KR20130079813A - An unified remote controller and a control method the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An integration remote controller and a control method thereof are provided to easily control an electric apparatus by setting up and storing a function about an operation of a plurality of electric apparatuses to one remote controller. CONSTITUTION: A signal transceiver unit (140) performs a signal for performing a function of an electric apparatus. The signal transceiver unit receives a control signal which an external remote control sets up. A control unit (160) performs a first matching process and a second matching process. The first matching process matches information about the function of the electric apparatus with an input unit. The second matching process matches information about the function of the electric apparatus with the control signal. [Reference numerals] (110) Input device; (120) Memory unit; (130) Timer; (140) Signal transmitting and receiving unit; (150) Display unit; (160) Control unit; (50) Signal transmitting unit

Description

Integrated remote controller and a control method {An unified remote controller and a control method the same}

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an integrated remote controller and a control method thereof.

Recently, due to the development of the electronics industry, various electric products such as air conditioners, TVs, audio, DVD players, VCRs, AMPs, lighting devices, etc. are popularly distributed. The electrical appliances can operate a variety of functions, such as power on and off, operation mode change, and is configured to allow the user to remotely control these various functions with a remote controller (remote controller).

However, when a plurality of electrical appliances are provided with a corresponding remote control, when a plurality of electrical appliances are provided in a home or office, a plurality of remote controllers must be provided and a corresponding remote control must be found and used to use each electrical appliance. Discomfort occurs.

In addition, the remote control is often made small in size so that the user is easy to operate, and when there are a plurality of remote control, attention is required to manage the remote control and there is a problem that the risk of losing the remote control remains.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 15, the TV 25, the lighting device 35, and the like may be provided in the home or office in the related art. A first remote controller 10, a second remote controller 20, and a third remote controller 30 are required to control the operations of 25 and 35. Of course, if more electrical appliances are needed, the corresponding number of remote controllers will increase.

In general, the shape of the remote control is similar to each other and its size is similar, so it is difficult to recognize the remote control corresponding to the electrical product, and when a plurality of remote control is provided in a home or office, it is not easy to manage, A problem has occurred.

In order to solve this problem, recently, an integrated remote controller capable of remotely controlling a plurality of electrical appliances with a single remote controller has been developed and used.

However, the conventional integrated remote control has a limitation that it can only function as a special remote control set for controlling a plurality of electric appliances provided at a place having a specific purpose, for example, a lodging facility, for example, a TV, an air conditioner, a lighting device, or the like. have. That is, the conventional integrated remote control is only set to function in a special place, there was a problem that can not be used in other places (environments).

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention to provide an integrated remote control that can control a plurality of electrical appliances.

Integrated remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is provided with at least one input unit, an input device for inputting information corresponding to the function of the electrical appliance; A memory unit for storing information input from the input device and matching information regarding a function or an operation mode of an electrical appliance; A display unit displaying information input from the input device or information related to a function of the electrical appliance; A signal transmission / reception unit capable of transmitting a signal for performing a function of the electrical appliance, and allowing a control signal set from an external remote controller to be received; And a controller for performing a first matching process for matching the information related to the function of the electrical appliance and the input unit and a second matching process for matching the control signal with the information related to the function of the electrical appliance.

In the control method of the integrated remote controller according to another embodiment, in a method of controlling an integrated remote controller capable of controlling the operation of at least one or more electrical appliances, performing a function of one electrical appliance with respect to a setting input unit provided in the integrated remote controller Storing as a selectable input for the device; Transmitting a control signal for performing a function of the electrical appliance from an external remote controller toward a signal transceiver provided in the integrated remote controller; And storing the control signal received in the signal transmission and reception unit in the integrated remote controller. And matching the setting input unit with a control signal.

According to the integrated remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, since a function related to the operation of a plurality of electrical appliances can be set and stored in one remote controller, the control of the electrical appliance is easy.

In addition, when an electric product is added, the user can add a function by a simple setting, so there is no need to purchase or manage a separate remote controller.

In other words, by recognizing the signal transmitted from the conventional remote control provided to the electrical appliance and storing it in the integrated remote control, by matching the stored signal and the control command of the electrical appliance to integrate the operation command functions existing in the multiple remote control into a single remote control There is an advantage that it can.

In addition, since the function of the electrical appliance can be stored using a shortcut key based on a frequently used function, the user does not need to recognize an input unit of various remote controllers, thereby increasing convenience of use.

