JPH0467202B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a remote control device (hereinafter referred to as a "remote control device") for a so-called AV system.

[Prior Art] Remote control devices are widely used in industrial equipment as well as consumer equipment. The following describes an example of audio and video equipment (hereinafter referred to as "AV system") equipped with a remote control device that is installed in a general household.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional AV system. Reference numeral 1 indicates a monitor television receiver (hereinafter referred to as "monitor TV"), which is generally a color television receiver having a video input terminal. 2 is
VTR, 21 is an antenna for receiving television radio waves,
3 is an integrated amplifier that increases the audio signal;
L and 3R are speakers, 4 is a tuner unit that receives FM broadcasts, 41 is an FM receiving antenna, 5
is a switching device called AV control center.
Monitor TV1, VTR2, integrated amplifier 3,
The tuner unit 4 and the AV control center 5 each have a remote control transmitter (hereinafter referred to as
It's called a "remote control transmitter." )11,12,13,
14, 15, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4
a and 5a are remote control signal receiving units, respectively.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The television signal is received by antenna 21,
It is added to the AV control center 5 via the VTR 2. The FM signal is received by the antenna 41 and tuner unit 4, and is applied to the AV control center 5. Of the outputs of the AV control center 5, the video signal is sent to the monitor TV 1, and the audio output signal is amplified through the integrated amplifier 3 and added to the speakers 3L and 3R. With this configuration, it is possible to watch and listen to television broadcasts, FM broadcasts, and VTR playback signals. Here, the signal applied to the AV control center 5 via the VTR 2 and the signal applied via the tuner unit 4 can be selected by the AV control center 5 and the remote control transmitter 15. In this example, the AV system is configured mainly with three devices: a VTR, an integrated amplifier, and a tuner unit, but it may also be configured to include a video disk, a tape recorder, a video camera, and the like.

When playing a recorded tape with the AV system configured as described above, use the remote control transmitter 15.
Turn on the power switches for VTR 2, monitor TV 1, integrated amplifier 3, and AV control center 5.
Turn on the power switch of tuner unit 4.
Turn it off, load the tape on VTR2, and monitor it.
The contrast, brightness, color saturation, and hue of the image on the TV 1 are optimally adjusted using a remote control transmitter 11, and the volume, balance, etc. of the integrated amplifier 3 are adjusted using a remote control transmitter 13. Also, F.M.
When listening to broadcasts, monitor with remote control transmitter 15.
Turn off the power switches of TV1 and VTR2,
Turn on the power switches of other devices and adjust the channel selection, volume, balance, etc. using the remote control transmitter 14, 1.
Do it in 3.

Figures 6 to 8 show the remote control transmitter 11 of each device.
~13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a remote control signal generally adopted, and Figure 6 is a monitor
This example shows the signal to turn on the power of TV1.
A two-frequency signal switching method with a head signal, generally CW
(Continuous Wave) method. Also, Figure 7 shows the power supply for the integrated amplifier 3.
The signal to be turned ON is shown, and this example is called a pulse number counting method with a head signal. Also, Figure 8 shows the signal to turn on the power of VTR2,
This example is called a pulse code method.

In this way, each device constituting an AV system requires control based on its own function, and is therefore configured to operate using remote control signals of different formats.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional AV system is configured as described above, and each power source is turned on and off using the remote control transmitter 15 of the AV control center 5, and other devices are turned on and off. Adjustments to OFF, hue, volume, etc. had to be made separately using a remote control transmitter or manually. These operations are
As an example of volume adjustment, the level when receiving a VTR is generally different from the level when receiving an FM broadcast, so it is necessary to adjust the volume each time.
In this way, conventional remote control devices are configured to be operated using the remote control transmitter attached to each component, which is cumbersome as it requires multiple remote control transmitters to be operated one by one. There was a problem.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it not only makes it possible to switch the signal source of the system and operate each component device with a single operation, but also allows the switching of multiple operation programs. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device capable of selecting a control operation with a simple operation.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote control device according to the present invention transmits a remote control signal necessary for controlling a plurality of devices constituting a system at a frequency sufficiently higher than a signal frequency constituting the remote control signal. A means for sampling at a high frequency and converting it into a binary signal, and chronologically converting the converted binary signal according to a plurality of operation programs created in the order of operating each device for each signal source. means for storing, means for selecting one of the stored operating programs, and when operating each device of the system based on the selected operating program, binary values stored for the selected operating program; The present invention is characterized by comprising means for sequentially reading the signals, reproducing them into original remote control signals, and sequentially transmitting the signals.

