JP4034722B2 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely operating electronic equipment such as AV equipment and home appliances.

In recent years, a remote control (remote control) device for remote operation is attached to an electronic device. For example, electronic devices such as a television, a video deck, a CD player, and a DVD player have separate remote control devices. These electronic devices are multifunctional, and if an operation key corresponding to all functions is provided in the remote control device, the operation is troublesome due to an increase in size and an increase in operation keys. In addition, if there is a remote control device for each electronic device, it is very troublesome to manage and store the electronic device so that it can be recognized which remote device is the remote control device.
In view of this, a remote control device that can operate a plurality of electronic devices with one remote control device has been proposed. For example, a liquid crystal display panel is provided on the surface of a remote control device, and the display content of the liquid crystal display panel is changed in accordance with the electronic device to be operated to display the electronic device name and operation items (Patent Document 1). .
JP 2002-324573 A

However, since the device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display panel on the surface of the remote control device and all the operation keys corresponding to each electronic device are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel, it is possible for users who are used to ordinary hard keys. The appearance and operation were uncomfortable. Furthermore, a touch panel such as a liquid crystal panel is not easy to use because it does not have a click feeling compared to a hard key and has a poor operational feeling, and a blind operation while watching a TV screen or the like is difficult. In addition, a display means for displaying the name of the electronic device is required on the surface of the remote control body so that it can be understood which electronic device is currently operated.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a remote control device that is small in size and excellent in operability in terms of appearance, operation, and comfort.

The present invention is a remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device, comprising: a main body member provided with a hard key for remotely operating the electronic device; and a moving member provided movably on the main body member. The moving member is provided with display means for displaying a menu for remotely operating the electronic device, the display means is covered with the main body member, and the display means is the main body member. When the moving member is in the first position, at least a part of the display means is visible.
When the moving member is in the first position, a part of the display means is exposed from the main body member.
The main body member has an opening, and when the moving member is in the first position, at least a part of the display means can be visually recognized through the opening.
A part of the main body member is configured to be movable, and when the moving member is in the first position, at least a part of the display means can be visually recognized by moving a part of the main body member. It is characterized by.
When the moving member is in the first position, display of the display means is performed according to the movement of a part of the main body member.
The main body member includes an upper main body and a lower main body, and the moving member is movable between the upper main body and the lower main body.
The moving member is rotatably provided on the main body member.
The remote control device can remotely control a plurality of electronic devices, and the menu corresponds to an operation of an electronic device selected to be used among the plurality of electronic devices.
When the moving member is in the first position, the display unit displays the selected electronic device.
When the moving member is in the first position, the function selected by the hard key or the menu is displayed on the display means.
When the moving member is in the first position, a part or all of the functions that can be selected by the hard key or the menu are displayed on the display means.
The display means is configured as a touch panel, and the menu is an operable soft key.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote control device that is small in size and excellent in operability in terms of appearance, operation, and comfort.

  Next, the contents of the present invention will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 shows a state when a liquid crystal panel 13 to be described later is in a position covered by the upper body 1a. FIG. 2 is a side view of the remote control device of FIG. 1 viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body is composed of an upper main body 1a and a lower main body 1b, and the operation unit 12 is sandwiched between the upper main body 1a and the lower main body 1b. The upper body 1a includes a device switching key 2 for switching an electronic device to be used, an opening 3 for confirming the selected electronic device, a power key 4 for controlling on / off of the power of the selected electronic device, A joystick 5 for operating a screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13, a screen operation member 6 for operating a screen displayed on a television, etc., a device / setting key 7 for switching the mode of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13, a volume A key 8, a channel selection key 9, and the like are provided. Similarly, a channel selection key 10 composed of numeric keys “1” to “12” and an AV operation key 11 for performing operations such as reproduction and recording which are common to AV devices are also provided on the upper main body 1a. It has been. In the present invention, the operation keys provided on the upper main body 1a are referred to as hard keys, and the operation keys displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 configured as a touch panel described later are soft keys. That's it.

  4 to 6 show states when the operation unit 12 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 7 and 8 are configuration diagrams of the state in which the upper body 1a is removed in the state of FIGS. The operation unit 12 is rotatably supported by a rotation support portion 15 on the upper body 1a and the lower body 1b. The operation unit 12 can be moved by a moving operation member 14 that rotates in conjunction with the operation unit 12. The movement operation member 14 may be configured integrally with the operation unit 12 or may be configured separately. Since the movement operation member 14 is configured to be partially exposed from the upper main body 1a and the lower main body 1b, the movement operation member 14 can be moved by rotating the movement operation member 14 with a finger or the like from the outside. Can be performed. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the operation unit 12 is moving, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the liquid crystal panel 13 is not covered by the apparatus body, that is, a state when the operation unit 12 is in the use position. It is. FIG. 3 is a side view of the remote control device in the state of FIG. 5 as viewed from the right side.