In addition, when the input unit is configured as a button or a touch screen, by storing the input time, the number of times or the touch action of a specific shape and the like to match the function of the electrical appliance, there is an effect that it is easy to control the electrical appliance using the remote control. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plurality of electric appliances and a remote controller corresponding thereto provided in the related art.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an integrated remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting or controlling an integrated remote controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an integrated remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the integrated remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input device 110 operable to match a function of an electric product to a remote control or input operation information of the electric product, and the input device. A memory unit 120 for storing information input at 110 and matching information regarding a function or operation mode (contents) of the electrical appliance, a timer 130 for integrating an input time of the input device 110, and the like; On the basis of the message input from the display unit 150 and the input device 110 to display the contents of the setting or control process of the integrated remote controller 100 and the operation of the electrical appliance is displayed on the operation of the electrical appliance. A control unit 160 for generating a related command is included.

In detail, the input device 110 includes at least one input unit of a button type input unit and a touch type input unit as an input unit operable by a user. The input contents through the input device 110 may be classified according to the type of the input unit, the input time or the touched shape.

For example, one input unit of at least one input unit may correspond to a function of one electrical appliance, and another input unit among the input units may correspond to a function of another electrical appliance. That is, one input unit may be 1: 1 matched to one function of the electrical appliance. Of course, one input unit may be matched to correspond to one function of one electrical appliance, and another input unit may correspond to another function of the one electrical appliance.

As another example, one of the at least one input unit may be matched to correspond to one function of one electrical appliance and one function of another electrical appliance. That is, when the one input unit is selected, a signal for performing one function of the one electrical appliance may be first transmitted from the integrated remote controller 100 and then a signal for performing one function of the other electrical appliance may be transmitted. have.

As another example, the plurality of input units may be matched to correspond to one function of one electrical appliance. That is, when the first input unit and the second input unit are selected simultaneously or sequentially, a signal for performing a function of the electrical appliance may be transmitted from the integrated remote controller 100.

On the other hand, it may be matched to perform different functions according to the selection time of one input unit. For example, when the input unit is input within 1 second, one function of one electrical appliance may be performed, and when the input unit is input for 1 second or more, another function of one electrical appliance may be performed.

On the other hand, when the input unit is a touch screen, it is possible to match the function of the electrical appliance by drawing a predetermined shape on the screen. In one example, one function of one electrical appliance is matched with a touch that draws a square in the clockwise direction on the screen and the other function of one electrical appliance is matched with a touch that draws a square in the counterclockwise direction on the screen. The function may be matched to a touch that draws a circle clockwise on the screen. Of course, it is possible to guess that more electric appliances can be matched according to various shapes of touch.

The memory unit 120 may store input information (messages) through the input device 110 and matching information regarding the function performance of the electric product.

In addition, the display unit 150 may be understood as a configuration for displaying the related contents to the user during the process of matching the input contents of the input apparatus 110 with the function of the electrical appliance. That is, the input device 110 and the display unit 150 are understood as a configuration of a user interface (UI) for matching the function performance of the integrated remote controller 100 and the electrical appliance.

The integrated remote controller 100 further includes a signal transmitting and receiving unit 140 that operates when transmitting a predetermined signal or receiving an external signal from the integrated remote controller 100 to the outside.

In detail, the signal transceiver 140 may perform two functions. First, the function of the signal transmitting and receiving unit 140 includes a signal receiving function for receiving a signal corresponding to one function of the electric product from a remote controller (hereinafter, an external remote controller) previously provided to the electric product as a first function. do.

The external remote controller includes a signal transmitter 50, and a signal transmitted through the signal transmitter 50 may be recognized by the integrated remote controller 100. That is, if an external transmission command is selected after inputting a command related to the performance of an electric product through an input unit provided in the external remote controller, the signal related to the performance of the one function is recognized by the signal transmission / reception unit 140. In addition, the signal recognized by the signal transceiver 140 and a corresponding function of the electrical appliance may be matched and stored in the memory 120.

In addition, a function of the signal transmission / reception unit 140 includes a signal transmission function for transmitting a predetermined signal for performing a function of an electric product when a predetermined command is input through the input device 110 as a second function. Included.

For example, a predetermined input unit of the input device 110 and a function of an electric product may be matched in advance, and when the input unit is selected, a signal for performing a function of the electric product may be sent to the electric product. . Of course, the electrical appliance may be provided with a signal receiver (not shown) for recognizing the signal transmitted from the signal transceiver 140.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting or controlling an integrated remote controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a setting method of the integrated remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is, an input setting method and a wireless signal code storing method will be described.

