JP7354768B2 - remote control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless remote control device for remotely controlling equipment.

Conventional remote control devices are equipped with an output circuit (transmission means) for wireless communication such as infrared signals, and can operate the target equipment, but in addition to heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and blowing air, details such as air volume and direction can also be controlled. Due to settings and multi-functionality, multiple types of screens are prepared without being able to display all functions, and various operation settings can be made by switching screens (screen transitions).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-252336

However, the remote control device needs to transmit special settings that cause the target device to perform special operations or settings, exclusive of normal operation settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to address the above-mentioned problems and provide a remote control device that has a simple configuration and is capable of exclusive operation settings and special settings.

The remote control device of the present invention includes:
An operation section that can be operated by the user;
A display section with switchable screens,
a control unit that outputs a transmission instruction based on operation information from the operation unit;
a transmitter capable of transmitting operation settings and special settings exclusive to the operation settings based on the transmission instruction;
a storage unit that stores screen data and program data;
A remote control device comprising:
The storage unit stores the program data prepared for each screen and transmission restriction program data for invalidating the operation information.

The present invention provides a remote control device that has a simple configuration and can exclude operation settings and special settings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram showing the composition of the remote control device in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen transition of the processing state in the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing divisions of data storage areas of a storage unit in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control on the special transmission screen of the remote control device in the same embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the remote control device of this invention, what is applied to the remote control device for air conditioners is mentioned as an example, and is demonstrated using drawing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner B to be operated by the remote control device A is configured by connecting an indoor unit C and an outdoor unit D with a connecting pipe E, and performs desired cooling, heating, and dehumidification operations. to adjust the indoor temperature, etc. The indoor unit C has a heat exchanger, a blower fan, a receiving circuit, etc. built into the front panel C1. Further, on the front panel C1 of the indoor unit C, a receiving circuit C3 for wireless communication with the remote control device A and a display section C4 for displaying the operating status are provided next to the air outlet C2. There is.

The indoor unit C uses the receiving circuit and microcomputer mounted on the internal control board to control the drive of the blower fan and the air direction of the outlet C2, etc., according to the signal from the remote control device A, and the outdoor unit that has a heat exchanger. Communicate with machine D. The outdoor unit D operates a built-in heat exchanger according to the communication with the indoor unit C, and together with the action of the heat exchanger in the indoor unit C, the indoor unit D can perform air conditioning operation to control the indoor temperature and humidity.

The remote control device A includes a display section (display panel) 1 using a liquid crystal display element, an operation section (operation buttons) 2, and a housing (case) 3 that holds these. The user of air conditioner B holds the case 3 in hand and operates the operation switch, desired temperature, air volume, etc. while checking the setting status of air conditioner B displayed on the display panel 1. Button 2 can be pressed with a fingertip. Moreover, the remote control device A is equipped with a wireless communication means and can transmit a signal based on the pressing operation to the receiving circuit C3 of the indoor unit C.
Indoor unit C accepts operation settings for cooling, heating, and dehumidification, and changes in settings such as temperature and air volume from remote control device A, and also accepts filter cleaning and wireless LAN (Local Area Network) settings from remote control device A. Accepted with special settings.

Next, the remote control device A will be explained.

The remote control device A includes a display panel 1, operation buttons 2, a case 3, and a circuit board and a battery (not shown) inside the case 3.

The display panel 1 is held so as to be visible through the opening window 31 of the case 3, and can be equipped with a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (electro luminescence). The display panel 1 is driven and controlled by control signals from a control circuit (control unit 40 described later) mounted on a circuit board, and displays the operation status based on the operation of the operation button 2 and the air conditioner B that is the object of communication. You can display settings, room temperature, current temperature, time, etc. The display panel 1 is electrically connected to a circuit board using an anisotropic conductive member, flexible wiring, or the like.

The operation button 2 is used to switch the energization state of a switch (contact) mounted on the circuit board by pressing it with the user's fingertip. In this case, synthetic rubber or silicone rubber can be applied, and the material and shape can be applied. This is a shape in which an elastically deformable electrically insulating sheet is provided with a convex portion having a conductive material facing the contact point. This contact and the operation button 2 form an operation section.

This convex portion faces each contact point of the circuit board, and can output an energization signal (operation information) to the control circuit by coming into contact with the target contact point during a pressing operation from the outside. Furthermore, when the fingertip is separated from the operation button 2, the synthetic rubber returns to its shape, allowing the contact to return to its disconnected (non-energized) state. In this case, the structure is such that multiple contacts made of copper foil patterns facing the operation button 2 are provided for the switch, but it can be applied instead by mounting a switch element such as a tact switch with a reset function on the circuit board. It is also possible to do so.

