JP4063725B2 - Remote control transmitter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote control transmitter for instructing a receiving apparatus that receives a television broadcast signal or an information signal obtained from an information communication network such as the Internet to select a received signal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are BS digital broadcasts, CS digital broadcasts, cable broadcasts, etc. as information media that can be received by a television receiver. In the future, the number of channels that can be received increases with the addition of terrestrial digital broadcasts. You can enjoy information that suits your taste from various broadcasts. On the other hand, as the number of channels increases, the number of operation buttons and switches provided on the remote control transmitter (hereinafter abbreviated as "remote control") used for channel selection increases, and on the other hand, channels using the remote control The operability of selection deteriorates, and the increase in the number of channels and the operability of the remote control are in a trade-off relationship.
[0003]
Therefore, a conventional technique is known in which a numeric keypad input mode changeover switch for switching a numeric keypad input mode is provided on a remote controller, and a channel input instruction can be given to one numeric keypad in two input modes. In the related art, each channel in a predetermined service is assigned to each numeric keypad in the first input mode, and a frequently viewed channel is assigned to each numeric keypad in the second input mode in which the tenkey input mode changeover switch is switched. Thus, one-button channel selection is possible. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-184227
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, while the above-described prior art enables selection of a channel to be viewed frequently by one-button channel selection, since the operation of the numeric keypad input mode switch is premised, multiple operation steps are required as a result. When used by children or those who are not familiar with the numeric keypad input mode selector switch, the use is limited to the first or second input mode selected by the selector switch at that time. As a result, improvement in operability may not be expected.
[0006]
Also, in the future, with the start of digital terrestrial broadcasting, in addition to the increase in broadcasting networks, the spread of information networks such as the Internet will require the general-purpose use of televisions as received information display devices, allowing quicker and easier program changes. Remote control is desired.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller that makes it easy to instruct and change contents obtained from a television broadcast channel or an information communication network.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
In a remote control transmitter for specifying a program to be played back by a receiving device capable of playing back a plurality of network programs, a network selection key for instructing the network and a network selected by the network selection key A plurality of program instruction keys for instructing programs, and a plurality of favorite program keys for instructing programs on any one of the networks, and the network includes a television broadcast and an information communication network The network selection key includes a network selection key for designating the television broadcast, and an information communication network connection key for designating an address in the information communication network. , the first of your favorite program key it is possible to specify the first television broadcast program, the second of your favorite program key first information Characterized in that it is possible to specify a signal network address.
[0009]
With the above structure, can be changed in one of the operation of your favorite program key the program change between the television broadcasting program and address program, it is possible to perform simple to program change over between different networks. In addition, since there is a program instruction key in the same network in parallel with the favorite program key, it is possible to change the program in the same network by operating one program instruction key, and change the program according to the purpose regardless of the difference in the network. Can be done with simple operation.
[0010]
Further, as means for designating a specific program, first program instruction means for designating by operating the program instruction key after designation of a network by the network selection key, and a favorite program allocated for designating the specific program By having the second program instruction means that is designated by operating the keys, the program can be changed by a simple operation in accordance with the purpose regardless of the difference in the network.
[0011]
Further, the first television broadcast program assigned to the first favorite program key can be changed to a third program, and the assignment can be changed from the first program to the third program. When the program is performed, a return key for returning the allocation of the third program to the allocation of the first program is provided, so that it is quick in the case of an erroneous operation, a change in intention, etc. at the time of program allocation of the favorite program key. Recovery can be realized.
[0012]
Further, when changing the program assigned to the favorite program key, by displaying the program assigned to all the favorite program keys on the display screen of the receiving device, the importance of the already assigned program, Priorities can be determined, and optimal favorite programs can be set with a limited number of favorite program keys.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a remote controller 1 used in the reception / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment. A favorite program key 3, a program instruction key 5, a network selection key 7, and a cursor key are arranged in order from the top of the drawing. 9 is provided.
[0014]
The favorite program key 3 has a favorite numeric keypad 3a, a favorite registration key 3b, and a return key 3c. The meaning of “program” in the present embodiment includes a television channel, an Internet connection URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address, and an external connection device. Details of the favorite program key 3 will be described later.
