JPH1023561A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To copy control codes assigned to the keys of an other remote controller in the lump by receiving a plurality of control codes sent from the other remote controller in the lump and assigning them as control codes to be sent. SOLUTION: An infrared ray LED 21 of a transmitter side remote controller 109 is directed to a photo diode 11 of a receiver side remote controller 10 and they are set in a clone mode. Then the transmitter side remote controller 10 operates transmission start and simultaneous transmission of control codes stored in a RAM 18 assigned to each key of a key matrix 14 is started. The photo diode 11 of the receiver side remote controller receives the codes and a preamplifier 12 amplifies them and a demodulation section 13 demodulates them to store the resulting control codes to the RAM 18 so as to conduct copying. In this case, error processing such as error detection is conducted in parallel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a learning function in a remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, remote control using infrared rays has become possible for various electric appliances including audio / visual products. For this reason, it is not uncommon for a user to always have a plurality of remote control transmitters at hand.

[0003] In order to avoid such a state in which a plurality of remote control transmitters exist, some remote control transmitters can transmit control codes of a plurality of control target devices.

[0004] Remote control transmitters capable of transmitting a plurality of control codes are roughly classified as follows. A table has control codes of a plurality of representative devices of each maker in advance, and performs readout setting by key operation to set such as TV: Company A, VCR: Company B. It has a learning function and allows the user to learn the control code for each key from the remote control transmitter already at hand. A combination of the above and functions.

[0005] In the case of the above remote control transmitter, the following problems occur.

In the case of the above, when there are a large number of remote control transmitters such as TVs, VCRs, LD players, CD players, amplifiers and cassette decks, the setting operation becomes complicated. In addition, control codes stored in advance are often basic, and often do not support the operation of functions installed in the latest models.

In the above-mentioned method, it is necessary to learn one key at a time between the original remote control transmitter and the learning remote control transmitter, and the operation is extremely complicated. The above has the same two problems.

[0008]

However, there are cases where a plurality of substantially identical houses with various electric appliances set in advance are sold. Alternatively, for example, as in the case of an AV system, various electric appliances may be set as a set, and a plurality of sets may be sold collectively.

In such a case, as described above, remote control transmitters that can handle a plurality of electric appliances are required for the number of houses. Alternatively, a plurality of remote control transmitters are required for a plurality of AV sets to be sold as a set.

However, in such a case, it is required to perform the above operations for the required number of units, and the operation is extremely complicated.

At this time, with respect to one remote control transmitter, the above operation or the above operation is performed so that a plurality of electric appliances can be controlled, and the contents of the control code are collectively transmitted to another remote control transmitter. It would be good if they could be duplicated, but there was no such consideration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to realize a remote control device capable of collectively duplicating control codes assigned to respective keys of another remote control device. .

[0013]

Accordingly, the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is constituted as described in the following (1) to (3).

(1) A first invention is a remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter, and a function of transmitting a control code assigned to each key collectively. And a function to collectively receive a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from other remote control devices, and a function to assign the collectively received control codes as control codes to be transmitted. A remote control device characterized in that control codes assigned to each key of the control device are duplicated at a time.

In this remote control device, a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from other remote control devices are collectively received, and the collectively received control codes are assigned as control codes to be transmitted. A control code assigned to each key of another remote control device can be copied at a time.

Accordingly, the entire contents of the control code can be collectively copied to another remote control transmitter from one remote control transmitter in which a plurality of electric appliances can be controlled.

For this reason, the contents of the control codes obtained by the learning function, macro programs by a combination of key operations, and the like can be collectively copied.

(2) A second invention is a remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter and controlling a plurality of devices, and is assigned to each key. Of the control codes,
A function to transmit collectively the control codes transmitted from each remote control device, a function to collectively receive multiple control codes transmitted from other remote control devices, and a control to transmit the collectively received control codes A remote control device comprising a function of assigning a code to each control target device as a code, and collectively duplicating control codes assigned to respective keys of another remote control device for each control target device.

In this remote control device, a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively for each control target device from another remote control device are collectively received, and the collectively received control code is to be transmitted. As a result, the control code assigned to each key of another remote control device can be collectively duplicated for each control target device.

Therefore, the entire contents of the control code can be collectively copied to another remote control transmitter from one remote control transmitter in which a plurality of electric appliances can be controlled.

For this reason, the contents of the control code obtained by the learning function, the macro program by a combination of key operations, and the like can be collectively copied.

Further, since the duplication can be performed for each control target device that needs to be duplicated, the specifications can be changed for each remote control device.

