MXPA00007969A - Portable electronic device, method of controlling the device and recording medium for recording data used by the device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable electronic device that can be connected to a host machine and can be used alone as an ancillary machine to be used as a remote control unit, and allowing even visually impaired users to distinguish remote control operation information aurally is configured so that a remote control program and frequency division program are downloaded from a CD-ROM which is the recording medium to a program memory of the portable electronic device, and remote control voice data is also downloaded to a non-volatile memory of the device. Additionally, remote control voice data corresponding to operation items when the portable electronic device is used as a remote control unit undergoes frequency division, and sounds which allow the operation items to be distinguished,are generated from a speaker of the portable electronic device.

Description

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, METHOD TO CONTROL THE DEVICE AND RECORDER TO RECORD DATA USE THE DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, to a method for controlling the same and to a means for recording the data used by the device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable electronic device that is used as an auxiliary memory unit of an information device containing an entertainment system, such as a video game unit, and to a method and a means of recording software to operate the portable electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional memory card (daughter machine or auxiliary machine) which is loaded into a main device such as an information device, for example a video game machine, and which is thus used, usually has an interface for connection with the main unit (parent machine or main machine) as an information device and a non-volatile memory element for storing data.

Figure 1A shows an example of the constitution of the main elements of a conventional memory card. The conventional memory card 10 has a control unit 11 for controlling operation, a connector 12 for connecting to a terminal provided within the slot of the information device, etc., and a non-volatile memory 16 for storing data; and the connector 12 and the non-volatile memory 16 are connected to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 consists of a microcomputer.

In addition, a void memory, such as an EEPROM, is used as the non-volatile memory 16. A microcomputer is also used as the control means for interpreting the protocols in the connection interface with the information device, etc. Figure 1B illustrates the control elements in the control unit 11 of a conventional memory card 10. Accordingly, the conventional memory card 10 only has a connection interface to the main unit to be connected to the main unit, such as an information device and a memory interface to enter / output data to / from non-volatile memory. In addition, conventional video game units, such as domestic TV game devices, have a function by which game data, etc., are stored in an auxiliary memory unit. The memory card is used as this type of auxiliary storage device for a video game unit.

Figure 2 shows an example of a conventional video game unit using a memory card as an auxiliary storage device. The main unit 2 of the conventional video game unit 1 is housed in an almost square box and includes a loading part in disk 3, in whose central portion an optical disk is loaded which is the recording medium in which it is engraved the application program of the video game, a reset switch 4 to restart the game as desired, a power switch 5, a disk operation switch 6 to operate the insertion of said optical disk, and for example, two slots 7A and 7B. The memory card 10 that is used as the auxiliary storage device is inserted into the slot 7A or 7B; and the results, etc., of a game that has been played in the video game unit 1 are sent from a control means (CPU) 19 and written to the non-volatile memory 16. The multiple operation units (controllers) ), not illustrated in the drawing, are also connected to slots 7A and 7B to allow multiple players to play competitive games at the same time, etc. In this regard, it has been considered to provide an auxiliary machine that is connected through the slot of the video game machine memory card, etc., which is the main machine with other functions to execute programs. Said auxiliary machine can be used unmodified as a portable electronic device, and by facilitating communication with other devices, it could give way to a wide range of applications and the creation of a new demand. In addition, the use of said portable electronic device as a remote command device for use with a television receiver and the like would be very convenient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique by which a portable electronic device, which can be used only as an auxiliary machine that can be connected to a main machine, is used as a remote control unit. It is another object of the present invention to allow users with visual impairment to distinguish an information from a remote control operation in an audible manner. The portable electronic device according to the present invention, for solving the problems described above, can be connected to a main machine having program execution functions, but having independent input / output operation functions of the main machine. The portable electronic device of the present invention includes a memory medium that stores recording data containing remote-controlled voice data and a remote control program transmitted from the recording medium of the main machine; a control means that is responsible for the execution of the remote control program stored in the memory medium; an operating input means for operating the control means; and a sound generating means that generates sound based on remote-controlled voice data, wherein said control means changes or selects and outputs voice data to remote control through the sound generating means in accordance with the operation of the means of operation input based on the remote control program. In this way, by transmitting the remote control program of the recording medium of the main machine, the portable electronic device of the present invention has the functions of a remote control unit and can be used in a wide range of applications to satisfy various demands. Further, since the present invention is constituted in such a way that the remote-controlled voice data is changed or selected in accordance with the operation of the operation input means and is emitted to the sound generating means, even users with deficiency can visually distinguish remote control operation information audibly. Also, the portable electronic device of the present invention can also be configured to include in the remote control program a frequency division program that divides the voice data to remote control, wherein the control means, together with the operation detection of the operation input means based on the remote control program, divides the voice data to remote control according to a frequency division value corresponding to the detected operation and outputs said data to the sound generating means. Through said configuration through which the remote-controlled voice data is divided and output to a sound generating means, the volume of the remote-controlled voice data to be transferred from the main machine and stored in the memory medium, can be reduced. This feature of the present invention has an important merit in the effective use of the memory medium that has a limited memory capacity in function of being a portable electronic device for which a reduction in size is required. In addition, the electronic remote control device of the present invention can be constituted so that the multiple voice data segments, corresponding to at least the operations of the operation input means, are included in the voice to control data remote; and the control means, based on the remote control program, together with the detection of the operation of the operation input means, selects and outputs the remote-controlled voice data to the sound generating means corresponding to the detected operation. A control method for the portable electronic device of the present invention that can be connected to a main machine having program execution functions and has input / output and operation functions independent of the main machine, comprises the steps of storing recording data including a remote control program and remote-controlled voice data transferred from the recording medium of a main machine, into a portable electronic device, and changing or selecting, based on the program Remote control, remote-controlled voice data that is issued according to the user's operation. Furthermore, according to the control method for the portable electronic device of the present invention, the operation performed by the user based on the remote control program is detected, and the remote-controlled voice data are divided by frequency of agreement. with a frequency division value corresponding to the detected operation, and they are issued. , Through the method by which remotely controlled voice data is divided and output in this manner, the volume of the required remote voice data can be reduced. On the other hand, in the control method for the portable electronic device of the present invention, the multiple segments of voice data corresponding to at least the user operations can be included in the remote-controlled voice data and the operation of the voice is detected. user based on the aforementioned remote control program; and the remote-controlled voice data corresponding to the detected operation are selected and issued. A recording medium for recording data used in the portable electronic device of the present invention is loaded on the main machine, which has a function of executing programs and recording data that are transferred to the portable electronic device connected to the main machine; the recording medium containing in its recorded data a remote control program that is executed by the portable electronic device and the remote-controlled voice data are broadcast based on the program of the remote control. Here, the remote control program may be constituted to include a remote control program of a control object device by which, together with the detection of the user's operation, the aforementioned remote control voice data is they change or select and emit according to the operation detected. In addition, the recording medium for recording data that is employed in the portable electronic device of the present invention can be constituted so that the remote control program, together with the detection of the user's operation, divides the data from voice to control remote by means of a frequency division value corresponding to the detected operation, and output this data from a sound generating medium. The recording medium for recording data that is used in the portable electronic device of this invention can also be constituted so that the multiple segments of voice data corresponding to at least the user's operations are included in the voice data to control remote control, and the remote control program has a function that, together with the detection of the user's operation, selects and outputs remote-controlled voice data corresponding to the operation detected.

