JPS63311852A - Remote controller for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To economically and simply attain the remote control of an electronic equipment by a telephone call by allowing a controller to give reservation information to an input section of a timer reservation device in response to the prescribed pushbutton operation or dialing from an external telephone set. CONSTITUTION:A prescribed operation is started at a prescribed time based on the reservation information inputted externally and the operation reaches the nonoperation after a prescribed time by the provision of a timer reservation device 3, which is equipped with an electronic equipment 1 as an objective equipment to be controlled. Then timer reservation information is given in response to a prescribed pushbutton or dialing from an external telephone set 23 via a controller 22 coupled in a way of communication enable to the input section of the timer reservation device 3 of the electronic equipment 1. Thus, it is not required to provide the exclusive timer reservation device applying the timer reservation by the telephone set 23 to the electronic equipment main body 1 and the controller 22. Thus, the remote control for the timer reservation by the telephone set 23 is attained very simply and economically.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention provides an electronic device, such as a video tape recorder, which has a timer reservation function for program recording and sound recording (including the case of either one) from the outside via a telephone line. The present invention relates to a remote control device for electronic equipment that allows remote reservation operation. Of course, the present invention is applicable not only to video tape recorders but also to audio tape recorders, disk-type recording/playback devices, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following three systems have been considered as systems for remotely controlling a video tape recorder (hereinafter abbreviated as VTR) from the outside via a telephone line.

(1) An integrated built-in type in which a controller is built into the VTR to recognize command signals from an external telephone and operate the VTR on a desired timer recording schedule. (2) A controller as described above is installed separately from the VTR, A separate type that allows communication between the two using a connection cord.

(3) A controller is installed separately from the VTR, and channel selection can be done on that controller.

A remote controller type device that comes with a wireless remote control transmitter for instructing the VTR to record, etc., and operates the VTR via the remote control transmitter.

The problem that the invention aims to solve However, method (1) above is a dedicated control.

- In order to incorporate the camera into the VTR, there were problems such as the VTR itself becoming larger and the price becoming more expensive for users who do not need remote reservation control over the telephone.

In addition, in the methods (2) and (3) above, the controller itself needs to be equipped with a dedicated timer device to preset the recording start time, recording end time, etc., so the controller itself is expensive and difficult to configure. There were problems such as complications.

The present invention skillfully utilizes the timer reservation device of an electronic device having a timer reservation function, thereby adding a dedicated timer device to the controller side without making any special improvements to the electronic device itself. This allows for remote timer reservation operation by telephone without having to worry about the timer.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention starts a predetermined operation at a predetermined time based on reservation information input from the outside, and becomes inactive after a predetermined time. A device for remotely controlling, from an external telephone, an electronic device equipped with a timer reservation device, the controller comprising: a controller communicatively coupled to an input section of the timer reservation device; The timer reservation device is configured to provide reservation information to the input section of the timer reservation device in response to a predetermined push button operation or dial operation from an external telephone.

By configuring the present invention as described above, there is no need to specially provide a timer device on the remote controller side, so a simple and economically advantageous telephone remote control device for electronic equipment can be realized. sell.

EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained below based on the illustrated embodiments, and here, a case where a VTR is used as an electronic device to be controlled is exemplified. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main parts showing an example of the mode of use of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main parts. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a VTR body having a function of timer recording of television broadcast programs using a wireless remote control (hereinafter abbreviated as remote control) method using infrared rays. Reference numeral 2 denotes a remote control receiving section, and 3 indicates setting (reservation) for the VTR circuit section 5 based on input data from the remote control receiving section 2 or the program timer reservation operation section 4 provided in the VTR main body 1.
This is a timer device that outputs commands to start recording, end recording, etc. when the specified time arrives. Reference numeral 6 denotes a fluorescent display tube for displaying the television broadcast channel for recording reservation, the recording start date and time, the recording end date and time, etc. based on the input data from the remote control receiving section 2 or the program timer reservation operation section 4. Or it is a display unit using a liquid crystal display. Note that the remote control receiving section 2 and the timer device 3
The timer reservation device including the display section 6 is always energized even if the main power switch 19 of the VTR main body 1 is not turned on. is configured to be. 7 selects desired program information from a program sheet 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) on which various program information such as television broadcast channel, date, recording start time, and recording end time is printed in barcode form. This is a barcode reader that makes a timer recording reservation on the VTR main body 1 by selectively reading the information and wirelessly transmitting the read information to the remote control receiving section 2 of the VTR main body 1. This barcode reader 7 is shown in a block diagram in FIG. 2, and in FIGS. 3 and 4.
As illustrated in the external view in the figure, it has a pen shape that can be held with one hand, and its tip includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and an optical fiber 9A for guiding light.

