JP2000078671A - Remote control unit and remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control unit that easily performs initialization and easily controls television receivers and VTRs by one unit even when the television receivers and VTRs installed in respective rooms are manufactured by different manufactures. SOLUTION: When a request signal transmission key of a remote control unit is depressed in the case of initializing, a microprocessor 10 senses key depression via a key matrix 13, and transmits a request signal via a light emission circuit 14. A device to be controlled such as a television receiver returns a device identification signal of its own device upon receiving the request signal. The microprocessor 10 receives the device identification signal via a light receiving circuit 15. Then the microprocessor 10 retrieves control data and a signal form in response to the device identification signal from a ROM 11 and expands the signal in a RAM 12. After that, the microprocessor 10 references the RAM 12 to generate a control signal corresponding to the device to be controlled on every key operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a remote control unit and a remote control system used for remotely controlling devices such as a television receiver and a video tape recorder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a television receiver (T
V), video tape recorder (VTR), CD / LD /
When operating a video device or an audio device such as a DVD player, a remote control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller) that can be remotely controlled by infrared rays is generally used. However, each device comes with a remote controller unique to the device. Therefore, there are many different remote controls in ordinary households.

[0003] When the manufacturer of each device is different, the signal format of the control signal transmitted from the remote controller to the device is different. Therefore, when there are many manufacturers' products in the home, the remote controller cannot be commonly used for many devices. As a result, when operating each device, it is necessary to select and use a remote control corresponding to that device,
The user will be inconvenienced. Note that the signal format of the control signal includes the format of the start bit, the number of bits, the pulse frequency, and the like.

In order to solve such a problem, a preprogrammed remote controller has been commercialized in which a signal format of a control signal used in each manufacturer device is stored in advance and a signal format of the device to be used can be set. However, in order to use the preprogrammed remote control, an initial setting operation must be performed at the time of starting use. Such a task is a difficult task for a general user, and a setting error is likely to occur.

A remote controller of a remote control system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-116580 is a pre-program type remote controller that facilitates initial setting.
In the remote operation system, an initialization command is transmitted from the remote controller to each device to be operated at the time of initialization. In response to the initialization command, each device returns a device maker name or the like. The remote controller selects the signal format of the control signal based on the returned device maker name and the like, allocates a communication address corresponding to the device, and transmits the communication address to the device. The communication address is stored in the device. Such processing is performed for each device to be operated, and the initialization processing ends.

Thereafter, when transmitting a control signal for operation from the remote controller to each device, the remote controller adds the communication address of the device and transmits the signal. That is, each device receives a control signal from the remote controller to each device using the communication address set at the time of the initial setting. Further, the device that has received the communication address addressed to the own device returns a reception confirmation signal to the remote controller.

[0007]

However, in such a remote control system, it is necessary for each device to be controlled by the remote controller to have a function of receiving / analyzing a communication address and a function of returning a reception confirmation signal. That is, in order to realize the operation based on the initial setting as described above, a home appliance such as a video device or an audio device must have a relatively high function for communication with a remote controller. It is impractical to require such high communication capabilities on equipment from many manufacturers.

Further, since the remote controller is generally driven by dry batteries, information stored in the RAM is lost when the batteries are replaced. Then, it is necessary to perform the above-mentioned initial setting work again after the battery replacement. Although the initial setting operation can be performed only by key operation, it is necessary to exchange communication addresses and the like between the remote controller and each device, so that the initial setting takes time. In a general conventional preprogrammed remote controller, it is necessary to perform a difficult initial setting operation after replacing the battery.

Generally, a preprogrammed remote control has one
One type of TV control area / one type of VTR control area / other areas are provided. That is, after the initial setting is completed, a specific TV, a specific VTR
It is assumed to operate Then, when TVs and VTRs of different manufacturers exist in each room, it is difficult to share one remote control.

[0010] The present invention provides a remote control unit and a remote control system in which initial setting work is easy and even when TVs and VTRs of different manufacturers exist in each room, they can be easily operated by one. The purpose is to:

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A remote control unit according to the present invention comprises a request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal in response to a user's request for identification of a controlled device, and a device for receiving a device identification signal from the controlled device. Identification signal receiving means, storage means in which the signal format of a control signal that can be handled by each controlled device is stored in advance, and the signal format of the control signal corresponding to the received device identification signal is stored in association with the control area. A signal format storage means, and a control signal transmitting means for inputting a signal format in the signal format storage means in response to a key operation and transmitting a control signal to the controlled device in accordance with the signal format.

The storage means may store the signal format of the control signal of each manufacturer, or may store the signal format of the control signal of one manufacturer. The remote control unit according to claim 1.

