Remotely controlled unit

Abstract

To provide a remotely controlled unit for informing a viewer that the viewer was watching a television broadcast channel at a specific past time, or was watching a recorded television broadcast or an Internet video.SOLUTION: A remotely controlled unit 1 includes instruction means 3, a control unit 4, a plurality of selection input units 5, and a past trigger input unit 6. The plurality of selection input units 5 are configured as a plurality of numeric keys. The control unit 4 changes the plurality of numeric keys 50 from a normal state to a changing state when the past trigger input unit 6 is operated. When a viewer selects one of the plurality of numeric keys 50 in the changing state, the control unit 4 performs channel selection corresponding to a past selection content selected in the past time associated with the selected numeric key 50, or changes the appearance of the selection input unit 5 corresponding to the past selection content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control or other remote control device that operates a receiver that projects images, such as a television. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, remote controls capable of operating a television are well known (see Patent Document 1). This remote control includes a power input button, numeric keys for selecting a channel, a button for increasing the volume, a button for decreasing the volume, and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3030716 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, even if a viewer wishes to watch a specific television program that is broadcast on the same day every week, they may forget to watch the program when it is broadcast. Also, viewers may wish to know which television channel they were watching, whether they were watching a recorded television program, or whether they were watching an Internet video at a specific point in the past, such as the same time several days ago.

[0005] Therefore, the object is to provide a remote control device that can inform a viewer of the channel of a television broadcast that was viewed at a specific time in the past and that the viewer was viewing a recorded television broadcast or an internet video. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The remote control device of the present invention is a remote control device that is separate from a receiver that projects images, the images of which include television broadcasts, recordings of the television broadcasts, or Internet videos provided by a specific provider, and that operates as a receiver. The remote control device comprises: an instruction means for issuing a channel selection instruction to a channel selection means provided in the receiver that selects and displays the image from a plurality of targets; a control unit that controls the components of the remote control device including the instruction means; a plurality of selection input units that are operated by a viewer of the receiver to transmit to the control unit a selection content selected from one of a plurality of channels of the television broadcasts, a state in which the image related to the recording can be projected, or a state in which the Internet video can be projected, in order to issue the channel selection instruction from the instruction means; and a past trigger input unit that is operated by the viewer to input a trigger to specify a specific point in time in the past, and the plurality of selection input units are operable to transmit to the control unit a selection content selected from one of a plurality of channels of the television broadcasts, a state in which the image related to the recording can be projected, or a state in which the Internet video can be projected, in order to issue the channel selection instruction from the instruction means; At least a portion of the selection input unit is a plurality of numeric keys, each having a different number written on it, with the older number being the larger number in relation to the past, and each of the plurality of numeric keys is configured to be in at least two states, a normal state and a changed state resulting from a change from the normal state, as viewed by the viewer, and the control unit changes the plurality of numeric keys from the normal state to the changed state when the past trigger input unit is operated, and then, when the viewer selects and operates one of the plurality of numeric keys that is in the changed state, returns each of the plurality of numeric keys to the normal state and controls the instruction means to issue the channel selection instruction corresponding to a past selection content, which is the selection content of the selection input unit that was selected in the past for a time period previously linked to the selected numeric key, or changes the appearance of the selection input unit corresponding to the past selection content.

[0007] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to inform the viewer of the channel that was being viewed on television at the same time several days ago, and the operational status of recording viewing or internet video viewing at that time.

[0008] In the remote control device, the control unit may set the previously selected content to be the content that was selected for the longest time within a certain time range going back from the one point in the past.

[0009] According to this configuration, for example, a channel that was temporarily changed during a commercial broadcast can be excluded from the past selections, so that the viewer can be informed of content that is close to the actual viewing state in the past. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, a remote control device can be provided that can inform a viewer of the channel of a television broadcast that was being viewed at a specific point in time in the past, and that the viewer is viewing a recorded television broadcast or an internet video. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a remote control and a receiver according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the remote control unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a display screen on a receiver operated by the remote control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] 1, the remote control 1 operates a receiver 2 that projects an image. The remote control 1 is a separate entity from the receiver 2.

