Infrared remote control set

Abstract

To provide an infrared remote control set capable of restricting unexpected situation through predetermined operation of an apparatus executed by a user who cannot check a site.SOLUTION: An infrared remote control set 1 includes a transmitter 10 and a receiver 20. An operation signal transmitted from the transmitter 10 includes a first signal SG1 having a first data code DC1, a blank period BL1 without data for completing learning of a smart remote controller 60 following the first signal SG1, and a second signal SG2 having a second data code DC2 following the blank period BL1. At least a part of a plurality of pieces of numerical data C1, C2, D21, and D22 included in the second data code DC2 is different from a plurality of pieces of numerical data C1, C2, D11, and D12 included in the first data code DC1. The receiver 20 is configured to determine that an operation signal is received when the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 are received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an infrared remote control set.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional infrared remote control set. This infrared remote control set includes a remote control transmitter that transmits an infrared signal and a light receiving unit provided in a combustion heating device that can receive the infrared signal.

[0003] The remote control transmitter can transmit an infrared signal for causing a combustion heating device to perform a predetermined operation toward the combustion heating device. When the light receiving unit receives the infrared signal, it causes the combustion heating device to perform a predetermined operation.

[0004] Devices to which the above infrared remote control set is applied are often installed in multiple units in houses, facilities, etc. And there is a known smart remote control for collectively performing remote operations of those devices.

[0005] The smart remote control attempts to learn the infrared signals used by the devices installed in multiple units, and by transmitting the learned infrared signals toward those devices, it is possible to cause those devices to perform a predetermined operation.

[0006] A user outside a house, facility, etc. uses a portable information terminal such as a smartphone, wirelessly communicates with the smart remote control via an Internet line and a wireless LAN router, and instructs the smart remote control to transmit the infrared signal that has completed learning corresponding to the desired device, thereby remotely operating the desired device to perform a predetermined operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

[0008] Incidentally, the devices to which the above-mentioned conventional infrared remote control set is applied include devices that require on-site verification by the user to prevent unforeseen problems when performing predetermined operations.

[0009] However, if a smart remote control learns the infrared signals corresponding to equipment that requires on-site verification, it could allow users who cannot perform on-site verification to cause the equipment to execute a predetermined action, potentially leading to unforeseen problems.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing an infrared remote control set that can prevent unforeseen incidents from occurring when users who cannot perform on-site verification cause equipment to perform predetermined operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The infrared remote control set of the present invention includes a transmitter that transmits infrared signals, the transmitter capable of transmitting an operation signal toward the device to cause the device to perform a predetermined operation, A receiver provided in the aforementioned device and capable of receiving the infrared signal, the receiver causes the device to perform the predetermined operation based on the reception result of receiving the operation signal, An infrared remote control set equipped with, The operation signal comprises a first signal having a first data code, Following the first signal, there is a blank period during which the smart remote control completes its learning process without any data, Following the aforementioned blank period, a second signal having a second data code is provided, The multiple numerical data contained in the second data code differ from, at least partially from, the multiple numerical data contained in the first data code. The receiver is characterized in that it is configured to determine that it has received the operation signal when it receives the first signal and the second signal.

[0012] A typical procedure for a smart remote control to attempt to learn infrared signals is as follows: When the user instructs the smart remote control to start learning, the smart remote control begins receiving infrared signals. When the user has the transmitter send an infrared signal to the smart remote control, the smart remote control receives and stores that infrared signal. After that, if no infrared signals are received for a predetermined period of time or longer, the learning process is completed, and any infrared signals sent afterward will not be stored in the smart remote control's memory.

[0013] In the infrared remote control set of the present invention, the operation signal consists of a first signal, a blank period following the first signal during which the smart remote control completes learning without any data, and a second signal following the blank period. The plurality of numerical data contained in the second data code in the second signal differ in at least part from the plurality of numerical data contained in the first data code in the first signal. For this reason, even if the receiver receives the first signal twice due to the smart remote control being operated twice, it will not determine that it has received an operation signal.

[0014] The gap period between the first signal and the second signal can be set to a longer time than the predetermined time required for the smart remote control to complete learning, for example, 100ms to 1000ms, more preferably 910ms to 1000ms.

[0015] This section describes the case where a user attempts to teach an infrared remote control set of the present invention to a smart remote control. In this case, when the user instructs the smart remote control to start learning, the smart remote control starts receiving infrared signals, and the user causes the transmitter of the infrared remote control set of the present invention to send an operation signal to the smart remote control. The smart remote control then stores the first signal, and then, during a period of silence, if it does not receive an infrared signal for a predetermined amount of time or longer, it is highly likely that it will complete the learning process without learning all the infrared signals corresponding to the operation signal. For this reason, the smart remote control is unlikely to receive a second signal afterward, and therefore unlikely to store that second signal.

