JPH07245590A - Remote control signal transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Remote control for a control target by transmitting light having directivity modulated according to the control operation is performed without requiring a troublesome setting operation for the light emitting direction. , Shall be able to be carried out quickly and accurately. A control unit 25 that generates a control signal according to the operation of an operation switch and an infrared ray that is modulated to correspond to the control signal from the control unit 25 can emit light in different optical axis directions. A plurality of light emitting parts 21U, 21C, 21L, and the light emitting part 21
The elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 that detects the orientation of at least one of U, 21C, and 21L, and the light-emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21 according to the detection output signal from the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23.
And a switch 30 for selectively turning on at least one of L.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiver,
The present invention relates to a remote control signal transmission device that is associated with various electronic devices such as video tape recorders and is used for remote control of the electronic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In performing remote control of various electronic devices such as a television receiver, a video tape recorder, a compact disc player, etc., infrared rays modulated according to the control operation are sent as a remote control signal to control the electronic device. There has been proposed an infrared remote control system in which an infrared ray sent out is received by a light receiving section provided on the side and a control signal based on the infrared ray is formed, and the electronic signal is controlled by the control signal. As described above, in the infrared remote control system in which infrared rays are used for remote control of electronic devices, external noise is generated on the electronic device side compared to the case where radio waves are used for remote control of electronic devices. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation in which a malfunction occurs due to the pseudo signal that occurs, and it is possible to obtain an advantage that the configuration can be relatively inexpensive.

In such an infrared remote control system, there is provided a remote control signal transmitting device which transmits infrared rays modulated according to a control operation as a remote control signal.
For example, on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, which is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a relatively small thickness, various operation parts are provided, for example, in the form of push buttons,
In addition, a battery that supplies a power supply voltage, a signal processing circuit unit, and a light emitting unit such as a light emitting diode that emits infrared rays are housed inside the apparatus main body. Then, the light emitting section generates infrared rays that are supposed to be modulated according to the operation of the operation section, and in the apparatus main body section formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a relatively small thickness as a whole. The light-transmitting portion formed on one of the side end surface portions is transmitted and delivered. At that time, the infrared light emitted by the light emitting unit and transmitted through the light transmitting unit, which is modulated in accordance with the operation of the operating unit, has relatively remarkable directivity, and its optical axis direction in which the maximum intensity is obtained is Usually, the whole is set so as to be substantially along the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a relatively small thickness.

When such a remote control signal transmitting device is actually used, the upper surface of the main body of the device, which is provided with various operating parts, is usually directed upward and infrared rays are emitted from the light emitting part. The side end surface portion of the device main body portion on which the transparent portion is formed is directed to the light receiving portion side provided in the electronic device to be controlled, and under this state, the operation portion is operated. Is performed. Thereby, from the translucent portion in the side end surface portion of the device main body, which is directed, to the light receiving portion side of the electronic device to which it is directed,
Infrared light modulated according to the operation of the operation unit is transmitted.

[0005]

As described above, in the remote control signal transmitting apparatus for transmitting the infrared ray modulated according to the operation of the operating section as the remote control signal, the infrared ray to be transmitted is relatively remarkable. Since the optical axis direction, which has directivity and obtains the maximum intensity, is usually set so as to be substantially along the upper surface portion of the main body of the device, the light receiving device provided in the electronic device is actually used. In order to ensure good reception sensitivity with respect to the emitted infrared rays, the electronic device is provided with the side end surface portion of the device main body portion in which the transparent portion for transmitting the infrared rays from the light emitting portion is formed. It is desired that it be properly aimed at the received light receiving part.
That is, the side end surface portion of the device body formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a relatively small thickness as a whole has a side end face portion in the left-right direction with respect to the light receiving portion provided in the electronic device. It is required to be properly oriented in any of the up and down directions, and when the direction is “shifted” from the direction of the light receiving section provided in the electronic device, the light receiving section provided in the electronic device is There is a possibility that the reception sensitivity may be reduced depending on the “deviation”, and an appropriate reception output may not be obtained.