(3) A third invention is a remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter, wherein control codes of a plurality of devices to be controlled are stored in advance. A control code table, a function of recognizing a device to be controlled from at least one control code transmitted from another remote control device, and a control code group of the recognized device to be controlled is read from the control code table. And a function of allocating the control code to be transmitted as a control code.

[0024] In this remote control device, at least one of the remote control devices transmitted from another remote control device.
One control code is received, a device to be controlled is recognized from the control code, a control code group of the corresponding device to be controlled is read out from a control code table stored in advance, and assigned as a control code to be transmitted.

Therefore, a remote control device capable of controlling a plurality of electric appliances can be easily prepared with extremely few key operations.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a photodiode as a light receiving element used for learning and cloning from another remote control device. Reference numeral 12 denotes a preamplifier for selectively amplifying a signal of a predetermined frequency among the light receiving signals of the photodiode 11. A demodulation unit 13 demodulates the signal amplified by the preamplifier 12 and generates control code digital data.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a key matrix as operation keys of the remote control device. A key input encoder 15 detects a pressed state of the key matrix 14 by key scanning and generates a key code.

A control unit 16 controls the entire remote control device. In this embodiment, a learning function and a clone function (control codes assigned to each key of another remote control device are collectively copied (copied). ) To control the remote control device having the same key assignment state).

That is, the control unit 16 of this embodiment
Is a function that collectively transmits the control codes assigned to each key, a function that collectively receives a plurality of control codes that are transmitted collectively from other remote control devices, and a function that collectively receives the control codes. A function of assigning a code as a control code to be transmitted.

Reference numeral 17 denotes an RO as a control code table in which control codes of a plurality of devices to be controlled are stored in advance.
M. Reference numeral 18 stores a control code, a macro program code, and the like to be used, and is a RAM composed of an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like. Note that these R
The OM 17 and the RAM 18 may be independent elements, or may be provided inside a CPU constituting the control unit 16.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a display unit for displaying display data from the control unit 16 for displaying various states of the remote control device, and is constituted by an LED, a liquid crystal display panel, or the like.

An output buffer 20 amplifies the transmission code generated by the control unit 16. 21 is the output buffer 2
This is an infrared LED that outputs the transmission code amplified by 0 as infrared pulse light.

The operation (clone function) of the remote control device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A description of general functions such as a normal learning function and reading of a control code stored in advance is omitted.

FIG. 3A shows the arrangement of the remote control device according to the first embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG.
The infrared LED 21 of the remote control device 10 on the transmission (TX) side (not shown due to the tip surface) is arranged to face the photodiode 11 of the remote control device 10 on the X) side.

Then, the remote controller on the transmitting side is set to the clone mode (TX) (S1 in FIG. 2).
That is, a mode is set in which a specific key is operated to collectively transmit the control codes (control codes stored in the RAM 18) assigned to each key.

Next, the remote controller on the receiving side is set to the clone mode (RX) (S2 in FIG. 2). That is, a mode is set in which a specific key is operated to collectively receive a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from another remote control device.

When the above preparations are completed, a transmission start operation is performed in the remote control device on the transmission side to perform batch transmission of the control codes assigned to the respective keys of the key matrix 14 and stored in the RAM 18. Start (S3 in FIG. 2).

The collective transmission of the control code is received by the photodiode 11 of the remote control device on the receiving side.
After the signal is amplified by the preamplifier 12, the signal is demodulated by the demodulation unit 13, the control code is stored in the RAM 18, and a copy operation is performed (S4 in FIG. 2).

At this time, the control unit 16 of the remote control device on the transmission side and the reception side visually displays the reading status and the writing status (0% to 100%) of the RAM 18 on the display unit 19 by a bar display or the like. Thus, the progress of the copy operation in the clone mode can be indicated.

In this copy operation, error detection and error correction are performed when demodulation is performed by the demodulation unit 13. If an error occurs due to noise mixing or infrared transmission failure during copying, the control unit 16 performs the error detection. Displays an error occurrence on the display unit 19. Then, the control unit 16 abnormally ends the operation in the clone mode (S5 in FIG. 2). Therefore, the operation in the clone mode is restarted from the beginning.

Then, when the copy by the batch transmission / reception of the control code is completed without occurrence of an error (FIG. 2S
In steps (5, S6), the control section 16 displays on the display section 19 a message indicating the completion of the clone mode ("OK", etc.).

