JPH0484596A - Remote control command device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a control procedure by studying a series of control procedure of an external equipment, storing the result to a storage means as the operation data and controlling the operation means so that an operation signal is outputted according to the control data read out of the storage means. CONSTITUTION:The remote control command device consists of an operation section 4 comprising a 1st control area 1, a 2nd control area 2 and a 3rd control area 3, an operation data memory 5 being a control data storage means learning the operation procedure as the control data and storing it, and a CPU 6 being a control means. Then the control data stored in the control data memory 5 is read by the CPU 6 when a key for special operation is closed and a control code controlling a relevant equipment is outputted according to the read control data. Thus, the procedure for controlling an optional device is considerably simplified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a remote control device that can operate an electronic device and a plurality of external devices connected to the electronic device.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides an operation in which a remote control device capable of operating an electronic device and a plurality of external devices connected to the electronic device learns a series of operating procedures for the electronic device and a plurality of external devices and stores the learned operation data as operation data. The operating means is provided with a data storage means and outputs operation signals corresponding to the electronic device and a plurality of external devices to operate them, and when a specific operation of the series of operation steps is performed, the operation means and the plurality of external devices are operated. A control means for controlling the operation data storage means reads operation data from the operation data storage means, and controls the operation means to output operation signals for operating the electronic device and the plurality of external devices according to the read operation data. By doing so, you can automatically perform a series of operations on electronic devices and multiple external devices that you normally perform, saving you the trouble of turning on the power for each device. This is a remote control device that is easier to use.

[Conventional technology]

-i, television receiver, video tape recorder,
BS (satellite broadcasting) channel selection devices and the like are each provided with a so-called commander, which is a remote control device for remote control. Therefore, when playing back a videotape, for example, a user first turns on the power of the television receiver using the commander for the television receiver, selects a video channel, and then The commanders provided in each device were used to operate each device, such as turning on the power to the video tape recorder using the commander, turning on the playback switch, and performing playback.

However, with the development of AV (audio-visual) equipment in recent years, multiple devices such as high-definition television receivers, video tape recorders of various formats, and so-called CD players have become available in addition to regular television receivers. The number of users who own one is also increasing. In such a situation, as described above, it is very troublesome to use the commander provided in each device and operate each device. For this reason, there are known commanders that have a so-called learning function that allows a plurality of commanders for each device to be combined into one by storing operation signals for each commander. By using a commander having this learning function, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome effort of using the plurality of commanders.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, although it is good that the above-mentioned commander with the learning function can combine multiple commanders for each device into one, combining the multiple commanders into one requires a considerable number of operation switches. It's coming. If such operation keys are simply provided on the commander, there will be a considerable number of them, and the area of the commander itself will become large. For this reason, some commanders with the above-mentioned learning function reduce the footprint of the above-mentioned operation keys by, for example, displaying different operation keys on the LCD panel depending on the selected external device. But select the external device above,
This selection requires a complicated operation procedure such as operating the operation keys displayed, which may confuse the user.

Moreover, such operating procedures are generally determined for each user, and it is troublesome to repeat these determined procedures every time the user operates the device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable a user to operate multiple external devices without confusion, and to simplify the operation procedure. The purpose is to provide remote control devices.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention is a remote control device for an electronic device to which a plurality of external devices are connected, comprising: an operating means for outputting operation signals corresponding to the electronic device and the plurality of external devices to operate the electronic device; and an operation data storage means for learning and storing a series of operation procedures of a plurality of external devices, and a control means for controlling writing/reading of operation data in the operation data storage means and controlling the operation means. and the control means, when a specific operation of the series of operation steps is performed by the operation means,
The above problem is solved by reading out operation data from the operation data storage means and controlling the operation means to output operation signals for operating the electronic equipment and external equipment according to the read operation data.

[Function] The remote control device according to the present invention learns a series of operating procedures for the electronic device and the plurality of external devices, stores the learning as operation data in the operation data storage means, and corresponds to the electronic device and the plurality of external devices, respectively. When a specific operation of the above series of operation steps is performed by the operation means that outputs the operation signals and operates these, the control means reads the operation data from the operation data storage means, and according to the read operation data. By controlling the operating means to output operation signals for operating the electronic device and the plurality of external devices, a series of operations of the electronic device and the plurality of external devices can be performed automatically.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of a remote control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device according to the present invention has a first operation area 1. An operation unit 4 which is an operation means consisting of a second operation area 2 and a third operation area 3, and operation data that learns and stores the operation procedures operated in each of the above-mentioned operation areas 1.2.3 as operation data. It consists of an operation data memory 5, which is a storage means, and a CPU 6, which is a control means that controls the entire remote control device.

