JPH05191348A - Wireless optical remote control transmitter and optical reception unit used together with the transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for the cable connection of a video equipment by allowing the wireless optical remote control transmitter to convert a receives signal into an optical signal, to emit the optical signal and to emit an optical signal used to control the function of a monitor TV. CONSTITUTION:A video signal and an audio signal from a camcorder 12 are converted into an optical signal by the wireless optical remote control transmitter 13 and radiates to a monitor TV 11. On the other hand, the transmitter 13 emits an optical control signal in response to the operation of a key switch 21 to control the monitor TV 11. Through the constitution above, the cable connection of the video equipment is not required and the degree of freedom of the installed position is increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless optical remote control transmitter (hereinafter referred to as "transmitter") which emits an optical signal modulated by video and audio signals into a free space, receives the signal, and wirelessly transmits the signal. Wireless optical remote controller) and an optical receiving unit used therewith.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the functions of video equipment such as video cameras, video tape recorders, and video projectors have been diversified, and a system for connecting and using each other's equipment has been developed.

The configuration of a conventional video equipment will be described below. FIG. 7 shows a connection configuration diagram of a video device using a conventional optical remote controller. In FIG. 7, 1 is a monitor television for reproducing video and audio, 2 is a video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as VTR) integrated camera, 3 is an optical remote controller for controlling the functions of the monitor television 1, 4 is a signal cable, 5 is Video and audio signal input terminals, 6 are video and audio signal output terminals, 7 is a receiver of the optical remote controller 3 signal, and 8 is an arrow indicating an optical signal emitted from the optical remote controller 3.

The operation of the video equipment configured as described above will be described below. The optical remote controller 3 and the VTR-integrated camera 2 are installed near the user, and the monitor TV 1 is installed at a position away from the user. First, when the optical remote controller 3 is operated, the optical signal 8 emitted from the optical remote controller 3 enters the receiving unit 7, and the function of the monitor television 1 is wirelessly controlled. Next, the video and audio signals captured by the VTR-integrated camera 2 and recorded in the built-in video cassette are transmitted to the monitor television 1 via the signal cable 4 and then reproduced as video and audio on the monitor television 1. Transmission of video and audio signals is completed. As described above, the connection of the video equipment is conventionally configured.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the function of the monitor TV 1 can be wirelessly controlled by using the optical remote controller 3, the VTR integrated camera 2 can be used. The signal cable 4 is connected between the signal output terminal 6 and the signal input terminal 5 of the monitor TV 1. Therefore, there are restrictions on the time and effort of connection and the installation location of the VTR-integrated camera 2 depending on the length of the signal cable 4. There was a drawback.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a connection structure for video equipment which is not restricted by the time and effort for connecting the signal cable 4 and the installation location of the VTR integrated camera 2. Is.

[0007]

In order to solve this problem, the present invention inputs a video and audio signal from a first video device such as a VTR integrated camera, and outputs the input video and audio signal. A first optical transmitter for converting into an optical signal and emitting it in free space, and a signal for controlling the function of a second video device such as a monitor TV which receives the optical signal and reproduces it into video and audio. Using a wireless optical remote controller including a second optical transmitter that converts an optical signal and emits it into the free space, and a battery unit that supplies power to at least the first or second optical transmitter described above. , That is, a wireless transmission path for video and audio signals is configured.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the video and audio signals from the first video device such as the VTR integrated camera are transmitted as an optical signal to the free space through the first optical transmitter of the wireless optical remote controller. Since the light is emitted and reaches the second video device such as a monitor television, a video device that does not require a signal cable can be provided. In addition, since the optical signal for controlling the function of the second video device is emitted from the same wireless optical remote controller as the above-mentioned video and audio optical signals, it functions as a video device that is not restricted by the installation location of the first video device. To do.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the wireless optical remote controller of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, 11 is a monitor television and 12
Is a VTR integrated camera, 13 is a wireless optical remote controller with a key switch 21, 14 is a code, 15 is an input terminal for video and audio signals, 16 is an output terminal for video and audio signals, and 17 is the function of the monitor TV 11. A control signal receiving unit that receives an optical signal 19 to control, and an optical receiving unit 18 that receives an optical signal 20 of a video and audio signal.