An optical barcode reading sensor part 9 is provided which includes an optical element such as a lens 9B.

The barcode reading sensor section 9 performs an operation of reading information on program reservation contents based on a control command from a control section 10, and the information read therein is stored in a program contents storage section 11 which is also controlled by the control section 10. Stored sequentially. Then, program reservation information for recording is stored therein, such as "R channel" and "Sunday".

Each of the "start time" and "end time" is set by the transfer switch 12.
By pressing and turning on, data transfer control unit 1
3 to the remote control transmitting section 14, and is transmitted to the outside from a remote control transmitting element 14A such as an infrared light emitting diode of the remote control transmitting section 14. Therefore, the user reads the program reservation contents read using the barcode reader 7 and program sheet 8 into the VTR main body 1.
If you wish to make a reservation input to the remote control transmitting section 14, insert the rear end surface of the barcode reader 7 on the side where the remote control transmitting element 14A is provided into the remote control receiving section 2 of the VTR main body 1.
Simply press the transfer switch 12 while facing the VTR body 1, and the program reservation information input to the remote control receiver 2 of the VTR body 1 will be confirmed by being displayed on the display 6 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 12 seconds). can do.

Although not shown, the barcode reader 7 operates using a dry battery as a power source. 15 shown in FIG. 4 is the power switch. Furthermore, when the barcode reader 7 is sequentially scanned in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 to read the program reservation information, when the scanning is proper and normal reading is performed, the sounding body 16 shown in FIG. A single audible confirmation sound called "beep" is emitted one after another, and when the final reading is completed, a continuous audible confirmation sound called "beep beep" is emitted. Note that it is also possible to use it in combination with a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, if necessary, so that it can be visually confirmed.

On the other hand, on the side of the VTR body 1 as well, when the input of the reservation information into the timer device 3 is completed, an audible confirmation sound is emitted from the sounding element 17. However, in this case, the sound may be distinguished from the audible sound produced by the sounding body 16 of the barcode reader 7 by making at least one of the pronunciation form and tone different, such as "bippinobinobisopi". desirable.

The barcode reader 7 constitutes a transmission means for picking up the audible sounds from the sounding bodies 16 and 17 and transmitting them as a confirmation signal to the user of the external telephone (caller). Microphone 18
is equipped with. This effect will be described later.

The above has described the reservation operation for enabling timer recording of a desired television broadcast program at a desired date and time using the barcode reader 7 and program sheet 8. code reader 7
is used as a part of the controller to schedule timer recording even from an external phone.

This will be explained in detail below. Reference numeral 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an answering machine, which is equipped with a main controller 22 in addition to an answering machine section 21, as shown in FIG. This main controller 22
With the external telephone 23 and the answering machine 20 connected, when a specific password is supplied from the external telephone 23, the connection is made to the external telephone 23 via the answering machine 21, and subsequent calls from the external telephone 23 are made. Each push button "1" in response to the push button operation (or dial operation).

"2", ・・・・・・r9J + rOJ, r
It is configured to output a code signal corresponding to OJ l rOJ. For example, if the push button on the external telephone 23 is
#" - "4" → "#" → f3J - "#, J - U7J
-F*u - "3J→U*, J-UOJ→) #J -
Press "8J-"*l-f31-"*J-1-o" in sequence.Channel 4J obtained by sequentially scanning the barcode reader in the direction of the arrow from left to right in Figure 3. IF3 day J +
Code signals similar to barcode reading information corresponding to "17:30" and "8:30" are output. Therefore, the main controller 22 is
If the control unit 10 of the barcode reader 7 is connected to the program content storage unit 11 and data transfer control unit 13 through the cord 24 and connector 25, information for timer recording reservation can be transmitted in response to remote control from the external telephone 23. can be transmitted from the remote control transmitter 14.

In this case, each time a button on the external telephone 23 is operated, the sounding body 16 of the barcode reader 7 emits an audible confirmation sound, and the audible confirmation sound is picked up by the microphone 18 and is picked up by the connector. 25. code 2
4. The signal is transmitted as a confirmation signal to the user (caller) of the external telephone 23 through the main controller 22 and answering machine 21.