In this specification, the term "rimokon" is an abbreviation of the term "remote control".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a structural example of the essential parts of a conventional memory card unit; Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the video game unit using a memory card as an auxiliary memory unit Figure 3 is a plan view showing the external appearance of the video game unit as a main machine using a portable electronic device as an auxiliary machine, according to one embodiment of the present invention figure 4 is a rear view illustrating the shape of a slot in the video game unit used as a main machine; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the exterior of a video game unit used as a main machine; Figure 6 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the main parts of a video game unit used as a main machine; Figure 7 is a plan view showing the exterior of a portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the portable electronic device according to this invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the portable electronic device according to the present invention in a state in which the cover element is open; Figure 10 is a front view showing the exterior of the portable electronic device in accordance with this invention; Figures 11A and 11B are block diagrams showing an example of the configuration of important parts of the portable electronic device in accordance with this invention; Figure 12 is a plan view explaining the wireless communication function of the portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 13 is a view for explaining the coordinated operation between the auxiliary machine as a mode of the portable electronic device of the present invention and the main unit of the video game unit as the main machine; Figures 14A and 14B show a CD-ROM which is a recording medium in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a flow diagram showing the procedure for transfer processing on the main machine side; Figure 16 shows the menu screen used in the transfer procedure; Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing the procedure for transferring in the auxiliary machine, i.e.; on the side of the portable electronic device; Figure 18 is a plan view for explaining the deployment content of the portable electronic device and the operating elements thereof; Figures 19A and 19C explain the operational display used when the portable electronic device of the present invention is operated as a remote control unit; Figure 20 is a drawing showing an example of the deployment "+" in the operational deployment; Figure 21 is an amplification of the "+" display illustrated in Figure 20; Figure 22 shows another example of the deployment in the operational deployment used when the portable electronic device of the present invention is operated as a remote control unit; Figure 23 is an amplification of the deployment example illustrated in Figure 22; Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the hierarchical structure of the operational deployment in the case where the portable electronic device of the present invention is operated as a remote control unit when the control object is air conditioned; Fig. 25 is a flow chart of processing in the operational display in the case where a portable electronic device of the present invention is operated as a remote control unit; Figure 26 is a block diagram showing the constituent elements employed in auxiliary operational functions of a voice remote control unit, removed from the constituent elements of the portable electronic device illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B; Fig. 27 shows an example of the speech data frequency division values corresponding to elements of the operational menu in the case where the portable electronic device of the present invention is operated as a remote control unit; Fig. 28 shows an example of the voice data frequency division values corresponding to channel numbers of a television receiver when the portable electronic device of the present invention is operated as a remote control unit; Fig. 29 is a flow chart of control for the case where the control unit executes a sound generating function of the menu item in the portable electronic device of the present invention; Fig. 30 is a flow chart of control for the case where the control means executes a sound generation function of selecting the portable electronic device channel of the present invention; Fig. 31 is a flow chart showing an example where a sound generation function of the menu item and a sound generation function of the channel selection are performed through a different constitution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the portable electronic device that serves as a modality of the present invention can be used as a memory card employed in an entertainment system, such as a video game unit, which serves as the main machine or the parent machine, and isolated, like a portable miniature game machine and a remote command device. The main device is not limited to video game machines, and the portable electronic device that serves as the auxiliary machine or the daughter machine does not need to have a memory card function.

In the following description, first of all, an example of a video game machine is described as the main machine, wherein the portable electronic device serving as an embodiment of the present invention is used as an auxiliary machine. Figure 3 shows the external appearance of the video game unit that serves as the main machine to which the portable electronic device that serves as a modality of the present invention is connected. The video game unit 1 is for the purpose of reading a program of games recorded on an optical disc, for example, and executing the game in accordance with the instructions of the user (game player). The phrase "game execution" primarily means controlling the progress, display, sound effects, etc., of the game. A main unit 2 of the video game unit 1 is housed in an almost square box, and comprises a disk loading part 3, in whose central portion an optical disk is loaded, such as a CD-ROM, which is the recording medium in which the video game application program is recorded, a reset switch 4 for restarting the game as desired, a power switch 5, a disk operation switch 6 for operating the optical disc insertion already mentioned, and for example, two slots 7A and 7B. The recording medium for supplying the application program is not limited to optical discs, and the application program can also be supplied via a communication line.

Two operating devices 20 can be connected to slots 7A and 7B to allow two users to play competitive games, etc. In addition, the aforementioned memory card or portable electronic device that serves as an embodiment of the present invention can also be inserted into the slot 7A or 7B. Figure 3 shows, as an example, a structure in which twin slots 7A and 7B are provided, but the number of slots is not limited to a twin system. The operation device 20 has first and second operation parts 21 and 22, a button L 23L, a button R 23R, a start button 24, and a selection button 25, and also has operation parts 31 and 32 that can perform an analogous operation, a mode selection switch 33 that selects the operation mode of these parts 31 and 32, and a deployment part 34 that displays the selected operating mode. A vibration mechanism not illustrated in the figure is also provided within the operating devices 20. Figure 4 shows the shape of the slots 7A and 7B provided on the front surface of the main unit 2 of the video game unit 1 In the embodiment, the slots 7A and 7B are formed in two stages. The upper stages have insert parts for memory card 8A and 8B, where the memory card 10 or a portable electronic device 100 described below is inserted, and the lower stages have connection parts for controller (connections) 9A and 9B, to which the terminal connecting part (connector) 26 of the controller 20 is connected. The insertion openings (slot) of the insertion parts for memory card 8A and 8B are formed so as to have an oblong shape in the shape of the card. the horizontal direction, and the corners at both ends of the underside thereof have a more rounded shape than the corners at the upper side ends, so that a structure is provided which prevents the memory card from being inserted upside down. error. The insert parts for memory card 8A and 8B also have shutters that protect the connection terminals that are inside to obtain the electrical connection. The controller connection parts 9A and 9B are also formed so that the two corners of the lower side of the insertion openings, which have an oblong shape in the horizontal direction, have a more rounded shape than the corners of the ends of the side upper, so they provide a structure that prevents the terminal connection part 26 of the controller 20 from being inserted upside down by mistake, and also have a structure wherein the insertion holes have a different shape to the insertion parts for the card. memory 8A and 8B to prevent insertion of the memory card by mistake. Figure 5 illustrates a state in which a portable electronic device 100 serving as an embodiment of the present invention described below is inserted into the memory card insertion part 8A of the slot 7A in front of the gaming machine Next, Figure 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a circuit configuration of the important parts of the video game unit 1. The video game unit 1 includes a system control 50 having a central processing unit (CPU) 51 and its peripherals, a graphics system 60 having a graphics processing unit (GPU) 62 or a similar device that performs graphics functions in a frame buffer 63, a sound system 70 comprising a sound processing unit (SPU) or a similar device that generates music, sound effects, etc., a part of optical disc control ico 80 which controls the optical disc on which the application programs are recorded, a memory card 10 that stores signals from the controller 20, to which user commands, game settings, etc. are input, a part of control communication device 90 controlling the input and output of data of the portable electronic device 100 described below and a BUS busbar or the like by means of which the aforementioned parts are connected. The control system 50 includes a CPU 51, a peripheral control part 52, which performs the control functions such as switch control and direct memory access transfer control (DMA), a main memory 53 comprising an access memory Random (RAM), and a read-only memory (ROM) 54, which stores programs for the dominated operating system, etc., which controls the main memory 53, the graphics system 60, and the sound system 70, etc. The term "main memory" refers to the one that can execute programs in its memory. The CPU 51 is responsible for the control of the entire video game unit 1 by executing the operating systems stored in the ROM 54, and comprises for example, a RISC (computer of small group of instructions) -CPU of 32 bits . Upon turning it on, this video game unit 1 executes the operating systems stored in the ROM 54, and then the CPU 51 of the aforementioned control system 50 performs control of the graphics system 60, the sound system 70, etc. , aforementioned. When the operating systems are executed, the CPU 51, after performing the general start of the video game unit 1 such as an operation validation, controls the control part of the optical disk 80, and executes the application program such as a game stored on the optical disc. When the game or other program is executed, the CPU 51 controls the graphics system 60, the sound system 70, etc., in accordance with the input of the user, and controls the display of images in the generation of sound effects and music. In addition, the graphics system 60 has a geometry transfer machine (GTE) 61, which performs the processing as a coordinated transformation, a GPU 62, which performs the trace in accordance with the layout instructions of the CPU 51, a memory intermediate frames 63, which stores the images plotted by the GPU 62, and an image decoder 64 that decodes the data of the image that has been compressed and encoded by the orthogonal transformation, such as a discrete cosine transformation. For example, GTE 61 has a parallel processor that performs a plurality of calculations in parallel and can perform a coordinated transformation at high speed, calculation of light source and vector or matrix operations in accordance with the operating requirements from the already mentioned CPU 51. Specifically when the GTE 61 performs a flat shading operation, by which the trace is carried out in the same color in a triangular polygon, it can perform the coordinated calculation of a maximum of approximately 1, 500,000 of polygons in 1 second, and through this means, the coordinated calculation can be performed at high speed, although the load on the CPU 51 in this video game unit is reduced. Likewise, the GPU 62 performs the tracing of polygons, etc., in the frame buffer 63 according to the trace commands coming from the CPU 51. The GPU 62 can trace a maximum of approximately 360,000 polygons in one second. In addition, the frame buffer 63 has a double port RAM, and can perform the trace from the GPU 62 or transfer data from the main memory and read them to display them at the same time. The frame buffer 63 has a capacity of e.g. 1 MB, and it is managed as a matrix composed of 1024 horizontal pixels and 512 vertical pixels, each with 16 bits. This frame buffer 63, in addition to a display region that is output as a video output, also has a color observation table region (CLUT) that stores a CLUT that is referenced when the GPU 62 performs the tracing of polygons, etc., and a texture region that stores the raw material (texture) to be inserted (in map) in the polygons, etc., which the GPU 62 traces through the coordinated transformation during the trace. The CLUT region and the texture region are automatically changed according to the changes, etc., in the deployment region. The mentioned GPU 62, in addition to said flat shading, can perform the shading Gouraud, which determines the color within a polygon by interpolating the color of the vertices of the polygon, as well as the texture map so that a texture stored in that region of texture is pasted into a polygon. When Gouraud shading the texture map, the GTE 61 can perform the coordinated calculation of a maximum of approximately 500,000 polygons in one second. Also, the image decoder 64, by controlling the CPU 51, decodes the image data for still or moving photography that is stored in the main memory 53 and stores it in the main memory 53.

