JPH0549074A - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize the remote controller with excellent operability used in common for plural devices by providing a means selecting any of menu images projected and displayed on a wall face or the like in a house and generating a signal remote-controlling an operation object device to the remote controller. CONSTITUTION:A menu projection means 1 projects a top menu used to select any of plural devices such as a television receiver, a VTR and an air-conditioner being a control object and an operation menu for the devices onto a wall face or the like. A menu selection means 2 selects a specific item from the top menu and the operation menu projected by the menu projection means 1. Then the control information selected by the menu selection means 2 is sent to the device being the operation object by a radio transmission means 3. Thus, one remote controller is used for plural devices in this way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely controlling a plurality of devices and devices in a home by a simple operation. In the home, there are various devices and devices such as a television, a VTR, a refrigerator, and a cooler. Some of them are remote controllable. However, the method of operating the remote control is not uniform for each device, and the remote control itself is also different for each device.

It can be easily imagined that in the future, so-called home automation will be realized in which all electric devices are connected to a network by a home bus or the like and can be remote controlled. Even in such a case, it is too inconvenient that the device cannot be operated without the operation panel attached to each device or the remote controller for each device. Along with the integration of operating methods, it is necessary to integrate operating means.

Ideally, a single remote controller can operate all devices. In this case, it is important that the remote controller can be operated by anyone regardless of age or sex, anytime, anywhere. At the same time, it is necessary to know the status of each device.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, televisions, VTRs, air conditioners, etc. in the home are provided with a remote control operation function, and a dedicated remote control device is used for each device. In such a remote control device, a liquid crystal display is provided in addition to a plurality of operation switches, and an operation menu is displayed on the liquid crystal display to select an operation item.

[0005]

However, such a conventional remote control device has the following problems. First of all, since a dedicated remote control device is used for each device or device, for example, if an air conditioner is provided in each room and there are two or three TVs and VTRs, the whole house will be full of remote control devices. However, considering battery replacement, maintenance is extremely complicated.

[0006] Further, since the operation of the remote control device is complicated due to the multi-functionalization of the device and the equipment, a large number of operation switches are provided, and since the operation items cannot be fully expressed only by the operation switches, an operation menu is provided by providing a liquid crystal display or the like. When it comes to be selected on the display and the operation becomes complicated, the number of switches is increased, and the display is inevitably increased in size, which is too large as a remote control device.

Further, since the switches are small and the characters displayed on the display are small, it is difficult for the elderly to see and it is very difficult to operate. A remote control device using voice input has been considered in order to solve the problem of the operation switches and the display, but there is a problem that it cannot be used in a noisy place.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and can be commonly used for remote controllers of a plurality of devices and equipment, and can be easily operated even if it is a complicated operation. An object is to provide a remote control device.

[0009]

FIG. 1 illustrates the principle of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1B, the remote control device of the present invention includes a menu projecting unit 1 for projecting an operation menu of a plurality of devices and devices to be operated on a wall surface, and an operation projected by the menu projecting unit 1. It is characterized by comprising menu selecting means 2 for selecting a specific item from a menu, and transmitting means 3 for transmitting the operation information selected by the menu selecting means 2 to a device or a device as an operation target.

Here, the menu projection means 1 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, when a top menu showing a device and a device to be operated when the device is turned on is projected and a specific device or device in the top menu is selected by the menu selection unit 2, the operation menu to be selected is selected. To project. Further, the menu projecting unit 1 includes a blur detecting unit that detects a blur of the projected image and a blur correcting unit that moves the projected image in the opposite direction of the blur so as to cancel the blur detected by the blur detecting unit. However, the projected image can be displayed in a stopped state.

On the other hand, the menu selection means 2 comprises a cursor movement means for moving a cursor such as an arrow on the projection screen and a selection operation means for making a selection while the cursor is positioned at a specific menu item. As an example, dedicated operation switches are individually provided as cursor operation means and selection operation means of the menu selection means 2. As another example, a single switch may be provided as the cursor moving means and the selection operation means, and the functions of the cursor operation means and the selection operation means may be realized by changing the way of operating the switches.

Further, a dedicated selection switch may be provided as the selection operation means, and the cursor movement means may be cursor scanning means for sequentially moving and scanning the cursor on menu items on the projection screen in a predetermined order. Further, as the menu selecting means 2, no switch is used at all, and a blur detecting means for detecting blur of a projected image due to an intentional swing operation is provided, and menu switching and a specific menu item are performed based on the number of swing operations detected by the shake detecting means. May be selected.

