JPH0795662A - Remote-controlled transmitter and pre-program key setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of a remote controller by allowing a function revision means to revise correspondence to a storage means. CONSTITUTION:When a power key is depressed, a control circuit 3 of a remote- controlled transmitter 1 detects the depression of the power key and an ID of a control signal corresponding to the power key is acquired from a fixed table in a ROM 4 and a format of a corresponding control signal is acquired from a control signal table of the ROM 4. A transmission circuit 6 commands the lighting of an infrared ray based on the format. The circuit 6 lights an infrared ray emission diode 61 based on a command from the control circuit 3. A monitor setting the allocation of a function to a pre-program key of the transmitter 1 receives an infrared ray from the transmitter 1 and detects a control signal from the infrared ray and displays a function of a TV to be commanded in characters. Thus, the function of an equipment to be controlled by remote control is selected by the user and the user selects and sets the arrangement of allocated operation keys, then the operability of the remote- controlled transmitter is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control transmitter for remote control of equipment and a preprogram key setting method by the remote control transmitter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a TV (television receiver),
Devices such as VTRs (video tape recorders) and CD (compact disc) players (hereinafter referred to as controlled devices)
It is becoming increasingly common to remotely control a device using a remote control transmitter. Such a remote control transmitter emits (transmits) infrared light carrying a control signal corresponding to the function assigned to the operation key when the operation key is pressed. The (received) controlled device operates the instructed function.

By the way, the conventional remote control transmitter differs depending on the type of controlled device and the manufacturer, and can usually be used only for a specific model of a specific manufacturer. Recently, remote control transmitters have been proposed which can support a plurality of models of a plurality of manufacturers for one remote control transmitter (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 62-23700 and 62-12680).
No. 0, see JP-A-63-153996).

[0004]

Recently, the controlled equipment has become highly functional and is capable of various operations. In such an environment, all functions of the controlled equipment can be remotely controlled by a remote control transmitter. It is preferable to be able to.

However, in recent years, controlled devices often include functions that are rarely used by some people as the functions are advanced. In other words, if the remote control transmitter is provided with operation keys for such a function, it not only deteriorates the operability of the remote control transmitter but also causes an erroneous operation, which deteriorates the usability of the remote control transmitter. . However, it is more convenient for a person who can master all the functions of the controlled device to be able to operate all the functions of the controlled device with the remote control transmitter.

As described above, the operation key provided in the remote control transmitter for remotely controlling each function of the controlled device differs depending on the person who uses it. For example, TV
Some people think that the remote control transmitter of the above needs only the power key of the TV, the channel switching key, and the volume control key, while others also need the contrast control key and the brightness control key. In addition, operation keys for each function such as a sound quality switching key, a multiplex audio broadcasting switching key, and a video input switching key may be considered.

Considering the arrangement of the operation keys on the remote control transmitter, although the manufacturer considers that the operation keys for frequently used functions should be placed at positions where they are easy to press, this is also a problem. Depending on which function is used often and which position is easy to press, it is not decided unconditionally.

However, in the conventional remote control transmitter, the operation key and the function of the controlled device operated by pressing the key are in one-to-one correspondence and cannot be changed. It is convenient to use the functions that are not used and to provide only the functions that the user uses, or to assign a desired function to a specific operation key.
This problem also applies to the remote control transmitter described in the above publication.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above points. In a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling a controlled device, the user can select the function of the controlled device that can be remotely controlled, and the function of the controlled device can be selected. The purpose is to allow the user to select the layout of the operation keys to be assigned and improve the usability of the remote control transmitter.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling a controlled device, comprising a keyboard having a plurality of pre-program keys and a plurality of the controlled devices. First storage means for storing a plurality of control signals for remotely operating the function, transmission means for transmitting the control signals stored in the first storage means to the outside, and 1 for each pre-program key A function setting means for setting one function, and a second storage means for storing the function set by the function setting means for each pre-program key in association with the pre-program key,
A plurality of control signals stored in the first storage means for remotely controlling a function corresponding to the preprogram key stored in the second storage means when the first preprogram key is pressed. The remote control transmitter is composed of selecting means for selecting from the signals and function changing means for changing the function corresponding to each pre-program key.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the function changing means changes the correspondence of the second storage means, so that the control signal transmitted from the transmitting means when the same pre-program key is pressed is changed. be able to.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote control transmitter according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling a TV will be described.

A fixed key portion 2 is provided on the upper surface of the remote control transmitter 1.
A keyboard 2 consisting of 1 and a preprogram key section 22
And a light emitting window 62 for transmitting infrared light from an infrared light emitting diode (described later) incorporated therein is provided on the side surface.