The first operation area 1 includes a power key 7 that controls the main power on/off of the main electronic device and each external device connected to the main electronic device, and a mute button that temporarily erases the sound being produced. A key 8 etc. are provided. These key human input signals are supplied to the CPU 6.

The second operation area 2 is provided with keys for selecting, for example, equipment to be operated, such as a television operation key 9 for specifying the operation of a television receiver, and a video tape recorder operation key 9 for specifying the operation of a video tape recorder. Operation keys 10 and the like are provided. These key human input signals are also supplied to the CPU 6.

- The third operation area 3 includes, for example, a key matrix using transparent electrodes and a liquid crystal display panel. The above CP
U6 is a key human power signal that specifies a device to be operated from the second operation area 2. For example, when a key human power signal is supplied by operating a television operation key 9 that designates an operation key of a television receiver. , as shown in FIG. 1, a TV key 15 that specifies operations for normal television images such as NTSC format, and HDTV 1 keys 1G and T that specify operations for external equipment for high-definition television images.
- (D TV 2 key 17, VIDEO I key 12 to specify the operation of the three video tape recorders mentioned above, each with a different format; VIDEO 2 key 13 VI
External input keys for selecting external devices, such as the DEO3 key 14, the satellite broadcast tuning key 18, and the terrestrial broadcast tuning key 19, are displayed in the third area 3. The external input keys displayed in this third operation area 3 include those of external devices that are not actually connected to the main electronic device, if they can be connected to the main electronic device. be done.

When an external device is selected by operating the external input key, the CPU 6 displays the operation keys necessary to operate the selected external input device on the third display head 3.
The liquid crystal display panel is controlled to display the following information. The user operates the selected external device using the operation keys displayed in the third operation area 3 and necessary for operating the selected external device. The key human power signal from this third operation area 3 is
It is supplied to PU6.

The CPU 6 outputs control codes for operating each of the devices in response to key human power signals supplied from the first to third operation areas 1 to 3.

This control code is supplied to, for example, an infrared light emitting element 11 provided in the operation section 4, and is supplied as an infrared code to an infrared code receiving section of the main electronic device and each external device. Each device that receives this infrared code is operated in accordance with the infrared code.

The operation data memory 5 learns a series of operation procedures for such equipment under the control of the CPU 6 and stores them as operation data. This stored operation data is read out by the CPU 6 when a specific operation is performed on the operation section 4 during the next operation. The CPU 6 automatically outputs control codes for operating each device according to the read operation data, so that a series of operations for the device can be performed automatically.

An example of an electronic device and a plurality of external devices that can be controlled by such a remote-controlled W20 is a system as shown in FIG.

The system shown in FIG. 2 consists of two main electronic devices, a high-definition television receiver 100, a plurality of external devices, for example, three video tape recorders (VTRs) of different formats, VTR2, VTR3
)101 102. 103, MUSE video tape recorder 104, MUSE video disc player 105
, the so-called Combaku I disk (CD) player 10
6.4 channel speaker 107 etc. are connected.

The high-definition television receiver 100 is, for example, a satellite (
It is possible to receive both BS) broadcast television signals (SHF) and terrestrial broadcast television signals (VHF, UHF).

First, the above-mentioned terrestrial broadcast television signals in the VHF band and UHF band are received by the antenna 108 and supplied to the first tuner 109 .

This first tuner 109 includes a CP that performs overall control.
A control signal from Ull0 is supplied. Note that the C, PU 110 is the remote control device 2 according to the present invention described above.
receiving a signal specifying a desired channel from 0;
A control signal corresponding to the received signal is supplied to the first tuner 109. The first tuner 109 selects each of the specified channels in response to a control signal from the CPU 110, and supplies each channel selection output signal to the first selector 111.

The first selector 111 receives, in addition to the channel selection output signal from the first tuner 109, a BS channel selection output signal (NTSC system ) and video signals from the video tape recorders 101, 102, and 103 mentioned above are supplied. In this case, each signal supplied to the first selector 111 is, for example, a signal conforming to the NTSC system, which is a standard system in Japan.

The first selector 111 selects each of the supplied signals in response to a control signal from the CPU110, and converts this NTSC selection signal into HDTV (Exten
ded Definjtion Te1vision
) is supplied to the signal processing circuit 113 and the video signal processing circuit 114.

The HDTV signal processing circuit 113 is an ED that sequentially scans the NTSC selection signal to improve image quality.
TV signal processing is performed and this EDT ■ signal is supplied to the second selector 115.

