JP2008199363A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller, the convenience of which has been improved by suppressing the deterioration in operability caused by whether a hand holding a main body is a right hand or a left hand. <P>SOLUTION: In the remote controller 1, momentary switches 5a are arranged side by side on each of both side surfaces. It is judged whether a user holds the remote controller 1 with the right hand or the left hand on the basis of a distribution of pressed momentary switches 5a on the both side surfaces, and functions of operation keys 4a are changed in accordance with a hand holding the remote controller 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely operating a main device such as a television device, a DVD player, or a DVD recorder.

  Conventionally, many home appliances such as a television device, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, and the like have a configuration that can be remotely operated by a remote control device. As is well known, the remote control device transmits a control signal corresponding to the operated operation key by infrared rays or radio waves. The main device receives the control signal sent from the remote control device, and controls the operation of the main body based on the received control signal.

  In addition, with the increase in the number of functions of the main device, the types of control signals transmitted by the remote control device are also increasing. Along with this, increasing the number of operation keys provided on the remote control device decreases the user's convenience, so a shift key is provided on the side of the remote control device, and it corresponds to the operated key depending on whether this shift key is pressed or not It has been proposed to switch functions to be performed (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, in order to improve user convenience, a remote control device has also been proposed in which a user can freely set a function corresponding to an operation key provided in the remote control device (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-295673 A JP-A-6-189374

  However, many users take the remote control device placed on a table or the like with a hand (right hand or left hand) that is easy to pick according to the situation at the site. For this reason, the user may operate the remote control device by grasping it with the right hand or by grasping it with the left hand. Since the function corresponding to each operation key is determined in advance in the conventional remote control device, even if the operation key is arranged at a position where it can be easily operated when grasped with the right hand or the left hand, the opposite hand is used. It may be difficult to operate when grasping. That is, there is a problem that the operability is not good when the user's hand holding the remote control device is either the right hand or the left hand.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device that suppresses a decrease in operability caused by whether a hand holding a main body is a right hand or a left hand and improves usability.

  In order to solve the above problems, the remote control device of the present invention is configured as follows.

  When any of the plurality of operation keys provided on the surface is operated, the sending unit sends out a control signal instructing execution of a function corresponding to the operated key. This control signal is received by the main apparatus, and controls the operation of the main apparatus main body based on the control signal received by the main apparatus. In addition, a plurality of detection elements that detect whether or not they are pressed are arranged on both side surfaces. The detection element is, for example, a tact switch or a piezoelectric sensor. The determination unit determines whether the user is holding the remote control device main body with the right hand or the left hand based on the distribution of the detection elements that are detecting that the pressure is being pressed. A state in which a finger or a palm hits both sides differs depending on whether the hand is held with the right hand or the left hand. Based on this difference, the determination unit determines whether the user's hand holding the remote control device body is the right hand or the left hand. Then, the instruction unit reads out a function corresponding to the operated operation key from the storage unit according to the grip hand determined by the determination unit, and sends out a control signal instructing execution of the function. To instruct.

  In this way, it is determined whether the user is holding the remote control device main body with the right hand or the left hand, and the function corresponding to the operation key is switched according to the determination result, so the hand holding the main body is A decrease in operability caused by the right hand or the left hand is suppressed. As a result, usability can be improved.

  Further, the distribution of the detection elements in which the detection elements are arranged side by side and the determination unit detects that the detection unit is pressed among the plurality of detection elements arranged on the side surface and the back surface. Based on the above, it may be determined whether the user's hand is a right hand or a left hand. In this way, it is possible to accurately determine whether the user is holding the palm on the surface of the main body or whether the user is holding the back of the main body with a palm, whether the user is holding the main body with the right hand, It can improve the accuracy of judging whether or not you are grasping.

  According to this invention, it is determined whether the user is holding the main body with the right hand or the left hand, and the function corresponding to the operation key is switched according to the determination result, so the hand holding the main body is The decrease in operability caused by the right hand or the left hand is suppressed, and as a result, the usability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the remote control device of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the remote control device of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control device 1 includes a control unit 2, a storage unit 3, an operation unit 4, a gripping hand detection unit 5, and a sending unit 6. The control unit 2 controls the operation of each part of the main body. The storage unit 3 stores function correspondence data described later. The operation unit 4 has a plurality of operation keys 4a provided on the surface of the main body. The operation unit 4 inputs a signal indicating whether or not the operation key 4a is operated to the control unit 2. The grip detection unit 5 has a plurality of tact switches 5a arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction on both side surfaces of the main body. Further, the grip detection unit 5 inputs a signal indicating whether or not the tactile switch 5a is pressed to the control unit 2 for each tact switch 5a. The sending unit 6 sends the control signal instructed from the control unit 2 by infrared rays or radio waves.