[0014] The receiver 2 is, for example, a television, but may also be a personal computer or game console capable of displaying television broadcasts. Images projected by the receiver 2 include television broadcasts. The images projected by the receiver 2 also include recordings of the television broadcasts, as well as Internet videos provided by specific providers. Providers of Internet videos include, for example, flat-rate video distribution services and online video sharing services. The receiver 2 also includes a channel selection means 20 for selecting and displaying an image to be projected from multiple targets. The receiver 2 also includes a display unit 21 for displaying images.

[0015] The channel selection means 20 is a receiving unit that receives a channel selection signal output from the instruction means 3 of the remote control 1, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the channel selection means 20 selects and displays images to be projected from real-time images of each terrestrial digital channel, real-time images of each satellite broadcast channel, recorded images, and images of Internet videos. The display unit 21 is, for example, a television screen.

[0016] 2, the remote control 1 is a remote control for a television. This remote control may be a remote control (single-function remote control) that comes with the receiver 2, or a remote control (multi-remote control) that can operate multiple types of receivers 2. Note that the remote control 1 may be a smartphone, personal computer, tablet terminal, or the like that has a function to operate the receiver 2, in addition to a remote control.

[0017] The remote control 1 also has an instruction means 3 for issuing channel selection instructions to the channel selection means 20 of the receiver 2, a control unit 4 for controlling the components of the remote control 1, and a plurality of selection input units 5 operated by the viewer (see FIG. 1). The remote control 1 also has a past trigger input unit 6 that is operated by the viewer and inputs a trigger for specifying a specific point in time in the past. In this embodiment, the control unit 4 functions using a circuit board provided in the remote control.

[0018] As such, the components of the remote control unit 1 include the instruction means 3, the selection input unit 5, and the past trigger input unit 6. In this embodiment, the components of the remote control unit 1 include a power input button 70, a channel selection button 71, and a volume increase / decrease button 72 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] The selection input unit 5 transmits to the control unit 4 a selection from one of multiple television broadcast channels, a state in which recorded images can be projected, or a state in which Internet videos can be projected, in response to the instruction means 3's channel selection instruction. In this embodiment, selectable television broadcast channels include terrestrial broadcast channels and satellite broadcast channels. A state in which recorded images can be projected refers, for example, to a state in which the television displays a list of recordings from a recording device such as a hard disk recorder connected to the television. A state in which Internet videos can be projected refers, for example, to a state in which the television displays the homepage of a subscription-based video streaming service site, the homepage of an online video sharing service site, or the homepage of a specific genre of video on these sites. The homepage image may be arbitrarily set by the viewer.

[0020] At least some of the multiple selection input units 5 are multiple number keys 50 with different numbers written on each key. In this embodiment, the selection input unit 5 includes, in addition to the number keys 50, a terrestrial broadcast selection button 51, a satellite broadcast selection button 52, a recording selection button 53 for selecting a state in which recorded images can be projected, and an internet selection button 54 for selecting a state in which internet videos can be projected. Note that multiple internet selection buttons 54 may be provided so that top screens of multiple video distribution service sites, etc. can be directly selected.

[0021] The numeric keys 50 include time point selection numeric keys 501 that can select a specific time point in the past. In this embodiment, the time point selection numeric keys 501 can select any time point from one day before to seven days before as the specific time point in the past. Note that the time point selection numeric keys 501 may be configured to select any time point from one day before to eight days before or nine days before as the specific time point in the past. Furthermore, the time point selection numeric keys 501 may be configured to select any time point more than 10 days before as the specific time point in the past by pressing the numeric key "10" and then pressing the numeric buttons "1" to "9" in succession.

[0022] In this embodiment, the numeric keys 50 include normal numeric keys 502 that do not select a specific time point in the past (similar to the channel buttons on a general remote control) in addition to the time point selection numeric keys 501. Note that the numeric keys 50 may be configured with only the time point selection numeric keys 501.

[0023] The multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 each have a different number written on them, with the older numbers being the larger, and each is pre-associated with a time. In this embodiment, the time point selection numeric keys 501 are pre-associated with a time number of days before the number written on them. Specifically, the number key "1" is pre-associated with "1 day ago," and the number key "2" is pre-associated with "2 days ago." The same applies to the other numeric keys. In this embodiment, the time point selection numeric keys 501 also serve as channel selection keys for selecting, for example, television channels 1 to 7, and are pre-associated with television channels 1 to 7.

