JPH0563651A - Remote control signal transmission method and optical reflecting plate used for execution thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control the optical remote control signal normally even when an obstacle is in existence on a line by allowing the optical remote control signal to reach a remote control reception section through the reflection in the optical reflecting plate. CONSTITUTION:An infrared ray reflecting plate 5 whose reflecting plane excellent for infrared ray reflection is formed flat and whose smoothing plane is made of a material such as a metal or a plastic is mounted onto a ceiling 4. In this case, when a remote control transmitter 3 is operated to allow infrared rays to radiate to the infrared ray reflecting plate 5, after the radiating infrared rays are reflected in the infrared ray reflecting plate 5, the infrared rays reaches a remote control reception section 2 and its surrounding. The infrared rays radiating from the remote control transmission section 3 is spread over a comparatively wide range, then when the infrared ray reflecting plate whose reflecting face is shaped to be a projected curved face having a comparatively larger radius of curvature is in use, the infrared rays are reflected and diffused over a comparatively wider range in the projection curved face reflecting face. Thus, the probability of incidence in the remote controller 1a is increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote controller capable of normally transmitting a remote control signal to a remote control receiver even if there is an obstacle between the remote control transmitter and the remote control receiver of a controlled device. The present invention relates to a signal transmission method and a light reflection plate used for implementing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional wireless remote control transmitter for controlling controlled equipment such as a television receiver and an air conditioner is an infrared signal modulated and coded by a predetermined method by pressing an operation button on an operation surface. Was to be emitted from the front infrared emission part with considerable diffusivity.

[0003]

However, since the infrared rays emitted from this remote control transmitter are light and have a straight-line characteristic, there is an obstacle on the straight line connecting the remote control transmitter and the controlled device. In that case, there is a problem in that the infrared rays do not reach the remote control receiver of the controlled device, and proper control is not performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control signal transmission method and its implementation that enable normal control of a controlled device even if there is an obstacle on a straight line connecting the controlled device and a remote control transmitter. The purpose is to provide a light reflector to be used.

[0005]

To this end, the remote control signal transmission method of the present invention uses a light reflection plate made of a material such as metal or plastics having a smooth surface with good light reflection of infrared rays as a wall or ceiling. It is configured to be attached to stationary furniture or the like and reflect the optical signal emitted from the remote control transmitter toward the remote control receiver.

Further, the light reflecting plate used for the implementation is constructed such that the reflecting surface is a flat or convex curved surface and is made of a material such as metal having a smooth surface, or plastics.

[0007]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment thereof. When the chair 2 is placed on the front surface of the remote control receiver 1a of the television receiver 1 as the controlled device as shown in the figure, remote control transmission is performed by aiming at the remote control receiver 1a from the right side of the chair 2 in the figure. Even if the device 3 is operated, the infrared signal emitted from the infrared emission part 3a of the remote control transmitter 3 collides with the chair 2 and does not reach the remote control reception part 1a.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the infrared reflecting plate 5 made of a material such as metal or plastics having a flat reflecting surface having a good infrared reflecting property and having a smooth surface is attached to the ceiling 4.
As a result, when the remote control transmitter 3 is operated by aiming at the infrared reflection plate 5, the emitted infrared light reaches the remote control reception unit 2 and its surroundings after being reflected by the infrared reflection plate 5.

Since the infrared rays emitted from the remote control transmitter 3 are diffused in a relatively wide range, the shape of the reflecting surface has a relatively large radius of curvature as shown in FIG.
If the infrared reflective plate 6 having a convex curved surface is used, the convex curved reflective surface portion can be reflected in a relatively wide range.
Since it is diffused, the probability of incidence on the remote control receiver 1a is increased. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the infrared reflecting plate 6 having the convex curved reflecting surface a large shape.

For attachment to the ceiling 4 or the like, in the case of the infrared reflecting plate 5 having a flat reflecting surface, double-sided adhesive tape or the like is used at an arbitrary position on the back surface thereof, or in the case of the infrared reflecting plate 6 having a convex curved reflecting surface. In the same manner, the back surface of the flat peripheral portion 6a may be similarly attached with a double-sided adhesive tape.

In addition to the ceiling described above, the infrared reflecting plates 5 and 6 are preferably attached to the surface of a fixed object such as a side wall or stationary furniture, but the remote control transmitter 3
It is preferable to attach it to the surface of a moving object as long as it is placed near. Further, although the case where the infrared signal is used as the transmission medium has been described above, it goes without saying that the one using another optical signal can also be applied.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if there is an obstacle on the straight line connecting the remote control transmitter and the remote control receiving section of the controlled device, the optical signal is transmitted to the remote control by the reflection on the light reflecting plate. Since it reaches the receiving section, the controlled device can be normally controlled by the remote control transmitter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an infrared reflecting plate of another example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: TV receiver, 1a: remote control receiver, 2: chair,
3: remote control transmitter, 3a: infrared emitting part, 4: ceiling,
5, 6: Infrared reflector.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light reflecting plate made of a material such as metal or plastics having a smooth surface for reflecting infrared rays is a wall,
A remote control signal transmission method in which an optical signal emitted from a remote control transmitter is attached to a ceiling, stationary furniture, etc. and reflected toward a remote control receiver. 2. A metal whose reflection surface is a flat surface or a convex curved surface and which is a smooth surface,
Or a light reflection plate made of a material such as plastics.