Whether the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand or the left based on a signal indicating whether or not each tact switch 5a input from the grip detection unit 5 is pressed. It has the function to judge. The state in which the user grips the remote control device 1 includes not only whether the user grips with the right hand or the left hand, but also whether the user grips the front surface with a palm or the back surface on the palm. In other words, how to grip the remote control device 1 by the user is roughly divided,
(A) Hold the palm with the right hand on the front (B) Hold the back with the right hand on the palm (C) Hold the palm with the left hand on the front (D) Hold the back with the left hand on the palm There are four ways of gripping.

In the above gripping method (A), the tact switch 5a on the right side is pressed with the little finger, the ring finger, and the middle finger, and the tact switch 5a on the left side is pressed with the thumb. The index finger does not press the tact switch 5a to operate the operation key 4a.
In the gripping method (B), the tact switch 5a on the right side is pressed with the palm, and the tact switch 5a on the left side is pressed with the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger. The thumb does not press the tact switch 5a to operate the operation key 4a.
In the gripping method (C), the tact switch 5a on the right side is pressed with the thumb, and the tact switch 5a on the left side is pressed with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger. The index finger does not press the tact switch 5a to operate the operation key 4a.
Further, in the above-described gripping method (D), the tact switch 5a on the right side is pressed with the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger, and the tact switch 5a on the left side is pressed with the palm. The thumb does not press the tact switch 5a to operate the operation key 4a.

  FIGS. 3A to 3D schematically show tact switches 5a pressed by the above-described gripping methods (A) to (D). In FIG. 3, the tact switch 5a to be pressed is hatched. As is apparent from FIG. 3, when the remote control device 1 is gripped so as to cover the palm, the tact switch 5a is only pressed with the thumb on one side surface, so that the tact switch 5a to be pressed is small. On the other hand, when the remote control device 1 is gripped on the palm, a certain number of tact switches 5a are pressed on both side surfaces. Therefore, if the number of tact switches 5a being pressed on one side is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 2 to 3), the user holds the remote control device 1 so that the user can put his palm on the surface. I can judge. Further, in this case, if the side surface in which the number of tact switches 5a being pressed is equal to or less than the predetermined number is the left side surface, the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand and, on the contrary, the tact being pressed. If the side surface in which the number of the switches 5a is equal to or less than the predetermined number is the right side surface, it can be determined that the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the left hand.

  Further, when the number of tact switches 5a being pressed is not less than a predetermined number on both side surfaces, it can be determined that the user is holding the remote control device 1 so as to put it on the palm. When the user holds the remote control device 1 so as to put it on the palm, the number of tact switches 5a pressed on both side surfaces is substantially the same, but the side pressed by the palm is pressed by the finger. As shown in FIG. 3, the tact switch 5a disposed on the lower side of the side surface is pressed. That is, if the side surface to which the tact switch 5a disposed on the lower side is pressed is the right side surface, the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand, and conversely, the tact switch 5a disposed on the lower side is pressed. If the side surface is the left side, it can be determined that the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the left hand.

  The control unit 2 determines whether the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand or the left hand based on the distribution of the pressed tact switches 5a on the tact switches 5a provided on both side surfaces. .

  Here, generally, when the remote control device 1 is held with the right hand, the operation key 4a located on the left side of the main body is easier to operate than the operation key 4a located on the right side. On the other hand, when the remote control device 1 is held with the left hand, the operation key 4a located on the left side of the main body is easier to operate than the operation key 4a located on the right side. In addition, the remote control device 1 includes an operation key 4a having a high operation frequency and an operation key 4a having a low operation frequency. For example, when the main device is a television device, the channel up / down keys and the volume up / down keys are frequently operated, and the mute key for turning on / off the mute function and the OSD display such as the channel number are turned on / off. The OSD key to be turned off has a low operation frequency.

  The storage unit 3 stores function correspondence data in which the functions of the operation keys 4a are associated with each other when the remote control device 1 is held with the right hand and when the remote control device 1 is held with the left hand. (See FIG. 4). In this function-corresponding data, when being held with the right hand, functions having high operation frequency (such as channel up / down and volume up / down described above) are associated with the operation keys 4a located on the left side, and vice versa. A function with a low operation frequency (mute, OSD display, etc. described above) is associated with the operation key 4a located on the right side. Further, when the hand is held with the left hand, a function with high operation frequency is associated with the operation key 4a located on the right side, and a function with low operation frequency is associated with the operation key 4a located on the left side. Also, among the operation keys that are not frequently operated or not operated, the associated functions are the same when the hand is held with the right hand and when the hand is held with the left hand. There are also things.

