Remote control device and control method thereof

Abstract

A remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: an input unit including one or more buttons configured to receive a user input; a processor configured to generate a control signal of an external device; a power supply unit configured to supply power to the processor; an energy harvester capable of generating power; and a switch configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit and the processor. The energy harvester may be configured to generate power in response to the user input and to supply the generated power to the switch.

Description

Remote control device and method of controlling the same

[0001] The various embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a remote control device and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] A remote control device (e.g., a remote control) is an input device designed to control an external device (e.g., a TV) from a distance. Remote control devices are generally used to conveniently control the functions of electronic devices or home appliances. For example, a remote control device may include one or more buttons for controlling the functions of an external device. Users can utilize various functions of the external device by pressing a button corresponding to a specific function of the external device.

[0003] The remote control device transmits control signals corresponding to user input to an external device using wireless communication technologies such as radio frequency (RF) based communication, infrared (IR) signals, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

[0004] Generally, the remote control device maintains a standby state for receiving user input, generating and / or transmitting a control signal corresponding to the received user input.

[0005] However, the standby state of such remote control devices poses a risk of degrading battery performance, such as lifespan, as a constant power supply is required.

[0006] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0007] A remote control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an input unit comprising one or more buttons for receiving user input, a processor for generating a control signal for an external device, a power supply unit for supplying power to the processor, an energy harvester capable of generating power, and a switch configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit and the processor. The energy harvester may be configured to generate power in response to the user input and to supply the generated power to the switch.

[0008] A method for controlling a remote control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided. The remote control device may include an input unit comprising one or more buttons for receiving user input, a processor for generating a control signal of an external device, a power supply unit for supplying power to the processor, an energy harvester capable of generating power, and a switch (133) configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit and the processor. The method for controlling the remote control device may include an operation of receiving user input through the one or more buttons, an energy harvesting operation of generating power from the energy harvester in response to the user input, an operation of supplying the generated power to the switch, and an operation of controlling the switch so that the power supply unit and the processor are electrically connected based on the supplied power.

[0009] However, the problems to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and may be determined in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a system including a remote control device and an external device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a remote control device according to a comparative example of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIGS. 3a and FIGS. 3b are cross-sectional views illustrating the energy harvesting structure and / or operation of a remote control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 4a and FIGS. 4b are block diagrams illustrating a remote control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of a remote control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] In the following description, the attached drawings are referenced, and specific examples of implementation are illustrated within the drawings. Additionally, other examples may be used and structural modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the various examples.

[0016] The terms used in this document are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the technical features of this document. For example, a component expressed in the singular form should be understood as a concept including singular or plural components unless the context clearly indicates only the singular form.

[0017] In this document, each of the following phrases may include any one of the items listed with the corresponding phrase, or any combination thereof: "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B or C," "at least one of A, B and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C." The term "and / or" as used in this document should be understood to encompass any possible combination of one or more of the multiple items listed with the corresponding term. Terms such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" as used in this document may be used simply to distinguish a component from another component and do not limit the components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

[0018] Where it is stated that any (e.g., 1st) component is “coupled,” “connected,” “linked,” “coupled,” “supported,” “connected,” or “contacted” with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicationly,” it includes not only cases where the component is directly coupled, connected, linked, coupled, supported, or contacted with the other component, but also cases where it is indirectly coupled, connected, linked, coupled, supported, or contacted through a third component.

[0019] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this Document, and do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. When a component is said to be located "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0020] As used in this document, the expression "configured to..." may be appropriately substituted depending on the context, for example, with "suitable for...", "capable of...", "designed to...", "modified to...", "made to...", or "capable of...". The term "configured to..." does not necessarily mean only that it is "specially designed" in hardware. Instead, in some situations, the expression "device configured to..." may mean that the device is "capable of..." in conjunction with other devices or components. For example, the phrase "device configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C" may refer to a device dedicated to performing the said operation, or it may refer to a general-purpose device capable of performing various operations, including the said operation.