When a user of such a remote control signal transmitter uses the remote control signal transmitter for remote control of electronic equipment, the user usually uses various remote control signal transmitters. The upper end portion of the device main body portion provided with the operation part is held in a position looking down from diagonally upward and backward, and the side end face portion of the device main body portion on which the light transmitting portion is formed is used as a light receiving portion provided in the electronic device. Try to point it. Therefore, the side end surface portion of the device main body on which the light transmitting portion is formed is easily orientated rightward and leftward toward the light receiving portion provided in the electronic device. Contrary to the intention of the person, it is often the case that the device is not properly oriented to the light receiving portion provided in the electronic device, and in that case, the side end surface portion of the device body portion where the light transmitting portion is formed is Therefore, the adjustment of the direction, and therefore the direction of emission of infrared rays from the light-transmitting portion of the apparatus main body, is repeated, so that remote operation control of electronic equipment by the remote operation signal transmission device cannot be performed quickly and accurately. Become.

In view of such a point, the present invention sends a light having a directivity, which is modulated according to a control operation, for example, an infrared ray, as a remote control signal to a controlled object such as various electronic devices. , The light emitted on the controlled side is received and a control signal based on it is formed,
Remote control of the control target to be controlled by the control signal to be performed, without the need for cumbersome setting operation for the emission direction of light having directivity modulated according to the control operation, It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control signal transmission device that can be quickly and accurately performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the remote operation control for the control target, which is performed by transmitting the light having the directivity modulated according to the control operation as the remote control signal for the control target, is modulated according to the control operation. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a remote control signal transmission device that can obtain a situation in which it can be properly performed even when the position at which a portion for transmitting light having the specified directivity is provided is moved relatively significantly. To do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a remote control signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention is a control signal for generating a control signal according to the operation of a manual operation section and an operation section. In response to a control signal from the forming unit and the control signal forming unit, light having directivity that is modulated so as to correspond to the control signal is emitted as a remote control signal to the control target with different optical axis directions. A plurality of light emitting parts capable of emitting light, and in addition to this, a direction detecting part for detecting the direction of at least one of the plurality of light emitting parts, and a detection output signal from the direction detecting part. , At least one of the plurality of light emitting units,
And a selection unit configured to have a light emitting state according to the control signal from the control signal forming unit.

[0010]

In the remote operation signal transmitting device according to the present invention configured as described above, when the operation section is operated, the selection section outputs the detection output signal from the orientation detection section obtained at that time. Based on the direction of at least one of the plurality of light emitting units, that is, the optical axis direction of the light having directivity emitted by at least one of the plurality of light emitting units, At least one, for example, an optical axis direction of light having directivity emitted from it is selected to be closest to an appropriate direction with respect to the control target, and the selected light emitting unit is the operation unit from the control signal forming unit. A light emitting state is set in accordance with a control signal in response to an operation.

When the operation section is operated,
The plurality of light emitting parts are directed to the controlled object side, if not strictly, and the plurality of light emitting parts emit light having directivity that is modulated so as to correspond to the control signal. With different optical axis directions, it is assumed that the light emitting state emitted as a remote control signal for the controlled object can be taken.Therefore, in the situation where the operation section is operated, at least one of the plurality of light emitting sections is It is extremely likely that the optical axis direction of the light having the directivity emitted by the light source coincides with the appropriate direction with respect to the controlled object or is very close to it. Therefore, under such a condition, by performing an operation on the operation unit, the remote operation control for the control target causes a troublesome setting operation for the light emission direction having the directivity modulated according to the operation on the operation unit. Will be done promptly and accurately without the requirement.

Further, from the above description, even when the positions of the plurality of light emitting units are moved relatively largely when the operation unit is operated for remote control of the controlled object, a plurality of light emitting units are always operated. One of the light emitting parts of the light emitting section has a state in which the optical axis direction of the directional light emitted from the light emitting section is very close to an appropriate direction with respect to the controlled object, and remote control of the controlled object is performed. It can be done properly.

[0013]

2 and 3 show the appearance of an example of a remote control signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention. In this example, the television receiver is targeted for control.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus main body 11 is provided, which is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a relatively small thickness t. Various operation parts including a power switch 12 for turning on and off the operating power supply of the television receiver are provided on the upper surface portion 11A of the apparatus main body 11 in the form of push buttons. Has been. In addition to the power switch 12, these various operation sections include a muting switch 13 for muting audio in the television receiver, and a channel selection switch 14 for selecting a receiving channel in the television receiver. , Sleep switch 15 for turning off the operating power of the television receiver when a preset time has passed from the time of operation, and the reproduced image and sound of the television receiver are connected to the television receiver. Between the state assumed to be based on the television broadcast signal received at that time through the antenna provided and the state assumed to be based on the reproduced video and audio signals from the video tape recorder connected to the television receiver. TV / video selection switch 16 for Duplex voice switch 17 for performing selection between main audio and sub-audio for duplex voice in emissions receiver,
Channel display switch 18 for displaying the channel number of the receiving channel on the screen of the television receiver,
A volume adjustment switch 19 for adjusting the volume of the television receiver, a channel changeover switch 20 for sequentially switching the receiving channels of the television receiver, and the like are included.

