JPH04899A - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a remote control device provided with an inexpensive small- sized transmission unit by adding one to several function designating operation switches to the transmission unit in addition to basic operation switches. CONSTITUTION:When a function designating operation switch is depressed out of the operation switches 10 of the main body 2 of the remote control device, a function designating mode turning on process is performed, and then, a function designating timer is set. When a selection key is depressed before the time of the set timer has elapsed, a function is stored in the corresponding memory area and a function designating mode turning off process is performed. When L1 key of the operation switches 3 of a transmission unit 1 is depressed after function designation is performed in such way, the optical signal form the L1 key received by the main body 2 is supplied to a processor 9 through a photoelectric converting section 6, amplifier circuit 7, and signal processing circuit 8 and F1 process stored in a RAM 12 is performed. As a result, equipment control is performed in accordance with the designation of the F1 process.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a remote control device that includes a transmitting unit that issues operation commands in response to an operation, and a receiving unit that receives signals from the transmitting unit and controls the operation of equipment.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY A remote control device is composed of a transmitting unit that modulates infrared rays or the like and emits operational commands according to an operation, and a receiving unit that receives signals from the transmitting unit and controls the operation of equipment according to the operational commands. It is common that

Among the above remote control devices, the receiving unit (
In order to provide the transmitting unit with the same operating functions as the operating switches on the main unit, there are two methods: ■Providing the transmitting unit with the same operating switch group as the receiving unit;
It is also well known that there is a method of providing a transmitting unit with a programmable operation switch.

However, method (2) has the disadvantage that the number of operating switches on the transmitting unit increases, the shape of the transmitting unit becomes large, and it also includes operating switches that some users do not operate at all or operate only very rarely. be. Method (2) has the advantage that the function of the operation switch of the receiving unit required by the user is set in the programmable operation switch of the transmitting unit.

However, in order to realize this method, a storage control means such as a microcomputer is required within the transmitting unit.
This is undesirable because it increases the cost of the transmitting unit.

Summary of the Invention [Purpose of the Invention] Therefore, the present invention provides a small and inexpensive transmitting unit by simply adding one or several function designating operation switches in addition to the basic operating switches of the transmitting unit. The purpose is to provide a remote control device.

[Configuration of the Invention] A remote control device according to the present invention includes a transmitting unit that issues an operation command in response to an operation, and a receiving unit that receives a signal from the transmitting unit and controls the operation of a device in accordance with the signal. The transmitting unit has at least one function specifying operation switch, and the receiving unit has at least one function specifying operation switch corresponding to the function specifying operation switch of the transmitting unit, a plurality of function selecting operation switches, and the receiving unit has at least one function specifying operation switch corresponding to the function specifying operation switch of the transmitting unit, a memory control means for storing a function corresponding to an operated function selection operation switch in a memory area corresponding to the function selection operation switch during operation of one of the specification operation switches or within a certain period of time after the operation; and the transmission unit. and output means for outputting a control command corresponding to the function stored in the corresponding memory area when the function designation operation switch is operated.

[Operation of the invention] In the remote control device according to the present invention, the receiving unit has a function designation operation switch and a plurality of function selection operation switches, and any one of the function designation operation switch and the function selection operation switch can be operated. By doing so, the function of the operated function selection operation switch is stored in the memory area corresponding to the function designation operation switch. On the other hand, the transmitting unit has the same switch as the function specifying operation switch of the receiving unit, and when this function specifying operation switch is operated and an operation command is issued, this signal is sent to the receiving unit, which functions as the function specified by the operation. The same operation control as when the selection operation switch is operated is performed on the equipment.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be explained in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a remote control device according to the present invention. In the figure, the transmitting unit 1 is
By operating the operating switch 3, an operation command signal corresponding to the operating switch is supplied to the transmitting circuit 4. The output of the transmitting circuit is supplied to the photoelectric converter 5, where it becomes an optical signal such as infrared light, and is emitted from the transmitting unit 1.

The receiving unit (hereinafter referred to as the main body) 2 which has received the optical signal from the transmitting unit is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric converter 6, and is supplied to a signal processing circuit 8 via an amplifier circuit 7, where it is A/D converted, After processing such as decoding, the output of the signal processing circuit 8 is supplied to a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a processor) 9. An operation switch 10 is also provided in the main body 2, and by operating the switch 10, it is possible to supply the processor with an operation command that is equal to or greater than the operation command possessed by the transmitting unit 1. Processor 9 is R if necessary.
Exchanging commands and data with AM12, ROM
According to the program procedure of I1, the control commands corresponding to the operation commands of the transmitting unit 1 or the operation switch 10 are sent to the equipment (
The control target unit) 14 is supplied to control its operation, and the display 13 displays the operation and the status of the equipment.

Next, the procedure executed by the processor 9 will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, the second
In the flowchart of FIG. 3 (Ta, Yama), which will be described later, there is a process (step 546) in the middle, but this is a process necessary for the procedure of the processor, but it is not directly related to the present invention, so it will not be specifically mentioned in the explanation. I can't touch it.

