JPH01307945A - Timer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically update a picture recording reservation date by comparing the reservation date which is stored and the present date, and changing the reservation date to a date of the same week-day and in the nearest future, when the reservation date is in the past from the present date. CONSTITUTION:A commander 1 being a wireless remote control transmitter converts picture recording reservation data, various mode signals, etc. to an infrared-ray signal by a key operation and transmits it to a VTR 2, and to this commander 1, a calendar is set by a remote control exclusive microcomputer 3. In such a state, the reservation date which is stored and the present date are compared, and in case when the reservation date is in the past from the present date, the present date is changed to a date of the same week-day of the reservation date, and also, in the nearest future, this date is set as a new reservation date, and an old reservation date which is stored in a memory is updated to a new reservation date. On the other hand, when the reservation date promises the future against the present date, the reservation date which is stored in a reservation set memory is held as it is. In such a way, the new reservation date can be set automatically.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a timer device, particularly to a timer device suitable for a VTR.

[Summary of the Invention] This invention compares the stored reservation date with the current date in a timer device, and when the reservation date is past the current date, the reservation is made on the same day of the week and on the nearest future date. By automatically changing the date, operability can be greatly improved.

[Conventional technology]

Some VTRs allow recording of TV programs to be reserved using a wireless remote control transmitter that has a backup function. In this case, since the recording reservation data is backed up and remains in the wireless remote control transmitter, when retransmitting recording reservation data with similar contents, the old recording reservation data can be modified and used. For example, if you want to schedule recording of two programs on April 14th 18:00-19:00 Channel 1 ■April 17th 18:00-19:00 Channel 1, first
14th of the month), then enters the correction mode, corrects April 14th to April 17th by key operation, and sends ■(4
17 days of the month).

By the way, since TV programs are often scheduled on a weekly basis, some VTRs are now equipped with a "weekly reservation" function. In this case, a specific TV program is recorded every week by inputting recording reservation data such as day of the week, start time, recording time, channel, etc. into the main memory within the VTR body.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the case where recording reservations are made using the wireless remote control transmitter described above, the recording reservation data is backed up and remains, but when rescheduling, the old recording reservation data is corrected by operating the keys again and the new recording reservation data is created. There was a problem in that reservation data had to be set.

On the other hand, if you make a weekly reservation, you can automatically record a specific program every week, but if you set a weekly reservation, a part of the main memory inside the VTR will be used for the weekly reservation. There was a problem that it was always occupied. In addition, users may not need or want to make weekly reservations, and in such cases, they may not be able to use the weekly reservation function and have to perform complicated recording operations or make recording reservations each time. The problem was that it had to be done.

Therefore, there is a problem in that the operability of updating and rescheduling recording reservation data is not very good in any case.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a timer device that can automatically update the recording reservation date only when necessary.

[Means to solve the problem]

The timer device according to the present invention stores a reserved date, compares the reserved date with the current date, and changes the reserved date to the nearest future date on the same day of the week when the reserved date is past the current date. It is configured to do this.

[Effect]

The reservation date stored in the reservation setting memory is read out, and the current date is read out from a preset calendar.

The reservation date and current date are compared, and if the reservation date is in the past than the current date, change the current date to a date in the nearest future that is the same day of the week as the reservation date, and use this date as the new reservation date. do. Then, the old reservation date stored in the memory is updated to the above-mentioned new reservation date.

On the other hand, the reservation date stored in the reservation setting memory and the current date are compared, and if the reservation date is the same as the current date or the reservation date is in the future with respect to the current date, the reservation setting memory Retains the reservation date stored in .

This allows a new reservation date to be automatically set.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6,
This invention is applied to a wireless remote control transmitter for remotely controlling a VTR. Note that this explanation will be made in the following order.

(A) Overview of the commander and the operation of the VTR by the commander (B) Explanation using a flowchart (A) Overview of the commander and the operation of the VTR by the commander An outline of the configuration is shown.

The commander 1 converts recording reservation data, various mode signals, etc. into infrared signals and transmits them to the VTR 2 through key operations. This commander 1 is equipped with a microcomputer 3 (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) dedicated to remote control.
Alternatively, the calendar is set in a table in memory (not shown).

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer 3 operates based on instructions output from a key matrix 4 by operating various keys to be described later. For example, based on the above-mentioned instructions, the data held in the memory inside the microcomputer 3 may be output to the liquid crystal display section 5 to display the data, or the results of calculations performed by the microcomputer 3 itself may be displayed on the liquid crystal display section. 5
Output and display for. Further, when the transmission mode is set by key operation, the microcomputer 3 operates to transmit recording reservation data, mode signals, etc. from the commander 1 to the VTR 2 based on a signal transmission instruction. That is, the microcomputer 3 drives the driver 6 to cause the LED 7 to emit light based on the above-mentioned instructions, converts the above-mentioned recording reservation data, mode signal, etc. into an infrared signal, and outputs the infrared signal. Note that 8 is a resistance.

The infrared signal output from LED 7 of commander 1 is V
The light is detected by the light receiving section 9 of the TR 2, converted into an electrical signal, amplified, and supplied to the microcomputer IO in the VTR 2.

