JPH07260959A - Clock control system of electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the accurate time automatically without resetting a clock when a TV is used again after a power source feeding is stopped, by providing a clock on an electron apparatus having a proper power source, and providing a clock data input/output means on plural electron apparatuses. CONSTITUTION:A remote controller 1 has a battery of the proper power source, a clock, and the like. When the power source of a TV 2 is turned off, a CPU 21 inputs 20 the power ON instruction of the remote controller 1 to input the power source of the TV 2, and furthermore, inputs a clock data packet to start the clock processing, and the clock of the TV 2 shows the present time accurately by making the present time of a self clock circuit coincide to the clock data. Then, the data of the instruction of the clock display ON is input to deliver the clock data to a character generator 23, so as to produce a dot pattern data. A mixer 17 puts this data in the data position by superposing, and an RGB driver 18 displays 19 the digit to show the time on the TV image by a mixing signal. By such a way, the accurate time display is realized automatically.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a system composed of a plurality of electronic devices having at least one electronic device equipped with a clock function, such as a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as TV) and a remote controller. The present invention relates to a system that accurately transmits and receives clock data between electronic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is well known that there is a system including a plurality of electronic devices having a clock function or a time display function, for example, a system including a TV and a remote controller. The TV of such a system has a video display unit for displaying a television video signal as in a general TV, and the video projected on the screen includes characters, numbers, symbols, etc. Has a character display portion for displaying superimposed image.

The character display section is generally constructed by mounting a microcomputer. That is, the clock data output from the clock circuit formed in this microcomputer is converted into dot pattern data such as numbers, which represents the hour, minute, and second,
By superposing this dot pattern data on the video signal, the time is displayed at an appropriate position on the screen of the TV.

Further, when it is desired to display the time at an appropriate position on the screen of the TV, the time display command is sent to the timepiece circuit of the TV by a remote controller or the like to superimpose the timepiece data on the video signal and superimpose the timepiece data. If it is canceled, the time display will disappear.

Further, a system composed of a plurality of electronic devices, for example, a handy type electronic device (8 mm VTR
Etc.) and a stationary TV, when reproducing using an 8 mm VTR, each clock circuit is driven to manage its own time.

[0006] In addition, a system including a combination of a plurality of electronic devices includes, for example, stationary TVs and handy-type TVs, AV devices such as remote controls equipped with a liquid crystal screen, and OA devices such as personal computers, faxes and mobile phones. Even in systems that combine the above, each uses its own clock circuit to manage its own time.

[0007]

However, in the system composed of a plurality of electronic devices having the conventional time display function described above, each electronic device manages its own clock. When there is a deviation, there are problems that the correction is troublesome and it is difficult to perform accurate time management.

For example, in a system in which a plurality of video devices such as VTRs are connected to a TV body, when controlling recording and reproduction by a timer, if the time is not accurately controlled, the reliability of the entire system is deteriorated. I will let you. Therefore, it is necessary to separately provide a control unit that uses any one of the clock circuits provided in each person. Even if the clock circuit installed in each person is not used, the occurrence of a failure of the circuit, and the like. There were problems such as the limit of price reduction.

Further, even in the case of a system composed of an electronic device consisting of a TV and a remote controller, it is necessary to constantly supply power to the clock circuit of the microcomputer mounted on the TV. However, there is a problem in that the operation of the clock circuit stops when the clock stops, and the clock function does not work.

Furthermore, if the power supply to the TV is temporarily cut off, the time of the clock circuit must be reset when the power is turned on next time, regardless of the mechanism having the battery function. There was a problem that it had to be.

Particularly for safety, when the power outlet is removed when the TV is not seen, it is necessary to take measures such as separately installing a circuit for a clock with a battery inside the TV in order to keep the TV clock working at all times. Therefore, there is a problem that the TV set becomes large and the price becomes high.

[0012] Therefore, there is a problem that a system configuration that can match the time must be solved even if the structure of a plurality of electronic devices constituting the system is simplified.