Inside the main body 11 of the apparatus, a battery for supplying a power source voltage, a signal processing circuit section, a direction detecting section described later, and infrared rays as a remote control signal, which are connected to the various operating sections described above, are transmitted. Infrared transmitters, etc. are accommodated. Of those accommodated inside these device main body 11,
The infrared emitting section is configured to include a plurality of, for example, three light emitting sections 21U, 21C and 21L as shown in FIG. The three light emitting units 21U, 21C and 21L are
Inside the device main body 11, the device main body 11 is arranged and fixed in a thickness direction of the device main body 11 at a position close to the side end surface portion 11B. These three light emitting units 21U, 21C and 21L are supposed to generate infrared rays as light having directivity in a state where the optical axis directions in which the maximum intensity is obtained are different from each other.

The infrared rays emitted from each of the three light emitting parts 21U, 21C and 21L are emitted from the device main body 11
The light is transmitted through the light-transmitting portion 22 formed on the side end surface portion 11B of the sheet and is sent out of the apparatus main body portion 11. At that time, the optical axis direction of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting unit 21U, the light emitting unit 2
Optical axis direction of infrared rays emitted from 1C and light emitting unit 2
The optical axis directions of the infrared rays emitted from 1L have a relationship as indicated by alternate long and short dash lines LU, LC and LL in FIG. 3, respectively. In such a relationship,
The optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C located at the center among the three light emitting portions 21U, 21C and 21L is the upper surface portion 1 of the device main body portion 11.
1A, while the optical axis directions LU and LL of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting units 21U and 21L sandwiching the light emitting unit 21C are the light emitting unit 21U.
It is assumed that the optical axes of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting sections 21L and 21L form a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the infrared ray emitted from the light emitting section 21C. That is, as shown in FIG.
In a state in which the upper surface portion 11A of the infrared ray is directed upward, the optical axis direction LC of infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C.
Are aligned in the horizontal direction, the optical axis direction LU of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21U has a predetermined elevation angle θU, and the optical axis direction LL of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21L has a predetermined depression angle θL. It is supposed to be an eggplant.

The orientation detecting section housed inside the apparatus main body section 11 is composed of an elevation / depression angle detecting section 23 for detecting an elevation angle and a depression angle of the apparatus main body section 11. The elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 is formed by using, for example, a gyroscope, and a state in which the upper surface portion 11A of the device body 11 is directed upward and is along the horizontal direction is a reference of the device body 11. Under the horizontal state, the elevation angle and the depression angle are detected when the upper surface portion 11A of the entire apparatus main body 11 is directed upward. Since the three light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L are fixed to the device body 11, the upper surface portion 1 of the entire device body 11 is fixed.
The elevation angle and the depression angle when 1A is directed upward correspond to the displacement of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L in the optical axis directions LU, LC, and LU with respect to the horizontal direction. In particular, since the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C is along the upper surface portion 11A of the device main body 11, the upper surface portion 11A of the entire device main body 11 is directed upward. The elevation / depression angle detecting unit 23 for detecting the elevation angle and the depression angle is substantially the optical axis direction L of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 21C.
The elevation angle and depression angle of C will be detected.

As described above, various operation switches provided on the upper surface portion 11A of the apparatus body 11, the battery housed inside the apparatus body 11, the signal processing circuit section, and the elevation angle forming the orientation detection section. The entire configuration of an example of a remote control signal transmitting device according to the present invention including the depression angle detection unit 23, three light emitting units 21U, 21C and 21L forming the infrared transmission unit, etc. has the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. Is represented.

In the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 1, the channel selection switch 14, the power switch 12, the muting switch 13, the sleep switch 15, the television / video selection switch 16, the dual audio switch 17,
Channel display switch 18, volume control switch 19,
A control unit 25 to which operation switches such as the channel changeover switch 20 are connected is provided. Further, to the control unit 25, a battery 26 that supplies a power supply voltage inside the apparatus main body 11 and an elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 are connected. Then, from the battery 26 to the control unit 2
5 and the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 are supplied with the power supply voltage, and the control unit 25 and the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 are activated.

