KR200311058Y1 - Apparatus for controlling electronic devices including laser reception member - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device control apparatus is disclosed that detects a laser emitted from a laser pointer and controls the operation of the electronic device. An electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one light receiving unit, a microcontroller, and an interface unit. The light receiving unit receives a laser of a predetermined wavelength and generates a sensor output according to whether the laser is received. The microcontroller receives sensor outputs from the at least one light receiver and combines the received sensor outputs to select a control command corresponding to the combined sensor outputs. The interface unit receives the selected control command from the microcontroller and transmits it to the electronic device. By the electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to control various functions of the electronic device using only the laser pointer that generates laser light of a single wavelength.

Description

Apparatus for controlling electronic devices including laser reception member}

The present invention relates to an electronic device control device, and more particularly to a control device including a light receiving unit for receiving a laser signal.

With the development of electronic technology, many devices have been developed to enhance the convenience of real life. Among these electronic devices, laser devices also take up a large portion. A laser means a signal generated by a light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, and has a high intensity in a very narrow frequency band. The use of such lasers has been diversified to optical disk drive (ODD) devices such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, as well as medical and construction fields. Among them, laser pointers using excellent linearity of laser signals have been widely distributed at low prices. Laser pointers make it easy to point away objects.

In particular, laser pointers are useful when giving presentations using equipment such as over head projection (OHP) or slides. In other words, when using beam scanning devices such as OHP or slide, if the presenter tries to point directly to a specific part, the beam is scanned on the screen. In this case, the laser pointer can be used to clearly indicate a specific part of the screen without covering the screen.

This presentation method has the advantage of easily delivering information to a large number of viewers, but has the following disadvantages. In other words, while the presentation continues, the materials displayed on the screen must change continuously. Therefore, whenever the speaker needs to change the material displayed on the screen, he or she must change the material directly or instruct the presentation program to display other material. This process is very tedious from the presenter's point of view or from the viewer's point of view, and has the disadvantage of interrupting the presentation.

Thus, various techniques have been proposed to allow the presenter to remotely control the presentation device during the presentation to prevent interruption of the presentation. Conventional control techniques can be largely divided into a method of generating a separate wireless control signal and controlling the presentation device using the generated control signal and a method using a laser pointer to be used. However, since the former method requires a separate wireless transmission and reception apparatus, costs are incurred and installation is difficult. On the other hand, the latter method has the advantage of not needing a separate transmission device, but has the disadvantage of controlling only simple operation to date.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a control device capable of controlling various functions of the presentation device by using a commercially available laser pointer without the need for a separate transmission device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can remotely control various electronic devices at low cost by using a laser pointer commercialized in place of a separate transmission device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control device using a laser pointer, which can control various functions of an electronic device.

1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is a view showing an embodiment in which the electronic device control device according to the present invention is applied to a computer for driving the presentation device.

3 is a view showing an embodiment in which the electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention is applied to household appliances.

One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object relates to an electronic device control device for controlling the operation of the electronic device by detecting a laser emitted from the laser pointer. An electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one light receiving unit, a microcontroller, and an interface unit. The light receiving unit receives a laser of a predetermined wavelength and generates a sensor output according to whether the laser is received. The microcontroller receives sensor outputs from the at least one light receiver and combines the received sensor outputs to select a control command corresponding to the combined sensor outputs. The interface unit receives the selected control command from the microcontroller and transmits it to the electronic device. The light receiving units of the electronic device control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention are all characterized in receiving a laser of the same wavelength. Preferably, each light receiving unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a band pass filter for passing only a laser of a predetermined wavelength, characterized in that the pass band of the band pass filter can be changed. More preferably, the interface unit according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the power supplied from the electronic device to the light receiving unit and the microcontroller.

In particular, the electronic device controlled by the control device according to the present invention is a computer for executing a predetermined program, the interface unit is a serial or parallel interface device for transmitting and receiving data with the computer, the microcontroller preferably controls the operation of the program. .

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings that illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. For each figure, like reference numerals denote like elements.