The detailed configuration of the wireless optical remote controller 13 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1B. Reference numeral 21 is a key switch for generating a control signal, 22 is a signal processing unit for the control signal, and 23 is an optical transmission for the control signal. Reference numeral 24 is a light emitting element for converting a control signal, which is an electric signal, into an optical signal; 25 is a signal processing unit for video and audio signals; 26 is an optical transmission unit for video and audio signals; and 27 is video and audio as electric signals A light emitting element that converts a signal into an optical signal, and 28 is a battery unit.

The operation of the video equipment using the wireless optical remote controller configured as described above will be described. First, the VTR integrated camera 12 and the wireless optical remote controller 13 are installed near the user, and the monitor TV 11 and the optical receiving unit 18 are installed at positions away from the user. The video and audio electric signals output from the output terminal 16 of the VTR integrated camera 12 are input to the input terminal 15 of the wireless optical remote controller 13 via the short code 14. The input electric signal is, for example, FM (frequency) modulated by the signal processing unit 25, converted into the optical signal 20 by the light emitting element 27 through the optical transmission unit 26, and emitted into the free space. Next, the control signal selected and generated by the key switch 21 of the wireless optical remote controller 13 is, for example, FSK (frequency shift keying) modulated by the signal processing unit 22, and then converted into the optical signal 19 by the light emitting element 24 through the optical transmission unit 23. It is converted and emitted into free space as before. Here, each signal processing unit 22, 25 of the wireless optical remote controller 13
The optical transmission units 23 and 26 are driven by the electric power supplied from the battery unit 28.

The optical signal 20 modulated by the video and audio signals and the optical signal 19 modulated by the control signal are
The optical modulation frequency allocation diagram of FIG. 2 is arranged so that the optical signals of each other do not overlap and interfere with each other. That is, the carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal modulated by the voice signal is placed on the carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal 19 modulated by the control signal, and the carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal modulated by the voice signal is placed on the carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal. The carrier frequency band 31 of the optical signal modulated by the video signal is arranged. Control signal carrier frequency band 2
The reason for securing 9 from 2 MHz to 6 MHz is because the increase in control signals in future home automation (HA) equipment and the like has been taken into consideration.
The reason why the frequency is changed from Hz to 6 MHz is that transmission of a digital audio signal of about 4 channels is secured. The reason why the carrier frequency band 31 of the video signal is set to a high frequency is that future frequency expandability of a high-definition signal or the like is taken into consideration.

The optical signal 19 emitted in the free space as described above is received by the control signal receiving section 17 incorporated in the monitor television 11 and reproduced again as an electric signal, and then the function of the monitor television 11 is performed. Control. Similarly, the optical signal 20 emitted in the free space is received by the optical receiving unit 18 installed at the same place as the monitor television 11, and is converted again into an electric signal of video and audio. Receiving unit 1
Since the output terminals of 8 are connected to the monitor television 11, the converted electric signal is reproduced by the monitor television 11 into video and audio. The above operation constitutes a wireless transmission path for video, audio and control signals.

As described above, the feature of this embodiment is that the video and audio signals from the VTR integrated camera 12 are input to the input terminal 1.
5, an optical transmitter 26 for converting the input video and audio signals into an optical signal 20 and emitting the optical signal 20 in free space.
And a signal for controlling the function of the monitor television 11 which receives the optical signal 20 and reproduces it into video and audio is generated by the key switch 21, and this control signal is converted into an optical signal 19 for the same freedom as described above. Optical transmitter 23 that emits in space
And a wireless optical remote controller 13 including a battery 28 for supplying electric power to the optical transmitters 23 and 26 is used to configure a wireless transmission path for video and audio signals.

Further, the optical signal 19 modulated by the control signal 19
The carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal modulated by the audio signal on the carrier frequency band 29 of the optical signal, and the carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal modulated by the audio signal on the carrier frequency band 30 of the optical signal The carrier frequency band 31 is arranged so that the carrier frequencies of the respective optical signals are separated.

With this configuration, the VTR integrated camera 12
Video and audio signals from the wireless optical remote control 1
Since it is emitted into the free space as the optical signal 20 via the optical transmission unit 26 of No. 3 and reaches the monitor television 11, it is possible to provide a video device that does not require a signal cable. In addition, a signal for controlling the function of the monitor TV 11 is emitted from the same wireless optical remote controller 13 as the above-mentioned video and audio optical signals, and the built-in battery unit 28 further transmits the optical transmitters 23 and 2.
Since 6 is driven, an excellent effect can be obtained without being restricted by the installation location of the VTR integrated camera 12.

Since the carrier frequencies of the optical signals modulated by the video, audio and control signals are separated, the optical signals do not interfere with each other in the free space, so that high quality signal transmission can be realized. A signal transmission path can be provided.

