KR20090063640A - Apparatus and method for controlling remotely - Google Patents

Abstract

A remote control unit and a remote controlling method controlling an external electronic device to the remote are provided to reset the electronic product of the controlled system automatically by the remote control unit. A key input unit(110) receives a first control key which a user inputs. A memory unit(140) stores control signal output data representing the contents of the first control key and the control signal transmission format which is a waveform format for transmitting control signal output data. The first control key inputted through the key input unit through the control of a controller(130) is transmitted to the controlled system according to the control signal transmission format corresponding to the first electronic product.

Description

Remote control unit and remote control method {Apparatus and method for controlling remotely}

An embodiment of the present invention discloses a remote control unit capable of remotely controlling an external electronic device and a control method thereof.

Currently, digital TVs and set-top boxes that can receive digital broadcasts in connection with digital broadcasts are being distributed to the public, and many kinds of electronic products such as DVDs and 5.1-channel digital amplifiers for home theaters have been introduced to general homes. The situation is expanding.

1 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the remote control unit according to the prior art.

In the prior art, when a plurality of devices are to be controlled by one remote control unit, first select each device to be controlled by a remote control unit in which the control codes of all the devices are embedded, and then emit infrared light according to a command input by a user. By controlling the operation of each device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a user having a TV, a set-top box, a DVD, audio, or the like must perform the following series of operations to play one DVD movie.

First, the user selects the TV selection terminal of the remote control unit on in order to turn on the TV (S1). The user selects and drives the TV and then switches the TV reception mode to the external input mode (S2).

In addition, in order to switch to the external input mode, a separate channel setting process is required. When the TV is selected and switched to the external input mode, the user selects the DVD power on (S3), and finally, the desired content is available through the play function (S4).

On the other hand, in order to remotely control additional devices other than the TV using a single remote control unit, the user must select a product connected to the TV provided in the remote control unit.

However, when a user uses a remote control unit equipped with a product selection button, the user may incorrectly select a product selection button. For example, when the user selects a DVD product selection button and then presses a channel key for channel switching of a TV. Channel change is not performed because the key value is different.

As such, when the user does not recognize his carelessness, there are often cases where the user complains about the TV product itself.

The present embodiment aims to propose a remote control unit which can automatically change a control key for a product to be controlled by a user and a product setting selected by the user, even if the case is different.

A remote control unit of the present embodiment includes a remote control unit for remotely controlling an electronic product set among a first electronic product and a second electronic product, the remote control unit comprising: a key input unit configured to receive a first control key input by a user; A memory unit for storing a control signal transmission format, which is a key code for transmitting the first control key, and a control signal output data displaying the contents of the first control key and a waveform format for transmitting the control signal output data; ; And a controller configured to control the first control key input through the key input unit to be transmitted to the IR according to a control signal transmission format corresponding to the first electronic product to be controlled. If is not included in the keycode table for controlling the operation of the first electronic product, it is characterized in that the setting to the second electronic product is changed according to the pattern in which the second control key is input.

According to embodiments of the present invention, even when the control key for the product to be controlled by the user and the product selection button selected by the user are different, the electronic device of the control target can be automatically reset by the remote control unit. There is this.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, 'control signal output data' indicates a code value for performing functions such as power on / off, channel change, volume change, number change, etc., and 'control signal transmission format' indicates control signal output data. It represents a waveform format for transmission, 'key code' is used to mean that the control signal output data and the control signal transmission format.

2 is a view illustrating a part of a remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices connected to a display device.

2 is a view showing a part of a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the remote control unit 20, which can be applied to the present embodiment, turns off the power of the TV 10, the DVD 11, the set-top box 12, etc. (hereinafter referred to as 'electronic product'). a power key 21 for turning off, an external input mode key 22 to 24 for selecting a specific electronic product among a plurality of electronic products, and a function key 25 for remotely controlling the operation of the selected electronic product. 26 are provided.

The DVD 11 and the set top box 12 are connected to the TV 10 by wire or wirelessly.

The function keys 25 and 26 may be, for example, channel keys 25 for changing channels and volume keys 26 for volume control.

In addition, the display unit 27 that can display the operation status of the remote control unit 20 may be further formed.

As described above, a plurality of keys provided in the remote control unit 20 will be collectively described as a control key. However, in a specific description, the description will be made by dividing into a channel key and a volume key.

In the related art, a remote control unit capable of controlling a plurality of home appliances is called an integrated remote controller (universal remote control unit), and the present invention relates to this.

The universal remote control unit is set to control a plurality of electronic products from one remote control unit. In addition, the remote control signal transmission format of each of a large number of electronic products is stored in an internal memory and stored in a database, and then the appropriate signal transmission format is set for each electronic product owned by the user. .