Further, for turning on / off the power of the apparatus, a power control means is provided for turning on the apparatus when the hand is taken and turning off the power when the apparatus is released. More preferably, it is integrated with the handset of the wireless telephone device. Further, the menu projecting means 1 is provided with a status display portion showing the state of the selected device or device on a part of the menu screen.

[0014]

According to the remote control device of the present invention having such a configuration, the remote control device having a function as a small projector that can be carried around in daily life can be used for wall surfaces, ceilings, floors, homes, etc. in the home. Various devices can be easily operated by projecting and displaying the menu. Also, by providing a status display part in a part of the menu display, it is possible to see the status of each device.

[0015]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing an embodiment of the external appearance of the remote control device of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes an apparatus main body. In this embodiment, since it also serves as a handset of the wireless telephone apparatus, an upper unit 12 that can be opened up and down around a hinge 16 as shown in FIG. It is composed of the lower unit 14. A speaker 18 is provided inside the upper unit 12, a microphone 20 is provided inside the lower unit 14, and an antenna 22 is provided at the tip of the lower unit 14.
Has been installed.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the upper unit 12
An operation switch 26 is provided substantially at the center of the above, and a projector light projecting window 24 is provided at the tip of the upper unit 12. Further, a battery 28 is attached to the lower unit 14. Such a remote control device of the present invention is in a state where the upper unit 12 and the lower unit 14 are closed as shown in FIG. 2 when remote control of a television, a VTR, an air conditioner, etc. installed in a home is desired. When the hand is held, the power is automatically turned on, and a menu screen for remote control operation is projected from the projector light projecting window 24.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing one embodiment of the remote control device of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 30 is MP
An interface control unit using U or the like, which controls the remote control device as a whole. A pattern generation unit 32 creates image information used for menu selection. Specifically, the menu information of the operation items for each type of device to be operated is stored in the memory as image information, and a control command from the interface control unit 30 is received to generate a corresponding image pattern.

The image information generated by the pattern generation section 32 is given to the display control section 34 and drives the liquid crystal projection display section 36. The liquid crystal projection display unit 36 is irradiated with transmitted light from a light source 38, and an operation image of the liquid crystal display is projected and displayed on a screen 40 such as a wall of a room at home. Of course, as the liquid crystal projection display unit 36, one having a monochrome display function or a color display function is used.

The pattern projecting section 32, the display control section 34, the liquid crystal projection display section 36 and the light source 38 constitute the menu projecting means 1 shown in the principle explanatory view of FIG. The image projected on the screen 40 is detected by the two-dimensional CCD sensor 44, and the image blur detection unit 46 is detected.
It is given to the interface control unit 30 via. The operation switch 26 is connected to the interface control unit 30. In this embodiment, the operation switch 26 is connected.
With this operation, both the movement of the cursor 42 used for menu selection on the screen 40 and the selection operation with the cursor 42 moved to the position of a specific menu item are performed.

For example, the operation switch 26 is a switch which is turned on / off by being pushed and can be slid vertically and horizontally, and the cursor 42 can be moved in the sliding direction of the operation switch 26.
When the operation switch 26 is pushed in and turned on in the stop state of 2, the menu item in which the cursor 42 is positioned can be selected.

The image blur detector 46 is provided to prevent camera shake in the state where the image is projected on the screen 40. That is, the image blur detection unit 46 detects image blur due to camera shake by comparing the image output of the CCD sensor 40 and the original image (reference image) from the pattern generation unit 32. The interface control unit 30 which receives the blur detection information from the image blur detection unit 46 performs blur correction for moving the image in the opposite direction of the image blur on the liquid crystal projection display unit 36 via the display control unit 34. The movement of the projected image due to the camera shake is canceled out so that the projected image can always be displayed still on the screen 40 even if the camera shake occurs.

The image blur detecting unit 46 detects and discriminates the image blur caused by the intentional shaking operation of the remote controller other than the purpose of preventing the shaking of the projected image, and the interface controlling unit detects this intentional shaking operation. It is also possible to make a menu selection in place of the operation switch 26 by notifying the user of the operation switch 26. The menu selection by this intentional swing operation will be clarified later.

