JPH11205871A - Bidirectional remote controller and device controlled thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a single remote controller to remotely control a plurality devices to be controlled without the need for setting a control command for presetting including selection of a host menu and trouble of function changeover corresponding to the respective type of devices. SOLUTION: A bidirectional communication is adopted for communication to deices to be controlled 50, 52, each of which sends ID information, such as the model and name of manufacturer of the device in response to an inquiry from a remote controller 54. Remote control data corresponding to the ID stored in a video ROM in advance based on the ID information are read, operating keys are displayed to control an equipment, and then the equipment is to be controlled remotely operated thereby.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control of a device, and more particularly to a remote control device for controlling a plurality of home electric appliances and the like with a single device and a device corresponding to the remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, remote controls using infrared rays have been widely used for controlling home electric appliances and the like. In recent years, various types of home appliances with remote controls have been placed in rooms, and the number of remote controls has increased, making operation difficult.
Therefore, there is a multifunctional remote control in which control functions such as TV and video are all built-in and controlled by one kind of remote control device. In these, control codes such as TV and video of each company are stored in the ROM in advance, and the product classification and model of each company are set before use. After that, the setting becomes effective, and when the key is pressed, the command code corresponding to the set product is transmitted and controlled.

If such a multifunctional remote controller is further extended to control many devices such as a stereo, an air conditioner, and a satellite broadcast tuner, the following problems occur.
That is, if a dedicated key is assigned to each device, the number of keys increases, which is not practical. Therefore, a plurality of functions are assigned with the same key, but the area of the key surface is not so large. The kind is the limit. For example, numeric keypad is TV channel and VTR G
It also serves as a code reservation number input. If the functions are further duplicated, the problem of the above-mentioned key surface area and the problem that the explanation of the keys is too large to understand the operation occurs. For this reason, the functions of the keys are not fixedly determined. Instead, the function of the keys is changed according to the state of the combination of the liquid crystal display and the keys near the liquid crystal display, so that the keys are displayed as so-called soft keys.

[0004]

However, even with the above-mentioned soft keys, since the commands are not unified by the respective manufacturers and models such as TVs and stereos at the start of the operation, control commands corresponding to the respective models are provided. An operation to set is required. As described above, if there are a great variety of control devices, this work increases in proportion to the type. Also, if you want to operate the TV after that, you must select the TV as a device, and if you want to operate the air conditioner, select the air conditioner as a higher-level menu as a device, and then switch to each operation. However, this operation is also complicated.

Accordingly, the present invention does not require an operation for setting a control command corresponding to each model, does not require advance setting such as selection of a higher-level menu, and trouble of switching functions, and can be performed by a single remote control device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device capable of remotely controlling a plurality of controlled devices.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, control of only one-way transmission from a conventional remote control device to a controlled device is made bidirectional communication, and control from the remote control device is performed. In response to the inquiry, the controlled device transmits ID information such as device type and manufacturer name to the remote control device, reads out remote control control data corresponding to the ID stored in advance by the ID information, and controls the controlled device. Operation key is displayed to perform remote operation on the controlled device.

In order to achieve the above object, in another aspect of the present invention, control of only one-way transmission from a conventional remote control device to a controlled device is set to two-way communication, and control in response to an inquiry from the remote control device is performed. The control device transmits predetermined remote control data to the remote control device, and the remote control device uses the data to display operation keys for controlling the controlled device, thereby performing remote control on the controlled device. To do.

That is, according to the present invention, there is provided means for transmitting a signal for inquiring the controlled device for an ID, and transmitting the signal transmitted from the controlled device having received the signal for inquiring the ID.
D receiving means, storage means for storing remote control control data corresponding to a plurality of IDs in advance, means for reading remote control control data specified by the received ID from the storage means, Means for displaying operation content corresponding to the remote control data, operation key means, and when a key corresponding to the operation content in the operation key means is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the remote control. Means for selecting from data and transmitting the selected data to the controlled device.

Further, according to the present invention, means for transmitting a signal for inquiring the controlled device for an ID, means for receiving predetermined remote control data transmitted from the controlled device having received the signal for inquiring the ID, Means for displaying the operation content according to the predetermined remote control data, operation key means, and when a key corresponding to the operation content in the operation key means is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the remote control. Means for selecting from control data and transmitting the selected data to the controlled device.