The microcomputer 10 receives the electrical signal supplied from the light receiving section 9.
It functions as a decoder that converts the signal into a signal that can be accepted by the system controller 11.

Therefore, the electrical signal from the light receiving section 9 is transmitted to the microcomputer 10.
are converted into recording reservation data, mode signals, etc., respectively, and these signals are supplied to the system controller 11.

The system controller 11 holds the above-mentioned recording reservation data, and also sends the VTR 2 to record the TV program on the specified channel at the date and time specified in the recording reservation data.
control. Then, when the above-mentioned recording is completed, the recording reservation data held in the system controller 11 is deleted. Note that, like the commander 1, this VTR 2 also has a calendar set.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the commander I.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the lid 1 that covers the top of the commander 1
5 is rotatable about a pivot point 16 in the direction of arrow 0-C.

In FIG. 2, 17 is a number key (1-12), 18 is an on/off key for turning on/off the power, 19 is a channel change key, and 2o is various control keys.

Even if the above-mentioned on/off key 18 is pressed, if the lid 15 is closed, the opening 21 of the lid 15 will display the current day of the week, current time, morning/afternoon, etc., as shown in FIG. is displayed on the LCD. Note that normal mode signals other than the recording reservation setting mode signal for the VTR 2 can be sent from the commander 1 regardless of whether the lid 15 is open or closed.

FIG. 4 shows the state of the upper part of the commander 1 when the lid 15 is opened in the direction of arrow 0 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the part corresponding to the lid 15 of the commander 1 has a liquid crystal display section 22 and a recording reservation setting key 2.
3 is provided.

The liquid crystal display section 22 displays recording reservation data.
The liquid crystal display section 22 includes a memory display section 24, a date display section 25, an am/pm display section 26, a time display section 27, a channel display section 28, a day of the week display section 29, and a transfer display section 30.
are arranged.

The recording reservation setting keys 23 include a day/day key 31, a start time key 32, an end time key 33, a channel key 34, a transfer key 35, a memory key 36, a time setting key 37, and the like.

When the lid 15 is opened in the direction of arrow 0 in Fig. 2, the commander 1
is set to the recording reservation setting mode, and the time display section 27 and channel display section 28 are in a state in which only one display segment in the horizontal direction is displayed on each display section. At this time, the date display section 25 displays today's date based on the calendar set in the commander 1.

When the lid 15 is opened and the recording reservation setting mode is set, the past recording reservation dates held in the memory, for example, reservation setting memory A, are stored in the memory, for example, in the reservation setting memory A, and the day of the week is the same, and the most recent recording reservation date from today is If you want to change the date to a date in the near future, first press the memory key 36.

Then, through software processing as will be described later, the day of the week is the same as the past recording reservation date and the date closest to today is set, and the date display section 25 and day of the week display section 2 are set.
9, the new recording reservation date and day of the week are displayed. The other AM/PM display sections 26, time display section 27, channel display section 28, etc. are displayed as before. These recording reservation data are held in the reservation setting memory A.

Next, when the transfer key 35 is pressed, a transfer display is displayed on the transfer display section 30, and the recording reservation setting mode signal, recording reservation data, etc. are sent from the commander 1 to the VTR 2.

In the VTR 2, the infrared signal from the commander 1 is decoded by the microcomputer 10 and supplied to the system controller 11.

In the system controller 1, the above-mentioned recording reservation data is held, and this system controller 11
R2 is controlled and the TV program on the specified date and time and channel is recorded.

Upon completion of recording, the above-mentioned recording reservation data in the system controller 11 is deleted.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the old recording reservation date can be updated to the new recording reservation date by the extremely simple operation of opening the lid 15 and pressing the memory key 36, unlike the conventional correction operation. complexity is greatly reduced. Furthermore, by repeating this operation as necessary, it is possible to make a weekly recording reservation, and when the weekly reservation function is not used, the recording reservation operation that is required each time can be simplified. Thereby, operability can be greatly improved. Furthermore, since the recording reservation data is deleted at the same time as recording ends, a part of the main memory in the VTR 2 body is not always occupied, unlike when the conventional weekly reservation function is utilized.

By the way, if you have data you want to change, for example if you want to record a different TV program than before,
day of the week key 31, start time key 32, end time key 33,
A desired key of the channel keys 34 is operated to set new recording reservation data [month/day, start time, end time, channel, day of the week]. Then, these recording reservation data are held in the reservation setting memory A, for example.

Next, when the transfer key 35 is pressed, a transfer display is displayed on the transfer display section 30, and the recording reservation setting mode signal, the above-mentioned recording reservation data, etc. are sent from the commander 1 to the VTR 2.

In the VTR 2, the infrared signal from the commander 1 is decoded by the microcomputer 10 and supplied to the system controller 11. The system controller 11 holds the above-mentioned recording reservation data, and controls the VTR 2 to determine the reserved date and time.
The TVi set of channels is recorded. As soon as the recording ends,
The above recording reservation data in the system controller 11 is deleted.

