JP2016005265A - Radio operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio operation device which is capable of transmitting much information and of which the power consumption is reduced.SOLUTION: A radio operation device (remote controller 10) is provided. The radio operation device includes: a first radio transmission section (RF communication section 140) configured to transmit first operation information to operation target equipment by radio; a second radio transmission section (IR communication section 150) configured to transmit second operation information of which the information quantity is less than that of the first operation information, to the operation target equipment by radio; and an operation mode control section (main microcomputer 100) configured to execute control for switching between a normal mode that is a state in which the first operation information can be transmitted by the first radio transmission section and a low power consumption mode that is a state in which the second operation information can be transmitted by the second radio transmission section, and to execute control for switching from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode when an operation by a user is detected under the low power consumption mode.

Description

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless operation device capable of operating a target device wirelessly.

  Some wireless operation devices (so-called remote controllers) that can operate a television or the like wirelessly have a function of transmitting a user operation to the television or the like using infrared (IR) communication that has been used for some time. In recent years, a wireless operation device equipped with a sensor such as a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor) or an acceleration sensor transmits RF information (high frequency communication) in order to transmit more information than a general wireless operation device before that. There is one that transmits a user's operation to a television or the like using the. Although the wireless operation device using RF communication is excellent in that a large amount of information can be transmitted, there is a problem that power consumption increases. By the way, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that includes a vibration sensor that detects vibration generated when a user grips the remote control, and puts the remote control in a sleep state into an operating state. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for sending a request in a lump from a terminal that supports a plurality of communication methods when there are a plurality of devices to which the request is sent and each uses a different communication method. . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228688 discloses a technique in which a command is sent to a module capable of IR (infrared) and RF communication connected to a network, and the module sends a command to each terminal through IR and RF communication. It is disclosed.

JP 2012-74895 A JP 2013-168885 A JP 2006-522556 A

  However, in conventional techniques including the technique described in the above-mentioned patent document, a remote control using IR communication and a remote control using RF communication are basically operated independently of each other with a single operation device. There was no remote controller that effectively switched between IR communication and RF communication. Furthermore, as described above, the remote control using RF communication increases the amount of information that can be transmitted, but the power consumption is high. The remote control using IR communication has a low power consumption but the amount of information that can be transmitted is small. There was no remote control that worked well.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference numerals and the like in the drawings are appended in parentheses, but each component of the present invention is not limited to these appendices. It should be construed broadly to the extent that contractors can technically understand.

Means 1 of the present invention include
A first radio configured to be able to wirelessly transmit first operation information (detection result information by a gyro sensor and key operation information) determined based on an operation by a user with respect to an operation target device (device such as a television). A transmission unit (RF communication unit 140);
A second wireless transmission unit configured to be able to wirelessly transmit second operation information (only key operation information) that is determined based on an operation by a user with respect to the operation target device and has a smaller amount of information than the operation information. (IR communication unit 150);
A normal mode in which the first operation information can be transmitted by the first wireless transmission unit, and a low power consumption mode (RF function sleep mode) in which the second operation information can be transmitted by the second wireless transmission unit And an operation mode control unit configured to be able to switch from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode when an operation by the user is detected in the low power consumption mode. A wireless operation device (remote control 10).

  For example, a remote controller that can transmit a relatively large amount of information using RF (high frequency) communication has high power consumption as described above, and requires a certain amount of time to return from the sleep mode. On the other hand, a remote controller that can transmit relatively little information using IR (infrared) communication has lower power consumption, although the amount of information that can be transmitted is smaller than that of RF communication. According to the wireless operation device (remote control 10) having the above-described configuration, the user can effectively use these RF communication (corresponding to the first wireless transmission unit) and IR communication (corresponding to the second wireless transmission unit). It becomes possible to improve the operability by. That is, when the user wants to use the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) immediately, the operation target device (TV or the like) can be operated by the IR communication function although there is a function limitation due to the limitation of the amount of information that can be transmitted. At the same time, the process of returning the RF communication function from the sleep mode is performed, and when the RF communication function is restored, the subsequent operation of the operation target device by the user can be executed by the RF communication function.

Means 2 of the present invention
The second wireless transmission unit (RF communication unit) is the wireless operation device (remote control 10) of the means 1 configured to transmit the second operation information using infrared rays.

  According to the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) configured as described above, it is possible to transmit information on the operation by the user to the operation target device by IR (infrared) communication before the return of the RF function from the sleep mode.

Means 3 of the present invention
A displacement detector (gyro sensor 120) configured to detect the displacement;
The operation mode control unit (CPU 100) is configured to be controllable to switch from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode based on detection of displacement occurrence (detection of vibration or the like) by the displacement detection unit. The wireless operation device (remote control 10) of the means 1 or 2 is characterized.