In the above embodiment, the structure of the wireless optical remote controller 13 was explained using the VTR integrated camera 12 and the monitor TV 11. However, if the video equipments used need to connect signals to each other. Needless to say, anything is fine.

A second embodiment of the wireless optical remote controller of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). In the figure, 13a is a main body of the wireless optical remote controller, 21a is a key switch, 32 is an external power supply terminal, 33
Is an AC adapter, 34 is an external battery, 35 is a holding portion for the external battery 34, and 36 is a battery terminal for connecting the external battery 34.

The function of the wireless optical remote controller 13a constructed as described above will be described below. The wireless optical remote controller 13a has the battery unit 28 therein as described above. Normally, the battery unit 28 is used as a driving source. However, when the wireless optical remote controller 13a is used for a long time, the power capacity is Therefore, an external power supply terminal 32 is provided in parallel with the battery unit 28 and an AC adapter 33 is connected to supplement the insufficient power capacity with an external power source, and the battery unit 28 is charged. Further, in addition to the external power supply terminal 32, a holding portion 35 for detachably fixing a large-capacity external battery 34 and a battery terminal 36 are provided on the outer surface of the housing opposite to the key switch 21 of the wireless optical remote controller 13. In this case, the external battery 34 is attached to the holding portion 35 to replenish the insufficient power capacity of the battery portion 28. The external battery 34 used is one that has been charged in advance by a charger.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the wireless optical remote controller 13a is provided with the external power supply terminal 32 for connecting the AC adapter 33, or the external battery 3 is used.
A holding part 35 for removably fixing 4 and a battery terminal 3
By providing 6, the wireless optical remote controller 13a can be used for a long time. Furthermore, if a large-capacity external battery 34 is installed, the power cord of the AC adapter 33 and the like is not restricted, so the wireless optical remote controller 13
It has the effect that the place of installation is not limited.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the wireless optical remote controller of the present invention. According to the figure, 1
2b is a VTR integrated camera, 13b is a wireless optical remote controller, 32b is an external power supply terminal, 37 is an arrow indicating an optical signal modulated by a control signal, 38 is a light receiving element for converting the optical signal 37 into an electric signal, and 39 is the above-mentioned An optical receiving unit for amplifying an electric signal, 40 is a signal processing unit for a control signal, and 41 is an output terminal for a control signal. In addition, in FIG. 4, the first shown in FIG.
The same parts as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The difference of this embodiment from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that the VT is provided inside the wireless optical remote controller 13b.
An optical receiver 39 for receiving an optical signal 37 for controlling the function of the R-integrated camera 12b, and an output terminal 41 for outputting an electric signal from the optical receiver 39 to the VTR-integrated camera 12b.
Is provided.

The operation of the wireless optical remote controller 13b configured as described above will be described below. First,
The video and audio electric signals output from the VTR integrated camera 12b are input to the input terminal 15 of the wireless optical remote controller 13b. The input electric signal is, for example, FM modulated by the signal processing unit 25, converted into the optical signal 20 by the light emitting element 27 through the optical transmission unit 26, and emitted into the free space. The control signal selected and generated by the key switch 21 of the wireless optical remote controller 13b is, for example, FSK-modulated by the signal processing unit 22, and then converted into the optical signal 19 by the light emitting element 24 through the optical transmission unit 23. It is emitted into the space.

Next, the optical signal 37 propagating in the free space and received by the light receiving element 38 is converted into an electric signal, amplified by the optical receiving section 39, and then, for example, FSK by the signal processing section 40.
It is demodulated and output as a control signal from the output terminal 41 to the VTR integrated camera 12. This control signal is VTR
It is used as a signal for controlling the function of the integrated camera 12 or for monitoring the control state of other video equipment according to the control signal which is selected and generated by the key switch 21 and emitted as the optical signal 19.

Here, the signal processing units 22, 25, 40, the optical transmitting units 23, 26 and the optical receiving unit 39 of the wireless optical remote controller 13b are the power supplied from the battery 28,
Alternatively, it is driven by the electric power supplied from the external power supply terminal 32 described in the embodiment of FIG.