[Effect]

According to this invention, by sampling a remote control signal necessary for controlling a plurality of devices constituting a system at a frequency sufficiently higher than the signal frequency, the format of the remote control signal of each device is different. can also be converted into binary signals without error.
In addition, a plurality of programs for operating each device are converted into binary signals in the order in which each device is operated and stored in chronological order, and based on the selection of the stored operation program, the stored binary signal is By reading out the data, reproducing it as the original remote control signal, and sequentially sending it out, it is possible to control multiple devices according to the desired program with the simple operation of selecting one of the operation programs. .

[Embodiment of the Invention] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the AV system of this embodiment. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 5 indicate the same components, and 10 is a remote control transmitter provided in this embodiment. be.

The remote control transmitter 10 is a monitor TV 1, VTR
2. means for sampling the remote control signals of the remote control transmitters 11 to 15 of the integrated amplifier 3, tuner 4, and AV control center 5, converting them into binary signals, and storing them in chronological order according to the operation program of each device; When the system is in operation, the system is equipped with means for sequentially reading the stored binary signals for the selected program, regenerating them into original remote control signals, and sequentially transmitting the signals.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a remote control transmitter 10 which is the main part of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram for explaining means for converting the remote control signal into a binary signal.

In FIG. 1, 100 is a light-receiving element represented by a phototransistor, 101 is a light-receiving amplifier,
102 is a high-speed, low-power consumption type microcomputer (e.g. Mitsubishi 8-bit microcomputer)
CMOS type... M50747 etc., hereinafter referred to as CPU), 103 is a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD)
) 104 (hereinafter referred to as
(referred to as an LCD driver), the LCD 104 displays instructions and checks when reading signals. 105 is input sequentially 2
RAM that stores value signals, 106 is this RAM1
107 is a key circuit equipped with a key button that performs operations when reading a remote control signal according to an operation program, and a remote control transmission button and key when reading out a remote control signal. Operates as a circuit. 108 is a transmission amplifier that amplifies the serial signal during readout, and 109 is a light emitting diode 110.
The LED driver 110 is a light emitting diode that converts a control signal into near-infrared light.

Next, the operation will be explained.

Now, when the remote control signals shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are sequentially input to the light receiving element 100, the near-infrared light is converted into an electric signal. The frequencies of these three types of remote control signals with different signal formats are mostly selected to be between 30KHz and 60KHz. Now, if this input signal is a 40KHz pulse signal as shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 2b, the samples are sequentially time-series using high-speed sampling pulses of several MHz (for example, 1 MHz), and binary values (H or L) are generated at a period of 1 MHz (1 μsec).
) A determination is made, and as shown in Figure 2c,
It is converted into a time-series binary signal HHH...LL..., and this binary signal is stored in the RAM 105 in a time-series manner.

Next, an explanation will be given of an operation for storing a remote control signal for turning on the monitor TV 1, VTR 2, and integrated amplifier 3 among the programs for operating the VTR for playback.

First, the remote control transmitter 11 is installed opposite to the remote control transmitter 10 as shown in FIG.
A remote control signal is sent by continuously pressing the "Monitor TV power ON" button, and the remote control transmitter 10 receives the sent remote control signal. The remote control signal sent here is a head signal (55K), as shown in Figure 6.
Hz), followed by a 47KHz CW signal and a 43KHz CW signal, which are sent to the remote control transmitter 10 as a remote control signal to turn on the monitor TV 1.
is stored in the RAM 105. At this time, the remote control transmitter 10 transmits data for several cycles (for example, 5 cycles).
When memorized, the gate closes to prevent reception, and then a no-signal period of several 100 msec is programmed.

Next, the remote control transmitter 13 of the integrated amplifier 3
In the same way, place the
Continue to press the "ON" button to receive it with the remote control transmitter 10. The transmission signal sent here follows the head signal (50KHz) as shown in Figure 7.
Assume that the signal contains 6 40KHz pulse modulated signals. After the remote control transmitter 10 stores this signal for several cycles (for example, 5 cycles), the gate closes so as not to accept the next cycle, and then a no-signal period of several 100 msec is programmed.

Next, place the remote control transmitter 12 of the VTR 2 so as to face each other in the same way, and keep pressing the "amplifier power on" button to receive signals with the remote control transmitter 10. Since the transmission signal sent out here generally has a large number of functions, a pulse code modulation signal is adopted as shown in Fig. 8.Several cycles of the remote control signal shown in Fig. 8d are stored as before, and then A no-signal period of several hundred milliseconds is programmed.

