JPH0710117B2 - Remote control method - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control method for wirelessly controlling a plurality of stations (mainly audio / video devices) connected by an information transmission path by infrared rays or the like. It is about.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when remotely controlling a plurality of stations connected by an information transmission path by wireless using infrared rays, the following technology has been used.

(1) Each station is individually controlled by using a remote control data (hereinafter, abbreviated as remote control data) code string of a code system that can be decoded by each station.

(2) When controlling stations made by multiple manufacturers with one remote controller transmitter, the remote controller transmitters are made to learn the remote controller codes of other manufacturers (this is referred to as a remote controller with a learning function or a learning remote controller). It corresponded.

(3) Each station is controlled by using a remote control device having a dedicated code system for the entire system connected by an information transmission path.

Further, even when the remote control signal receiving unit of a certain station receives a remote control data code string addressed to another type of station, no data is processed and the data is discarded.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The conventional techniques described above have the following problems.

(1) A general single remote controller (a plurality of types of stations: a remote controller that can control both a TV and a VTR, for example) transmitters basically only allowed control of stations made by the same manufacturer.

(2) If you use a learning remote controller that has been put into practical use in recent years (a remote controller that can learn the remote control signal of another manufacturer or a station of another type), you can control a station made by a different manufacturer. It requires work to learn the remote control signal,
It was difficult for housewives and old people in the home who had no knowledge of mechanics or electricity to work. In addition, since the remote control signals of other manufacturers are backed up with memory by the battery, the battery will be exhausted if left unused for a long time without using the remote control.
In some cases, the contents were erased naturally, and learning work was required again.

(3) When controlling multiple stations using a conventional single remote control or learning remote control, the remote control signal must be sent to the remote control light receiving unit of each station to be controlled. I could not control if there was an obstacle in front of the target station.

(4) When each station is controlled using a remote control device that has a dedicated code system for the entire system connected by an information transmission line, the remote controller conventionally attached to each station is only for that station. It was not possible to use it, and it was necessary to purchase a new system-dedicated remote control transmitter in order to control other stations with one remote control transmitter.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and (1) a remote control transmitter in which a plurality of stations manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers and connected to an information transmission path are conventionally attached to each station. To enable control of the basic functionality of standard commands.

(2) Information is transmitted by receiving a remote control signal sent from a station connected by an information transmission path using a remote control transmitter conventionally attached to each station by a light receiving section of a station other than the controlled station. All the functions that can be controlled by the remote control transmitter are controlled by transferring through the route.

(3) When performing the above (2), it is determined to which station on the information transmission path the frame should be transferred in order to improve the processing efficiency, and the remote control data is transferred only to the target station.

(4) In order to achieve the purpose of (2) above, the frame received via the information transmission path is decoded and necessary processing is performed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control method that can realize the above.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a first remote control method according to the present invention (hereinafter, abbreviated as remote control method).
Is connected to an information communication system composed of one system of information transmission path for performing data communication and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission path, and in sequential frames through the information transmission path. A communication processing means for performing data communication, a frame decoding means for decoding the content of the frame received by the communication processing means, and a frame for sending a frame to the information transmission path by the communication processing means Frame generation means, light receiving means for receiving an infrared remote control signal and converting it into an electric signal, demodulation means for reproducing a remote control data code string from the electric signal, processing the received remote control data code string, and determining the subsequent processing. Then, a data code for generating a command to be transferred onto the information transmission path from the content of the received remote control data code string. An electrical signal comprising a processing means and a format conversion means for forming a frame of a format using a command generated by the data code processing means, wherein the electrical signal can be demodulated into "0" or "1" of logical data. And a step of determining whether the remote control data code string demodulated by the demodulation means is a readable remote control data code string when the electric signal can be demodulated into logical data. , A step of determining whether the remote control data code sequence is a remote control data code sequence addressed to its own station or another station when it is determined to be a readable remote control data code sequence, and a remote control addressed to another station When it is determined that the received data is a data code string, the received remote controller is transmitted in the information transmission path. A step of determining whether or not a standard command corresponding to the content of the data code string exists, and a standard format using the standard command when it is determined that a standard command corresponding to the content of the remote control data code string exists To form a frame and send the frame to the target station of the remote control data code string via the information transmission path.

Further, a second remote control method according to the present invention is connected to an information communication system including one system of information transmission path for performing data communication and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission path, Communication processing means for performing data communication in sequential frames via the information transmission path, frame decoding means for decoding the content of the frame received by the communication processing means, and the information by the communication processing means Frame generating means for forming a frame to be transmitted to the transmission path, light receiving means for receiving an infrared remote control signal and converting it into an electric signal, demodulation means for reproducing a remote control data code string from the electric signal, and received remote control data The code string is processed, the subsequent processing is determined, and the content of the received remote control data code string is transferred to the information transmission path. Data code processing means for generating a command, and format conversion means for converting the remote control data code string into a format suitable for transfer via the information transmission path, wherein the electric signal is "0" of logical data. Determining whether the signal can be demodulated to "or" 1 ", and the remote control data code string demodulated by the demodulation means when the electric signal can be demodulated into logical data. Determining whether it is a code string, converting the remote control data code string into a data string suitable for transfer via an information transmission line when it is determined to be a readable remote control data code string, and , The format of the remote control data code string is determined, and data indicating the applicable format type is added to the data string. It has a step of configuring the beam, and a step of transmitting to all stations destined connected to the information transmission path via the information transmission path the frame.

Further, a third remote control method according to the present invention is connected to an information communication system including one system of information transmission path for data communication and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission path, Communication processing means for performing data communication in sequential frames via the information transmission path, frame decoding means for decoding the content of the frame received by the communication processing means, and the information by the communication processing means Frame generating means for forming a frame to be transmitted to a transmission path, light receiving means for receiving an infrared remote control signal and converting it into an electric signal, demodulation means for reproducing a remote control data code string from the electric signal, and the received remote control. Data code processing means for generating data to be transferred on the information transmission path from the contents of the data code string; A device search means for searching a manufacturer code that encodes the address and manufacturer name of a station connected to the road, an address table that stores the address and manufacturer code of the station, and the stored manufacturer code and reception Maker code comparison means for comparing with the maker code extracted from the remote control data code string, the addresses and maker codes of all stations connected to the information transmission path are investigated and stored in the address table. And a step of determining whether the signal converted into an electric signal by the light receiving means is an electric signal that can be demodulated into logical data of “0” or “1”, and the electric signal is demodulated into logical data. Remote control data code string demodulated by the demodulation means when possible Industry standard format (Association for Electric Home Appliances recommendation of the remote control format,
Hereafter, it will be abbreviated as “house-made cooperative format”. ), And if the received remote controller data code string is in the “household cooperative format”, a manufacturer code is extracted from the remote controller code string and stored in the manufacturer code storage means. Detecting a matching manufacturer code by comparing with the manufacturer code and determining the other party to which the frame should be transferred, and converting the received remote control data code string into a format suitable for transmission via the information transmission path. And a step of transferring the format-converted frame to all transfer partner stations determined by the step.

