Remote Control Unit

Abstract

To provide a remote control device capable of informing a viewer of the channel of a television broadcast that was viewed at a specific time in the past, or that the viewer has viewed a recorded television broadcast or an Internet video. [Solution] The remote control device 1 has an 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 being a plurality of numeric keys, and when the past trigger input unit 6 is operated, the control unit 4 changes the plurality of numeric keys 50 from a normal state to a changed state, and when the viewer selects and operates one of the plurality of numeric keys 50 that are in the changed state, the control unit 4 gives the channel selection instruction corresponding to the past selection content selected in the past for the time period linked to the selected numeric key 50, or changes the appearance of the selection input unit 5 corresponding to the past selection content.

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, a remote control capable of operating a television is 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, he or she may forget to watch the program when it is broadcast. Also, a viewer may wish to know which channel of television broadcasting he or she watched at a specific point in the past, such as the same time several days ago, or whether he or she watched a recorded television broadcast or an Internet video.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device capable of informing 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 an image, the image including a television broadcast and a recording of the television broadcast, or an Internet video provided by a specific provider, and is an operation target of the receiver. The remote control device has an 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 for controlling components of the remote control device 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, 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 operated by the viewer to input a trigger for specifying a specific point in time in the past, and the plurality of selection input units are operable by the viewer to input a trigger for specifying a specific point in time in the past. At least a portion of the selection input unit is a plurality of numeric keys, each of which has a different number written on it, with the older numbers being larger 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 changed 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 give 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 to correspond to the past selection content.

[0007] According to 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 the same time.

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

[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 the contents that are close to the actual viewing conditions in the past. Effect 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 the past, and that the viewer is viewing a recorded television broadcast or an Internet video. [Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

[0014] The receiver 2 is, for example, a television, but may also be a personal computer capable of displaying television broadcasts or a game machine. Images projected by the receiver 2 include television broadcasts. Images projected by the receiver 2 include not only television broadcasts, but also recordings of the television broadcasts or Internet videos provided by a specific provider. 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 a plurality of 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 the image to be projected from real-time images of each terrestrial digital channel, real-time images of each satellite broadcast channel, images related to recording, and images of Internet videos. The display unit 21 is, for example, a television screen.

[0016] The remote control 1 is a remote control for a television, as shown in Fig. 2. This remote control may be a remote control (single-function remote control) that is attached to 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, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or the like that has a function of operating the receiver 2, other than a remote control.

[0017] The remote control unit 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 unit 1, and a plurality of selection input units 5 operated by the viewer (see FIG. 1). The remote control unit 1 also has a past trigger input unit 6 operated by the viewer to input a trigger for specifying a specific point in time in the past. In this embodiment, the control unit 4 functions using a board provided in the remote control.

[0018] Thus, 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 content selected from one of a plurality of TV broadcast channels, a state in which recorded images can be projected, and a state in which Internet videos can be projected, in response to the instruction means 3's channel selection instruction. In this embodiment, selectable TV broadcast channels include terrestrial broadcast channels and satellite broadcast channels. The state in which recorded images can be projected is, for example, a state in which the TV displays a recording list of a recording device such as a hard disk recorder connected to the TV. The state in which Internet videos can be projected is, for example, a state in which the TV displays a top screen of a flat-rate video distribution service site, a top screen of an online video sharing service site, or a top screen related to videos of a specific genre on these sites. The top 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 each of one day before to seven days before as a specific time point in the past. The time point selection numeric keys 501 may be configured to select a specific number of days before as a specific time point in the past, and may be configured to select each of one day before to eight days before or nine days before as a specific time point in the past. The time point selection numeric keys 501 may also be configured to select a time point 10 days or more before as a 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 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 composed of only the time point selection numeric keys 501.

[0023] A different number is written on each of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 so that the older the number, the larger the number, and a time is linked to each of them in advance. In this embodiment, the time point selection numeric keys 501 are linked to a time number of days before the written number. Specifically, the number key "1" is linked to "1 day ago" and the number key "2" is linked to "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 TV channels 1 to 7, for example, and are linked to TV channels 1 to 7 in advance.

[0024] Each of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 is configured to be in at least two states, a normal state and a changed state changed from the normal state, as seen 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 turned off and a changed state in which the light is flashing.

[0025] In this embodiment, the normal numeric keys 502 each have a different number written thereon, and each is previously associated with a channel. For example, the normal numeric keys 502 are configured as channel selection keys for selecting channels 8 to 12, and are previously associated with 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 different component 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 buttons 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 section 6 may also serve as another component, and may be configured, for example, as a power input button 70. In this case, the power input button 70 may function as the past trigger input section 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 so that the channel selection signal can be input thereto.

[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 the 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. Characters written within frames of the main display unit 210 and the multiple sub-display units 211-217 in Fig. 3 indicate television broadcast channels, etc. Note that 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 switching from the normal display to the multiple display on the display unit 21 is performed by a display change signal output from the instruction means 3. Moreover, the switching from the multiple display to the normal display on the display unit 21 is performed when the power of the receiver 2 is turned off.