1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an electronic device control apparatus 100 according to the present invention. The electronic device control apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes at least one light receiving unit 112, 114, and 116, a microcontroller 120, and an interface unit 170. In addition, the first to third light receivers 112, 114, and 116 include first to third band pass filters 113, 115, and 117, respectively. In FIG. 1, the electronic device 190 and the laser pointer 180 are also illustrated to explain the operation of the electronic device control apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

The laser pointer 180 emits a laser of a predetermined frequency to the first to third light receivers 112, 114, and 116. The mechanism of generating a laser from the laser pointer is not included in the technical idea of the present invention, and all conventional methods using a laser diode are applicable. By way of example, a method of generating a laser light by flowing a modulated current through a gallium arsenide laser layer embedded in a substrate can be applied. The laser light generated by the laser pointer 180 is detected by the first to third light receivers 112, 114, and 116. As described above, since the laser light has a very good straightness, the laser light may be selectively sensed by each of the light receivers 112, 114, and 116 mounted side by side in a narrow space. The configuration of the device that can be used as the light receiving portions 112, 114, 116 is very diverse. For example, the configuration may include an optical sensor for sensing a laser light and generating a potential difference, a filter for selecting a specific potential difference generated by the optical sensor, an amplifier for amplifying the generated potential difference, and the like. The light-receiving unit is not included in the technical idea of the present invention, and all kinds of light-receiving units according to the prior art are applicable to the present invention.

For convenience of explanation, the case where the laser light is received by the first light receiving unit 112 will be described. The first light receiver 112 generates a first sensor output SEN1 according to whether laser light is detected. In addition, the first light receiver 112 may include a first band pass filter 113 to recognize that only the detected wavelength of the laser light is detected when the wavelength is greater than or equal to a predetermined band. If the band pass filter is included, the fidelity of the operation of the control device 100 may be improved since the light receiver may react only with the laser light generated by the laser pointer 180 without disturbing the operation of the light receiver by various light surroundings. Has the advantage. The generated first sensor output SEN1 is provided to the microcontroller 120.

The microcontroller 120 includes a sensor output synthesizer 130, a command selector 140, a memory 150, and a control signal generator 160. The first sensor output SEN1 provided to the microcontroller 120 is provided to the sensor output synthesizing unit 130. The sensor output synthesizing unit 130 not only has a first sensor output SEN1 from the first light receiver 112, but also second and third sensor outputs SEN2 from the second and third light receivers 114 and 116. , SEN3) is also received. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the laser light from the laser pointer 180 is detected only in the first light receiving unit 112, so that the sensor output synthesizing unit 130 synthesizes the received signals (SEN1, SEN2, SEN3) = (1 Generates a composite signal of 0, 0). Then, the command selector 140 receives the synthesized signal from the sensor output synthesizer 130 and transmits a control command corresponding to (1, 0, 0) which is a synthesized signal among the control commands stored in the memory 150. Choose.

Then, the control signal generator 160 generates a control signal CMD controlling to perform an operation corresponding to the control command selected by the command selector 140. For example, it is assumed that the control command corresponding to the synthesized signal (1, 0, 0) is to power off the electronic device 190. This assumption is provided for convenience of understanding and does not limit the technical spirit of the present invention. Then, the control signal generator 160 generates a control signal (for example, CMD_OFF) to cut off the power of the electronic device. The generated control signal CMD_OFF is transmitted to the electronic device 190 via the interface unit 170, and the electronic device 190 cuts power in response to the control signal CMD_OFF.

The interface unit 170 converts and supplies a control signal generated by the control signal generator 160 into a signal that can be understood by the electronic device 190. In the above-described example where the control signal generated by the control signal generator 160 is a signal CMD_OFF to turn off the power, the interface unit 170 may be an electronic switch that cuts off the power of the electronic device 190. In this case, the interface unit 170 cuts off the power of the electronic device 190 in response to the control signal CMD_OFF.

The case where the laser light from the laser pointer 180 is detected by the second light receiver 114 will now be described. The second light receiver 114 also includes a second band pass filter 115 to generate the sensor output SEN2 only when the laser light of a predetermined frequency is detected. The generated second sensor output SEN2 is provided to the microcontroller 120.