The reproduced image data is stored through the GPU 62 in the frame buffer 63, and therefore can be used as background for images plotted by the GPU 62. The sound system 70 has a SPU 71, which generates music, sound effects, etc., as directed by the CPU 51, a sound buffer 72 in which sound wave data, etc. are stored, coming from the CPU 71, and speakers 73 that emit music, effects of sound, etc., generated by SPU 71. The SPU 71 has a differential adaptive PCM decoding function (ADPCM), by which the voice data obtained by performing the ADPCM on 16-bit voice data using a 4-bit differential signal, a reproducing function is played by which sound effects are obtained, etc., by reproducing waveform data stored in the sound buffer 72, a modulation function, which modulates and reproduces the data of fo waveform stored in the sound buffer 72, etc. By having these functions, the sound system 70 can be used as what is called a sample sound source that generates music, sound effects, etc., based on the waveform data stored in the buffer memory of the sound system. sound 72, as directed by the CPU 51. The optical disk control part 80 has an optical disk unit 81 that reproduces programs, data, etc., recorded on the optical disk; a decoder 82 that decodes programs, data, etc., that have been recorded with error correction code (ECC) added; and a buffer 83 that accelerates the reading of data from the optical disk 81 by temporary storage of data from the optical disk device. The sub-CPU 84 is connected to the aforementioned decoder 82. Also, just as the voice data or audio data (referred to as audio data hereinafter) which is read from the optical disc drive 81 and recorded on the optical disc, in addition to the aforementioned ADPCM data, it can also be The so-called PCM data obtained by the analog / digital conversion of audio signals should be used. For example, like the ADPCM data, the audio data recorded by the differential representation in digital data of 16 bits in 4 bits, are decoded by the decoder 82, then are supplied to the SPU 71, and after processing the digital / analog conversion performed by the SPU 71, are used to control the horn 73. In addition, for example, like the PCM data, the audio data recorded as 16-bit digital data is decoded through the decoder 82 and then they are used to control the horn 73. The communication control part 90 includes a communication control unit 91, which is responsible for communicating with the CPU 51 through the BUS busbar, and said communication control unit 91. it has a controller connection part 9 to which the controller 20 is connected, which inputs instructions from the user; and the insertion parts for memory card 8A and 8B to which the memory card 10 is connected, which serves as an auxiliary memory unit for storing data of game settings, etc., and the portable electronic device 100 described later. The controller 20 connected to the controller connection parts 9A and 9B, for example, has 16 instruction keys that allow the user to enter instructions, and in accordance with the instructions coming from the communication control unit 91, transmits the status of the instruction keys at a speed of approximately 60 times per second to the communication control unit 91 by synchronized communication. The communication control unit 91 then transmits the status of the instruction keys of the controller 20 to the CPU 51. Through this means, the user instructions are entered into the CPU 51 and the CPU performs the processing according to the user's instructions based on the game program, etc., that it is executing. Here, in the execution of program reading, display of images or stroke, etc., it is necessary to transmit large amounts of image data between the main memory 53, the GPU 62, the image decoder 64, the decoder 82, etc. , high speed. For this reason, in this video game unit, by applying the control from a peripheral control part 52 avoiding the CPU 51, it is possible to carry out the transmission called DMA, by means of which the data can be transmitted directly between the main memory 53, the CPU 62, the image decoder 64, the decoder 82, etc. Through this means, the load placed on the CPU 51 by the data transmission can be lightened and a high-speed data transmission can be achieved. Furthermore, when it is necessary to store adjustment data, etc., of a game that is running, the CPU 51 transmits stored data to the communication control unit 91, and it writes the data coming from the CPU 51 to the memory card. 10 or in the portable electronic device 100 which is inserted in the insertion part for memory card 8A or insertion part for memory card 8B. Here, a protection circuit is incorporated to avoid a short circuit in the communication control unit 91. Said memory card 10 and the portable electronic device 100 are isolated from the BUS busbar, and can be dismantled while the main unit is turned on. Of the device. Accordingly, for example, when the storage capacity of the memory card 10 or the portable electronic device 100 is no longer sufficient, a new memory card can be inserted without switching the power to the main unit of the device. In this way, a new memory card can be inserted without losing the data that the game, necessary for backup, and the game data can be written to the new memory card.

The parallel I / O interface (PlO) 96 and the serial I / O interface (SIO) 97 are interfaces for connecting the video game unit 1 with the memory card 10 or the portable electronic device 100. describes the portable electronic device that serves as an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 7 to 10 illustrate the exterior of the portable electronic device 100 of the present invention. Figure 7 is a plan view of a portable electronic device 100, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing in a state in which the cover element 110 for protecting the connector parts is closed, Figure 9 is a view in perspective of a state in which the cover element 110 is open, and Figure 10 is a front view of the housing 101 with a cover element removed. As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the portable electronic device 100 of the present invention is constituted so as to have a housing 101 and has an operating part 120 having one or more operating elements 121 and 122 for performing the event input, various selections, etc., the display part 130 comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) or similar device, and a window portion 140 for wireless communication by infrared rays, for example, using a means of wireless communication described later. The housing 101 comprises an upper shell 101a and a lower shell 101b, and contains a substrate 151 (see Figure 10) in which a memory element and the like are placed. The housing 101 may be inserted in a slot 7A or 7B in the main unit of the video game unit 1, and in the side surface of one side thereof a connecting part 150 is provided in which an oblong window is formed. . The window part 140 is formed in the front end portion of the housing 101, which is formed in an almost semicircular shape. The deployment part 130 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 101 and occupies approximately half of the region of this surface positioned near the window part 140. The operating part 120 is disposed in the part forming the opposite side the window part 140 on the upper surface of the housing 101, which occupies approximately half the area of this upper surface. This operating part 120 is formed in an almost square shape and is rotatably supported (open and closed) in relation to the housing 101, which comprises a cover element 110 having one or more operating elements 121 and 122 , and release part of switch 102 and 103 that are positioned in positions where they can be opened and closed by said cover member 110 in housing 101. Operating elements 121 and 122 are positioned so as to be pierced through the element of cover 110 from the upper surface of the lower surface of the cover element 110. These operating elements 121 and 122 are supported by said cover member 110 and can move in a direction that protrudes or sinks relative to the upper surface of the cover element 110. cover 110.