The CCD sensor 44, the image blur detecting unit 46, the interface control unit 30 and the operation switch 26 constitute the menu selecting means 2 shown in the principle explanatory view of FIG. Further, a LAN interface 48 having an antenna 22 is provided for the interface control unit 30 so that information is wirelessly transmitted to a home bus as a LAN installed in the home. The LAN interface 48 constitutes the transmitting means (also having a receiving function) shown in the principle explanatory diagram of FIG.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described. Figure 5
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a transition state during remote control operation in the embodiment of FIG. 3. First, when the remote control device of the present invention is not used, the device power is off as shown in state A. In this state A, when the device is held in the hand for remote control operation, the device is powered on by using a touch switch or the like, the state B is entered, and the top menu is displayed.

As shown in the top menu of FIG. 6, the display of the top menu in the state B is, for example, VTR, TV, car, window control, dryer, rice cooker, bath control, refrigerator control, and air conditioner control all represented by symbol images. Displayed in the specified object format. When the top menu is displayed, the cursor 42 is moved on the projection screen of the top menu by operating the operation switch 26 vertically or horizontally, and the operation switch 26 is pushed with the cursor 42 positioned at a specific menu position. When operated, the state shifts to the state C of FIG. 5, and the display switches to the sub menu display.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the submenu display when the VTR menu, the car menu and the bath menu are selected as submenus from the top menu. For example, when the bath menu is viewed as a sub-menu display, six menu items 42a to 42f are displayed. The menu item 42a is a menu item for reserving the time for boiling the bath, and when the menu item 42a is selected, the menu item 42a is displayed as shown in the figure.
The time of f can be controlled by the cursor 42 to set the reserved time. The menu item 42b determines the set temperature of the bath, and the set temperature can be changed by moving the cursor 42 to the numeral portion of the temperature display in the menu item 42b and pressing the operation switch 26, for example. it can.

The menu item 42e is used not as a menu selection but as a status display section for displaying the actual bath temperature on a monitor. Furthermore, each of the menu items of each sub-menu obtained by selecting the top menu can be switched to a sub-menu display of a lower order as shown in, for example, the VTR menu.

For example, when the channel display 4 of the VTR menu is selected, the screen is switched to the menu screen of the TV program guide of the day, and the recording reservation can be made by selecting the program of the specific time zone as the menu item. At the same time, the remaining tape amount at that time can also be displayed. That is, the menu display of the present invention has an object tree structure in which the upper menu can be sequentially selected to the lower menu.

There are two types of menu item selection operations in this sub-menu display, as shown in state D of FIG. 5, object deformation and object toggle operation. First, the deformation of the object in the state D is, for example, as shown in FIG.
This is an operation of moving the hands of the clock using the cursor 42 as shown in the menu item 42f of the bath menu. That is, while pressing the operation switch 26, move the cursor 42 to the long hand of the clock in the menu item 42f and press the long hand of the cursor 42 to move the hands of the clock. When the desired reserved time can be set, release the operation switch 26. The setting is confirmed.

On the other hand, the toggle operation of the object is, for example, an operation of moving the cursor 42 to the menu item 42a or the menu item 42b and pushing the operation switch 26, and the menu item can be selected by this menu toggle operation. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a home automation system in which the remote control device of the present invention is used.

In FIG. 7, a host computer 50 installed in a home is connected to an external WAN service network (wide area network service network) 70. WA
The N service network 70 provides services such as remote maintenance, video reservation, data update, and various external control of the home (telephone control). The host computer 50 is connected to a home bus 52 installed in the home, and the home bus 52 serves as a terminal device.
In this embodiment, a television 54, a cooler 56, a window 58 that can be automatically controlled to open and close, and a lighting fixture 60 are connected. In addition, an indoor antenna 62 is installed in each room to enable wireless communication control with the antenna 22 of the remote control device of the present invention.

Further, an outdoor antenna 64 is installed outdoors of the building, and as shown in the menu display of FIG. 6, a vehicle is included in the operation objects of the present invention. Transmission and reception for remote control according to the menu items shown in the vehicle menu of FIG. 6 can be performed with the control device. Of course, the devices and equipment in the home are not limited to the devices and equipment shown in FIG. 7, and include the devices and equipment shown in the top menu of FIG.

In the above embodiment, the cursor 42 for selecting the menu is operated by one operation switch 26.
Although the selection operation is performed while the cursor is moved and the cursor is positioned, a dedicated switch for moving the cursor 42 and a selection switch for selecting the menu item in which the cursor 42 is set may be separately provided. Good.