In particular, even if the power supply is temporarily interrupted by disconnecting the power outlet of the TV, when the TV is used, it is possible to always automatically display the accurate time without resetting the clock. However, there is a problem to be solved in realizing a low cost TV clock display control system with a small number of parts.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a timepiece control system for an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device having at least its own power source among a plurality of electronic devices whose driving is controlled. The device is equipped with a clock, and means for outputting clock data to the plurality of electronic devices and / or
Alternatively, a means for inputting clock data is provided.

Further, the clock data is output when a predetermined key of the electronic device having the unique power source is operated; the operation of the key is performed by the electronic device having the unique power source. Is to turn on the power supply of the electronic device; the operation of the key is to switch the drive of another electronic device by the electronic device having the unique power supply; A means for displaying the time; the electronic device whose drive is controlled in relation to the device is a device for displaying images and / or characters, and the electronic device having its own power source is a remote controller; Providing means for outputting clock data; outputting the clock data at the same time when a predetermined key of the remote controller is operated.
The key operation of the remote controller is a key operation for turning on the power of the device for displaying the image and / or characters;
The key operation of the remote controller is to switch the channel of the device that displays the video and / or the character; the electronic device that displays at least the time on the device that displays the video and / or the character. Is a clock control system.

[0016]

The timepiece control system for electronic equipment having the above-described structure has the following operations. (1) An electronic device that is not equipped with a clock because at least a plurality of electronic devices equipped with a clock are provided with a means for outputting clock data and / or a means for inputting the clock data. Even then, it becomes possible to easily perform control and management using a clock.

(2) The clock data is output when a predetermined key of an electronic device having its own power source, for example, a key for switching the power on and driving is operated, so that the electronic device is used. It becomes possible to automatically obtain or send accurate clock data.

(3) Since the electronic device displays the video or the time, it becomes possible to visually manage and control the clock.

(4) An electronic device driven in association is a TV
Since the electronic device having its own power source is composed of the remote controller, the remote controller can accurately manage the timepiece.

(5) By providing the remote controller with means for outputting clock data, it is not necessary to continue supplying power to the TV.

(6) Clock data is output at the time of operating a predetermined key of the remote controller, for example, a key for power-on or channel switching, so that the clock of the TV to be used can be automatically set. become.

(7) Since the TV displays the image or the time, it becomes possible to visually check the clock while watching the TV.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now, an embodiment of a timepiece control system for a TV will be described with respect to a timepiece control system for electronic equipment according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the TV clock control system is composed of a remote controller 1 and a TV 2, and a user operates the remote controller 1 to remotely control the TV 2.

On the outer surface of the remote controller 1, a keypad made up of various function keys necessary for a user to remotely operate the TV 2 is provided.

Further, inside the remote controller 1, a battery which is a unique power source, a microcomputer which generates a command code corresponding to each key input of the keypad by using this battery as a power source, and a command generated by this microcomputer It has a built-in transmitter for transmitting the code as an infrared remote control signal. A circus code is used as this command code.

FIG. 2 shows a timepiece-related portion of an embodiment of the remote controller. That is, the remote controller 1 includes a clock unit 3, a key matrix 4, a data register 5, a remote controller data sending unit 6 as an output unit, and a battery 7. The clock unit 3, the key matrix 4, and the clock data packet creation unit 5 are mounted in the microcomputer.

The clock unit 3 is composed of a real-time clock and is supplied with power from the battery 7. Battery 7
Is not removed until the end of its normal life, the operation of the clock unit 3 is not interrupted. This constantly generated clock data is transferred to the data register 5 via the key matrix 4.

The key matrix 4 has a function of sending to the data register 5 command code data generated when each key of the remote controller is turned on. still,
In this embodiment, the key matrix 4 is powered on /
When the off key 4A is pressed, the power is turned on.
er ON ”command code and clock data packet from the clock unit 3 are sent to the data register 5.

This clock data packet includes a "power ON" command code and an "hour,
It is organized in series with each data of "minute, second".

The data in the data register 5 is supplied to the switching element of the remote control data sending unit 6, for example, the base of the transistor in the above-mentioned order. As a result, this transistor is turned on / off depending on the level value of the data bit.

