JP3337063B2 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device (remote control device) for remotely controlling an electric device such as a television receiver or a television-integrated video tape recorder (TVCR). The present invention relates to a remote control device having a change key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art TV receivers used in ordinary households, V
As an example of a remote control device (hereinafter, abbreviated as a remote controller) for remotely controlling AV devices such as a CR and a TVCR, a remote controller main body 20 is provided with a TV key and a numeric keypad for changing a transmission format, as shown in FIG. Multifunctional remote control is used. The remote controller main body 20 has a POWER key 2a, a VCR key 2b, a TV key 2c, a CATV key 2d, and a numeric keypad 2i on an upper surface 20a.
Other keys and various function keys 2j are provided. Note that the TV key 2c and the numeric keypad 2i also serve as keys for setting a different channel setting format for each television maker, and the transmission format of the television maker is assigned to each of the numeric keys 2i. When the user selects and operates one of the ten keys 2i following the TV key 2c, the remote controller sets a format of a channel setting method corresponding to the ten key,
The signal of the selected channel is transmitted. For example, when "4" of the numeric keypad 2i is depressed after the TV key 2c, the transmission format of the corresponding television maker is read from the built-in memory and transmitted from the light emitting device via the transmission unit. The TVCR receiving the signal switches the channel selected by the user based on the transmission format of the manufacturer.

However, when the user is watching a TV program after setting the transmission format using the TV key 2c, the user may inadvertently press another numeric keypad, or the remote controller may hit the numeric keypad and press the numeric keypad. If there is, the setting is changed to the transmission format of the maker corresponding to the numeric keypad. Even if the user tries to change the channel without noticing the change of the setting of the transmission format, there is a problem that a state where the channel cannot be switched to a desired channel occurs or a channel which is completely different is switched. At this time, there were problems such as feeling frustrated to press again and again to select the correct channel, or determining that the remote control was broken and sending it out for repair

In this type of switch, an operation switch with a slider having a lock function for preventing an erroneous operation is known (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-108828). In this device, a plate-shaped slider is slidably attached to a recess formed in a case body, and the slider is provided with a plurality of keytops for turning on and off a plurality of contact portions. The key top is locked by sliding the slider to one side, and the stopper is released by sliding the slider to the other side to release the lock. Thereby, when the slider is slid to the movable side and the key top is pressed, the corresponding switch section is turned on, and when the slider is slid to the lock side, the engagement leg of the key top rides on the protrusion of the stopper. It is locked.

[0005]

However, the conventional operation switch with a slider prevents an erroneous operation by sliding the slider to the lock side so that the switch is not turned on when the keytop is operated. However, it cannot be applied to the above-described multi-function remote control in which a transmission format is set or changed by a key operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a transmission format for channel selection is not erased or changed due to an erroneous operation of a key. It is intended to provide a remote control device that can be selected.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises at least a key for changing a transmission format and a numeric keypad.
After the transmission format change key is operated by pressing a key, the transmission format corresponding to the operated numeric key is selected and set by pressing one of the numeric keys. It was in a remote device apparatus, lock mode and unlock free mode of
A lock / free key that selectively switches between
Lock mode is set by the lock / free key.
When the transmission format change key is operated,
To change the transmission format
Enable input using keys other than the key
When the free mode is set, the transmission format
Validate the input by operating the key for changing the
To the transmission format corresponding to the input of the created numeric keypad
And a control unit for controlling the setting . Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the above- mentioned invention.
Lock / free key is provided on the slider and this slider
And a movable contact for switching.
The operation unit for sliding operation provided on the push operation surface of
Provided to be placed in the remote control body with the crab protruding
And when the lock mode is slid to the first position,
Unlocked when slid into the second position
It is characterized by switching to a free mode . In addition, the invention according to claim 3 is the one of various keys attached to the remote control main body.
Only the transmission format change key is pressed.
With the surface embedded inside the mounting surface of the remote control body
It is characterized by being attached . Further, the invention according to claim 4 provides at least a transmission format.
A transmission key, and a numeric keypad.
-After enabling the key by pressing the key for changing the mat,
By pressing any of the numeric keys,
Select the transmission format corresponding to the operated numeric keypad.
For remote devices that can be selected, depending on the number of operations,
Select between lock mode and unlock free mode
Lock / free key to switch to and set the lock
/ When lock mode is set by free key
To, input by the operation of the transmission format changes for key
And other than the transmission format change key
To enable input using the
When the transmission mode is set,
And a control unit for enabling input by key operation.
It is characterized by the following.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a remote control device according to the present invention. This remote control device is a television integrated video tape recorder (TVCR).
, A key input unit 2 on the top surface 1a of the remote control main body 1, a lock / free key 3 on one side surface 1b, a light emitting device 7 on the front end 1c, and an LC on the back surface side.
A display section 5 and an auxiliary operation section of D are provided, and a wiring board and the like constituting an electronic circuit section are built in the main body 1. On the front end 1c side of the key input unit 2, a POW for power on / off is provided.
ER key 2a, VCR key 2b for VCR selection, TV key 2c for TV selection, CATV for cable TV selection
Key 2d, TV / VCR for switching TV or VCR
A key 2e, a CH up / down key 2f and a numeric keypad 2i are provided.

