the auto program are designated, the user operates the power-off key 6 as shown in FIG. At this time, the power-off key 6 functions as a “decision key”. As a result, at least the type of the key operation (command code) and the order of operation (command code transmission order) are determined as a result of the key operation specified by the previous operation, and stored in the ROM 21 as setting information of the auto program It will be held against. Then, the “auto program setting mode” is ended.
[0047]
If the auto program key is operated after the auto program is set in this manner, based on the auto program setting information held in the ROM 21, the key operation specified by the operation in the auto program setting mode is performed. Command codes are output sequentially. That is, the user can transmit and output a command code corresponding to a desired plurality of key operations only by operating the auto program key once.
[0048]
4). First embodiment
Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the above description.
For example, as described in the conventional example, when a plurality of command codes are sequentially transmitted by operating the auto program key, the transmission cancellation period TSC is set in consideration of the reception cancellation period TRC on the receiving device side. The command code is configured to be sequentially transmitted every time this transmission cancel period TSC elapses. In this respect, the same applies to the remote controller 1 of the present embodiment.
[0049]
Here, as a first embodiment, when a setting operation is first performed by an auto program, a transmission cancellation period of a predetermined time length that is uniform between command codes is set as an initial value. Shall be.
Here, regarding the setting of the predetermined time length as the initial value, it is intended to have versatility so that various devices can operate properly as much as possible, and almost the majority of general users have a considerable waiting time. It may be set in consideration of being able to avoid feeling.
[0050]
However, even if the predetermined transmission cancellation period TSC as an initial value is set appropriately as described above, depending on the user, the user may feel that the waiting time from the start to the end of transmission by the operation of one auto program key is slow, In a certain device owned by a certain user, the transmission cancellation period TSC set as an initial value is still short, and it is naturally considered that the device does not accept a command code and does not operate properly.
[0051]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transmission cancellation period TSC can be arbitrarily changed and set by the user's operation even after the setting is once made by the auto program.
[0052]
FIG. 5 shows a change setting example of the transmission cancel period TSC. Here, it is assumed that the command code B is transmitted following the command code A as transmission by the auto program.
FIG. 5A shows a state in which the currently set transmission cancellation period TSC is considerably shorter than the reception cancellation period TRC in response to the command code A. In such a case, unless the transmission timing of the command code B following the command code A is further delayed, proper device operation in response to the command code B cannot be obtained.
Therefore, in this case, the user changes and sets the transmission cancel period TSC between the command codes A and B to be extended by an operation described later.
In FIG. 5B, as a state after the change setting, the command code B is transmitted so that the command code B is transmitted at a timing delayed with a certain margin from the reception cancellation period TRC responding to the command code A. A state in which the cancellation period TSC is set is shown. Note that the transmission cancellation period is changed from the state shown in FIG. 5A to the state shown in FIG. TSC For example, the user may check the operation state of the device by operating the auto program key to sequentially transmit the command codes AB one by one.
[0053]
In addition, FIG. 6 shows an example of changing and setting the transmission cancellation period TSC corresponding to other situations. FIG. 6A shows a state where the current transmission cancellation period TSC is considerably longer than the reception cancellation period TRC in response to the command code A.
In this case, the transmission start timing of the command code B following the command code A may be made earlier, and the operation of the device in response to the command code B is guaranteed as long as it does not enter the reception cancellation period TRC. Will be. In addition, the waiting time until the end of command transmission by the auto program can be shortened accordingly.
[0054]
Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 6B, an operation for changing the transmission cancellation period TSC between the command codes A and B to be shortened may be performed.
In FIG. 6B, as the state after the change setting, here again until the command code B is transmitted at a timing delayed with a certain margin from the reception cancellation period TRC responding to the command code A. A state in which the transmission cancellation period TSC is shortened is shown.
[0055]
Note that FIG. FIG. 6 (b) In the transmission canceling period TSC shown in (1), an ideal time length is set in a certain sense. That is, the transmission start timing of the command code B is made as close as possible to the reception cancellation period TRC to shorten the waiting time at the time of transmission, and then delayed with a certain margin with respect to the reception cancellation period TRC. In other words, consideration is given so that a stable command code receiving operation on the receiving side can be obtained by not matching the transmission start timing of the command code B with the start timing of the reception enable period TREN. .
