JP2008104047A - Remote controller device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a remote controller device, channel selection can be switched by pressing one button when channel numbers of two or more digits are selected.
An input key for inputting a number, a storage determining unit for determining whether or not to store a number input signal by a trigger signal, and a storage for storing the number input signal as an upper digit when selecting a number of two or more digits. The number input signal from the storage discriminating unit, the remote control signal output unit for outputting the numeric input signal, and the numeric input signal from the storage discriminating unit when the discrimination result of the numeric input signal from the memory discriminating unit is stored. By providing a control unit that instructs the remote control signal output unit to output a number that is a combination of the number stored in the storage unit and the number input signal input from the input signal processing unit when the result is not stored, the upper digits are the same The channel number can be selected by pressing the 1 button.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote controller device (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote controller) that selects a channel number having two or more digits.

  In general, when selecting a channel of a receiver with a remote controller device, the input key of the remote controller device is pressed to select a channel or UP. Select with the DOWN button.

  In the case of a channel number of 2 digits or more, the method of selecting by selecting the combination of the input keys, that is, selecting “52 channel”, is generally performed by pressing “5” and then pressing “2”. It is. However, in this case, it is inconvenient for the user because it is necessary to always press the button twice or three times when selecting a channel number of two or more digits.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, in order to select a channel number of two digits or more with one button, a memory device is provided in the remote controller device, and a channel number to be selected is stored in advance at an arbitrary address (for example, When the address button “A1” stores the channel number “52”) and the address is designated (in the example, the “A1” button is pressed), a remote control signal of the channel number to be selected is transmitted from the remote controller device. Is devised.

In the mechanism of storing an arbitrary channel number in a memory in advance, there is a patent document 2 as well, and this provides a button for specifying a genre instead of an address button, and a user stores an arbitrary channel correspondingly, A remote control signal is transmitted.
JP-A-55-026759 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-136276

  However, in the conventional configuration, in order to select a channel number of two digits or more with one button, the user needs to store an arbitrary channel in the memory in advance, and which button (which memory address) It is necessary to recognize which channel is memorized.

  In addition, since there is a one-to-one correspondence between the address buttons and the channels that can be stored, the number of address buttons must be increased when the number of channels to be stored increases.

  Similarly, the genre button and input key combination storage method may not be able to be selected with one button, and cannot be handled when the number of channels increases.

  The memory has a problem as described above, which requires more capacity as the number of channels to be remembered increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when selecting a channel number of two digits or more, it eliminates the need to store a channel to be selected in advance and can flexibly cope with an increase in the number of channels. It is possible to select and switch channel numbers of two digits or more by pressing one button without requiring a large-capacity memory.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a remote controller device according to the present invention includes an input key for inputting numbers, an input signal processing unit for detecting and processing a number input signal input from the input keys, and a trigger signal. A memory discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not to memorize a numeric input signal, a memory unit that memorizes the numeric input signal as an upper digit when selecting a number of two or more digits, a remote control signal output unit that outputs a numeric input signal, and a memory When the discrimination result of the numeric input signal from the discrimination unit is stored, the numeric input signal is stored in the storage unit, and when the discrimination result of the numeric input signal from the storage discrimination unit is not stored, the number and the input signal stored in the storage unit A control unit is provided for instructing to output to the remote control signal output unit a number obtained by combining the numeric input signals input from the processing unit.

  With this configuration, when selecting a channel number of 2 digits or more, using a high-order digit value stored in advance, when a certain numeric value is pressed, a remote control signal with the high-order digit added is sent. Thus, it is possible to select and switch channels with the same button in the tenth digit and different only in the first digit with one button.

  To describe a specific example of the above contents, when selecting “34ch” and “38ch” next, first, the numerical value “3” is stored in the storage discriminating unit and stored in the storage unit. As a result, the upper digit “3” is stored, so when “4” is pressed next, the previous “3” is combined with the currently pressed “4”, and a “34ch” remote control signal is transmitted (“3”). "Remote control signal is transmitted in the order of", "4"), and "34ch" is selected. Next, when “8” is pressed, the previous “3” is stored, so “38ch” is selected simply by pressing “8”. Channel numbers of 30 channels, that is, channel numbers with the same high-order 10th digit but different only in the first digit can be switched with one button. The upper digits continue to be stored until erasure of the storage unit is activated.

  By adopting the present invention, when a channel number of two or more digits is selected, the channel having the same upper digit can be selected and switched with one button by using the upper digit value stored in advance. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to improvement of user operability.

  Moreover, since only one upper digit is stored, the memory capacity can be greatly reduced as compared with the prior art, and even if the number of channels is increased, only the upper digit is remembered, so that it can be handled without any problem.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A basic configuration block diagram of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and will be specifically described in the embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a remote controller device for a receiver according to the present invention includes an input key 100, an input signal processing unit 101, a storage discriminating unit 102, a control unit 103, a trigger signal 104, and a storage unit (memory unit) 105. And a remote control signal output unit 106.

