JPH11329178A - Remote control transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control transmitting device having operability enhanced by easily switching a mode of an operating key by one hand. SOLUTION: In a current changing circuit 2 to produce a current change in two electrodes provided on the outer surface of a remote control transmitter 1 such as the back surface for instance, and an electric current and voltage converting circuit 3 to produce a mode switching voltage in response to the current change, a current change is produced by short-circuiting if a user touches the both electrodes mentioned above, and a mode can be selected by producing a mode switching voltage in response to the current change. A key code signal can be generated in a different form for every mode by a key code signal generating circuit 4 to produce two kinds of key code signals which are different for every mode and set by the mode switching voltage, in response to an operating key signal of an operating key detecting circuit 51, therefore, the number of the operating keys can be practically doubled. Since the mode of the operating key can be switched by lightly touching the back surface of the remote control transmitter 1 by a hand for example, operability can be enhanced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control transmitting device for remote control of electric equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the number of operation keys of a remote control transmitting device (hereinafter referred to as a remote control transmitting device) for operating electric appliances, particularly home electric appliances, tends to increase with the increase in the number of functions. For this reason, the conventional remote control transmitter tends to be large.

However, when the size of the remote control transmitter is increased, it becomes difficult to operate the remote control transmitter easily with one hand.

In order to avoid an increase in the size of the remote control transmitter, the remote control transmitter can be folded to prevent the remote controller from being enlarged. However, it is inconvenient since the folding operation must be repeated each time a key is operated.

[0005] Further, if the size of the operation keys is reduced in order to make the size of the remote control transmitter easy to handle with one hand, it becomes difficult to identify a specific operation key and press it reliably. Operability could not be improved.

FIG. 5 is an external view of such a conventional remote control transmitter (a diagram viewed from directly above), and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the conventional remote control transmitter.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a remote control transmitter 5
The operation key 0 is a part of the operation key detection circuit 51, and is configured by a switch circuit (not shown) or the like that electrically conducts when the operation key is pressed. Hereinafter, the operation of the remote control transmitter 50 will be described.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, when a specific operation key is pressed, an operation key detection circuit 51 detects the operation key and outputs an operation key signal to a key code signal generation circuit 52.

The key code signal generation circuit 52 generates a key code signal corresponding to the operation key signal from the operation key detection circuit 51 and outputs the key code signal to the light emitting circuit 53.

The light emitting circuit 53 performs frequency modulation or the like on the supplied key code signal using, for example, infrared rays, and transmits the key code signal as a remote control signal using a light emitting diode (not shown). The remote control signal is received by a receiving unit (for example, a receiving unit using a photodiode) of an electric device (not shown).

[0011] In such a control method, it is necessary to provide a large number of operation keys of the remote control transmitter according to the number of controls of the electric equipment, which causes a decrease in operability of the remote control transmitter.

[0012]

As described above, conventionally,
With the increase in the size of the remote control transmitter accompanying the increase in the number of operation keys, it has become difficult to easily operate the keys with one hand. Therefore, even if it can be folded, it is inconvenient to operate the keys, and even if the operation keys are made smaller and the remote control transmitter is made smaller, it is difficult to identify a specific operation key and press it reliably. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control transmission device which can easily switch the key code mode of operation keys with one hand to improve operability. Is what you do.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control transmitting device comprising: a remote control transmitter having a plurality of operation keys; and an electrode provided on an outer surface of the remote control transmitter. Current changing means for generating a change in current by short-circuiting the electrode; voltage generating means for generating a mode switching voltage in response to a change in current by the current changing means; and Among the operation keys, an operated key is detected, and an operation key detection means for generating an operation key signal corresponding to the key is provided.In response to the operation key signal from the operation key detection means, Key code signal generating means for generating a different key code signal for each set mode; and a key code signal from the key code generating means. Based on, characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal.

[0015] In the remote control transmitting device according to the first aspect, when a user touches an electrode provided on an outer surface of the remote control transmitter main body, a short-circuit occurs and a change in current occurs, and the mode changes in response to the change in current. A switching voltage can be generated to select a mode. The key code signal generating means generates a key code signal corresponding to the operated key in a different form for each mode, and can transmit a remote control signal based on the key code signal.

In the remote control transmitting device according to the second to fourth aspects, the electrodes of the current changing means are provided on the back surface of the remote control transmitting device main body. Can be touched,
Remote control operation can be easily performed with one hand.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a remote control transmitter (hereinafter, referred to as a remote control transmitter) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the current change circuit 2 and the current-voltage conversion circuit 3 in FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration.