[0056]
After the change setting is performed as described above, the transmission cancellation period TSC is updated to the transmission cancellation period TSC that is changed and set as the information of the auto program held in the ROM 21.
When transmitting a command code according to the operation of the auto program key, the command code is sequentially transmitted with an actual transmission cancel period TSC based on the information of the auto program updated as described above. To be done. That is, the command code AB is transmitted at the timing shown in FIG. 5A or 6A before the change, but after the change, the command code AB is transmitted. The command code AB is transmitted at the timing shown in (b).
[0057]
Here, various operation methods for changing and setting the transmission cancellation period TSC can be considered. Here, it is assumed that the operation is performed as follows.
First, the user sets the “cancel time setting mode” by operating the cancel time setting key 11 shown in FIG.
In this mode state, for example, the CH + key 9a and the CH− key 9b of the channel key unit 9 function as up / down keys for changing the time length of the transmission cancel period TSC. That is, if the CH + key 9a is operated, the transmission cancel period TSC is lengthened, and if the CH− key 9b is operated, the transmission cancel period TSC is shortened.
[0058]
In the “cancel time setting mode”, it is preferable that some display for visually recognizing the changed state of the transmission cancel period TSC is performed.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the command code is displayed symbolically by a rectangular box or the like, and the distance between the command codes is displayed as the transmission cancellation period TSC. It can be considered.
Alternatively, it is also possible to display the transmission cancellation period TSC as a bar so that the state of increase / decrease with respect to the initial value can be grasped.
Further, it may be possible to express the transmission cancellation period TSC by a numerical value. In this case, the actual time of the transmission cancellation period may be displayed, or an alternative numerical value corresponding to the actual time of a certain transmission cancellation period may be given so that the user can easily understand it. I do not care. When the transmission cancellation period TSC is expressed by a numerical value in this way, the user inputs the numerical value of the transmission cancellation period TSC using the numeric keys (30, 40, etc.) displayed at that time on the liquid crystal touch panel 2. It is also conceivable to make it possible.
[0059]
In addition, two methods are conceivable for changing and setting the transmission cancellation period TSC by the user's operation as described above.
One is a method of uniformly changing all the transmission cancellation periods TSC between command code signals to be transmitted in response to a user's operation for changing the transmission cancellation period TSC, and the other is a command to be transmitted. In this method, each transmission cancellation period TSC between code signals can be changed and set independently.
The former method cannot deal finely with each transmission cancellation period TSC between command codes, and it cannot be denied that the adjustment is rough. There is an advantage in that it is possible to easily adjust the overall transmission cancellation period during command code transmission.
On the other hand, although the operation procedure is somewhat complicated, the latter can be set independently for each transmission cancellation period TSC between command codes, and accordingly, it corresponds to the response of each command code. An appropriate transmission cancellation period TSC can be set for the time length of the reception cancellation period TRC.
[0060]
Next, the processing operation of the control unit 20 for realizing the transmission cancel period change setting operation as the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As the processing shown in this figure, processing operation corresponding to the case of adopting the method of uniformly changing all the transmission cancellation periods TSC between the former command code signals as the above-described change setting method of the transmission cancellation period TSC. It shall be shown.
[0061]
In the process shown in this figure, first, the operation of the cancel time setting key 11 is awaited. When it is determined that the cancel time setting key 11 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S102, Set the setting mode. In other words,
[0062]
When the “cancel time setting mode” is set, for example, first, in step S103, it is determined whether or not any one of the auto program keys in the auto program key unit 4 has been operated. If one auto program key is operated, the transmission cancel period TSC in the setting information of the auto program corresponding to the operated auto program key is set as a change target, and the process proceeds to step S104. That is, at this stage, a state in which the user currently set in one specific auto program can be changed and set is obtained. Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the CH + key 9a, CH− Each key 9b functions as an operator for incrementing or decrementing the value of the transmission cancel period TSC.
[0063]
In step S105, it is determined whether or not the CH + key 9a has been operated. If an affirmative result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step S106, the transmission cancellation period is set to be extended by, for example, 100 ms, and then the process returns to step S105. As a result of the processing in step S106, the transmission cancellation period between the command codes is uniformly extended by 100 ms.
If a negative result is obtained in step S105, the process proceeds to step S107.