Further, when the reservation operation using the external telephone 23 is completed, a data transfer pulse is sent from the main controller 22 to the data transfer control unit 1a, equivalent to turning on the transfer switch 12, and thereby the program content storage unit 11 is temporarily transferred. The program reservation information stored in is transmitted from the remote control transmitting section 14 and the remote control transmitting element 14A, and this is transmitted from the VTF? When the signal enters the remote control receiving section 2 of the main body 1, a timer is reserved in the VTR main body 1 in the same manner as described above. In this case, when the reservation operation using the external telephone 23 is completed, the sounding body 16 emits a continuous audible confirmation sound "beep beep beep", and when the timer reservation is completed on the VTR body 1, the sounding body 17 emits r.
The continuous audible confirmation sound "beep beep beep" is heard from the microphone 1 installed in the barcode reader 18.
Similarly, the connector 25, cord 24, main controller 22 and answering machine section 2 are picked up at 8.
1 as a confirmation signal to the user of the external telephone 23.

Note that 26 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a holding member for a barcode reader that is useful when the barcode reader 7 is used for remote timer reservation using an external telephone as described above.

That is, this holding member 26 is attached to the barcode reader 7.
is configured so that it can be detachably attached to the VTR main body 1 so that the remote control transmitting section 14 faces the remote control receiving section 2 of the VTR main body 1 and faces the VTR main body 1 with a required spacing. It has become.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the remote control device for electronic equipment of the present invention starts a predetermined operation at a predetermined time based on reservation information input from the outside, and returns to an inactive state after a predetermined time. An electronic device equipped with a timer reservation device that leads to a timer reservation device is used as a controlled device, and an external telephone is connected to the input section of the timer reservation device of the electronic device through a controller that is communicably connected to the input section of the timer reservation device. Since the device is configured to provide timer reservation information in response to a specified push button or dial operation, a dedicated timer reservation device is installed on the electronic device itself or on the controller side to perform timer reservation operations by telephone. Therefore, it is possible to realize a remote control device for timer reservation by telephone very simply and economically, which has a great effect.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the use of a VTR as in the above-described embodiment, but can be used with any electronic device equipped with a timer reservation device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of essential parts of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the use of a barcode reader in the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the barcode reader together with a connector. 1...VTR body, 2...Remote control receiver, 3...Timer device, 5...V
TR circuit section, 6... Display section, 7... Barcode reader, 11... Program content storage section, 13... Data transfer control section, 14・・・
...Remote control transmitter, 16.17...Sounding body, 18...Microphone, 20...
Answering machine, 21... Answering machine department, 22.
...Main controller, 23...External telephone, 24...Code, 25...
Connector, 26... Holding member. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person 2nd
figure

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) Remote control from an external telephone of an electronic device equipped with a timer reservation device that starts a predetermined operation at a predetermined time based on reservation information input from the outside and stops operating after a predetermined time. The device includes a controller communicatively coupled to an input section of the timer reservation device, and the controller is configured to set the timer in response to a predetermined push button operation or dial operation from an external telephone. 1. A remote control device for electronic equipment, characterized in that the device is configured to provide reservation information to an input section of the reservation device. (2) The controller is configured to emit a first audible confirmation sound each time a predetermined push button or dial operation is performed from the external telephone, and to emit a second audible confirmation sound upon completion of the reservation operation using the external telephone. The electronic device is configured to include a sound receiving element that picks up each of the audible sounds, and is equipped with a timer reservation device. The controller is configured to emit a third audible confirmation tone, and the controller picks up the first, second, and third audible confirmation tones at the sound receiving element, and transmits the message to the user of the external telephone. Claim No. 3, characterized in that it is configured to be transmitted as a confirmation signal.
1) A remote control device for electronic equipment as described in item 1). (3) A patent claim characterized in that the controller doubles as a barcode reader that reads barcoded program information and wirelessly transmits the read information as input information to a timer reservation device. A remote control device for electronic equipment according to scope item (2). (4) The remote control device for electronic equipment according to claim (1), wherein the controller is combined with an answering machine. (5) The electronic device is a video tape recorder, and is characterized in that it is configured such that at least a desired broadcast station channel for recording, a recording date, a recording start time, and a recording end time can be programmed by a timer using a barcode reader. A remote control device for electronic equipment according to any one of claims (1) to (4).