[0021] Terms such as "upper side," "lower side," and "front-rear direction" used in this document are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and location of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0022] The description in this document is centered on specific embodiments, but this document is not limited to such specific embodiments and should be understood to encompass all various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutions of the various embodiments described in this document. In relation to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a remote control device (100) and an external device (200) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a remote control device (100) can remotely control an external device (200). For example, the remote control device (100) can control the external device (200) using a wireless communication method. The remote control device (100) may refer to a control device corresponding to the external device (200). The wireless communication method may include, for example, a Bluetooth method, a Wi-Fi method, or an infrared method.

[0025] According to one embodiment, when a remote control device (100) receives user input for controlling an external device (200), the remote control device (100) can generate a control signal corresponding to the received user input and transmit the generated control signal to the external device (200).

[0026] According to one embodiment, the remote control device (100) may include an input unit (120) for receiving user input. The input unit (120) may include one or more buttons (121) provided on the main body (110) of the remote control device (100). The one or more buttons (121) may be implemented as physical buttons and may be provided to support various functions of the external device (200). For example, the one or more buttons (121) may include a power button for turning the power of the external device (200) on / off, a volume control button for adjusting the volume of the external device (200), a directional key for moving between content and / or menus output to the external device (200), and a selection key for selecting content and / or menus output to the external device (200). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may include various buttons corresponding to the functions of the external device (200). The input unit (120) may be named a user interface.

[0027] According to one embodiment, an external device (200) can perform an operation corresponding to a control signal based on a control signal received from a remote control device (100). The external device (200) may refer to various devices controlled by the remote control device (100). For example, the external device (200) may refer to an electronic device including a display or an output device including a speaker.

[0028] For example, the external device (200) may include at least one of a smartphone, tablet PC, mobile phone, video phone, e-book reader, desktop PC, laptop PC, netbook computer, workstation, server, PDA, PMP (portable multimedia player), MP3 player, medical device, camera, or wearable device.

[0029] For example, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, ring, bracelet, anklet, necklace, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing integrated type (e.g., electronic clothing), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a bio-implantable circuit.

[0030] In some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of, for example, a television, a DVD (digital video disc) player, audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave, a washing machine, an air purifier, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a game console (e.g., Xbox™, PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, or a digital photo frame.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a remote control device (100) according to a comparative example of the present disclosure.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, a remote control device (100) according to a comparative example may include an input unit (120), a power supply unit (135), a control unit (140), and a communication unit (150).

[0033] According to one embodiment, the input unit (120) may be configured to receive user input as described above. User input received through the input unit (120) may be transmitted to the control unit (140). The input unit (120) may include one or more buttons (121).

[0034] According to one embodiment, one or more buttons (121) may be implemented in the form of a key matrix within the remote control device (100). For example, one or more buttons may be configured in the form of a grid consisting of rows and columns. When a specific button (121) is pressed by a user, the specific row and column are electrically connected, so that the user's physical input is converted into an electrical signal corresponding to the specific row and column and transmitted to the control unit (140). Here, specific functions for controlling an external device (200) (e.g., power on / off, volume control, etc.) may be mapped to the row-column coordinates corresponding to one or more buttons (121).

[0035] According to one embodiment, the power supply unit (135) can supply power to various components included in the remote control device (100). The power supply unit (135) may include a battery that undergoes charging and discharging. Here, charging of the battery may be performed by wired charging and / or wireless charging. The power supply unit (135) can directly supply power to various components included in the remote control device (100). Additionally, according to an embodiment, the power supply unit (135) may supply power to various components included in the remote control device (100) or regulate the supplied power through the control unit (140).

[0036] According to one embodiment, the power supply unit (135) is electrically connected to the control unit (140) and can continuously supply power to the control unit (140) in a standby state (e.g., standby state) where there is no user input. When the control unit (140) receives user input in the standby state, it can immediately generate a control signal corresponding to the received user input.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the control unit (140) may be configured to control the overall operation of the remote control device (100). The control unit (140) may include a memory (143) for storing or storing a program and / or data for controlling each component of the remote control device (100), and a processor (141) for generating a control signal for controlling each component of the remote control device (100) according to the program and / or data stored in the memory (143) and information obtained from each of the other components.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the memory (143) can store various data that can be used to control the operation of each component of the remote control device (100). The memory (143) can store, for example, a number of applications used in the remote control device (100), data for controlling the operation of the remote control device (100), and commands. At least some of the applications stored in the memory (143) can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. At least some of the applications stored in the memory (143) may be stored in the memory (143) from the time of shipment for the basic functions of the remote control device (100).