Further, a fourth remote control method according to the present invention is connected to an information communication system composed of one system of information transmission line for performing data communication, and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission line, Communication processing means for performing data communication in sequential frames via the information transmission path, frame decoding means for decoding the content of the frame received by the communication processing means, and the information by the communication processing means Frame generation means for constructing a frame to be sent to the transmission path, system control means for controlling the entire station, and the contents of the frame in a data format in which the system control means can operate according to the contents of the received frame. A format reverse conversion means for reverse conversion is provided, and the frame transmitted via the information transmission path by the remote control method according to claim 2. When various frames including a frame are received, a step of determining whether the content of the frame is a command or data, and information that the data has when the content of the received frame is determined to be data Is a remote control data, and if the content of the received frame is determined to be remote control data, it is determined whether or not the format type is compatible with the own station, When it is determined that the own station is of a compatible format type, a step of inversely converting the received data string into a corresponding remote controller data code string, and the inversely converted remote controller data code string of the own station system Sending to the control means.

According to the above method, in the first remote control method of the present invention, when the remote control signal is input from the light receiving means, it is converted into an electric signal and then transferred to the system control means of the station, and at the same time, the data code processing means. Entered,
Is the received remote control signal (a) demodulated? (B) Is the content decipherable? (C) Is it addressed to a station other than your own station? (D) Is there a standard command corresponding to the contents of the remote control signal? Is checked, and if all are “YES”, a command frame composed of the corresponding standard command is sent to the station via the information transmission path.

Further, in the second remote control method of the present invention, when the remote control signal is input from the light receiving means, it is converted into an electric signal and then transferred to the system control means of the station, and at the same time input to the data code processing means and received. Is the remote control signal capable of (a) demodulation? (B) Is the content decipherable? If it is possible to demodulate but the contents cannot be decoded, format conversion is performed so that the data code string of the received remote control signal can be transmitted transparently, and the remote control signal together with information indicating the type of the format of the remote control signal. Each data code is transmitted as a data frame to all stations connected to the information transmission line via the information transmission line.

Further, in the third remote control method of the present invention, the manufacturer of the remote control data code sequence received when transmitting the data code sequence as a data frame to another station via the information transmission line by the second remote control method of the present invention The code determines the address of the station to be transferred.

Further, in the fourth remote control method of the present invention, when the frame transferred via the information transmission path by the second remote control method of the present invention is received, is (a) a data frame? (B) Is it remote control data? (C) Is the format applicable to your station? If all are "YES", the contents of the received data frame are converted to the data code string of the remote control signal in reverse format, and the remote control data code string is sent to the system control means in the station. Control the station.

Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, prior to a detailed description of the present invention, an outline of the system will be described.

(1.1) Definition The system described here is mainly an audio / video system configured by using audio / video equipment as a station. This audio video system is composed of a group of audio video devices interconnected by a communication system having transparency and code independence. Information is transmitted as variable length units called frames. A physical mechanism for transmitting and receiving information is called a communication control device (referred to as a communication control unit when incorporated in an audio video device). A communication line that carries information from one communication control device to another communication control device is called an information transmission path. Basic terms necessary for helping understanding of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

Stations 1002 to 1005: connected to the information transmission line 1001
A device that has a data communication function with other stations.

Master: The station that controls the communication system.

Slave: A station designated by the master and responsible for responding to the master.

Transmitter: A station that sends the messages in a frame, the data in a field.

Receiver: A station that receives the messages in a frame and the data in a field.

Write sequence: A sequence in which a master serves as a transmitter and transmits commands and data to slaves, and there are two types: a write command sequence and a write data sequence.

Read sequence: A sequence in which the master acts as a receiver and collects data from slaves.

Frame 1110: A unit of information transmitted from one station to another station, which includes a header field, a master field, a slave field, a control field, and a message field.

Command frame: A frame in which the contents of the message field are composed of commands.

Data frame: A frame in which the contents of the message field are composed of data.

Command: A data code string transferred by a command frame, and the processing contents to be executed by the station that receives this are defined uniformly throughout the system.
On the other hand, with respect to the data, the processing content to be executed by the station which receives the data depends on the receiving station.

Mode bit 1112: A bit that distinguishes the transfer rate of frames and the number of transferable bytes of messages.

Header field 1125: An area for instructing the start of the frame and distinguishing the mode of the frame.

Master field 1126: Area for presenting the address of the master.

Slave field 1127: An area for presenting the address of the slave, which is designated by the master.

Control field 1128: An area for performing the transmission direction of the message field in the frame, the meaning of the contents described in the message field, and the lock control.

Message field 1129: A data area for transmitting a message. In this area, 8 data bits 11
21, 1-bit end of data bit 1122, 1-bit parity bit 1123, 1-bit acknowledgment bit
It is possible to continuously transfer a plurality of blocks with 1124 as one block.

Arbitration: Collision control to determine priority when multiple stations try to start frame transmission at the same time. It is executed during the period of the header field 1125 and the master field 1126.

Lock control: A function that the master specifies to the slave. Once the slave is locked, it cannot accept a frame that changes the slave's state from another master until it is unlocked.

Remote control data code string: A data code string indicating which key of the remote control transmitter is pressed.

(1.2) Basic Structure of System FIG. 14 shows the basic structure of an audio video system to which the present invention is applied. One line of information transmission line 1001
A plurality of stations 1002, 1003, each equipped with a communication control unit.
…, 1005 are interconnected. Each station is a VTR, TV,
Mostly audio and video equipment such as CD players. A station other than the audio / video device itself, such as a tele-control device for controlling the audio / video system, may be connected. Also, there is no central controller in the system that centrally controls the overall operation.

(1.3) Frame format and basic communication procedure In the embodiment of the present invention, "International Electrotechnica
Document "84 (Secretariat) 8 issued by Commission"
The international standard defined in “6 I, II Draft-Domestic digital Bus” is applied as an example. This section describes the frame format and basic communication procedure defined in the international standard.

The structure of the frame is shown in FIG. The frame is composed of a header field 1125, a master field 1126, a slave field 1127, a control field 1128, and a message field 1129.

The header field 1125 is composed of a start bit 1111 indicating the start of a frame and a mode bit 1112 for mode transfer. The master field 1126 includes a 12-bit master address bit 1113 and a 1-bit parity bit 11.
Composed of 14. The slave field 1127 is composed of a slave address bit 1115 of 12 bits, a parity bit 1116 of 1 bit, and an ACK bit 1117 of 1 bit. If there is a station designated as a slave, it is obliged to send an acknowledgment back to the master in ACK bit 1117 of slave field 1127.

Master address bit 1113 and slave address bit
The configuration method of 1115 is common, and the upper 4 bits are the service type, the middle 5 bits are the device type, and the lower 3 bits are the device number. "84 (Secretariat) 86 I, II D
In "raft-Domestic digital Bus", only "AVC service" is defined as the service type, and the value is "000.
1 ”. Various device types are assigned to various AV equipment types, and a part of the assignment is shown in Table 1.
The device number distinguishes a plurality of same device types when they exist in the same communication system, and is generally assigned in order from "000".

When the master receives an acknowledgment with the ACK bit 1117, it continuously transmits the control field 1128 and below. When the negative response is received, the master stops transferring the frame. The control field 1128 has 4 control bits 1118 and 1 parity bit 1119 and 1
Bit ACK bit 1120. The control bit 1118 is an area for performing the transmission direction of the message field 1129 in the frame, the meaning of the contents described in the message field, and the lock control. Table 2 shows the contents of the control field.