A switching element, for example, an infrared diode is connected in series to the transistor of the remote control data transmission section 6. This infrared diode is turned on / off according to the level value of each data bit of the data packet.
It is turned off, and as a result, a remote control signal in a format in which clock data follows the "power ON" command code is sent to the TV.

The configuration of the TV 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. Of course, TV has sound,
In the following description, the audio signal is omitted for simplicity.

The TV 2 is composed of a video section 8A for receiving a normal television broadcast and a time display control section 20A which is an input means.

The video section 8A includes a tuner 10 connected to the antenna, a video signal processor 11, and a sync separation circuit 12.
A deflection signal processing circuit 13, a convergence correction circuit 14, and a horizontal deflection / vertical deflection / image distortion correction circuit 15.
A high voltage regulator 16, a mixer 17, an RGB driver 18, and a CRT 19.

The tuner 10 selects the signal of the channel designated by the channel selection signal sent from the remote controller 1 from the received radio waves.

The output signal of the tuner 10 is supplied to the video signal processor 11 and the sync separation circuit 12. The video signal processor 11 divides the video signal into R, G, and B signals and outputs the signals to the mixer 17.

The sync separation circuit 12 extracts the horizontal sync signal H and the vertical sync signal V of the television video signal from the output signal of the tuner 10 and supplies them to the time display control section 20A. These synchronization signals are transmitted to the time display control unit 20A.
, It is used to control the timing of display of clock data.

The deflection signal processing circuit 13 generates a deflection signal for the electron beam of the CRT 19. The convergence correction circuit 14 corrects the beam convergence of the CRT 19 based on the deflection signal from the deflection signal processing circuit 13.

Horizontal deflection / vertical deflection / image distortion correction circuit 15
Is based on the deflection signal from the deflection signal processing circuit 13
The horizontal deflection voltage, vertical deflection voltage, and image distortion correction voltage of RT19 are output.

The high voltage regulator 16 outputs a voltage for adjusting the anode voltage of the CRT 19 based on the deflection signal from the deflection signal processing circuit 13.

The mixer 17 mixes the video signal from the video signal processor 11 and the time display signal from the time display control section 20A and outputs it to the RGB driver 18. The RGB driver 18 outputs the CRT1 according to the output signal of the mixer 17.
By modulating the beam of 9, the television image and the numbers indicating the time are displayed on the screen in an overlapping manner.

The time display control unit 20A is composed of a microcomputer and is a means for displaying the so-called time, and is a remote control code analysis unit 20, a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a synchronization / system clock unit 22, and a character. Generator 23, external bus I / Fs 24 and 25, and RAM 26
And a ROM 27.

The remote control code analysis section 20 is used by the remote control 1
It receives the infrared remote control signal from, extracts the command code and the clock data, and outputs them to the central processing unit 21.

The central processing unit 21 executes the program corresponding to the command code and controls the entire operation of the video unit 8A and the time display control unit 20A. In particular, the central processing unit 21 executes a clock processing program for counting the time by counting the output signal of the crystal oscillator 28.

When this clock processing program receives a "power ON" command code from the remote controller 1, it decodes the clock data that follows, and sequentially extracts the data representing "hour, minute, second" from this clock data, and To the character generator 23.

The sync / system clock section 22 supplies a display timing signal of clock data to the character generator 23 based on the horizontal sync signal H and the vertical sync signal V supplied from the sync separation circuit 12.

The character generator 23 creates the display dot pattern data for one screen of the CRT 19 based on the clock data representing "hour, minute, second" output from the central processing unit 21. Then, this dot pattern data is output from the character generator 23 to the mixer 17 in accordance with the display timing signal supplied from the synchronization / system clock unit 22 so as to be displayed at a predetermined position on the screen of the CRT 19.

Further, the central processing unit 21 exchanges control signals with the video unit 8A via the interface 24. Further, the central processing unit 21 accesses the non-voltage memory (NVM) 29 provided outside the microcomputer via the interface 25.

The ROM 27 is a read-only memory that stores programs and is read by the central processing unit 21. The RAM 26 is used as a work area by the central processing unit 21 when executing the program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the timepiece control system when the power-on key of the remote controller 1 is used to control the timepiece function of the TV 2 having the video section 8A and the time display control section 20A configured as described above. It demonstrates using.