Note that the TV key 2c and the numeric keypad 2i also serve as keys for setting a format of a channel setting method different for each television maker.
In order to prevent erroneous operation, press the operation surface on the upper surface 1a.
As a buried structure, it is lower than other keys. That is, the TV key 2c is mounted so that the opening of the small hole formed in the upper surface 1a and the pressing operation surface are substantially flush or slightly lower so as not to protrude from the upper surface 1a. For this reason, unlike other keys protruding from the upper surface 1a, it is necessary to press the key so that the user presses it with the tip of the finger when operating the key. The problem that the transmission format is changed due to an erroneous operation by touching a finger or a finger is avoided. The ten keys 2i are assigned different channel setting methods for each number for each television maker, and the ten keys 2i follow the TV key 2c.
When any one of the above is selected, a signal of the selected channel can be transmitted after setting to the format of the channel setting method corresponding to the number.

On the front end 1c side, an ENTER key 2g for deciding the contents of the selection operation, a +100 key 2h for cable television channel selection and the like are also provided. When the +100 key 2h is pressed together with the numeric keypad 2i when watching cable television, a channel obtained by adding 100 to the numeric key number can be selected. On the other hand, on the rear end 1d side of the key input unit 2, a PLAY
VCR exclusive keys such as KEY, STOP key and REC key, and RENTAL for viewing rental videos
Keys and other various function keys 2j are provided. The normal operation keys and various function keys of the key input unit 2 are connected to the signal conversion unit 4, and when a key operation is performed, a signal corresponding to the operation content is transmitted from the signal conversion unit 4 to the control unit 9. It is configured to be.

The lock / free key 3 is a key for preventing the change of the transmission format from being validated. The lock / free key 3 includes a slider 11 and a switch 12, and is arranged in an opening formed on one side surface 1b of the remote control main body 1. Has been established. The slider 11 is a substantially rectangular plate having a front surface serving as a pressing operation surface 11a, and two movable contacts 12a and 12b connected by conductors projecting from the back surface. The push operation surface 11a has both ends slightly raised, and is slidably attached to the opening in the length direction with the end slightly exposed from one side surface 1b of the remote control main body 1. Thereby, the slider 1 including the movable contacts 12a and 12b
When the whole 1 is buried in the remote control main body 1 and slides on the push operation surface 11a, the movable contacts 12a and 12b can move back and forth. In this example, the home position where the push operation surface 11a is not slid is the LOCK side, and the home position where the push operation surface 11a is slid to the rear end 1d side of the remote control main body 1 is the LOCK release FREE side (two points in FIG. 1). Chain line 11). The switch 12 includes the movable contacts 12a and 12b and the three fixed contacts 12c and 12c.
d, 12e. The fixed contacts 12c, 12e
d and 12e are fixed to the support plate 13 so as to face the movable contacts 12a and 12b. These fixed contacts 12c, 1
2d and 12e are equally spaced, and each is connected to the signal conversion unit 4.

The signal converter 4 includes a movable contact 12 when the slider 11 of the lock / free key 3 is set to the LOCK side.
When a and 12b are in contact with the fixed contacts 12c and 12e at both ends, a signal indicating the lock mode is output (the position of the solid line 11 in FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the movable contacts 12a and 12b are set to the FREE side and the center and the other end are fixedly set 12d,
When it comes into contact with 12e, a signal instructing the free mode is sent to the control unit 9 side. in this way,
The lock / free key 3 is a push operation surface 1 with both ends raised.
Since 1a is slightly exposed from one side surface 1b of the remote control main body 1, there is no hindrance when holding the remote control main body 1 and operating the keys. Further, when the push operation surface 11a is pushed and slid by a finger, the mode is switched to the free mode of LOCK release, and the change of the transmission format is enabled.
You. The auxiliary operation unit can be operated by opening and closing a slide cover provided on the back side, and is provided with a recording key, a tracking adjustment key, and the like for switching the recording time of the VCR to standard / 3 times. Further, an LCD display unit 5 for displaying a time at the time of program reservation, a channel, and a G code is also provided.

FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram showing a remote control device according to the present invention. The output of the key input unit 2 and the output of the lock / free key 3 are connected to a signal conversion unit 4. The output of the signal converter 4 is provided to the controller 9. The output of the control unit 9 is connected to the LCD display unit 5 and connected to the transmission unit 6.
The control unit 9 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of the entire remote controller, and includes the memory 8. The memory 8 stores various formats for data transmission. For a channel setting method different for each television maker, as shown in FIG. 3, a ten key number, a television maker, a channel code, etc. The data format 10 is configured. The numeric keypad 2
Each of the numbers i is assigned a different channel setting method for each television maker such as company A, company B, company C,..., and the channel codes of these companies are a plurality of "0" and "1". Consists of a combined code.

When a digital signal is transmitted from the signal conversion unit 4 by operating the key input unit 2 and the lock / free key 3, the control unit 9 outputs a digital signal corresponding to the operation to the transmission unit 6. I do. This transmission unit 6
Converts the digital signal into a pulse signal and supplies it to the light emitter 7. The light emitter 7 receives the pulse signal, emits an infrared light, and transmits various signals. If the lock mode is set with the lock / free key 3 at the time of operating the remote control, a signal corresponding to a key operation other than the TV key 2c is transmitted, but one of the ten keys 2i is selected after the TV key 2c. When it is done, this is not accepted and the input signal is invalidated. On the other hand, when the mode is switched to the free mode with the lock / free key 3,
Following the TV key 2c, for example, "4"
When the key is pressed down, this is received and the memory 8
Then, after reading the channel code of the television maker D corresponding to the numeric keypad number 4 and setting it to the format of the channel setting method, the transmitting section 6 performs control to transmit the channel selected by the user with a pulse signal. Once the transmission format is determined,
The lock mode is set by operating the lock / free key 3.

Next, the operation of the remote control device will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the use of the remote control is started, the control unit 9 determines whether the mode is the lock mode or the free mode (step S11). If the user keeps the slider 11 of the lock / free key 3 on the LOCK side, the control unit 9 shifts to the lock mode and determines whether or not the input signal is a key input for a transmission format (step S12). Here, if the input signal is not a key input for the transmission format, that is, the TV key 2c
Then, when the ten keys 2i are not operated and any one of the predetermined remote control keys TV, VCR or CATV is operated, a pulse signal is output from the transmission unit 6 in accordance with the input signal (step S13), a series of transmission operations ends. When the light emitting device 7 receiving the pulse signal emits infrared light and the light is received by the light receiving device on the TVCR main body side, the function is switched to any of the TV, VCR and CATV functions.

On the other hand, when the user switches the slider 11 of the lock / free key 3 to the FREE side to release LOCK, the control unit 9 shifts to the free mode and determines whether or not the input signal is a key input for a transmission format. (Step S14). Here, if the input signal is not a key input for the transmission format, a pulse signal corresponding to any key operation of TV, VCR or CATV is output as described above (step S15), and the transmission operation ends. .
Therefore, the TVCR is switched to one of the functions selected by the user. On the other hand, if the input signal is a key input for the transmission format, the control unit 9 determines which of the key numbers 1 to 9 is to be accepted next (step S16). In response to a key operation by the user, a pulse signal corresponding to any of the TV, VCR and CATV operations is output as described above (step S17), and the transmission operation ends.

At this time, when the user operates the TV key 2c and then inputs the numeric key 2i, the controller 9
, The channel code of the television maker corresponding to any of the key numbers 1 to 9 is read out and set to the format of the channel setting method (step S1
8). Then, the control section 9 causes the transmission section 6 to output the channel selected by the user as a pulse signal (step S1).
9), end the transmission operation. When infrared light is emitted from the light emitting device 7 based on the pulse signal, the TVCR receives this infrared light and switches to the channel selected by the user. As described above, if the user sets the lock / free key 3 to the LOCK side, the control unit 9 transmits the signal of the selected channel in the transmission format set first, and does not accept the setting signal of the next transmission format. Disable.

Therefore, after setting the transmission format, the TV
When watching the program, if the user accidentally operates the numeric keypad 2i after pressing the TV key 2c, or if the remote control body 1 hits something and the key is pressed,
Since the set transmission format is not erased or changed to another television maker, it is possible to select a channel and view a desired TV program without any trouble. In this lock mode, the TV key 2
c, the operation signals of the VCR key 2b and the CATV key 2d are received.
It can be switched to CR or CATV function.
However, when the lock / free key 3 is switched to the FREE side, the LOCK is released to enter the free mode, and the control unit 9 accepts and activates the next transmission format setting signal to be input. It is also possible to change the transmission format.