If the slave can accept the control of the content specified by the control bit 1118, it returns an acknowledgment to the master with an ACK bit 1120, and returns a negative response if it cannot be accepted. When the master receives an acknowledgment with ACK bit 1120, it proceeds to the field of message field 1129. If a negative response is received, the master stops transferring the frame. The message field 1129 is an 8-bit data bit 1121, a 1-bit end-of-data bit 1122 indicating the last data bit of the message field,
A block composed of 1-bit parity bit 1123 and 1-bit ACK bit 1124 is composed of a plurality of blocks. The station designated as the receiver by the control bit 1118 sends back an acknowledgment or a negative acknowledgment to the transmitter with the ACK bit 1124 every time it receives one byte of the data bit 1121. Upon receiving the negative response, the transmitter then ceases to transmit the message field.

In this system, all stations 1002 to 1005 have the right to be masters and specify the slaves to frame.
It is possible to control transmission start and transmission timing of 1110. All stations 1002 to 1005 have the right to become masters and start transmission of the frame 1110, but only one master can occupy the information transmission path 1001 at the same time. Therefore, when a plurality of masters try to transmit a frame at the same time, it is necessary to perform arbitration to determine the priority. The slave is obliged to return a response 1117 to the master at one station addressed by slave bit 1115 in slave field 1127 of frame 1110 transmitted by the master. The distinction between transmitter and receiver is defined in control field 1128 in frame 1110. From the standpoint of one station, when transmitting a certain frame 1110,
There are four possible possibilities: (a) master transmitter, (b) master receiver, (c) slave transmitter, and (d) slave receiver.

Before describing the embodiments corresponding to the contents of each claim of the present invention in detail, the outline of the present invention will be described in order of purpose, configuration, and operation.

(2.1) Purpose The first to fourth remote control methods of the present invention are intended to enable a plurality of stations (mainly audio / video equipment) connected together by an information transmission path to be controlled by a conventional remote control transmitter. Is.

(2.2) Configuration The overall configuration will be described with reference to the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 130 is an information transmission line for connecting each station to transmit information, 200a to 200n are devices (stations) connected by the information transmission line 130, and 110a to 110n are communication controls for performing communication via the information transmission line. Parts, 120a to 120n are device function parts for executing the original function of each device, 100a to 100n
Is an infrared signal receiving unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter. At least one of the equipment
The base has a remote control receiver 100a (to 100n).

(2.3) Operation The first remote control method of the present invention demodulates and decodes the remote control data code string received from the remote control transmitter,
If the remote control data format is in-house or other company's format and the content can be deciphered, perform the corresponding control if the controlled station is its own station, and the corresponding control content if the controlled station is another station. After converting to a standard command, a frame is constructed and sent to the controlled station via the information transmission line. As a result, the infrared signal of the remote control data code string sent from the remote control transmitter can be controlled even if the user does not directly reach the station to be controlled.

In addition, since it is converted into a standard command and sent when it is sent as a frame to the information transmission path, the controlled station can control even a station of another manufacturer that cannot decode the remote control data code string sent from the remote control transmitter. It will be possible.

However, the first remote control method of the present invention includes the following problems.

(1) The remote controller transmitter and the remote controller receiver must be manufactured by the same manufacturer. Alternatively, the remote control receiver needs to be able to decode the data code string transmitted from the remote control receiver.

(2) Only the function having the standard command of the communication system can be transferred to another station.

Therefore, a method for solving these problems is the second remote control method of the present invention.

The remote control device according to the second remote control method of the present invention demodulates the remote control data code string transmitted from the remote control transmitter and received by the light receiving means, and attempts to decode the code by the data code processing means. When receiving a remote control signal made by another manufacturer, or when receiving a remote control signal made by another manufacturer whose content is not registered, the data code string of the received remote control signal is transparently transmitted. Format conversion is performed so that the data can be transferred, and a data code string of the remote control signal is transmitted as a data frame together with information indicating the type of the format of the remote control signal to all stations connected to the information transmission path via the information transmission path. However, when the received infrared remote control signal is in the industry standard format in Japan (“house-made cooperative format”), since the manufacturer code is defined in the infrared remote control signal, the third remote control of the present invention. Using the method, the transfer destination of the data frame is limited and sent out on the information transmission path.

Each station which receives the frame transferred by this method decodes the received data by using the fourth remote control method of the present invention and controls the station by performing a predetermined process. As a result, even if the station that receives the remote control data code string sent from the remote control transmitter cannot decode the content, or if the content can be decoded but the standard command does not exist, it is transparently transferred to another station via the information transmission path. By doing so, it becomes possible for the user to control the desired station.

Hereinafter, the details of the remote control method of the present invention will be described for each embodiment for each claim.

(Explanation of Embodiment of Claim 1) First, an embodiment of the remote control method of Claim 1 will be described.

(3.1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a station in the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 130 is an information transmission line for connecting each station which constitutes the AV system and transmitting information.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a remote control signal receiving section, which is the same as the remote control receiving sections 100a to 100n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 101 is a light receiving means for converting the received infrared remote control signal into an electric signal, 102 is a demodulating means for converting the electric signal converted by the light receiving means 101 into a data code string according to a pre-defined specification, and 103 is a demodulation The data code string generated by the means 102 is divided into meaningful data units,
Data code processing means for comparing the contents with a predefined data code table and checking whether there is a standard command corresponding to the received data, 104 is a standard command from the comparison result of the data code processing means 103 When it is determined, it is a format conversion means for converting the received command into a format required to be transferred on the information transmission path using the standard command.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a communication control unit, which is the same as the communication control units 110a to 110n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. Reference numeral 111 is a communication control means for performing electrophysical control for data communication with another station via the information transmission path 130, and 112 is data of the information transmission path 130 sent via the communication control means 111. It is a frame generation means for generating a frame of a format necessary for doing.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a device function unit, which corresponds to the device function units 120a to 120n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. Reference numeral 121 is an original function of the station (for example, a tuner or a deck player section in the case of a VTR), and 122 is a system control means for controlling the functional operation of the station.

(3.2) Operation Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the processing flowchart of FIG. The processing contents described below are executed by the light receiving means 101, the demodulating means 102, the data code processing means 103 and the format converting means 104 in the block diagram of FIG.

The processing routine 1 shown in FIG. 5 is always executed, but the first step, step 501, is the light receiving means 1.
The process is executed by 01, and it is checked whether the infrared remote control signal is received. This check is generally performed by inspecting whether or not a remote control signal converted from an infrared remote control signal to an electric signal is output to the output section of the light receiving means 101. When no signal is output to the output of the light receiving means 101, it is determined that the remote control signal is not received, the processing of the processing routine 1 is ended, and the flow returns to the beginning. If any signal is output to the output section of the light receiving means 101,
Step 50 when it is judged that the signal from the infrared remote controller has been received
Go to 2.

In step 502, it is determined whether the received remote control signal can be demodulated. Here, the term "demodulation" means that the remote control signal that has been received and then converted into an electric signal by the light receiving means 101 is converted into a data code string of "0" or "1" by the demodulation means 102 according to a predetermined rule. Means to convert.