[0039] According to one embodiment, the processor (141) may be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP) that processes digital signals, a microprocessor, or a time controller (TCON). However, it is not limited thereto, and may include or be defined by one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a graphics-processing unit (GPU), a communication processor (CP), or an ARM processor. Additionally, the processor (141) may be implemented as a System on Chip (SoC) or a large-scale integration (LSI) with a built-in processing algorithm, or may be implemented in the form of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Furthermore, the processor (141) may perform various functions by executing computer executable instructions stored in memory (143).

[0040] According to one embodiment, when a user input is received by the input unit (120), the processor (141) may perform a key scan operation to identify the button (121) pressed by the user. The key scan operation corresponds to an operation to detect (or identify) the button (121) that the user has pressed or is pressing. Through the key scan operation, the processor (141) may generate a control signal of an external device (200) corresponding to the button (121) pressed by the user. A detailed description of the key scan operation will be provided below with reference to FIG. 4 and below.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the communication unit (150) may receive and / or transmit wired / wireless signals between an external wired / wireless communication system, an external server, and / or other devices according to a predetermined wired / wireless communication protocol. In one example, the communication unit (150) may include one or more modules that connect the remote control device (100) to one or more networks. In one example, the communication unit (150) may include at least one of a mobile communication module, a wired / wireless internet module, a short-range communication module, and / or a location information module.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a mobile communication module may transmit and receive wireless signals with at least one of an external base station, an external terminal, and an external server through a mobile communication network according to any of the various communication protocols for mobile communication. The wireless signals may include data signals of various forms. In one example, the wireless signals may include voice call signals, video call call signals, and text / multimedia message signals, but the present document is not limited thereto.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the wired / wireless internet module may support, for example, WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), or LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), but is not limited thereto. In one example, the wired / wireless internet module of the communication unit (150) may transmit and receive data according to at least one wired / wireless internet technology among the internet technologies not listed above.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the short-range communication module may support short-range communication using at least one of the following technologies, for example, Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus). The short-range communication module may support wireless communication between a remote control device (100) and a wireless communication system, between a remote control device (100) and another device, or between a network where a remote control device (100) and another device are located, for example, through a short-range wireless communication network.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the location information module may be, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module or a Wi-Fi module, as a module for obtaining the location of a remote control device (100). If the remote control device (100) utilizes a GPS module, it may receive information regarding the location of the remote control device (100) using signals sent from GPS satellites. If the remote control device (100) utilizes a Wi-Fi module, it may receive information regarding the location of the display device (1) based on information from a Wireless Access Point (AP) that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the Wi-Fi module.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the communication unit (150) may be configured to transmit a control signal of an external device (200) corresponding to a button identified in a key scan operation.

[0047] As described above, when the remote control device (100) receives user input for controlling an external device (200) through the input unit (120), it immediately generates a control signal corresponding to the user input in response to the received user input in the processor (141). Generally, the remote control device (100) continuously supplies power from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141) to generate the control signal immediately, thereby maintaining the processor (141) in a standby state (or standby state). However, the standby state of the processor (141) in this manner causes the battery's performance (e.g., lifespan) to deteriorate by continuously consuming the battery's power even when there is no user input.

[0048] Accordingly, the remote control device (100) of the present disclosure aims to provide a method for maintaining an electrical connection between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) only when a user input is received, by replacing the method of maintaining a constant standby state of the processor (141) through continuous power supply of the power supply unit (135) with an energy harvesting operation by an energy harvester (e.g., the energy harvester (131) of FIG. 3A).

[0049] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings from Fig. 3a onwards, the energy harvesting structure and operation of the remote control device (100) and the power control method of the remote control device (100) utilizing the same will be described.

[0050] FIGS. 3a and FIGS. 3b are cross-sectional views illustrating the energy harvesting structure and / or operation of a remote control device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the input section (120) of the remote control device (100) in the absence of user input.

[0052] FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the input section (120) of the remote control device (100) when user input is present.