The operation button 2 has a normal operation section 21 that outputs operation information by a combination of a plurality of operations, and a direct input section 22 that outputs operation settings immediately by pressing a single button.
The normal operation section 21 includes, for example, a MENU button for displaying a menu screen, arrow buttons for operating and selecting a menu screen, and an OK button for indicating a decision.
For example, the direct input section 22 may include a button indicating a cooling function with a picture simulating ice crystals, a button indicating a dehumidifying function with a picture simulating water droplets, and a button showing a dehumidifying function with a picture simulating a sun. It consists of buttons that indicate heating functions. When any of these buttons is pressed, the direct input unit 22 outputs operation information to enable the function, regardless of the screen being displayed.
Note that a part of the normal operation unit 21 may function as a direct input unit 22 depending on the screen being displayed, for example, outputting operation information for changing temperature settings by pressing the up arrow button or the down arrow button. You may.

The case 3 is assembled with a plurality of parts made of synthetic resin to form a space therein for accommodating parts such as a circuit board and a battery accommodating part.

The case 3 has a plurality of opening windows 31 that face the display panel 1 and the operation buttons 2, and the display panel 1 and the operation buttons 2 can be positioned by the edges of the opening windows 31. Further, the case 3 holds the display panel 1 and the operation buttons 2 so as to sandwich them therebetween. The circuit board is fixed to the case 3 with screws (not shown).

The display panel 1 is provided with a light-transmitting part 32 made of a transparent synthetic resin material capable of transmitting infrared rays on the back side or side surface thereof.In this case, the light-transmitting part 32 is made of a transparent material with dark pigment It is a so-called smoke member that is molded with resin after mixing with it, and is press-fitted into the case on the back side. The case on the back side is provided with a through hole that faces the inside of the case 3 so that the battery can be attached and removed, and a removable lid that has an engaging portion with a hook so as to cover and close this through hole.

The circuit board can be a hard printed circuit board with a copper foil pattern formed on a base material made of paper phenol, glass epoxy resin, etc., and can be used for electronic components such as a control section 40, a light emitting diode, a capacitor, and a resistor element, which will be described later. , contacts for the switch, and a wiring pattern to connect these are provided. Further, the circuit board can supply power from the battery to electronic components such as the control unit 40 and light emitting diodes via the contact terminals and the wiring pattern.

In this case, infrared light is used as a means of communication with the air conditioner B, and signals are exchanged that can be identified by a standardized light emission pattern consisting of turning on/off a light emitting diode, which will become the transmitter 50, which will be described later. However, in addition to this, for example, a transmitting section and a receiving section consisting of a transmitting/receiving antenna, a transmitting/receiving circuit, etc. are prepared in each of the remote control device A and the air conditioner B, and the communication means is replaced with a communication means using short-range wireless communication. You can also do that.

Next, a configuration related to control processing for remotely controlling air conditioner B will be described using FIG. 2.

The operation unit 2 outputs operation information based on the user's pressing operation to the control unit 40. Note that it is also conceivable that a touch panel be laminated on the surface of the display panel 1 to serve as an operation section.

The control section 40 can be a microcomputer, for example, and includes a CPU for performing calculation processing, and a storage section 41 for storing program data, image data, calculation results, etc. for the calculation processing. Note that the storage unit 41 can be a RAM or a ROM. The control section 40 is mounted on a circuit board, and is connected to the operation section 2, the display panel 1, and the transmission section 50. The control unit 40 performs arithmetic processing according to operation information from the operation unit 2 and program data stored in the storage unit 41, and controls the display panel 1 and the transmission unit 50.

The display panel 1 can generate and output a display screen based on a control signal from the control unit 40. Note that the control unit 40 repeatedly executes a drawing process for displaying on the display panel 1 based on the program data 11a to 11f and image data 12a to 12f for each screen stored in the storage unit 41, and Waits for operation information from 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 40 performs drawing processing from program data 11a for the normal screen 10a and image data 12a related to this screen, and creates a display for displaying current setting values, etc. Screen data can be subjected to drawing processing and output to the display panel 1.

The transmitter 50 can be a light emitting diode that emits infrared light, switches on/off based on a transmission instruction from the controller 40, and transmits operation settings and special settings to the air conditioner B.
The control unit 40 performs control using the transmission restriction program data 13 stored in the storage unit 41 so as not to instruct the transmission of the operation settings for a predetermined period of time when instructing the transmission of special settings exclusive to the operation settings.

As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 41 is divided into a program data storage area 41a and an image data storage area 41b, and further includes program data 11a to 11f for each screen 10a to 10f, transmission restriction program data 13, and image data storage area 41b. Data 12a to 12f are partitioned and stored separately. The control unit 40 reads these data and controls the display of the display panel 1 and the communication of the transmitter 50. Note that the storage unit 41 may further include a predetermined storage area 41c for temporarily storing work data and information.