The remote control signal setting method of the universal remote control unit is as follows.

Select the specific product by pressing the external input mode key (22 to 24) to be used among the external input mode keys (22 to 24) installed in the universal remote control unit.

That is, when the user presses the external input mode keys 22 to 24 to select a corresponding electronic product such as a TV, a VCR, a DVD, and the like, the controller of the remote control unit 20 customizes the IR signal to be transmitted. The code (custom code) is to include information on whether the command signal for controlling the TV, or the command signal for controlling the DVD.

Therefore, when the signal transmitted from the remote control unit 20 is an IR signal and the product selection key selected by the user selects DVD, the control unit of the remote control unit controls the DVD to the custom code of the IR signal. Indicates that the

In this case, when the TV 10 receives the IR signal transmitted from the remote control unit, it indicates that the custom code information of the received IR signal is for controlling the DVD and not for controlling the TV. The TV 10 is not controlled according to the command of the control signal output data included in the received IR signal.

In this case, when the product selection key of the remote control unit 20 is selected as DVD even though the user intends to control the TV, the operation of the TV is not controlled even if the user inputs the control key. For example, even if the user inputs the channel key 25 to change the channel of the TV, the channel of the TV 10 is not changed.

Even if the product to be controlled by the user is different from the product selection actually selected on the remote control unit, the product to be controlled according to the user's intention needs to be operated remotely.

To this end, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a remote control unit for identifying an electronic product to be controlled from a pattern in which a user manipulates an input key of a remote control unit.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the remote control unit 100 of the present invention includes a key input unit 110 for receiving a command input by a user, and an IR signal for outputting an IR signal for controlling an electronic product according to the input signal. An output unit 160 and a control unit 130 for transmitting an IR signal corresponding to the signal input through the control key 110 is included.

In addition, a memory unit 140 storing a transmission format and key codes of an IR signal to be transmitted through the IR output unit 160 is included, and the memory unit 140 includes information of an electronic product selected by a user. It is also stored for.

That is, information about the electronic product currently selected by the user and the electronic product previously selected is stored in the memory unit 140, and the controller 130 is input through the key input unit 110. The electronic device to be controlled can be changed automatically according to the pattern of key input.

First, the controller 130 controls the input control signal output data to be output according to a control signal transmission format capable of controlling an electronic product set by a user. This is the case for a typical universal remote controller.

For example, when a user sets the DVD control by operating keys provided in the remote control unit 100, the control unit 130 transmits a control signal corresponding to the DVD to control the DVD which is the selected product. The control signal output data of the key input input by the user is transmitted according to the format.

However, when the control target set by the user forgets that the electronic product is a DVD and inputs a channel key for controlling the TV, the channel change of the TV is not performed, and the operation of the DVD is not controlled. do.

That is, the control signal output data for the channel key does not exist in the key code for the DVD control in the key code table stored in the memory unit 140. Therefore, when the electronic product to be controlled is set to DVD, the operation of the TV as well as the DVD is not controlled even if the channel key is input.

In this case, when the same key is repeatedly inputted by the user repeatedly, the controller 130 searches for a keycode table including control signal output data for the corresponding key, and the keycode table of the searched result. The control signal output data and control signal output format for the input key are set using the most recently set table.

For example, the key code table including the control signal output data for the channel key may be a video display device or a set-top box, and the controller 130 may be the most recent from the key code table including the input channel key. Set the video display device or set-top box set in to the electronic product to be controlled.

The automatic setting of the electronic product to be controlled remotely by the controller will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

On the other hand, the remote control unit 100 may further include a display unit 150 that can be displayed by the control unit 130 to display a message indicating that the change of the electronic product of the control target is being performed or completed.

In addition, the controller 130 may guide the user to easily set the electronic product to be controlled by using the display unit 150, or may automatically display the contents of which the electronic product setting on the control panel is changed. .

A method for remotely controlling an electronic product using a remote control unit as described above will be described.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the case where the remote control unit is set to control a specific electronic product will be described as an example.

When the user inputs a control key (for example, a channel key, a volume key, a power key, etc.) provided in the remote control unit (S101), the control unit 130 of the remote control unit 100 enters the control key. It is checked whether the key is included in the keycode table corresponding to the selected product (S102).

As a result of the check, in the case of the control key set by the user to control the operation of the electronic product of the remote control target by the remote control unit, the control of the control key according to the control signal transmission format of the corresponding keycode table. Signal output data is output.

On the other hand, when the input control key is not included in the key code table for controlling the electronic product of the current setting, that is, the key is in excess of the operation control of the set electronic product, the control unit 130 by the user It is monitored whether the same control key is repeatedly input (S103).