The switch release portions 102 and 103 have release elements that can move in a direction that protrudes or sinks in relation to the upper surface of the housing 101 and are held in said housing 101. The release elements upon release from above release a release switch, such as a diaphragm switch formed on the surface of the substrate 151 within the housing 101. The switch release portions 102 and 103 are positioned in a position corresponding to the position of the operating elements 121 and 122 when the cover element 110 is closed. Specifically, when the cover element 110 is in the closed position, if any of the operating elements 121 and 122 is pressed in a sunken direction with respect to the upper surface of the cover member 110, this operating element 121 and 122 releases the corresponding release switch within the housing 101 via the release of the corresponding switch release part 102 or 103. Within the window of the connector part 150, as illustrated in Figure 10, the energy and signal terminals 152 are placed together on the substrate 151. The form , dimensions, etc., of the connecting part 150 are made to be compatible with a conventional memory card 10 used in the video game unit 1.

Figure 11A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device 100, like the conventional memory card 10 described above, has a control unit 41 for controlling its operation, a connector 42 for connecting to the slot of the information device, etc., and a memory non-volatile 46 which is an element used to store data. In addition, a semiconductor memory device, such as a void memory, wherein the recording state remains even after the power is cut off, can be used as the non-volatile memory 46. The portable electronic device 100 in accordance with the present invention is constituted to be provided with a battery 49 as described below, but can also use a static random access memory (SRAM) that can enter and output data at a high speed such as a non-volatile memory 46. The portable electronic device 100 differs in that, in addition to the constitution described above, an operation input unit (event) 43, such as the operation buttons for operating the programs stored therein, is also provided with a display unit 44, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), which serves as a means of display to display various types of information Ion according to the aforementioned program, a wireless communication device 48 for transmitting and receiving data with another memory card, etc., by infrared rays, etc., and a battery 49 that provides power to the aforementioned parts. With the above arrangement, the portable electronic device 100 has a conventional function as a memory card. Specifically, the portable electronic device 100 is inserted into any of the insert slots for memory card 8A, 8B, respectively, provided in the slots 7A, 7B of the video game device that serves as the main machine, and can be used as a dedicated memory card for one of a plurality of operating devices 20 connected to the video game device 1. For example, if two users (two players) play a game, two portable electronic devices 100 can respectively record the results of the game . The control unit 41 consists of a microcomputer, for example, and has a program memory part 41a that serves as the storage medium of the program. The portable electronic device 100 also houses the miniature battery 49 as a means of power supply. In this way, it can be operated independently even after it has been removed from the slot 7A or 7B of the video game unit 1, which is the main machine. A rechargeable secondary battery such as the battery 49 can also be used. The portable electronic device 100 (auxiliary machine) is constituted such that when it is inserted into a slot 7A or 7B of the video game unit 1 which is the main machine, it is supplied with power from the main video game unit 1. That is, a power terminal 49t is connected to the connection terminal of the battery 49 with a diode 49d interposed therebetween to prevent reverse flow, and is inserted in a slot of the main machine, such as the aforementioned video game unit 1, power is supplied from the main machine to the portable electronic device 100, and when a secondary battery is used the recharge of the secondary battery can also be performed. . The portable electronic device 100 also has a clock 45, a horn 47 or the like which is a sound emitting means that emits sound in accordance with the aforementioned program or the like. The aforementioned parts are connected to the control unit 41 and are operated under the control of the control unit 41. Figure 11B shows the control elements of the control unit 41. In the conventional memory card 10 only one is provided. Connection interface to the main unit to connect to the information device, as well as a memory interface to enter and output data to and from memory. However, the portable electronic device 100 of the present invention, in addition to the aforementioned interfaces, also provides a deployment interface, an operating input interface, a voice interface, a wireless communication interface, a clock control and a program transfer interface. Therefore, since the portable electronic device 100 is constituted so as to provide the control unit 41 (microcomputer) with an interface (programmatic command) to control the aggregate functions by means of this mode independently of the interface of the device. Connection to the main unit (main machine) and non-volatile memory control which are its conventions functions, compatibility with the conventions functions can be maintained. Further, since the portable electronic device 100 is constituted so as to have features, such as an input means 43, such as button switches to operate the program being executed and a display unit 44 that employs a glass screen Liquid (LCD), etc., when running game applications, can be used as a portable game unit. Further, since the portable electronic device 100 has a function by which the application programs transferred from the main unit of the video game unit 1 are stored in a program memory part 41a in the microcomputer 41; Application programs and various types of controller software running on the portable electronic device 100 can be easily changed. As already explained, the portable electronic device 100 of the present invention can control operations independently from the video game unit 1. In this way, on the side of the portable electronic device 100, the data produced by stored applications in the program memory part 41a, which is the program storage medium, they can be independently created from the application software on the side of the video game unit 1. In addition, the coordinated operation (link) between the device portable electronic 100 and the video game unit 1 can also be achieved by exchanging this data with the video game unit 1. Also, since the portable electronic device 100 has a clock 45, the time data can be shared with the side of the video game unit 1. Specifically, not only can the time data be synchronized with each other, but it can also be The data is shared to control the progress in real time of the games that are running. Figure 12 shows a diagram of the state in which wireless communication is carried out between portable electronic devices 100, in accordance with the present invention. In this way, by sending and receiving data through the window part 140 forming a wireless communication window for carrying out the wireless communication by infrared rays, etc., in the wireless communication device 48, the device Portable electronic 100 can exchange internal data with a plurality of memory cards. The aforementioned internal data may also include data stored in the memory medium in a memory card transferred from an information device, such as a video game unit.