  For example, the operation unit 12 can be configured to display a screen on the liquid crystal panel 13 when moved to the use position shown in FIG. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption when the operation unit 12 is inadvertently moved when there is no intention to use it (for example, the state shown in FIG. 4). Note that the screen may be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 when the operation unit 12 moves to the state of FIG. 5 and any one of the operation keys (for example, the device switching key 2) is operated. If the liquid crystal panel 13 is a touch panel, the liquid crystal panel 13 may be configured to display a screen when the liquid crystal panel 13 is touched. Further, if the screen display is made on the liquid crystal panel 13 and no operation or movement is continued for a predetermined time, the power consumption can be further reduced if the screen display is turned off. In this case, the screen display can be restored by detecting that the remote control device has been lifted or moved by a sensor, or by detecting that an operation key has been operated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the operation unit 12 is moved in the direction opposite to that in FIG. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the operation unit 12 can be used even if it is moved in either the left or right direction, it is possible to handle both right-handed and left-handed, and the usability is further improved. When the operation unit 12 takes a plurality of use positions, the screen can be always recognized in the same direction by configuring the screen direction of the liquid crystal panel 13 to change according to the positions. The movement position of the operation unit 12 is not limited to these, and may be moved upward, for example.

  According to the present invention, in the normal state, that is, in the state of FIG. 1 in which the operation unit 12 is not used, the operation unit 12 is sandwiched and covered between the upper body 1a and the lower body 1b. The effect of being protected from dirt and the like is exhibited. In the above example, the operation unit 12 is sandwiched between the upper body 1a and the lower body 1b. However, as shown in the side view of FIG. 9, the body is not divided into the upper body 1a and the lower body 1b. The operation unit 12 may be provided on the lower surface of the main body 1.

  Next, a method for using the remote control device of the present invention will be described. For example, if you do not perform complicated operations or operations specific to each electronic device, such as watching television (such as terrestrial analog broadcasting) or viewing playback images on a video deck, without using the operation unit 12, The operation can be performed in the state of FIG. For example, if a television is selected with the device switching key 2, an operation such as selecting a channel to be viewed with the channel selection key 10 composed of the numeric keys "1" to "12" or changing the volume with the volume key 8 is performed. Can be performed. When a video is selected, operations necessary for video recording, reproduction, etc. can be performed by AV operation keys 11 for reproduction, recording, and the like. As described above, if the operation keys corresponding to frequently used functions and operations are provided in the upper main body 1a, the operation unit 12 is not used and the operation is performed in the same manner as a remote control device configured with conventional hard keys. Therefore, there is no sense of incongruity in appearance and operation for the user, and it is easy to operate. Since these hard keys are operation keys that can be operated blindly, that is, operation keys that are operated while watching a television screen or are switched when operated, the operability is further improved. The operation keys provided on the upper body 1a are not limited to these.

  Next, an operation using the operation unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 10, a television is selected as a device to be used, and the liquid crystal panel 13 displays, as a screen 13 a, a display of the selected device name “TV” and a menu related to the function and operation of the television such as “program guide”. ing. For example, when a DVD is selected as a device to be used, a device name “DVD” and a menu related to the DVD function and operation are displayed as shown in FIG. The menu displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 can be selected by moving the joystick 5 provided on the upper main body 1a up and down, left and right, and the selected menu can be determined by pushing the joystick 5. The menu operation may be performed using a cross button or the like instead of the joystick 5. Alternatively, the liquid crystal panel 13 may be configured as a touch panel, and selection / determination may be performed by touching a menu on the screen with a finger as a soft key capable of operating the menu. The screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 is sequentially switched to the three mode screens of the remote control mode screen 13a, the device selection mode screen 13b, and the setting mode screen 13c as shown in FIG. 10 by pressing the device / setting key 7. Can do. The device selection mode screen 13b can be used to select a device to be used, and the setting mode screen 13c is configured to allow various settings. As described above, functions and operations peculiar to each electronic device can be switched by being displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 as a menu, and thus can correspond to many devices and functions.