  According to the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) having the above-described configuration, it is possible to start the return from the sleep mode of the RF function from the timing when the user lifts the remote controller in order to operate the operation target device. Can be further increased.

The means 4 of the present invention
The wireless operation according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein an operation icon displayed on the operation target device in the normal mode is different from an operation icon displayed on the operation target device in the low power consumption mode. Device (remote controller 10).

  According to the wireless operation device (remote control 10) having the above configuration, the operation icon displayed on the operation target device is different between the normal mode and the low power consumption mode (RF function sleep mode). ) Can be easily recognized by the user. Thereby, it becomes possible to further improve operability.

The figure which shows the structural example of a remote control. The flowchart which shows remote control operation processing.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described according to the following configuration with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.
1. Embodiments (1) Configuration Example of Remote Control (2) Specific Example of Remote Control Operation Processing Supplementary items 3. Features of the present invention

<1. Embodiment>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

<(1) Configuration example of remote control>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a remote controller according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote controller 10 includes a main microcomputer 100, operation keys 110, a gyro sensor 120, a power control unit 130, an RF communication unit 140, and an IR communication unit 150.

<Main microcomputer 100>
The main microcomputer 100 is a control unit configured to be able to execute various processes in the remote controller 10, and based on a user operation detected by the operation key 110 or the gyro sensor 120, the power control unit 130 and the RF communication unit 140. , And the IR communication unit 150 are configured to be controllable. The main microcomputer 100 includes a timer inside and is configured to be able to measure time. The main microcomputer 100 generates operation information based on the detection result of the user's key operation by the operation key 110 and the detection result of the user's operation on the remote controller 10 by the gyro sensor 120, and the generated operation information is transmitted to the RF communication unit. 140 or the IR communication unit 150 is configured to be able to transmit to a television as an operation target device. The main microcomputer 100 is configured to be able to switch between a normal mode provided as an operation mode of the remote controller 10 and a low power consumption mode.

  When the operation mode is the normal mode, the main microcomputer 100 controls the power supply control unit 130 so that power is supplied to all of the operation keys 110, the gyro sensor 120, the RF communication unit 140, and the IR communication unit 150. . At this time, if neither the operation key 110 nor the gyro sensor 120 detects an operation by the user for a certain time or longer, the main microcomputer 100 shifts the operation mode from the normal mode to the low power consumption mode. When the operation mode is the normal mode, the main microcomputer 100 generates operation information based on the detection result of the user's operation by the gyro sensor 120 and the detection result of the user's key input by the operation key 110, and this operation information Can be transmitted to the operation target device via the RF communication unit 140.

  When the operation mode is the low power consumption mode, the main microcomputer 100 controls the power supply control unit 130 so that power is supplied to the operation key 110, the gyro sensor 120, and the IR communication unit 150. The main microcomputer 100 controls the gyro sensor 120 to be driven in the low consumption mode. In the low power consumption mode, the main microcomputer 100 controls the power supply control unit 130 so as not to supply power to the RF communication unit 140. Here, when at least one of the operation key 110 and the gyro sensor 120 detects an operation by the user, the main microcomputer 100 shifts the operation mode from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode. At this time, the main microcomputer 100 generates operation information based on the detection result of the low accuracy of the user's operation by the gyro sensor 120 and the detection result of the user's key input by the operation key 110, and the operation information is transmitted to the IR communication. It is configured to be able to transmit to the operation target device via the unit 150. That is, in the low power consumption mode, the gyro sensor 120 detects a user operation with low accuracy and does not perform detection with high accuracy as in the normal mode.

<Operation key 110>
The operation key 110 is a key (button) configured to be operable by the user, and is configured to detect an operation by the user and to output the detected operation content to the main microcomputer 100. The operation key 110 is supplied with power in both the normal mode and the low power consumption mode.

<Gyro sensor 120>
The gyro sensor 120 is a sensor that can detect a displacement given to the remote controller 10 by the user as an angular velocity, and is configured to be able to output a user operation to the main microcomputer 100 as angular velocity information. The gyro sensor 120 is supplied with electric power capable of detecting displacement with high accuracy in the normal mode. On the other hand, in the low power consumption mode, the gyro sensor 120 is supplied with only power that can detect the occurrence of displacement due to a user operation with low accuracy.

<Power control unit 130>
The power supply control unit 130 is configured to convert power from a battery that supplies power to the remote controller 10 into a predetermined voltage value, and to supply power to each part included in the remote control 10 under the control of the main microcomputer 100.

