WO2002103933A1

WO2002103933A1 - Short-distance radio control system

Info

Publication number: WO2002103933A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001294
Authority: WO
Inventors: Phil-Ha Shim; Il-Kyu Park; Byong-Hoon Kang; Ju-Sang Kim; Seung-Jun Lee; Jay-Hyouk Oh
Original assignee: Open Solution Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-06-20
Filing date: 2001-07-30
Publication date: 2002-12-27
Also published as: KR100390536B1; KR20020097345A

Abstract

Disclosed is a short-distance radio control system that can perform a radio communication with a plurality of radio slave devices (200) in a short distance using a radio master device (100) connectable to a computer (300), and perform a radio control of the radio slave devices (200). The system controls the radio slave devices (200) through the radio communication using the radio master device (100).

Description

SHORT-DISTANCE RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a short-distance radio control system, and more particularly to a short- distance radio control system that can perform a radio communication with a plurality of radio slave devices within a short distance using a radio master device connectable to a computer, and perform a radio control of the radio slave devices .

Background Art

With the development of radio communication techniques, diverse kinds of radio communications are performed. Recently, as the interest in a short-distance communication for performing a communication within a short radius is expanded, diverse techniques such as a infrared- rays communication, Bluetooth, etc. are developed and used in diverse fields.

This short-distance radio communication enables a great number of wires that have been used to be dispensed with, and thus the space to be effectively used. Also, it is not restricted in space, and enables a convenient communication.

However, in case of the infrared-rays communication, the communication becomes possible only in case that a sender part and a receiver part face each other. Thus, the communication becomes impossible if an obstacle exists between the sender part and the receiver part .

In case of the Bluetooth technique recently developed, it is not restricted by transmission signals, but has a complicated circuit construction to heighten the cost of products that incorporate the technique. Further, high frequencies are used in case of the Bluetooth, and this may harm to human bodies.

With the increase of numbers of computer users, researches into computer peripheral devices have been actively progressed, and one among them is the research into the short-distance radio control technique in association with the computer. The short-distance radio control technique relates to the control of specified devices through the radio communication according to control signals outputted from the computer.

According to this short-distance radio control technique, diverse works can be performed using radio- controlled devices even if the computer user is away from the computer. Also, the short-distance radio control technique has been applied to diverse kinds of intelligent- type toys on sale.

The conventional short-distance radio control technique is used in association with the computer, and thus if the power of the computer is turned off or the computer is unusable, the radio control function is also lost. That is, since the radio control function is associated with the computer, the use of the computer is required to perform the short-distance radio control. Also, since the conventional short-distance radio control technique uses a set of transmitter and receiver, its use is limited, and in order for a plurality of users to use the technique, they should be provided with separate transmitters and receivers .

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems involved in the related art such as the infrared-rays communication and the Bluetooth technique used for the conventional short-distance radio communication, and to provide a short-distance radio control system that can operate in association with a computer and independently of the computer as well.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a short-distance radio control system that can independently radio-control a plurality of radio slave devices using one radio master device connectable to a computer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a short-distance radio control system that inputs audio signal using a radio slave device, and immediately transmits the audio signal to a computer connected to a radio master device or stores the audio signal in the radio master device so as to upload the audio signal to the computer later.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects are accomplished by providing a short-distance radio control system for controlling at least one radio slave device through a radio communication using a radio master device connectable to a computer; wherein the radio master device comprises a computer interface section, connected to the computer, for transmitting/receiving data to/from the computer; a memory section for storing the data inputted from the computer or the radio slave device; a master radio communication section for performing a radio communication with the radio slave device; a key button section for receiving input signals related to an operation of the radio master device from an outside; and a control section for controlling a signal process of the radio master device; and wherein the at least one radio slave device comprises a slave radio communication section for performing a radio communication with the radio master device; an identification section for holding identification information of the radio slave device and judging whether to receive a radio control signal transmitted from the radio master device; a driving section for driving the radio slave device according to the radio control signal from the radio master device; and a control section for controlling a signal process of the radio slave device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the master radio communication section and the slave radio communication section include a radio transmission section and a radio reception section, respectively; wherein the radio transmission section comprises an error correction encoding section for error-correction- encoding the transmitted data, band spreading section for band-spreading the error-correction-encoded data, a modulation section for quadrature-phase-modulating the band-spread data, and digital-to-analog conversion section for converting the quadrature-phase-modulated data into an analog signal; and wherein the radio reception section comprises an analog-to-digital conversion section for sampling and converting the received analog signal into a digital signal, a demodulation section for demodulating the digital data, a band despreading section for band-despreading the demodulated data, and error correction decoding section for error-correction-decoding the despread data.