On the other hand, the satellite broadcast television signal (BS signal) transmitted in the 1.2 GHz band (SHF band) is received by the BS antenna 116 and converted by the BS converter 117.
The signal is converted into a GHz band signal and supplied to the second tuner 112.

”-The second tuner 112 is the same as the first tuner 1.
Similarly to 09, the designated channel is selected according to the control signal from the CPU 10 and a BS tuning output signal is output, but the BS tuning output signal is band-compressed by the MUSE method and transmitted. If the signal is
Each is supplied to the third selector 118 as a USE channel selection output signal.

Further, if each of the BS channel selection output signals is an NTSC system signal, these are supplied to the first selector 111.

In addition to the MUSE channel selection output signal, the third selector 108 also receives the MUSE video tape recorder 104 signal.
The MUSE signal from the MUSE video disk player 105 and the MUSE signal from the MUSE video disc player 105 are supplied. This third
The selectors 118 are respectively supplied with the MUSE
Among the signals, one of the MUSE signals is selected according to the control signal from the CPU 10, and is supplied to the MUSE decoder 119.

The MUSE decoder 119 decodes the supplied MUSE signal into a high-definition signal, and supplies this to the second selector 115.

”-The second selector 115 includes a so-called CD player 10 in addition to the BDTV signal and high-definition signal.
The audio signal from 6 is supplied. The second selector 115 selects the signal specified by the CPUll0 from among the respective supplied signals, and supplies this to the video signal processing circuit 114,
audio processor 120;

The video signal processing circuit 114 normally displays the signal selected by the second selector 15 and a screen display for displaying, for example, the channel number supplied from the CPU 10. CR which is a display means by superimposing signals
It performs video signal processing to be supplied to the TI 21. However, for example, when the CPU 110 receives a multiple video display operation signal from the operation section 4, this CPU
The control signal from 0 performs signal processing for displaying multiple images.

In such a multiple video display, for example, the main area of the display screen mainly displays the video of the selected channel, the display area other than the main cough area is divided into three sub-areas, and these three sub-areas There is a so-called multi-picture display format in which each video of three channels other than the main selected channel is displayed, and the above-mentioned display screen is divided into, for example, nine areas, and each of the nine divided areas has a different channel that can be selected. There is a display format called a so-called channel index that displays video of a channel.

The video signal processing circuit 114 includes the CPU 110
Signal processing for each of the display formats described above is performed using control signals from the .

In response, the audio processor 120 reproduces an audio signal from the supplied signal. For example, if the supplied signal is a stereo broadcast signal, the right (1R) speaker and the left (I,
) supplies an audio signal to a speaker, and if the supplied signal is a high-definition broadcasting signal, a right speaker, a left speaker, a center (C) speaker,
An audio signal is supplied to each of a round left (SL) speaker and a surround right (SR) speaker. Thereby, the sound is produced according to the audio mode of the received signal.

In such a system, for example, the high-definition television receiver 100 and the video tape recorder 101
When the user wants to view the reproduced video, first, the user turns on the television operation key 9 in the second operation area 2 of the remote control device 20. As a result, the CP tJ 6 moves the external input key to the third operation area 3 as shown in FIG.
to be displayed.

The user turns on the TV main key 5 for specifying the high-definition television receiver 100, and then turns on the power key 7. As a result, the CPU 6 outputs a control code to turn on the main power of the high-definition television receiver 100.

This control code is received by CPUll0 of the high definition television receiver 100.

The CPU 110 of the high-definition television receiver 100 turns on the main power supply of the high-definition television receiver 100 in response to the received control code.

Next, the user clicks the external input button displayed in the third operation area 3 shown in FIG. -, the VIDEO I key 1 corresponding to the video tape recorder 101;
Turn on 2. As a result, the CPU 6 causes the first selector 111 of the high-definition television receiver 100 to
Outputs a control code that selects the video signal from the video tape recorder 1.01. The control code that controls this first selector 111 is:
CPUll0 in the high-definition television receiver 100
will be received. This CPU IO thereby controls the selector 111 to select the video signal from the video tape recorder 101.

Next, the user turns on the video operation key 10 in the second display area 2 in order to operate the video tape recorder 101. As a result, the CPU 6 controls the video tape recorder 101 as shown in FIG. 3, for example.
Control is performed so that the operation keys necessary for the operation are displayed in the third display area 3.

This third operation area 3 includes, for example, a playback key 25, a fast forward key 269, a rewind key 27, . Stop key 28. Recording key 29. -Time stop key 30. Operation keys such as a slow playback key 31 are displayed.