[0053] The embodiments of FIGS. 3a and 3b can be optionally combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a remote control device (100) according to one embodiment may include a main body (110), an input unit (120), a circuit board (130), and an energy harvester (131).

[0055] According to one embodiment, the main body (110) may constitute the exterior of the remote control device (100). In one embodiment, the main body (110) may include a cover portion (111) and one or more button portions (112). The cover portion (111) may be named a first body portion, and the button portion (112) may be named a second body portion.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the cover portion (111) of the main body (110) may be made of a hard material. For example, the cover portion (111) may be made of a plastic injection molded material. The cover portion (111) can protect electronic components (e.g., circuit board (130), energy harvester (131)) provided inside the remote control device (100) from the outside.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the button portion (112) of the main body (110) may be composed of a soft material. For example, the button portion (112) may be made of a deformable rubber material. The button portion (112) may be provided in a space (or recess) where parts of the cover portion (111) are spaced apart from each other. The button portion (112) may be deformed by the user's button (121) pressing action.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the input unit (120) may include one or more buttons (121). One or more buttons (121) may be provided to be vertically movable by a user's input action (e.g., a pressing action). The buttons (121) may be provided on the button portion (112) of the main body (110). The buttons (121) may be coupled by penetrating the upper surface of the button portion (112) such that a portion (e.g., a contact portion (122)) is located inside the button portion (112).

[0059] According to one embodiment, the button (121) may include a push portion (121a) and a contact portion (121b).

[0060] In one embodiment, the pressing portion (121a) of the button (121) may be a part of the button (121) that is directly contacted by the user's finger and may be a part that is pressed by the user. The pressing portion (121a) may be provided to cover the upper surface of the button portion (112).

[0061] In one embodiment, the contact portion (121b) of the button (121) may be a part of the button (121) capable of contacting the electrical circuit (130a) of the energy harvester (131) and / or the circuit board (130) by the user's button (121) pressing action. For example, as the button portion (112) is deformed by the user's button (121) pressing action, the button (121) may move downward, and the contact portion (121b) of the button (121) may contact the electrical circuit (130a) of the energy harvester (131) and / or the circuit board (130) (see FIG. 3b). The contact portion (121b) may extend downward from the pressing portion (121a). The contact portion (121b) may penetrate the button portion (112) and be located inside the button portion (112).

[0062] According to one embodiment, a circuit board (130) may be provided on the inside of the main body (110). Electronic components constituting a remote control device (100), such as an energy harvester (131) and a processor (141), may be mounted on the circuit board (130). The circuit board (130) may include an electrical circuit (130a) for electrically connecting the electronic components mounted on the circuit board (130).

[0063] According to one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may be mounted on the circuit board (130). The energy harvester (131) may be provided on the lower side of the button (121).

[0064] In one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may be configured to generate electrical energy using pressure applied from the button (121) when the user presses the button (121). The energy harvester (131) may be implemented, for example, as a piezoelectric element (or piezoelectric material). The energy harvester (131) may convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by utilizing the piezoelectric effect, which generates an electrical potential difference (voltage) when pressure is applied to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element may include, for example, quartz, PZT (lead-zirconate-titanate), barium titanate (BaTiO3), or PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride).

[0065] In one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may be electrically connected to a switch (e.g., switch (133) of FIG. 4a) described later through an electrical circuit (130a) of a circuit board (130). The energy harvester (131) may operate the switch (133) (e.g., on / off) based on a user's button (121) pressing action.

[0066] FIGS. 4a and FIGS. 4b are block diagrams illustrating a remote control device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 4a is a block diagram showing a state in which the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) are electrically disconnected by the off operation of the switch (133) in the absence of user input.

[0068] FIG. 4b is a block diagram showing the state in which the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) are electrically connected by the on operation of the switch (133) when user input is present.

[0069] The embodiments of FIGS. 4a and 4b can be optionally combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3b.

[0070] The configuration of the input unit (120), power unit (135), control unit (140), and communication unit (150) in FIGS. 4a and 4b may be all or partly the same as the configuration of the input unit (120), power unit (135), control unit (140), and communication unit (150) in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the explanation will focus on the differences compared with FIG. 2.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, a remote control device (100) according to one embodiment may include an input unit (120), an energy harvester (131), a switch (133), a power supply unit (135), a control unit (140), and a communication unit (150).