[0016] In this way, this infrared remote control set makes it difficult for the smart remote to learn the infrared signals corresponding to the operation signals of devices that require on-site verification. As a result, it becomes difficult for the user to send operation signals from the smart remote to the device.

[0017] Therefore, the infrared remote control set of the present invention can prevent unforeseen incidents from occurring when users who cannot perform on-site verification cause the equipment to execute predetermined operations.

[0018] It should be noted that the "NEC format," "Japan Home Appliance Manufacturers Association format," and "SONY format" are known as common communication formats for infrared remote controls. However, the infrared signals related to the "NEC format" and "Japan Home Appliance Manufacturers Association format" simply transmit a frame signal with a data code and a repeat signal, which is a pair of ON signals where the previous ON signal is longer than the next ON signal, at predetermined intervals, and then repeatedly transmit the repeat signal at predetermined intervals. Similarly, the infrared signals related to the "SONY format" simply transmit a frame signal with a data code repeatedly at predetermined intervals. In other words, the infrared signals related to the "NEC format," "Japan Home Appliance Manufacturers Association format," and "SONY format" are different from the operation signals according to the present invention.

[0019] In the infrared remote control set of the present invention, it is desirable that the transmitter has an operation button and transmits an operation signal once when the operation button receives an operation input once. Furthermore, if the transmitter receives the next operation input and transmits the next operation signal while the operation button is in the process of transmitting an operation input and transmitting an operation signal, it is desirable that the transmitter prioritizes the next operation signal in relation to the overlapping portion between the operation signal being transmitted and the next operation signal. It is desirable that the receiver causes the device to perform a predetermined operation when it determines that it has received two operation signals. Furthermore, it is desirable that the receiver also determines that it has received two operation signals when it has received the first signal and the second signal once after receiving the first signal.

[0020] In this case, the user can make the device perform a predetermined action by pressing the transmitter's control button twice. As a result, this infrared remote control set can prevent unintended consequences such as the user accidentally pressing the transmitter's control button and causing the device to perform a predetermined action. Furthermore, if the user presses the transmitter's control button twice in a short interval, the operation signal being transmitted may overlap with the next operation signal, potentially resulting in an incomplete transmission. However, even in such cases, the receiver can easily determine that it has received two operation signals. Consequently, this infrared remote control set can prevent users from being dissatisfied with the responsiveness when they press the transmitter's control button twice.

[0021] In the infrared remote control set of the present invention, it is desirable that the transmitter has an operation button and transmits an operation signal once when the operation button receives an operation input once. Furthermore, if the transmitter receives the next operation input and transmits the next operation signal while the operation button is in the process of transmitting an operation input and transmitting the next operation signal, it is desirable that the transmitter prioritizes the operation signal being transmitted over any overlapping portion between the operation signal being transmitted and the next operation signal. It is desirable that the receiver causes the device to perform a predetermined operation when it determines that it has received an operation signal twice. Furthermore, it is desirable that the receiver also determines that it has received an operation signal twice when it receives the second signal after having received the first and second signals once.

[0022] In this case, by the user performing an operation input twice on the operation button of the transmitter, the device can be made to execute a predetermined operation. As a result, this infrared remote control set can suppress the situation where the user accidentally operates the operation button of the transmitter and unintentionally causes the device to execute a predetermined operation, leading to an unexpected situation. Also, when the user performs an operation input twice on the operation button of the transmitter at short intervals, there is a possibility that the operation signal being transmitted and the next operation signal overlap, and the next operation signal may become incomplete. However, even in such a case, the receiver is likely to determine that it has received the operation signal twice. As a result, this infrared remote control set can suppress the user from being dissatisfied with the responsiveness when the user performs an operation input twice on the operation button of the transmitter.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the infrared remote control set of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a situation where a user who cannot perform on-site confirmation causes an unexpected situation by making the device execute a predetermined operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the gas fan heater to which the infrared remote control set of Example 1 is applied, other devices and the smart remote control in the house where the gas fan heater is installed, and an external network, an external server, and a portable information terminal. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gas fan heater to which the infrared remote control set of Example 1 is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the gas fan heater to which the infrared remote control set of Example 1 is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the first signal among the operation signals, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the second signal among the operation signals. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the relationship between the operation input to the operation button and the operation signal. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a time chart similar to Figure 5, illustrating the operation signals transmitted when a user inputs an operation button twice in a short interval. [Figure 7] Figure 7 relates to the infrared remote control set of Embodiment 2 and is a time chart similar to Figure 5, illustrating the operation signals transmitted when a user makes two operation inputs to the operation buttons in a short interval. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Examples 1 and 2, which embody the present invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (Example 1) As shown in Figure 1, the infrared remote control set 1 of Example 1 is an example of a specific embodiment of the infrared remote control set of the present invention and is applied to a gas fan heater 90. The gas fan heater 90 is an example of the "device" of the present invention.

