JPH09247773A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller in which various driving functions on a remote controller and the visibility of the display thereof are improved and the button operation is easy. SOLUTION: A remote controller of the present embodiment is for operating an air conditioner, and has a main body 1 and an operation control unit 2
A liquid crystal display section 3 and a run / stop button 4. The function designation button 21 is provided at one location at the upper left end of the display matrix 5. Further, below the liquid crystal display unit 3, a function display symbol 22 for notifying the column designated by the function designation button is displayed. Mode designation button 1
1, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are arranged in one column at the left end of the display matrix 5, and specify a specific mode in the driving function specified by the function specifying button 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote controller for operating the operation of household appliances such as air conditioners and appliances such as operation panels of various facilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various appliances, particularly household appliances such as air conditioners, have been increasing in function. For example, in air conditioners, in addition to switching of operating functions such as cooling, heating, and dry, the temperature rise and fall and the air volume The mode corresponding to each driving function such as strength can be finely set. Although these operations can also be performed by the remote controller, the number of buttons on the remote controller is increasing with the increase in such functions, and thus the operation of the buttons is complicated. Also, since the size of the button itself cannot be reduced because the main body of the remote controller cannot be made too large, the display is small when the driving function is displayed directly on the button or when the display is displayed near the button. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that these displays are difficult to see.

This makes it difficult for a person who is vulnerable to the machine to operate it, and the number of operation buttons is often so disgusting even before he / she looks at the remote controller. On the other hand, if the number of buttons is simply reduced, the function provided to improve the functionality of the product cannot be operated by the remote controller, which is inconvenient.

In order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, in some remote controllers, buttons that are not frequently used are hidden by an opening / closing lid provided on the operation surface of the remote controller, and only buttons that are frequently used are provided on the operation surface. The number of buttons arranged on the surface has been reduced to reduce resistance to the remote controller and improve operability.

However, there is a limit to reducing the number of frequently used buttons, and it is necessary to provide a certain number of buttons. In addition, it is inconvenient to open and close the door for buttons that are used less frequently.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to improve a remote controller, and more specifically, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience, the visibility of various driving functions on the remote controller and the display of the modes thereof is improved. It is an object of the present invention to improve and provide a remote controller that is easy to operate buttons. Another object is to reduce the number of buttons to expand the display area and reduce the cost.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote controller of the present invention is a remote controller for operating an appliance having a plurality of kinds of driving functions, and a plurality of kinds of driving showing the driving functions. A display matrix is provided in which the function displays are arranged in the same row or the same column, and a plurality of mode displays respectively showing specific modes of the respective driving functions are arranged in the same column or the same row corresponding to the driving function display, and each row of the display matrix is provided. And a column designation button for designating each column.

According to this, since the various driving functions and their specific modes are displayed in an organized state on the display matrix, it is possible to find out what kind of function or specific mode by just looking at the display matrix. I know if there is. Further, in the remote controller of the present invention, the mode displays corresponding to the same driving function display are arranged in the same column or the same row. Therefore, for example, when different driving functions are displayed in each row, a specific mode corresponding to this driving function is displayed in each column.
It is possible to grasp at a glance what kind of concrete mode each driving function has, and the operation becomes easy.

It is preferable that the remote controller is provided with display means for notifying that the row or column designated by the row designation button or the column designation button is recognized so that the row or column is recognized. According to this,
When the line designation button is pressed, the line designated thereby is notified by the display means. Therefore, for example, when different driving functions are displayed in each row and the display means is provided on the respective rows, the specified driving function is notified by the display means and becomes clear, so that the designation of each mode is facilitated.

It is preferable that, for each of the designation buttons, the row designation button is provided in one column for each row of the display matrix, and the column designation button is provided in one row for each column of the display matrix. According to this, since the designating button is provided for each driving function, and the designating button is provided for each specific aspect of the driving function, the row or column can be directly moved by pressing each designating button. Each driving function and its specific mode can be selected and designated. Therefore, each driving function arranged in the display matrix and its specific mode can be directly designated by each designation button, which facilitates the operation.

Alternatively, either the row designation button or the column designation button may be provided in one column for each row or one row for each column, and the other designation button may be one designation button. . In this case, the specification of each row and each column is
The designation button of each row or column on the one side is used, and the column or row is designated by switching the display of the display means by repeating the operation of the one designation button on the other side. According to this, since only one of the designation buttons in each row or each column is designated, it is possible to reduce the number of buttons as compared with the case where each row or each column is provided with a button.

As an example of this mode, each driving function is arranged in each column, and a specific mode corresponding to this is arranged in each row,
The column designating button is one designating button, and the row designating button is provided in each column. In this case, the display of the display means is switched by repeating the operation of one column designating button to select the driving function arranged in each column, and the specific driving function selected by the row designating button arranged in each row is selected. The mode will be designated.

Each of the designation buttons may be a single designation button, and the display means may be provided in each row or each column. In this case, the display means of each row or each column is switched by repeating the operation of each one designation button to specify the row or column, and each operation function arranged in each row or each column or its specific mode. Is specified. According to this, since each designated button can be made into one respectively, the number of buttons can be reduced significantly.