In another aspect of the present invention, the driving section comprises a speaker for outputting an audio signal, a display section form displaying the data on a screen, and an operation section for physically operating the radio slave device.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the radio slave device further comprises a driving control section for outputting the radio control signal from the radio master device to one or two or more of the speaker, display section and operation section of the driving section. In still another aspect of the present invention, the key button section comprises a storage button for receiving input of a storage signal from the outside so as to store in a memory the data inputted from the computer connected to the radio master device, a driving button for receiving input of a driving signal for driving the radio master device from the outside, and up-load button for receiving input of an up-load signal for transmitting the data stored in the memory section to the computer connected to the radio master device. In still another aspect of the present invention, the driving button further comprises at least one control key for radio-transmitting the data stored in the memory section to the radio slave device.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the radio slave device further comprises a microphone for receiving an analog audio signal from the outside, and converts the analog audio signal into digital audio data.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the microphone is turned on or off according to the radio control signal from the radio master device.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the radio master device further comprises an audio data processing section for confirming a used state of the computer connected to the radio master device, and transmits the audio data received from the radio slave device to the computer or stores the audio data in the memory section of the radio master device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a used state of the radio control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a radio master device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a radio slave device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a radio communication section according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, the short-distance radio control system in accordance with the present invention will be described with respect to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings .

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a used state of the radio control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the short- distance radio control system according to the present invention may include a radio master device 100 and a radio slave device 200, and the radio master device can be connected to a computer 300. The radio master device 100 can receive data related to a radio control signal from the computer 300, and control the radio slave device 200. Also, the radio master device 100 can store the transmitted data, and control the radio slave device 200 separately from the operation of the computer. It is preferable that the radio master device 100 is connected to the computer 300 through a universal serial bus.

A separate power supply is not required in case that the radio master device 100 is connected to the computer 300 through the universal serial bus. However, in case that the connection to the computer 300 is released, for example, in case that the computer 300 is not in use, a separate power supply is required, and thus it is preferable that a power supply section is provided in the radio master device 100.

Now, the operation of the present invention will be briefly explained with reference to FIG. 1. The radio master device 100 can receive the radio control signal from the computer 300, and radio-transmit the control signal to the radio slave device 200 to control the radio slave device 200.

Also, the radio master device 100 can store the radio control signal transmitted from the computer 300, and if the connection to the computer 300 is released or the computer 300 is not in use, it calls and radio-transmits the radio control signal to the radio slave device 200 to independently control the radio slave device 200. The radio control signal transmitted from the computer 300 may include all data such as audio data, text data, video data, etc., that can be outputted through the radio slave device 200, identification information of a plurality of radio slave devices 200, and drive identification information of a plurality of driving means included in the driving section 230 of the radio slave device 200.

The radio control signal transmitted from the computer 300 may be created from the computer 300, pre- stored in the computer 300, or transmitted from another computer through a network. Specifically, in case that the computer 300 is connected to the network, the radio control signal may be a radio control signal transmitted on the Web, for example, the radio control signal that informs a user of receipt of an e-mail.

The radio control signal transmitted from the computer 300 may include identification information of the radio slave device for individually selecting a radio slave device that will transmit the corresponding radio control signal among the plurality of radio slave devices 200. It is also possible that the identification information of the radio slave device 200 is selected and included in the radio control signal by the radio master device 100. Especially, in case that the radio master device 100 operates independently of the computer 300, it is preferable that^' the identification information of the radio slave device 200 that will transmit the radio control signal is included in the radio control signal by the radio master device 100.

The radio control signal may also include information on which device the driving section 230 of the radio slave device 200 operates. For example, the radio control signal may include information on whether to output the audio signal through the speaker 232 and whether to display the text data or video data through the display section 233, and on/off-control signal of the corresponding device.