[0027] The gas fan heater 90 is installed inside house H1. Inside house H1, there are several other devices installed, including a ceiling light 80 and television and audio equipment (not shown in the illustration).

[0028] The ceiling light 80 has a well-known infrared remote control 81 and an infrared receiver 82. A user inside the house H1 operates the infrared remote control 81 to send infrared signals to the infrared receiver 82 to switch the ceiling light 80 on and off, or to change the illumination level when it is on.

[0029] When the infrared receiver 82 receives an infrared signal transmitted by the infrared remote control 81, it switches the ceiling light 80 on and off, or changes the illumination level when it is on, based on the reception result. In this way, a user inside the house H1 can remotely control the ceiling light 80 from a short distance.

[0030] Television equipment and other devices (not shown) installed inside house H1 are also equipped with a well-known infrared remote control and infrared receiver. A user inside house H1 can remotely control the television equipment and other devices (not shown) from a short distance by operating the infrared remote control.

[0031] Furthermore, a wireless LAN router 7 and information terminals such as personal computers (not shown) are installed inside the house H1. These information terminals (not shown) can communicate via the wireless LAN router 7 with the internet and other networks NW1, as well as with external servers 9 connected to network NW1.

[0032] Mobile information terminals 70, such as smartphones, carried by users inside the house H1 can also communicate with the network NW1 and external servers 9 via the wireless LAN router 7.

[0033] When a user carrying a mobile information terminal 70 moves outside of the residence H1, the mobile information terminal 70 can communicate with an information terminal (not shown) inside the residence H1 via the network NW1 and the wireless LAN router 7.

[0034] Furthermore, a smart remote control 60 is installed inside house H1. The smart remote control 60 is a device that centrally controls multiple devices installed inside house H1 that can be remotely operated by infrared signals.

[0035] The smart remote control 60 can communicate via the wireless LAN router 7 with an information terminal (not shown) and a mobile information terminal 70 located inside the house H1. Furthermore, the smart remote control 60 can communicate via the wireless LAN router 7 and the network NW1 with an external server 9 and a mobile information terminal 70 located outside the house H1.

[0036] The smart remote control 60 has an infrared transmitter 61 and an infrared receiver 62. The smart remote control 60 attempts to learn infrared signals for remotely controlling multiple devices installed in the house H1, and can transmit the infrared signals once it has completed learning.

[0037] The inventors investigated and analyzed the procedures by which several types of smart remote controls 60, manufactured by several different companies, attempt to learn infrared signals. As a typical example of these procedures, they describe the learning of infrared signals transmitted by an infrared remote control 81 when switching a ceiling light 80 on and off.

[0038] When the smart remote control 60 attempts to learn the infrared signal from the infrared remote control 81, the user inside the house H1 operates the portable information terminal 70 to instruct the smart remote control 60 to start learning. The smart remote control 60 then starts receiving the infrared signal using the infrared receiver 62. Next, the user operates the infrared remote control 81 to send an infrared signal from the infrared remote control 81 to the smart remote control 60. The smart remote control 60 then receives and stores the infrared signal using the infrared receiver 62. After that, if no infrared signal is received for a predetermined period of time or longer, the learning is completed, and even if an infrared signal is transmitted thereafter, it will not be stored.

[0039] As an example of the required time, companies A and B have a time of less than 50ms, company C has a time of less than 130ms, companies D and E have a time of less than 330ms, and company F has a time of less than 910ms.

[0040] In other words, the Smart Remote Control 60 can remotely control devices that use infrared signals for which it has completed learning all signals, but it cannot remotely control devices that use infrared signals for which it attempted to learn but was unable to complete learning all signals.

[0041] A user outside of the house H1 can communicate with the smart remote control 60 via the network NW1 and wireless LAN router 7 using a portable information terminal 70, and instruct the smart remote control 60 to transmit an infrared signal that has been learned to correspond to the ceiling light 80, thereby switching the ceiling light 80 on and off.