[0064]
In step S107, it is determined whether or not the CH-key 9b has been operated. If an affirmative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S108, the transmission cancellation period is shortened by 100 ms, and then the process returns to step S105. To be.
If a negative result is obtained in step S107, the process proceeds to step S109.
[0065]
In step S109, it is determined whether or not the enter key 6 (power key 9) has been operated. If a negative result is obtained, the process returns to step S105. If a positive result is obtained, step S109 is performed. Proceed to S110.
[0066]
In step S110, a process is executed to cause the ROM 21 to retain the value of the transmission cancellation period that has been changed and set by the operation on the CH + key 9a and the CH− key 9b.
As described above, the auto program setting information is stored in the ROM 21. In step S110, the auto program key specified in steps S103 and S104 is included in the contents of the auto program setting information. Processing for updating the content of the transmission cancellation period TSC in the setting information of the corresponding auto program to the value of the changed transmission cancellation period TSC is executed.
[0067]
When the processing in step S110 is completed, the “cancel time setting mode” is terminated in step S111, and the routine is exited.
[0068]
In the processing operation shown in FIG. 7, the variable amount of the transmission cancellation period corresponding to the operation of the CH + key 9a and the CH− key 9b is 100 ms per step, but this is only an example, and the actual usability It may be changed as appropriate in consideration of such circumstances.
[0069]
Further, if a method is adopted in which each transmission cancellation period TSC between command code signals to be transmitted can be independently changed and set, a detailed description with a flowchart or the like will be omitted, but an arbitrary operation can be performed by a predetermined operation. A designation operation for changing the transmission cancellation period TSC between command codes is performed, and thereafter, one designated transmission cancellation period TSC is performed in accordance with the processing operation shown in steps S105 to S108 in FIG. The time length may be extended or shortened.
[0070]
In the description so far, the “cancel time setting mode” is set by operating the cancel time setting key 11. However, for example, the cancel time setting mode 11 is canceled in consideration of the space on the operation panel. The time setting key 11 may be omitted, and instead, for example, a “cancellation time setting mode” may be set by a composite operation using some required plural keys.
[0071]
5). Second embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the transmission cancellation period TSC between the command codes is based on the time interval for each key operation by the user when the program operation is performed in the “auto program setting mode” described in FIG. Is automatically set on the remote controller 1 side.
[0072]
FIG. 8A shows the result of the user's program operation in the “auto program setting mode” over time. Here, a case where the user sequentially performs key operations corresponding to command code A → command code B → command code C → command code D in the “auto program setting mode” is shown. Until the key operation corresponding to the command code B is performed by operating the key corresponding to the code A, an operation interval time TOP1 with a certain length of time is awaited. Similarly, each key operation corresponding to command code B → command code C and command code C → command code D is performed after waiting for operation interval times TOP2 and TOP3, respectively.
As described above, when the key operation of the user is performed in the “auto program setting mode”, the corresponding command code is transmitted and output from the transmission unit 12, and the user actually transmits the command code. In response to the command code, the device operates properly. Therefore, the operation interval times TOP1, 2, 3,... Are regarded as the time until the next key operation is performed after confirming that the device has properly operated according to a certain key operation performed by the user. be able to.
[0073]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, in principle, the operation interval times TOP1, 2, 3,... In the “auto program setting mode” are used as the transmission cancel period TSC between command codes actually operated at this time. It is configured to set.
FIG. 8B shows the contents of the auto program set corresponding to the program operation in the “auto program setting mode” shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, it is natural that command codes to be transmitted sequentially are set as command code A → command code B → command code C → command code D in accordance with the key operation order shown in FIG. As a matter of fact, here, each transmission cancellation period TSC is set as the same time length as the corresponding operation interval time.
That is, the transmission cancellation period TSC1 between the command codes A and B is set to the same time length as the operation interval time TOP1, and thereafter the transmission cancellation period TSC2 between the command codes B and C is set to the operation interval time TOP2. The transmission cancellation period TSC3 between the same time length and the command codes CD is set as the same time length as the operation interval time TOP3.
[0074]
In this way, when the time length of the operation interval time obtained by the key operation actually performed by the user is set as the transmission cancel period TSC, the user can change the operation state of the device during the program operation of the auto program. Since the key operation is performed while confirming, the command code transmission timing is unlikely to be before the end of the reception cancellation period on the receiving device side corresponding to the immediately preceding command code.
