JPWO2006100729A1 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

It has a remote control function such as a TV and a keyboard function, and can be configured compactly without compromising the operability of the keyboard, and both functions can be used simultaneously. With the goal. A remote control device 1 capable of remotely operating a video device by an operation key group KG provided on an operation surface of a casing, wherein the remote control device 1 has a sheet-like flexibility for remotely operating a computer in the casing 10 The keyboard KB is housed, and when the keyboard KB is pulled out from the casing 10, the keyboard KB may be disposed with the operation surface KM of the casing facing upward and the operation surface BM of the keyboard KB facing upward. Configured to be possible.

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device used for remote control of a video device in which a television (television) and a computer are integrated.

  In recent years, a display for a personal computer has been enlarged, and the display is also used as a display device for a television or a DVD playback device. For example, a display device (video equipment) is provided that incorporates a computer main body and a television tuner in a display device and can be used as a personal computer or a television.

  In order to operate such a display device, a remote control device is usually used. That is, when the display device is used as a television, the remote control device performs function selection, channel selection, volume setting, various settings, and the like. In order to use the display device as a personal computer, a keyboard or mouse separate from the remote control device is used.

  However, the remote control device and the mouse are small and take up little space, but the keyboard requires space and is annoying when not in use. Therefore, it is desirable to touch the keyboard when not used as a personal computer. However, since the keyboard is large, it is difficult to find the storage location on the desk. For this reason, the display device may be leaned behind or on the side, which impairs the overall design of the display device.

  For such a problem, it has been proposed to provide a keyboard integrally with the remote control device. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620 proposes an apparatus that can operate an AV personal computer or a television with a single remote controller, and that can be operated with the keyboard of the AV personal computer by connecting the keyboard to the remote control.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes a wireless device that integrates the functions of a remote control for television and video, and the functions of a keyboard and mouse for a personal computer. In this device, a dedicated input device for the remote control function is arranged in the upper layer, a general-purpose input device having a keyboard function is arranged in the lower layer, and the lower layer can be operated by opening the upper layer. Yes.
JP 10-326141 A JP-A-10-124222

  According to the apparatus of Patent Document 1 described above, a keyboard mode is established by connecting a keyboard to a remote control, and remote operation by the keyboard can be performed. However, in the AV personal computer mode and the television mode, since the keyboard is separated from the remote control in order to operate with the remote control, a space for accommodating the keyboard is required.

  Further, according to the device of Patent Document 2, since the function of a remote controller such as a television and the function of a keyboard are integrated, both operations can be performed by the remote control device. However, since the keyboard is arranged as it is, the overall shape becomes large, and it cannot be made compact. When it is made compact, the keyboard becomes small, and operability must be sacrificed. Further, since the keyboard cannot be operated unless the dedicated input device arranged in the upper layer is opened, they cannot be used at the same time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and includes a remote control function such as a television and a keyboard function, and can be configured compactly without impairing the operability of the keyboard. And it aims at providing the remote control device which can use both functions simultaneously.

  An apparatus according to the present invention is a remote control device capable of remotely operating video equipment by a group of operation keys provided on an operation surface of a casing, and is a seat for remotely operating a computer in the casing. And a flexible keyboard is housed, and when the keyboard is pulled out from the casing, the operation surface of the casing faces upward and the operation surface of the keyboard faces upward Configured to be able to.

  Preferably, the casing is provided with a storage chamber that is open across a bottom surface that is a surface opposite to the operation surface and one side surface that follows the bottom surface, and a lid that covers an open portion of the storage chamber. A body is detachably provided, and the keyboard is stored in the storage chamber.

  The keyboard is folded and stored in the casing. In that case, one end of the keyboard is connected to the casing at a position close to the bottom surface in the storage chamber, and the other end is connected to the back side of the side surface of the lid. Further, when a mark for folding is displayed on the surface of the keyboard, it is easy to fold.

  In another embodiment, the keyboard is wound and stored in the casing. In this case, the keyboard has one end on the left and right connected to the casing at a position close to the bottom surface in the storage chamber, and the other end connected to a rotating shaft provided on the lid, The keyboard is wound up or rewound by rotation of the rotating shaft.

  Preferably, a detection sensor for detecting that the keyboard is stored in the storage chamber is provided, and the operation of the keyboard is invalidated when the detection sensor detects the storage of the keyboard. Be controlled.

  The operation key group can operate the video equipment, the keyboard can operate a computer, and the operation key group and the keyboard can be operated independently and simultaneously.

  As necessary, the operation key group or the keyboard is provided with a pointing device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the function of a remote controller such as a television and the function of a keyboard, to make the whole compact without impairing the operability of the keyboard, and to use both of these functions simultaneously. It is possible.

