Remote control unit and method for remote control of multimedia devices

FIELD: physics, control.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to remote control. The remote control unit (10) has a touch-sensitive control panel (27) and a transmitting device (18, 33) for transmitting encoded signals (17). The encoded signals (17) are generated depending on the direction (δ) of movement of contact to successive areas of the control panel (27) independent of the point of contact to the control panel. The encoded signals can also be generated depending on movement of the remote control unit (10) coupled with a motion sensor (31).

EFFECT: efficient control of a remote control unit without visual contact.

10 cl, 7 dwg

The invention relates to a remote control unit in accordance with the restrictive part of paragraph 1 of the claims, as well as to a method of remote control in accordance with the restrictive part of paragraph 5 of the claims.

This remote control unit is known from DE 19653840 A1. In this case, the manual presents the transmitting device for the remote-controlled Central locking system locks vehicles, comprising a housing, a vehicle, an electronic control circuit of the transmission medium and the solar battery element, which supplies the control circuit with electricity.

GB 2396046 And demonstrates keychain security alarm, with the body made of transparent plastic, which is located inside the bulb, which in the case of an alarm begins to glow. Next, the casing has two push-button switch to activate and deactivate the alarm.

US 2003/0206128 A1 demonstrates the universal remote control device with a transparent acrylic body, inside of which is placed an incandescent lamp. Through searching devices incandescent lamp can be translated into the combustion mode and activate the sound sensor.

DE 20 2005015165 U1 shows a remotely controlled locking device for the truck, whose keyboard and display are formed via the touch screen.

The remote control units electronic devices, such for example, as TV sets, radios, VCRs, foster the installation of satellite television, DVD players, and other household appliances, such as lights, blinds, garage doors, etc., today widespread. They generally have a housing with a slot for accommodating a battery, a plate with conductive tracks and electronic structural elements, keyboard, and a transmitting device, for example an infrared transmitting diode. One of the buttons is usually used to enable and disable the remote control unit. The rest of the buttons are assigned, respectively, one or more functions, so when you click on the managed device sends a coded infrared signal.

Problematic in this kind of remote control units is not visible and a large number of buttons. Some remote control units have more than 40 buttons, whose functions most users could not identify.

Therefore, in EP 1185922 B1 serves to simplify maintenance miltimedia system navigating the intersection points on the user interface method use the duck for which you want the remote control unit with a few buttons, which when used on the screen, for example on the TV screen, can be caused by all the available options.

Instead of the keyboard with a separate mechanically controlled by the buttons has already been proposed to use the touch keyboard, now called the "Touch-Pad" (see DE 19908406 A1, DE 10013444 A1, EP 0813743 B1), or the so-called "Touch-Screen", that is, the display device, which is both touch (see US-A-5237327, US-A-5353016 or EP 0946918 B1).

"Touch-Pad" and "Touch Screen" is widely known and described, for example, in WO 92/04724 A1 or in DE 202007001624 U1. They operate according to different principles, including capacitance, resistance, optics or using sound waves (surface acustic wave). These devices, referred to generally as "touch the keyboard or touch panel control, generate an electrical signal which uniquely belongs to one or to multiple locations on the surface, which relate to an object or finger.

Thus, it is possible to replace the functionality of a keyboard with a separate mechanical buttons on this touch keyboard by the fact that certain areas of this keyboard are assigned specific functions.

In the above-mentioned WO 92/04724, DE 19908406 A1, DE 10013444 A1 and US 5,353,016 the keyboard is made, accordingly, transparent, and consists, for example, of transparent glass plates.

Problematic is, however, that the user to control the remote control unit must address specific, accurately located, defined zones, which typically requires that the user saw touch screen to touch the right place to call the desired function. In dark surroundings, for example, when viewing a television program or during the demonstration of the film, these steps require a certain voltage. For persons with limited visual capabilities, it becomes difficult, for example if they have vision problems in the form of "long-sightedness" (age-related farsightedness) and for near vision they need glasses for distance vision, and where is the screen, the glasses are not required.

Therefore, the objective of the invention is to improve the remote control unit of the type specified above in the sense that it was easy for them to manage without visual contact.

This task is solved by means provided in paragraph 1 of the claims of the signs. Preferred embodiments of options and improvements of the invention can be derived from the further dependent claims.