In the embodiment described above, the portable electronic device 100 is used as an auxiliary memory unit of the video game unit, but the application object is not limited to the video game units, and the device can also be used , eg, to retrieve various types of information. As already described, the portable electronic device 100 can share game data with the main unit of a video game unit 1 which are produced by a microcomputer 41 as a control means, as well as time data obtained from the clock 45 in the memory card, data produced by a separate memory card and obtained through the wireless communication device 48, etc. Figure 13 shows a scheme of the state in which the coordinated operation is performed between a video game unit 1 as a main machine and a portable electronic device 100 as an auxiliary machine. As a coordinated operation, an example is described in which an optical disc (CD-ROM), such as a recording medium in which an application software program is recorded, is loaded into the video game unit 1 of the main machine, and an application software program that is read from the disk is transferred to the portable electronic device 100 which serves as an auxiliary machine whose portable electronic device 100 is inserted into the slot 7A or 7B in the main unit of the video game Furthermore, it is possible to perform a coordinated operation in which the portable electronic device 100 which serves as an auxiliary machine independently executes an application software program transferred thereto from the video game unit 1 which serves as a main machine and the results from the above execution are exchanged between the portable electronic device 100 and the video game unit 1. The attribute data in the persons appearing in what is called a game with characters to be executed in the video game device Main 1 together with its character attributes (ie, data indicative of the degree of growth, personality, etc.) are transferred to the auxiliary portable electronic device 100. With the training of the personalities and characters that appear in a program executed by the microprocessor 41 in the portable electronic device 100 of auxiliary machine, its attributes s e are modified independently of the program running on the main unit of the video game device 1 of the auxiliary machine. The portable electronic device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is constituted to operate independently, and its small size offers a convenient portable capacity. In this way, a user (player) can carry and create at any time the personalities and characters that appear in a program executed in this portable electronic device 100. The user can also transfer (upload up) the attributes of the personalities and characters that appear, trained by himself from the portable electronic device 100 to the main unit of the video game device 1. In this case, the personalities and characters that appear whose attributes have changed can be carried and executed in a program that is executed in the video game device 1 of the main machine. It has been described that the portable electronic device 100 which serves as an auxiliary machine can be used as a portable gaming machine in comparison with the video game unit 1 and can execute the video game in an operation coordinated with the game unit of video. However, with the further development of the present invention and departing from a conventional game unit, the inventors came to the idea of using the portable electronic device 100 as an operation device having independent input / output operation functions. In other words, the portable electronic device 100 has been further developed to become a separate game unit by transfer, and was provided with the function of a remote control unit by software transfer. Moreover, since this auxiliary machine, that is to say, the portable electronic device 100 itself has a size that allows it to be adjusted in the palm of an adult's hand, for example, the deployment part 130 has a limited surface area, and the operation part 120 also has only a few operation elements 121 and 122. In this way, it is necessary to provide functions that replace the numerous input operation buttons in a remote control unit provided as an accessory for a normal television receiver. , etc. Consequently, in this modality, with the use of a small deployment part 130 and only a few operation elements 121 and 122, a means was projected to perform an operation easy to understand by means of a screen and operation that follow the thought processes. of the user. Furthermore, thanks to this invention, it is possible to recognize the content of the operation of the remote control through changes in the voice for users with visual impairment. Figures 14A and 14B show an example of a recording medium that records data transferred from the video game unit 1, ie, the main unit, to the portable electronic device 100, i.e., the auxiliary unit. Figure 14A illustrates an optical disk (CD-ROM) 200 used as the recording medium. On a recording surface 200a of the CD-ROM 200, programs and various types of data are recorded to be transferred to the portable electronic device 100, for example, transfer programs executed by transferring recording data to the portable electronic device 100, deployment programs of menu to display the transfer menu, etc. Specifically, in this embodiment, to make the auxiliary machine, i.e., the portable electronic device 100, operate as a remote control unit, a remote control program 201 and various types of data, such as data for deployment of remote control 203 and remote voice data 204 are recorded on recording surface 200a of CD-ROM 200 as data to be transferred to portable electronic device 100, as illustrated in Figure 14B. Here, the remote control program 201 is a control program for making the portable electronic device 100 function as a remote control unit, and based on this remote control program 201, the control unit 41 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B) of the portable electronic device 100 carries out the control operations. The remote control program 201 also contains a frequency division program 202 for the frequency division of the remote control voice data 204. The control object device (device operated by the remote control) when the portable electronic device 100 it is operated as a remote control unit, for example, it can be a television receiver, a VTR recorder, an air conditioner, etc. For example, the turning on of a television receiver with the remote control, the selection of channels or the volume selection of said receiver, the remote control lighting of a VTR recorder, channel selection and operation selection of the VTR recorder, the ignition of an air conditioner, the selection of operation of the air conditioner, etc., can be effected by the remote control using the portable electronic device 100. In addition to the aforementioned transfer data that relate to the remote control, the programs and deployment data, etc., provided by the portable electronic device 100 with a calculating function, can also be recorded on the recording surface 200a of the CD-ROM 200. The procedure of transferring data recorded on the CD-ROM will be described below. 200. In the initial step S1, the CD-ROM 200 loaded in the loading unit of the disk 3 of the main machine is controlled, in step S2 a menu display program recorded in the CD-ROM 200 is read, and on going to step S3 the transfer menu. In step S4, the procedure is bifurcated depending on which elements of the transfer menu are selected. Specifically, if any item is selected from the transfer menu, then it is determined as "Sl" and the procedure proceeds to step S5. If on the other hand an element of it is not selected, then it is determined as "NO" and the transfer menu is continuously displayed. In step S5, a previous track of the selected transfer menu is displayed. The procedure then proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the procedure branches according to whether or not the selected transfer menu is confirmed. Specifically, if the selected transfer menu is confirmed, then it is determined as "Sl" and the procedure proceeds to step S7. If on the other hand the selected transfer menu is not confirmed, then it is determined as "NO" and the transfer menu is displayed continuously. In step S7, the recorded data concerning the selected and confirmed menu is transferred to the auxiliary machine. In this way, a series of transfer processing carried out by the host machine is concluded. Figure 16 shows an unfolded screen when the aforementioned transfer procedure is performed. This display screen is displayed using, for example, a television receiver connected to the host machine. As shown in Figure 16, a substantially rectangular display window 301 and a substantially rectangular preview screen 301 respectively open on the upper left and right sides of the display 300. The transfer menu is displayed in the window of display 301, in which the menu item selected from step 4 is shown in inverted form. In the preview window 302, a preview image of the selected menu item is displayed. Fig. 17 is a flow diagram showing a series of processing performed by the electronic portable device 100 which serves as the auxiliary machine when the recorded data is transferred to the CD-ROM 200.