A remote control system according to the present invention comprises a request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal in response to a user's request for identification of a controlled device, a device identification signal receiving means for receiving a device identification signal from the controlled device, A storage unit in which the signal format of the control signal that can be handled by the control device is stored in advance, a signal format storage unit that stores the signal format of the control signal corresponding to the received device identification signal in association with the control area, and key operation. A remote control unit including control signal transmitting means for inputting a signal format in the signal format storage means and transmitting a control signal to the controlled device according to the signal format; and a remote control unit for storing a device identification signal of the own device. And a controlled device that sends out a device identification signal of its own device upon receiving a request signal from the device.

The controlled device recognizes the maker and the device type of the peripheral device connected to the device itself, and responds to a request signal from the remote control unit to output the device identification signal of the peripheral device together with the device identification signal of the device itself. It may be configured to transmit.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a remote controller according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, RO
The microprocessor 10 including the M11 and the RAM 12 sends out a predetermined signal from the light emitting circuit 14 based on key press information from the key matrix 13 and performs a predetermined process based on light receiving information of the light receiving circuit 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a TV which is an example of a device controlled by a remote controller.
In FIG. 2, a microprocessor 20 having a built-in ROM 21 and a RAM 22 powers on / off a TV power control unit 31 based on light receiving information of a light receiving circuit 25.
It outputs an FF instruction, a channel selection instruction to the tuning control unit 32, a volume increase / decrease instruction to the video / audio control unit 33, and other instructions to each unit control unit 34, and gives a predetermined display instruction to the LED display unit 26. .
Further, the microprocessor 20 causes the light emitting circuit 24 to output a predetermined signal. Further, the microprocessor 20
Controls each unit according to key press information from a key scan unit that inputs a signal from each key provided on the TV. Note that the TV may include a non-volatile memory 27.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of the remote controller. As shown in FIG. 3, in this example, the remote controller has a TV area for TV operation and a VTR area for VTR operation. In the TV area, a remote control setting key, a TV power key, a channel key, a volume UP / DOWN key, and a channel UP / DOWN key are provided. In the VTR area, VTR
A power key, a play key, a rewind key, a fast forward key, and a record key are provided.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. At the time of initial setting, the user first needs to send a request signal transmission key (remote control setting key) on the remote control.
Is pressed (step S11). Then, the microprocessor 10 detects the press down via the key matrix 13. Then, the microprocessor 10 drives the light emitting circuit 14 with a signal obtained by modulating the request signal in a predetermined signal format (Step S12). The light emitting circuit 14 has an infrared L
It has an ED, and emits an infrared signal according to the modulation signal from the infrared LED (step S13).

The light receiving circuit 25 of the controlled device (TV in this example) receives / requests a request signal by infrared rays from a remote controller.
The signal is demodulated, converted into an electric signal, and transferred to the microprocessor 20 (step S21). Microprocessor 20
Analyzes what kind of signal has been received based on the electric signal from the light receiving circuit 25 (step S22). In this case, the microprocessor 20 recognizes that the request signal has been received.

The ROM 11 or the non-volatile memory 27 built in the microprocessor 20 stores a device identification signal for specifying the own device. The identification signal is, for example, a maker name and a device name (for example, “TV”). The microprocessor 20 outputs the device identification signal to the RO.
The data is input from M11 or the non-volatile memory 27 (step S23), modulated in a predetermined signal format, and output to the light emitting circuit 24 (step S24). The light emitting circuit 24 has an infrared L
It has an ED and emits an infrared signal according to the modulation signal from the infrared LED (step S25).

The light receiving circuit 15 of the remote controller receives / demodulates the device identification signal by infrared rays from the controlled device, converts it into an electric signal, and transfers it to the microprocessor 10 (step S31). The microprocessor 10 includes the light receiving circuit 1
5 is input (step S32). ROM1
In 1, a signal format and control data of a control signal for each device of each manufacturer are set in advance corresponding to the identification code. The control data is, for example, channel designation, volume UP / DOWN, and channel UP / DOWN for TV. Microprocessor 10
Compares the received device identification signal with the first identification code in the ROM 11 (step S33). If they do not match, the received device identification signal is compared with the next identification code. The comparison process is executed until the values match.

If they match, the microprocessor 1
0 indicates the signal format and control data of the control signal corresponding to the identification code in the device control area (TV area or VT area).
(R area, etc.) and store them in the RAM 12 (step S34). If another controlled device (for example, a VTR) exists, the above processing is performed again on that device.

Thereafter, the user remotely controls the controlled device with the remote controller. For example, when the controlled device is a TV, when a channel key is pressed, the microprocessor 10 inputs control data from an area of the RAM 12 corresponding to the key and controls the control data according to a signal format stored in the RAM 12. Is converted to a light emitting circuit 1
4 is output. The infrared signal from the light emitting circuit 14 is received / demodulated by the light receiving circuit 25 of the TV, and is input to the microprocessor 20 as an electric signal. The electric signal is the TV
, The microprocessor 20 can recognize that the operation by the channel key has been performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the user wants to perform the initial setting, the user only needs to press the request signal transmission key. Further, the remote controller need only transmit the request signal and receive the device identification signal. Then, the controlled device only needs to transmit the device control signal in response to the request signal. That is, the initial setting can be completed by a simple operation and a process in each device.