In this case, as a result, after the user waits for the end of the reception cancellation period on the receiving device side, the user can perform the next key operation almost immediately. A correspondingly appropriate transmission cancellation period is set for each command code (which means that the receiving device reliably responds to the command code and that there is no excessive waiting time). It will be possible.
[0075]
However, when the time length of the operation interval time is set as the transmission cancel period TSC as described above, for example, the user cancels the key operation during the program operation, and the reception cancel period on the receiving device side elapses considerably. Of course, it is possible to perform key operations. When the operation interval time at this time is set as it is as the transmission cancel period TSC, an excessive waiting time is increased when command codes are sequentially transmitted by the auto program key operation.
On the other hand, at the time of program operation, for example, when the user performs the next key operation fairly quickly without often confirming the operation of the device, at the time of sequential transmission of command codes by auto program key operation There is a high possibility that the operation of the receiving device that appropriately responds to the command code cannot be obtained.
[0076]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, in principle, the time length of the operation interval time is set as it is as the transmission cancellation period TSC as shown in FIG. 8, but the operation interval time is set to the shortest preset time. If the transmission cancellation period is shorter than the longest transmission cancellation period or longer than the longest transmission cancellation period, the transmission cancellation period corresponding to this operation interval time is set within the range of [shortest transmission cancellation period to longest transmission cancellation period]. Thus, the certainty of the response of the receiving device to the command code is ensured and the excessive waiting time is reduced.
[0077]
As an example, FIG. 9A shows a state in which the operation interval time TOP until the key operation of the command code B following the key operation of the command code A is shorter than the shortest transmission cancel period TSCmin. That is, the key operation of the command code B following the key operation of the command code A during the program operation is considerably early.
[0078]
In such a case, on the remote controller 1 side, as shown in FIG. 9B, the shortest transmission cancel period is set as the transmission cancel period TSC corresponding to the operation interval time TOP between the command code A and the command code B. A time length somewhat longer than TSCmin is set.
In the present invention, the transmission cancellation period TSC may be set to the same length as the shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin. However, in this case, by giving a certain margin in time, the command on the receiving device side Consideration is given to increase the certainty of the response to the code.
[0079]
FIG. 10A shows a state in which the operation interval time TOP until the key operation of the command code B following the key operation of the command code A is longer than the longest transmission cancel period TSCmax. That is, this is a case where the key operation of the command code B following the key operation of the command code A is considerably delayed due to, for example, the user taking time and trouble during the program operation.
[0080]
In this case, on the remote controller 1 side, as shown in FIG. 10B, the longest transmission cancel period TSCmax is set as the transmission cancel period TSC corresponding to the operation interval time TOP between the command code A and the command code B. A somewhat shorter time length is set. In this case as well, a certain margin is given to the transmission cancellation period TSC so as to be temporally shorter than the longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax.
9 and 10 show a case where key operation corresponding to sequential transmission of command code A → command code B is performed. For example, when a key operation is performed after that, When the operation interval time TOP exceeds the range of [shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin to longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax], the transmission cancellation period TSC is naturally set within this range in the same manner as described above. It is.
In the second embodiment, the transmission cancel period TSC between the command codes is automatically set on the remote controller 1 side in accordance with the auto program registration operation in this way. The cancel time setting key 11 used to set the “cancel period setting mode” in the embodiment can be made unnecessary.
[0081]
Next, the processing operation of the control unit 20 for realizing the setting of the transmission cancellation period TSC shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0082]
In the flowchart of FIG. 12, first, in step S201, it waits for an auto program setting operation to be performed. The auto program setting operation referred to here is the operation described with reference to FIG. If it is determined that the auto program setting operation has been performed, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S202 and sets the “auto program setting mode”. At this stage, a state in which an auto program corresponding to any one of the auto program keys (4a, 4b, 4c) pressed in step S201 can be set is obtained.
[0083]
When the “auto program setting mode” is set, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S203 to wait for the operation of the first valid key while determining whether or not the auto program end operation is performed in step S212.
The “valid key” here refers to a key corresponding to transmitting and outputting a command code as an auto program, for example, a key such as the power key 31 shown in FIG. On the other hand, a key that is not directly related to command code transmission, such as a key operation for selecting a device to be operated as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, is not an “effective key”.