For reference, an example of the infrared remote control signal structure is shown in FIG. 4, and the meaning of demodulation will be briefly described.
In general, an infrared remote control signal is a high level signal (+5 volts in the case of a TTL level signal) and a low level signal (0 in the case of a TTL level signal) that are continuous for an integral multiple of a certain unit time "T". Bolts). In the example of FIG. 4, if there is an electric signal input that continuously maintains a high level for "8T" for a continuous period of time and then maintains a low level for "8T" for a continuous period, the infrared remote control signal is input. It is demodulated as a "header" meaning the beginning of the frame. Also, when there is an input of an electric signal that continuously maintains the high level for "2T] time and then continuously maintains the low level for" 2T] time, it is demodulated as bit "0". . Similarly, if there is an electrical signal input that keeps the high level continuously for "2T] time and then keeps the low level continuously for" 6T "time, demodulate as bit" 1 ". To do. When it is possible to convert an electric signal received by a combination of a predefined unit time “T” and a signal of several times the unit time as in this example into a data code string of a combination of “0” and “1” , Called demodulation possible. On the other hand, when a signal contrary to the predefined content is received, it is determined that demodulation is impossible.

In step 502, if a signal that cannot be demodulated is received, it becomes impossible to perform the processing of the subsequent steps. Therefore, the processing is ended here and the processing routine returns to the beginning. If it is determined that demodulation is possible, demodulation processing is performed and the process proceeds to the next step.

In step 503, it is determined whether the contents of the signal demodulated by the demodulation means 102 can be decoded. In decoding the contents, the data code string demodulated by the demodulation means 102 is divided into pre-defined bit units, and the contents of each word (bit string divided into unit bits) match the contents of the pre-defined data table. In that case, it is possible to decipher the contents.

For reference, examples of the remote control format are shown in (a) and (b) of the data format example of FIG.

The remote control format example 1 in (a) is a signal format used in an infrared remote control compatible station of a certain company at a relatively early stage (hereinafter abbreviated as “company A format”).
Where 301 is a header indicating the beginning of the frame, 302 is a 5-bit device code for distinguishing stations, 303 is a 6-bit data code indicating the contents of the control command, and 304 is a 5-bit device code inversion bit. Also, like the device code 302, 5 bits, 305 is a data code inversion bit and 6 bits like the data code 303, and 306 is a 1-bit check bit for detecting a data transmission error by infrared rays.

The remote control format example 2 in (b) is abbreviated as the recommended format (hereinafter referred to as the “household cooperative format”) specified in “Infrared remote control home appliances malfunction prevention measures” (issued in July 1987) by the Japan Home Appliance Association. ), Which is recommended to be used when transmitting the remote control signal using infrared rays in order to prevent the signal of the infrared remote control transmitter of a certain company from malfunctioning to the stations of other companies. is there. 311 is a header indicating the beginning of the frame, and 312 is a 16 for distinguishing the manufacturer.
Maker code of bit, 313 is a 4-bit parity code to prevent reception error of manufacturer code 312, 314 is a 12-bit device code for distinguishing stations, and 315 is for transmitting control commands and data. It is a command / data code and can transfer multiple bytes in units of 8 bits. Reference numeral 316 is a parity code for preventing an error in receiving the device code and the command / data code 315.

In step 503, the data is divided into pre-defined bit units as in the above-described format example, and then it is checked whether the content corresponding to each code is defined in the table, and the corresponding table exists. If it is not, it is determined that it is decodable. According to the remote control method of claim 1 of the present invention,
If it is determined in step 503 that the contents can be decrypted, the process proceeds to the next step 504, and if it is determined that the contents cannot be decrypted, the subsequent process cannot be executed. Discard and return to the beginning of the processing routine.

In step 504, the content of the received signal determined to be decipherable in step 503 is checked to determine whether the received infrared remote control signal is a command addressed to its own station or a command addressed to another station. To do. Considering this determination in correspondence with the “A company format” and the “household cooperative format” in FIG. 3, in the case of the A company format, the device code 302 is referred to for the determination,
Maker code 312 in the case of "household cooperative format"
Also, the device code 314 is referred to for the determination.

When it is determined in step 504 that the data is addressed to the own station, the data processing unit 103 discards the received data without performing any processing and returns to the beginning of the processing. The reason why no processing is performed is that the output of the demodulation means 102 is directly transferred to the system control means 122, so that if the command is addressed to the own station, the system control means 122 executes the processing. is there.

In step 505, the content of the part corresponding to the station control command in the data code string of the infrared remote control signal determined to be addressed to another station in step 504 is compared with the content of the predefined standard command table. . Then, if there is a corresponding standard command, the process proceeds to the next step 506. If the corresponding standard command does not exist in the standard command table, it cannot be dealt with, so the received data code string is discarded and the process returns to the beginning. Incidentally, the processing when the standard command does not exist can be dealt with in claim 2 of the present invention.

The portion corresponding to the station control command in the data code string is the data code 303 or the command / data code 315 presented in the remote controller format example of FIG.

What is a standard command? "84 (Secretariat) 86 I, II Draft-D
Means a command defined in "omestic digital Bus".

In step 506, (a) of the infrared remote control data that has been confirmed to be transferable to another station after being converted into a standard command by each determination processing up to step 505
Command conversion, (b) format conversion, and (c) transfer processing are executed.

(A) Command conversion The portion corresponding to the station control command in the data code string of the infrared remote control data, that is, the data code 303 or the command / data code 315 presented in the remote control format example of FIG. 3 is converted to “84 (Secretariat) 86
I, II Draft-Domestic digital Bus ”is executed. Generally, in infrared remote control data, a station control command is defined by one word or one byte, but the standard command described above is composed of an operation code of one byte and an operand of one byte or a plurality of bytes.

(B) Format conversion Message field 11 in the frame described in "(c) Frame format and basic communication procedure" in "Description of system overview" at the beginning of the description of the embodiment of the present invention
The contents of 29 are "84 (Secretariat) 86 I, II Draft-Domes
"tic digital Bus" is defined in more detail, and an example thereof is shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and (d). The message field 1129 in FIG. 15 is the same as the message field 1129 in FIG. 3 (c), and its contents are defined as shown in FIG. 3 (d). First, <BEGIN> code 331, <BEGIN> operand 332,
SSDA (SOURCE SUB DEVICE ADDRESS) 333 and DSDA (DE
The routing information constituted by STINATION SUB DEVICE ADDRESS (334) (information indicating which subdevice of which station is intended to send the command to which subdevice of which station) is transmitted. SSDA333 is an address indicating a command issuing subdevice, and DSDA334 is an address indicating a command destination subdevice. The actual command is transmitted next to this routing information. Here, the standard command converted in (a) Command conversion processing is OPC (opcode) 3
It is transmitted in the format of 35 + OPR (operand) 336. Therefore, the command received as the infrared remote control data is subjected to command conversion, stored in this portion in the OPC + OPR format, and transmitted. The first <END> code 337 is a code indicating the end of the command frame and the like. Also,
For the slave address 1115 or DSDA334 indicating the station address of the command destination, the contents of the device code 302 and the device code 314 in the infrared remote control data are set to "84 (Secr
etariat) 86 I, II Draft-Domestic digital Bus ”Converted to the address defined in the above and stored. These format conversion processes are executed by the format conversion means 104. The data code processing means 103 and the format conversion means 104 described above generally use a microprocessor to execute processing by software.

(C) Transfer process This process is reconfigured by executing the command conversion process and the format conversion process, and transfers the other-station control frame to a predetermined other station via the communication control unit 110. Since the transfer destination and the transfer contents have already been specified in the above format conversion processing, these frames are transferred to the frame generation means 112 and other items (mode bit 1112, master address 1113, control code 1118, etc.) are transferred. After setting, communication control means 11
The function (1) transfers the frame to the target station via the information transmission path 130.