Further, the cursor 42 is not moved by a switch operation, and the cursor 42 is automatically moved in order while keeping a fixed time interval for a plurality of menu items displayed on the menu screen, and a desired menu is displayed. A menu selection may be made by pressing the operation switch 26 when the cursor 42 moves to the position of the item.

Further, menu switching and menu selection can be performed without using any operation switch. This can be realized by using the detection function of the image blur detection unit 46 shown in the embodiment of FIG. The image blur detection unit 46 is for suppressing the movement of the projected image due to the hand movement and displaying it still as described above. However, the image blur detection unit 46 determines the image blur when the remote control device of the present invention is intentionally shaken, and the interface By notifying the control unit 30, menu switching and menu selection can be performed according to the number of intentional swings.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, by projecting and displaying the menu screen, the size of the projection screen can be freely changed depending on the projection distance, and the menu screen made object-oriented. Anyone can operate because it is a simple operation to select as needed, especially since the menu screen is an object display with a symbolized image that can be visually easily judged, it is complicated to handle. Also, the desired operation can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the appearance of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of being used as a telephone.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment showing the device configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a transition state explanatory diagram showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a home bus system in which the remote control device of the present invention is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Menu projection means 2: Menu selection means 3: Transmission means 10: Device body 12: Upper unit 14: Lower unit 16: Hinge 18: Speaker 20: Microphone 22: Antenna 24: Projector floodlight window 28: Battery 30: Interface Control unit 32: Pattern generation unit 34: Display control unit 36: Liquid crystal projection display unit 38: Light source 40: Screen 42: Cursors 42a to 42f: Menu item 50: Host computer 52: Home bus 54: Television 56: Cooler 58: Window 60: Lighting equipment 62: Indoor antenna 64: Outdoor antenna 70: WAN service network

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location H04Q 9/00 331 Z 7170-5K (72) Inventor Koichi Inoue 1015 Ueodachu, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Address within Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Kenji Horie 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Within Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Satoshi Inano 1015, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Within Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Shimizu 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Sadayuki Kato 1015, Kamikodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor, Yoshinobu Inada Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Eiko Ikawa Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture 1015 Odanaka, Fujitsu Limited

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A menu projecting means 1 for projecting operation menus of a plurality of devices and equipment to be operated on a wall surface, and a menu selecting means for selecting a specific item from the operation menu projected by the menu projecting means 1. 2. A remote control device comprising: 2, and a transmitting means 3 for transmitting the operation information selected by the menu selecting means 2 to a device or a device to be operated. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the menu projecting means 1 projects a top menu showing a device and a device to be operated when the power of the device is turned on, and the menu selecting means 2 displays the top menu. A remote control device, wherein when a specific device or device is selected, an operation menu to be selected is projected. 3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the menu projecting means 1 comprises a blur detecting means for detecting blur of a projected image, and a projected image so as to cancel the blur detected by the blur detecting means. A remote control device comprising: a shake correction unit that moves the camera in the opposite direction to the shake. 4. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the menu selection means 2 is a state in which a cursor moving means for moving a cursor such as an arrow on the projection screen and a cursor positioned at a specific menu item. A remote control device comprising: a selection operation means for selecting with. 5. The remote control device according to claim 4, wherein dedicated operation switches are individually provided as cursor operation means and selection operation means of the menu selection means 2. 6. The remote control device according to claim 4, wherein a single switch is provided as the cursor moving means and the selecting operation means of the menu selecting means 2, and the cursor operation is performed by changing the operation method of the switch. A remote controller characterized by realizing the functions of a means and a selection operation means. 7. A remote control device according to claim 4, wherein a dedicated selection switch is provided as a selection operation means of said menu selection means 2, and said cursor movement means uses a cursor as a predetermined menu item on a projection screen. A remote control device comprising cursor scanning means for sequentially moving and scanning in order. 8. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the menu selection means 2 includes a shake detection means for detecting a shake of a projected image due to an intentional shake operation, and the shake detected by the shake detection means. A remote control device characterized in that a menu is switched and a specific menu item is selected according to the number of operations. 9. The remote control device according to claim 1, further comprising power control means for turning on the power when the device is picked up by hand and turning off the power when the device is released. .. 10. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein:
A remote control device characterized by being integrated with a handset of a wireless telephone device. 11. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein:
The remote control device, wherein the menu projecting means 1 is provided with a status display portion showing a state of a selected device or device on a part of a menu screen.