In addition, the auto program end operation referred to in step S212 and step S213 described later is the operation described in FIG.
[0084]
If it is determined in step S203 that the first valid key has been operated, the process proceeds to step S204.
In step S204, the command code corresponding to the valid key operated in step S203 is set as the command code to be transmitted first by the auto program operation, and held (stored) in the ROM 21. In subsequent step S205, control for transmitting and outputting the command code corresponding to the valid key operated in step S203 from the transmission unit 12 is executed.
[0085]
Then, after the processing of step S205 is executed, in step S206, the timer value TM of the timer provided in the control unit 20 is reset to, for example, TM = 0, and then counting by this timer is started. To do. The timer time of this timer is for measuring the operation interval time TOP.
[0086]
In the subsequent step S207, the operation of the effective key is waited for the second and subsequent times while determining whether or not the auto program end operation is performed in step S213. If it is determined that the effective key is operated, the process proceeds to step S208.
[0087]
In step S208, a process for setting a transmission cancellation period based on the current timer time TM and holding the information in the ROM 21 is performed.
The processing in step S208 is actually as shown in FIG. 12, for example.
In the process shown in FIG. 12, first, regarding the current timer time TM and the shortest transmission cancel period TSCmin,
TM ≦ TSCmin
Is determined, and if a positive result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step S302.
[0088]
In step S302, a transmission cancellation period corresponding to the shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin is set as a transmission cancellation period to be set. ROM21 Hold against. The processing here corresponds to the setting of the transmission cancellation period described in FIG.
[0089]
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S301, the process proceeds to step S303, where the current timer time TM and the longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax are determined.
TM ≧ TSCmax
Whether or not is satisfied is determined. If an affirmative result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step S304, where a transmission cancel period corresponding to the longest transmission cancel period TSCmax is set and held in the ROM 21. That is, processing for setting the transmission cancellation period TSC shown in FIG. 10 is performed.
[0090]
Further, when a negative result is obtained in step S303, the process proceeds to step S305 to execute processing for setting the current timer time TM as a transmission cancel period and holding it in the ROM 21. The processing in step S305 corresponds to the setting of the transmission cancellation period as the principle rule shown in FIG.
[0091]
After the processing in step S302, S304, or S305 is executed, the process proceeds to step S209 in FIG.
[0092]
In step S209, the command code information corresponding to the valid key is set as the command code to be sequentially transmitted, and the transmission order set corresponding to the operation order of the valid key (the second and subsequent transmission orders are individually set). The information is stored in the ROM 21. In the next step S210, control for transmitting and outputting a command code corresponding to the valid key determined to be operated in step S207 is executed.
In the next step S211, the timer time TM of the timer is reset to TM = 0 in the same manner as in step S205, starts counting, and returns to step S207.
[0093]
If it is determined in step S212 or step S213 that an auto program end operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S214 to end the “auto program setting mode” and return to the original routine. At this time, the operation of the timer that has been counted so far is stopped.
[0094]
In this way, by executing the process for setting registration of the auto program, the operation for setting the transmission cancel period as the second embodiment is realized.
That is, as a general rule, an operation interval time TOP between a certain effective key operation and the next effective key operation at the time of auto program operation is set as a transmission cancel period TSC at the transmission of the corresponding command code, and the operation interval time TOP Is shorter than the shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin, or longer than the longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax, the correction is performed so that the transmission cancellation period TSC is set within the range of the shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin to the longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax. To be.
[0095]
Note that the shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin and the longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax in the second embodiment are, for example, reception cancellation periods that occur in various types of AV equipment that the user is supposed to use at the time of factory shipment. An appropriate value may be set based on the above.
Alternatively, the initial value at the time of factory shipment is set as described above, and at least one of the shortest transmission cancellation period TSCmin and the longest transmission cancellation period TSCmax according to a predetermined operation by the user with respect to the remote controller 1. It is also conceivable to configure such that it is variable. In this way, if it can be changed by the user's operation, setting suitable for the user's use condition can be performed.
[0096]
In the above description, the case where the first and second embodiments are applied independently has been described. However, the first and second embodiments may be applied in combination. . For example, the transmission cancellation period can be changed and set according to the first embodiment after the transmission cancellation period is set together with the command code to be transmitted in the “auto program setting mode” as in the second embodiment. It can also be considered.