The control unit 25 includes a power switch 12,
Of the operation switches such as the muting switch 13, the channel selection switch 14, the sleep switch 15, the TV / video selection switch 16, the dual audio switch 17, the channel display switch 18, the volume control switch 19, and the channel selection switch 20. When either is operated, the detection output signal SA from the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 is fetched accordingly. The detection output signal SA from the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 is assumed to represent the elevation angle or depression angle under the condition that the upper surface portion 11A of the entire apparatus main body unit 11 detected by the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 is directed upward. , Substantially represents the elevation angle or depression angle of the infrared ray emitted from the light emitting portion 21C among the light emitting portions 21U, 21C and 21L fixed to the apparatus main body portion 11 in the optical axis direction LC.

A detection output signal S from the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23.
The control unit 25 that takes in A detects the detection output signal SA
On the basis of the above, the entire device main body 11 has an elevation angle of a predetermined value or more, for example, 30 degrees or more. Therefore, the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting unit 21C has an elevation angle of 30 degrees or more. The state where the angle of the entire device main body 11 is a predetermined value or more, for example, 30 degrees or more,
Therefore, the depression angle of the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C is 30 degrees or more, and the elevation angle or the attachment angle of the entire apparatus body 11 is less than 30 degrees (the elevation angle and the attachment angle). (Including the reference horizontal state in which all the angles are zero), therefore, the state in which the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C has an elevation angle or depression angle of less than 30 degrees (either an elevation angle or an incident angle). (Including the reference horizontal state in which Momo is set to zero), it is detected. The elevation angle of the entire device main body 11 is 30.
When the elevation angle is 30 degrees or more, that is, when the elevation angle of the infrared ray emitted from the light emitting portion 21C is 30 degrees or more, the control signal S having the negative polarity is generated.
W is transmitted, and the depression angle of the entire apparatus body 11 is 3
When the state is 0 degree or more, that is, when the depression angle of the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C is 30 degrees or more, the operation of sending the control signal SW that is of positive polarity On the other hand, when the entire device main body 11 is in a state where the elevation angle or the incident angle is less than 30 degrees, that is, the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21C has an elevation angle or depression angle of less than 30 degrees. When it is set, the control signal SW is not transmitted.

The control unit 25 also includes a power switch 12, a muting switch 13, a channel selection switch 14, a sleep switch 15, a television / video selection switch 16, a dual audio switch 17, a channel display switch 18, and a volume control. When any one of the operation switches such as the switch 19 and the channel changeover switch 20 is operated, a control signal SR corresponding to the operated operation switch is formed, and the control signal SR is transmitted through the resistor 27 to the base of the transistor 28. Supply to.

The transistor 28 has its emitter grounded via the resistor 29 and its collector connected to the switch 30. Switch 30
Has a movable contact 30a and three selection contacts 30b, 30c and 30d, the collector of the transistor 28 is connected to the movable contact 30a, and the switch 30
The three selective contacts 30b, 30c and 30d are respectively provided with one end of a light emitting portion 21U formed of a light emitting diode, one end of a light emitting portion 21C formed of a light emitting diode, and a light emitting portion formed of a light emitting diode. 21
One end of L is connected. And the switch 30 is
A control signal SW sent from the control unit 25 is supplied, and the connection state of the movable contact 30a to the selection contacts 30b, 30c and 30d is controlled by the control signal SW.

The control of the switch 30 by the control signal SW is such that when the negative control signal SW is supplied to the switch 30, the movable contact 30a is connected to the selection contact 30d so that the switch 30 has the positive polarity. When the control signal SW is supplied to the movable contact 30a, the movable contact 30a is connected to the selection contact 30b.
When W is not supplied, the state in which the movable contact 30a is connected to the selection contact 30c is maintained. Therefore, when the control signal SW sent from the control unit 25 has a negative polarity, the switch 30 causes the light emitting unit 2 to operate.
When 1 L is selected and connected to the collector of the transistor 28, and the control signal SW sent from the control unit 25 has a positive polarity, the switch 30 causes the light emitting unit 21 to operate.
When U is selected and connected to the collector of the transistor 28, and when the control signal SW is not sent from the control unit 25, the light emitting portion 21C is selected by the switch 30 and connected to the collector of the transistor 28. The other ends of the light emitting units 21U, 21C and 21L are
It is connected to the battery 26, and the light emitting unit 21 is connected to the battery 26.
The power supply voltage is supplied to each of U, 21C, and 21L.