[0072] According to one embodiment, the input unit (120) may include one or more buttons (121). An energy harvester (131) may be provided on the lower side of the button (121).

[0073] According to one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may be configured to be in contact with the button (121) based on whether the user presses the button (121). For example, the energy harvester (131) may be in contact with the button (121) when the user presses the button (121), and may receive pressure from the contacted button (121). The energy harvester (131) may generate power (or electrical energy) in proportion to the pressure applied from the button (121). The energy harvester (131) may be electrically connected to a switch (133). The energy harvester (131) may supply power to the switch (133) based on the user's button (121) pressing action.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the switch (133) may be electrically connected to an energy harvester (131), a power supply unit (135), and / or a processor (141). The switch (133) may electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) based on whether a user presses the button (121). For example, as shown in FIG. 4a, if a user presses the button (121), the switch (133) may operate to open the power circuit connecting the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) and cut off the power supply from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4b, when a user's button (121) pressing action is received, the switch (133) operates (turns on) to short-circuit the power circuit connecting the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141), and can supply power from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141). At this time, the on operation of the switch (133) can be performed by power generated from the energy harvester (131) according to the user's button (121) pressing action.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the processor (141) can receive power from the power supply unit (135) by the on operation of the switch (133) when the user presses the button (121). The processor (141) can perform overall control operations of the power transmission device (100) using the power received from the power supply unit (135).

[0076] In one embodiment, the processor (141) may perform a key scan operation to identify the pressed button (121) when a user presses the button (121). The processor (141) may sequentially activate a row or column of a button (121) in one or more buttons (121) configured in the form of a key matrix. The processor (141) may sequentially apply voltage to the activated row or column and obtain an electrical signal from the activated row or column. Based on the electrical signal obtained from the activated row or column, the processor (141) may detect whether the button (121) corresponding to a specific row or column is pressed. For example, the processor (141) may detect the pressed state of the button (121) as a signal is transmitted between the row and column when the button (121) corresponding to the activated row or column is pressed. For example, the processor (141) can detect the unpressed state of the button (121) by not transmitting a signal between the row and column when the button (121) corresponding to the activated row or column is not pressed.

[0077] In one embodiment, the processor (141) may generate a control signal corresponding to a button (121) identified in a key scan operation. The control signal may correspond to a signal for performing a specific function of an external device (200) that is pre-mapped to the identified button (121).

[0078] In one embodiment, the processor (141) can control the switch (133) to turn off if, after the initial pressing operation of the user's button (121), a subsequent pressing operation of the user's button (121) is not detected for a predetermined period of time. By turning off the switch (133), the power supply from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141) can be cut off. Accordingly, the processor (141) does not maintain a standby state when there is no user input, but maintains a standby state for a predetermined period of time only when there is user input.

[0079] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a method of controlling a remote control device (100) that responds to user input will be described.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of a remote control device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] The embodiment of FIG. 5 can be optionally combined with the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 510, the remote control device (100) can receive user input through a button (121) of the input unit (120). For example, the user can activate a specific function by pressing a specific button (121) corresponding to a specific function of the external device (200).

[0083] According to one embodiment, in operation 520, the remote control device (100) can perform an energy harvesting operation to generate power from an energy harvester (131) in response to a user's button (121) pressing operation. For example, when a user presses a button (121), the button (121) comes into contact with the energy harvester (131) and presses the energy harvester (131), thereby generating power from the energy harvester (131). The energy harvester (131) is electrically connected to a switch (133) and can supply the power generated by the user's button (121) pressing operation to the switch (133).

[0084] According to one embodiment, in operation 530, the remote control device (100) receives power generated by the user's button (121) pressing operation from the energy harvester (131), and can electrically connect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) using the received power (switch ON). For example, as described above, the switch (133) can short-circuit the power circuit between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) by the power received from the energy harvester (131). Accordingly, main power is supplied from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141), and the processor (141) can maintain a standby state for receiving user input using the main power.