The radio slave devices 200 have their own identification information, i.e., their own IDs. The radio slave device confirms the identification information from the radio control signal outputted from the radio master device 100, and if the identification information coincides with its own ID, it receives the corresponding radio control signal, and operates according to the corresponding radio control signal. If the identification information does not coincide with its own ID, it does not receive the corresponding radio control signal .

The plurality of radio slave devices 200 can perform diverse works such as output of the audio data, display of the text data, physical operation, etc. Also, the radio slave devices may be implemented in diverse forms, for example, toys having the shape of animals.

It is also possible to transmit specified data to the radio master device 100 using the radio slave device 200. For example, it is possible to input the audio data through the radio slave device 200, and to radio-transmit the audio data to the radio master device 100. If the radio master device 100 is connected to the computer 300, the data is directly transmitted to the computer, while if not, the data is stored in the radio master device 100, and then transmitted to the computer 300 when the radio master device 100 is connected to the computer 300.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to control the operation of the radio slave device 200 through the radio master device 100 in case that the data is transmitted to the radio master device 100 through the radio slave device 200. As described above, it is also possible to control the on/off operation of the microphone 250 provided in the radio slave device 200 through the radio master device 100.

In case that the data is inputted using the radio slave device 200, the corresponding data is transmitted to the computer through the radio master device 100, and in case that the computer 300 is connected to the network, the corresponding data can be transmitted to another computer connected to the network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a radio master device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the radio master device 100 according to the present invention may include a computer interface section 110, a memory section 120, a master radio communication section 130, a key button section 140, a control section 150, and an audio data processing section 160. In addition, diverse means may be added and applied to the present invention, but detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The memory section 120 stores the data transmitted from the computer 300, i.e., the radio control signal. For the user's convenience, the radio control signal is stored in the memory section 120, and then radio-transmitted to the radio slave device 200 independently of the use of the computer 300 to control the radio slave device 200. It is also possible that the memory section 120 stores the audio data radio-transmitted from the radio slave device 200 in addition to the above-described radio control signal . The audio data stored in the memory section 120 can be transmitted to the computer 300 when the radio master device 100 is connected to the computer 300.

The master radio communication section 130 radio- transmits the radio control signal transmitted from the computer 300 or the radio control signal stored in the memory section 120 to the plurality of radio slave devices 200, and receives the data transmitted from the radio slave devices 200. Particulars of the radio communication means used in the master radio communication section 130 and the slave radio communication section 210 are disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2001-0006975 filed on February 13, 2001 by the applicant of the present application. A portion of the contents of this application is incorporated in the present application. The master radio communication section 130 according to the present invention can be applied to diverse means including the radio communication means disclosed in this prior application. The key button section 140 is used as an input means if the user optionally manipulates the radio master device 100. The key button section may include a storage button 141, drive button 142, and up-load button 143, and it is also possible that the key button section 140 is provided with other diverse buttons.

The storage button 141 is a means for storing the radio control signal transmitted from the computer 300 to the radio master device 100 in the memory section 120. If the storage button 141 is pressed, the stored signal is transferred to the control section 150, and the radio control signal currently received from the computer 300 is stored in the memory section 120. The drive button 142 is a means for radio- transmitting the radio control signal stored in the memory section 120 to the plurality of radio slave devices 200 by driving the radio master device 100 irrespective of the connection between the computer 300 and the radio master device. It is preferable that the drive button 142 includes at least one control key for selecting and transmitting to the radio slave device 200 the plurality of radio control signals stored in the memory section 120. Accordingly, even if the power of the computer 300 is turned off or it is impossible to use the computer, the radio master device 100 can independently operate to control the plurality of radio slave devices 200. In this case it is preferable that the radio master device 100 includes a power supply section for providing the power.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the radio master device 100 includes a display window for externally displaying the radio control signal stored in the memory section 120 so that the radio control signal desired to be radio-transmitted to the radio slave device 200 among the plurality of radio control signals stored in the memory section 120 can be easily selected.

The up-load button 143 is a means for transmitting to the computer 300 the data radio-transmitted to the radio master device 100 and stored in the memory section 120. In the embodiment of the present invention, only the audio data transmitted from the radio slave device 200 is explained, but any other kinds of data can be transmitted. The control section 150 is for controlling the signal process of the radio master device 100. A universal microprocessor generally used may be used as the control section 150, but a dedicated processor can also be used.