  Next, the opening 3 will be described. In the state of FIG. 1, a part of the liquid crystal panel 13 covered with the upper main body 1 a can be viewed from above the upper main body 1 a through the opening 3. Since the opening 3 may be configured so that a part of the liquid crystal panel 13 can be visually recognized, the opening 3 may be covered with plastic, glass, or the like. For example, the name of the currently selected electronic device (“TV”, “DVD”, etc.) is displayed on the portion of the liquid crystal panel 13 that can be visually recognized through the opening 3, whereby a new liquid crystal panel is displayed on the upper body 1 a. The selected electronic device can be recognized without providing a display member such as. The content displayed on the portion of the liquid crystal panel 13 corresponding to the opening 3 is the next electronic device selected by the device switching key 2 in addition to the name of the selected electronic device, for example, as shown in FIG. The name can also be displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the selected operation, function, etc. (“DVD playback”, etc.) can be displayed, and as shown in FIG. 14, the operation, function that can be currently selected. Etc. ("terrestrial D" etc.) can also be displayed. In addition, a combination of these displays may be used to display a plurality of displays. Usually, an electronic device name is displayed, and when an operation key is operated, the function, operation, etc. of the operation key are displayed and after a predetermined time. You may make it the structure which returns to an electronic device name. Note that the display of the liquid crystal panel 13 corresponding to the opening 3 is normally off, and if the display is performed when an operation key (for example, the device switching key 2) is operated, the power consumption is reduced. It leads to reduction. Further, if the liquid crystal panel 13 is a touch panel, the display can be made when the liquid crystal panel 13 is touched. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, when the operation unit 12 is moved to the use position, the liquid crystal panel 13 does not exist in the opening 3 portion, and thus corresponds to, for example, the opening portion of the lower main body 1b. If characters such as “Please check the LCD screen” are engraved on the part, it will be easier to use. Of course, nothing may be displayed on the lower main body 1b without marking.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which the opening 3 is provided in the upper body 1a. However, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper body 1a is divided into two (20m, 20n), and one (20n) Can be configured to be slidable. In the state of FIG. 15, the liquid crystal panel 13 cannot be viewed from above the upper main body 1a, but a part of the liquid crystal panel 13 can be visually recognized by sliding 20n downward to the state of FIG. . Accordingly, the name of the electronic device currently selected can be recognized by displaying the name of the electronic device or the like in that portion. FIGS. 17 and 18 are examples in which the upper body 1a is divided into 21m and 21n by changing the division location. In the case of a configuration in which a part of the upper main body 1a is moved as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the power consumption can be reduced by displaying on the liquid crystal panel 13 in conjunction with the movement of the upper main body 1a. It is effective in terms of etc.

  As another example, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the operation unit 120 is not used, a part of the liquid crystal panel 130 is exposed from the upper body 100 a, and the exposed liquid crystal panel 130 is not exposed. An electronic device name or the like can be displayed on the part. FIG. 20 is a side view of FIG. 19 viewed from the right side.

  Although the above configuration has been described as a remote control device corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices, the present invention may be used for a composite device (for example, a television with a built-in DVD recording / playback device) or a single device. Of course, it is applicable.

  Moreover, although the said structure is a structure to which the operation unit 12 rotates, this invention is not limited to this, For example, the structure which slides to right and left, up and down, etc. may be sufficient.

The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The side view of the remote control apparatus of FIG. The side view of the remote control apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the movement state of the operation unit of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the movement state of the operation unit of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the movement state of the operation unit of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which removed the upper main body of FIG. The block diagram which removed the upper main body of FIG. The side view of the remote control apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the use condition of the operation unit of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other display screen of a liquid crystal panel. The figure which shows the display content of the liquid crystal panel of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the display content of the liquid crystal panel of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the display content of the liquid crystal panel of the remote control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the remote control apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the movement state of the upper main body of the remote control apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the remote control apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the movement state of the upper main body of the remote control apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the remote control apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. The side view of the remote control apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 1a Upper main body 1b Lower main body 2 Device switching key 3 Opening 4 Power key 5 Joystick 6 Screen operation member 7 Device / setting key 8 Volume key 9 Channel selection key 10 Channel selection key 11 AV operation key 12 Operation unit (movement) Element)
13 Liquid crystal panel (display means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Moving operation member 15 Rotation support part 20m Divided upper main body 20n Divided upper main body 21m Divided upper main body 21n Divided upper main body 100a Upper main body 120 Operation unit (moving member)
130 Liquid crystal panel (display means)

Claims (12)

A remote control device for remotely operating an electronic device,
A main body member provided with hard keys for remotely operating the electronic device;
A movable member movably provided on the main body member;
The moving member is provided with display means for displaying a menu for remotely operating the electronic device, the display means is covered with the main body member, and the display means is covered with the main body member. Is movable to a second position not
When the moving member is in the first position, at least a part of the display means is visible.   The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein when the moving member is in the first position, a part of the display means is exposed from the main body member.   The said main body member has an opening part, When the said moving member exists in the said 1st position, a part of said display means can be visually recognized through the said opening part. The remote control device described.   A part of the main body member is configured to be movable, and when the moving member is in the first position, at least a part of the display means can be visually recognized by moving a part of the main body member. The remote control device according to claim 1.   5. The remote control device according to claim 4, wherein when the moving member is in the first position, display of the display unit is performed in accordance with movement of a part of the main body member.   The said main body member is comprised from the upper main body and the lower main body, The said moving member is movable between the said upper main body and the said lower main body, The Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Remote control device.   The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the moving member is rotatably provided on the main body member.   The remote control device can remotely control a plurality of electronic devices, and the menu corresponds to an operation of an electronic device selected to be used among the plurality of electronic devices. The remote control device according to any one of 1 to 7.   9. The remote control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the moving member is in the first position, the display unit displays a selected electronic device.   10. The remote according to claim 1, wherein when the moving member is in the first position, the display unit displays a function selected by the hard key or the menu. Control device.   11. When the moving member is at the first position, a part or all of functions that can be selected by the hard key or the menu are displayed on the display means. The remote control device according to the above.   The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured as a touch panel, and the menu is an operable soft key.

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