Next, screen transitions caused by arithmetic processing by the control unit 40 will be described using FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, for example, the normal screen 10a is a home screen, the normal screen 10b is a menu screen, and the normal screens 10c and 10d are screens for each function of air conditioner B arranged below the menu screen, The normal screen 10e is a detailed setting screen located below the normal screen 10d.

After the power is turned on, the control unit 40 reads program data 11a from the storage unit 41 that performs display control to display the normal screen 10a, and also reads data consisting of image information necessary for drawing processing based on this program data 11a. is read from the section of the image data 12a in the storage unit 41 and subjected to drawing processing. In addition, while the normal screen 10a is displayed, the control unit 40 also displays some of the current settings (status information) of the air conditioner B, such as the set temperature and operation mode, and the time, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The display panel 1 can be controlled so that the work data stored in the predetermined storage area 41c of the storage section 41 is displayed.

During the display of the normal screen 10a, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the operation button 2 is operated based on the operation information in the calculation process using the program data 11a, and updates the display of the normal screen 10a or changes the display to the normal screen 10b. Switching to arithmetic processing on the program data 11b is performed so that the screen changes.

Further, while the normal screen 10a is being displayed, the control unit 40 performs a calculation process using the program data 11a when the operation information of the operation button 2 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, when the OK button is pressed). Outputs instructions to send operation settings.
Furthermore, while the normal screens 10a to 10e are being displayed, the control unit 40 outputs an instruction to transmit operation settings using operation information by pressing the direct input unit 22, and changes the screen to the normal screen 10a.

The control unit 40 changes the screen to the special settings sending screen 10f based on the operation information on a specific screen (for example, the normal screens 10d and 10e), and outputs a special settings sending instruction in the calculation process using the program data 11f. However, the operation information from the operation unit 2 is restricted by the transmission restriction program data 13.
Note that the control on the special setting sending screen 10f of the remote control device A will be described later.

The transmission restriction program data 13 is stored in the storage unit 41 separately from the program data 11a to 11f prepared for each screen. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to redundantly provide the transmission restriction program data 13 in each of the program data 11d and 11e of the normal screens 10d and 10e, so that the storage area can be reduced.
Further, the control unit 40 can aggregate the screens for restricting operation information from the operation unit 2 on the special settings sending screen 10f by reading the transmission restriction program data 13 on the special settings sending screen 10f.
Note that the number of normal screens that transition to the special settings sending screen 10f may be three or more, and the larger the number of normal screens that transition to the special settings sending screen 10f, the greater the amount of storage area reduction.

See FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control on the special setting sending screen 10f of the remote control device A. The control unit 40 of the remote control device A reads out the program data 11f and the transmission restriction program data 13 on the special setting sending screen 10f.

In step S1, the control unit 40 starts a timer for a first predetermined time.

In step S2, the control unit 40 starts a timer for a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time. The control unit 40 causes the transmission restriction program data 13 to invalidate the operation information from the operation unit 2 during the second predetermined time period. As a result, during the second predetermined time period, the remote control device A can reliably transmit the special settings without accepting operation information by pressing the direct input section 22 of the operation section 2 due to the transmission restriction program data 13. . Note that the second predetermined time is a time required to exclude special settings and operation settings, and is appropriately set depending on the type of special settings and the target device.

In step S3, the controller 40 controls the transmitter 50 to start transmitting the special settings.

In step S4, the control unit 40 determines whether operation information from the direct input unit 22 of the operation unit 2 has been received. If it is accepted (in the case of Yes), the process moves to step S5, and if it is not accepted (in the case of No), the process moves to step S6.

In step S5, the control unit 40 determines whether a second predetermined time has elapsed. If the time has elapsed (in the case of Yes), the process moves to step S7, and if the time has not elapsed (in the case of No), the process moves to step S6.

In step S6, the control unit 40 determines whether a first predetermined time has elapsed. If the time has elapsed (in the case of Yes), the process moves to step S8, and if the time has not elapsed (in the case of No), the process moves to step S4.

In step S7, the control unit 40 issues an instruction to transmit operation settings based on the operation information from the direct input unit 22. As a result, even if the special settings sending screen 10f is being displayed, the remote control device A allows the user to switch the special settings sending screen 10f after the second predetermined time (time required for exclusive use) has elapsed. You can instruct the user to send the operation settings without waiting.