Since all the processing of the first embodiment is completed as described above, the process returns to the beginning of the processing routine 1 to prepare for the reception of the next infrared remote control signal.

(3.3) Description of Specific Example of Embodiment In order to help understanding of the first embodiment described above, a specific example of the case where this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the case where the data in the “A company format” is received will be described as an example.

As an example of “company A format”, consider a case where the infrared remote control data shown in FIG. 6 (a) is received. As the preconditions for the following description, (1) the received infrared remote control signal can be demodulated, (2) the data in the received infrared remote control signal can be decoded, and (3) the data in the received infrared remote control signal is the own station. It is assumed that there is a standard command corresponding to the received infrared remote control signal (4) which is not a destination command. Therefore, the processing routine 1 is executed to advance to step 506, and the next processing is executed. The received data is <device code 302> = 01011 (B) <data code 303> = 100101 (B), but (B) means that it is displayed in binary. (Hereinafter, the binary display is expressed as (B) and the hexadecimal display is expressed as (H).) It is assumed that the device code 302 means “VTR1” and the data code 303 means “PLAY”. . This received data is "84 (Secretariat) 86 I, II Draft-Domes
When converted into the formats shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D according to the contents defined by "tic digital Bus", each data is determined as follows.

The mode bit 1112 depends on the function of the communication processing means 111, but here it is assumed to be "mode 1". <Mode bit
1112> = 01 (B) Assuming that the own station is “TV 1”, <Master address 1113> = 100 (H) Since the transfer partner is “VTR1”, <Slave address 1115> = 120 (H) ). For the address determination method, see "84 (Secretariat) 86."
I, II Draft-Domestic digital Bus ”is used (see Table 1).

The control code 1118 is determined according to the contents of Table 2.

<Control code 1118> = 1110 (B) Message field 1129 stores BEGIN code 331 to END code 337. Of these BEGIN codes 331 to D
The method for determining SDA334 is not particularly necessary for understanding the present invention, and therefore its explanation is omitted. However, “84 (Secretariat) 86 I, II
Applying the definition of “Draft-Domestic digital Bus”, <BEGIN331> = BD (H) <BEGIN OPR332> = 54 (H) <SSDA333> = C8 (H) <DSDA334> = 20 (H).

Next, the OPC335 and OPR336 corresponding to the data code of “Company A format” are set to “84 (Secretariat) 86 I, II.
It is as follows when it is decided according to the definition of "Draft-Domestic digital Bus".

<OPC335> = C3 (H) <OPR336> = 75 (H) Finally, END337, which means the end of this frame, has the following format: <END337> = BR (H). The converted frame is as shown in FIG. 6B, and this frame is transmitted to the target station via the information transmission path.

Description of Embodiment of Claim 2 Next, an embodiment of the remote control method of Claim 2 will be described.

(4.1) Configuration of Embodiment The configuration of the station for implementing the remote control method according to claim 2 is the same as the configuration of the station for implementing the remote control method according to claim 1, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

(4.2) Operation Next, regarding the operation of this embodiment, that is, the second embodiment,
This will be described with reference to the processing flowchart of FIG. The processing contents described below are executed by the light receiving means 101, the demodulation means 102, the data code processing means 103 and the format conversion means 104 in the block diagram of FIG.

The processing routine 2 shown in FIG. 7 is always executed, but the first step, step 601 is the light receiving means 1.
The process is executed by 01, and it is checked whether the infrared remote control signal is received. The checking means and processing method are exactly the same as step 501 (see FIG. 5) in the processing of the remote control method shown in the first embodiment, so description of the processing method and the like will be omitted.

When the remote control signal is not received, the processing of the processing routine 2 is ended and the processing returns to the beginning. When the remote control signal is received, the process proceeds to step 602.

In step 602, it is determined whether the received infrared remote control signal can be demodulated. The meanings of “demodulation” and “demodulation possible” and the determination method are exactly the same as the processing (step 502) of the remote control method in the first embodiment.
The description of the processing method and the like will be omitted.

In step 602, when a signal that can be demodulated is received, it becomes impossible to perform the processing of the subsequent steps.
Here, the processing is terminated and the process returns to the beginning of the processing routine 2. If it is determined that demodulation is possible, demodulation processing is performed and the process proceeds to the next step.

In step 603, it is determined whether the content of the signal demodulated by the demodulation means 102 can be decoded. Since the meaning of the content decoding and the content decoding method are exactly the same as the processing (step 503) of the remote control method in the first embodiment, the description of the processing method and the like will be omitted.

In the remote control method of the second embodiment, if it is determined in step 603 that the content can be decoded, the subsequent processing is the same as the processing of the remote control method of the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

If it is determined in step 603 that the contents cannot be decoded, the process proceeds to the next step 604.

In step 604, (a) format conversion and (b) transfer processing are performed to transfer the content of the received signal, which is determined to be undecipherable in step 603, to another station as transparent data. I do.

(A) Format conversion Format conversion processing is performed in the format conversion means 104. Format conversion procedures are classified into the following five.

Procedure (1): Extraction of data to be transferred Only the data portion to be transmitted to another station via the information transmission path is extracted from the received infrared remote control data. Specifically, it is a process of deleting the header and trailer from the received infrared remote control data.

Procedure (2): Dividing into 8-bit units The infrared remote control data code system has a format that is not an 8-bit system such as a device code of 5 bits and a data code of 6 bits as shown in Fig. 3 (a). As shown in FIG. 3 (b), 8-bit unit (or a system that can be easily subdivided into 8-bit units) formats and the like are mixed. However, since the frame on the information transmission path 130 has a format for transmitting data in 8-bit units, if the code system is not in 8-bit units, it is converted into 8-bit units.

Step (3): Addition of dummy bits If the total number of received infrared remote control data is not an integral multiple of 8 bits, when divided into 8-bit units by step (2), a shortage bit occurs in the last byte. Therefore, dummy bits are added by the number of insufficient bits and processing is performed so that the data can be accurately converted into 8-bit units.

Step (4): Addition of data type and format type The above procedure completes the creation of the data portion to be transparently transferred. However, the station that received the data as it is via the information transmission path 130 cannot determine what data was received. Therefore, a <data type> identifier for identifying what data is added is displayed to indicate that the data is remote control data.

Further, a <format type> identifier for identifying the format of the remote control data is added and the type of format is displayed.

Step (5): frame configuration The data field section created by the processing of steps (1) to (4) is replaced by the frame generation means 112 of the communication control section 110.
Frame to be transmitted to the information transmission path 130. The format conversion process by the above process is completed.

(B) Transfer process A process of reconfiguring by executing the command conversion process and the format conversion process and transferring the other station control frame to all stations connected to the information transmission path 130 via the communication control unit 110. is there.

Since all the processing of the second embodiment is completed as described above, the process returns to the beginning of the processing routine 2 to prepare for the reception of the next infrared remote control data.