Further, according to the present invention, there are provided means for receiving a signal for inquiring about an ID transmitted from a bidirectional optical remote controller, storage means for preliminarily storing its own ID, and receiving a signal for inquiring about said ID. When you do
Means for transmitting the ID stored in the storage means to the two-way optical remote controller.

According to the present invention, there is provided means for receiving a signal for inquiring about an ID transmitted from a bidirectional optical remote controller, and storing means for preliminarily storing its own ID and remote control data corresponding thereto. And the ID
And a means for transmitting the remote control data stored in the storage means to the bidirectional optical remote controller when receiving a signal inquiring about the remote controller.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a bidirectional optical remote controller and a bidirectional optical remote controller compatible device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of a remote control device according to the present invention. The controlled devices include an air conditioner 50 and a TV 52, and the remote control device 54 and the remote control device 54 are always in communication with each other, for example, by transmitting at regular intervals. When the inquiry is received from the remote controller 54, the remote controller 54 returns a maker and a model code when the inquiry from the remote controller 54 is met. Then, the remote control device 54 recognizes it,
Set the command sequence to be sent according to the manufacturer and model, display the screen for soft keys, and wait for key input. After the key is pressed, the operation is the same as that of the conventional remote controller, and the controlled device performs the corresponding operation. FIG.
Indicates an example of a soft key, a combination of a hard key and a liquid crystal screen on an air conditioner screen, and a touch panel and a liquid crystal screen on a TV screen. That is, in the figure, reference numeral 54a denotes a remote control device set for an air conditioner, and 54b denotes a TV set.
2 shows the remote control device in a state set for use.

When the user of the remote control device points the remote control device 54 at the TV 52, the communication with the air conditioner 50 is interrupted, and the communication with the TV 52 starts. Therefore,
This time, the remote controller 54 makes an inquiry to the controlled device, and thereafter performs the same processing as described above. That is, each time the controlled device side and the remote control device 54 perform dynamic communication, it is not necessary to manually set the initial manufacturer and model of the remote control device 54 as described above. Is automatically displayed on the key input screen corresponding to the menu. Select the model (TV, air conditioner, VT
R, selection of rough equipment such as satellite broadcast tuners, etc.) is not required.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment on the controlled device side for realizing this function, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment on the remote controller 54 side. In FIG. 2, the controlled device is an air conditioner 50. The optical communication device shown in FIG. 2 is incorporated in the controlled device 50 and functions as a remote control device compatible device. The remote controller compatible device includes an optical module 10 for transmitting and receiving an infrared signal to and from a remote controller 54, an encoder / decoder 12 for encoding / decoding data, and a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling data transfer to and from the remote controller 54. It has an ID-ROM 20 in which ID codes such as a device 16, an interface (I / F) 14, and a maker and a model of the controlled device are stored in advance. The control system of the controlled device (not shown) is also controlled by the CPU 16.

The signal received from remote controller 54 is
First, the optical module 10 decodes data converted into an electric signal and modulated by the encoder / decoder 12, performs error correction and the like, and executes the CPU 16 via the interface 14.
Is read in. If the received signal is an inquiry command for the ID code of the controlled device, the ID code is read from the ID-ROM 20 in which the ID code is stored, and transmitted to the remote control device 54 in the opposite direction by infrared rays. If it is a normal control command, the air conditioner control operation is performed according to the command.

The remote control device 54 shown in FIG. 3 includes an optical module 30 for transmitting / receiving an infrared signal to / from a controlled device, an encoder / decoder 32 for encoding / decoding data, transferring data to / from a controlled device, and a method described later. The CPU 36 controls the panel display and the like, and the interface (I /
F) 34, an ID-ROM 42 in which ID codes such as a manufacturer and a model of the controlled device are stored in advance, a screen ROM 44 for displaying operation contents for operating a plurality of controlled devices, a display unit 38, It has a unique key 40. All IDs to be controlled are stored in the ID-ROM 42.
Screen data for storing a table of codes and displaying the corresponding operation contents on the display unit 38;
Commands for controlling the controlled device in accordance with the operation are stored in the screen ROM 44 corresponding to the respective ID codes. The ID-ROM 42 and the screen ROM 44 are
Although the functions are different, they are shown separately, but in practice, they can be used in association with a single ROM.