  The input key 100 includes buttons with numerical values of 0 to 9 and symbol buttons such as “−”, “*”, and “Exit”. When the user presses the input key 100, a key input signal is generated in the remote controller device, and a channel number or the like is selected.

  The input signal processing unit 101 is a part that processes a key input signal input with the input key 100. For example, when a numerical value “6” is input with the input key 100, a signal corresponding to the input is transmitted to the control unit 103.

  The storage discriminating unit 102 is a discriminating unit for determining whether or not to store the numerical value of the key input signal input from the input signal processing unit 101. An externally input trigger signal 104 (an external input signal used for determining whether to store) is input, and a signal indicating whether to store the numerical value of the key input signal from the input signal processing unit 101 in the control unit 103 is input. Send.

  The storage unit 105 stores the numerical value of the key input signal from the input signal processing unit 101 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 103, one digit at a time, as the upper digit value of the channel number. Alternatively, the numerical value of the upper digit stored according to the instruction of the control unit 103 is deleted.

  The control unit 103 is a part that processes and controls various signals. For example, it is controlled whether or not the numerical signal of the input signal processing unit 101 is stored in the storage unit of the storage unit 105 with the signal from the storage determination unit 102, or conversely, the numerical information stored in the storage unit 105 is stored. The remote control signal is erased, or a remote control signal is transmitted to the remote control signal output unit 106 by reading the numerical value from the storage unit 105 and combining it with the numerical value of the key input signal of the input signal processing unit 101.

  The remote control signal output unit 106 receives the remote control signal input from the control unit 103 and transmits the remote control signal to an external device such as a receiver.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the location of the memory discriminating unit 105 in FIG. 1 is realized by a pressing time detection unit that detects the long press of the button, and the trigger signal is a long press of the numeric button of the input key 100. In this example, description is made assuming that a three-digit channel number is input.

  In FIG. 2, the remote controller device for a receiver of the first embodiment includes an input key 200, an input signal processing unit 201, a pressing time detection unit 202, a control unit 203, a ten digit memory 204, It comprises a hundred digit memory 205 and a remote control signal output unit 206. Here, the input signal key 200, the input signal detection unit 201, the control unit 203, and the remote control signal output unit 206 are the same as the input key 100, the input signal processing unit 101, the control unit 103, and the remote control signal output unit 106 of FIG. The description is omitted, and a configuration different from that in FIG. 1 will be described below.

  The pressing time detection unit 202 detects a pressing time from when the numeric button of the input signal key 200 as an input key is pressed until it is released, and the pressing time is a predetermined time. If it is above, it is determined that the button is pressed for a long time, and if it is less than a predetermined time, it is determined that the button is pressed for a short time. The determination result is sent to the control unit 203 as a trigger signal indicating whether to record in the ten digit memory 204 or the hundred digit memory 205. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined time can be adjusted by setting the long press. For example, it can be freely set such that it is determined to be a long press if it is kept pressed for 3 seconds or more.

  The ten digit memory 204 and the hundred digit memory 205 correspond to the storage unit 105 in FIG. In the first embodiment, since the channel number is assumed to be a maximum of three digits, a memory is prepared for the upper ten digits and the hundred digits. Each memory can store one numerical value. A number is stored in each memory according to an instruction from the control unit 203.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the remote controller device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The conditions at this time are that the channel number corresponds to 3 digits, that the input key long press is a trigger signal for memory determination, the memory clear is 3 continuous long presses, or another key (for example, Exit key) The initial condition is that no numerical value is stored in the storage unit.

  The flow of the remote controller apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, since the remote controller device is always turned on, the starting point of the state is an input waiting state (ST300). Next, when any key is pressed, it is first determined whether or not it is a numeric key (ST301).

  If it is not a numeric key in step ST301, it is determined whether it is a storage clear key (for example, Exit key) (ST306). If it is not a storage clear key in step ST306, the process proceeds to other processing (processing corresponding to that key). (ST316). If it is the stored clear key in step ST306, it is determined whether or not the pressing time is long pressing (ST311). If it is a long press in step ST311, the numerical values stored in the storage unit (the ten digit memory 204, the hundred digit memory 205) are cleared (ST318). On the contrary, if it is not a long press in step ST311, it is determined that the current input is an input error, the input is ignored (ST317), and the process returns to the start point input waiting state (ST300).

  If the key input in step ST301 is a numeric key, it is determined whether or not it is a long press (ST302). If it is a long press in step ST301, it is determined whether or not it is the first long press (ST307).