[0015]
The program instruction key 5 has twelve numeric keys for program instruction in a specific network designated by the network selection key 7. For example, when the network designated by the network selection key 7 is broadcast (terrestrial digital, BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital, and CS (Communication Satellite) digital broadcast), each of the ten numeric keys of the program instruction key 5 is broadcast. A specific channel is preliminarily assigned on a one-to-one basis for each type, and the specific channel is designated by pressing one button of the program instruction key 5.
[0016]
When the network specified by the network selection key 7 is the Internet ITN, the program instruction key 5 is used for inputting characters (Roman characters, Hiragana, Katakana), numbers, symbols, and determining means. Specifically, letters, numbers, symbols, and determinations are assigned in advance to the twelve numeric keys of the program instruction key 5 and serve as URL input keys when connected to the Internet. Further, by assigning a URL to the program instruction key 5 in advance, a frequently connected URL can be shortened to one button operation. Whether the program instruction key 5 is an instruction key for characters, numbers, symbols, determination, etc. or a favorite URL instruction key is displayed on the display screen after the Internet connection content display key 7g is pressed. These can be determined by selecting with the cursor key 9.
[0017]
The network selection key 7 is a key for instructing selection of media to be received and reproduced by the receiving / reproducing apparatus, and key input is performed before the program selection by the program instruction key 5 is performed.
[0018]
The “network” in this embodiment means a means for acquiring media that can be received and played by the receiving / playback apparatus. For example, by means of a broadcast signal receiving means, the Internet as an information communication network, or an external input connection. There are recording media (such as magnetic recording media, optically readable recording media, and semiconductor recording media) on which reproduced images are recorded. Note that the storage medium playback device may be provided in the reception / playback device or may be connected to the reception / playback device via an external connection terminal.
[0019]
The network selection key 7 includes terrestrial digital, BS digital, and CS digital broadcast selection keys 7a to 7c as broadcast network selection keys, and television, radio, and data information types as selection keys for information types of the broadcasts. Selection keys 7d-7f, Internet connection (desired HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) content display) key 7g, video display key 7h and DVD display key 7i as external input device selection keys, and playback of the video and DVD And a control key 7j.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows networks and programs that can be selected by the network selection key 7. In terrestrial digital broadcasting DTTB, it is possible to select from multiple channels of television (moving image and audio) and radio (still image and audio) broadcasting. In BC and CS digital broadcasting, television, radio, and data (characters, symbols, graphics, etc.) ) It can be selected from a plurality of broadcast channels, the desired HTML content can be displayed by inputting a specific URL when connected to the Internet, and video and DVD can be selected by an external input device.
[0021]
Cursor keys 9, text displayed on a display screen, a key for cursor control during soft keyboard operation to select one of numbers or the like of any, key 9a and the input information for the four directions moving up, down, left and right And a determination key 9b for determination.
[0022]
The preference operation key 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The favorite numeric keypad 3a is twelve operation buttons that can designate a specific program of a favorite specific network (broadcasting, Internet, external connection device) that is frequently viewed by pressing one button. The specific program of the specific network stored in advance corresponding to the twelve favorite numeric keys 3a is stored in the channel storage memory 11 as shown in FIG. That is, registration is performed across the network and its program at positions 1 to 12 corresponding to the 12 operation buttons of the favorite numeric keypad 3a on a one-to-one basis, and can be performed with one key operation as in the case of channel selection for analog terrestrial broadcasting. You can select programs immediately.
[0023]
The preference registration key 3b is a key operated at the time of registration. By designating the preference numeric key 3a to be recorded after the preference registration key 3b is operated, the currently selected program can be registered in the preference numeric key 3a. The registration can be overwritten to adapt to changes in user preferences, program changes, etc., and program registration suitable for the user can be realized with a small number of preference keys 3a. The preference registration process will be described later.
[0024]
The return key 3c is used to cancel the most recently registered program and register the program before the most recent registration when the registration to the favorite numeric keypad 3a is erroneously performed by overwriting or to return to the registration before the overwriting. It is a return key that reproduces. In the present embodiment, an erroneous input at the time of URL input at the time of Internet connection may occur. Therefore, when the wrong key is registered by providing the return key 3c or when it is desired to return to the previous registration, the URL input or the like is omitted again. And operability can be improved.