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

[0034] The main display unit 210 displays images according to the selection content selected at a specific time point in the past in response to the result of a 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 recording, 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 according to the selection content selected 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 each of the specific terrestrial digital channels 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, and 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 the 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 (without the viewer's operation) changed to terrestrial channel 4 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. Also, the multiple numeric keys 50 of the remote control unit 1 are in the normal state (off state).

[0038] In the default state, if a viewer wishes to view an image different from the image currently being projected, he or she presses a desired one of the plurality of number keys 50 in the same manner as when using a conventional remote control. For example, if a viewer wishes to view channel 6, the viewer presses the number key "6" 50. In this manner, 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 a channel selection 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] Also, 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 multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 from the normal state to a changed state. In this embodiment, the control unit 4 changes the numeric keys "1" to "7" from an off state to a 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, the display unit 21 displays an image (real-time image) of terrestrial channel 4 that was selected one day ago on the sub-screen 211. The display unit 21 also displays images of terrestrial channel 8, terrestrial channel 6, and satellite broadcast channel 101 that were selected two, three, and four days ago on the sub-screens 212, 213, and 214, respectively. The display unit 21 also displays images of terrestrial channel 2, internet video (top screen of an internet video site), and terrestrial channel 10 that were selected five, six, and seven days ago on the sub-screens 215, 216, and 217, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 3, when a TV program recorded some number of days ago is being viewed, for example, "external input" is displayed in the corresponding portion of the screens 210 to 217.

[0042] In this state, the viewer selects one of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 in a changed state. In this way, when the viewer selects one of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 in a changed state, the control unit 4 returns each of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 to the normal state (light-off state), and controls the instruction 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 a time period previously associated with the selected time point selection numeric key 501.

[0043] For example, if a viewer wants to know the program that was viewed at the same time three days ago, he / she presses 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 controls the instruction means 3 to instruct selection of channel 6 in accordance with the past selection content that is the selection content of the selection input unit 5 that was selected at the same time three days ago and that 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 in accordance with the past selection content.

[0044] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to inform (remind) the viewer of the channel that was being viewed on the television at the same time several days ago, and the operation status of recording viewing or Internet video viewing at the said time. This is useful for viewers who watch television programs that are broadcast on fixed days of the week or at fixed times.

[0045] The remote control unit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and 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 past trigger input unit 6 is operated to change the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 from the normal state to the changed state, and then the viewer selects one of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 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 means 3 to change the image projected on the receiver 2. However, instead of this, the appearance of the time point selection numeric keys 501 corresponding to the past selection content may be changed. Specifically, when the viewer selects one of the multiple time point selection numeric keys 501 in the changed state, the image projected on the receiver 2 may not be changed, and the numeric keys 50 on the remote control may be lit to inform the viewer of the past viewing state. More specifically, the control unit 4 may inform the viewer of the past viewing state by lighting 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, so if other viewers are watching TV (for example, if a family is watching TV together), there is an advantage that the other viewers are not bothered.

[0047] The control unit 4 may also set the past selection content to the content that was selected for the longest time within a certain time range going back from a past point. Specifically, the control unit 4 may set the past selection content to the content that was selected for the longest time within the past hour from the same time several days ago. For example, when a viewer presses the number key "3" among the time point selection number keys 501 that are in a changing state (flashing state) in order to know the program that was viewed at the same time three days ago, the control unit 4 sets the past selection content to 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 of the selection input unit 5 every minute, and stores the selection content that was selected for the longest time within the one-hour range among the acquired selection contents as the past selection content for each hour for seven days.

[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 conditions 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 serve as channel selection keys for selecting channels 1 to 7, but they do not have to serve as channel selection keys. For example, the time point selection numeric keys 501 may be separate from the channel selection keys, as keys having only 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 the selection content selected from one of a plurality of TV broadcast channels, a state in which recorded images can be projected, and a state in which Internet videos can be projected, but the selection content selected from some of these may be transmitted to the control unit 4. For example, when 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 the selection content selected from one of a plurality of TV 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, an instruction means for giving 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 that is operated by the viewer and inputs a trigger for designating a specific point in time in the past, At least a portion of the plurality of selection input units is a plurality of numeric keys on which different numbers are written such that older numbers are larger with respect 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 is When the past trigger input unit is operated, the number keys are changed from the normal state to the changed state; Thereafter, when the viewer selects one of the plurality of numeric keys in the changed state, each of the plurality of numeric keys is returned to the normal state, Controlling the instruction means so as to instruct the user to select a channel in accordance with a past selection content, which is a selection content of the selection input unit that has been 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 body according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that the previously selected content is a content that has been selected for the longest time within a certain time range going back from the one point in the past, as the previously selected content.

Images