[0024] Furthermore, each of the plurality of time point selection numeric keys 501 is configured to be in at least two states, a normal state and a changed state from the normal state, as viewed by a viewer. In this embodiment, the time point selection numeric keys 501 are keys whose light emission state can be switched, and are configured to be in two states, for example, a normal state in which the light is off and a changed state in which the light is flashing.

[0025] In this embodiment, different numbers are written on the normal numeric keys 502, and each is pre-assigned a channel. For example, the normal numeric keys 502 are configured as channel selection keys for selecting channels 8 to 12, and are pre-assigned to channels 8 to 12.

[0026] In this embodiment, the past trigger input unit 6 is configured with a button that can be pressed, and is a component that is different from the other components (the instruction means 3, the selection input unit 5, the power input button 70, the channel selection button 71, the volume increase / decrease button 72, etc.). In addition, the input operation of the past trigger input unit 6 is reset when the power of the receiver 2 is turned off.

[0027] The past trigger input unit 6 may also serve as another component, and may be configured, for example, as the power input button 70. In this case, the power input button 70 may function as the past trigger input unit 6 by pressing it twice within a short period of time.

[0028] The instruction means 3 is an output unit that outputs a channel selection signal (for example, an infrared signal) to the channel selection means 20 of the receiver 2 in order to issue a channel selection instruction. The channel selection means 20 is configured to be able to input the channel selection signal.

[0029] The instruction means 3 also stores past selection contents, which are selection contents of the selection input unit 5 that were selected in the past for a period of time previously associated with the numeric keys 50. In this embodiment, the instruction means 3 acquires selection contents of the selection input unit 5 every minute, and stores the acquired selection contents as past selection contents every minute for seven days.

[0030] In this embodiment, in addition to issuing a channel selection instruction, the instruction means 3 outputs a display change signal to the display unit 21 in order to switch the display state (normal display and multiple display) of the display unit 21. Switching the display state of the display unit 21 will be described below.

[0031] The display unit 21 can switch between a normal display in which only one image is displayed and a multiple display in which one main display unit 210 and multiple sub-display units 211-217 (for example, seven sub-display units 211-217) shown in Fig. 3 are simultaneously displayed. The characters written within the frames of the main display unit 210 and the multiple sub-display units 211-217 in Fig. 3 indicate television broadcast channels, etc. The display contents of the sub-display units 211-217 (such as how many days old images to display) may be set by the viewer.

[0032] In this embodiment, the display unit 21 switches from normal display to multiple display by a display change signal output from the instruction means 3. The display unit 21 also switches from multiple display to normal display when the receiver 2 is turned off.

[0033] The display unit 21 may be switched from multiple display to normal display by pressing a display switch button provided on the remote control 1. The display unit 21 may also be configured to always display normal display.

[0034] The main display unit 210 displays images corresponding to the selection content selected at a specific time in the past in response to the result of the channel selection instruction. In this embodiment, the main display unit 210 displays real-time images of each terrestrial digital channel, real-time images of each satellite broadcast channel, images related to recordings, and images of Internet videos of specific channels selected at the same time three days ago.

[0035] Each of the sub-display sections 211-217 displays an image corresponding to the selection made at a specific point in time in the past. In this embodiment, each of the sub-display sections 211-217 displays a real-time image (not a past image, but a current image) of a specific terrestrial digital channel that was selected at the same time as the current time one day ago, two days ago, three days ago, four days ago, five days ago, six days ago, or seven days ago. A character string indicating the specific point in time in the past that is being displayed (such as a character string "one day ago") is displayed near each of the sub-display sections 211-217.

[0036] The images displayed on the main display unit 210 and the sub-display units 211 to 217 may change depending on past selections. For example, if terrestrial channel 6 was selected at the same time three days ago and then changed to terrestrial channel 4 five minutes later, the image of terrestrial channel 6 is displayed on the sub-display unit 213, and then the image is automatically changed to terrestrial channel 4 (without any operation by the viewer) five minutes later.