(4.3) Description of Specific Example of Embodiment In order to help understanding of the second embodiment described above, a specific example of the case where this embodiment is applied will be described below with reference to FIG. In the following description, the case where the data in the “A company format” is received will be described as an example. As an example of the “company A format”, consider a case where the infrared remote control data shown in FIG. As a precondition for the following description, it is assumed that (1) the received infrared remote control signal can be demodulated, and (2) the received infrared remote control data cannot be decoded. Therefore, the processing routine 2 is executed to advance to step 604, and the next processing is executed. It is also assumed that the received data is <device code 302> = 01011 (B) <data code 303> = 100101 (B). The following is a specific example of step 604. Step 604 is processed by the following five procedures as described in "(4.2) Operation".

Procedure (1): Extraction of data to be transferred The format of the infrared remote controller data has the structure as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B as described in the description of the first embodiment. In addition to the data required for station control, headers 301 and 311 and trailers 307 and 317 are attached. However, these are attached to recognize the beginning and end of the frame of infrared remote control data,
This is an unnecessary part when the frame of another format is transferred to another station. So, these headers 30 as the first step of format conversion
1,311 and trailers 307 and 317 are deleted, and the parts (device code 302, data code 303, device code inversion bit 304, data code inversion bit 305, check bit 306) necessary for transferring to another station are extracted.

Steps (2) and (3): Division into 8 bits and addition of dummy bits The infrared remote control data code system consists of a device code of 5 bits and a data code of 6 bits as shown in Fig. 3 (a). As shown in FIG. 3 (b), there are a mixture of formats that do not have an 8-bit unit system, and a format that has 8-bit units (or a system that can be easily subdivided into 8-bit units). However, since the frame on the information transmission path 130 has a format for transmitting data in 8-bit units, it is necessary to convert it into 8-bit units in the case of a code system that is not in 8-bit units. The procedure (2) in FIG. 8 illustrates a method of dividing the infrared remote control data of the "A company format" into 8-bit units. Here, device code 302, data code 303, device code inversion bit 30
4, data code inversion bit 305 and check bit 30
The 6s are arranged in one column and divided into 8 bits from the beginning. In general, it is often the case that the total of all infrared remote control data does not become a multiple of 8 bits, but in that case, in order to divide the data into 8-bit units, it is possible to deal with this by storing dummy bits in the number of insufficient bits. The dummy bit may be "0" or "1". In this example, the total of all the data from the device code 302 to the check bit 306 becomes 23 bits, which is one bit short for dividing into 8 bit units. Therefore, the dummy bit 350 is stored in the missing bit portion. In this example, "0" is stored in the dummy bit 350 portion.

Step (4): Addition of data type and format type The above procedure completes the creation of the data portion to be transparently transferred. However, the station that receives the data as it is via the information transmission path 130 cannot determine what data has been received. Therefore, a <data type> identifier 341 for identifying what kind of data is added. Here, it is tentatively defined as <data type> = 00h → remote control data.

Next, even if it can be determined from the <data type> that the data is remote control data, the format of the remote control data cannot be determined. Therefore, a <format type> identifier 342 for identifying the format of the remote control data is added. Here, it is tentatively defined as <format type> = 00h → “company A format” 01h → “household cooperative format”. Since the contents described so far are assumed to be “A company format”, <format type> = 00h.

By performing the above procedure, the creation of the data field portion of the frame to be transmitted on the information transmission path 130 is completed. If this is organized, it becomes [00] [00] [5C] [B4] [6A] in the order of <Data type> 341 to <Data3> 345 (all displayed in hexadecimal).

Procedure (5): Frame configuration The data field section created by the processing of procedures (1) to (4) is transferred to the frame generation means 112 and transferred.

Transfer these frames to the frame generation procedure 112 for other items (mode bits 1112, master address 1113, slave address 1115, control code 1118, etc.)
After setting, the frame is transferred to all stations connected to the information transmission path 130 via the information transmission path 130 by the function of the communication control means 111.

Description of Embodiment of Claim 3 Next, an embodiment of the remote control method of Claim 3 will be described.

(5.1) Configuration of the Embodiment FIG. 9 shows a block configuration diagram of a station to which the remote control method of the third embodiment (claim 3) of the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 130 is an information transmission path for connecting each station that constitutes the AV system and transmitting information.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a remote control signal receiving section, which is the same as the remote control receiving sections 100a to 100n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 101 is a light receiving means for converting the received infrared remote control signal into an electric signal, 102 is a demodulation procedure for converting the electric signal converted by the light receiving means 101 into a data code string according to a predefined use, and 103 is a demodulation The data code string generated by the means 102 is divided into meaningful data units,
A data code processing unit that compares the contents with a predefined data code table and checks whether or not there is a standard command corresponding to the received data. 104 indicates that there is a standard command from the comparison result of the data code processing unit. When it is determined, it is a format conversion means for performing the format conversion necessary to transfer the received command onto the information transmission path using the standard command.

Reference numeral 140 is a device search means for investigating and registering the station address and maker code of the station connected to the information transmission path 130, and 141 is for registering the station address and maker code investigated by the device search means 140. Address table for storing,
142 is a manufacturer code comparison means for comparing the manufacturer code included in the received infrared remote control data with the manufacturer code registered in the address table and passing the station address of the matched one to the frame generation means 121.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a communication control unit, which is the same as the communication control units 110a to 110n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 111 is a communication control means for performing electro-physical control for data communication with another station via the information transmission path 130, and 112 is transmission of data of the information transmission path 130 via the communication control means 111. It is a frame generation means for generating a frame of a format necessary for doing.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a device function unit, which corresponds to the device function units 120a to 120n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. Reference numeral 121 is an original function of the station (for example, a tuner or a deck player section in the case of a VTR), and 122 is a system control means for controlling the functional operation of the station.

FIG. 10 is an address table for registering the station address and manufacturer code of the station connected to the information transmission path 130. 150, 151, ... Are station address storage areas for storing the station address values of the stations connected to the information transmission path 130, and 160, 161, ... are manufacturers that encode the manufacturers of the stations connected to the information transmission path 130. This is a manufacturer code storage area for storing a code. Manufacturer code 160, 161, ... is the station address
It corresponds to 150, 151, ...

(5.2) Operation The remote control method of the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

The remote control method of the present embodiment provides a method of determining a partner station of a frame which is processed up to step 604 and transferred to the information transmission path 130 in step 605.

In order to execute this method, it is necessary to investigate in advance which manufacturer each station connected to the information transmission path 130 belongs to and register it in the address table 143. First, the method will be explained.

First, all station addresses of stations connected to the information transmission path 130 are investigated (this process is called "device search"). A data setting method for conducting this investigation will be described with reference to the frame configuration in FIG. In the mode bit 1112 of the header field 1125, the highest mode currently supported by the own station is set. Next, the address of the own station is stored in the master address bit 1113 of the master field 1126. Next, the slave address bit 1115 of the slave field 1127 is set to the lowest value permitted as an address. Next, the control bit 1118 of the control field 1128 stores a control code "0000 (B)" ... "Read slave status" for reading the status of the partner station (see Table 2). With the above settings, the frame is transmitted on the information transmission path 130. "Read slave status" in control field 1118
Is used to avoid adverse effects on the partner station due to "device search".

Frame transmission processing is performed by the frame generation means 112 and the communication processing means 111. When an affirmative response is returned as the ACK bit 1117 of the slave field 1127 for this frame, it is determined that the station having the address set in the slave address bit 1115 is connected to the information transmission path 130, It is stored in the station address storage area 150 (150, ...) Of the address table 143. Next, the value of the address set in the slave address bit 1115 is incremented by 1 and the same processing is performed. By repeating the above processing, the addresses of all the stations connected on the information transmission path 130 are stored in the address table 14.
It can be stored in three station address storage areas 150, 151, ....