Thereafter, a predetermined key operation for terminating the clone mode is performed by the remote control device on the transmission side and the remote control device on the reception side to return to the normal state (S7 in FIG. 2).

By executing the clone mode as described above, the contents of the control code assigned to each key of the remote control device on the transmitting side can be copied at a time. Therefore, the original remote control device is set to be compatible with a plurality of electric appliances (TV: Company A, VCR: Company B, LD player: C
Company, audio device: Company D, etc.) and macro function (function of assigning a plurality of consecutive key operations to one key by the user) etc. collectively with the same key assignment state Becomes possible. Incidentally, for example, V
Copying is possible, including the name of the display, like changing CR to VIDEO.

Therefore, when selling a plurality of houses in which electric appliances and the like are set in the same state, the first one
For one remote control transmitter, it is possible to set multiple appliances in a controllable state, and then duplicate the contents of the first control code to another remote control transmitter at a time. become able to. For this reason, the contents of the control code obtained by the learning function, the macro program by a combination of key operations, and the like can be collectively copied.

<Second Embodiment> Here, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is characterized in that control codes assigned to each key of another remote control device are collectively copied for each control target device.

That is, the remote control device is T
It is possible to handle control codes of a plurality of control target devices such as V, VCR, LD player, audio device, and the like.
Each key of the control target device can be collectively copied. In this embodiment, this function is called a partial clone.

For this reason, the basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, but the control unit 16 of the second embodiment collects the control codes assigned to each key for each control target device. Function to collectively receive a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from other remote control devices, and collectively receive control codes as control codes to be transmitted for each controlled device. It has a function to assign.

The operation (partial clone function) of the remote control device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3A shows the arrangement of the remote control device according to the second embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG.
The infrared LED 21 of the remote control device 10 on the transmission (TX) side (not shown due to the tip surface) is arranged to face the photodiode 11 of the remote control device 10 on the X) side.

Then, the remote control device on the transmitting side is set to the partial clone mode (TX) for the specific device to be controlled (S1 in FIG. 4). That is, a specific key operation (a key operation in the partial clone mode and a key operation for selecting a specific control target device (any one of a TV, a VCR, an LD player, etc.)) is performed and assigned to each key. Among the control codes (the control codes stored in the RAM 18), a mode is set in which the ones related to the selected device to be controlled are transmitted collectively.

Next, similarly, the remote control device on the receiving side is set to the partial clone mode (RX) for the specific device to be controlled (S2 in FIG. 4). That is, a mode is set in which a specific key is operated to collectively receive a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from another remote control device. An operation is performed so that the same control target device is selected on the transmission side and the reception side.

When the above preparations are completed, a transmission start operation is performed on the remote control device on the transmission side to collectively transmit the control codes stored in the RAM 18 relating to the selected device to be controlled. Start (S3 in FIG. 4).

The collective transmission of the control code is received by the photodiode 11 of the remote control device on the receiving side.
After the signal is amplified by the preamplifier 12, the signal is demodulated by the demodulator 13 and the control code is stored in the RAM 18 to perform a copy operation (S4 in FIG. 4).

At this time, the control unit 16 of the remote control device on the transmission side and the reception side visually displays the reading status and the writing status (0% to 100%) of the RAM 18 on the display unit 19 by a bar display or the like. Thus, the execution status of the partial clone mode can be indicated.

In this copy operation, error detection and error correction are performed when demodulation is performed by the demodulation unit 13, and if an error occurs during copying due to the entry of noise or transmission failure of infrared rays, the control unit 16 does not. Displays an error occurrence on the display unit 19. Then, the control unit 16 abnormally ends the operation in the clone mode (S5 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the operation in the clone mode is restarted from the beginning.

Then, when the copy by the batch transmission / reception of the control code is completed without occurrence of the error (FIG. 4S
In steps (5, S6), the control section 16 displays on the display section 19 a message indicating the completion of the partial clone mode ("OK", etc.).

By the above operation, the partial clone is completed for the specific device to be controlled. However, when the partial clone is to be performed for other devices to be controlled, the above-described steps from S1 are repeated (S7 in FIG. 4).

When the partial clone is completed for the desired control target device, a predetermined key operation for terminating the clone mode is performed by the remote control device on the transmitting side and the remote control device on the receiving side so as to return to the normal state. (S8 in FIG. 4).

By executing the partial clone mode as described above, the contents of the control code of the remote control device on the transmitting side can be collectively copied for each desired control target device.