Then, the second sensor output SEN2 provided to the microcontroller 120 is provided to the sensor output synthesizing unit 130. In addition, the sensor output synthesizing unit 130 synthesizes the received signals to generate a composite signal of (SEN1, SEN2, SEN3) = (0, 1, 0). Then, the command selector 140 receives the synthesized signal from the sensor output synthesizer 130 and outputs a control command corresponding to (0, 1, 0) which is a synthesized signal among the control commands stored in the memory 150. Choose.

The control signal generator 160 generates a control signal CMD controlling to perform an operation corresponding to the control command selected by the command selector 140. For example, assume that the control command corresponding to the synthesized signal (0, 1, 0) is a command to display the next data on the screen in the presentation program of the electronic device 190, which is a computer. Then, the control signal generator 160 generates a control signal (for example, CMD_NXT) to display the next data to the computer. The generated control signal CMD_NXT is transmitted to the computer 190 via the interface unit 170, and the computer 190 displays the next data on the screen in response to the control signal CMD_NXT.

The interface unit 170 converts and supplies the control signal CMD_NXT generated by the control signal generator 160 into a signal that can be understood by the computer 190. For example, the interface unit 170 may be a mouse port of a universal serial bus (USB) type for serial communication with the computer 190. This example is for illustrating the operation of the interface unit, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited. In this case, the interface unit 170 provides the computer 190 with a mouse input (e.g., an input corresponding to two consecutive clicks of the left button) to display the next data. The program running on the computer 190 then interprets the provided mouse input and displays the next data on the screen. In the example as in the case where the interface unit 170 is a mouse port of a general-purpose serial bus type, in order to enable operation by a normal mouse when there is no laser light input from the laser pointer 180, a control signal generator ( If there is a control signal from the 160, the control signal is output to the computer 190, if there is no control signal switching means for outputting a normal mouse input to the computer 190 may be further included.

In addition, the interface unit 170 may receive power from the electronic device 190 and supply the power to the light receiving units 112, 114, and 116 and the microcontroller 120. For example, the interface unit 170, which is a mouse port of a serial bus type, receives power through a power input line among the mouse ports, and directly drives the control device 100 using the supplied power. When directly receiving power from the interface unit 170, there is an advantage that a separate power source for driving the control device 100 does not need to be provided.

Although the control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated as having three light receiving units, this is merely illustrative. Rather, as the number of light receivers increases, the number of commands that can be implemented by a combination of signals of each light receiver has an advantage.

In addition, only one light receiving unit among the first to third light receiving units 112, 114, and 116 may not receive the laser light. However, since the laser light generated from the laser pointer 180 is excellent in straightness and hardly scattered, the laser light generated from one laser pointer 180 has only a high probability of being detected by only one light receiver. On the other hand, the laser light generated from one laser pointer 180 may be simultaneously received by two or more light receivers, or the laser light generated from two or more laser pointers may be simultaneously received by two or more light receivers. Can be. In this case, two or more sensor outputs generated (eg, SEN1 and SEN3) are provided to the sensor output synthesizing unit 130 of the microcontroller 120, and the sensor output synthesizing unit 130 synthesizes the received sensor outputs. The signal pair (1, 0, 1) is provided to the command selector 140. Hereinafter, the process of selecting the control command corresponding to the synthesized signal pair is the same as the case described above.

Further, the command selector 140 does not necessarily combine the sensor outputs received from one or more light receivers to form a signal pair. Rather, constant signal pairs may be generated by continuously observing the state of the sensor output SEN1 that is continuously received from a single light receiver (eg, the first light receiver). For example, it is assumed that the laser light sensed by the first light receiver 112 is observed for a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 second). Thus, it is assumed that laser light was detected during the first 1 second, not detected during the next 1 second, and again during the last 1 second. Then, the sensor output synthesizer 130 outputs a signal pair of (1, 0, 1) by observing a state of one first sensor output SEN1 for 3 seconds. Then, the command selector 140 selects a control command corresponding to the signal pair generated by the sensor output synthesizing unit 130 from the memory 150.