  If it is the first time in step ST307, the numerical value coming from the input signal detection unit 201 to the control unit 203 is stored in the ten-digit memory unit 204 (ST308), and the process returns to the start point input waiting state (ST300) again.

  In step ST307, if the long press is not the first time, it is determined whether it is the second time (ST312). If the long press is the second time in step ST312, first, it is stored in the ten digit memory unit 204 so far. The numeric value that has been stored is moved to the hundred digit memory unit 205, and the numeric value input from the input signal detection unit 201 to the control unit 203 is stored in the ten digit memory unit 204 (ST313). Then, the process returns to the start point input waiting state (ST300) again.

  In step ST312, when the long press is not the second time, in this embodiment, the third time, in this case, this is regarded as a memory unit clear operation, and each memory unit, that is, ten digit memory 204, The numerical value stored in the digit memory 205 is deleted (ST318), and the process returns to the input waiting state (ST300) again.

  The above flow is a flow in which numerical values are stored or deleted in the ten digit memory 204 and the hundred digit memory 205.

  Next, if the key pressed in step ST301 is a numeric key and is not a long press, that is, if it is a short press, it is first determined whether a numerical value is stored in the hundred digit memory unit 205, which is the upper digit ( (ST303) When the numerical value is stored in the hundred digit memory unit 205 in step ST303, that is, the numerical value for the upper two digits is stored, so the numerical value of the hundred digit memory 205 is first read (ST314). Then, the numerical value is sent to the remote control signal output unit 206 (ST315). Next, similarly, the numeric value of the ten digit memory 204 is read (ST309), and the numeric value is sent to the remote control signal output unit 206 (ST310). Finally, the numerical remote control signal input by a short press is transmitted to the remote control signal output unit 206 as a single digit numerical value (ST305). When these series of processes are completed, the process returns to the input wait state (ST300) again.

  If a numerical value is not stored in the hundred digit memory 205 in step ST303, the next ten digit memory unit 204 is confirmed (ST304). If a numerical value is stored in step ST304, the numerical value in the ten digit memory 204 is read (ST309), and the value is sent to the remote control signal output unit 206 (ST310). Finally, the numerical value input by a short press now. The signal is sent to the remote control signal output unit 206 as a numerical value of one digit (ST305). When these series of processes are completed, the process returns to the input wait state (ST300) again.

  If no numeric value is stored in the ten digit memory 204 in step ST304, the numeric value of the current short press is sent to the remote control signal output unit 206 as a numeric value of one digit (ST305), and the input is waited again (ST300). Return to).

  After the process of step ST305 is completed and the process returns to step ST300, when a numeric key is input by a short press, the flow proceeds in the order of ST300 to ST305 in FIG. 3, and the channel change is performed to switch only the first digit of the channel. It will be.

  By having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and the flow algorithm shown in FIG. 3, when inputting a 2-digit or 3-digit channel number, it is possible to select a channel having the same upper digit by a single button operation. It becomes.

  As an example, when channel numbers are to be selected in the following order (3ch, 7ch, 14ch, 17ch, 19ch), the 3ch channel selection is completed by first pressing the “3” button as usual. Next, the channel selection is completed by switching to 7ch by pressing the “7” button. Next, press and hold the “1” button to store the ten-digit value “1” in the ten-digit memory 204, and then press the “4” button to complete the 14-channel tuning. Since a ten-digit value (“1”) has already been stored, 17ch can be selected by simply pressing the “7” button. Furthermore, channel selection is completed for 19ch by pressing the “9” button.

  If you want to select 105 ch after the current 19 ch, press and hold “0” to store the upper 2 digits (“1” and “0”), then “5” as the last 1 digit. When channel is selected, channel selection for 105ch is completed.

  Next, if the numbers stored in the ten digit memory 204 and the hundred digit memory 205 are to be cleared, the clear key may be pressed for a long time or other number buttons may be pressed for a long time.

  According to such a configuration, the upper digit of the channel number can be stored in the ten digit memory 204 and the hundred digit memory 205 by the channel long press trigger signal. When selecting a channel number with two or more digits, channel selection with the same upper digit can be switched with a single button operation.

  In order to clearly indicate what is currently stored in the hundredth digit and the tenth digit, the remote controller device may be equipped with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and the numerical value may be displayed on the display unit. Alternatively, the number buttons may be lit in colors indicating hundreds and tens digits (for example, if the “2” button is lit in green, the hundred digit is “2” and the “3” button If is lit red, the tenth digit is “3”, that is, 23xch).

  Further, in this embodiment, when the channel number only needs to correspond to a two-digit number, the configuration of FIG. 2 is further simplified, and the algorithm of FIG. It is self-evident that it will be very concise).

  Further, this time, the specification is that the other key is long-pressed with respect to the memory clear, but a memory clear key may be prepared separately so that the memory can be cleared by short-pressing the key.