First, the "key input mode" is selected using the input device 110 provided in the integrated remote controller 100. For example, the input device 110 may include a specific input unit (mode selector) for setting a key input mode among a plurality of modes.

The “key input mode (first mode)” includes at least one input unit included in the input device 110 and a function of the electrical product so as to control a function of the electrical product through the integrated remote controller 100. It can be understood as an operation mode for matching (S11).

When entering the key input mode, the function of the input unit and the electrical appliance is matched and stored. For example, a button “1” of the input device 110 may be selected and a function of “starting operation of the air conditioner” may be input. The input device 110 may include an input unit for inputting the function.

In this case, the user may check the input contents displayed on the display unit 150. By such an input operation, the "number 1" button and the "starting operation of the air conditioner" may be matched with each other. Therefore, in the subsequent process, when the user presses the button "1", it may be recognized that the function of "starting the air conditioner operation" is performed (S12).

When the matching is performed between the predetermined input unit and the performance of the electric product, the "key input mode" may be stopped, and then the "matching mode" of the integrated remote controller 100 may be selected. For example, the input device 110 may include a specific input unit (mode selector) for setting a matching mode among a plurality of modes. When the input process of the "key input mode" is completed, the display unit 150 may display a message for guiding to perform the "matching mode".

The " matching mode (second mode) " is a control for transmitting a signal transmitted from the integrated remote controller 100 to the electrical appliance for performing a function of the electrical appliance, that is, for mechanical or electrical operation of the electrical appliance. It can be understood as an operation mode for storing the signal (wireless signal code) in the integrated remote controller 100 (S13).

After the " matching mode " is selected, a control process is performed such that a signal transmitted from the external remote controller can be recognized by the integrated remote controller 100.

In detail, the external remote controller and the integrated remote controller 100 are disposed to be located in directions corresponding to each other. For example, the signal transmitter 50 of the external remote controller and the signal transmitter / receiver 140 of the integrated remote controller 100 are disposed to face each other (S14).

In a state in which the signal transmitter 50 and the signal transceiver 140 are disposed correspondingly, a signal related to the performance of the electrical appliance is transmitted from the signal transmitter 50. For example, by using an input unit provided in the external remote controller, a signal corresponding to the "air conditioner start" is transmitted.

By pressing the input unit for a predetermined time or more, signal transmission for "air conditioner start" can be completed. When signal transmission is completed from the signal transmission unit 50 and the integrated remote controller 100 recognizes the signal, the display unit 150 may display, for example, a message “Complete signal reception” (S15). ).

When the signal is received by the integrated remote controller 100, that is, when the reception of the control signal corresponding to the "starting operation of the air conditioner" is completed, the control signal is stored in the memory unit 120.

That is, the "air conditioner start" command of "No. 1" set through the "key input mode" may be combined with the control signal command related to "air conditioner start" set through the "matching mode". In summary, the setting input unit 1 set in the "key input mode" is stored in accordance with the operation command (air conditioner start command) of the electrical appliance.

As a result, the first matching process according to the execution of the "key input mode" and the second matching process according to the execution of the "matching mode" are combined, so that the control signal of the external remote controller is stored as the control signal of the integrated remote controller 100. The control signal may be matched with a selection of an input unit that may be recognized (or input) by the user (S17).

The process of such a matching process can be repeated many times. For example, the control method has been described as matching the "start operation of the air conditioner" signal of the external remote control with the "number 1" button of the integrated remote control 100, but in a similar manner (steps S11 to S17) of the " The TV ON operation signal may be matched to a button “2” of the integrated remote controller 100.

Here, the external remote control of the TV may be a remote control different from the external remote control of the air conditioner. That is, the integrated remote controller 100 is configured to integrate control signals of a plurality of remote controllers respectively corresponding to a plurality of electrical appliances.

As described above, in the state where the performance of a plurality of electrical appliances and the input unit of the integrated remote controller 100 are made, that is, the first button is the air conditioner start command, the second button is matched to the TV ON operation signal The plurality of operation commands of the electrical appliance may be set to correspond to one input unit.

For example, after entering the key input mode provided in the integrated remote controller 100 and selecting the third button, through the steps S12 to S17 may select the "operating start of the air conditioner" and "TV ON operation" messages.

In this case, the button "3" is matched with "starting operation of the air conditioner" and "TV ON operation". In addition, since the messages related to the "starting operation of the air conditioner" and "TV ON operation" and the control signals for controlling the operation of the actual electric appliances are already matched in the "matching mode", there is no need to set a separate matching mode. do.