In the initial step S10, the procedure branches depending on whether the portable electronic device 100 is connected or not to the host machine. Specifically, if the portable electronic device 100 is connected to the host machine, then it is determined as "YES" and the procedure proceeds to step 11. If on the other hand the portable electronic device 100 is not connected to the host machine, then it it is determined as "NO" and the process returns. In step S11, the transferred data is saved in accordance with the commands from the host machine, and then a series of processing is concluded. In this way, it is possible to transfer the recorded data in the CD-ROM 200 from the host machine to the portable electronic device 100. This transfer processing allows the data to be stored in the non-volatile memory 46 of the portable electronic device 100. The mode will be further described considering that in order that the portable electronic device 100 serves as the auxiliary machine so that it has functions of a remote command device, it transfers all the remote control programs 201, all the remote control display data 203 and all the remote control audio data 204 to the portable electronic device 100. Specifically, all of the remote control programs 201, the remote control display data 203 and the remote control audio data 204 are stored in the non-volatile memory 46 (see FIG. 11) of the portable electronic device 100. When the portable electronic device 100 is activated, the pr The remote control program 01 is written into the program memory 41a in the control means 41 shown in FIG. 11A and then the portable electronic device 100 functions as a remote command device based on the remote control program 201. In In a specific manner, the following operations are carried out under the control of the control means 10 (see FIG. 11A) based on the remote control program. In accordance with the remote control program 201 after its first activation, an initial screen shown in figure 18 is displayed, for example in the deployment unit 130 of the portable electronic device 100. As an initial screen, the operation menu of A television receiver, VTR recorder, or air conditioner is deployed. Specifically, various operating elements are deployed such as the remote control of "TV" for a television receiver, the selection of channels "CH" and the volume selection "VOL" of a television receiver, the ignition "VTR" remote control for a VTR recorder, and the channel selection "CH" and the operation selection "CONT" for a VTR recorder. Additionally, as with an air conditioning operation menu, although not shown in Figure 18, the "AIRCON" remote control ignition of the air conditioner, or the cooling selections of the "CL" air conditioner could be displayed. , heating "WA", and drying "DY". The remote control program 201 is arranged in such a way that in this deployment relating to the air conditioner, moving the display screen upwards by operation of releasing the uppermost stage 121 U of the operating elements 121 of the portable electronic device 100, by example, the elements "AIRCON, CL, WA, DY" can be displayed concerning the air conditioning operation in the deployment part 130. When the air conditioning operation menu is displayed by changing the television screen, the operation menu "TV, CH, VOL" of the TV receiver "TV" that has been changed to a top of the display screen is removed from the display screen. However, it could be deployed again in the deployment unit 130 by releasing the lowermost part 121D of the operating elements 121. In this way the program 201 is adjusted., although depending on the capacity of the non-volatile memory 46 of the portable electronic device 100, various types of operation menu can be displayed that are to be performed by remote control operation in addition to those for a television receiver, a VTR recorder, or the air conditioning can be stored, and its operation menus can be displayed by operation of displacement using the operating elements 121 U and 121 D. The operation with remote control of the television receiver will be described below. When performing the operation with remote control of a television receiver, for example, moving a pointer under the "TV" screen within the display part 130 in figure 8 to select it, and setting "TV" in the operation element 122 of the confirmation key, the commands are transmitted from the window part 140 by infrared rays and then the power is turned on to the television receiver. In this case, when the operating element 122 is released in this case, it is naturally necessary that the window part 140, towards which the command is transmitted by infrared rays, faces the television receiver. After the power for television receiver has been turned on, channel selection can be made by switching the pointer below the "CH" display. When the channel selection is established by pressing operation element 122, a "+" or "-" display appears in the display part 130 after the channel has been selected by pressing operation element 122. As shown in FIG. Figure 19A, when releasing the operation element 121 R during the "+" display, the channel number of the television receiver can be changed by transmitting from the window part 141 the infrared command to change the channel number of the receiver of the receiver. television in the upward direction. On the other hand, when releasing the operating element 121 L during the "-" display, the channel number of the television receiver can be changed by transmitting from the window part 141 the infrared command to change the channel number of the television receiver in the downward direction. The program is arranged in such a way that when you release the operation element 121 L while "-" is displayed in the deployment part 130, the display is changed to "-" and when the operation element 121L is released while "+" is displayed in the display part 130, the display is changed to "-". Then, the channel selection operation is concluded by releasing the operation element 122, whereby the deployment is returned to the display part 130 in the initial screen. The volume selection operation menu item "VOL" is displayed next to the channel selection element "CH". By moving the pointer to this volume selection menu item "VOL" to make the selection and then selecting it by releasing the operation element 122, a display of "+" or "-" appears in the display part 130 in the same way than in the channel selection described above. As shown in Fig. 19B, by releasing the operation element 121 R during the "+" display, the volume of the television receiver can be changed by transmitting from the window part 141 the infrared command to change the receiver volume of the receiver. television in the upward direction. On the other hand, by releasing the operation element 121L during the "-" display, the volume of the television receiver can be changed by transmitting from the window part 141 the infrared command to change the volume of the television receiver in the downward direction. The program is arranged in such a way that when releasing the operation element 121 L while "-" is displayed in the deployment part 130, the display is changed to "-" and releasing the operation element 121 L while "+" "is displayed in the deployment part 130, the display is changed to" - ". Then, the channel selection operation is concluded by releasing the operation element 122, whereby the display is returned to the display part 130 in the initial screen. Figure 20 shows a state in which "+" is displayed in the display part 130 after the volume selection operation. Figure 21 shows an enlarged image display thereof. Here, for example, the numbers 1, 8, 16, 24 and 32 in the vertical and horizontal directions in the display shown in Figure 21 indicate the pixel numbers of the liquid crystal display, and indirectly represent the size of the liquid crystal display. the screen of the liquid crystal screen. In each of the operations such as supplying power, channel selection and volume selection in the aforementioned television receiver, while selecting the power supply, for example, adjusting the pointer on "TV" by means of the element of operation 122, the "+" and "-" displays can be done together with the power supply by moving the pointer to the "CH" channel display or "VOL" volume. The adjustment confirmation and the screen return operations can be performed simply by releasing the operation element 121 U, 121D, 121R or 121L without moving the pointer. For example, "+" and "-" in the following hierarchy can be displayed by confirmation by dropping to operation element 122 after moving the pointer by releasing operation elements 121 U, 121 D, 121R and 121L. The screen can be returned to the initial screen by dropping to the operating element 121 U or 121 D. Therefore, an arrangement of the order of operation determined by the remote control program can be optionally changed. This can also be applied with respect to the remote control operation of a VTR recorder and the remote control operation of an air conditioner which will be described later in the present invention. Next, returning to Figure 18, the remote control operation of a VTR will be described. Moving, to select, the pointer to the display "VTR" on the initial screen operating the operation elements 121 U, 121 D, 121 R and 121 L and releasing the operation element 122 for the determination,. the command is transmitted from the window part 140 by infrared rays and then the power of the VTR is turned on. Next, by moving the pointer to the "CH" channel display in the initial screen to set the operation menu item to the channel selection by dropping to the operation element 122, the screen is switched to the same "+" display or "-" in the same way as with the "CH" channel display of the television receiver described above. While "+" is displayed in the display part 130, the channel number is changed in ascending order by dropping to the operation element 121 R. While "-" is displayed in the display part 130, the number is changed of channel in descending order by dropping to operation element 121L. Next, the channel selection operation is terminated by releasing the operation element 122, whereby the display in the display part 130 is returned to the initial screen. In the remote control operation of the VTR, when the cursor moves to the "CONT" display of the initial screen and the operation element 122 is released for the determination, any of the characters indicating respectively reproduction F, is displayed. fast FF, rewind RW, high ST, pause PO and recording Re as shown in figure 19C in the display part 130.

Specifically, this display of characters moves in the right direction in Fig. 19C by releasing the operation element 122R, that is, the display is changed in the order F? FF -. RW? - ST - »PO? RE, and the display moves to the left direction in FIG. 19C by releasing the operation element 122L, that is, the display is changed in the order of F - > RE? PO? ST? RW? FF? F. Then, when releasing the operation element 122 in the desired operation mode, that operation mode is established, and the screen display returns to the initial screen. Figure 22 shows a state in which in the remote control operation of a VTR, the display of reproduction characters "F" is shown in the display part 130. Figure 23 shows an enlarged view of the displayed image. Here, for example, the numbers 1, 8, 16, 24 and 32 in the vertical and horizontal directions in the display shown in Figure 21 indicate the number of pixels in the liquid crystal display, and indirectly represent the size of the liquid crystal display. screen liquid crystal screen. Figure 29 shows the contents displayed that refer to the deployment of remote control operation of an air conditioner and are classified in hierarchies. Specifically, the top-level deployment hierarchy 501 is the initial screen on which the "AIRCON" remote control of the air conditioner is shown and the "CL", "warm up" cooling air operation selections can be displayed. WA "and dried" DY ". Hierarchy 502 of the mid-level display shows the displayed screen when it is selected and determines any of the operation selections of the cooling air conditioner "CL", heating "WA" and drying "DY". In the deployment hierarchy 502, the operation menu items are more specific operations of the selected and selected operation. If the cooling display "CL" is adjusted in the initial screen, then the "TEMP" display indicating the temperature selection and the "AIRVOL" display indicating the selection of the "AIRVOL" display are displayed, as shown in Figure 24. air volume blown in the display part 130. In this lower level display hierarchy 503, the characters used to perform the selected and determined operation in the middle level display hierarchy 502 are displayed. In the deployment of the same, the display "+" or the display "-" is done in the same way as in the television receiver and the VTR. In the operation of remote control of air conditioning, moving, by means of the operation element 121U, 121 D, 121R or 121L, the pointer to the "AIRCON" display in the initial screen shown in the display part 330 shown in figure 18 to be selected and then releasing the element of operation 122 to determine, the command is transmitted through the window part 140 by infrared rays and in this way the energy is turned on to the air conditioner. Moving the pointer to the "CL" display shown on the top screen of the top-level deployment hierarchy 501 to release the operation element 122 for the operation menu item to be determined, the screen is changed to the hierarchy 502 of medium level deployment. Then, in the deployment hierarchy 502, moving the pointer to the "TEMP" display indicating the temperature choice or "AIRVOL" display indicating the blown amount of air to determine the operation menu item by pressing the operating element 122, the screen is changed to the "+" display or the "-" display in the lower level display hierarchy 503. While "+" is displayed, the temperature or the volume of air blown in the upward direction can be changed by pressing the operating element 121 R. While "-" is displayed, the temperature or volume of air blown in the air can be changed. descending direction by pressing operation element 121L. Then, the channel selection operation is terminated by releasing the operation element 122, whereby the screen in the display part 130 is returned to the top-level display hierarchy which is the initial screen. The operation menu items concerning the operation of the remote control of a television receiver, the remote control operation of the VTR, and the remote control operation of an air conditioner have been described with reference mainly to the displayed display screen in the display part 130. FIG. 25 is a flow diagram for controlling the display processing of the operation menu item concerning these remote operations in the display part 130. By starting the program routine, the first determination that the screen is displayed or not in step 20, and when the operation has not yet been carried out, the initial screen (shown in figure 18) is displayed (step ST21). Next, moving to the next evaluation block ST22, it is determined whether the machine to be controlled has been selected or not. Specifically, in the example given above, it is determined whether the remote display "TV" has been selected for the television receiver, the remote control deployment (VTR) of a VTR, or the remote control deployment "AIRCON "of the air conditioner, and if none has been selected, the display remains on the initial screen. When one of the machines to be controlled has been selected by moving to the pointer, it is determined, in the next step ST23, whether the operation object (OP object) has been selected.