  Next, the operation of the remote control device 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of this remote control device. The control unit 2 waits for any one of the operation keys 4a to be operated (s1). When any one of the operation keys 4a is operated, the controller 2 holds the remote control device 1 with the right hand based on the distribution of the tact switches 5a that are pressed with respect to the tact switches 5a provided on both sides. It is determined whether the user is holding or holding with the left hand (s2). First, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the number of tact switches 5a being pressed is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number on one side surface (s11). If the number of tact switches 5a being pressed on one side is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number, it is determined whether the one side is the right side or the left side (s12). If it is the right side, it is determined that the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the left hand (s14), and if it is the left side, it is determined that the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand (s15).

  Further, the control unit 2 determines that the tact switch 5a on the lower side is pressed if the number of tact switches 5a being pressed is not less than a predetermined number on both side surfaces (in the case of N in s11). It is determined whether it is the right side or the left side (s13). If the side surface on which the lower tact switch 5a is pressed is the right side surface, the control unit 2 determines that the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand in s15, and conversely the lower tact switch 5a. If the side surface on which is pressed is the left side surface, it is determined in s14 that the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the left hand.

  When the control unit 2 determines that the user's hand holding the remote control device 1 is the right hand, the control unit 2 is operated this time when the user is holding with the right hand based on the function corresponding data stored in the storage unit 3. The function corresponding to the key is determined (s3). On the other hand, when the user determines that the hand holding the remote control device 1 is the left hand, the key operated this time when the user is holding with the left hand based on the function corresponding data stored in the storage unit 3. The function corresponding to is determined (s4). The control unit 2 instructs the sending unit 6 to send a control signal according to the function determined in s3 or s4 (s5). As a result, a control signal for the main apparatus is sent from the sending unit 6 by infrared rays or radio waves.

  As described above, according to the remote control device 1 of this embodiment, whether the user is holding the remote control device 1 with the right hand or the left hand is determined by the tact switches 5a arranged side by side on both sides. Since the function of the operation key 4a can be changed according to the hand being gripped, the user-friendliness can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, tact switches 5a are also arranged side by side on the back side of the remote control device 1, and the control unit 2 determines whether the tact switch 5a arranged on the back side is pressed or not. It may be determined whether the remote control device 1 is gripped or put on the palm. In this way, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether the user's hand holding the remote control device 1 is the right hand or the left hand.

  The main device is not limited to the television device, but may be other devices such as a DVD player, a DVD recorder, and an air conditioner.

  The tact switch 5a described above may be an element that can detect whether or not it is pressed, and can be replaced with, for example, a piezoelectric sensor.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the remote control apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the remote control apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pressing state of the tact switch by the difference in how to grip the remote control device. It is a figure which shows the function corresponding | compatible data which a memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of this remote control device. It is a flowchart which shows the process which judges the hand holding the remote control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the remote control apparatus of another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1- remote control device 2-control unit 3-storage unit 4-operation unit 4a-operation key 5-grip detection unit 5a-tact switch 6-sending unit

Claims (4)

A plurality of operation keys provided on the surface;
In a remote control device comprising a sending unit that sends a control signal instructing execution of a function corresponding to the operated operation key when any of the operation keys is operated,
A plurality of tact switches for detecting whether or not the pressure is pressed are arranged side by side on both side surfaces and the back surface, and based on the distribution of the tact switches that are detected to be pressed, the user's hand grip is A determination unit for determining whether it is a right hand or a left hand;
A storage unit that stores an operation key and a function corresponding to the operation key in association with each hand;
An instruction unit that reads out a function corresponding to the operated operation key from the storage unit according to the grip hand determined by the determination unit, and instructs the transmission unit to send a control signal instructing execution of the function; A remote control device. A plurality of operation keys provided on the surface;
In a remote control device comprising a sending unit that sends a control signal instructing execution of a function corresponding to the operated operation key when any of the operation keys is operated,
A plurality of detection elements that detect whether or not the pressure is pressed are arranged side by side on both side surfaces, and the user's grip is the right hand based on the distribution of the detection elements that are detected to be pressed Or a determination unit for determining whether the left hand is
A storage unit that stores an operation key and a function corresponding to the operation key in association with each gripping hand,
An instruction unit that reads out a function corresponding to the operated operation key from the storage unit according to the grip hand determined by the determination unit, and instructs the transmission unit to send a control signal instructing execution of the function; A remote control device. The sensing elements are arranged side by side on the back surface,
The determination unit may determine whether the user's grip is the right hand or the left hand based on the distribution of the detection elements that are detected to be pressed among the plurality of detection elements arranged on the side surface and the back surface. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not.   The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the detection element is a tact switch.

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