By reducing the number of buttons as described above, the size of the buttons themselves can be increased, so that the visibility and operability are improved. In addition, the visibility of each driving function and each function can be increased, so that the visibility is improved. Further, the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of buttons.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, the remote controller of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a remote controller of the present invention. The remote controller of the present embodiment is for operating an air conditioner, and has a main body 1 with a drive operation unit 2, a liquid crystal display unit 3, and a drive / stop button 4.

The driving operation unit 2 includes a display matrix 5 in which each driving function and concrete modes corresponding to the driving function are arranged in a matrix, and function designating buttons 6, 7, 8 for designating each driving function. 9, 10 and mode designating buttons 11, 12, 13, for designating a specific mode in each driving function,
It consists of 14 and 15. In the present embodiment, the function designating buttons 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are arranged in one row for each function at the top of the display matrix 5, and the function designating buttons 6, 7, 8, are arranged. , 9 and 10 specify the columns of the display matrix 5. That is, the function designating buttons 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are column designating buttons. These operating functions include "temperature setting" and "operation switching".
There are "timer", "air volume" and "wind direction".

Mode designation buttons 11, 12, 13, 14,
15 are arranged in one column on the left end of the display matrix 5, and function specifying buttons 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 are arranged.
The specific mode of the driving function designated by is designated. That is, this mode designation button 11, 12, 1
3, 14 and 15 are row designation buttons.

In the display matrix 5, the modes corresponding to the respective driving functions are arranged in one column. For the driving function of "temperature setting", the modes of "increase" and "decrease" are displayed, and "operation" is displayed. "Switch" is "automatic""heating"
Each mode of "cooling", "dry", and "blowing" is displayed. Similarly, for "Timer", click "On".
"Off" or "On / Off", but "Air volume" is "Automatic"
“Weak” and “fine”, but “0 °” and “20” for “wind direction”
Each mode of “°”, “40 °”, “60 °”, and “swing” is displayed.

The liquid crystal display unit 3 displays the settings designated by the operation unit 2 and the operating condition of the air conditioner. In the state shown in FIG. 1, "operation" is "heating" and "air volume" is "strong". The "temperature setting" is "26 ° C". The "timer" is set to "on" and the "wind direction" is set to "swing".

Next, the operation of the remote controller of this embodiment will be described. First, when the run / stop button 4 is pressed while the air conditioner is stopped, the air conditioner is started. Regarding the driving function and its mode at this time, the condition of the previous operation is stored, and the air conditioner is controlled in that state. If the user wants to change the temperature setting from this state, press the temperature setting function designation button 6,
If the user wants to raise the temperature, he or she pushes the mode designation button 11 in the row in the display matrix 5 where "raise" is displayed. On the contrary, when it is desired to lower the temperature, the mode designation button 12 on the line in which "lower" is displayed is pressed. Then, the temperature setting display 16 of the liquid crystal display unit 3 is switched by 1 ° C and the operation of the air conditioner is controlled so that the room temperature becomes the newly set temperature. When the "temperature setting" is selected, the temperature setting is not switched even if the buttons 13, 14, and 15 are pressed.

In this embodiment, since the display of each function and the mode corresponding to the function are displayed in a matrix, what kind of function is provided in this air conditioner?
Since it is possible to know at a glance what kind of form there is, it becomes easier for the user to understand the function and the form. In addition, buttons are provided in each of the rows and columns, which makes the operation easier.

Further, in the present embodiment, the function designating buttons 6 to 10 are formed of a light-transmissive member as a notifying means, and a light emitting diode is built in the function designating button. You may make it light-emit. According to this, for example, when the user wants to turn off the timer, the "timer" function designation button 8
When is pressed, the built-in light emitting diode emits light to notify the user that the function designating button 8 has been pressed. Therefore, the user can know at a glance which function designation button was pressed. Next, the user presses the mode designation button 12 for turning off the timer.

Further, as another notifying means in the present embodiment, the display matrix 5 is formed of a translucent member and a light emitting diode is built therein, and the light emitting diode emits light when the function designation button is pressed. You may allow it. In this case, for example, if the user presses the "timer" function designation button 8 when he wants to turn the timer off,
The light emitting diode provided inside the display of "ON", "OFF" and "ON / OFF" of the mode corresponding to the selected function emits light. Therefore, the user can know at a glance which function designation button was pressed. Next, the user turns off the timer.
Then, the mode designation button 12 for changing the mode is pressed. Then, only the display of "OFF" of the display matrix 5 emits a light to notify that the timer is "OFF".

As described above, when the notifying means is provided in the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to see at a glance which function designating button is pressed, and therefore the operation becomes easier.