It is a front view of the remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a left view of a remote control device. It is a bottom view of a remote control device. It is a top view of a remote control device. It is AA arrow sectional drawing in FIG. 3 of a remote control device. It is a figure which expands and shows the engaging part in FIG. It is a front view which shows the state which pulled out the keyboard of the remote control device. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure of a keyboard. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit of a remote control device. It is a figure which shows a mode that the video equipment is operated with the remote control device. It is sectional drawing of the remote control apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of cover body in the state which pulled out the keyboard. It is a front view of the remote control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  1 is a front view of a remote control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a left side view of the remote control device 1, FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the remote control device 1, FIG. 4 is a top view of the remote control device 1, and FIG. Is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 of the remote control device 1, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the engaging portion in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the keyboard of the remote control device 1 is pulled out. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the keyboard, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit of the remote control device 1.

  1 to 4, the remote control device 1 has a casing 10 made of a synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The front surface of the casing 10 is an operation surface KM, and various operation key groups KG are provided on the operation surface KM.

  1 includes a television power on / off key K1, a personal computer power on / off key K2, a personal computer / TV switching key K3, a function key K4, and numeric keys K5 for channel setting. It has a direction determination key K6 for moving and determining the cursor, a channel increase / decrease key K7, a volume increase / decrease key K8, and the like.

  The upper surface of the casing 10 is an infrared light transmission surface HM, and a light emitting element 62 that emits infrared light is provided therein. By operating the operation key group KG, an infrared operation signal is sent from the light emitting element 62, and the video equipment can be operated remotely.

  Referring also to FIG. 5, the casing 10 is provided with a storage chamber SS that is open over a bottom surface TM that is a surface opposite to the operation surface KM and one side surface LM that follows the bottom surface TM. A lid 11 for covering the open part of the storage chamber SS is provided so as to be detachable from the casing 10.

  In FIG. 5, the storage room SS stores a sheet-like flexible keyboard KB for remotely operating the computer. The keyboard KB has an end on the right side (left side in FIG. 5) connected to the inner wall surface 10a of the casing 10 at a position close to the bottom surface TM in the storage chamber SS, and an end on the left side (right side in FIG. 5). Is connected to the back side of the side surface LM of the lid 11.

  The keyboard KB is folded and stored in the storage room SS as shown in FIG. 5 when not in use, but is pulled out of the storage room SS when in use. When the keyboard KB is pulled out, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation surface KM of the casing 10 faces upward and the operation surface BM of the keyboard KB faces upward, such as on a desk. It is possible to arrange.

  In FIG. 7, the operation surface BM of the keyboard KB is provided with character keys, numeric keys, function keys, cursor keys, special keys, and the like, as in a known keyboard. Although not shown in the figure, a pointing device such as a mouse pad may be provided.

  Further, a folding line JL for folding is displayed as a mark on the operation surface BM of the keyboard KB. When the keyboard KB is folded, it is folded into the folding line JL in order from the right side in FIG. Include. The fold line JL is preferably provided between the keys, avoiding the position where the key is located as much as possible. FIG. 5 shows a printed circuit board PK and a battery DT.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the keyboard KB is electrically connected to the flexible wiring board 31, the lower electrode 32 electrically connected by the flexible wiring board 31, the spacer 33 made of felt and the like serving as a cushion, and the flexible wiring board 31. The upper electrode 34 and the operation sheet 35 made of synthetic resin such as PET are connected to each other. By pressing the operation sheet 35 with a finger, the upper electrode 34 below the operation sheet 35 is pressed downward to come into contact with the lower electrode 32. This is input to the detection circuit by the flexible wiring board 31, and an operation signal of the key is output. The structure of the keyboard KB is known per se.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 12 that protrudes inward is provided at the end of the side surface LM of the lid 11, and can be fitted into a hole 13 provided in the side surface LM of the casing 10. A hook-shaped locking portion 14 is provided at the end of the bottom surface TM of the lid body 11 and can be engaged with an engaging portion 15 provided at a position close to the bottom surface TM of the inner wall surface 10a of the casing 10. When the protrusion 12 is fitted into the hole 13 and the locking portion 14 is engaged with the engaging portion 15, the lid body 11 is fitted into the casing 10 and attached.

  In the vicinity of the hole 13, a lid sensor (detection sensor) 66 for detecting whether or not the lid body 11 is attached is attached. The lid sensor 66 is, for example, a light-reflective photoelectric sensor, and outputs a detection signal when the protrusion 12 is inserted into the hole 13. When the lid sensor 66 detects the attachment of the lid 11, that is, when the storage of the keyboard KB is detected, the operation of the keyboard KB is controlled to be invalidated. As a result, even when the keyboard KB is in the stowed state and is in the same state as when a key is pressed, the signal becomes invalid and an unexpected operation signal is prevented from being generated.