[0042] A user inside the house H1 can also remotely control the ceiling light 80 from a greater distance than when using the infrared remote control 81, for example, from a room different from the room in which the ceiling light 80 is installed, by communicating with the smart remote control 60 via the wireless LAN router 7 using the portable information terminal 70.

[0043] <Gas fan heater> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gas fan heater 90 includes an operation panel 92, a combustion device 93, a blower fan 95, and a control unit 91.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the control panel 92 is located on the top surface of the housing 99 of the gas fan heater 90. The control panel 92 is a user interface that receives direct operational input from the user regarding the operation of the gas fan heater 90.

[0045] The control panel 92 has a well-known configuration and is therefore not illustrated in detail, but it includes various operation buttons such as an operation button for starting and stopping heating operation, and selection input buttons for setting and changing heating temperature and heating intensity, as well as a display unit that displays the operating status and setting information of the gas fan heater 90.

[0046] The combustion device 93 is a heat source unit that heats the flowing air to be heated by burning a fuel gas such as city gas. The combustion device 93 is housed inside the casing 99.

[0047] The combustion device 93 includes a gas burner 93A for burning a mixture of fuel gas and combustion air, and a gas pipe 93C for guiding the fuel gas toward the gas burner 93A. The combustion device 93 also includes, although not shown in the figures, a solenoid valve for opening and closing the gas pipe 93C, a proportional valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas guided by the gas pipe 93C, and an injection nozzle located between the gas pipe 93C and the gas burner 93A for mixing the fuel gas and combustion air.

[0048] Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, the combustion device 93 includes an igniter that ignites the fuel gas guided inside it, and a flame sensor that detects the flame caused by ignition in order to determine when the flame has gone out.

[0049] An intake port 99A is formed on the rear of the housing 99. The intake port 99A is covered by an air filter 98 for capturing dust. A temperature sensor 97 is positioned near the upper edge of the intake port 99A inside the housing 99. The temperature sensor 97 obtains the current room temperature by detecting the temperature of the air drawn in from the intake port 99A. A hot air outlet 99B is formed on the front of the housing 99.

[0050] The blower fan 95 is a so-called cross-flow fan. Driven by a drive motor (not shown), the blower fan 95 rotates to draw air from outside the housing 99 into the housing 99 through the intake port 99A and cause that air to flow towards the combustion device 93.

[0051] A portion of the air drawn into the enclosure 99 is mixed with fuel gas as combustion air and supplied to the gas burner 93A of the combustion device 93, where it is discharged as combustion exhaust gas. The remaining air drawn into the enclosure 99 bypasses the gas burner 93A, is mixed with the combustion exhaust gas, heated, and then blown out from the hot air outlet 99B. The heated flowing air, blown out from the hot air outlet 99B, warms the room to be heated.

[0052] The control unit 91 is an electronic circuit unit comprising a CPU (not shown), a storage unit composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM, and an interface circuit, etc.

[0053] The control unit 91 starts the heating operation of the gas fan heater 90 when the user presses the operation button on the control panel 92 with their fingertip while the gas fan heater 90 is stopped.

[0054] The control unit 91 then controls the solenoid valve, proportional valve, and igniter that constitute part of the combustion device 93, as well as the drive motor that drives the blower fan 95, based on various operation inputs to the operation panel 92, the detection results of the temperature sensor 97, and the detection results of the flame sensor of the combustion device 93, thereby performing heating operation of the gas fan heater 90.

[0055] Subsequently, the control unit 91 stops the heating operation of the gas fan heater 90 when the user presses the operation button on the control panel 92 with their fingertip while the gas fan heater 90 is operating. At this time, the control unit 91 closes the solenoid valve and proportional valve to stop combustion in the combustion device 93, and then operates the blower fan 95 for a predetermined cooling time to cool the combustion device 93.

[0056] The Gas Fan Heater 90 is a device that requires on-site verification by the user to avoid unforeseen problems when initiating "heating operation."

[0057] <Infrared Remote Control Set> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the gas fan heater 90 is equipped with an infrared remote control set 1 to enable the user to remotely operate the gas fan heater 90 from a short distance to start heating operation. "Starting heating operation" is an example of a "predetermined operation" of the present invention.

[0058] While it is possible to configure the infrared remote control set 1 to remotely control multiple predetermined operations, such as "start heating operation," "change heating set temperature," "change heating intensity," and "end heating operation," in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, we will describe the case where the infrared remote control set 1 remotely controls only "start heating operation."