The operation contents displayed on the display section 38 display different control contents for each controlled device to be controlled, and have a key function as a touch panel on their own or move by being physically pressed. Unique key 40 as a button
Can also be used in combination. In addition to such a so-called soft key, the unique key 40 may be a so-called hard key whose command content does not change. For example, turning on / off the power and increasing / decreasing the volume are common to all audio devices including TVs.
It is convenient to use hard keys instead of soft keys. These display unit 38 and unique key 40 are CP
Connected to U16.

FIG. 4 shows the ID-ROM 42 and the screen R in FIG.
It shows the logical correspondence of the OM44. FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of the surface of the remote control device 54. Here, three unique keys 40 (here functioning as hard keys) and a liquid crystal screen as a display section 38 for displaying the functions are shown. It is assumed that there is. The keys are numbered 1 to 3, and two types of air conditioners (air conditioners 1 and 2) are provided in the ID-ROM 42 and the screen ROM 44, followed by TVs 1, 2,.
And commands for the respective models are stored, and ID codes are assigned to the respective models as 0, 1, 2,.... Key numbers 1 to 3 indicate what commands are sent to each ID code (model). The display contents of the role of the key are shown on the liquid crystal screen. That is, regardless of the type of air conditioner, there are a start / stop key, a + key, and a-key, but the commands are a, b, c.
, C, b, and a are completely different from the transmission codes, so it is necessary to prepare them for all of them.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing an outline of a communication procedure between the controlled device and the remote controller 54. First, it is assumed that the power of the remote control device 54 is turned on and directed to the controlled device. Then, a recognition mode is set, and an ID inquiry signal is transmitted from the remote controller 54. When the other party is mutually recognized, an ID code is transmitted from the controlled device side to the remote controller 54 side in FIG. Remote control device 54
Sets the screen according to the code and prepares the transmission command. Here, the ID recognition mode ends, and the system waits for a key input. Thereafter, as in the conventional remote control device, when a key is pressed, the command is transmitted, and the mode is changed to a mode in which only the unidirectional remote control device 54 transmits and the controlled device receives only. The remote control device 54 also periodically transmits the inquiry command by inserting it between normal commands. When the remote control device 54 faces the controlled device as it is, the same ID code as described above is transmitted from the controlled device to the remote control device 54, and the process proceeds as it is. Here, when the remote control device 54 changes its direction to another controlled device, the inquiry command is transmitted to the new controlled device and starts communication with the new controlled device in the same manner as described above, and the new ID is transmitted.
The code is received, a new screen, key assignments, commands are prepared, and key input is awaited. The previous controlled device loses communication with the remote control device 54, but retains the key command immediately before the disconnection and continues operation.

FIG. 7 shows a CPU in the remote controller 54 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. The operation of the remote controller 54 alone will be described with reference to this flowchart. In FIG. 7, for simplicity, the controlled devices are the TV 52 and the air conditioner 5.
The case of only 0 will be described. First, a controlled device ID is received in step S1, and if an ID from the controlled device cannot be read in step S2, an inquiry command is transmitted in step S7 through step S6. In step S1, a receiving operation is performed, and in step S2, the controlled device I
It is determined whether or not the D code can be recognized. If the ID cannot be recognized again, the conventional remote control device mode is entered, a key input is accepted, and a command corresponding to the key is sent to the controlled device in step S7 via step S6.

If the controlled device ID code can be recognized in step S2, the ID is read in step S3 to confirm the model. In this example, in the case of a TV, step S4,
In step S5, a command table, key assignment and display are performed, and the flow waits for a key input. In the case of an air conditioner, step S
8. In S9, command table, key assignment and display are performed.
Wait for key input. If there is no key input,
Returning to the routine of the periodic inquiry command transmission or the like, if there is an input, the corresponding command is transmitted in step S7 through step S6.