By doing this, "Monitor TV power supply"
ON” → “No signal period” → “Main amplifier power supply
It is possible to memorize the transmission signal of each dedicated remote control transmitter while creating a sequence of "ON" → "No signal period" → "VTR power ON".
The binary signal stored in the RAM 105 is stored in the battery 106.
is backed up until it is exhausted.

Next, the operation of operating the system using the remote control transmitter 10 will be described. When an operation program is selected and an operation is commanded by the key circuit 107, the CPU 102 sequentially calls out the binary signal of the selected program from the RAM 105 at the same sampling frequency and returns it to the original remote control signal. Signal transmitting amplifier 10
8. Send out via driver 109, light emitting diode 110, monitor TV 1, integrated amplifier 3,
The power of VTR2 is turned on one after another.

In this way, once you run this program in RAM10
5, you can turn on the power to three devices, monitor TV 1, main amplifier 3, and VTR 2, in sequence by simply pressing one designated button on the remote control transmitter 10.
You can turn it on.

In addition, in the above sampling method, binary discrimination is performed at the arrow point (falling point) of the sampling pulse shown in Figure 2b, and the input signal and the sampling pulse signal are not synchronized. Therefore, an error e occurs as shown in Figure 2c.
occurs. However, this error can be ignored by choosing the sampling pulse to be at least 10 times the input signal (30KHz to 60KHz).

In addition, in the above example, the radio waves of three devices are turned on.
For example, "Monitor power ON" → "Main amplifier power ON" →
"VTR power ON" → "AV control center power ON" → "VTR playback" → "Monitor TV video connection" → "AV control center VTR switching"
→ "Adjust the brightness of the TV monitor to a specified level" →
By sequentially storing a series of operations such as "adjust the volume of the main amplifier to a predetermined level" in the RAM 105 while pressing each function button of each remote control transmitter 11 to 15, you can press one key button to select the program. By simply operating the device, each device can be operated under preset conditions.

If an operation program is created for each signal source and stored in the RAM 105 in this way, the operator can operate each desired signal source under preset conditions by operating the desired key lead once. This makes it easy to remotely control the system.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a remote control transmitter is provided for each device constituting the system, but it is possible to combine some or all of these remote control transmitters into the remote control transmitter 10, and the minimum It is also possible to operate and program the entire system with a single remote control transmitter.

Note that if the conduction medium of the remote control transmitters of each device composing the system is the same and the frequency bands used are the same or within similar ranges, no matter what format the remote control signal is, it will be a binary signal. Since it can be converted into , program control can be performed even if the manufacturers of each device are different.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, by sampling the remote control signals of a plurality of devices constituting a system at high frequency and converting them into binary signals, the remote control signals of each device are Regardless of their format, all signals can be converted into binary signals. Furthermore, the binary signals are stored in time series according to a plurality of operation programs, one of the operation programs is arbitrarily selected, and the binary signals stored for the selected program are sequentially read out. , the original remote control signal can be regenerated and transmitted, so one remote control transmitter can be used, and
On the other hand, it is extremely easy to operate, as it is possible to easily and accurately execute multiple types of program control operations for a system consisting of multiple devices with just one operation. It has excellent effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing the configuration of a remote control transmitter which is the main part of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram for explaining the method of converting to a read signal in this embodiment, and FIG. The figure shows this example.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the remote control device of the AV system, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the procedure for reading remote control signals of each device in this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the conventional remote control device of the AV system. Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8
The figure is a waveform diagram for explaining the formation of remote control signals for each device. 1...Monitor television receiver, 2...
VTR, 3... Integrated amplifier, 4... Tuner unit, 5... AV control center, 1
0~15...Remote control transmitter, 10
2...CPU, 105...RAM, 110...Light emitting diode. In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Sampling the remote control signal necessary to control the multiple devices making up the system at a frequency sufficiently higher than the signal frequency making up the remote control signal,
A means for converting into a binary signal, a means for storing the converted binary signal in chronological order according to a plurality of operation programs created in the order of operating each device for each signal source, and the storage. means for selecting one of the selected operating programs; and when operating each device of the system based on the selected operating program, sequentially reading out the binary signals stored for the selected operating program; 1. A remote control device comprising means for reproducing and sequentially transmitting a remote control signal.