(1) When the power source of the TV 2 is initially off, the central processing unit 21 causes the remote controller to send "power".
Wait for the command code "r ON" to be entered (ST
1).

(2) The central processing unit 21 uses the "power
r ON ”command code is the remote control code analysis unit 20
When input from, the TV2 is turned on and the input of the clock data packet that follows is turned on (ST
2).

(3) When confirming that the clock data has been input in step ST2, the central processing unit 21 starts the clock processing and sets the current time of its own clock circuit to the input clock data. At this time, the time display bit indicating whether or not the time is displayed on the monitor screen is set to "0". The time display bit is set to "1" when the time is displayed and is set to "0" when the time is not displayed (ST3).

(4) After the above steps, the clock of the TV 2 keeps the accurate present time. Next, it is checked whether or not the command code of "clock display on" is input from the remote controller 1, and if not input, the process jumps to step ST8, and if it is input, the process proceeds to step ST5 (ST4).

(5) If the command code of "clock display on" is input, the central processing unit 21
The clock data is sent to the character generator 23 to create dot pattern data, and the dot pattern data is displayed from the character generator 23 at the time display position on the monitor screen, for example, at the upper right side of the screen. It is controlled to be sent to 17. This timing is determined based on the display clock signal from the synchronization / system clock unit 22 (ST5).

That is, the dot pattern data sent from the character generator 23 is superimposed on the video signal sent from the video signal processor 11 by the mixer 17. That is, this dot pattern data is fitted in the data position corresponding to the time display position.

The mixed signal is output from the mixer 17 to the RGB driver 18. The RGB driver 18 drives each beam of the CRT 19 by the RGB signal from the mixer 17. As a result, on the screen of the CRT 19, a number indicating the time is superimposed and displayed on the image of the television. At this time, the central processing unit 21 sets the time display bit to "1".

(6) Here, if the user wants to erase the time displayed on the monitor screen, he operates the remote controller 1 to send out a "clock display off" command code (ST).
6).

If the "time display off" command code is input, the central processing unit 21 erases the time display on the monitor screen and sets the time display bit to "0" (ST7).

If the "time display off" command code is not input, it is confirmed whether the power is off (ST7).

(7) In other words, "power off" from the remote controller 1.
Check whether the command code is entered (ST
8). If the "power off" command code is not entered, check the time display bit (ST
9). If the "power off" command code is input, wait until the power is turned on again (ST
1).

When the "power off" command code is not input, the value of the time display bit is checked and it is "
1 "(that is, the time is being displayed on the monitor)
Then, while the power is on, the time display is continued unless the "time display off" command code is input (ST9 → ST6).

If the time display bit is "0" (that is, the time is not displayed on the monitor), the time is not displayed until the "time display on" command code is input again. (ST9 → ST4).

In this way, the clock data can be accurately sent from the time display control section 20A to the video section 8A. Incidentally, when the clock function of the TV 2 is controlled by the channel switching command code from the remote controller 1, the data packet transmitted from the remote controller 1 is composed of the channel switching command code and the clock data. In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the content of step ST1 may be changed to check whether or not a channel switching command code is input.

Further, in the present embodiment, the clock data output means is provided on the remote controller 1 side and the input means is provided on the TV2 side, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the TV and the remote controller. For example, a plurality of electronic devices can be mounted on one stationary TV main body and a plurality of recording / reproducing devices (for example, 8 mm).
VTR, VHS VTR, AV equipment, etc.) may be connected to the system.

In this case, even if the clock mounted on the TV is used, the clock of the device mounted on the other device can be freely set, and for example, all the plurality of electronic devices can be set. even if you are equipped with a clock, it is sufficient to decide whether to use the pre-watch of any electronic devices. Even if it is not decided, it is sufficient to make an agreement such as using the clock of the electronic device operated first.