<RF communication unit 140>
The RF communication unit 140 is configured to be able to transmit operation information generated by the main microcomputer 100 based on an operation by a user as an RF (high frequency) signal to an operation target device. Compared with the IR communication unit 150, the RF communication unit 140 can transmit more information per unit time. The operation content of the operation key 110 by the user and the user operation detected by the gyro sensor 120 with high accuracy. Operation information generated based on the contents is configured to be transmittable.

<IR communication unit 150>
The IR communication unit 150 is configured to transmit operation information generated by the main microcomputer 100 based on an operation by a user as an IR (infrared) signal to the operation target device. The IR communication unit 150 has a lower power consumption than the RF communication unit 140, although the amount of information that can be transmitted per unit time is small. The IR communication unit 150 is configured to be able to transmit operation information generated based on user operation keys 110 and user operation contents detected by the gyro sensor 120 with low accuracy.

<(2) Specific example of remote control operation processing>
Next, a specific example of remote control operation processing executed by the remote controller 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing remote control operation processing.

<S500 to S540>
In the remote controller 10, the presence / absence of an operation by the user is detected by the operation key 110 or the gyro sensor 120 (S510). When the operation by the user is not detected (N in S510), the main microcomputer 100 confirms whether or not the operation is performed in the normal mode in which the RF communication by the RF communication unit 140 is established (S520). When RF communication has been established (Y in S520) and a certain time (for example, 60 seconds) has elapsed without detection of a user operation (Y in S530), the main microcomputer 100 sets the RF function to the sleep state. The operation mode is switched from the normal mode to the low power consumption mode (S540). In the low power consumption mode, the main microcomputer 100 controls the power supply control unit 130 to supply power to the operation key 110, the gyro sensor 120, and the IR communication unit 150. When these processes are completed, the main microcomputer 100 repeatedly executes the process of S510.

<S550>
When an operation on the remote controller 10 by the user is detected (Y in S510), the main microcomputer 100 confirms whether the RF function is in a sleep state, that is, whether the operation mode is the low power consumption mode (S550). ).

<S560>
When the operation mode is the low power consumption mode and the RF function is in the sleep mode (Y in S550), the main microcomputer 100 generates operation information based on the detected operation by the user, and this operation information is stored in the IR The communication unit 150 transmits an IR signal to the operation target device (S560). Here, the operation information generated by the main microcomputer 100 based on the displacement by the user operation detected with low accuracy by the gyro sensor 120 and the operation contents of the operation key 110 by the user is transmitted.

<S570 to S580>
Next, the main microcomputer 100 cancels the sleep of the RF function and performs a process of switching the operation mode from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode (S570). When communication between the RF communication unit 140 and the operation target device is possible (S580), the process proceeds to S600.

<S590>
Here, when the operation mode is the normal mode and the RF function is operating (N in S550), the main microcomputer 100 generates the displacement caused by the user operation detected by the gyro sensor 120 with high accuracy, and the operation key. Operation information is generated based on the user's operation detected by 110, and this operation information is transmitted from the RF communication unit 140 to the operation target device as an RF signal (590). Then, the process proceeds to S600.

<S600>
After the processing of S580 or S590 described above, the main microcomputer 100 initializes the RF sleep timer (S600), and performs processing to change the operation mode when an operation by the user is not detected for a certain time or more from this point. (S520 to S540).

  Based on the above processing, the operation target device such as a television that has received the operation information from the remote controller 10 by RF communication or IR communication performs processing corresponding to the operation information. For example, in the operation target device, the pointer displayed on the operation target device is moved in the direction of the movement vector based on the operation information including the movement vector information generated based on the detection result of the displacement by the gyro sensor 120. Display control is executed. Here, the operation target device changes the shape of the pointer (operation icon) displayed on the display unit of the operation target device according to whether the operation information received from the remote controller 10 is based on RF communication or IR communication. Let Thus, the user can easily confirm whether the remote controller 10 is operating in RF communication (normal mode) or IR communication (low power consumption mode).

<2. Supplementary items>
The specific description of the embodiment of the present invention has been given above. The above description is merely an embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but should be broadly interpreted to the extent that a person skilled in the art can grasp.

  The gyro sensor 120 in the above embodiment is not necessarily a gyro sensor capable of detecting the angular velocity, and may be replaced with another configuration capable of detecting the displacement of the remote controller 10. The gyro sensor 120 may be replaced with, for example, an acceleration sensor.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the gyro sensor 120 detects the occurrence of the displacement due to the user operation with low accuracy in the low power consumption mode has been described. However, in the low power consumption mode, the gyro sensor 120 has the displacement due to the user operation. It may be determined only whether or not. According to this, it becomes possible to further reduce the power consumption in the low power consumption mode. On the other hand, in the low power consumption mode, if the gyro sensor 120 can detect the occurrence of displacement due to a user operation with low accuracy, the user can perform an intuitive operation using the gyro sensor 120 even if the accuracy is low. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure provided with RF communication part 140 and IR communication part 150 was demonstrated, these functions are not necessarily limited to RF (high frequency) communication and IR (infrared) communication. Even a device that can transmit a large amount of information but combines a high power consumption method (corresponding to RF communication) and a low power consumption method (corresponding to IR communication) although there is little information that can be transmitted. Good.