The audio data processing section 160 is a means for processing the audio data by judging whether to immediately transmit the audio data received from the radio slave device 200 to the computer or to store the audio data in the memory section 120. If the audio data is received from the radio slave device 200, the audio data processing section 160 confirms the connection state of the radio master device 100 and the computer 300. It is preferable that the received data is immediately transmitted to the computer 300 if the connection state with the computer 300 is normal and the computer 300 is in a useable state. If the connection state with the computer 300 is abnormal or the computer 300 is not in the useable state, the audio data is stored in the memory section 120.

The audio data stored in the memory section 120 can be transmitted to the computer 300 at the time point when the connection with the computer 300 becomes normal. The work performed by the audio data processing section 160 can be also performed by the control section 150, and in this case, the audio data processing section 160 can be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a radio slave device 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in

FIG. 3, the radio slave device 200 according to the present invention may include a slave radio communication section 210, an identification section 220, a driving section 230, a control section 240, and a microphone 250. The slave radio communication section 210 is a means for performing a radio communication with the radio master device 100. It is preferable that it has the same construction as the master radio communication section 130 as described above, and the detailed explanation thereof will therefore be omitted. The radio control signal from the radio master device 100 is received into the slave radio communication section 210, and the audio data inputted through the microphone 250 is sent to the radio master device 100.

The identification section 220 is a means for holding the information on the IDs determined for the respective radio slave devices 200, and determining whether to receive the radio control signal by judging whether its own ID coincides with the identification information included in the radio control signal received from the radio master device 100. Specifically, if the identification information included in the radio control signal coincides with the ID of the corresponding radio slave device 200, the radio slave device 200 receives the radio control signal, while if not, it does not receive the radio control signal. Accordingly, only the radio slave device that is desired to be controlled among the control among the plurality of radio slave devices receives the radio control signal broadcast from the radio master device 100.

The driving section 230 is a means for actually performing the work in the radio slave device 200 according to the radio control signal received from the radio master device 100, and may include a drive control section 231, a speaker 232, a display section 233, and an operation section 234. Diverse means can be added to the driving section 230.

The drive control section 231 drives one or two or more of the speaker 232, display section 233, and operation section 234 included in the driving section 230 according to a drive ID included in the radio control signal received from the radio master device 100. The work performed by the drive control section 231 can be also performed in the control section, and in this case, the drive control section 231 can be omitted.

The speaker 232 is a means for converting the audio data into an audio signal and outputting the audio signal if the radio control signal is the audio data. The display section 233 is a means for displaying the text data or video data if the radio control signal is the text data or video data. The operation section 234 is a means for physically operating the radio slave device 200 according to the radio control signal . The control section 240 is a means for controlling the signal process of the radio slave device 200. As described above, a universal microprocessor or dedicated processor can be used as the control section.

The microphone 250 is a means for receiving input of the audio data from the outside through the radio slave device 200. It is preferable that the microphone receives the audio signal from the outside, converts the audio signal into audio data suitable for the radio communication, and transmits the audio data to the radio master device 100.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible that the on/off operation of the microphone 250 is controlled by the radio control signal outputted from the computer 300 or the radio master device 100. Of course, it is also possible that the on/off operation of the microphone 250 is controlled in the radio slave device 200.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a radio communication section 400 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radio communication section 400 can be commonly applied to the master radio communication section 130 and the slave radio communication section 210. The radio communication section 400 can be divided into a radio transmission section 410 and a radio reception section 420. In radio-transmitting the data through the radio transmission section 410, an error correction encoding section 411 error-correction-encodes the transmitted data. The error-correction-encoded data is band-spread by a band spreading section 412, quadrature-phase-modulated by a modulation section 413, and then transferred to a digital- to-analog conversion section 414. The data converted into an analog signal is radio-transmitted through an antenna 440 after passing through a duplexer 430.

The radio reception of the data through the radio reception section 420 is the reverse process of the radio transmission of the data as described above. The analog data received through the antenna 440 and transferred to the duplexer 430 is converted into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital conversion section 421. The digital signal is demodulated through a demodulation section 422, band-despread through a band dispreading section 423, and then error-correction-decoded by an error correction decoding section 424 to complete the radio reception of the data.