In the above-described embodiment, the lock / free key 3 is provided on one side 1b of the remote control main body 1 to arbitrarily set and release the transmission format. However, as shown in FIG. A lock / free key 30 of a push key type may be provided on the upper surface 1a of the remote control main body 1.
The lock / free key 30 has an output connected to the signal conversion unit 4 to output a signal indicating a LOCK setting from the signal conversion unit 4 when the key is pressed once, and to lock when the key is pressed twice. Is released and a signal indicating FREE is output. Thus, the same operation as the lock / free key 3 can be performed.

In addition to the above embodiments, two operation keys such as a CH key 2f are combined with the ENTER key 2g, and a signal input from these keys is processed by a control unit 9 in a software manner. The mode may be switched between the lock mode and the free mode. In this case, the CH up key and the ENTER key are not confused with the original operation of the CH key 2f.
When the R key 2g is pressed, the mode shifts to the lock mode. When the CH down key and the ENTER key 2g are pressed, the mode shifts to the lock release mode.
This also allows the same operation as the lock / free key 3 to be performed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a television-integrated VTR has been described;

[0021]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lock / free key is operated in the lock mode.
Mode, you can select the desired transmission format.
Key operation other than the transmission format change key
You can send a signal to operate a desired function
On the other hand, switch the lock / free key to free mode
To change the transmission format and desired numeric keypad
If you continue to operate, the transmission corresponding to the operated numeric keypad
Since the format can be selected and set, the problem that the preset transmission format is erased or changed due to erroneous operation of the transmission format change key or contact of the change key with an obstacle is prevented, and the Channel selection becomes possible. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the lock / free key is a slide key,
If there is an advantage that the inconvenience to operate in contact with something or cause an erroneous operation as such as push key type it can be avoided
Both lock / free keys are embedded in the remote control body
The above problems are more reliably
Lock / free key in the first position
To the lock mode and slide to the second position.
When you move, you can switch to free mode respectively
Clearly shows the setting status of lock mode and free mode
become. The invention according to claim 3 is a transmission format.
Only the key for changing the unit, the pressing operation surface of this is the remote control body
It is installed in a state embedded inside the mounting surface of
Runode, when an input operation by gripping the remote controller main body of the remote controller, Rutotomoni eliminates the problem of changing the transmission format is generated by erroneous touching the hand or finger to the key transmission format change, except the change keys The key is Rimo
Provided in a normal state protruding from the mounting surface of the computer body
Therefore, the operability of the keys does not decrease.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the number of operations is
Lock mode and unlock free mode
A lock / free key is provided to selectively switch
So you can set the transmission format while simplifying the configuration
And change operations are easy, and lock / free
-A predetermined number of times due to erroneous operation or contact with obstacles, etc.
Since the possibility of pressing a key is extremely low,
Incorrect operation of the mat change key or the change key touches an obstacle
The transmission format set in advance is deleted
Can be almost certainly prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram showing the remote control device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data format of a memory.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the remote control device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a remote control device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a remote control device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2c Change key 2i Numeric keypad 3 Block key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04Q 9/00-9/16

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A least transmission format key for the change, and a numeric keypad, after enabling the key transmission format change by pressing key operation, any of the ten-key by operating push key, the Operated the said
Select and set the transmission format corresponding to the numeric keypad .
In the remote device, the lock mode and unlock free mode can be selected
The lock / free key to be set and the lock mode are set by the lock / free key.
When the transmission format change key is operated,
To change the transmission format
Enable input using keys other than the key
When the free mode is set, the transmission format
Validate the input by operating the key for changing the
To the transmission format corresponding to the input of the created numeric keypad
A remote control device comprising: a control unit configured to control the setting . 2. The lock / free key includes a slider and a free key.
The switching movable contact provided on this slider is
A slider provided on a pressing operation surface of the slider.
On the remote control body with the operation part for operation slightly protruding
Provided that it is slid into the first position
Slide mode to the lock mode and to the second position
Switch to free mode when unlocking
The remote operation device according to claim 1, characterized that it is so. 3. Various keys attached to a remote control body
Only the transmission format change key of
The push operation surface is embedded inside the mounting surface of the remote control body.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is mounted in a state where the electronic device is mounted.
Or the remote control device according to 2. 4. A key for changing at least a transmission format.
And a numeric keypad for changing the transmission format.
After enabling the key by pressing the key,
By operating the key by pressing it,
Selectable transmission format for numeric keypad
In the remote device , lock mode and unlock free mode depend on the number of operations.
Lock / free key to be set in place cut in alternative to the over de
And the lock mode is set by the lock / free key.
When the transmission format change key is operated,
To change the transmission format
Enable input using keys other than the key
When the free mode is set, the transmission format
A control unit for enabling input by operating the key for changing the
Remote control device, characterized in that the provided.