Further, when the plurality of electronic devices are OA devices,
For example, even when transmitting from one fax to a plurality of faxes at the same time, if the clock of the fax to be transmitted is used in advance, the transmission can be set to the other plurality of faxes at the same time. Even in this case, it suffices to control in advance whether to use one fax clock or to basically use a fax clock for transmission.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these plural electronic devices and can be used for so-called multimedia devices in which AV devices and OA devices are combined.

[0071]

As described above, the timepiece control system for electronic equipment according to the present invention has the following effects.

(1) By providing means for outputting clock data and / or means for inputting clock data to a plurality of electronic devices each having a clock in an electronic device having at least its own power source,
There is no need to install a clock circuit or the like in all of the multiple electronic devices that make up the system, simplifying the structure and reducing the size,
It has an extremely excellent effect that the price can be reduced.

(2) The clock data is output when a predetermined key of an electronic device having its own power source, for example, a key for switching the power on or driving is operated, so that the clock constituting the system can be output. Even if it is not equipped with an electronic device, it has an extremely excellent effect that accurate clock data can be obtained.

(3) Whether the electronic equipment constituting the system displays the video and / or the time so that the clock data is accurately obtained even if the electronic equipment does not have a clock circuit. It has an extremely excellent effect that the can be visually confirmed.

(4) The electronic equipment driven in association is a TV
Since the electronic device having its own power source is a remote controller, it is possible to mount a battery at all times and install a clock circuit on the remote controller side that cuts off the power supply very little compared to a TV. It has an extremely excellent effect that clock data can be supplied.

(5) By providing the remote controller with means for outputting clock data, accurate clock data can be supplied even when the power supply on the TV side is cut off, and the clock circuit on the TV side is reduced. It is possible to achieve a very small size, a simple structure, and a low price.

(6) Clock data is output when a predetermined key of the remote controller, for example, the power is turned on or the channel is switched, so that the clock is automatically set when the TV is turned on. If you set the clock on the remote control correctly,
The V clock also has an extremely excellent effect that accurate clock data can be obtained.

(7) Since the TV displays the video and / or the time, it has an extremely excellent effect that the clock data obtained from the remote controller can be automatically confirmed while watching the TV. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a timepiece control system for a TV that is an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a TV in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a time display control operation in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Remote Control 2 TV 3 Clock Section 4 4 Key Matrix 4 A Key 5 Data Register 6 Remote Control Data Sending Section 7 Battery 8A Video Section 10 Tuner 11 Video Signal Processor 12 Sync Separation Circuit 13 Deflection Signal Processing Circuit 14 Convergence Correction Circuit 15 Horizontal Deflection / Vertical deflection / image distortion correction circuit 16 High-voltage regulator 17 Mixer 18 RGB driver 19 CRT 20A Time display control unit 20 Remote control code analysis unit 21 CPU 22 Synchronization / system clock unit 23 Character generator 24, 25 External bus interface 26 RAM 27 ROM 28 Oscillator 29 memory

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A means for outputting clock data to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices which are drive-controlled and which is equipped with a clock, the electronic device having a unique power source. Alternatively, a timepiece control system for electronic equipment is provided with means for inputting timepiece data. 2. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the timepiece data is output when a predetermined key of the electronic device having the unique power source is operated. 3. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the key is to turn on the power of another electronic device by the electronic device having the unique power supply. 4. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the key is to switch driving of another electronic device by the electronic device having the unique power source. 5. The plurality of electronic devices has at least a means for displaying time,
2. A clock control system for electronic equipment according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. The electronic device whose drive is controlled in relation to the device is a device for displaying images and / or characters, and the electronic device having its own power source is a remote controller. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to 3, 4, or 5. 7. The timepiece control system for electronic equipment according to claim 6, wherein the remote controller is provided with means for outputting timepiece data. 8. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the timepiece data is also output when a predetermined key of the remote controller is operated. 9. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the operation of the key of the remote controller is a key operation for turning on the power of the device displaying the image and / or the character. 10. The timepiece control system for an electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the operation of the key of the remote controller is to switch the channel of the device displaying the image and / or the character. 11. The timepiece control for an electronic device according to claim 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein at least time is displayed on the device for displaying the image and / or the character. system.