In FIG. 1, a remote control transmitter 1 includes a current change circuit 2 having electrodes 5a and 5b, a current-voltage conversion circuit 3, an operation key detection circuit 51 having operation keys, a key code signal generation circuit 4, It comprises a light emitting circuit 53.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrodes of the remote control transmitter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention have electrodes 5a and 5b on the rear surface of the remote control transmitter 1 over substantially the entire length of the rear surface of the main body. It is provided over. This makes it easy to touch the electrode with the finger even if the position of holding the remote control transmitter 1 is slightly shifted.

The current changing circuit 2 has its electrodes 5a and 5
For example, when the user touches a hand between the electrodes 5a and 5b, the electrode 5a and the electrode 5b are short-circuited to generate a current change. As shown in FIG. And a power supply terminal 7 of a DC power supply.

The electrode 5b of the current change circuit 2 is connected to the reference potential point, and the electrode 5a is connected to the plus terminal of the comparator 6 which is the current-voltage conversion circuit 3, while the power supply voltage (for example, 5V) is connected via the resistor 8. Is supplied to the power supply terminal 7 to which the power is supplied.

Current / voltage conversion circuit 3 as voltage generating means
Is composed of a comparator 6 and an output terminal 9 as shown in FIG. 3. The plus terminal of the comparator 6 is connected to the electrode 5a and connected to the power supply terminal 7 via the resistor 8. A power supply voltage (for example, 5 V) is applied to the power supply terminal 7. On the other hand, the negative terminal of the comparator 6 is connected to the reference potential point 0V. The comparison output of the comparator 6 is output from an output terminal 9 to a key code signal generation circuit 4 as the key code signal generation means.

With the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the current change circuit 2 generates a change in current flowing between the electrodes 5a and 5b, and the current-voltage conversion circuit 3 compares the voltage caused by the flow of current with a reference voltage. , And outputs it to the output terminal 9.

When touching between the electrodes 5a and 5b by hand,
The electrodes 5a and 5b are short-circuited, and the current from the DC power supply connected to the power supply terminal 7 flows to the electrode 5b connected to the reference potential point 0V. When the current flows to the electrode 5b, the plus terminal of the comparator 6 becomes the reference potential point 0V of the electrode 5b, and as a result of comparison with the reference voltage 0V connected to the minus terminal of the comparator 6, a low voltage (for example, 0
V) to the output terminal 9.

When the electrodes 5a and 5b are not touched by hand, the electrodes 5a and 5b are kept open. As a result, a high voltage (for example, 5 V) is output to the output terminal 9.

The operation key detection circuit 51 as an operation key detection means is constituted by a switch circuit (not shown) or the like which conducts electricity when the operation key is pressed, and operates when a specific operation key is pressed. And outputs an operation key signal to the key code signal generation circuit 4.

The key code signal generation circuit 4 generates a predetermined key code signal in response to the output from the current / voltage conversion circuit 3 and the operation key signal from the operation key detection circuit 51. The operation mode of the remote control transmitter is switched depending on whether the output from the conversion circuit 3 is high level or low level, and a key code signal suitable for each mode is generated, so that one operation key can be commonly used in each mode. I have to.

For example, the remote control transmitter 1 of the present invention is used for controlling a television receiver and a video tape recorder (hereinafter, referred to as a video tape recorder).
(VTR) control, and certain operation keys are used to control the television receiver in the first mode, and can be used to control the VTR in the second mode.

For example, when the electrodes 5a and 5b are not touched by a finger, the output from the current-voltage conversion circuit 3 is at a high level, and the key code signal generation circuit 4 operates in the operation mode of the television receiver. . In this mode, when the first operation key of the remote control transmitter 1 is pressed, the key code signal generation circuit 4 generates a key code signal (for example, a signal for controlling brightness) for adjusting the television receiver. .

On the other hand, when a finger touches the electrodes 5a and 5b, the output from the current / voltage conversion circuit 3 becomes low level, and the key code signal generation circuit 4 switches the operation mode of the VTR. By pressing the same first operation key in this mode, the key code signal generation circuit 4 generates a key code signal (for example, a signal for fast forward) for controlling the VTR. Thus, one key can be used to achieve two different functions.

A light emitting circuit 53 as a transmitting means performs frequency modulation or the like on the supplied key code signal using, for example, infrared rays, and transmits the key code signal as a remote control signal by a light emitting diode (not shown). (For example, a receiver having a photodiode).

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

For example, the user holds the remote control transmitter 1 in one hand.
Suppose that the user wants to switch the mode of the operation keys of the remote control transmitter 1 when remotely operating an electric device (not shown).

The user operates the electrode 5a on the back of the remote control transmitter 1.
When the user touches the electrode 5b lightly with the hand, the current change circuit 2 causes a change in current between the electrode 5a and the electrode 5b.