[0037] The following describes a case where the receiver 2 is powered on and the remote control unit 1 is operated to select a channel on the receiver 2 when the past trigger input unit 6 has not been operated. In this default state, the display unit 21 of the receiver 2 is in the normal state, displaying the current image of a television broadcast or the like. The multiple number keys 50 of the remote control unit 1 are also in the normal state (off).

[0038] In the default state, if a viewer wishes to view an image different from the image currently being projected, the viewer presses the desired one of the plurality of number keys 50, just as when using a conventional remote control. For example, if the viewer wishes to view channel 6, the viewer presses the number key "6" 50. In this way, when the viewer selects and operates one of the plurality of number keys 50 in the normal state without operating the past trigger input unit 6, the control unit 4 controls the instruction means 3 to instruct tuning corresponding to the channel linked to the selected number key 50. As a result, the program corresponding to the number key 50 pressed by the viewer is displayed in the normal state on the display unit 21 of the receiver 2.

[0039] In addition, in the default state, if a viewer wants to know the channel of a television broadcast that was viewed at a specific point in the past, or a recorded television broadcast or internet video that was viewed, the viewer first operates the past trigger input unit 6. In this way, when the past trigger input unit 6 is operated, the control unit 4 changes the plurality of time point selection numeric keys 501 from the normal state to the changed state. In this embodiment, the control unit 4 changes the numeric keys "1" to "7" from the off state to the flashing state.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the past trigger input unit 6 is operated, the control unit 4 controls the instruction means 3 to change the display unit 21 from normal display to multiple display. As a result, the instruction means 3 outputs a display change signal to the display unit 21 to change to multiple display. When the display change is output from the instruction means 3, the display unit 21 performs multiple display as shown in FIG.

[0041] Specifically, display unit 21 displays an image (real-time image) of terrestrial channel 4, which was selected one day ago, on sub-screen 211. Display unit 21 also displays images of terrestrial channel 8, terrestrial channel 6, and satellite channel 101, which were selected two, three, and four days ago, on sub-screens 212, 213, and 214, respectively. Display unit 21 also displays images of terrestrial channel 2, internet video (the top screen of an internet video site), and terrestrial channel 10, which were selected five, six, and seven days ago, on sub-screens 215, 216, and 217, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 3, if a television program recorded any number of days ago is being viewed, the corresponding portion of screens 210 to 217 will display, for example, "external input."

[0042] In this state, the viewer selects one of the plurality of time point selection numeric keys 501 that are in a changed state. In this way, when the viewer selects one of the plurality of time point selection numeric keys 501 that are in a changed state, the control unit 4 returns each of the plurality of time point selection numeric keys 501 to the normal state (off state), and controls the instructing means 3 to instruct a channel selection corresponding to the past selection content, which is the selection content of the selection input unit 5 that was selected in the past for the time period previously associated with the selected time point selection numeric key 501.

[0043] For example, if a viewer wants to know what program they were watching at the same time three days ago, they press the number key "3" among the time point selection number keys 501 that are in a changed state. This causes the control unit 4 to return each of the time point selection number keys 501 to an off state, and also controls the instructing means 3 to instruct selection of channel 6, corresponding to the previous selection content, which is the selection content of the selection input unit 5 that was selected at the same time three days ago and is linked to the selected number key "3." Furthermore, the display unit 21 displays an image (real-time image) of channel 6 on the main screen of the display unit 21, corresponding to the previous selection content.

[0044] With this configuration, viewers can be notified (reminded) of the channel they were watching on TV at the same time several days ago, and the operation status of recordings or internet video viewing at that time. This is useful for viewers who watch TV programs that are broadcast on specific days or times.