As described above, the feature of the above embodiment is that the VTR
An optical transmitter 26 for inputting video and audio signals from the integrated camera 12b from an input terminal 15, converting the input video and audio signals into an optical signal 20 and emitting the optical signal 20 in a free space, and the optical signal 20. A signal for controlling the function of another video device for receiving the light is generated by the key switch 21, converted into the optical signal 19, and emitted into the same free space as described above. A wireless optical remote controller 13b including an optical receiving unit 39 which receives an optical signal 37 for controlling a function and outputs it from an output terminal 41 is used to configure a wireless transmission path for video, audio signals and bidirectional control signals. That is.

With this configuration, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the video and audio signals from the VTR integrated camera 12b are emitted into the free space as the optical signal 20 through the optical transmitting section 26 of the wireless optical remote controller 13b. Therefore, it is possible to provide a video device that does not require a signal cable and is not restricted by the installation location of the VTR integrated camera 12b. Further, since the same wireless optical remote controller 13b receives the optical signal 37 for controlling the function of the VTR integrated camera 12b, the control status of other video equipment at a remote position can be displayed on the VTR integrated camera 12 at hand. The excellent effect that can be monitored with is obtained.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an optical receiving unit using the fourth embodiment of the wireless optical remote controller of the present invention. In the figure, 13c is a wireless optical remote controller,
Reference numeral 18c denotes an optical receiving unit, which is similar to the optical receiving unit 18 for receiving the optical signal of the wireless optical remote controller 13 described in the embodiment of FIG. Reference numeral 20c is an optical signal modulated by video and audio, 37c is an optical signal modulated by a control signal, 42 is an operation unit with a monitor television, and remotely operates a VTR integrated camera at a remote position through the wireless optical remote controller 13c. At the same time, the video and audio taken by the VTR integrated camera is monitored by the operation unit with the monitor TV. Reference numeral 43 is an optical receiving unit for receiving the optical signal 20, 44 is a light receiving element of the optical receiving unit 43, 46 is an optical transmitting unit for emitting the optical signal 37c, and 45 is an optical transmitting unit 46.
Is a light emitting element, 47 is a power supply unit of the light receiving unit 43 and the light transmitting unit 46, 48 is a monitor unit, and 49 is an operation unit.

The operation of the optical receiving unit configured as described above will be described below. First, a control signal generated by operating the operating section 49 of the operating unit 42 with a monitor TV is input to the optical transmitting section 46. The light emitting element 45
After being converted into an optical signal 37c by, it is emitted into the free space toward the wireless optical remote controller 13c. On the other hand, the optical signal 20c emitted from the wireless optical remote controller 13c and modulated with the video and audio signals propagating in the free space.
Is received by the light receiving element 44. Received optical signal 20
Is converted into an electric signal and then, via the optical receiver 43,
It is input to the operation unit 42 with a monitor television, and is reproduced as video and audio on the monitor unit 48. Through the series of operations described above, the wireless operation using the monitor TV-equipped operation unit 42 of the VTR integrated camera is realized.

As described above, the feature of the above embodiment is that after receiving the optical signal 20 modulated by the video and audio signals from the wireless optical remote controller 13c and converting it into the electric signal,
An optical receiver 43 that outputs to the operation unit 42 with a monitor TV, and an optical transmitter 46 that converts a control signal output from the operation unit 42 with a monitor TV into an optical signal 37c and emits it toward the wireless optical remote controller 13c. That is, the optical receiving unit 18c is configured from the above.

With this configuration, for example, the VTR-integrated camera and the operation unit 42 with a monitor TV for remotely controlling the VTR and monitoring the image and sound are provided with the image and the image through the wireless optical remote controller 13c and the optical receiving unit 18c. Since audio and control signals are wirelessly connected, it is possible to provide a video device that does not require a signal cable. In addition, since there is no limitation due to the length of the signal cable, the VTR integrated camera and the operation unit 42 with a monitor TV can have an excellent effect that there is no restriction on the installation location.

In the present embodiment, the operation unit 42 with a monitor television is described as being for a VTR integrated camera, but the VTR integrated camera is a single other video device that requires a monitor function and an operation function at the same time. However, it goes without saying that any of a plurality of other video devices that individually require each function may be used.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the wireless optical remote controller according to the present invention. Explaining only the parts different from the first and third embodiments, in the figure, 13d is a wireless optical remote controller main body and 15d is an image. And audio signal input terminal,
Reference numeral 19 is an optical signal modulated by a control signal, 20 is an optical signal modulated by a video and audio signal, 21 is a key switch, 5
Reference numeral 0 is a movable portion whose direction can be changed arbitrarily, and reference numeral 51 is an optical signal emission surface.