The transistor 28 has light-emitting portions 21U, 21C and 2 whose collectors are selected by the switch 30.
When one of the 1L is connected in a state where the power supply voltage from the battery 26 is supplied and the control signal SR from the control unit 25 is supplied to the base through the resistor 27, it is selected by the switch 30. Light emitting unit 21U, 2
The operation of supplying the drive current ID based on the control signal SR to either 1C or 21L is performed. As a result, one of the light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L selected by the switch 30 is brought into a light emitting state according to the drive current ID, and modulated according to the control signal SR from the control unit 25. It is assumed that the emitted infrared rays are emitted. Therefore, the light emitting unit 2 selected by the switch 30
From any of 1U, 21C and 21L, a power switch 12, a muting switch 13, a channel selection switch 14, a sleep switch 15, a TV / video selection switch 16, a dual audio switch 17, a channel display switch 18, Infrared light having a directivity modulated in accordance with a control operation of operation switches such as the volume adjustment switch 19 and the channel changeover switch 20 is emitted. Then, the infrared rays emitted from any one of the light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L and having the directivity modulated according to the control operation are emitted from the device main body 1
The light is transmitted through the translucent portion 22 formed on the side end surface portion 11B of No. 1 and is sent out of the apparatus main body portion 11 as a remote control signal for the television receiver that is the control target.

In such an example of the remote control signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the upper surface portion 11A of the apparatus main body section 11 is designed so that the user can remotely control the television receiver to be controlled. Is directed upward, and the side end surface portion 11B of the device main body 11 in which the light transmitting portion 22 for transmitting infrared rays is formed is directed to the light receiving portion side provided in the television receiver to be controlled. Then, power switch 12, muting
When operating the operation switches such as the switch 13, the channel selection switch 14, the sleep switch 15, the television / video selection switch 16, the dual audio switch 17, the channel display switch 18, the volume adjustment switch 19, and the channel changeover switch 20, Device body 11
However, including the reference horizontal state, the elevation angle or the angle of elevation detected by the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 is less than 30 degrees, that is, the reference horizontal state or the vertical inclination relative to the reference horizontal state is relatively large. It is in a small state, and therefore, the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting portion 21C.
However, when the horizontal direction is set or the vertical tilt relative to the horizontal direction is set to be relatively small, the control signal SW is not sent from the control unit 25, and the switch 30 causes the switch 30 to change the thickness direction of the apparatus main body 11. Of the three light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L arranged in, the light emitting unit 21C located at the center is selected.

As a result, the light emitting section 21C emits the infrared rays having the directivity modulated in accordance with the control operation of the operation switch in a state of taking the optical axis direction LC along the upper surface portion 11A of the apparatus main body section 11. Is
The infrared ray from the light emitting unit 21C is sent as a remote control signal to the television receiver that is the control target. Under such circumstances, the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21C is accurately directed to the light receiving section provided in the television receiver or its vicinity, and the light receiving section provided in the television receiver is provided. In the section, sufficient detection sensitivity for infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21C can be obtained.

Further, the apparatus main body 11 is in a state in which the elevation angle detected by the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 is 30 degrees or more, that is, the vertical inclination relative to the reference horizontal state is relatively large, and The side end surface portion 11B of the apparatus main body 11 on which the translucent portion 22 for transmitting infrared rays is formed is directed obliquely upward, and therefore, the light emitting portion 21C.
When the optical axis direction LC of infrared rays emitted from the device has a relatively large vertical inclination with respect to the horizontal direction and is in a state of forming an elevation angle, a negative control signal SW is sent from the control unit 25 and the switch is turned on. The light emitting unit 21L located below the central light emitting unit 21C among the three light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L is selected by 30. As a result, the light emitting unit 21L forms a depression angle θL when the directional infrared light modulated according to the control operation of the operation switch is aligned with the optical axis direction LC of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 22C in the horizontal direction. The light is emitted in a state of taking the optical axis direction LL, and the infrared ray from the light emitting portion 21L is sent as a remote control signal to the television receiver which is the control target. Under such circumstances, the optical axis direction LL of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21L is accurately directed to the light receiving section provided in the television receiver or the vicinity thereof, and the light receiving section provided in the television receiver is received. In the section, sufficient detection sensitivity for infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21L can be obtained.