[0085] According to one embodiment, in operation 540, the remote control device (100) may perform a key scan operation to identify a button (121) pressed by a user. For example, when a user presses a button (121), the remote control device (100) may apply voltage to the row and column of the button (121) implemented in a key matrix manner and obtain an electrical signal from a specific row and column. The remote control device (100) may identify the button (121) pressed by the user based on the electrical signal obtained from the specific row and column.

[0086] According to one embodiment, in operation 550, the remote control device (100) can transmit a control signal corresponding to an identified button (121) to an external device (200). For example, one or more buttons (121) may be mapped to specific functions of the external device (200). The remote control device (100) can generate a control signal regarding specific functions of the external device (200) mapped to the identified button (121), and can transmit the generated control signal to the external device (200).

[0087] According to one embodiment, in operation 560, the remote control device (100) can determine whether user input has been received again for a predetermined period of time.

[0088] According to one embodiment, in operation 570, if no user input is received for a predetermined period of time, the remote control device (100) can disconnect the electrical connection between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) through the switch (133) (switch OFF). For example, as described above, if the switch (133) does not detect a user's button (121) pressing action for a predetermined period of time, the power circuit between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) can be opened. Accordingly, the main power between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) is cut off, and the standby state of the processor (141) can be released.

[0089] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a remote control device (100) may include an input unit (120) comprising one or more buttons (121) for receiving user input, a processor (141) for generating a control signal of an external device (200), a power supply unit (135) for supplying power to the processor (141), an energy harvester (131) capable of generating power, and a switch (133) configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141). The energy harvester (131) may be configured to generate power in response to the user input and to supply the generated power to the switch (133).

[0090] According to one embodiment, the switch (133) may be configured to electrically connect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) so that when user input is received at one or more buttons (121), power is received from the energy harvester (131) and power is supplied from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141).

[0091] According to one embodiment, the switch (133) may be configured to disconnect the electrical connection between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) so that power supply from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141) is cut off when no user input is received for a predetermined period of time after user input is received on one or more buttons (121).

[0092] According to one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may be positioned below the button (121) so as to be able to contact the button (121) upon receiving the user input.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may include a piezoelectric element.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may be configured to receive pressure from contact with the button (121) upon receiving the user input, generate power in proportion to the applied pressure, and supply the generated power to the switch (133).

[0095] According to one embodiment, the one or more buttons (121) may include a key matrix structure comprising rows or columns that can be electrically connected to each other. The processor (141) may be configured to activate the rows or columns of the buttons (121) by applying voltage to them, obtain an electrical signal from the rows or columns of the activated buttons (121), and identify the buttons (121) pushed by user input based on the obtained electrical signal.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the remote control device (100) may include a communication unit (150) for communication with the external device (200). The processor (141) may be configured to generate a control signal regarding the identified button (121) and to transmit the generated control signal to the external device (200) through the communication unit (150).

[0097] A control method for a remote control device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising an input unit (120) including one or more buttons (121) for receiving user input, a processor (141) for generating a control signal of an external device (200), a power supply unit (135) for supplying power to the processor (141), an energy harvester (131) capable of generating power, and a switch (133) configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141), may include an operation (510) of receiving user input through the one or more buttons (121), an energy harvesting operation (520) of generating power from the energy harvester (131) in response to the user input, an operation of supplying the generated power to the switch (133), and an operation (530) of controlling the switch (133) so that the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) are electrically connected based on the supplied power. there is.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the control method of the remote control device (100) may include an operation (560) of determining whether another user input has been received for a predetermined period of time after a user input has been received on one or more buttons (121), and an operation (570) of controlling the switch (133) to disconnect the electrical connection between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141).

[0099] According to one embodiment, the control method of the remote control device (100) is such that the energy harvester (131) can be positioned below the button (121) so as to be able to contact the button (121) upon receiving the user input.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the energy harvester (131) may include a piezoelectric element.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the control method of the remote control device (100) is configured such that the energy harvester (131) receives pressure by contact with the button (121) upon receiving the user input, generates power in proportion to the applied pressure, and supplies the generated power to the switch (133).