Next, the manufacturer code inquiry is made to the station registered in the station address storage area 150 of the address table 143, and the response content is registered in the manufacturer code storage area 160.

The structure of the frame for inquiring the manufacturer code is defined separately, so it is not defined here. The definition of the contents of the maker code may be any definition, but if the maker code defined as part of the "household cooperative remote control format" is used, the subsequent processing will be easier.

The process of inquiring about the manufacturer code is performed for all the stations stored in the station address storage area, and stored in the corresponding manufacturer code storage area.

Now that the inspection of the station addresses and manufacturer codes of all the stations connected to the information transmission path 130 has been completed, the processing procedure of the remote control method of this embodiment will be described next.

Since steps 701 to 704 in the processing sequence diagram of FIG. 11 are exactly the same as steps 601 to 604 of the processing contents of the remote control method of the second embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

In step 705, it is determined whether the received remote control data is the "household cooperative remote control format" or another format. If the result of this determination is that it is not the "household cooperative remote control format", the following procedure cannot be applied, so the same processing as in the second embodiment is performed. If it is determined that the format is "household cooperative remote control format", step 70
Go to 6.

In step 706, the frame transfer partner is determined according to the registered contents of the address table 143.

In the case of the “household cooperative remote control format”, the manufacturer code 312 is defined in the frame content. The contents of this manufacturer code are standardized by the Home Appliance Association. Therefore, the manufacturer code of the received infrared remote controller data is compared with the manufacturer code stored in the manufacturer code storage areas 160, 161, ... Of the address table 143, and if they match, the manufacturer code storage areas 160, 16 are stored.
Station address storage area 150, 151 corresponding to 1, ...
The station address stored in ... Is set as the slave address bit 1115, and is passed to the frame generation means 112 together with the data field created up to step 704.
Then, the frame generation means 112 generates a frame to be sent to the information transmission path 130, and sends it to the information transmission path 130 via the communication processing means 111. This processing is executed for all the stations registered in the address table 143, and the frame having the same data field is transmitted to all the stations having the same manufacturer code.

Description of Embodiment of Claim 4 Next, an embodiment of the remote control method of claim 4 will be described.

(6.1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 12 shows a block configuration diagram of a station to which the remote control method of the fourth embodiment (claim 4) of the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 130 is an information transmission path for connecting each station that constitutes the AV system and transmitting information.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a communication control unit, which is the same as the communication control units 110a to 110n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. Reference numeral 111 denotes a communication control means for performing electro-physical control for performing data communication with another station via the information transmission path, 11
Reference numeral 3 is a frame decoding means for decomposing a frame received from the information transmission path 130 via the communication control means 11 into a format usable by the device function unit 120 described below.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a device function unit, which corresponds to the device function units 120a to 120n in the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 121
Is an original function of the station (for example, a tuner or a deck player section in the case of a VTR), 122 is a system control means for controlling the functional operation of the station, 123 is a system control means from the frame decomposed by the frame decoding means 113. It is a format reverse conversion means for converting 122 into a controllable signal.

(6.2) Operation Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the processing flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13. The processing contents described below are executed in the format reverse conversion means 123 in the block diagram of FIG. In this example,
A station for receiving a frame transferred on the information transmission path 130 by using the remote control method of the second embodiment is a procedure for reverse conversion (format reverse conversion) of the frame into a content in which the system control means 123 can operate. is there.

Although the processing routine 4 shown in FIG. 13 is constantly executed, the first step, step 801 checks whether or not a frame has been received from the information transmission path 130. This check is performed in the frame decoding means 113. When no frame is received from the information transmission path 130, the processing is terminated without doing anything, and the process returns to the beginning of the processing routine 4. If any frame is received from the information transmission path 130, the process proceeds to step 802.

The frame structure received by the frame decoding means 113 from the information transmission path 130 is received in the format (e) of FIG. At this point, the contents of the control code 325 are first checked to determine whether the received frame is a data frame or another frame. If it is a frame other than the data frame, the process proceeds to step 807. However, the processing content of step 807 is outside the scope of the present invention, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the frame decoding means 113 extracts only the data field portion from the received data frame, transforms it into the format shown in the format (d) of FIG.
Proceed to.

In step 803, the contents of the <data type> identifier 341 of the frame shown in the format (d) of FIG. 8 are checked to see if the received data frame is remote control data. As a result of the check, if it is determined that the data is not remote control data, the process proceeds to step 808, but since the processing content in step 808 is outside the scope of the present invention, description thereof will be omitted.

If the result of the check is that it is remote control data, the operation proceeds to step 804.

In step 804, the contents of the <format type> identifier 342 of the frame shown in the format (d) of FIG. 8 are checked to determine what the data format of the received remote control data frame is. As a result of the judgment, the system control means of the station that received this frame, such as the company's remote control format or the standardized "house-made cooperative format"
If 122 is a format in which the contents can be decrypted, the process proceeds to step 805. If the format is not readable, the received frame is discarded, the process is terminated, and the process routine 4 returns to the beginning.

In step 805, the received remote control data frame is reconfigured to match the format specified by the format type 342 and the remote control data is reconfigured.

In step 806, the remote control data reconstructed in step 805 is transferred to the system control means 122. The reason why the signal sent to the system control means 122 is in the remote control data format is that means such as software for decoding the remote control data and performing the necessary control is already prepared in the system control means 122. In some cases, the function unit 121 may be directly controlled by decoding the content of the remote control data.

Since all the processing is completed as described above, the received frame is discarded and the processing routine 4 returns to the beginning.

(6.3) Description of Specific Example of Embodiment In order to help understanding of the fourth embodiment described above, a specific example of the case where this embodiment is applied will be described below. Here, step 805 and step 806, which have not been sufficiently described in “(6.2) Operation”, will be mainly described.

In step 805, the received remote control data frame is reconfigured to match the format designated by the format type 342.

It is assumed that the currently received remote control data is “A company format” with <format type 342> = 0000h.

Further, it is assumed that the actual contents of the received data 1 to data 3 (343 to 345) are the contents shown in (c) of FIG.

In the first processing in this step, the received data 1 to data 3 are bit-divided according to the format specified by <format type> 342. The “company A format” shown in the example is a device code 5 bits 302, a data code 6 bits 303, a device code inversion bit 5 bits 304, a data code inversion bit 6 bits 305, a check bit 1
Since it is composed of bits 306, the received data is 5 bits, 6 bits, 5 bits, 6 bits, 1 from the beginning.
Divide into bits. When the above re-division is performed, the last remaining bit is determined to be the dummy bit 350 and is deleted. In this example, 1 bit is deleted as a dummy bit (see FIG. 8 (b)).

Next, a trailer 307 is added before the device code 302 and after the header 301 and the check bit 308 to complete the remote control data frame of "A company format".

The processing in this step differs in the method of re-dividing the bit string depending on the contents specified in <format type> 342.

Since step 806 is the same as that described in “(6.2) Operation”, description thereof will be omitted.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As is clear from the above description, by adopting the invention of claim 1, even if the received infrared remote control signal is the control signal addressed to another station, if the content can be decoded, the information transmission line is transmitted. There is an effect that it is possible to transfer to a target station via the control and control the station.