  Further, in a state where the lid sensor 66 does not detect the attachment of the lid body 11, an operation signal is output by operating the keyboard KB, and the computer can be operated. At the same time, an operation signal is output by operating the operation key group KG on the operation surface KM, and a video device such as a television can be operated. The operation key group KG and the keyboard KB can be operated independently and simultaneously. That is, the user can operate the computer while watching the television, or can change the channel of the television and adjust the volume while operating the computer.

  As the lid sensor 66, a capacitance type, magnetic proximity type, mechanical type, other type, configuration, or structure may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control circuit of the remote control device 1 includes a control unit 61, a light emitting element 62, a drive circuit 63, a memory 64, a power supply circuit 65, a lid sensor 66, an operation key group KG, a keyboard KB, and the like. Yes.

  The control unit 61 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an interface circuit, a peripheral circuit, and the like. The control unit 61 executes a process based on the input signal and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed key to the drive circuit 63. To do. The drive circuit 63 drives the light emitting element 62 to perform infrared communication based on the operation signal. In addition, the control unit 61 controls the entire remote control device 1. Note that the remote control device 1 can be configured not only to transmit a signal but also to receive a signal and perform bidirectional communication with a counterpart device. In that case, a light receiving element and a necessary interface are provided.

  When the lid sensor 66 detects the attachment of the lid 11, the operation signal of the keyboard KB is not output as described above. The power supply circuit 65 is a stabilized power supply circuit including the battery DT described above.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the video equipment EK is operated by the remote control device 1.

  In FIG. 10, the keyboard KB of the remote control device 1 is pulled out and placed on an appropriate table. The video equipment EK is an apparatus in which a television and a computer are integrated, and the display surface HG of the display DS is used in common.

  The operation key group KG or the keyboard KB is operated in a state where the sending surface HM of the remote control device 1 faces the light receiving surface JM of the video equipment EK. The video equipment EK can be operated by operating either the operation key group KG or the keyboard KB. For example, the display surface HG can be divided into two parts and displayed on the one hand, the computer screen can be displayed on the other hand, and the television screen can be displayed on the other hand, and can be operated independently from each other with the keyboard KB or the operation key group KG.

  The remote control device 1 can set various modes. Depending on the set mode, only one of the operation key group KG or the keyboard KB can be operated, all are used only for television operation, or all are used only for computer operation. It is also possible to configure such that.

  Further, in a state where the keyboard KB is stored in the storage room SS, only the operation by the operation key group KG is possible, and the video equipment EK can be operated by this. However, when a specific mode is set, the computer can be operated by the operation key group KG. For example, characters and numbers are input using the numerical key K5 of the operation key group KG, the cursor is moved and selected using the direction determination key K6, and specific processing and operations are performed using the function key K4.

  The remote control device 1 can be operated with one hand. Even when the keyboard KB is pulled out, the keyboard KB can be operated by placing it on the palm or a suitable flat plate held by the hand.

  In the above embodiment, since the keyboard KB is used by being pulled out from the casing 10, the size of the casing 10 is not limited with respect to the lateral length. Therefore, in consideration of the function and operability as the keyboard KB, necessary keys can be arranged at necessary sizes and intervals. In addition, since the keyboard KB can be folded and stored in the casing 10, the entire remote control device 1 can be configured compactly.

  For example, a specific example of the dimensions is that the length of the casing 10 is about 180 mm, the width is about 60 mm, the thickness is about 30 mm, the length of the keyboard KB is about 100 mm, and the width is about 240 mm. The folding width of the keyboard KB is about 40 mm and the number of times of folding is about 6. Since these numerical values are merely examples, it is needless to say that various other dimensions or folding times may be used.

  Thus, according to the remote control device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a remote control function such as a television and a keyboard function, and to make the whole compact without impairing the operability of the keyboard. It is possible to use both functions at the same time. Therefore, the entire design including the video equipment EK can be combined into a more stylish shape.

  In addition to the television, the video equipment EK is intended for various devices that display images on a display, such as a video conference device, a video phone device, a DVD device, a video device, an AV device, a game device, and a security monitoring device. Can do.

  Next, remote control devices 1B and 1C of other embodiments will be described.