<3. Features of the present invention>
The wireless operation device (remote controller 10) configured as described above has the following characteristics.

  The wireless operation device (remote control 10) of the present invention wirelessly transmits first operation information (detection result information by a gyro sensor and key operation information) determined based on an operation by a user on an operation target device (such as a television). The first wireless transmission unit (RF communication unit 140) configured to be capable of transmitting with the second operation information (key) having a smaller information amount than the operation information, which is determined based on an operation by the user with respect to the operation target device A second wireless transmission unit (IR communication unit 150) configured to be capable of wirelessly transmitting (operation information only), a normal mode in which the first operation information can be transmitted by the first wireless transmission unit, and a second wireless The transmission unit can execute control for switching to a low power consumption mode (RF function sleep mode) in which the second operation information can be transmitted, and the user can perform control in the low power consumption mode. When the work is detected, characterized in that it comprises the operation mode control unit from the low power consumption mode is capable of controlling to switch to the normal mode (the main microcomputer 100), the.

  As described above, for example, a remote controller that can transmit a relatively large amount of information using RF (high frequency) communication has high power consumption as described above, and requires a certain amount of time to return from the sleep mode. On the other hand, a remote controller that can transmit relatively little information using IR (infrared) communication has lower power consumption, although the amount of information that can be transmitted is smaller than that of RF communication. According to the wireless operation device (remote control 10) having the above-described configuration, the user can effectively use these RF communication (corresponding to the first wireless transmission unit) and IR communication (corresponding to the second wireless transmission unit). It becomes possible to improve the operability by. That is, when the user wants to use the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) immediately, the RF communication function is returned from the sleep mode while the operation target device (such as a television) can be operated by the IR communication function although the function is limited. When the communication function is restored, the subsequent operation of the operation target device by the user can be executed by the RF communication function.

  In the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) of the present invention, the second wireless transmission unit (RF communication unit) is configured to transmit the second operation information using infrared rays.

  According to the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) configured as described above, it is possible to transmit operation information by the user to the operation target device through IR (infrared) communication when the RF function returns from the sleep mode.

  The wireless operation device (remote controller 10) of the present invention further includes a displacement detection unit (gyro sensor 120) configured to be able to detect displacement, and the operation mode control unit (CPU 100) includes a displacement detection unit (gyro sensor 120). ) Based on the detection of the occurrence of displacement (detection of vibration, etc.), so that it can be controlled to switch from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode.

  According to the wireless operation device (remote controller 10) having the above-described configuration, it is possible to start the return from the sleep mode of the RF function from the timing when the user lifts the remote controller in order to operate the operation target device. Can be further increased.

  The wireless operation device (remote controller 10) of the present invention is characterized in that an operation icon displayed on the operation target device in the normal mode is different from an operation icon displayed on the operation target device in the low power consumption mode.

  According to the wireless operation device (remote control 10) having the above configuration, the operation icon displayed on the operation target device is different between the normal mode and the low power consumption mode (RF function sleep mode). ) Can be easily recognized by the user. Thereby, the operability by the user can be further enhanced.

  The present invention is suitably applied as a wireless operation device for operating an operation target device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Remote control 100 ... Main microcomputer 110 ... Operation key 120 ... Gyro sensor 130 ... Power supply control part 140 ... RF communication part 150 ... IR communication part

Claims (4)

A first wireless transmission unit configured to wirelessly transmit first operation information determined based on an operation by a user with respect to the operation target device;
A second wireless transmission unit configured to be able to wirelessly transmit second operation information having a smaller amount of information than the operation information, which is determined based on an operation by a user with respect to the operation target device;
Control is performed to switch between a normal mode in which the first operation information can be transmitted by the first wireless transmission unit and a low power consumption mode in which the second operation information can be transmitted by the second wireless transmission unit. And an operation mode control unit configured to be controllable to switch from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode when an operation by a user is detected in the low power consumption mode. A wireless operating device. The wireless operation device according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless transmission unit is configured to be capable of transmitting the second operation information using infrared rays. A displacement detector configured to detect the displacement;
The operation mode control unit is configured to be controllable to switch from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode based on detection of occurrence of displacement by the displacement detection unit. The wireless operating device according to 2. 4. The operation icon displayed on the operation target device in the normal mode is different from the operation icon displayed on the operation target device in the low power consumption mode. 5. The wireless operation device according to item.

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