When the current changes, the current-voltage conversion circuit 3 outputs a low voltage (for example, 0 V) to the output terminal 9.
To the key code signal generation circuit 4 via

Next, when a specific operation key is pressed in this state, the operation key detection circuit 51 detects which key is pressed, and outputs the operation key signal to the key code signal generation circuit 4.
To supply.

The key code signal generating circuit 4 generates a key code signal for the first mode assigned in accordance with the operation key signal since the output from the current / voltage converting circuit 3 is at a low level. 53.

When the user releases his / her hands from the electrodes 5a and 5b on the back of the remote control transmitter 1, the output from the current / voltage conversion circuit 3 goes high. In this state, when a specific operation key is pressed. , Key code signal generation circuit 4
Generates a key code signal for the second mode assigned in accordance with the operation key signal, and outputs it to the light emitting circuit 53.

The light emitting circuit 53 performs frequency modulation or the like on the key code signal from the key code signal generating circuit 4 and transmits the signal as a remote control signal. An electric device (not shown) receives the remote control signal and performs various control operations. Will be performed.

By these operations, the electrodes 5a and 5b
The mode of the key code signal is switched according to the conduction operation (for example, whether the user touches or does not touch), and two different types of key code signals are assigned to the operation keys provided on the remote control transmitter 1. be able to.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are described with the same reference numerals.

Since the circuit configuration of the remote control transmitter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, only the difference between the electrodes 5a and 5b will be described. .

The electrodes 5a and 5b of the remote control transmitter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a groove 10 provided on the back of the remote control transmitter 1, as shown in FIG.

The user inserts, for example, a finger into the groove 10 without checking the back of the remote control transmitter 1, and touches the electrodes 5a and 5b arranged in the groove 10 lightly with, for example, a finger. As described in the first embodiment, it is possible to make the electrodes 5a and 5b conductive and assign key code signals in two different modes to the operation keys provided on the remote control transmitter 1.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrodes of the current changing circuit 2 from conducting due to erroneous use such as placing the remote control transmitter 1 on a metal.

In the above-described embodiment, the current changing circuit 2 has been described in which the electric current is conducted by touching the bipolar electrodes 5a and 5b with each other to perform electrical conduction.
The electrode constituting the current changing circuit 2 can be configured even if it has one pole, and can be configured even if it has three or more poles.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the current changing circuit 2 is configured by electrically touching the electrodes 5a and 5b provided on the rear surface of the remote control transmitter 1 by hand. However, the electrodes arranged on the remote control transmitter 1 are not limited to the rear surface of the remote control transmitter 1 but may be on the side surface or the front surface. In short, it is sufficient that the remote control transmitter 1 is provided on the outer surface of the main body which is easy to operate when the remote control transmitter 1 is held in the hand.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the mode of the operation key can be switched by lightly touching the electrode provided on the outer surface of the remote control transmitter body. This allows
It is possible to realize a remote control transmitting device in which the operability is improved by easily switching the key code mode of the operation keys with one hand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block diagram of a remote control transmitter according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a current changing circuit and a current-voltage conversion circuit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external view (a view from directly above) of a conventional remote control transmitter.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a conventional remote control transmitter.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 remote control transmitter (remote control transmitter) 2 current changing circuit (current changing means) 3 current / voltage converting circuit (voltage generating means) 4 key code signal generating circuit (key code signal generating means) 5a, 5b Electrodes (electrodes of the current changing circuit) 6 ... Comparator 7 ... Power supply terminal 8 ... Resistance 9 ... Output terminal 10 ... Groove 50 ... Remote control transmitter (remote control transmitter) 51 ... Operation key detection circuit (operation key detection means) 52 ... Key code signal generation circuit (key code signal generation means) 53 Light emitting circuit (transmission means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A remote control transmitter body having a plurality of operation keys, and an electrode provided on an outer surface of the remote control transmitter body, wherein a change in current is generated by short-circuiting the electrodes. Current changing means, a voltage generating means for generating a mode switching voltage in response to a change in current by the current changing means, detecting an operated key among the plurality of operation keys,
Operation key detection means for generating an operation key signal corresponding to the key, in response to the operation key signal from the operation key detection means,
Key code signal generating means for generating a different key code signal for each mode set by the mode switching voltage, and transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal based on the key code signal from the key code generating means,
A remote control transmitting device, comprising: 2. The remote control transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode of said current changing means is provided on a back surface of said remote control transmitter main body. 3. The remote control transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein the electrode is formed over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the back surface of the remote control transmitting device main body. 4. The remote control transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein a groove is provided on a back surface of said remote control transmitter body, and an electrode of said current changing means is disposed in said groove.