  The remote control device 1B of another embodiment is different from the remote control device 1 described above in the method of storing the keyboard KB in the storage room SS. Other structures and shapes are the same as those of the remote control device 1 described above. Accordingly, only the differences will be described here, and other descriptions will be omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a remote control device 1B according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a part of the lid 11B with the keyboard KB pulled out.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the keyboard KB is wound and stored inside the storage chamber SS of the casing 10B. In other words, the keyboard KB is connected to the inner wall surface 10a of the casing 10 at the right end (left side in FIG. 11) at a position close to the bottom surface TM in the storage chamber SS, and on the left side (right side in FIG. 11). The end is connected to a rotating shaft 16 provided on the lid 11B.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the rotating shaft 16 is rotatably supported by holding portions 17a and 17b provided above and below the lid 11B. Inside the holding portions 17a and 17b, there is provided a spring member (not shown) that constantly urges the rotary shaft 16 in the direction of winding the keyboard KB.

  Accordingly, when the lid 11B is removed from the casing 10B and the keyboard KB is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 11, the keyboard KB is rotated around the rotating shaft 16 and pulled out to the right of the casing 10B. The keyboard KB can be used in this state. When the use of the keyboard KB is completed, the lid 11B is returned to the casing 10B, whereby the rotary shaft 16 is rotated by the spring member and the keyboard KB is wound up. Then, the lid 11B is mounted on the casing 10B so as to be in the state shown in FIG.

  An appropriate locking member for preventing the keyboard KB from being wound by the spring member in the state in which the keyboard KB is pulled out may be provided in the casing 10B.

  According to the remote control device 1B of this embodiment, since the keyboard KB is not folded, the storage in the storage room SS is easy. In addition, the life of the keyboard KB is extended.

  The remote controller 1C of another embodiment is different from the remote controller 1 described above in the configuration of the operation surface KM of the casing 10C. Other structures and shapes are the same as those of the remote control device 1 or 1B described above.

  FIG. 13 is a front view of a remote control device 1C according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, the operation key group KG has a pointing device PD such as a mouse pad in addition to various keys. By operating the pointing device PD with a finger or the like, the cursor can be directly moved to an arbitrary position. The structure of the pointing device PD itself is known.

  According to the remote control device 1C of this embodiment, the computer can be operated with the same operability as a mouse by using the pointing device PD on the operation surface KM. Therefore, if only simple operation is performed, the computer can be configured to be operated only by the operation key group KG and the pointing device PD on the operation surface KM without pulling out the keyboard KB from the storage room SS. Thereby, the operability is further improved.

  In the embodiment described above, the structure, shape, dimensions, position, etc. of the storage chamber SS can be variously changed. In addition, the configuration, structure, circuit, function, shape, number, dimensions, etc. of the whole or each part of the keyboard KB, the casing 10, the lid 11, the remote controller 1, 1B, 1C are appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. be able to.

The present invention is used as a remote control device for remotely operating video equipment such as a computer, a television, and a DVD playback device.

Claims (11)

A remote control device capable of remotely operating a video device by a group of operation keys provided on an operation surface of the casing,
In the casing, a sheet-like flexible keyboard for remotely operating the computer is housed,
When the keyboard is pulled out from the casing, the operation surface of the casing faces upward, and the keyboard operation surface faces upward.
A remote control device characterized by that. The casing is provided with a storage chamber that is open across a bottom surface that is a surface opposite to the operation surface and one side surface that follows the bottom surface,
A lid for covering the open part of the storage chamber is detachably provided,
The keyboard is stored in the storage chamber.
The remote control device according to claim 1. The keyboard is folded and stored in the casing.
The remote control device according to claim 1 or 2. The keyboard has one end on the left and right connected to the casing at a position close to the bottom surface in the storage chamber, and the other end connected to the back side of the side surface of the lid.
The remote control device according to claim 3. On the surface of the keyboard, a mark for folding is displayed,
The remote control device according to claim 3 or 4. The keyboard is wound and stored in the casing.
The remote control device according to claim 1 or 2. The keyboard has one end on the left and right connected to the casing at a position close to the bottom surface in the storage chamber, and the other end connected to a rotating shaft provided on the lid,
The keyboard is wound up or rewound by rotation of the rotating shaft,
The remote control device according to claim 6. A detection sensor for detecting that the keyboard is stored in the storage room;
When the detection sensor detects the storage of the keyboard, it is controlled to disable the operation of the keyboard.
The remote control device according to claim 2. The operation key group can operate the video equipment, the keyboard can operate a computer, and the operation key group and the keyboard can be operated independently of each other simultaneously.
The remote control device according to claim 1. The operation key group is provided with a pointing device.
The remote control device according to claim 1. The keyboard is provided with a pointing device,
The remote control device according to claim 1.