Note that the operation keys necessary for operating this video tape recorder are the operation keys of the video tape recorder 101, the operation keys of the video tape recorder 102, and the operation keys of the video tape recorder 103 each time the video operation key 1o is turned on.
The display changes as if it were an operation key, etc.

Next, the user turns on the power key 7 in the first display area 1. As a result, the CPU 6 outputs a control code to turn on the main power of the video tape recorder 101. This video tape recorder 101
A control code for turning on the main power of the video tape recorder 101 is received by a CPU (not shown) of the video tape recorder 101. ''--The CPU of the video tape recorder 101 controls the main power of the video tape recorder 101 to be turned on in accordance with the received control code.

Next, the user turns on the playback key 25 in order to play back the data recorded on the videotape by the videotape recorder 101. As a result, the CPU 6 outputs the control code for the playback. This playback control code is received by the CPU of the video tape recorder 101. As a result, the video tape recorder 101 enters the playback state, and the played video signal is transferred to the selector 111 of the high-definition television receiver 100. CR via the EDTV signal processing circuit 113, second selector 115 and video signal processing circuit 114
The signal is supplied to T121 and displayed.

A series of operating procedures of the operating section 4 for operating such equipment are stored in the operating data memory 5.

That is, for example, the storage operation of the operation data when the video tape recorder I01 is played back is as shown in flowchart 1 in FIG. 4.

First, turn on the main power of the high-definition television receiver m100, turn on the video operation key 10, and turn on the third
The process starts when the external person key is displayed in the display area 3.

Next, in step 60, the video tape recorder]0
It is determined whether or not the Juki VIDEOI key 12 corresponding to 1 has been turned on. If Yes, step 60 is repeated; if No, the process proceeds to step 61.

-1- As mentioned above, when the vDEOI key I2 is turned on, the operation keys necessary for operating the video tape recorder 101 as shown in FIG.
will be displayed. In step 61, it is determined whether or not the playback key 25 among the operation keys is turned on.
If NO, step 6] is repeated; if Yes, proceed to step 62.

When the playback key 25 is turned on, playback starts, and in step 62, for example, 1
It is determined whether 0 minutes have elapsed or not. If YES, the process proceeds to step 63; if NO, the process returns to step 61. In other words, the fact that 10 minutes have elapsed since the playback key 25 was turned on does not indicate an erroneous operation by the user.
U6 makes a judgment, and in step 63, the operation data memory 5 is configured to store a series of operation procedures from turning on the main power of the high-definition television receiver 100 to playing the video tape recorder 101 as operation data. Control.

Further, the operation data stored in the operation data memo 1 to 5 in this manner is read out as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the next time the user wants to play back data recorded on a videotape using the videotape recorder 01, the user does not turn on the power of the high-definition television receiver 100;
The process starts by directly turning on the video operation key 10 and displaying the operation keys necessary for operating the video tape recorder 101 in the third operation area 3.

Next, in step 71, the playback key 25 among the operation keys necessary for operating the video tape recorder 101 is
It is determined whether or not the is turned on. If YES, the process proceeds to step 72; if NO, this step 71 is repeated.

In step 72, the CPU 6 determines whether or not the operation data is stored in the operation data memory 5. If Yes, the process proceeds to step 74; if No, the process proceeds to step 73.

In step 73, only the reproduction control code is output, and the process returns to step 71. In this case, even if the playback control code is output and the videotape is played back, the main power of the high-definition television receiver 100 is not turned on, so the user cannot turn on the high-definition television receiver 100. Video images cannot be displayed unless the main power is turned on.

On the other hand, in the step 74, the CPU 6 turns on the main power of the high-definition television receiver 100 according to the operation data read from the operation data memory 5, and the external input by the first selector 111 is turned on. A control code specifying the selection is output, and a control code specifying reproduction of the video tape recorder 101 is output, and the process returns to step 71.

As a result, the video image from the video tape recorder 101 is displayed on the high-definition television receiver 100.

That is, the specific operation in the playback of the video tape recorder 101 is to turn on the playback key 25, and when the playback key 25 is turned on, the CPU
6 reads operation data for playback of the video tape recorder 1.01, and automatically outputs a control code etc. for turning on the power of the high-definition television receiver 100 according to the operation data, thereby controlling the video tape to be operated. The videotape can be played back by simply selecting the recorder and turning on the playback key 25.

Note that the key for performing the specific operation varies depending on the operation of the device to be performed, such that, for example, when recording is to be performed, the recording key 29 is the key for performing the specific operation. Further, in order to make it easier to recognize the key for performing such a specific operation, the key may be made to blink or otherwise be on standby.