Further, in the state where the depression angle detected by the elevation / depression angle detecting section 23 of the apparatus main body 11 is 30 degrees or more,
That is, the side end face portion 11B of the apparatus main body portion 11 in which the light transmitting portion 22 for transmitting infrared rays is formed has a relatively large inclination in the vertical direction relative to the reference horizontal state and is directed obliquely downward. Therefore, the light emitting portion 21 is
When the optical axis direction LC of the infrared rays emitted from C has a relatively large inclination in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction and is in a state of forming an angle, a positive control signal SW is sent from the control unit 25. , Switch 30
Of the light emitting units 21U, 21C and 21L, the light emitting unit 21U located above the central light emitting unit 21C.
Is selected. Thereby, the light emitting unit 21U forms an elevation angle θU when the directional infrared light modulated according to the control operation of the operation switch is aligned with the optical axis direction LC of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 22C in the horizontal direction. The light is emitted in a state of taking the optical axis direction LU as a target, and infrared rays from the light emitting unit 21U are transmitted as a remote control signal to the television receiver which is a control target. Under such circumstances, the optical axis direction LU of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21U is accurately directed to the light receiving section provided in the television receiver or the vicinity thereof, and the light receiving section provided in the television receiver is received. In the section, sufficient detection sensitivity for infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 21U can be obtained.

Therefore, in order to allow the user to perform remote control of the television receiver to be controlled,
The side end surface portion 11B of the device body 11 in which the upper surface portion 11A of the device body 11 is directed upward and the transparent portion 22 for transmitting infrared rays is formed is provided in the television receiver to be controlled. When the operation switch is operated while being directed to the light receiving portion side, the apparatus main body portion 11 is in a reference horizontal state or a state in which the vertical inclination relative to the reference horizontal state is relatively small, the reference horizontal state. The vertical tilt relative to the state is relatively large, and
The side end surface portion 11B of the apparatus main body 11 in which the translucent portion 22 for transmitting infrared rays is formed is directed obliquely upward, and the vertical inclination relative to the reference horizontal state is relatively large. Moreover, in any case where the side end surface portion 11B of the device main body portion 11 in which the translucent portion 22 for transmitting infrared rays is formed is directed obliquely downward,
The light receiving section provided in the television receiver is automatically set to a state in which sufficient detection sensitivity for infrared rays emitted from the apparatus main body section 11 is obtained.

The control unit 25 shown in FIG.
A portion including the resistors 27 and 29, the transistor 28, the switch 30 and the like constitutes a signal processing circuit portion housed inside the apparatus main body portion 11.

A control unit 25 that operates as described above.
Is configured using, for example, a microcomputer. In such a case, the microcomputer includes a power switch 12, a muting switch 13, a channel selection switch 14, a sleep switch 15, a television / video selection switch 16, and a duplex. Voice switch 17,
Channel display switch 18, volume control switch 19,
An example of the control program executed when performing the control operation according to the control operation for the operation switch such as the channel changeover switch 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the control program represented by the flow chart of FIG. 4, after the start, step 41
In step 42, the power supply switch 12, the muting switch 13, the channel selection switch 14, the sleep switch 15, the television / video selection switch are initialized after the status flags Fe and Fd are set to "0". 16, double voice switch 17,
Channel display switch 18, volume control switch 19,
It is determined whether or not a control operation has been performed on an operation switch such as the channel changeover switch 20. As a result, when the control operation for the operation switch is not performed, the determination in step 42 is repeated.

If the result of determination in step 42 is that control operation has been performed on the operation switch, step 4
3, the detection output signal S from the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23
In step 44, the angle of elevation of the entire apparatus main body 11 is 30 based on the detection output signal SA.
It is determined whether or not it is in a state where the elevation angle is 30 degrees or more, that is, whether or not the elevation angle of the optical axis direction LC of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 21C is 30 degrees or more. As a result, when the elevation of the entire apparatus main body 11 is not 30 degrees or more, in step 45, the depression of the entire apparatus main body 11 is 30 degrees or more based on the detection output signal SA. It is determined whether or not, that is, whether or not the depression angle of the optical axis direction LC of the infrared ray emitted from the light emitting portion 21C is 30 degrees or more.

If the result of determination in step 45 is that the entire apparatus main body 11 is not in a state where the depression angle is 30 degrees or more, in step 46 the status flag Fe is "1".
If the state flag Fe is not "1", it is further determined in step 47 whether the state flag Fd is "1". Step 4
As a result of the determination in 7, if the state flag Fd is not "1", the process proceeds to step 48. In step 48, the control signal SR corresponding to the operated operation switch is formed, and the control signal SR is sent to the base of the transistor 28 through the resistor 27, and then the process returns to step 42.