Since the control device 100 according to the present invention directly detects the laser light generated from the laser pointer 180 which is widely used, there is no need to provide a separate laser transmitter, thereby reducing the cost. In addition, compared to a technology for generating a different control signal according to the reception of laser light of various wavelengths, the control signal is generated only by the flashing of a single laser light of the same wavelength has the advantage that can significantly reduce the cost of the light receiver. .

2 is a view showing an embodiment in which the electronic device control device according to the present invention is applied to a computer for driving the presentation device.

The laser light generated by the laser pointer 180 is detected by the light receiver 112 included in the control device 100. For the convenience of understanding, it is assumed that the light receiver 112 did not detect the laser light for the first 1 second and the last 1 second, and only sensed the laser light for 1 second therebetween. Then, the pair of sensor outputs sensed by the light receiver 112 becomes (0, 1, 0). The control command corresponding to the synthesized signal pairs 0, 1, 0 (e.g., a command to display previous data on the screen, CMD_PRV) is selected by the command selector in the control device 100. Then, the selected control command CMD_PRV is provided to the computer 290 by an interface unit (not shown) in the control device 100. If it is assumed that the interface unit (not shown) is a keyboard port that is responsible for transmitting and receiving data between the keyboard 260 and the computer 290, the interface unit responds to the received control command (CMD_PRV) to return to the keyboard (eg For example, when a button corresponding to 'alt' + '<-' key is pressed, a corresponding signal is transmitted to the computer 290. The presentation program running on the computer then causes the beam projector 280 to scan data on the screen 270 prior to the data currently being displayed.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is shown that the control device 100 according to the present invention is mounted separately from the computer 290, the control device 100 can be embedded in the computer 290 is a matter of course. Rather, it is much easier to have a control device embedded in a computer as compared to a separate device. By the control device 100 shown in FIG. 2, the presenter normally proceeds to present the data displayed on the screen 270 with the laser pointer 180, and only when the data needs to be changed. It is possible to easily control the computer 290 by firing laser light at 100.

3 is a view showing an embodiment in which the electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention is applied to household appliances.

The control device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is built in the fan 390. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is identical in configuration and operation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the electronic device is a fan, not a computer, and the control device 100 is embedded in the fan. Therefore, repetitive description is omitted for simplicity of the specification.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the user can control the wind direction, timer or air volume of the fan 390 from a distance using the laser pointer 180 that is commercially available without a separate remote control device.

In the present invention, a remote control can be expanded by manufacturing and using an electronic device having a laser beam pointer having a general-purpose frequency and having various light receiving units.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible.

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

The present invention provides a device capable of remotely controlling various electronic devices at low cost by using a laser pointer used as a direct control signal generator without the need for a separate control signal generator.

In addition, the present invention provides a control apparatus using a laser pointer, which can control various functions of an electronic device even by using one laser pointer for generating a single wavelength laser.

Claims (6)

An electronic device control device for controlling the operation of an electronic device by detecting a laser emitted from a laser pointer, At least one light receiver configured to receive the laser of a predetermined wavelength and generate a sensor output according to whether the laser is received; A microcontroller that receives the sensor outputs from the at least one light receiver and combines the received sensor outputs to select a control command corresponding to the combined sensor outputs; An interface unit for receiving the control command from the microcontroller and transmitting the control command to the electronic device, And the light receiving units all receive a laser having the same wavelength. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one light receiving unit, A band pass filter for passing only a laser of a predetermined wavelength, And a pass band of the band pass filter can be changed. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the interface unit receives a power supply from the electronic device and supplies the power to the light receiving unit and the microcontroller. The method of claim 3, The electronic device is a computer for executing a predetermined program, The interface unit is a serial or parallel interface device for transmitting and receiving data with a computer, The microcontroller includes a laser light receiving unit, characterized in that for controlling the operation of the program. The method of claim 4, wherein The program is a program for controlling a beam scanning device for presentation by irradiating the material on the screen, And the microcontroller includes a laser light receiving unit, characterized in that for controlling at least the program changing the data irradiated onto the screen. The method of claim 3, The electronic device is a predetermined home electronic device, The microcontroller includes a laser light receiving unit, characterized in that for controlling at least the power on / off of the electronic device.