[0025]
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the reception / playback apparatus 21 controlled by the remote controller 1. The reception / playback apparatus 21 includes a broadcast signal reception control unit A, an Internet connection control unit B, an external connection device control unit C, a channel selection unit 23 for controlling these units, a decoder 25 for decoding the playback signal, The monitor unit 27 displays a video signal, the speaker unit 29 outputs an audio signal, and the channel storage memory 11.
[0026]
The broadcast signal reception control unit A includes a satellite broadcast antenna A1 that receives BS and CS broadcast signals, an antenna A3 that receives digital terrestrial broadcasts, tuners A5 and A7 of each antenna, and any of the tuners A5 and A7. A selector A9 that selects the channel, a channel selection unit A11 that performs channel selection control of the tuners A5 and A7, and a network switching unit A13 that controls the selector A9.
[0027]
The Internet connection control unit B has a modem B1 connected to the Internet and a modem control unit B3 of the modem B1.
[0028]
The external device controller C includes a high-speed I / FC 1 that is an interface with D-VHS and DVD-R / W, a controller C 3 of the high-speed I / FC 1, an IR (infrared) controller C 5, and an analog video And a decoder C7.
[0029]
The channel selection unit 23 controls the channel selection unit A11, the network switching unit A13, the modem control unit B3, the high-speed I / F control unit C3, and the IR controller C5 based on the control signal of the remote controller 1, thereby controlling each network control unit A. , B and C are controlled. The channel selection unit 23 is also connected to the channel storage memory 11, and controls each network based on the one-button operation signal of the favorite numeric keypad 3a of the remote controller 1 and the registration information (FIG. 1B) of the channel storage memory 11. Control parts A, B and C.
[0030]
The decoder 25 decodes the output signals from the control units A, B, and C of each network, and outputs and reproduces them to the monitor unit 27 and the speaker unit 29.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the channel selection process by one-button operation of the favorite numeric keypad 3a. When one of the favorite numeric keypad 3a of the remote controller 1 is depressed (S1), the channel selection section 23 obtains the network and program information corresponding from the storage memory 13 (S2), the network is determined (S3) .
[0032]
If the determination result of the network is a terrestrial, the BS or CS digital broadcasting, it selects a local A11 tuner selection based on the program information (S4), so that the network switching unit A13 selects the selected tuner The selector A9 is controlled (S5, 6), and the designated video / audio can be viewed from the monitor unit 27 and / or the speaker unit 29 via the decoder 25.
[0033]
If the determination result of the network is the Internet, a modem control unit B3 controls the modem B1 to connect to the URL based on the program information (S7), via the decoder 25 the data from the URL acquired from the Internet Thus, the designated image, video / audio can be viewed from the monitor unit 27 and / or the speaker unit 29 (S8).
[0034]
The determination result of the network is external connection device, particularly for high-speed I / F connected device, high-speed I / F control unit C3 on the basis of the program information to control the high-speed I / FC1, to selected external equipment Then, the reading (playback) control is performed (S9), the read stream is transferred to the decoder 25 (S10), and the designated image, video / audio can be viewed from the monitor unit 27 and / or the speaker unit 29 (S11). .
[0035]
When the externally connected device is a conventional analog video or the like, the channel selection unit 23 transmits a control instruction to the IR controller C5 based on the program information (S12), and transmits a playback instruction from the IR controller C5 to the video playback device. Then, the image, video, audio, etc. from the video playback device are decoded by the decoder C7 and further transferred to the decoder 25, and the designated image, video / audio can be viewed from the monitor unit 27 and / or the speaker unit 29. (S14).
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the registration process to the favorite numeric keypad 3a. First, the program instruction key 5, the network selection key 7, and / or the cursor key 9 is used to display a screen to be registered (S21), and the favorite keypad registration screen is displayed by pressing the favorite registration key 3b (S22). ). The channel selection unit 23 determines the network (S23), and in the case of terrestrial, BS or CS digital broadcasting, the current network and channel number, in the case of the Internet, the current URL, and the high-speed I / F connection device. In the case of, the high speed I / F connection and the device name are recorded in the storage memory 13 in association with the favorite numeric keypad 3a, respectively, in the case where the external connection device is a conventional analog video or the like as a program on the external device. (S24-S27).
[0037]
Which favorite numeric keypad 3a is to be registered is specified by pressing the favorite numeric keypad 3a, or the position of the favorite numeric keypad 3a is displayed on the display screen and the cursor key 9, the program instruction key 5, the network selection key 7, etc. Can be used instead of the cursor key.