In the above embodiment, the screen ROM is provided in the remote controller, but may be provided in each of the controlled devices. In this case, the controlled device that has received the ID inquiry from the remote control device transmits the remote control data and the display screen data to the remote control device, and the remote control device uses the received data to perform the same control as in the above embodiment. It can be performed. If both the remote control device 54 and the controlled device have screen ROMs, the version information recorded in advance in each screen ROM is read, and the screen RO of the latest version is read.
It is a preferable embodiment to use the data of M preferentially. In the above embodiment, the controlled device is a TV.
Although the explanation was made with an example of an air conditioner, the controlled devices can be VTRs, CD players, DVD players, etc. In addition to home appliances, all types of control such as computers and cranes in offices and factories are possible. Devices can be targeted.

[0023]

As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, the control which has conventionally been only one-way transmission from the remote control device to the controlled device is changed to two-way communication, for example, an inquiry from the remote control device. In response, the controlled device transmits ID information such as the type of device and the manufacturer name to the remote control device, reads out remote control data corresponding to the ID stored in advance by the ID information, and controls the controlled device. The operation keys are displayed to perform the remote control for the controlled device.Therefore, there is no need to perform the operation of setting the control command corresponding to each model. In addition, it is possible to remotely control a plurality of controlled devices with a single remote control device without the need to switch functions.

In another aspect of the present invention, the control from the remote control device to the controlled device is bidirectional communication, and the controlled device transmits predetermined remote control data to the remote control device in response to an inquiry from the remote control device. The remote controller uses this data to perform display for controlling the controlled device, thereby performing remote control on the controlled device. Therefore, the same effect as in the first aspect is obtained. There is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of use of a preferred embodiment of a bidirectional optical remote controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an optical communication device on a controlled device side controlled by a preferred embodiment of a bidirectional optical remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an optical communication device according to a preferred embodiment of the bidirectional optical remote controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing contents of an ID-ROM in an optical communication device of a preferred embodiment of a bidirectional optical remote controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing hard keys and soft keys in a preferred embodiment of the bidirectional optical remote controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing a communication procedure between a preferred embodiment of the bidirectional optical remote controller according to the present invention and a controlled device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU in the preferred embodiment of the bidirectional optical remote controller according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 30 optical module 12, 32 encoder / decoder 14, 34 interface (I / F) 16 CPU (optical module, encoder / decoder,
20, 42 ID-ROM (storage means) 36 CPU (optical module, encoder / decoder,
A display unit (display unit: sometimes constitutes an operation key unit) 40 a unique key (operation key unit) 44 a screen ROM (storage unit) 50 an air conditioner ( Controlled device) 52 TV (controlled device) 54 Remote control device 54a Remote control device set for air conditioner 54b Remote control device set for TV

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A means for transmitting a signal for inquiring an ID to a controlled device, a means for receiving an ID transmitted from a controlled device that has received the signal for inquiring the ID, a plurality of IDs, Storage means for storing remote control data in advance; means for reading remote control data specified by the received ID from the storage means; and display of operation contents according to the read remote control data. Means, operation key means, and means for, when a key corresponding to the operation content in the operation key means is operated, selecting a signal corresponding to the operation from the remote control data and transmitting the signal to the controlled device. And a two-way optical remote controller. 2. A means for transmitting a signal for inquiring the controlled device for an ID, a means for receiving predetermined remote control data transmitted from the controlled device having received the signal for inquiring the ID, and the predetermined remote control Means for displaying operation contents according to data; operation key means; when a key corresponding to the operation contents in the operation key means is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is selected from the remote control data. And a means for transmitting to the controlled device. 3. An I-mode signal transmitted from the bidirectional optical remote controller.
Means for receiving a signal inquiring about D; storage means for preliminarily storing its own ID; and when receiving a signal for inquiring the ID, the ID stored in the storage means is transmitted to the bidirectional optical device. Means for transmitting to the remote control device. 4. An I transmitted from a bidirectional optical remote controller
Means for receiving a signal inquiring about D; storage means for preliminarily storing its own ID and remote control data corresponding thereto; and when receiving the signal for inquiring the ID, the signal is stored in the storage means. Means for transmitting the remote control data to the bidirectional optical remote controller.