Specifically, it is determined whether the "CH" display or the "VOL" display has been selected in the remote display of the television receiver, if the "CH" display or the "CONT" display in the remote control display has been selected. of the VTR recorder, or if the display has been selected "CL," WA ", or" DY "in the remote control display of the air conditioner In this step ST23, if it is found that the selection has not been made, the initial screen remains, and if the selection has been made, the procedure proceeds to step ST24.In this step ST24, "-1" is displayed, this "-1" designates the layer immediately below in the hierarchical display and here indicates moving to the display in the layer immediately below the initial screen.In other words, in the television receiver, it indicates the displays "+" and "-", which are the display "CH" and "VOL" in the layer immediately below the display, on a VTR recorder indicates the display "+" or "-" or F, FF, RW, ST, RE, PO, etc., display of characters, which are the display in the layer immediately below "CU" and "CONT", and in the air conditioned, this indicates the display of the average level shown in FIG. 24. After processing in step ST24, the process flow again returns to step ST20, and it is determined whether or not the initial screen is displayed. Here, since the lower layer deployment designation has been designated in step ST24, the determination in step ST24 is "NO", and the procedure moves to the display in step ST25. In step ST25, the deployment of the lower layer designated as described above is performed in step 204. In other words, the display of "+" and "-" or character is performed in the television receiver, and in the air conditioner, for example, the unfolding of the row of the half of figure 24 is carried out. Next, in step ST26, it is determined whether or not a selection has been made with respect to the element shown in FIG. Step S25; when such selection is not made, the process remains on the display screen of step ST25, and when the selection has been made, the procedure flow moves to the evaluation block to finish or not to finish. In this evaluation block ST27, for example, the return to the initial screen in accordance with the operation element 122 as described above becomes a trigger and when the deployment exists as a third hierarchy as shown in the lower row in Figure 24, the selection has not been completed yet. In this case, the procedure proceeds to step ST28, and the designation of the lower level display hierarchy shown in FIG. 24 is made, that is, the "+" or "-" display. In this case, the flow returns to step ST 20 and in step ST05, the display "+" or the display "-" is performed. Then, when the hierarchical displays are finally exhausted, step ST27 is completed and the program reaches END. Next, the new auxiliary operation function of the voice operated remote control unit will be described, as provided in the portable electronic device 100 of this mode.

Figure 26 is a block diagram showing the constituent elements used for the auxiliary operation functions of a remote control unit by voice, eliminating the constituent elements of the portable electronic device shown in Figures 11 A and 11B. Here, the sound generating unit 47 shown in Figure 11A as shown in detail in Figure 26, includes a digital / analog converter 47a, a voice amplifier 47b, and a horn 47c. In this embodiment, the auxiliary operation function of the voice remote control unit can be, for example, a sound generating function of the menu item which, when an operation menu item has been selected and it has been decided as described above, allows the operator to recognize the element on which it has been decided by voice, and a channel selection sound generating function, which allows the operator to recognize in aural form channel numbers that have been selected and on which has decided in the "CH" operation of channel selection of a television receiver between the operating menu items. As shown in Figure 14B, the remote control program 201, the frequency division program 202, and the remote control voice data 204 are recorded on the CD-ROM 200 which is the recording medium. These recorded data are transferred to the portable electronic device 100 at the frequency shown in FIG. 15, and as shown in FIG. 26, the remote control program 201 and the frequency division program 202 are read into the program memory. 41a of the control unit 41, and the voice data of the remote control are read into the non-volatile memory 46. Here, the voice data of the remote control includes two types of voice data, the voice data of the remote control 204A , which are used in the sound generating function of the menu item, and the voice data of the remote control 204B, which are used in the channel selection sound generation function, and both are read in the non-volatile memory 46. In the frequency division program 202, as shown in Fig. 27, the frequency division values for the voice data corresponding to the operation menu items are previously adjusted beforehand. mentioned and, as shown in Figure 28, the frequency division values of the voice data corresponding to the channel numbers of the television receiver. The frequency division program 202 is constituted so that the remote control voice data 204A or 204B are split and emitted to the sound generating unit 47 based on these frequency division values. Fig. 29 shows a control flow diagram for the control unit, performing the aforementioned menu item sound generation function.

Specifically, when an operation menu item is selected and it is decided on this by releasing the operation elements 121 and / or 122, the control unit 41 detects this operation information that has been fed by the power means 43 (step S30) ), in the next step S31, the operation menu item on which it was decided by this operation is distinguished, and the process then proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the frequency division value corresponding to the operation menu item on which it was decided is selected. For example, as shown in Figure 27, if the selected operation menu item is the "TV" television receiver in the initial screen menu, then the frequency division value of "1" is selected, and if the operation is the channel selection in the television receiver in the lower layer menu, then the frequency division value of "1/2" is selected. Similarly, if the operation menu item on which it was decided is another item, based on the corresponding ratio shown in Figure 27, the frequency division value specified in step S32 is selected. Then in step S33, the voice data of the remote control 204A assigned to the sound generation function of the menu item are read from the non-volatile memory 46. Then, in step S34, the remote control voice data 204A is divided based on the previously selected frequency division value. , and they are changed to unique voice data to the operation menu item on which it has been decided. The voice data obtained by frequency division is then output to the sound generating unit 47 (step S35), and the routine related to this sound generating function of the menu item is concluded. In the sound generating unit 47, the digital / analog converter 47a first converts the voice data divided in frequency (digital data) into a voice analog signal and sends it to the voice amplifier 47b, where it is amplified to a volume specified and is emitted to the horn 47c. With these means, an independent voice corresponding to the operation menu element on which it has been decided is produced in the horn 47c. Therefore, the remote control voice data 204A and 204B each have specified frequencies. By dividing this voice data by a frequency division value corresponding to the channel number, voices having frequencies determined by the frequency of the voice data and the frequency division value corresponding to the channel number for each number can be assigned. channel. Finally, each channel has voice data that has a different frequency, in other words, voice data that has a higher or lower tone. Accordingly, as explained above, even if it is not possible to read the operation menu item displayed on the display screen 130, when distinguishing by ear the voice produced by the speaker 47c during the remote control operation, it can be recognize the operating menu items selected and on which it has been decided. Next, Fig. 30 is a flow chart of control showing the control unit performing the aforementioned selected channel sound generator function. After the channel selection "CH" which is the menu item of the lowermost layer of the TV receiver "TV" in the menu items of operation has been selected and decided upon, the number of the channel can be changed. channel of the television receiver, as described above, sequentially in ascending or descending direction operating to the operating element 121. The channel number selected by this channel selection operation is also difficult to distinguish for persons with visual impairment . Accordingly, after the "TV-CH" element has been selected related to the channel selection in the television receiver and it has been decided upon, the subroutine is performed which refers to the selected channel sound generating function. shown in the figure . Specifically, when the channel number of the television receiver has been selected and decided on it by pressing the operation element 121, the control unit 41 detects this operation information which has been fed by the power unit 43 (step S40). ), and then, in step S41, the channel number on which it has been decided by this operation is determined, and the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, a frequency division value corresponding to the channel number on which it has been decided is selected. For example, as shown in Figure 28, if the channel number on which it has been decided is channel 1, then the frequency division value "1" is selected, and if this is channel 3, then it is select the frequency division value "1/3". Likewise, if the channel number on which it has been decided is a separate element, based on the corresponding relation shown in Fig. 28, a frequency division value specified in step S42 is selected. Then, in step S43, the voice data of the remote control 204B assigned to the selected channel sound generating function is read from the non-volatile memory 46. Then, in step S44, the voice data of the remote control is divided. 204B based on the previously selected frequency division value, and changed to unique voice data for the selected channel number. Then, the voice data obtained by frequency division is emitted to the sound generating means 47 (step S45), and the routine that relates to this selected channel sound generating function is concluded. In the sound generating means 47, the digital / analog converter 47a first converts the split frequency voice data (digital data) into a speech analog signal and sends it to the voice amplifier 47b, where they are amplified to a volume specified and issued to the horn 47c. By these means, the horn 47c produces a unique voice for the selected channel number. Accordingly, as described above, even if the operation menu items shown on the display screen 130 can not be read, one can distinguish the channel number selected, and on which it has been decided, from the television receiver in question. auditory form by the voice generated from the horn 47c during the operation of the remote control. In the sound generating function of the menu item and the sound generating function of the selected channel described above, a set of remote control voice data was used for each function, and dividing the remote control voice data in accordance with the frequency division program 202, it was possible to generate a single voice for multiple operation menu items or multiple television channel numbers. By using the frequency division program 202 in this manner, the volume of remote control voice data required for these functions can be reduced. This can contribute a lot to the saving of limited memory capacity in the non-volatile memory 46. FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing an example in which a sound generating function of the menu item and a sound generating function is performed. channel selection by a different configuration. Specifically, in this example, instead of using the frequency division program 202 as described above, the remote control voice data in a number corresponding to the operation menu items and the television receiver channel numbers that can be selected are recorded in a recording medium, ie, CD-ROM 200. These remote control voice data are transferred to the portable electronic device 100 and are read into the non-volatile memory in the order shown in Figure 15 In this way, this configuration example can be carried out based on the premise that the non-volatile memory 46 is provided with a sufficiently large memory capacity. Referring to Figure 31, the flow of control of the sound generating function of the menu item and the sound generating function of the selected channel according to this configuration example is described.