[0038]
When displaying the position of the favorite numeric keypad 3a on the display screen and determining the favorite numeric keypad 3a, the position number, network, and program as shown in FIG. Therefore, it becomes easy to understand the priority level and priority of the favorite program, and erroneous registration due to overwrite registration can be prevented.
[0039]
According to the above configuration, in addition to the program instruction key 5 and the network selection key 7 for selecting a desired program via an arbitrary network, the one-button operation is performed by the favorite program key 3 as in the conventional terrestrial television. This allows you to select your favorite program, so the number of programs that can be selected increases, and it is difficult to select using the program instruction key 5 and the network selection key 7. , I was able to easily select a favorite program regardless of the proficiency level of remote control operation.
[0040]
Since the favorite program key 3 is overwritten and registered, the latest program key that suits the taste can be registered with a small number of keys.
[0041]
In addition, erroneous input at the time of URL input when connecting to the Internet can occur in many cases. However, by providing the return key 3c, it is easy to return the URL before overwriting registration even if it is erroneously registered. Improved.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the preferred example of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of favorite program keys 3 and program instruction keys 5 can be set to any number provided in the remote controller 1 in consideration of operability and the like. Also, the type of network provided in the network selection key 7 is not limited to this, and any network that uses the reception / playback apparatus may be used. Instead of the cursor key 9 , the cursor key 9 may be deleted by making the cursor key operable on the favorite program key 3, the program instruction key 5, or the like.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it can be changed in one of the operation of your favorite program key the program change between the television broadcasting program and address program, be carried out in easy to program change over between different networks it can. In addition, since the coexist with your favorite program key there is also a program command key within the same network, program changes within the same network can also be by one of the program instruction key operation, turn set to suit the purpose regardless of the difference of network Change can be done with simple operation.
[0044]
Further, as means for designating a specific program, first program instruction means for designating by operating the program instruction key after designation of a network by the network selection key, and a favorite program allocated for designating the specific program a second program instruction means for specifying the operation of the key, to have a, can perform turn set to be consistent with the purpose regardless of the difference of the network in simple operation.
[0045]
Further, the first television broadcast program assigned to the first favorite program key can be changed to a third program, and the assignment can be changed from the first program to the third program. When the program is performed, a return key for returning the allocation of the third program to the allocation of the first program is provided, so that it is quick in the case of an erroneous operation, a change in intention, etc. at the time of program allocation of the favorite program key. Recovery can be realized.
[0046]
Further, when changing the program assigned to the favorite program key, by displaying the program assigned to all the favorite program keys on the display screen of the receiving device, the importance of the already assigned program, Priorities can be determined, and optimal favorite programs can be set with a limited number of favorite program keys.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a remote controller 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of networks and programs that can be selected by the network selection key 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reception / playback apparatus 21 controlled by the remote controller 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a channel selection process by one-button operation of a favorite numeric keypad 3a according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a registration process to a favorite numeric keypad 3a according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Remote control 3 Favorite program key 3c Return key 5 Program instruction key 7 Network selection key 7a-7c Broadcast selection key 7g Internet connection key 21 Reception / playback device ITN Internet

Claims (3)

In a remote control transmitter for specifying a program to be played back by a receiving device capable of playing back a plurality of network programs,
A network selection key to indicate the network;
A plurality of program instruction keys for instructing programs on the network selected by the network selection key;
A plurality of favorite program keys for instructing any of the network programs,
The network includes a television broadcast and an information communication network,
The network selection key includes a network selection key for designating the television broadcast, and an information communication network connection key for designating an address in the information communication network;
Of the favorite program keys, the first favorite program key can designate the first television broadcast program, and the second favorite program key can designate the first information communication network address. Yes,
The assignment of the first television broadcast program assigned to the first favorite program key can be changed to a third program;
When performing allocation change to the third program from the first program, and wherein Rukoto which have a key return for returning the allocation of the third program to allocate the first program Remote control transmitter.   As a means for designating a specific program, a first program instruction means for designating by operating the program instruction key after designating a network by the network selection key, and a favorite program key allocated for designating the specific program The remote control transmitter according to claim 1, further comprising: a second program instruction unit that is designated by an operation. 2. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1, wherein when changing a program assigned to the favorite program key, the program assigned to all the favorite program keys is displayed on a display screen of the receiving device. .

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