The fixed key portion 21 is composed of a key to which a minimum required function for a basic operation of a controlled device, that is, a TV is assigned, and a power key 211 and a channel switching key 2
12 and a volume control key 213. The function assigned to each key of the fixed key unit 21 cannot be changed. For example, the power key 211 turns on the power of the TV.
It is a key only for turning on / off.

On the other hand, the pre-program key unit 22 is a TV
Key for assigning a function other than the basic operation of the setting key 221 and the pre-program key 222,
223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 2
It is composed of 29. Pre-program keys 222-22
It is possible to change the setting of the function assigned to 9.
By using the setting key 221, the function assignment is set as described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote control transmitter according to the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The remote control transmitter 1 includes a keyboard 2 having a fixed key section 21 and a pre-program key section 22, a control circuit 3 for controlling the operation of the remote control transmitter 1, and a control signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter 1. A ROM 4 storing a control signal table formed by associating IDs and formats and a fixed key table formed by associating each key of the fixed key unit 21 with the ID of the control signal, and the pre-program key shown in FIG. RAM 5 for storing a pre-program key table formed by associating each of 222 to 229 with the ID of the control signal, and a transmission circuit for instructing the emission of infrared light based on the format of the control signal instructed to the control circuit 3. 6 and an infrared light emitting diode 61 that emits infrared light according to an instruction from the transmission circuit 6.

The RAM 5 may be any rewritable storage element such as SRAM, flash memory, EEPROM or the like. As a default, the pre-program key table may be set so that each function of the TV is assigned to the pre-program keys 222 to 229, or even if nothing is assigned to the pre-program keys 222 to 229. Good.

Here, the operation of the remote control transmitter 1 will be described taking the case where the user presses the power key 211 as an example.

The control circuit 3 detects that the power key 211 is pressed and detects the power key 211 from the fixed key table of the ROM 4.
The ID of the control signal corresponding to
Based on D, the format of the corresponding control signal is acquired from the control signal table of the ROM 4, and the transmission circuit 6 is instructed to emit infrared light based on the format of this control signal. The transmission circuit 6 lights the infrared light emitting diode 61 according to an instruction from the control circuit 3.

Next, the setting monitor used when setting the function assignment to the pre-program keys 222 to 229 of the remote control transmitter 1 will be described.

This setting monitor is provided separately from the remote control transmitter 1, receives infrared light from the remote control transmitter 1,
A control signal is detected from the received infrared light and the function of the TV designated by the control signal is displayed in characters.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the setting monitor according to the present invention.

The setting monitor 7 detects the control signal from the infrared light receiving photodiode 81 that receives the infrared light from the remote control transmitter 1 and the infrared light received by the infrared light receiving photodiode 81, and causes the control circuit 9 to detect the control signal. Based on the format of the control signal from the receiving circuit 8 that outputs the receiving circuit 8, the ROM 10 that stores the display name table including the correspondence between the format of the control signal and the display name code, and the ROM 1 based on the format of the control signal from the receiving circuit 8.
A control circuit 9 for obtaining and outputting the display name code of the control signal received from the display name table of 0, a character generation circuit 11 for converting the display name code of the control signal from the control circuit 9 into a character font and outputting the character font, and a character generation Circuit 1
And a display unit 12 for displaying character fonts from 1.

A display such as a CRT or LCD is used as the display unit 12.

FIG. 4 shows a display example on the display unit 12 of the setting monitor 7.

The infrared light received from the remote control transmitter 1 is T
If it is an instruction to increase the brightness of the V screen, it is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the function allocation setting process of the control circuit 3 which is executed by pressing the setting key 221 shown in FIG.

This processing is executed when the user of the remote control transmitter 1 presses the setting key 221 once. Next, when the setting key 221 is pressed again, the process ends without doing anything (F-1). When the pressed key is other than the setting key 221 and the pre-program keys 222 to 229, and when no key is pressed, the step (F-
In 2), the process proceeds to N and waits.

The pressed key is the pre-program key 222.
If it is any of (1) to 229 (F-2), the ID of the control signal corresponding to the pressed pre-program key is set to R.
It is obtained from the preprogram key table of AM5, and the format of the control signal corresponding to this ID is obtained from the control signal table of ROM4. Then, based on this format, infrared light is emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 61 (F-3).

Here, it is assumed that the pressed key is the pre-program key 222, and the function of increasing the brightness of the TV screen is assigned to this key. In this case, the infrared light emitted in step (F-3) is displayed on the display unit 12 of the setting monitor 7 as shown in FIG. The user of the remote control transmitter 1 can use this display unit 12
By operating in accordance with the guidance displayed on, the function assignments to the pre-program keys 222 to 229 can be set.