Also, TVs and Vs of different manufacturers for each room
Even when the TR exists, the user can change the setting according to the devices existing in the room only by pressing the request signal transmission key of the remote controller when entering the room. That is, according to the present invention, even when TVs and VTRs of different manufacturers exist in each room, they can be easily operated with one remote control. Also, at the time of resetting after battery replacement, the user can complete the setting only by pressing the request signal transmission key of the remote controller.

Note that, after transmitting the request signal, if the device identification signal cannot be received for a predetermined period or more after transmitting the request signal, the remote control retransmits the request signal once or more than once. If reception is still not possible, the signal format of the request signal is considered to be a format that cannot be handled by the controlled device. Therefore, the request signal is retransmitted in another signal format, for example, a signal format for another manufacturer.

In order to simplify the structure of the remote controller,
It may be a preprogrammed remote controller for one manufacturer.
In this case, the signal format and the like of another manufacturer are not set in the ROM 11 of the remote controller, but only the signal format and the like of each device of the corresponding maker are set. In this case, for example, if the maker has a plurality of signal formats for the TV, all the signal formats are set in advance.

Even in the case of a pre-program remote controller for one maker, the maker of each device is often common at home, so that it is sufficiently practical. Also, if one controlled device (TV or the like) has a function of recognizing a manufacturer or a device type of a peripheral device (VTR or the like) and the TV or the like has a function of transmitting a device identification signal of the peripheral device. In addition, there is no need to perform an initial setting for identifying the device between each peripheral device and the remote controller. In such a case, if the maker of each room such as a TV is common, it can be dealt with by a remote controller corresponding to one maker.

The controlled device such as a TV is desirably configured to recognize the manufacturer and device type of the peripheral device (such as a VTR) via a connection cable. When there is no type sending function, a configuration may be adopted in which a manufacturer and a device type of a peripheral device are manually set via a key provided on a controlled device such as a TV.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the remote control unit and the remote control system send a request signal from the remote control unit side, and identify the device according to the request signal from the controlled device side. Since the signal is transmitted and the signal format of the control signal corresponding to the device identification signal received on the remote control unit side is stored in association with the control area, initial setting work is easy and each room Even if TVs and VTRs of different manufacturers exist, there is an effect that one remote control unit can easily operate them.

When the signal format of the control signal of each manufacturer is stored in the remote control unit in advance, a highly versatile remote control unit can be provided. Further, when the signal format of the control signal of one manufacturer is stored in the remote control unit in advance, a remote control unit whose configuration is simplified can be provided.

The controlled device recognizes the maker and the device type of the peripheral device connected to the device itself, and responds to the request signal from the remote control unit to transmit the device identification signal of the peripheral device together with the device identification signal of the device itself. If the remote control unit is configured to send data, it is not necessary to perform the initial setting for identifying the device between each peripheral device and the remote control unit during the initial setting of the remote control unit. It will be easier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a remote controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a TV as an example of a device controlled by a remote controller.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of a remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an initial setting process of a remote controller and a controlled device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 microprocessor 11 ROM 12 RAM 13 key matrix 14 light emitting circuit 15 light receiving circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal in response to a controlled device identification request of a user; a device identification signal receiving means for receiving a device identification signal from a controlled device; A storage unit in which signal formats of control signals that can be stored are stored in advance; a signal format storage unit that stores a signal format of a control signal corresponding to a received device identification signal in association with a control area; A control signal transmitting means for inputting a signal format in the signal format storage means and transmitting a control signal to the controlled device in accordance with the signal format. 2. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores a signal format of a control signal of each maker. 3. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores a signal format of a control signal of one maker. 4. A request signal transmitting unit for transmitting a request signal in response to a user's request for identification of a controlled device, a device identification signal receiving unit for receiving a device identification signal from a controlled device, and each controlled device is operable. Storage means in which the signal format of the control signal is stored in advance, signal format storage means for storing the signal format of the control signal corresponding to the received device identification signal in association with the control area, and storing the signal format in response to a key operation A remote control unit including control signal transmitting means for inputting a signal format in the means and transmitting a control signal to the controlled device according to the signal format; storing a device identification signal of the own device; and transmitting a request signal from the remote control unit. A remote control system comprising: a controlled device that transmits a device identification signal of the own device upon reception. 5. The controlled device recognizes a maker and a device type of the peripheral device connected to the device itself, and, in response to a request signal from the remote control unit, identifies the device with the device identification signal of the device itself. The remote control system according to claim 4, wherein the remote control system sends a signal.