In addition to the above-described means, diverse means can be added to the system, and the explanation of the known techniques such as various kinds of filters generally used in radio communication means will be omitted. In the embodiment of the present invention, only main elements of the radio communication section are illustrated, and the operation thereof is briefly explained.

For example, the radio slave device according to the present invention may be constructed as figures of animals, and perform the output of music files and display of e- mails. Also, it is possible to physically operate one radio slave device that has the shape of an animal character simultaneously with performing the above-described work. It is also possible to effect different movements for the respective radio slave devices.

In case that the computer connected to the radio master device is connected to the network to receive the e- mail, the message received from an e-mail server can be radio-transmitted to the radio slave device, and the message of the corresponding e-mail can be displayed on the radio slave device having the shape of the animal character.

Also, in case of downloading a music file such as an MP3 , for example, the corresponding music file is transmitted to the radio slave device, and is outputted from the radio slave device.

It is also possible to physically operate the radio slave device of the animal character simultaneously with the output of the music file, so that the animal character appears to dance to the music. The diverse data related to the physical movement of the radio slave device can be also downloaded through the network.

Industrial Applicability As described above, the present invention has the advantages that it can control a plurality of radio slave devices in association with a computer, and even if the computer is unusable, it can independently perform the radio control .

Also, the present invention can separately control a plurality of radio slave devices using one radio master device, and separately operate different driving means for the respective radio slave devices.

Further, according to the present invention, the data from the radio slave device can be transmitted to the computer connected to the radio master device or radio slave device, and since the radio communication is performed using a low frequency, it causes no injury to the human body.

Furthermore, since the modulation/demodulation, encoding, and decoding of the data transmitted/received through the radio communication are all performed using digital signals, the probability of data distortion or loss can be reduced.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A short-distance radio control system for controlling at least one radio slave device through a radio communication using a radio master device connectable to a computer; wherein the radio master device comprises a computer interface section, connected to the computer, for transmitting/receiving data to/from the computer; a memory section for storing the data inputted from the computer or the radio slave device; a master radio communication section for performing a radio communication with the radio slave device; a key button section for receiving input signals related to an operation of the radio master device from an outside; and a control section for controlling a signal process of the radio master device; and wherein the at least one radio slave device comprises a slave radio communication section for performing a radio communication with the radio master device; an identification section for holding identification information of the radio slave device and judging whether to receive a radio control signal transmitted from the radio master device; a driving section for driving the radio slave device according to the radio control signal from the radio master device; and a control section for controlling a signal process of the radio slave device.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the master radio communication section and the slave radio communication section include a radio transmission section and a radio reception section, respectively; wherein the radio transmission section comprises an error correction encoding section for error-correction- encoding the transmitted data, band spreading section for band-spreading the error-correction-encoded data, a modulation section for quadrature-phase-modulating the band-spread data, and digital-to-analog conversion section for converting the quadrature-phase-modulated data into an analog signal; and wherein the radio reception section comprises an analog-to-digital conversion section for sampling and converting the received analog signal into a digital signal, a demodulation section for demodulating the digital data, a band despreading section for band-despreading the demodulated data, and error correction decoding section for error-correction-decoding the despread data.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving section comprises: a speaker for outputting an audio signal; a display section form displaying the data on a screen; and an operation section for physically operating the radio slave device.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the radio slave device further comprises a driving control section for outputting the radio control signal from the radio master device to one or two of the speaker, display section and operation section of the driving section.

5. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the key button section comprises : a storage button for receiving input of a storage signal from the outside so as to store in a memory the data inputted from the computer connected to the radio master device; a driving button for receiving input of a driving signal for driving the radio master device from the outside; and an up-load button for receiving input of an up-load signal for transmitting the data stored in the memory section to the computer connected to the radio master device .

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the driving button further comprises at least one control key for radio-transmitting the data stored in the memory section to the radio slave device.

7. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the radio slave device further comprises a microphone for receiving an analog audio signal from the outside, and converts the analog audio signal into digital audio data.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the microphone is turned on or off according to the radio control signal from the radio master device.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the radio master device further comprises an audio data processing section for confirming a used state of the computer connected to the radio master device, and transmits the audio data received from the radio slave device to the computer or stores the audio data in the memory section of the radio master device .