[0045] The remote control device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0046] When the viewer operates the past trigger input unit 6 to change the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 from the normal state to the changed state and then selects one of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 that are in the changed state, the control unit 4 returns each of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 to the normal state and controls the instruction unit 3 to change the image projected on the receiver 2. However, instead of this, the control unit 4 may change the appearance of the time point selection numeric keys 501 corresponding to the past selection content. Specifically, when the viewer selects one of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 that are in the changed state, the control unit 4 may notify the viewer of the past viewing state by lighting up the numeric keys 50 on the remote control without changing the image projected on the receiver 2. More specifically, the control unit 4 may notify the viewer of the past viewing state by lighting up the terrestrial broadcast selection button 51 and a set of one numeric key 50, the recording selection button 53, etc. In this case, the display on the receiver 2 does not change, which has the advantage that if other viewers are watching TV (for example, if a family is watching TV), the other viewers will not be bothered.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 4 may set the previously selected content to be the content that was selected for the longest time within a certain time range going back from a certain point in the past. Specifically, the control unit 4 may set the previously selected content to be the content that was selected for the longest time within the past hour from the same time several days ago. For example, if a viewer presses the number key "3" among the time point selection numeric keys 501 that are in a changing state (flashing state) to find out what program they were watching at the same time three days ago, the control unit 4 sets the previously selected content to be the content that was selected for the longest time within the one-hour range going back from the same time three days ago. In this configuration, the instruction means 3 acquires the selection content from the selection input unit 5 every minute, and stores the selected content that was selected for the longest time within that one-hour range among the acquired selection content as the previously selected content for seven days at one-hour intervals.

[0048] According to this configuration, for example, a channel that was temporarily changed during a commercial broadcast within a certain time range going back from the same time several days ago can be excluded from the past selection contents, so that the viewer can be informed of contents close to the actual viewing state in the past.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the time point selection numeric key 501 is linked to the time number of days before the number written on it, but this is not limited to this. For example, the time point selection numeric key 501 may be linked to the time of the number written on it. Specifically, the "1" numeric key 50 may be linked to one hour before.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the time point selection numeric keys 501 also function as channel selection keys for selecting channels 1 to 7, but they do not have to function as channel selection keys. For example, the time point selection numeric keys 501 may be separate from the channel selection keys, as keys that only have the function of selecting a specific time point in the past.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the selection input unit 5 transmits to the control unit 4 a selection selected from one of a plurality of television broadcast channels, a state in which recorded images can be projected, and a state in which internet videos can be projected, but a selection selected from some of these may also be transmitted to the control unit 4. For example, if the selection input unit 5 is composed only of selection keys for selecting channels 1 to 12 and a recording selection button 53 for selecting a state in which recorded images can be projected, the selection input unit 5 transmits to the control unit 4 a selection selected from one of a plurality of television broadcast channels and a state in which recorded images can be projected in order to instruct the instruction means 3 to select a channel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1... remote control unit, 2... receiver, 3... instruction means, 4... control unit, 5... selection input unit, 6... past trigger input unit, 20... channel selection means, 21... display unit, 50... numeric keys, 51, 52... selection buttons, 53... recording selection button, 54... network selection button, 70... power input button, 71... channel selection button, 72... volume increase / decrease buttons, 210... main display unit, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217... sub-display unit, 501... time point selection numeric keys, 502... normal numeric keys

Claims

1. A remote control device that is separate from a television receiver and that operates the television receiver to project an image, the image including a television broadcast, a recording of the television broadcast, or an internet video provided by a specific provider, instruction means for issuing a channel selection instruction to a channel selection means provided in the receiver for selecting and displaying the image from a plurality of targets; a control unit that controls components of the remote control unit including the instruction means; a plurality of selection input units operated by a viewer of the receiver to transmit to the control unit a selection content selected from one of a plurality of channels of the television broadcast, a state in which the image related to the recording can be projected, and a state in which the Internet video can be projected, for the channel selection instruction of the instruction means; a past trigger input unit operated by the viewer to input a trigger for specifying a specific point in time in the past, At least some of the plurality of selection input units are a plurality of numeric keys on which different numbers are written so that older numbers are larger relative to the past, each of the plurality of numeric keys is configured to be in at least two states, a normal state and a changed state changed from the normal state, when viewed by the viewer; The control unit When the past trigger input unit is operated, the plurality of numeric keys are changed from the normal state to the changed state; Thereafter, when the viewer selects and operates one of the plurality of numeric keys in the changed state, each of the plurality of numeric keys is returned to the normal state, and Controlling the instruction means so as to instruct the channel selection corresponding to a past selection content, which is the selection content of the selection input unit selected in the past for a time period previously associated with the selected numeric key, or A remote control that changes the appearance of the selection input section in accordance with the past selection content.

2. The remote control unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets the previously selected content to a content that has been selected for the longest time within a certain time range going back from the one point in the past.

Images