When an operation menu item or a television receiver channel number is selected and decided upon by pressing an operation item 121 and / or 122, the control means 41 detects the operation information thereof which has been fed by the power means 43 (step S50), and then, in step S51, the operation menu item or the channel number of the television receiver on which it has been decided by this operation is distinguished, and the routine advances to step S52. In step S52, the corresponding remote control voice data is read with the operation menu item on which it was decided or the television receiver channel number from the non-volatile memory 46. Then, in step S53, the remote control voice data is output to the sound generating unit 47, and the routine that relates to this sound generating function of the menu item or sound generating function of the selected channel is terminated. In the sound generating unit 47, the digital / analog converter 47a first converts the split frequency voice data (digital data) into a speech analog signal and sends it to the voice amplifier 47b, where these are amplified to a volume specified and issued to the horn 47c. With this, the horn 47c produces a unique voice for the selected channel number. The sound generating function of the menu item and the sound generating function of the selected channel described above in a particular way imply the desire of the inventors that the portable electronic device 100 of this modality be used effectively by people who have deficiencies in the vision, and it is expected, that they contribute a considerable benefit to society. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the modalities described above, television receivers, VTR recorders and air conditioners were cited and analyzed as examples of control objects by means of the portable electronic device that has been developed to function as a remote control unit, but in addition to these devices, the present invention can be constituted so as to use various other products that can be operated with remote control, such as electric fans, radios, sound equipment, blinds, shutters etc, as objects that can be controlled. In addition, in the above-described embodiment which uses the frequency division program 202, two types of voice data, the remote control voice data 204A, which are used in the generating function, are recorded in the non-volatile memory 46. of sound of the menu item and remote control voice data 204B, which are used in the channel selection sound generation function. However, various functions can be made by adjusting the corresponding frequency division values with the number of operation menu items or the channel selection operations of the television receiver in the frequency division program 202, by frequency division. of a remote control voice data type. Furthermore, in the modalities described above, in the operation menu item or in the channel selection operation of the television receiver, which are added to the portable electronic device as remote control functions, it was possible to recognize the operation contents by means of the ear, but also, for example, constructions that allow a desired operation such as a VTR recorder channel selection operation, air conditioning temperature selection operation, air flow amount selection operation, etc. are possible. , which will be recognized in an auditory way by the operator. Additionally, the cases in which the multiple remote control operated elements are the object of control, it is possible to recognize the operation contents in aural form with respect to the desired operation element between these elements. For example, by limiting itself to the channel selection operations of the television receiver in the modalities described above, the operation contents can be recognized in aural form. As explained above, by means of the present invention, since it is possible to use a portable electronic device that can be connected to a host machine and can also be used as an auxiliary machine, such as a remote control device, the applications of this device are expanded, and a wide range of demands can be met. In addition, due to the present invention, since the information pertaining to the remote control operation can be distinguished in aural way even by users with visual impairment, a wide range of demands is satisfied and the invention contributes to social welfare.

Claims (13)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A portable electronic device that has a program execution function and which can be connected to a host machine and which has independent power / emission and calculation functions of the host machine, comprising: memory media which stores data engrgs containing remote control voice data and a remote control program transmitted from a recording medium of the host machine; control means controlling the execution of the remote control program stored in said memory means; operating power means for operating said control means; and sound generating means which generate sounds based on the remote control voice data, characterized in that said control means change or select and emit to said sound generation means, the remote control voice data in accordance with the operation of said operating power means, based on the remote control program.

2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the remote control program includes a frequency division program which divides the remote control voice data, and wherein said control means, together with the operation of detecting said operating power means based on the remote control program, divides the remote control voice data in accordance with a frequency division value corresponding to the detected operation and outputs said data to said generating means. Sound.

3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further characterized in that multiple voice data segments are included each corresponding to at least the operations of said operating power means in the remote control voice data, and said control means, based on the remote control program, together with the operation detection of said operating power means, selects and outputs the remote control voice data corresponding to the detected operation to the sound generating means. .

4. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further characterized in that said remote control program stored in said memory means is executed in a state of disconnection of the host machine.

5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the host machine, when connected to the portable electronic device, is a video game unit, and the remote control program is transferred to said means of communication. memory from the connected host machine, and is executed by said control means.

6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the remote control program is additionally recorded in a recording medium which stores game software and is loaded in the host machine.

7 '.- A control method for a portable electronic device which can be connected to a host machine that has program execution functions, and that has functions of feeding / emission and operation independent of the host machine, comprising the steps of storing recording data, including a remote control program and the remote control voice data transferred from the recording medium of a host machine, to the portable electronic device, and based on the remote control program, the data of remote control voice which are issued in accordance with an operation made by the user.

8. The control method for a portable electronic device described in claim 7, further characterized in that said operation performed by the user is detected based on the remote control program, and the remote control voice data are of divided frequency. in accordance with a frequency division value corresponding to a detected operation and are issued.

9. - A control method for a portable electronic device described in claim 7, further characterized in that the multiple segments of voice data corresponding to at least the user's operations are included in the remote control voice data, and is detected a user operation based on said remote control program, and the remote control voice data corresponding to the detected operation are selected and issued.

10. A recording medium to be loaded on a host machine which has program execution function and which records data that is transferred to a portable electronic device connected to the host machine, which comprises in the recording of data of the same: a remote control program that is executed by the portable electronic device and remote control voice data that is issued based on the remote control program.

11.- The recording medium in accordance with the claim 10, which records data used in a portable electronic device, further characterized in that said remote control program includes a remote control program of a control object device with which, together with the detection of a user operation, are changed or they select the remote control voice data and they are issued corresponding to the detected operation.

12. The recording medium in accordance with the claim 11, which records data used in a portable electronic device, further characterized in that the remote control program, together with the detection of the user's operation, divides the remote control voice data between a frequency division value corresponding to the detected operation and outputs said data from the sound generating means of the portable electronic device.

13. The recording medium according to claim 11, which records data used in a portable electronic device, further characterized in that the multiple segments of voice data corresponding to at least the user's operations are included in the data of remote control voice, and the remote control program has a function which, together with the detection of user operations, selects and outputs remote control voice data corresponding to the operation detected.