[0097]
In addition, the external configuration and internal configuration of the remote controller 1 according to the present embodiment may be changed as appropriate according to actual usage conditions, for example, a configuration in which a command code is transmitted by wire. The present invention can also be applied to the above.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission suspension period (transmission cancellation period) when the command codes are sequentially transmitted by the user's auto program key operation can be changed and set later, or the user can operate the auto program. As a result, the time interval for each command code designation operation when performing the transmission is set as the transmission suspension period. As a result, the condition such as the reception cancellation period of the AV device to be operated by the remote controller is satisfied. In addition, it is possible to set a transmission suspension period that is almost appropriate.
That is, when a command code is transmitted by an auto program key operation, each AV device can always respond to the command code, and the transmission suspension period is too long for the reception cancellation period of the AV device. It is made not to become.
This is because, for the user who operates the auto program key, the AV devices sequentially operate appropriately according to the program settings, and each AV device completes the operation according to the operation set by the program. The waiting time will be felt as appropriate, and the usability will be improved accordingly.
[0099]
Further, in the case where the time interval for each designated operation of the command code when the user is operating the auto program is set as the transmission suspension period, the time interval for each designated operation is the maximum time length of the transmission suspension period to When the range of the shortest time length is exceeded, the transmission suspension period corresponding to this time interval is set so as to be within the range of the maximum time length to the shortest time length. Even when the operation is performed too quickly, the transmission is automatically corrected during the transmission suspension period within the appropriate range, and the usability is further improved.
When the command code is transmitted during the transmission suspension period corrected in this way, the AV device appropriately performs an operation in response to the command code, and there is no excessively long waiting time. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view showing an external example of a remote controller as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display form example of a liquid crystal touch panel of a remote controller.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a remote controller according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a program operation example of an auto program.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a change setting example of a transmission cancellation period according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a change setting example of a transmission cancellation period according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for realizing a transmission cancel period change setting operation according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a transmission cancel period setting operation as a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a transmission cancel period setting operation as a second embodiment;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a transmission cancel period setting operation as a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing a transmission cancel period setting operation as a second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing a transmission cancellation period setting operation as a second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration for preventing malfunction on the receiving device side with respect to a command code;
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a reception cancellation period on the receiving device side and a transmission cancellation period on the command code transmission side.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Remote controller, 2 LCD touch panel, 2a mode display,
2A Key matrix encoding part, 2B Display drive part, 3 Operation key part, 3A Key matrix encoding part, 4 Auto program key part, 4a Auto program key, 5 Illumination key, 6 Enter key, 6 Power off key, 7 Operation mode selection key Part, 8 volume key part, 8a VOL + key, 8b VOL- key, 9 channel key part, 9a CH + key, 9b CH- key,
10 Muting key, 11 Cancel time setting key, 12 Transmitter, 12a Light emitting diode, 12b Transistor, 20 Controller, 30, 40 Numeric keys

Claims (1)

A designation operation means capable of performing a designation operation for individually designating command signals to be transmitted according to the transmission order;
First storage means for storing a command signal to be transmitted together with its transmission order based on a designation operation on the designation operation means;
When the designation operation by the designation operation means is performed, the operation interval time until the designation operation of the next command signal is performed following the designation operation of the previous command signal is transmitted. A transmission suspension period setting means that can be set in correspondence with the transmission suspension period until the next command signal is transmitted;
Second storage means for storing the transmission suspension period set by the transmission suspension period setting means;
A transmission unit capable of sequentially transmitting and outputting the command signal to be transmitted based on the storage contents of the first storage unit and the second storage unit each time the transmission suspension period elapses;
Equipped with a,
For the transmission suspension period, the minimum time length and the longest time length are defined for each command signal.
The transmission suspension period setting means further includes:
When the operation interval time set corresponding to the command signal is shorter than the shortest time length, a transmission suspension period corresponding to the operation interval time is set to a predetermined time longer than the shortest time length. When the operation interval time set corresponding to the command signal is longer than the longest time length, the transmission suspension period corresponding to the operation interval time is set as the longest time. A remote controller configured to be set as a predetermined time length within a length .

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