Next, another embodiment of the remote controller of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one function designation button 21 is provided as a column designation button at the upper left end of the display matrix 5. Further, below the liquid crystal display unit 3, a function display symbol 22 is displayed as a display means for informing the column designated by the function designation button. Since other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, for example, when the user wants to switch the operation of the air conditioner from "heating" to "automatic", first, the function designation button 21 is pressed. Then, since the function display symbols 22 are sequentially switched in the lateral direction, the function designation button 21 is pressed as many times as necessary to move the function display symbols 22 to the desired function display (in this case, "operation switching"). As shown in FIG. 2, when the function display symbol 22 moves to the display of "operation switching", the mode specifying button 11 in the row in which "automatic" is displayed in the column of "operation switching" is pressed. Push. Then, the display 23 of "operation" on the liquid crystal display unit 3 is switched from "heating" to "automatic", and the air conditioner starts automatic operation.

According to the present embodiment, since each operation function is designated by one function designation button 21, the number of buttons can be reduced as compared with the case where each function is provided with a function designation button. .

Next, another embodiment of the remote controller of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the function designation button 21 as the column designation button is located outside the upper left corner of the display matrix 5.
It is provided in places. The function designating button 21 has a triangular shape so as to clearly show that it is a button designating a function, and its vertices are directed to the display of each function. Further, below the liquid crystal display unit 3, a function display symbol 22 is provided as a display means for informing the column designated by the function designation button.
Is displayed.

The mode designation button 3 is used as the row designation button.
1 is provided at one location outside the lower left end of the display matrix 5. Further, the second liquid crystal display unit 32 is provided on the left side of the display matrix 5, and the mode display symbol 33 is displayed as a display means for notifying the line designated by the mode designation button 31. Also, the function designation button 21
Has a triangular shape to clearly show that it is a button that specifies a function, and its vertices are directed to the display of each function. The mode designating button 31 also has a triangular shape so as to clearly show that it is also a mode designating button, and its vertices are directed to the second liquid crystal display unit 32 and the mode display symbol 33.

Further, in this embodiment, the temperature setting buttons 34,
35 is provided separately from the display matrix 5,
The set temperature is increased by 1 ° C. when the button 34 displayed as “increase” is pressed, and the set temperature is decreased by 1 ° C when the button 35 in which “down” is displayed is pressed. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, for example, when the user wants to switch the air volume from "automatic" to "weak", first,
Press the function designation button 21. Then, the function display symbol 22
Are sequentially switched in the horizontal direction, so that the function designation button 21 is pressed as many times as necessary so that the function display symbol 22 moves to the desired function display (in this case, "air volume"). Next, FIG.
As shown in, when the function display symbol 22 moves above the display of "air volume", the mode designation button 31 is pressed. Then, since the mode display symbols 33 are sequentially switched in the vertical direction, the mode specifying button 31 is pressed as many times as necessary to move the mode display symbols 33 to the line of the target mode display (this time, "weak"). Then, the "air volume" display 34 of the liquid crystal display unit 3 is switched from "automatic" to "weak" and the air volume of the air conditioner is switched to weak.

According to the present embodiment, each operation function is switched by one function designating button 21, and each mode is switched by one mode designating button 31. The number of buttons can be reduced as compared with the case where each designated button is provided.

According to the remote controller of the present invention,
As described above, since each function and the specific mode corresponding to the function are displayed in a matrix, it is easy to understand each function and the like. Moreover, since the number of buttons on the remote controller can be reduced, it is possible to provide a remote controller that can be easily operated by a person who is weak in the machine. Further, the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of buttons.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the function designating button is the column designating button and the mode designating button is the row designating button. On the contrary, the function designating button is the row designating button and the mode designating button. May be used as the column designation button.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a remote controller of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the remote controller of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the remote controller of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Remote controller main body, 2 ... Driving operation section, 3 ...
Liquid crystal display section, 4 ... Run / stop button, 5 ... Display matrix, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 31 ... Function designation button (column designation button), 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 ...
Aspect designation button (row designation button), 22 ... Function display symbol (display means), 33 ... Aspect display symbol (display means).

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A remote controller for operating an appliance having a plurality of types of driving functions, wherein a plurality of types of driving function displays indicating the driving functions are arranged in the same row or in the same column, and specific modes of the respective driving functions are described. A display matrix is provided in which a plurality of mode displays respectively shown are arranged in the same column or the same row corresponding to the operation function display, and a row designating button for designating each row of the display matrix and a column designating button for designating each column are provided. A remote controller characterized by that. 2. The remote controller according to claim 1, further comprising display means for notifying a row or a column designated by the row designation button or the column designation button. 3. The row designating button is provided in one column for each row of the display matrix, and the column designating button is provided in one row for each column of the display matrix. Alternatively, the remote controller described in 2. 4. One of the row designating button and the column designating button is arranged in one column for each row or one for each column.
It is provided in one row, the other designated button is one designated button, the row or column is designated by the designated button of each one row or each column, and the display is made by repeating the operation of the other designated button. 3. The remote controller according to claim 2, wherein display of means is switched to specify a column or a row. 5. A display means for notifying a row and a column designated by the row designation button and the column designation button is provided,
The row designating button and the column designating button are each designated as one designating button, and the row and column of the display matrix are designated by switching the display of the display means by repeatedly operating the respective designating buttons. The remote controller according to claim 1.