Therefore, the original remote control device is set to be compatible with a plurality of electric appliances (TV: Company A, VCR: Company B, LD player: C
Company, audio device: Company D, etc.) and macro function (function of assigning a plurality of continuous key operations to one key by the user) can be duplicated for each desired control target device become.

Therefore, when selling a plurality of houses in which electric appliances and the like are set in slightly different states, it is possible to duplicate the desired state from the first remote control transmitter. In addition, the content of the control code obtained by the learning function, a macro program by a combination of key operations, and the like can be collectively copied for each control target device.

Also, according to the above-described first embodiment, after collectively duplicating in the entire clone mode, it is also possible to overwrite some control target devices in another mode in the partial clone mode.

<Third Embodiment> Here, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is characterized in that a learning function is used to collectively learn control codes assigned to each key of another remote control transmitter with extremely few operations.

That is, in the case of using the learning function, it is necessary to learn the control code one-to-one for all keys, but this can be completed by pressing one key of the remote control transmitter on the transmitting side. Is what you do.
In this embodiment, this function is called a one-key recognition mode.

For this reason, the basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, but the control unit 16 of the third embodiment has at least one
It has a function of recognizing a device to be controlled from one control code, and a function of reading a control code group of the recognized device to be controlled from the control code table and assigning it as a control code to be transmitted.

An RO code as a control code table in which control codes of a plurality of devices to be controlled are stored in advance.
It is assumed that a representative control code of each company is stored in M17 in advance.

The operation (one-key recognition mode) of the remote control device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3B shows an arrangement state of the remote control device according to the third embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG.
The infrared LED (not shown because of the tip surface) of the remote control transmitter 30 on the transmission (TX) side is arranged to face the photodiode 11 of the remote control device 10 on the X) side.

Then, the remote control transmitter 30 on the receiving side is set to the one-key recognition mode in the learning mode (S1 in FIG. 5). That is, a specific key operation is performed to set a one-key recognition mode which is a sub-mode of the learning mode.

When the above preparation is completed, an arbitrary key is pressed on the remote control transmitter 30 on the transmitting side, and a control code by infrared rays corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted (S2 in FIG. 5).

The control code is received by the photodiode 11 of the remote control device on the receiving side, amplified by the preamplifier 12, demodulated by the demodulation unit 13, and the control unit 16 recognizes the device to be controlled (S3 in FIG. 5). That is, the control unit 16 specifies the manufacturer and device type of the received control code with reference to the control code group in the ROM 17.

If the recognition is not successful, the display 1
9, a message to that effect is displayed to urge the user to press the key of the remote control transmitter 30 again. That is, 1
When the key cannot be recognized by the control code, the recognition is performed using a plurality of control codes. When the recognition is completed, the process proceeds to the next step (S4 in FIG. 5).

The control unit 16 reads a control code group corresponding to the recognized control target device from the ROM 17 and
18 (S5 in FIG. 5). For example, when the recognized control code is the VCR of the company A, the control code of the VCR of the company A is assigned as the control code of the VCR of the remote control device 10.

Therefore, when the one-key recognition mode is set, the contents of the type of the control target device (TV, VCR, LD player, etc.) of the remote control transmitter 30 of the other party are automatically recognized, and the remote control device is set. 10
Is set for the corresponding device to be controlled.

If the type of the device to be controlled cannot be identified due to the difference in the code format of each company,
In the remote control device 10 on the receiving side, the control unit 16 sends a message prompting for key input of the type of the device to be controlled (TV, VCR, LD player, etc.) to the display unit 19, and waits for key input by the operator. .

With the above operation, the one-key recognition mode is completed for a specific device to be controlled. However, when learning is to be performed for the remote control transmitters of the other devices to be controlled in the one-key recognition mode, the above-described steps S1 to S1 are performed. To be repeated.

After the learning of the desired control target device is completed, a predetermined key operation for terminating the learning mode of the remote control device 10 on the receiving side is performed to return to the normal state (S6 in FIG. 5).

By executing the one-key recognition mode as described above, the content of the control code of the remote control transmitter 30 on the transmission side is extremely small for each desired control target device (only one key is pressed). You can learn with.

When the remote control transmitter 30 on the transmitting side is of the learning type, the standard key assignment state of the remote control transmitter of the model to be controlled set by the user is determined by the remote control on the receiving side. The device 10 can be learned.

Therefore, as compared with the conventional one-to-one learning of all keys and the case where the number corresponding to the manufacturer is input and set, a remote control device in which a desired control target device can be operated is extremely large. It can be easily prepared with few key operations.