If the result of determination in step 47 is that the status flag Fd is "1", in step 49 the sending of the positive control signal SW to the switch 30 is stopped, and in step 50, the status The flag Fd is set to "0" and the routine proceeds to step 48. Also, step 4
If the state flag Fe is "1" as a result of the determination in step 6, in step 51, the negative control signal SW
Is stopped from being sent to the switch 30, and in the following step 52, the state flag Fe is set to "0", and the step 4
Go to 8.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step 45, when the depression angle of the entire apparatus main body 11 is 30 degrees or more, it is determined in step 53 whether the status flag Fd is "1". If the state flag Fd is not "1", it is further determined in step 54 whether the state flag Fe is "1". If the result of determination in step 54 is that the status flag Fe is not "1", sending of the positive control signal SW to the switch 30 is started in step 55, and in the following step 56, the status flag Fd is set to "1". After setting to 1 ″, the process proceeds to step 48. If the state flag Fe is "1" as a result of the determination in step 54,
In step 57, the sending of the negative polarity control signal SW to the switch 30 is stopped, and in the following step 58,
The state flag Fe is set to "0", and then step 55
Proceed to.

If the result of determination in step 53 is that the status flag Fd is "1", the process proceeds from step 53 directly to step 48.

Further, as a result of the judgment in step 44, when the elevation angle of the entire apparatus main body 11 is 30 degrees or more, it is checked in step 59 whether the status flag Fe is "1". If it is determined that the status flag Fe is not "1", it is further determined in step 60 whether the status flag Fd is "1". If the state flag Fd is not "1" as a result of the determination in step 60, in step 61, the sending of the negative polarity control signal SW to the switch 30 is started, and in the following step 62, the state flag Fe is set to "1". After setting to 1 ″, the process proceeds to step 48. If the state flag Fd is "1" as a result of the determination in step 60,
In step 63, the sending of the positive polarity control signal SW to the switch 30 is stopped, and in the following step 64,
The status flag Fd is set to "0", and then step 61
Proceed to.

If the result of determination in step 59 is that the status flag Fe is "1", the flow directly advances from step 59 to step 48.

In the above-mentioned example, the infrared ray sending section housed inside the apparatus main body 11 is the apparatus main body 1
A plurality of elements arranged in the thickness direction of 1 and fixed, for example,
The direction detection unit that is configured by the three light emitting units 21U, 21C, and 21L, and is housed inside the device body unit 11 is configured by the elevation / depression angle detection unit 23 that detects the elevation angle and the depression angle of the device body unit 11. , The elevation / depression angle detection unit 23,
Under the condition that the upper surface portion 11A of the device body 11 is directed upward and is along the horizontal direction as the reference horizontal state of the device body 11, the device body 11 is
It is supposed that the elevation angle and the depression angle are detected under the condition that the entire upper surface portion 11A is directed upward. However,
The remote control signal transmitting device according to the present invention is not limited to such an example, and, for example, the infrared ray sending portion housed inside the device body 11 has a direction along the upper surface portion 11A of the device body 11. It is composed of a plurality of, for example, three light emitting portions arranged and fixed so as to face the side end face portion 11B, and each of the three light emitting portions emits infrared rays as directional light at its maximum. It is assumed that the optical axis directions in which the intensity is obtained are different from each other, and the orientation detecting section housed inside the apparatus main body 11 detects the left and right deflection angles of the apparatus main body 11. The deflection angle detection unit may be configured by an angle detection unit, and the deflection angle detection unit may detect a deflection angle to the left and right from a reference position of the apparatus main body 11 facing the controlled object.

Further, in the above-mentioned example, the control unit 25 and the switch 30 cause one of a plurality of, for example, three light emitting portions 21U, 21C and 21L to be in a light emitting state. However, in the remote control signal transmitting device according to the present invention, two or more of the plurality of light emitting units may be simultaneously turned on as needed.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, in the remote control signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, when the operation section is operated, the selection section detects the direction detection section obtained at that time. Based on the output signal, at least one direction of the plurality of light emitting units, that is, the optical axis direction of the light having directivity emitted by at least one of the plurality of light emitting units is detected, and the plurality of light emitting units are detected. At least one of them, for example, the one whose optical axis direction of light having directivity emitted from it is closest to an appropriate direction with respect to the control target is selected, and the selected light emitting unit is selected from the control signal forming unit. The light emitting state is set according to the control signal according to the operation of the operation unit. As a result, it is possible to perform modulation on the control target side without requiring a troublesome setting operation for the emission direction of the light having the directivity that is modulated according to the operation on the operation unit. A state in which sufficient light receiving sensitivity for light having directivity is obtained is automatically taken, and remote operation control of the controlled object can be performed quickly and accurately.