Further, the operation data stored in the operation data memory 5 is assigned and stored in priority order in the order of operations that are normally performed,
The stored operation data with this priority order may be read out when the power key 7 is turned on, and the control code may be output in accordance with the read out operation data.

For example, if among the operation data stored in the operation data memory 5, the operation of reproducing the video tape recorder 101 is an operation that is frequently performed on a daily basis, then the operation of reproducing the video tape recorder 101 The operation data is prioritized as the earliest operation data and stored in the operation data memory 5. This earliest operation data is recorded when the power key 7 is turned on.
Read by PU6. The CPU 6 generates a control code for turning on the main power of the high-definition television receiver 100, and a control code for turning on the main power of the high-definition television receiver 100, according to the first operation data read out.
In addition to outputting a control code for switching the selector 111 to select a video signal from the video tape recorder 101, a control code for turning on the main power of the video tape recorder 101, etc., a third display area 3 is displayed. The operation keys necessary to operate the video TV recorder 101 as shown in the figure are displayed, and, for example, the playback key 25 is made to blink to enter the standby state. When the -1- playback key 25 is turned on, the video tape recorder 101 is played back. In addition, in the standby state, when the television operation key 9 is turned on, a control code for using an external person as the television receiver is output, and an external input signal as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed in the third display area 3. - is displayed to accept selection operations, etc. by external personnel.

In this way, the operation data stored in the operation data memory 5 is prioritized, and when the power key 7 is turned on, the CPU 6 reads out the operation data starting from the operation data with the highest priority. By outputting the control I/roll code in accordance with the read operation data, it is possible to perform daily operations on the equipment simply by turning on the power key 7.

As is clear from the above description, the remote control device 20 according to the present invention stores a series of operation procedures that the user normally performs in the operation data memory 5 as operation data, and uses the stored operation data as described above. The CP tJ 6 reads when a key for a specific operation is turned on, and outputs a control code to operate the related device according to the read operation data.This allows you to operate any device +111 yen. It can be greatly simplified.

Furthermore, by prioritizing and storing the above-mentioned operation data, it is possible to perform everyday operations on the equipment simply by turning on the power key 7.

Such a control operation is carried out by the operation data memory 5 and the CP
Since the CPU 6 is provided and can be realized by software in the program of the CPU 6, cost reduction can be achieved and future automation of equipment operation can be supported.

In addition, in step 62.63, the series of operations up to that point is stored as operation data when 10 minutes have elapsed from the start of playback, but this time can be set arbitrarily, such as 5 minutes or 15 minutes. Of course it's a good thing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

A remote control device according to the present invention provides a remote control device capable of operating an electronic device and a plurality of external devices connected to the electronic device, and a remote control device capable of operating an electronic device and a plurality of external devices connected to the electronic device. A data storage means is provided to output operation signals respectively corresponding to the electronic device and a plurality of external devices. , the control means reads the operation data from the operation data storage means,
By controlling the operation means to output operation signals for operating the electronic device and external devices according to this operation data, the remote control device can perform a series of operations of the electronic device and a plurality of external devices that are performed on a daily basis. The device can automatically memorize and output the operation signal that automatically performs the corresponding operation the next time, so the series of operations of the electronic devices and multiple external devices that are performed on a daily basis can be performed every time. It is possible to save repeated and troublesome efforts, and the ease of use is the same.

Furthermore, since the device operations that are performed on a daily basis are automatically performed in this way, it becomes possible to respond to future automation of device operations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote control device according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of a high-definition television receiver that is remotely controlled by a remote control device according to the present invention, and a plurality of external devices connected to the high-definition television receiver. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of writing operation data into the operation data memory in the remote operation device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of reading operation data from the operation data memory in the remote control device shown in FIG. 1 above. 1......First operation area 2...
......Second operation area 3...
...Third operation area 4...Commander 5...Operating data memory 6...
・・・・・・・・・CPU 7・・・・・・・・・・・・Power key

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A remote control device for an electronic device to which a plurality of external devices are connected, comprising: an operation means for outputting operation signals respectively corresponding to the electronic device and the plurality of external devices to operate them; an operation data storage means that learns and stores a series of operation procedures for the electronic device and a plurality of external devices; and a control means that controls writing/reading of operation data to and from the operation data storage means and controls the operation means. The control means reads out operation data from the operation data storage means when a specific operation of the series of operation steps is performed by the operation means, and controls the electronic device according to the read operation data. A remote control device that controls the operating means to output operation signals for operating the device and external devices.