The basic principle of the invention is based is ivalsa on the direction of movement of the touch control panel is estimated on the basis of this determined appropriately coded signals of the remote control unit. Thus, this occurs regardless of the exact location of the touch control panel. In other words, the user need only "anywhere" to make navigating the control panel by swiping your finger or another object on the keyboard, resulting solely depending on the direction of movement, and not from the place, generates the appropriate control signals.

For control by the user and resulting in the action menu, quite often all four control commands, such as commands "UP", "DOWN", "LEFT" and "RIGHT". Data four control commands and associated coded signals are assigned to the specified direction of motion within the specified zones. For four teams is enough, therefore, to define four circular quadrant. If, for example, in the Cartesian coordinate system define its vertical axis with an angle of 0°, the first quadrant defined by the angles from -45° to +45°, would determine the vertical direction V+. The quadrant angles of 180°+/-45° would determine the vertical direction V is. Both of the other quadrants in the zone of +/-90°/-45° would determine the horizontal direction H+ and H-.

To call the designated direction V+ functionality, the user should, therefore, only to spend anywhere on the control panel with a finger or other object in the direction located in the first quadrant (from -45° to +45°).

Naturally, it is also possible to define more than four directions of movement, for example, by the fact that these areas make it more narrow and define, for example, eight segments, each with an angular zone of 45°, so you receive the following four diagonal directions of movement and, thus, the following four commands.

Also generating a set of signals can result in quick succession reciprocating movement in the same direction, and a brief single or multiple touching the same, however, arbitrarily spatially located to place the control panel.

To personalize the appropriate user may optionally be provided by the authentication device, for example, in the form of a device for fingerprint, located either in the area of the touch control panel, or in the preferred embodiment, outside, on the narrow side surface of the remote control unit, and in this case, the user to "read" fingerprints should provest the finger, preferably the thumb, along the device to read the fingerprint.

In the case of the remote control unit can additionally be a position sensor or move. In the presence of sensor position, depending on the position of the remote control unit, the predetermined signal may be sent to one or more remotely controlled devices. Particularly, it is preferable that the position sensor in the position of the remote control unit, wherein the touch panel is facing downward (toward the center of the Earth), sent a signal off a remotely controlled device, for example the TV. Through this signal remote managed device translates, for example, in the standby mode. Conversely, when turning the remote control unit at the position at which the touch panel is facing up, can send the enable signal to one or more remotely controlled devices through which these devices from standby mode, switches to active mode.

These signals can also be transmitted when the remote control unit is placed on one of its edges, that is, when the plane of the touch control panel is oriented vertically.

In addition, by a sensor is aromasine specified displacements can also be assigned a specific coded signal, which is sent automatically when performing a given movement. For example, the command for the selection function may be associated with a given movement of the remote control unit. Feature selection in this sense means activating specific display screen functions. In this case, the remote control unit again assigned to a given transmitted signal.

Further, it can be provided that the remote control unit switches itself into the power saving mode, if the predetermined time interval has not occurred any move or change position, and no touch control panel. Conversely, it may be provided that the remote control unit from the power saving switches to the active mode of operation if the remote control unit moves himself or his situation changes, or when you touch the touch panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch panel occupies the entire surface of the remote control unit.

In accordance with a variant modification of the invention in the process of two-way operation of the remote control unit with a controlled device can be activated and others move with more complex schemes move the tion, and then the linear motion of touching the successive zones of the control panel is deactivated. In this case, it is possible, for example, a circular movement around full circle, half circle, quarter circle, or more complex movements, such as plus signs, letters or numbers, and these patterns of movement are completely independent from touching the control panel. A simple function, which is configured exclusively for one direction of movement and does not depend on the length of the direction of movement must be deactivated, as a more complex scheme with a series of different directions of movement activated a lot of teams. Switching in this modified mode of operation with several different successive directions of movement, which then form the circuit, is preferably depending on the system menu remote controlled device, which leads to two-way operation between the remotely controlled device and the remote control unit. The remote control unit receives, thus, in this case from a remotely controlled device corresponding signal to the switch.

Touch control panel can operate on any known principle. the preferred embodiment is a capacitive reaction surface. However, it is also possible and the use of sensors, pressure-sensitive ultrasonic sensors operating on the principle of surface waves, thermal sensors or optical sensors.

The power supply of the remote control unit can be produced by solar cells that charge the drive, for example a battery or a capacitor. When using the battery may also be inductive charging or charging through galvanic contacts, in interaction with the charging station.