  In this embodiment, the remote controller device selects a channel, but video content and audio content recorded on a recording medium such as HD (Hard Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and CD (Compact Disc). It is also possible to use a remote controller device that selects a recording number when playing back. In this case, the configuration of the remote controller device itself is the same, and it suffices if the recording medium device side starts reproduction by inputting the recording number.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Here, as an example of this embodiment, it is assumed that the selected channel number is considered up to three digits as in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, an input signal key 400 represents a user input key button. In addition to a numerical value button, a button “M10” serving as a trigger signal for a storage discriminating unit for a tens digit memory and a hundred digit memory, It has “M100”. The input signal detection unit 401 is a part that detects various input signals, and can detect “M10” and “M100” signals in addition to numerical signal and other button signal detection processing. The control unit 203, the ten digit memory 204, the hundred digit memory 205, and the remote control signal output unit 206 are the same as those in FIG.

  The operation in this configuration will be described. The difference from the first embodiment is how to store numerical values in the ten-digit memory section and the hundred-digit memory section. In the second embodiment, the trigger signals are both “M10” and “M100” buttons. If you want to store a numeric value in the tenth digit, first press the "M10" button. At this time, the input signal detection unit 401 detects that the “M10” button has been pressed, and enters a state of waiting for the next input key to be input. The user then presses the input key to be stored in the tenth digit. Then, the numerical value is transferred from the detection unit of the input signal detection unit 401 to the control unit of the control unit 203, and stored in the ten digit memory unit of the ten digit memory 204. Similarly, when it is desired to store numerical values in hundred digits, the “M100” button is pressed and then the numerical values to be stored are pressed.

  The subsequent operation is almost the same as in the first embodiment. When the input key is pressed, it is determined whether or not a numerical value is stored in the upper digit, and if it is stored, the numerical value and the input key that has been pressed are determined. The combined remote control signal is sent from the remote control signal output unit of the remote control signal output unit 206.

  According to such a configuration, the upper digit of the channel number can be stored by the trigger signal of the memory discrimination buttons “M10” and “M100” of the tenth digit and the hundredth digit. When selecting a channel number of two or more digits by combining with a signal, it is possible to switch between channel selections of channel numbers having the same upper digit by a single button operation.

  In order to clearly indicate what is currently stored in the hundredth digit and the tenth digit, the remote controller device may be equipped with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and the numerical value may be displayed on the display unit. Alternatively, the number buttons may be lit in colors indicating hundreds and tens digits (for example, if the “2” button is lit in green, the hundred digit is “2” and the “3” button If is lit red, the tenth digit is “3”, that is, 23xch).

  The remote controller for a receiver according to the present invention makes it possible to store a high-order digit in advance when selecting a channel number of two or more digits and to select a program in combination with it, so that the number of channels increases. It is useful as a new interface for channel selection in fields such as digital TV, cable TV (including STB), and IP TV.

  In addition, the number of recordable contents is increasing due to an increase in storage capacity of recording media. It is also useful as an interface when searching for recorded content in a recording medium.

Basic configuration block diagram of the present invention Configuration block diagram according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Embodiment 1 Remote Controller Device Flowchart Configuration block diagram in Embodiment 2 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Input key 101 Input signal processing part 102 Memory | storage discrimination | determination part 103 Control part 104 Trigger signal 105 Storage part 106 Remote control signal output part 200 Input signal key 201 Input signal detection part 202 Press time detection part 203 Control part 204 Memory for ten digits 205 Memory for hundred digits 206 Remote control signal output unit 400 Input signal key 401 Input signal detection unit

Claims (6)

An input key for inputting a number, an input signal processing unit for detecting and processing a numeric input signal inputted from the input key, a storage discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not to store the numeric input signal by a trigger signal, A storage unit that stores the numeric input signal as an upper digit at the time of a number selection station of two or more digits, a remote control signal output unit that outputs the numeric input signal, and a discrimination result of the numeric input signal from the storage discrimination unit When storing, the numerical input signal is stored in the storage unit, and when the determination result of the numerical input signal from the storage determination unit is not stored, the number stored in the storage unit and the input signal processing unit input A remote controller device comprising a control unit that instructs to output a number including a numeric input signal to the remote control signal output unit. The remote controller device according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal stores the numeric input signal when the input key is pressed for a predetermined time longer than a predetermined time. The remote controller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal stores the numeric input signal when an upper digit memory button is pressed. 4. The remote controller apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory erase button for erasing a numerical value stored in the storage unit. The remote controller apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a numerical value of an upper digit stored in the storage unit. 5. The remote controller device according to claim 1, wherein a numerical value of an upper digit stored in the storage unit is displayed in a lighting color of a numeric button of the input key.

Images