Further, as described above, when operating the operating portion to perform remote control of the controlled object, even if the positions of the plurality of light emitting portions are moved relatively largely, the plurality of light emitting portions are always operated. One of the two can obtain a state in which the optical axis direction of the light having the directivity emitted from it is very close to an appropriate direction with respect to the controlled object, and properly performs the remote control for the controlled object. It becomes possible to do what is done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a configuration of an example of a remote control signal transmitter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external appearance of an example of a remote control signal transmission device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an external appearance of an example of a remote control signal transmission device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control program executed by the microcomputer when the control unit in the example shown in FIG. 1 is composed of the microcomputer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Device Main Body 11A Top Part 11B Side End Part 12 Power Switch 13 Muting Switch 14 Channel Selection Switch 15 Sleep Switch 16 TV / Video Selection Switch 17 Dual Audio Switch 18 Channel Display Switch 19 Volume Adjustment Switch 19 20 Channel Switching Switch 21U, 21C, 21L Light emitting part 22 Light transmitting part 23 Elevation / depression angle detection part 25 Control unit 26 Battery 28 Transistor 30 Switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location H04B 10/04 10/06 10/00 H04Q 9/00 311 U (72) Inventor Toshio Amano Tokyo 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku Sony Corporation

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An operating section that is manually operated, a control signal forming section that generates a control signal according to the operation of the operating section, and a control signal that corresponds to the control signal from the control signal forming section. A plurality of light-emitting portions capable of emitting a light having a directivity, which is modulated as much as possible, as remote control signals for a control target, each having a different optical axis direction, and the plurality of light-emitting portions. Of at least one of the plurality of light emitting units in response to a detection output signal from the direction detection unit, and selectively controls at least one of the plurality of light emitting units. A remote control signal transmission device configured to include a selection unit that emits light in accordance with a control signal from the remote control signal transmission unit. 2. A plurality of light emitting parts are fixedly arranged on the device body part, and a direction detection part detects the direction of the device body part, and a detection output according to the detected direction of the device body part. A signal generating means for generating a signal.
The remote control signal transmitter described. 3. A drive unit in which a selection unit forms a drive signal according to a control signal from a control signal formation unit, and a switch which selectively supplies the drive signal formed by the drive unit to a plurality of light emitting units. 3. The remote operation signal transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch operation control unit that controls the operation of the switch unit according to a detection output signal from the orientation detection unit. 4. When the plurality of light emitting portions are arranged such that the optical axis direction of light emitted by one of the plurality of light emitting portions is along the horizontal direction, the other one of the plurality of light emitting portions emits light. 3. The remote control signal transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis direction of the light forms a predetermined elevation angle or depression angle. 5. A plurality of light emitting parts are composed of three light emitting parts, and when the optical axis direction of the light emitted from one of the three light emitting parts is along the horizontal direction, 5. The remote control signal transmission according to claim 4, wherein the optical axis directions of the lights emitted from the other two of the three light emitting units respectively have a predetermined elevation angle and depression angle. apparatus. 6. A plurality of light emitting parts are composed of first, second and third light emitting parts, and the optical axis direction of the light emitted by said first light emitting part is along the horizontal direction. , Above second
3. The remote control signal transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein the optical axis directions of the light emitted by the light emitting section and the optical axis direction of the third light emitting section form a predetermined elevation angle and a predetermined depression angle, respectively. 7. When the optical axis direction of the light emitted from the first light emitting section is along the horizontal direction, the main body of the apparatus is in a state along the horizontal direction, and the orientation detecting section is the above apparatus. The remote control signal transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein the state of forming an elevation angle and the state of forming a depression angle of the main body are detected. 8. A third light emitting unit is provided when the selecting unit indicates that the detection output signal obtained from the orientation detecting unit is in a state in which the device main body has an elevation angle of a predetermined value or more. The second light emitting portion when the portion is in a depression angle of a predetermined value or more, and the first light emitting portion when the device main body portion is in another state. 8. The remote control signal transmitting device according to claim 7, wherein the remote control signal transmitting device emits light in accordance with a control signal from the control signal forming unit. 9. The remote control signal transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting section is composed of a light emitting element which emits infrared rays according to a control signal from the control signal forming section. .