[0059] The infrared remote control set 1 comprises a transmitter 10 that is separate from the housing 99 of the gas fan heater 90 and can be grasped by the user with one hand, and a receiver 20 that is installed inside the housing 99 of the gas fan heater 90 and a part of it is exposed at the upper front end of the housing 99.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transmitter 10 includes a transmission control unit 11, an operation button 17, and an infrared transmitting element 13.

[0061] The transmission control unit 11 is an electronic circuit unit comprising a CPU (not shown), a storage unit composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM, and an interface circuit, etc.

[0062] Operation button 17 is a button for remotely starting the heating operation. Operation button 17 receives direct input from the user by pressing it with their fingertip. The infrared transmitting element 13 is capable of emitting infrared rays.

[0063] The transmission control unit 11 can transmit an infrared signal consisting of an ON signal and an OFF signal by controlling the emission and stopping of infrared rays from the infrared transmitting element 13 at extremely short time intervals.

[0064] Specifically, the infrared signal is a PPM signal (Pulse Position Modulation signal), and the bit value is represented by a combination of the length of the infrared ON signal and the length of the OFF signal.

[0065] The infrared signal transmitted by the infrared transmitting element 13 from the transmission control unit 11 is an operation signal that causes the gas fan heater 90 to "start heating operation". The specific configuration of the operation signal will be explained in detail later.

[0066] The transmission control unit 11 transmits an operation signal to the gas fan heater 90 once when it receives an operation input from the operation button 17.

[0067] The receiver 20 includes a receiving control unit 21 and an infrared receiving element 23. The receiving control unit 21 is composed of a part of the control unit 91 of the gas fan heater 90. The infrared receiving element 23 has a light-receiving surface exposed at the upper end of the front surface of the housing 99 and is capable of receiving infrared signals. The infrared receiving element 23 transmits the received infrared signals to the receiving control unit 21.

[0068] The receiving control unit 21 determines whether or not it has received an operation signal based on the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared receiving element 23. Based on the reception result, the receiving control unit 21 determines, more specifically, that it has received the operation signal twice within 10 seconds, to transmit this determination to the control unit 91, causing the control unit 91 to execute "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90.

[0069] Furthermore, if a user who does not intend to "start heating operation" accidentally presses the operation button 17 of the transmitter 10 only once and 10 seconds have elapsed, the receiving control unit 21 will not cause the control unit 91 to execute "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90.

[0070] <Specific configuration of control signals> As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the operation signals for causing the gas fan heater 90 to "start heating operation" consist of a first signal SG1, a blank period BL1, and a second signal SG2.

[0071] As shown in Figure 5, the operation signal is transmitted simultaneously when the operation button 17 receives an operation input from the user and switches from OFF to ON.

[0072] As shown in Figure 4(a), the first signal SG1 has a first data code DC1 and a period of no data following the first data code DC1. In this embodiment, the duration of the first signal SG1 is 108 ms.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first signal SG1 is based on the specifications of only the frame signal among the frame signal and repeat signal of the NEC format.

[0074] The first data code DC1 consists of a leader code LC1, four numerical data C1, C2, D11, D12, and a stop bit SB1.

[0075] The leader code LC1 is a pattern that indicates the start of the first data code DC1.

[0076] Numerical data C1, C2, D11, and D12 each represent 8-bit numerical values. Numerical data C1 and C2 are customer codes used to identify the manufacturer.

[0077] Numerical data D11 is the first numerical value assigned to correspond to "start of heating operation". Numerical data D12 is the bit inverted value of numerical data D11 and is used to check for reception errors in numerical data D11.

[0078] The stop bit SB1 is a pattern that indicates the end of the first data code DC1.

[0079] As shown in Figure 5, the blank period BL1 is the period following the first signal SG1 during which the learning of the smart remote control 60 is completed without any data.

[0080] In this embodiment, the time TJ1 for causing the smart remote control 60 to determine that learning is complete includes a blank period BL1 and a period of no data following the first data code DC1 in the first signal SG1.

[0081] The blank period BL1 is set to a time longer than the predetermined time in the procedure used when multiple types of smart remote controls 60 manufactured by the aforementioned several manufacturers attempt to learn infrared signals, namely, the procedure in which the smart remote control 60 receives and stores the infrared signal with the infrared receiver 62, and then completes learning when no infrared signal is received for a predetermined period of time or longer. Specifically, it is set to 100ms to 1000ms, more preferably 910ms to 1000ms. In this embodiment, the blank period BL1 is 1000ms.

[0082] The longer the blank period BL1 is set, the more types of smart remote controls 60 can be prevented from learning the operation signals. However, if the blank period BL1 is too long, users may feel that the response when they press the operation button 17 is slow.