After all, when the user presses the button "3 times", the first command of "starting operation of the air conditioner" is transmitted from the integrated remote controller 100 to the air conditioner, and the second command of "TV ON operation" is transmitted to the TV. Can be. At this time, the first command and the second command may be sent sequentially (S18).

Other embodiments are suggested.

In the above, it has been described that the function of the specific electrical product is matched with the input unit provided in the integrated remote controller 100. However, it may be stored that the functions of different electrical appliances are performed by varying the time for selecting (eg, pressing) one input unit.

For example, after selecting the "key input mode" of the integrated remote controller 100, press and hold the "three times" button (for example, 2 seconds or more) and then save the name as "air conditioning stop". In addition, by selecting the "matching mode" and receiving a signal related to "air conditioning stop" from the external remote control and storing in the integrated remote control 100, pressing the "3 times" button for more than 2 seconds to stop the operation of the air conditioner It can be set to.

In this way, the function of the electrical appliance can be distinguished by different input units, and the integrated remote controller 100 can be set (stored) by performing different functions by changing the time (input time) of selecting the same input unit. can do.

Another embodiment is proposed.

Depending on the number of inputs of the input unit, the function performance of the electrical appliance may be set differently. In one example, pressing the particular input unit once may be stored as an instruction for performing a function of the first electrical appliance, and pressing the specific input unit twice may be stored as an instruction for performing a function of the second electrical appliance. have.

Another embodiment is proposed.

A plurality of inputs can be combined to match the function of the electrical appliance. For example, by simultaneously or sequentially selecting the first input unit and the second input unit, one function of the electrical appliance can be matched, and the first input unit and the second input unit are respectively selected within a preset time or longer, or By repeatedly selecting the first input unit and the second input unit a predetermined number of times, other functions of the electrical appliance may be matched.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, when the input device 110 is configured as a touch screen, a predetermined model may be touched and input on the screen, and the input content may be matched with one function of the electrical appliance and stored.

As such, by variously suggesting an input method of the integrated remote controller 100, even if the number of input units is limited, the functions of a plurality of electrical products can be matched and stored. You can control it.

50: signal transmission unit 100: integrated remote control
110: input device 120: memory
130: timer 140: signal transceiver
150 display unit 160 control unit

Claims (10)

An input device having at least one input unit and configured to input information corresponding to a function of an electric appliance;
A memory unit for storing information input from the input device and matching information regarding a function or an operation mode of an electrical appliance;
A display unit displaying information input from the input device or information related to a function of the electrical appliance;
A signal transmission / reception unit capable of transmitting a signal for performing a function of the electrical appliance, and allowing a control signal set from an external remote controller to be received; And
A control unit configured to perform at least one of a first matching process for matching the information related to the function of the electric appliance and the input unit and a second matching process for matching the control signal with the information related to the function of the electric appliance Integrated remote control included. The method of claim 1,
The first matching process,
Selects an input unit included in the input device,
Integrated remote control, characterized in that the performance of the key input mode for inputting the performance information of the electrical appliance that the user can recognize. 3. The method of claim 2,
The second matching process,
Receiving a control signal from the external remote controller,
And performing a matching mode in which the one control signal matches the function performance information of the electrical appliance. The method of claim 1,
And a one input unit selectable for performing the one function and the one function related to the electrical appliance. The method of claim 1,
Many functions related to the electrical appliance,
Integrated remote controller, characterized in that stored in the memory unit divided according to the input time or the number of times of the input unit. The method of claim 1,
One input unit included in the input device,
Integrated remote control, characterized in that the matching so that the performance of a plurality of electrical appliances can be performed sequentially or simultaneously. A method of controlling an integrated remote control capable of controlling the operation of at least one electrical appliance,
Storing a setting input unit provided in the integrated remote controller as a selectable input unit for performing a function of an electric appliance;
Transmitting a control signal for performing a function of the electrical appliance from an external remote controller toward a signal transceiver provided in the integrated remote controller; And
Storing the control signal received in the signal transmission and reception unit in the integrated remote controller; And
And controlling the setting input unit and the control signal to match. The method of claim 7, wherein
The integrated remote control,
At least one mode selector selectable for setting the integrated remote controller is included.
And storing the setting input unit as a selectable input unit is performed as a first mode, and transmitting the control signal is performed as a second mode. The method of claim 7, wherein
In the step of transmitting the control signal,
And a signal transmitter of the external remote controller arranged to face the signal transceiver of the integrated remote controller. The method of claim 7, wherein
When the setting input unit is selected,
The control method of the integrated remote control, characterized in that the set signal is transmitted to a plurality of electrical products at the same time or sequentially.

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