Next, when the setting key 221 is pressed (F-
In 4), the preprogram key table is updated so as to associate the preprogram key 222 with the function of increasing the brightness of the TV screen (F-9), and the process ends.

The key pressed is not the setting key 221 (F
-4), if it is the pre-program key 222 (F-
In 5), infrared light is emitted based on the format of the control signal of the ID next to the control signal for increasing the brightness of the TV screen (here, it is assumed to be the control signal for decreasing the brightness of the TV screen). It emits light (F-6). On the display unit 12 of the setting monitor 7 that has received the infrared light, the portion of the brightness UP underlined in FIG. 4 is displayed as the brightness DOWN. The process returns to step (F-4) and is repeated.

The pressed key is the pre-program key 222.
If it is not (F-5) and it is not another preprogram key, that is, any of the preprogram keys 223 to 229 (F-7), the process returns to step (F-4) to continue the processing.

On the other hand, when the pressed key is not the pre-program key 222 (F-5) but any other pre-program key, that is, the pre-program keys 223 to 229 (F-7), A pre-program key table is created so as to associate the control signal that emitted infrared light immediately before, that is, the control signal for increasing the brightness of the TV screen, with the pre-program key, that is, the pre-program key 222 pressed at that time. After updating (F-8), the process returns to step (F-3) to continue the processing.

The setting monitor 7 according to the present invention may be used, for example, in a TV having a structure as shown in FIG. 3, or may be a dedicated setting monitor separately.

Further, although the controlled device is the TV in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the VTR, the CD player, the L
It can be applied to a remote control transmitter of a device such as a D player that can be remotely controlled, and is disclosed in the above-mentioned publication (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-23700).
JP-A-62-126800, JP-A-63-153
It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a remote control transmitter capable of supporting a plurality of models of a plurality of manufacturers for one remote control transmitter such as Japanese Patent No. 996).

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling a controlled device, a user can select and set a function of a controlled device that can be remotely controlled, and a user can select and set an arrangement of operation keys to which the function is assigned.

Moreover, this setting can be done very easily because the setting can be done while looking at the guidance displayed on the setting monitor.

Further, this setting is not such that the infrared light from the remote control transmitter is received by the controlled device and the reaction is observed and the infrared light emitted from the remote control transmitter is changed. There is no setting error because it clearly displays on the setting monitor whether or not the function is indicated.

Further, by such a simple setting, it is possible to make the remote control transmitter suitable for each user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote control transmitter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote control transmitter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a setting monitor according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a display example on a display unit of a setting monitor.

5 is a flowchart of a function allocation setting process of a control circuit which is executed by pressing a setting key shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 remote control transmitter 2 keyboard 21 fixed key section 211 power key 212 channel switching key 213 volume control key 22 pre-program key section 221 setting key 222-229 pre-program key 3 control circuit 4 ROM 5 RAM 6 transmission circuit 61 infrared light emission Diode 62 Light emitting window 7 Setting monitor 8 Reception circuit 81 Infrared light receiving photodiode 9 Control circuit 10 ROM 11 Character generation circuit 12 Display section

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A remote control transmitter for remotely controlling a controlled device, comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of pre-program keys; and a first control signal for remotely controlling a plurality of functions of the controlled device. Storage means, a transmission means for transmitting the control signal stored in the first storage means to the outside, a function setting means for setting one different function for each pre-program key, and a function setting means for Second storage means for storing the function set for each preprogram key in association with the preprogram key, and the preprogram key stored in the second storage means when one preprogram key is pressed Selecting means for selecting from a plurality of control signals stored in the first storage means a control signal for remotely operating a function corresponding to Remote control transmitter, characterized in that a function changing means for changing the function corresponding to the Key screens. 2. The keyboard has one or more fixed keys in addition to the pre-program keys, and a function different from the function of the pre-program key is stored for each fixed key in association with the fixed key. Further comprising: a storage unit for storing the control signal for remote control of a function corresponding to the fixed key stored in the third storage unit when the one fixed key is pressed. 2. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the remote control transmitter is selected from a plurality of control signals stored in the storage means. 3. Receiving means for receiving the control signal from the transmitting means, fourth storing means for storing the function name of the controlled device, display means for displaying the function name, and receiving by the receiving means. Control means for selecting a function name corresponding to the control signal stored in the fourth storage means on the basis of the selected control signal and displaying the selected function name on the display means. The setting monitor of the remote control transmitter according to claim 1. 4. The setting monitor according to claim 3, wherein the setting monitor is a television receiver. 5. The control signal transmitted from the transmitting means of the remote control transmitter according to claim 1 is received by the receiving means of the setting monitor according to claim 3, and the function name displayed on the display means is referred to. However, the function changing means changes the function for the pre-program key stored in the second storage means.