Further, by adopting the invention of claim 2, if the received infrared remote control signal is a control signal addressed to another station and it is possible to demodulate even if the contents cannot be decoded, information transmission There is an effect that it is possible to transfer to a target station via a route and control the station.

In addition, by adopting the invention of claim 3, claim 2
When the remote control method of the invention is implemented, it is possible to limit the number of frames to be transmitted on the information transmission path to the necessary minimum, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of transfer processing and at the same time, to reduce traffic on the information transmission path. There is an effect that it is possible to reduce.

In addition, by adopting the invention of claim 4, claim 2
The invention has the effect that the remote control data frame transferred using the invention remote control method can be decoded and predetermined station control can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration for implementing a remote control method in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information communication system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format example of remote control data and data transmitted on an information transmission path, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure example showing the configuration of an infrared remote control signal, and FIG. 5 is a remote control of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart for carrying out the method, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data conversion when the remote control method of the embodiment is applied,
FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart for carrying out the remote control method of the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data conversion when the remote control method of the same embodiment is applied, and FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration for carrying out a remote control method of the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a station address table used in the remote control method of the same embodiment, and FIG. 11 is the same. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration for carrying out the remote control method of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 shows the remote control method of the same embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a basic structure of a communication system to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a frame configuration used in the communication system to which the present invention is applied. 100: remote control signal receiving section, 101: light receiving means, 102 ...
... Demodulation means, 103 ... Data code processing means, 104, 123 ...
… Format conversion means, 110 …… Communication control section, 111 ……
Communication processing means, 112 ... Frame generating means, 113 ... Frame decoding means, 120 ... Equipment function part, 121 ... Function part, 12
2 ... System control means, 140 ... Device search means,
141 ... Address table, 142 ... Maker code comparison means, 130 ... Information transmission path, 302 ... Device code, 303 ...
Data code, 304, 314 ... Device code inversion bit, 305
…… Data code inversion bit, 306 …… Check bit, 312 …… Maker code, 315 …… Command / data code, 331 …… <BEGIN> code, 333 …… SOURCE SUB-
DEVICE ADDRESS, 334 …… DESTINATION SUB-DEVICE ADDR
ESS, 335 …… Ope code, 336 …… Operand, 341 ……
Data type, 342 ... format type, 343 ... remote control signal data after format conversion, 350 ... dummy bits, 150 to 151 ... station address storage area, 16
0 to 161 …… Manufacturer code storage area.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information communication system comprising one system of information transmission line for data communication and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission line, which are sequentially connected through the information transmission line. And a frame decoding unit for decoding the contents of the frame received by the communication processing unit, and a frame to be sent to the information transmission path by the communication processing unit. A frame generating means for receiving the infrared remote control signal, a light receiving means for receiving an infrared remote control signal and converting it into an electric signal, a demodulation means for reproducing a remote control data code string from the electric signal, a received remote control data code string, To determine a process and generate a command to be transferred onto the information transmission path from the content of the received remote control data code string The data code processing means and the format conversion means for forming a frame of a format using the command generated by the data code processing means are provided, and the electrical signal can be demodulated into "0" or "1" of logical data. Determining whether the remote control data code is a proper remote control data code sequence, and determining whether the remote control data code sequence demodulated by the demodulation means is a readable remote control data code sequence when the electrical signal can be demodulated into logical data. When it is determined that the remote control data code sequence is readable, it is determined whether the remote control data code sequence is a remote control data code sequence addressed to the own station or a remote control data code sequence addressed to another station. Step, and when it is determined that the remote control data code string addressed to another station, A step of determining whether or not a standard command corresponding to the content of the received remote control data code string is present in transmission through a transmission path, and it is determined that a standard command corresponding to the content of the remote control data code string is present In the remote control method, a frame is formed in a standard format using the standard command, and the frame is sent to a target station of the remote control data code string via an information transmission path. 2. An information transmission system comprising one system of information transmission line for data communication, and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission line, which are sequentially connected via the information transmission line. And a frame decoding unit for decoding the contents of the frame received by the communication processing unit, and a frame to be sent to the information transmission path by the communication processing unit. Frame generating means for receiving the infrared signal, light receiving means for receiving an infrared signal and converting it into an electric signal, demodulating means for reproducing a remote control data code string from the electric signal output from the light receiving means, and processing the received remote control data code string Then, the subsequent processing is determined, and a command to transfer to the information transmission path is generated from the content of the received remote control data code string. And a format conversion means for converting the remote control data code string into a format suitable for transfer via an information transmission path, wherein the electric signal is logical data "0" or "1". To determine whether the signal is a signal that can be demodulated to ", and when the electric signal can be demodulated into logical data, the remote control data code string demodulated by the demodulation means is a readable remote control data code string. Determining whether the remote control data code sequence is readable, and converting the remote control data code sequence into a data sequence suitable for transfer via the information transmission line, and The format of the code string is determined, and data indicating the applicable format type is added to the data string to form a frame. And a step of transmitting the frame via an information transmission path to all stations connected to the information transmission path. 3. An information communication system comprising one system of information transmission line for data communication and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission line, which are sequentially connected via the information transmission line. And a frame decoding unit for decoding the contents of the frame received by the communication processing unit, and a frame to be sent to the information transmission path by the communication processing unit. A frame generating means for receiving the infrared signal, a light receiving means for receiving an infrared signal and converting it into an electric signal, a demodulating means for reproducing a remote control data code string from the electric signal output from the light receiving means, and a received remote control data code string. Data code processing means for generating data to be transferred on the information transmission path from the contents, and a code connected to the information transmission path. Station address and manufacturer code that encodes the manufacturer code, an address table that stores the station address and manufacturer code, the stored manufacturer code and the received remote control data code string A maker code comparing means for comparing the maker code extracted from the above, and examining the addresses and maker codes of all the stations connected to the information transmission path, and storing them in the address table; Determining whether the electric signal is a signal that can be demodulated into logical data “0” or “1”; and a remote controller demodulated by the demodulating means when the electric signal can be demodulated into logical data. Determine if data code string is in industry standard format And a maker code that is identical to the maker code stored in the maker code storage means when a maker code is extracted from the remote control code sequence when the received remote control data code sequence is in the industry standard format. And determining the other party to which the frame should be transferred, converting the received remote control data code string into a format suitable for transmission via the information transmission path, and all determined by the steps And a step of transmitting the format-converted frame to the transfer partner station. 4. An information transmission system comprising one system of information transmission line for data communication and a plurality of stations connected to the information transmission line, and sequentially connected through the information transmission line. And a frame decoding unit for decoding the contents of the frame received by the communication processing unit, and a frame to be sent to the information transmission path by the communication processing unit. A frame generation means for controlling the entire station, a system control means for controlling the entire station, and a format inverse conversion means for inversely converting the content of the received frame into a data format in which the system control means can operate. And a frame transmitted via the information transmission path by the remote control method according to claim 2. When a seed frame is received, a step of determining whether the content of the frame is a command or data, and when the content of the received frame is determined to be data, information held by the data is remote control data. And a step of determining whether or not the format is a format type that the own station can support when the content of the received frame is determined to be remote control data, When it is determined that the format type is compatible, the step of inversely converting the received data string into a remote controller data code string of the corresponding type; and the inversely converted remote controller data code string to the system control means of the own station. A remote control method comprising a sending step.