[0102] According to one embodiment, the remote control device (100) may include a key matrix structure in which one or more buttons (121) are electrically connected to each other, such that the buttons include a row or column. The method of the remote control device (100) may include an operation of activating a row or column of the buttons (121) by applying voltage to it, an operation of obtaining an electrical signal from the row or column of the activated buttons (121), and an operation (540) of identifying a button (121) pushed by user input based on the obtained electrical signal.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the control method of the remote control device (100) may include an operation of generating a control signal regarding the identified button (121) and an operation (550) of transmitting the generated control signal to the external device (200) through a communication unit (150).

Claims

1. In a remote control device (100), Input unit (120) including one or more buttons (121) for receiving user input; A processor (141) for generating a control signal for an external device (200); A power supply unit (135) for supplying power to the above processor (141); Energy harvester (131) capable of generating power; and It includes a switch (133) configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141), and The above energy harvester (131) is, A remote control device configured to generate power in response to the above user input and to supply the generated power to the above switch (133).

2. In Paragraph 1, The above switch (133) is, When user input is received on one or more of the above buttons (121), power is received from the energy harvester (131), and A remote control device configured to electrically connect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) so that power is supplied from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141).

3. In Paragraph 2, The above switch (133) is, A remote control device configured to disconnect the electrical connection between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) so that power supply from the power supply unit (135) to the processor (141) is cut off when no user input is received for a predetermined period of time after user input is received on one or more buttons (121).

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 3, The above energy harvester (131) is, A remote control device positioned below the button (121) so as to be able to contact the button (121) upon receiving the above user input.

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 4, The above energy harvester (131) is, A remote control device comprising a piezoelectric element.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above energy harvester (131) is, When the above user input is received, pressure is applied by contact with the button (121), and power is generated in proportion to the applied pressure, A remote control device configured to supply generated power to the switch (133).

7. In Paragraph 1, The above one or more buttons (121) include a key matrix structure comprising rows or columns that can be electrically connected to each other, and The above processor (141) is, Activate by applying voltage to a row or column of the above button (121), and An electrical signal is obtained from a row or column of an activated button (121), and A remote control device configured to identify a button (121) pushed by user input based on an acquired electrical signal.

8. In Paragraph 7, It includes a communication unit (150) for communication with the above external device (200), and The above processor (141) is, Generates a control signal regarding the identified button (121), and A remote control device configured to transmit a generated control signal to an external device (200) through the communication unit (150).

9. A method for controlling a remote control device (100) comprising an input unit (120) including one or more buttons (121) for receiving user input, a processor (141) for generating a control signal of an external device (200), a power supply unit (135) for supplying power to the processor (141), an energy harvester (131) capable of generating power, and a switch (133) configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141). An operation (510) of receiving user input through one or more buttons (121) above; An energy harvesting operation (520) that generates power from the energy harvester (131) in response to the above user input; The operation of supplying the generated power to the switch (133); and A method for controlling a remote control device, comprising an operation (530) of controlling the switch (133) so that the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141) are electrically connected based on the supplied power.

10. In Paragraph 9, After user input is received on one or more buttons (121), an operation (560) to determine whether another user input is received during a predetermined period of time; and A method for controlling a remote control device, comprising an operation (570) of controlling the switch (133) to disconnect the electrical connection between the power supply unit (135) and the processor (141).

11. In Paragraph 9, The above energy harvester (131) is, A method for controlling a remote control device positioned below the button (121) so as to be able to contact the button (121) when receiving the above user input.

12. In any one of paragraphs 9 through 11, The above energy harvester (131) is, A method for controlling a remote control device comprising a piezoelectric element.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above energy harvester (131) is, When the above user input is received, pressure is applied by contact with the button (121), and power is generated in proportion to the applied pressure, A method of controlling a remote control device configured to supply generated power to the switch (133).

14. In Paragraph 9, The above one or more buttons (121) include a key matrix structure comprising rows or columns that can be electrically connected to each other, and The method of the above remote control device (100) is, An operation to activate by applying voltage to a row or column of the above button (121); The operation of obtaining an electrical signal from a row or column of an activated button (121); and A method for controlling a remote control device, comprising an operation (540) for identifying a button (121) pushed by user input based on an acquired electrical signal.

15. In Paragraph 14, The operation of generating a control signal regarding the identified button (121); and A remote control device comprising the operation (550) of transmitting a generated control signal to an external device (200) through a communication unit (150).

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