In step S8, the control unit 40 transitions to the normal screen 10a. Note that the control unit 40 stores the displayed screen information in a predetermined storage area 41c of the storage unit 41 before the screen transitions to the special settings sending screen 10f, and uses the screen information as a normal setting based on this screen information. It is also possible to return to screens 10d to 10e. In this case, the effect of reducing the number of operations can be expected because the screen transition does not go through the normal screen 10a or the normal screen 10b.

The embodiment described above provides the following effects.

The remote control device A is
An operation unit 2 that can be operated by a user;
A display unit 1 whose screen can be switched;
a control unit 40 that outputs a transmission instruction based on operation information from the operation unit 2;
a transmitter 50 capable of transmitting operation settings and special settings exclusive to the operation settings based on the transmission instruction;
a storage unit 41 that stores screen data and program data;
A remote control device comprising:
The storage unit 41 stores program data 11a to 11f prepared for each screen, and transmission restriction program data 13 for invalidating the operation information.

The remote control device A stores the transmission restriction program data 13 in the storage unit 41 separately from the program data 11a to 11f prepared for each screen, so that the program data 11d and 11e of the normal screens 10d and 10e are Since there is no need to provide duplicate transmission restriction program data 13, the storage area can be reduced.

In the remote control device A,
The control unit 40 controls the display unit 1 to cause the screen to transition to the special settings sending screen 10f when the sending instruction for the special settings is output,
By reading the transmission restriction program data 13 on the special settings transmission screen 10f, the transmission instructions for the operation settings are restricted.

In the remote control device A, the control unit 40 reads the transmission restriction program data 13 on the special settings sending screen 10f, thereby consolidating the screens for restricting operation information from the operation unit 2 on the special settings sending screen 10f. I can do it.

In the remote control device A,
The operation unit 2 further includes a direct input unit 22,
The direct input unit 22 is capable of outputting the operation information that causes the control unit 40 to output the transmission instruction of the operation settings,
The control unit 40 has a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time on the special settings sending screen 10f,
During the first predetermined time, the special setting sending screen 10f is displayed, and during the second predetermined time, the transmission restriction program data 13 invalidates the operation information.

During the second predetermined time period, the remote control device A can reliably transmit the special settings by not accepting operation information by pressing the direct input section 22 of the operation section 2 according to the transmission restriction program data 13.

In the remote control device A,
When the control unit 40 outputs the transmission instruction of the operation setting during the first predetermined time after the second predetermined time elapses,
The transmitting unit 50 is controlled to transmit the operation settings, and the display unit 1 is controlled to cause the screen to transition from the special settings transmitting screen 10f to the normal screen 10a.

Even if the special settings sending screen 10f is being displayed, the remote control device A can transmit the operation settings after the second predetermined time has elapsed without waiting for the user to switch the special settings sending screen 10f. Able to give instructions.

Note that although the remote control device A described above is an example of a remote control device that is held and operated by a user, it may be applied to a stationary remote control device.

Although the remote control device of the present invention has been explained using the structure of the embodiment described above as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and other structures may be used without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, various improvements and changes in display are possible within the scope.

The present invention relates to a remote control device operated by a user, and is suitable, for example, as a wireless remote control means for devices such as air conditioners and televisions.

1 Display section (display panel)
2 Operation unit (operation button)
21 Normal operation section 22 Direct input section 3 Housing (case)
40 Control unit 41 Storage unit 50 Transmission unit 10a to 10e Normal screen 10f Special settings sending screen 11a to 11f Program data 13 Transmission restriction program data A Remote control device B Air conditioner

Claims (3)

An operation section that can be operated by the user;
A display section with switchable screens,
a control unit that outputs a transmission instruction based on operation information from the operation unit;
a transmitter capable of transmitting operation settings and special settings exclusive to the operation settings based on the transmission instruction;
a storage unit that stores screen data and program data;
A remote control device comprising:
The storage unit stores the program data prepared for each screen and transmission restriction program data for invalidating the operation information,
The control unit controls the display unit to cause a screen transition to a special settings transmission screen when the transmission instruction of the special settings is output,
restricting the transmission instruction of the operation settings by reading the transmission restriction program data on the special settings transmission screen;
Remote control device. The operation unit further includes a direct input unit,
The direct input unit is capable of outputting the operation information that causes the control unit to output the transmission instruction of the operation settings,
The control unit has a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time on the special settings sending screen,
displaying the special settings sending screen during the first predetermined time, and disabling the operation information by the transmission restriction program data during the second predetermined time;
The remote control device according to claim 1 . When the control unit outputs the transmission instruction of the operation setting during the first predetermined time after the second predetermined time has elapsed,
controlling the transmitting unit to transmit the operation settings, and controlling the display unit to cause a screen transition from the special settings transmitting screen to a normal screen;
The remote control device according to claim 2 .

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