[0083] The second signal SG2 has a second data code DC2 following a blank period BL1, as shown in Figure 4(b). In this embodiment, the duration of the second signal SG2 is 65.81 ms.

[0084] In this embodiment, the second signal SG2, like the first signal SG1, is based on the specifications of only the frame signal among the frame signal and repeat signal of the NEC format.

[0085] The second data code DC2 consists of the leader code LC1, four numerical data C1, C2, D21, D22, and the stop bit SB1.

[0086] The leader code LC1 is the same as the leader code LC1 of the first data code DC1, and is a pattern that indicates the start of the second data code DC2.

[0087] Numerical data C1, C2, D21, and D22 each represent 8-bit numerical values. Numerical data C1 and C2 are the same as the numerical data C1 and C2 of the first data code DC1.

[0088] Numerical data D21 is the second numerical value assigned to correspond to "start of heating operation". Numerical data D21 is different from numerical data D11 of the first data code DC1.

[0089] Numerical data D22 is the bit-inverted value of numerical data D21 and is used to check for reception errors in numerical data D21. Numerical data D22 is different from numerical data D12 of the first data code DC1.

[0090] The stop bit SB1 is the same as the stop bit SB1 of the first data code DC1, and is a pattern that indicates the end of the second data code DC2.

[0091] As shown in Figure 5, the receiver control unit 21 of the receiver 20 is configured to determine that an operation signal has been received when it receives the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2. Since the numerical data D21 and D22 of the second data code DC2 are different from the numerical data D11 and D12 of the first data code DC1, the receiver control unit 21 will not determine that an operation signal has been received even if it receives the first signal SG1 twice.

[0092] Then, after the receiving control unit 21 receives the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 for the first time and determines that it has received one operation signal, if it receives the second signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 within 10 seconds and determines that it has received two operation signals, it transmits the determination result to the control unit 91 and causes the control unit 91 to execute "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90.

[0093] <Transmitter's later input priority, and receiver's response> As shown in Figure 6, when the transmitter 10's transmission control unit 11 receives an operation input from the operation button 17 and transmits an operation signal, and then receives another operation input and transmits the next operation signal, it prioritizes the next operation signal over the overlapping portion between the transmitted operation signal and the next operation signal. In other words, the transmitter 10 prioritizes the later input.

[0094] The receiver control unit 21 of the receiver 20 responds to the transmitter 10's later input priority and, after receiving the first signal SG1, determines that it has received two operation signals within 10 seconds, even if it has received both the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 once. The receiver control unit 21 then transmits this determination to the control unit 91, causing the control unit 91 to execute "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90.

[0095] <Effects and Effects> In the infrared remote control set 1 of Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 5, the operation signal consists of a first signal SG1, a blank period BL1 following the first signal SG1 where there is no data, and a second signal SG2 following the blank period BL1.

[0096] As shown in Figure 4, the four numerical data C1, C2, D21, and D22 of the second data code DC2 in the second signal SG2 are partially different from the four numerical data C1, C2, D11, and D12 of the first data code DC1 in the first signal SG1. That is, the numerical data D21 and D22 of the second data code DC2 are different from the numerical data D11 and D12 of the first data code DC1. Therefore, when the smart remote control 60 is operated twice and the smart remote control 60 transmits the learned first signal SG1 twice, the receiver control unit 21 of the receiver 20 will not determine that it has received an operation signal, even though it receives the first signal SG1 twice due to the smart remote control 60 being operated twice.

[0097] Furthermore, the blank period BL1 provided between the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 is set to a longer period than the predetermined time in the procedure in which the smart remote control 60 receives and stores the infrared signal with the infrared receiver 62, and then completes learning when the state of not receiving an infrared signal continues for a predetermined time or longer. Specifically, it is set to 100ms to 1000ms, more preferably 910ms to 1000ms. In this embodiment, the blank period BL1 is 1000ms.

[0098] This section describes how a user might attempt to teach the smart remote control 60 the operation signals transmitted by the transmitter 10 of the infrared remote control set 1 in Example 1.

[0099] In this case, the user inside the house H1 downloads the dedicated application software for the smart remote control 60 from the manufacturer's website to the personal digital assistant 70 in advance. Next, the user operates the personal digital assistant 70 to instruct the smart remote control 60 to start learning. The smart remote control 60 then starts receiving infrared signals using the infrared receiver 62.