The function of the wireless optical remote controller configured as described above will be described below. As described in the first and third embodiments, the wireless optical remote controller 13d has a light emitting element for emitting the optical signals 19, 20 of the video, audio and control signals, and these optical signals 19 are emitted from the emitting surface 51. , 20 are emitted into the free space. Since the movable portion 50 can change the emitting surface 51 in any direction, the emitting directions of the optical signals 19 and 20 can be changed arbitrarily.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the movable portion 50 that can arbitrarily change the emitting directions of the optical signals 19 and 20 from the wireless optical remote controller 13d, the wireless optical remote controller 13 can be placed on a table or the like. Since the optical signals 19 and 20 can be emitted toward the optical receiving unit wherever the optical receiving unit shown in the first and third embodiments is installed, the wireless optical remote controller 13d can be operated by hand. It has an excellent effect that video, audio and control signals from a VTR integrated camera or the like can be transmitted for a long time in a state in which it is not provided.

In this embodiment, the emitting surface 51 that can be changed in any direction has been described as the emitting surface 51 for the optical signals 19 and 20. It goes without saying that it may be used as the incident surface and the same effect can be obtained.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the video and audio signals from the video equipment such as the VTR integrated camera are
Since it is emitted as an optical signal into the free space through the first optical transmitter of the wireless optical remote controller and reaches a video device such as a monitor TV, an excellent wireless optical remote controller that does not require a signal cable between the video devices is provided. It can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a video equipment using a wireless optical remote controller of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 2 is an optical modulation frequency allocation diagram of the same optical signal.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are external views of a wireless optical remote controller according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless optical remote controller according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of an optical receiving unit according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a wireless optical remote controller according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a connection configuration diagram of a video device using a conventional optical remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

12,12b VTR integrated camera 13,13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Wireless optical remote controller 15 Input terminal 16 Output terminal 18,18c Optical receiving unit 19,20,20c, 37,37c Optical signal 23,26 Optical transmitting unit 28 Battery Part 29 Carrier frequency band of optical signal modulated by control signal 30 Carrier frequency band of optical signal modulated by audio signal 31 Carrier frequency band of optical signal modulated by video signal 32 External power supply terminal 34 External battery 35 External battery Holding unit 36 Battery terminal 39 Optical receiving unit 41 Output terminal 42 Operation unit with monitor TV 43 Optical receiving unit 46 Optical transmitting unit 50 Movable unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 5/232 B 9187-5C H04Q 9/00 301 E 7170-5K // H04N 7/22 8943- 5C (72) Inventor Kazuro Matsumura 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An input terminal for inputting a video and audio signal from a first video device, and a first optical transmitter for converting the input video and audio signal into an optical signal and emitting the optical signal in a free space. A switch for generating a control signal for controlling the function of the second video device which receives the optical signal and reproduces it into video and audio; and converting the control signal into an optical signal and emitting it into the free space. A wireless optical remote control transmitter comprising a second optical transmission unit and a battery unit that supplies power to at least the first or second optical transmission unit. 2. A first optical receiving section for receiving an optical signal for controlling a function of a first video device and being supplied with electric power from a battery section, and an electric signal from the optical receiving section for a first image. The wireless optical remote control transmitter according to claim 1, further comprising an output terminal for outputting to a device. 3. An optical receiver for receiving an optical signal emitted from a wireless optical remote control transmitter, converting the optical signal into an electric signal of video and audio of a first video device, and outputting the electric signal to an operation unit with a monitor TV. And an optical transmission unit that converts a control signal output from the operation unit with monitor TV into an optical signal and emits the optical signal toward an optical reception unit of the wireless optical remote control transmitter. unit. 4. The wireless optical remote control transmitter according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply terminal for externally supplying electric power for driving the optical transmitter or the optical receiver. 5. A holding portion for removably fixing a rechargeable battery and a power supply terminal for connecting the rechargeable battery are provided on an outer surface of a housing of the wireless optical remote controller.
Alternatively, the wireless optical remote control transmitter according to claim 2. 6. Among the optical signals emitted from the first optical transmitter,
The carrier frequency of the optical signal modulated by the audio signal is lower than the carrier frequency of the optical signal modulated by the video signal, and the carrier frequency of the optical signal modulated by the control signal emitted from the second optical transmitter is transmitted. The wireless optical remote control transmitter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frequency is higher than the frequency. 7. A movable section for arbitrarily changing the emission direction of an optical signal emitted from at least the first or second optical transmission section into the free space. Wireless optical remote control transmitter as described.