Other details of the invention are identified on the basis of the following description of the exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawings, which represent:

figure 1 - block diagram of a multimedia system with remote control unit in accordance with the invention;

figure 2 - schematic exploded view of the embodiment of the remote control unit in accordance with the invention;

figure 3 - block diagram for explanation of the directions of movement;

4 and 5 is schematic top view of a touch control panel for clarification of control;

6 and 7 are schematic top view used in the invention control panel.

Figure 1 presents a multimedia system with a Central control device 1 is connected to the body of Sonny receiver 2 screen 3, as well as many other multimedia devices 4, 5, 6 and 7, which, for example, are the VCR 4 / reception setting 5 satellite television, CD players, 6, DVD players, 7, and, in General, can be connected to any controlled electrical devices, such, for example, as the unit door control, lighting control, signal device closing, heating installations, video cameras and other instruments, home furnishings, etc. Finally, the Central control device may have other communication connection 8, such for example, as the connection to the telephone network or other communication networks.

All connected to a Central control device, the devices can be controlled from the unit 10 remote control in cooperation with the Central control device 1, that is, for example, through a menu system that is displayed on the screen 3. The menu system is, in principle, arranged in the form of a matrix 11, which has many columns 12 and multiple lines 13. Each column of the matrix corresponds to its management team for one of the connected devices. Each graph matrix can be switched by means of the unit 10 remote control that in the preferred embodiment, is through what all matrix 11 through horizontal and/or vertical offset is moved so what moves the selected field into the zone 14 of focus, which is still located in the specified area of the screen 3. This is especially evident menu system becomes then, when we see only one column 12 and one line 13, and all other fields of the matrix is dark, which is presented in figure 1 through the hatch. Area 14 of focus is in this case at the point of intersection of the visible column 12 and the visible line 13.

As indicated by vertical arrows 15 and the horizontal arrows 16, the entire matrix can thus "spin" in the vertical and horizontal directions, and in the zone 14 of focus is always only one field. Thus, selection of a particular field and, thus, a specific command by four teams moving, as it commands: "UP", "DOWN", "LEFT" and "RIGHT". If the desired field with the appropriate function for the respective device is in the zone 14 of focus, it also required a select command or the command is activated. Further, it is expedient to provide the "BACK"command, so that if you need to pass in the reverse direction different levels of the menu.

Using this menu system is required, in principle, only six control commands, and for special applications can be naturally provided and more the more command.

At least these six control commands, as well as possible additional commands, generated by basepackages unit 10 remote control in the form of coded signals transmitted to the Central control device 1, which in the preferred embodiment, is carried out wirelessly via a coded infrared signals, indicated by arrows 17.

Unit 10 remote control has, accordingly, the transmitting device 18 with the transmitting diode and the Central control device 1 has a corresponding receiving device 19 with the receiving diode 20. In principle, between the Central unit 1 and control unit 10 remote control may be provided and two-way communication to send feedback from the unit 1 control unit 10 remote control or for works "Update" software update unit 10 remote control.

To generate the above commands at offset matrix in accordance with the arrows 15 and 16, and also to generate other commands control unit 10 remote control is implemented so that these commands are invoked only by moving the finger or other object on the touch pad control block is 10 remote control and not by touching specific areas of the control panel, as in the prior art. Similarly, the direction of the arrows 15 and 16 should be the appropriate move on the keyboard unit 10 remote control, as indicated by arrows 21 and 22.

Figure 2 shows the block 10 remote control in tocompletion image. Unit 10 remote control has a body 25 and the cover 26 of the housing, the outer side of which is fully equipped with a touch panel 27 of the administration and the cover 26 and the panel 27 is a control transparent. The cover 26 is made, for example, of glass or of transparent plastic, such as acrylic glass. In assembled condition, the cover 26 is firmly and, at least, without the possibility of penetration of the spray, is connected to the housing 25. The housing 25 may also be made of glass or another transparent material. It is also possible, however, to make the case from any other materials, in particular of plastic. All the necessary structural elements, with the exception of panel 27 control, located inside the enclosure. So, in the internal space of the body are microprocessor 28 and other electronic structural elements 29, one of which is the sensor 30 position. As a constructive element may be a sensor berelement. As a constructive element is a drive circuit 32 of the excitation of the infrared transmitting diode 33, which optionally can be performed as a receiving diode, and in this case, the drive circuit 32 may take on the function of the receiving device. Structural elements include next, at least one module 34 memory, which can also be integrated in the microprocessor 28. As an option there is another module 35 memory in the form of a so-called SIM card 35.