Further, the first embodiment described above and the second embodiment
In the case of the remote control device created as a clone in the embodiment of the present invention as well, in the case where the appliance as the control target device is partially changed, the control code is learned only in the necessary control target device by learning in the one-key recognition mode. It is also possible to overwrite.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the appearance of the remote control device 10 used in each of the above embodiments.
The remote control device 10 has an infrared LE
D21 is arranged, and the outside thereof is covered with a cover that transmits infrared light.

Further, a display section 19 of a liquid crystal display is provided slightly from the center to the front end, and various state displays are performed here. The display at the time of executing the above-described clone mode or learning mode is also displayed on the display unit 19 according to the instruction of the control unit 16.

Various keys constituting the key matrix 14 are arranged around the display section 19 for each function. For example, in addition to the power on / off key, basic keys such as a mode selection key 14a for shifting to the clone mode and the learning mode are provided near the front end. Since the mode selection key 14a is not frequently used in normal times, it is preferable that the mode selection key 14a be a small key or a key provided with a mechanism for preventing erroneous operation.

Further, on both sides of the display unit 19, the display unit 19
There are provided a key for directly issuing a command in association with the display contents of the above, and a key corresponding to the above-described macro function.

The keys on both sides of the display unit 19 correspond to the display unit 1
By changing the display contents (display menu) of 9 and also changing the contents of the key to be associated, it can be used for a plurality of types of applications.

Further, behind the display unit 19, TV, VC
Keys for selecting devices to be controlled, such as R and LD players, are arranged side by side, and a numeric keypad, a volume adjustment key, a recording / playback / stop key, and the like are further arranged behind the keys.

As shown in FIG. 3, a photodiode 11 used in the clone mode or the learning mode is provided on the rear end surface.

Note that the arrangement of the key matrix 14 and the display unit 19 of the remote control device 10 shown here is an example suitable for each of the above-described embodiments, and is limited to the arrangement example shown here. Not something.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the first invention, a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from other remote control devices are collectively received, and the collectively received control codes are assigned as control codes to be transmitted. Thus, the control codes assigned to the respective keys of the other remote control devices can be duplicated at a time.

Therefore, the entire contents of the control code can be collectively copied to another remote control transmitter from one remote control transmitter in which a plurality of electric appliances can be controlled. For this reason, the contents of the control code obtained by the learning function, the macro program by a combination of key operations, and the like can be collectively copied.

(2) In the second invention, a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively for each control target device from another remote control device are collectively received, and the collectively received control codes are transmitted. By allocating the control code to be controlled for each control target device, the control code allocated to each key of another remote control device can be collectively duplicated for each control target device.

Therefore, the entire contents of the control code can be collectively copied to another remote control transmitter from one remote control transmitter in which a plurality of electric appliances can be controlled. Therefore, duplication can be performed for each control target device that needs to be duplicated, and specifications can be changed for each remote control device.

(3) In the third invention, at least one control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter is received, a device to be controlled is recognized from the control code, and a control code table stored in advance is received. Reads the control code group of the corresponding control target device from, and assigns it as a control code to be transmitted, so that a remote control device that can control multiple appliances can be easily prepared with very few key operations can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the remote control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of a remote control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the remote control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the remote control device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing an example of an external configuration of a remote control device suitable for each embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 remote control device 11 photodiode 12 preamplifier 13 demodulation unit 14 key matrix 15 key input encoder 16 control unit 17 ROM 18 RAM 19 display unit 20 output buffer 21 infrared LED

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter, a function of collectively transmitting a control code assigned to each key, and another remote control device. A function to collectively receive a plurality of control codes transmitted collectively from, and a function to assign collectively received control codes as control codes to be transmitted are assigned to each key of another remote control device A remote control device characterized in that the control code obtained is copied at a time. 2. A remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter and capable of controlling a plurality of devices. A function to collectively transmit multiple control codes transmitted collectively from other remote control devices, a function to collectively transmit multiple control codes from each remote control device, and a control code to transmit collectively received control codes A remote control device comprising: a function to be assigned to each control target device; and a control code assigned to each key of another remote control device being collectively copied for each control target device. 3. A remote control device capable of learning a control code transmitted from another remote control transmitter, comprising: a control code table in which control codes of a plurality of devices to be controlled are stored in advance; A function of recognizing a device to be controlled from at least one control code transmitted from the remote control device; and a control code group to read out a control code group of the recognized device to be controlled from the control code table and to transmit the control code. A remote control device having a function of assigning as a remote control.