To switch between reservation setting memories A-D, press the memory key 36.
Each time the memory key 36 is pressed, the reservation setting memory is switched in the order of A-+B-4C→D→A, and the display on the memory display section 24 is also switched in the corresponding order. go. Therefore, the recording reservation data recorded in each of the reservation setting memories A to D can be updated using the procedure described above.

Also, when you press the + side of the day/day key 31, start time key 32, end time key 33, and channel key 34, the numbers in the year/month/day display section 25, time display section 27, and channel display section 28 increase. , and when the minus side part is pressed, the numbers of days 25, 27, and 2 on each of the above-mentioned display sections decrease.

The time setting key 37 is used to display the current time set on the commander 1 side, and when the transfer key 35 is pressed after pressing the time setting key 37,
The time set on the commander 1 side is displayed on the VTR 2.

(B) Description using flowcharts FIG. 5 shows a flowchart regarding automatic date updating, and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart regarding how to send recording reservation data.

In FIG. 5, when the lid 15 of the commander 1 is opened and the memory key 36 is pressed (step ■), a date, for example, June 3rd, is read out from the memory of the microcomputer 3 in the commander 1, for example, reservation setting memory A. , is assigned to variable A (step ■). At this time, the day of the week corresponding to the above date is also read from the calendar set in the commander l.

Next, in step (2), it is determined whether the date assigned to variable A is in the past. In other words, from the calendar set in Commander 1, today's date,
For example, June 8th is read and compared with the date of variable A to determine whether the date of variable A is in the past.

Since the date of variable A is in the past, the process moves to step (2). If the date of variable A is today's date or a future date, move to step (2).

In step (2), today's date and day of the week (Wednesday, June 8th) are read out and assigned to variable B based on the calendar. Then move on to step ■.

In step ■, the days of the week of the dates assigned to variable A and variable B are compared (Variable A is Friday, variable B is Wednesday). If the days of the week are different, the process moves to step ■; if the days of the week are the same, moves to step ■.

In step ■, add 1 day to variable B and create a new variable B.
The value of At the same time, the day of the week is also changed in accordance with the date. Then return to step ■.

This loop of steps (2) and (2) is repeated until the day of the week of the date of variable B becomes equal to the day of the week of the date to the variable. That is, the above steps are repeated until the day of the week of variable B changes from Wednesday to Friday. Then, when the date and day of the week of variable B become June 10th (Friday), the day of the week of the date of variable A and the day of the week of the date of variable B become equal, so the loop of steps ■ and ■ ends and the process moves to step ■. .

In step (2), the date of variable B (June 10) is stored in the reservation setting memory A, and the process moves to step (2).

In step (2), the date and day of the week (Friday, June 10) newly assigned to the reservation setting memory A in step (2) above are displayed on the liquid crystal display section 22 together with other recording reservation data, and the process ends. Next, recording reservation data is transmitted to the VTR 2 according to the flowchart in FIG. Note that the above display may be performed not only on the commander 1 but also on the VTR 2 side.

Figure 6 shows how recording reservation data is transmitted from commander 1 to VTR 2.
The procedure for sending is shown. That is, the lid 15 of the commander 1 is opened (step ■), and then the transfer key 35 is pressed (step ■).

As a result, a transfer display is made on the transfer display section 30 of the liquid crystal display section 22, and the recording reservation data set by the commander 1 is transmitted to the VTR together with the recording reservation setting mode signal. In the VTR 2, this recording reservation data is taken into the system controller 11 via the microcomputer 10, thereby completing the recording reservation of the TV program.

In this embodiment, whether or not the recording reservation data stored in the memory is in the past is determined based on the date, but the date is not limited to this.
It may also be possible to make more precise judgments based on both time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In this invention, when the stored reservation date is past the current date, the reservation date is automatically changed to the nearest future date on the same day of the week. Unlike resetting recording reservation data using a wireless remote control transmitter, it is possible to significantly reduce the complexity of modifying past reservation dates by performing new key operations. Furthermore, in the past, even though there was a weekly reservation function, if you did not use it, you had to perform complicated recording operations and make recording reservations each time. , and can set new recording reservation data, which has the effect of greatly reducing the complexity of recording reservation operations. These effects have the effect of significantly improving operability. Then, recording reservations can be made virtually every week, and since the recording reservation data in the VTR itself is erased at the same time as the recording ends, the main memory of the VTR itself is not used as in the case of conventional weekly reservations. This has the effect that the area is not always occupied.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing showing a commander, Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the upper part of the commander, and Fig. 4 is a liquid crystal display section of the commander. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts used to explain the embodiment, respectively. Explanation of major symbols in the drawings 1: Commander, 2: VTR. 3.10: Microcomputer, 11 system controller. Agent Patent Attorney Tadashi Sugiura Wisdom, L, Diabetic, Inkstone Blind Love, θ Moon Group 2 Fraud 4AK Book

Claims (1)

[Claims] Storing the reservation date, comparing the reservation date with the current date, and changing the reservation date to the nearest future date on the same day of the week when the reservation date is past the current date. A timer device designed to do this.