Here, when the same control key is repeatedly input (a predetermined number of times), the controller 130 performs a process for automatically changing the electronic product to be controlled, and the controller 130 performs the same control key. If not, even if a control key irrelevant to the currently set operation control of the electronic product is input a plurality of times, the control target automatic change process may be performed.

That is, although the same control key is repeatedly inputted by the user in step S103 of FIG. 4, the present invention also applies to a case in which a control key which is not included in the keycode table of the electronic product currently set is input a plurality of times. It will be included in the idea of.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S103, when a specific control key is repeatedly input by the user, the controller 130 searches for the key code tables including the input control key from the memory unit 140. (S104).

That is, a process of searching for electronic products whose operation is controlled remotely by a control key input by a user is performed.

After retrieving the keycode tables including the control signal transmission format and the control signal output data for the input control key, the remote control is performed with the keycode table corresponding to the electronic product which is most recently set by the user. The unit is set (S105).

That is, the keycode table including the control key input by the user is extracted, and then the J-key inputted according to the most recently used keycode table is transmitted.

By this process, even if the user does not directly change the electronic product to be controlled, the electronic product of the controlled object is automatically set, and the control keys input later by the user are sent out according to the key code table for the set electronic product. do.

However, the keycode table corresponding to the changed control target product may be configured to be temporarily applied only to the control key repeatedly input in step S103. That is, when a control key irrelevant to the set first electronic product is repeatedly inputted, the control key is temporarily changed to a key code for controlling the recently set second electronic product. It is sent in the transmission format for controlling the operation.

Thereafter, when a control key for controlling the operation of the first electronic product is normally input, the control keys input in the transmission format for controlling the first electronic product are again sent out.

On the other hand, in addition to this method, it is also possible to use a display unit provided in the remote control unit to guide the user to select other electronic products.

The list of electronic products for each of the keycode tables retrieved in step S104 can be displayed via the display unit of the remote control unit, and the user can be instructed to select one of the listed electronic products.

When resetting the electronic product to be controlled among the listed electronic products, the control key input to the key code table is transmitted (S106).

According to the embodiments of the present invention as described above, even if the control key for the product to be controlled by the user and the product selection button selected by the user is different, the electronic product of the control target is automatically reset by the remote control unit. There is an advantage that can be.

1 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the remote control unit according to the prior art.

2 shows a part of a remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices connected to a display device.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (8)

A remote control unit for remotely controlling an electronic product set among a first electronic product and a second electronic product, A key input unit receiving a first control key input by a user; A memory unit for storing a control signal transmission format, which is a key code for transmitting the first control key, and a control signal output data displaying the contents of the first control key and a waveform format for transmitting the control signal output data; ; And And a controller configured to control the first control key input through the key input unit to be transmitted to the IR according to a control signal transmission format corresponding to the first electronic product to be controlled. If the input second control key is not included in the keycode table for controlling the operation of the first electronic product, the control unit sets a setting to the second electronic product according to a pattern in which the second control key is input. Remote control unit, characterized in that for changing. The method of claim 1, And the control unit changes the setting of the electronic product to be controlled remotely when the second control key, which is not included in the keycode table of the first electronic product, is input plural times in succession. The method of claim 2, The control unit, when the second control key is included in the key code table for controlling the second electronic product, remote control unit, characterized in that for setting the electronic product of the remote control to the second electronic product . The method of claim 1, Further comprising a display unit for displaying an image or a character under the control of the controller, If the input second control key is not included in the keycode table of the first electronic product set as the control target, the controller searches the memory unit to search the keycode table including the second control key. And displaying the information of the search result through the display unit. The method of claim 4, wherein The information of the search result includes information of an electronic product to which a keycode table including the second control key is applicable; And the control unit resets the control object to the electronic product selected by the user among the information of the search result displayed through the display unit. In the remote control unit having a plurality of key code table, to remotely control a plurality of electronic products, Receiving a control key input by a user; Determining whether the control key is included in a keycode table corresponding to an electronic product set as a control target; As a result of the determination, when the control key is not included in the key code table of the set electronic product, checking a pattern to which the control key is input; And Resetting the electronic product to be controlled by searching a keycode table including the control key according to the input pattern of the control key. The method of claim 6, And wherein the setting of the electronic product to be controlled by the remote control unit is changed, when the same control key is continuously input a plurality of times. The method of claim 6, After searching the keycode table including the control key according to the input pattern of the control key, And a list of electronic products to which the keycode table of the searched result is applicable is displayed to the user, and resetting to the electronic product selected by the user is performed.

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