Optionally it may also include an external interface 36, for example, in the form of known USB port (USB=Universal serial Bus).

Further provided by the device 37 identification, which has, for example, a device for the fingerprint reader, which in this case is such that facing the narrow side 38 of the housing 25 and, thus, separated from the panel 27 of the control. It is also possible, however, to have such a device for fingerprint panel 27 of the control. All of the above structural elements directly or indirectly through wires connected to the microprocessor 28.

The power supply unit 10 remote control may be provided by a battery 40, which can be charged inductively through the coil 41. Alternatively, the battery is ATOR 40 can be charged through the USB connector 36. Finally, it is also possible to place on the facing of the panel 27 management underside 25 of the solar cells, through which charges the battery 40.

Unit 10 remote control does not have any buttons or mechanically externally managed switches. Moreover, it can operate solely through his position in combination with the sensor 30 States and possibly by certain movements in interaction with sensor 31 move, as well as through the touch panel 27 of the control. Thus, the remote control unit has a completely smooth body, providing not only an attractive design, but also prevents the danger of the penetration of dirt or moisture, and do not create any danger in that any moving parts, such as switches, buttons, etc., will be mechanically damaged.

The main control unit remote control is performed by moving the finger or other object on the panel 27 of the control.

Figure 3 is intended to clarify the situation. On the chart presented here identified eight directions of movement, namely:

vertically UP (V+)

vertically DOWN (V-)

horizontally RIGHT (H+)

horizontally LEFT (N)

diagonally RIGHT-DOWN (D1)

diagonally RIGHT UP" (D2+)

diagonally LEFT-DOWN (D2)

Each of these eight directions of movement assigned to the sector with an angular area of 22.5°. This means that the movement of the panel 27 of the control in the direction δ is investigated and evaluated on the basis of the fact that certain figure 3 sectors it gets. So to say, in the mathematical sense vector is formed and is defined by its direction or angle δ with respect to an axis, for example the longitudinal axis 42.

Important is the fact that it occurs in full regardless of where the panel 27 management is moving, as the decisive is only the direction or angular position δ of the vector.

This is explained on the basis of figure 4 and 5. Figure 4 different sensor elements are presented in the form of circles. If you ever hold your finger over the pad 27 management through these circles, then chronologically for each other relating to individual zones (circles)shown in Fig.6 as black, dark dots. On this basis, can be formed vector, respectively, are presented in figure 4 and 5 arrows, which forms an angle δ relative to the main axis 42.

All are depicted in figure 4, the arrows have a relatively mainstream, sootvetstvenno is, the longitudinal axis 42, the angle δ, which falls within the indicated as D2+sector figure 3.

Similarly, all depicted in figure 5, the arrows have the angle δ, which falls into the sector, indicated in figure 3 as V+. Every time one of the arrow angle δ detected in one of the sectors, is sent to the related encoded command in the form of infrared signal. The length of the arrows in figure 4 and 5 has a smaller value. For unequivocal identification of a move is determined a priori only defined minimum length, so that, for example, be able to distinguish the movement from multiple touches (for example, the so-called "double click") to the same place.

For some applications it is sufficient to provide only four teams move, respectively, V+, V-, N+, N-. In this case, the private sector can be wider, that is, for example, +/- 45° relative to the corresponding principal directions.

6 shows the top view of the touch control panel in the Central zone of a sequence of dark dots, which are sequentially touched. In principle, on the basis of the starting point 44 and the end point 45 can be formed by vector 46, which can be evaluated. The accuracy of recognition, of course, increased if involving matematiche which such methods are considered and passed the rest of the points, and on this basis is formed by vector 46.

In the right zone 6 presents a special zone 44, which may be reserved for special functions. For example, when using the remote control of television receivers, it is desirable to be able to choose special functions "loud" and "quiet" to adjust the sound or query the system management menu, and move in this particular area 44 in the upward direction enhances the sound, and in a downward direction decreases. For others, it is very often used for special functions, such as changing the channel while watching TV, can be provided for other special areas that are suitable variant should be placed closer to the edge of the panel 27 of the control, such, for example, as a special area 44a figure 6, which, for example, is reserved for the function "BACK", using which the user can go through the menu in the opposite direction.