[0100] Next, the user presses the operation button 17 on the transmitter 10 to send an operation signal from the transmitter 10 to the smart remote control 60. The smart remote control 60 then receives and stores the first signal SG1 via the external line receiving unit 62. Subsequently, during the blank period BL1, there is a high probability that the smart remote control 60 will complete its learning without learning all the infrared signals corresponding to the operation signal, as it will not receive any infrared signals for a predetermined period of time or longer. For this reason, the smart remote control 60 is unlikely to receive the second signal SG2 afterward, and therefore will have difficulty storing the second signal SG2.

[0101] In this way, the infrared remote control set 1 makes it difficult for the smart remote control 60 to learn the infrared signals corresponding to the operation signals of the gas fan heater 90, which require on-site verification.

[0102] As a result, even if a user is in the room where the gas fan heater 90 is installed within the house H1, in a different room, or outside the house H1, it will be difficult for the smart remote control 60 to send an operation signal to the gas fan heater 90, even if they operate the mobile information terminal 70 and communicate with the smart remote control 60 via the network.

[0103] Therefore, the infrared remote control set 1 of Example 1 can prevent unforeseen problems from occurring when a user who cannot perform on-site verification causes the gas fan heater 90 to initiate "start heating operation".

[0104] Furthermore, in this infrared remote control set 1, as shown in Figure 5, the transmission control unit 11 of the transmitter 10 transmits an operation signal once when the operation button 17 receives an operation input once. The reception control unit 21 of the receiver 20 causes the gas fan heater 90 to execute "start heating operation" when it determines that it has received two operation signals within 10 seconds. In addition, as shown in Figure 6, if the transmission control unit 11 receives the next operation input and transmits the next operation signal while the operation button 17 is transmitting an operation input, it prioritizes the next operation signal over the overlapping portion of the operation signal being transmitted and the next operation signal. The reception control unit 21 also determines that it has received two operation signals within 10 seconds when it receives the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 once after receiving the first signal SG1.

[0105] This configuration allows the user to initiate "start heating operation" on the gas fan heater 90 by pressing the operation button 17 on the transmitter 10 twice. As a result, this infrared remote control set 1 can prevent the user from accidentally pressing the operation button 17 on the transmitter 10 and unintentionally initiating "start heating operation" on the gas fan heater 90, leading to unforeseen problems. Furthermore, if the user presses the operation button 17 on the transmitter 10 twice in a short interval, the operation signal being transmitted may overlap with the next operation signal, potentially resulting in an incomplete transmission. However, even in such cases, the receiver 20 can easily determine that it has received two operation signals. Consequently, this infrared remote control set 1 can prevent users from being dissatisfied with the responsiveness when they press the operation button 17 on the transmitter 10 twice.

[0106] (Example 2) As shown in Figure 7, the infrared remote control set of Example 2 has been modified in that the transmitter 10 of the infrared remote control set 1 of Example 1 has been changed from later input priority to earlier input priority.

[0107] In other words, when the transmitter 10's transmission control unit 11 receives an operation input from the operation button 17 and transmits an operation signal, and then receives another operation input and transmits the next operation signal, it prioritizes the operation signal being transmitted over any overlapping portion between the transmitted operation signal and the next operation signal.

[0108] Furthermore, the infrared remote control set of Example 2 is modified so that the receiver 20 of the infrared remote control set 1 of Example 1 is configured to support priority input for the transmitter 10.

[0109] In other words, the receiver control unit 21 of the receiver 20, after receiving the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 once, also determines that it has received two operation signals within 10 seconds when it receives the second signal SG2. The receiver control unit 21 then transmits this determination to the control unit 91, causing the control unit 91 to execute "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90.

[0110] The other components of the infrared remote control set in Example 2 are the same as those in Example 1. Therefore, components identical to those in Example 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their illustrations and descriptions are omitted.

[0111] The infrared remote control set of Embodiment 2, with this configuration, can prevent unforeseen problems from occurring when a user who cannot perform on-site verification causes the gas fan heater 90 to initiate "start heating operation," similar to the infrared remote control set 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0112] Furthermore, similar to the infrared remote control set 1 of Embodiment 1, this infrared remote control set allows the user to initiate "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90 by pressing the operation button 17 of the transmitter 10 twice. As a result, this infrared remote control set can prevent the user from accidentally pressing the operation button 17 of the transmitter 10 and unintentionally initiating "start heating operation" of the gas fan heater 90, leading to unforeseen circumstances. In addition, if the user presses the operation button 17 of the transmitter 10 twice in a short interval, the operation signal being transmitted and the next operation signal may overlap, potentially resulting in an incomplete next operation signal. However, even in such cases, the receiver 20 can easily determine that it has received two operation signals. As a result, this infrared remote control set can prevent users from being dissatisfied with the responsiveness when they press the operation button 17 of the transmitter 10 twice.