When the power is turned on, the processor 9 performs necessary initial settings (step S1), and presses the function designation operation switch (hereinafter abbreviated as designation key) among the operation switches 10 of the main body 2.
It is determined whether or not has been pressed (step S2). If the designation key (Ll) is pressed, a function designation mode on process is performed (step S3), and then a function designation timer is set (step S4). Next, the process moves to step S5, and it is determined whether or not the time set in step S4 has been exceeded. In this case, since the time has not exceeded, the process moves to step S7, and it is determined whether or not the function specification mode is on (in this case, the function Specified mode on). Next, press the function selection operation switch (Fl, F2 in the operation switch 10...
. . . one of the F6 keys) is pressed (step S8). Function selection operation switch (hereinafter referred to as
If it is determined that the selection key (abbreviated as a selection key) is not pressed, steps S11, S2, S5, and S
7. Step S8 is repeated and determination of selection key input is continued until the time is over. If it is determined in step S5 that the time has elapsed, processing is performed to turn off the function specification mode (step S6). If it is determined in step S8 that the selection key (for example, Fl) has been pressed before the time is over, the function of Fl is stored in the memory area corresponding to Ll (step S9). Subsequently, function specification mode off processing is performed (step 510).

Assume that after specifying the function in this manner, the L1 key of the operation switch 3 of the transmitting unit 1 is pressed. Main body 2
The Ll optical signal received by the processor 9 is supplied to the processor 9 via the photoelectric conversion unit 6, the amplifier circuit 7, and the signal processing circuit 8. Then, the processor detects that the operation switch has been operated, determines in step S12 that it is not an operation of the operation switch of the main body 2, and determines whether or not it has been received from the transmitting unit (step 813). In this case, it is determined that the L1 has been received, and further in step S14, the L1
It is determined whether the key is operated or not, and in this case it is L1, so R
The Fl stored in the AM 12 is processed (step 515), and the equipment is controlled according to the designation of the Fl (step 515).
Step 518).

If the operation switch 10 of the main body 2 is directly pressed, or if the operation switch 3 of the transmitting unit 1 is pressed but it is a switch other than L1, the processor 9 executes step S1.
6, if it is determined that the operation switch is valid, processing is performed according to the command of the operation switch (step 517), and equipment control is performed.

Further, in the above case, the function of F1 was stored, but it goes without saying that any one of the six types of functions from Fl to F6 can be stored and stored according to the user's needs.

By operating the designated key on the transmitting unit 1 in this manner, it is possible to control the device as if the selection key on the main body 2 had been directly operated.

In the embodiment described above, the designation key (L
1), but another embodiment in which the number of designated keys is two will be described.

The system configuration (not shown) of this embodiment is such that two keys, Ll and L2, are provided in place of the L1 key in the system configuration diagram of the previous embodiment (FIG. 1).

Further, the execution procedure of the processor will be explained according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 (Machiyama).

When the designated key of the receiving unit is pressed, the processor moves to step S21 and determines whether the pressed operation switch is Ll. When it is determined that it is the L1 key, press L.
1 specification mode on processing (step S2), and when it is determined that it is not the L1 key, it is determined whether it is the L2 key or not (step 524)) When it is determined that it is the L2 key, the L2 key is
Specified mode on processing is performed (step 525). After the Ll or L2 designation mode on processing, the process moves to step 523 and a function designation timer is set.

In step S28, it is determined whether or not the mode is L1 designation mode, and when it is determined that the mode is L1 designation mode, it is determined whether or not the function selection key has been pressed within the set time of the timer (step 529), the selection key ( For example, when it is determined that Fl) has been pressed, the function of Fl is stored in the L1 area of the RAM (step 530), and L1 designation mode off processing is performed (step 531). L1 at step 528
When it is determined that the mode is not the designated mode, it is determined whether the mode is L2 designated mode (step 532), and when it is determined that the mode is L2 designated mode, it is determined at step 833 whether or not the selection key has been pressed within a set time. When it is determined that the selection key (for example, F2) has been pressed, step S3
4. Move to step S35 and store F in the L2 area of the RAM.
2 function is stored and L2 specified mode off processing is performed.

After that, when the Ll or L2 key of the transmitting unit is operated, the processor goes through the steps S38, S39, 540, 541, and S42, and then selects Fl corresponding to Ll or F2 corresponding to L2. Control equipment according to commands.

As described in detail, the remote control device according to the present invention does not require storage means and control means such as a microcomputer in the transmitting unit, and only one or several function specifying operation switches are added. Then, the main body (
It can have the same function as the function selection operation switch of the receiver unit).

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the embodiment, and Fig. 3(a), (b+ is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of another embodiment). Explanation of symbols of main parts 1... Transmitting unit 2... Receiving unit 3... Transmitting unit operation switch group 9...
... Processor 10 ... Receiving unit operation switch group 12 ...
・・・・RAM Drawing engraving (no change in content)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A remote control device comprising a transmitting unit that issues an operation command in response to an operation, and a receiving unit that receives a signal from the transmitting unit and controls the operation of the device in accordance with the signal, wherein the transmitting unit has at least one function. The receiving unit has at least one function specifying operation switch corresponding to the function specifying operation switch of the transmitting unit, a plurality of function selecting operation switches, and one operation of the function specifying operation switch. memory control means for storing a function corresponding to the operated function selection operation switch in a memory area corresponding to the function selection operation switch during or within a certain period of time after the operation; and a function specification operation switch of the transmitting unit is operated. 1. A remote control device comprising: an output means for outputting a control command corresponding to a function stored in a memory area corresponding to the output means.