Fig.7 demonstrates that there are other possible move to execute specified commands, for example, move in the form of a full circle 48 or semicircle 49, and in this case can be taken into account the direction of rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise). In practice, of course, limited to simple geometric shapes to provide a simple control with, the mind is raised, and more complex images, such as letters, numbers or other symbols. Thus, in this case, the transmitting device generates coded signals depending on many successive directions of movement of the touch to successive areas of the control panel, and again, this is absolutely not dependent on the specific location of touch. To distinguish between rectilinear movement to one direction of movement (as shown in Fig.6) to recognize more complex pattern (as shown in Fig.7) the remote control unit must be switched to the other mode of operation, which in the preferred embodiment, is performed by the Central control device 1 (Fig 1), and in this case between the device 1 and control unit 10 remote control is a two-way mode. In this mode, which is activated depending on the system menu of the control unit, moving with the same direction of movement are not taken into account, because otherwise even the initial move along more complex pattern would generate a vector with the same direction of movement.

The next important in practice a special function, which is primarily reserved for the selection function, is that what-what about the area are only briefly once or twice, without the work of moving along a longitudinal path. In this case also it makes absolutely no difference where in the control panel there was such a touching, so the user should not, as in the case of the so-called touch screen, touch a certain area.

To further facilitate control panel 27 control can be equipped with a visual display device. Also, depending on the specific filed of signals (17 in figure 1) can be generated acoustic sounds for supplying the user with an audible confirmation.

As mentioned earlier, by a sensor 31 move (figure 1) certain movements may be logged when the thresholds converted into the corresponding coded control signals. Caused by movements of the control signals can also be used to select various control devices and, thus, the corresponding menu. Of particular importance is the fact that by a sensor 31 move or sensor 30 position can be switched on and off remotely managed devices.

It is also possible when using the touch screen to make the display the corresponding menu or matrix 11 with figure 1 on the touch panel 27 of the control.

1. Block remote the district management containing a touch panel (27) management and the transmitting device (18, 33) for transmission of the coded signals (17) depending on the touch panel (27) of the administration and the transmitting device (18, 33) is configured to generate coded signals (17) depending on the direction (δ) move the touch to the successive zones of the panel (27) control regardless of the location of the touch panel (27) control,
when the transmitting device (18, 33) is configured to generate coded signals (17) depending on several successive different directions (δ) move touching the successive zones of the panel (27) control regardless of the location of the touch panel control unit (10) of the remote control is designed with the ability to switch through two-way operation when interacting with the device (1) control mode of operation in which the touch of the successive zones of the panel (27) control in only one direction (δ) the movement is not taken into account.

2. The remote control unit according to claim 1, additionally containing a sensor (31) motion and/or sensor (30) position, the unit (10) of the remote control is designed with the ability to generate specified coded signals (17) based on the output signals of the sensor (30) position and/or sensor (31) move, in particular the signal to turn off one or more remotely controlled devices (1).

3. The remote control unit according to claim 2, characterized in that in the position in which the panel (27) management oriented vertically or points down toward the center of the Earth, made with the possibility to generate a preset coded signal (17) to turn off one or more remotely controlled devices.

4. The remote control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, additionally containing device (37) identification, thus generating coded signals (17) additionally depends on the output of the device (37) identification.

5. The method of remote control of multimedia systems containing phase, which send the specified coded signals by touching the touch panel, thus determine the direction (δ) move touching the successive zones of the panel (27) control and choose set coded signals depending on the direction (δ) move regardless of the location of the touch panel (27) control,
one can also define several successive directions of movement of the touch to the successive zones of the control panel and choose set coded signals depending on several is the space of a few registered destinations (δ) move regardless of the location of the touch panel (27) management and touch with a single direction (δ) the movement is not taken into account, and the remote control unit switches the operation mode due to two-way operation when interacting with the device (1) of the control.

6. The method according to claim 5, which further check, inside of a corner arc is the direction (δ) move, and each sector corresponds to a given coded signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, in which each sector contains an angular range equal to 90°.

8. The method according to claim 6, in which each sector contains an angular range equal to 45°.

9. The method according to any of pp.5-8, in which the register transfer unit remote control sensor displacement and/or position of the remote control unit position sensor, thus generating set coded signals depending on the output signal of the displacement sensor and/or position sensor.

10. The method according to claim 9, in which, depending on the output signals of the displacement sensor and/or position sensor generated coded signals include and/or deactivate one or more remotely controlled devices.