[0113] Although the present invention has been described above in reference to Examples 1 and 2, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2, and can be applied with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0114] In Examples 1 and 2, the infrared remote control set 1 is applied to a gas fan heater 90, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the infrared remote control set of the present invention may be applied to an electric heating device having a heat source such as an electric heater. Furthermore, the infrared remote control set of the present invention may be applied to various devices that do not have a heat source, such as shutters that can open and close large openings such as garages, or audio equipment that can produce loud sounds.

[0115] In Examples 1 and 2, the four numerical data C1, C2, D21, and D22 of the second data code DC2 are partially different from the four numerical data C1, C2, D11, and D12 of the first data code DC1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the multiple numerical data of the second data code may be completely different from the multiple numerical data of the first data code.

[0116] In Examples 1 and 2, the receiver 20 causes the gas fan heater 90 to "start heating operation" when it determines that it has received two operation signals, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the receiver 20 may cause the gas fan heater 90 to "start heating operation" when it determines that it has received one operation signal. Also, the time limit for receiving two operation signals is 10 seconds or less in the examples, but it may be shorter or longer than 10 seconds, or there may be no time limit at all.

[0117] In Examples 1 and 2, the infrared remote control set 1 remotely controls only "starting heating operation," but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, by setting the numerical data D21 and D22 of the second data code DC2 to different numerical values ​​corresponding to multiple operation signals, and providing multiple operation buttons corresponding to those operation signals on the transmitter 10, the transmitter 10 can selectively transmit operation signals corresponding to "starting heating operation," operation signals corresponding to "changing the heating set temperature," operation signals corresponding to "changing the heating intensity," operation signals corresponding to "ending heating operation," etc., and the receiver 20 can also determine that one of those operation signals corresponds to "starting heating operation," "changing the heating set temperature," "changing the heating intensity," or "ending heating operation."

[0118] In Examples 1 and 2, the first signal SG1 and the second signal SG2 refer to the specifications of only the frame signal among the frame signal and repeat signal of the NEC format, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first signal and the second signal may each have specifications that are completely different from the communication format of existing infrared remote controls. [Industrial applicability]

[0119] This invention can be used, for example, in devices installed in homes, facilities, etc., that can be remotely controlled using infrared signals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1…Infrared remote control set 10…Transmitter 90…Equipment (gas fan heater) 20... Receiver DC1…First data code SG1…1st signal 60…Smart remote control BL1…Blank period DC2…Second data code SG2…Second signal C1, C2, D11, D12... Multiple numerical data associated with the first data code C1, C2, D21, D22... Multiple numerical data contained in the second data code 17... Operation buttons

Claims

1. a transmitter for transmitting an infrared signal, the transmitter being capable of transmitting an operation signal to the device to cause the device to perform a predetermined operation; a receiver provided in the device and capable of receiving the infrared signal, the receiver causing the device to execute the predetermined operation based on a reception result of the operation signal; An infrared remote control set comprising: The operation signal includes a first signal having a first data code; a blank period following the first signal to complete learning of the smart remote control without data; a second signal following the blank period and having a second data code; the plurality of numerical data included in the second data code are at least partially different from the plurality of numerical data included in the first data code; The infrared remote control set is characterized in that the receiver is configured to determine that the operation signal has been received when the receiver receives the first signal and the second signal.

2. the transmitter has an operation button, and transmits the operation signal once when the operation button receives an operation input once; Furthermore, when the operation button receives the operation input and transmits the next operation signal while the operation button is receiving the operation input and transmitting the next operation signal, the transmitter prioritizes the next operation signal with respect to an overlapping portion between the operation signal being transmitted and the next operation signal, When the receiver determines that it has received the operation signal twice, it causes the device to execute the predetermined operation.

2. The infrared remote control set according to claim 1, further comprising: a first receiving unit configured to receive the first signal and a second receiving unit configured to receive the second signal;

3. the transmitter has an operation button, and transmits the operation signal once when the operation button receives an operation input once; Furthermore, when the operation button receives the operation input and transmits the operation signal while receiving the operation input, the transmitter prioritizes the operation signal while transmitting the operation signal over an overlapping portion between the operation signal while transmitting and the next operation signal; When the receiver determines that it has received the operation signal twice, it causes the device to execute the predetermined operation.

2. The infrared remote control set according to claim 1, further comprising: a first signal and a second signal; a second signal received by the receiver; a second signal received by the receiver;

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