JP3863991B2 - Tele-control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a telecontrol device (hereinafter referred to as a telecon) that controls household devices via a telephone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When the user goes out, the telephone calls a device in the house from a public telephone or the like, inputs a predetermined code, and controls the home device, and is not used much at home. Even if the person is away from home, if someone at home is at home, he / she can call the housekeeper from the outside and control the equipment in the home, so the time required for telecon is really short. Is.
[0003]
In addition, the power supply of the telecon can be switched from a commercial power supply to a low voltage to make it a direct current power supply. However, it costs a little, such as a power transformer, and the price of the telecon will increase accordingly, which will motivate consumers to purchase. It has become.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, paying attention to the short usage time, we would like to reduce the unit price of the product as a battery power source by reducing the cost of the power source. In addition, we want to reduce standby power when not in use so that batteries can be used for a long time. And especially for battery power supplies, if the power supply voltage is below the reference value, the telecon operation will not function properly, which is a problem.
[0005]
Also, when the telecon transmits infrared signals to control household devices, if the telecon is replaced at a position where it is difficult for infrared rays to reach, the telecon Control of internal equipment becomes impossible. Furthermore, even if the power supply is not abnormal, it will be a problem if the telecon is not operating normally.
[0006]
The telecontrol device of the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the telecon of the present invention is configured to automatically receive a call from a telephone, a determination unit that determines a signal from the telephone, and a home based on a determination result of the determination unit. In a battery-powered telecon that transmits a signal to control the device, the telecon is provided with a power switch for turning on the battery power, and when the power switch is turned on, the controlled household device is used as a test signal. A signal for commanding operation stop is transmitted by infrared rays .
[0008]
In addition, it is configured to include a determination unit and a display unit for determining whether or not the power supply is normal, and display whether or not the power supply is normal when the power switch is turned on.
[0009]
In addition, a configuration is provided in which the display is performed by distinguishing between the time of automatic incoming call from the telephone and the time of signal transmission to be transmitted to control the home device based on the signal discrimination result from the telephone.
[0010]
Furthermore, the telecon is a wireless remote control device (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) that transmits infrared signals to control household devices.
[0011]
According to the present invention, the power supply switch is provided in the telecon, and the main power supply is used only when the telecon is used. For this reason, even batteries can be used for a long period of time, and it is no longer necessary to use a DC power supply by lowering the voltage from a commercial power supply to a power transformer, etc., thereby reducing the price of telecons and encouraging consumers to purchase. it can.
[0012]
Also, since the test signal is transmitted to the controlled household device when the power switch is turned on, whether the household device is normally controlled with respect to the test signal transmitted from the telecon. , You can check each time.
[0013]
That is, whether the telecon is operating normally and has transmitted a test signal, or the telecon transmission signal has successfully controlled the home device, for example, the power switch of the home device is OFF, how normal Even if a signal is transmitted, if the home device is not able to receive the signal or has failed, or if the telecon transmits an infrared signal to control the home device, the transmitted infrared light is transmitted to the home device. The telecon installation position is okay (the installation position and orientation have been changed sometime so that the infrared signal does not reach the home device normally) or there is no obstruction to block the infrared signal Or the like.
[0014]
Further, since the power supply of the telecon itself is provided with a determination means and a display means, it can be confirmed that the battery power supply is normal, for example. There is almost no problem if the DC power supply is reduced from the commercial power supply to a low voltage, but the battery power supply has a discharge capacity and it is necessary to always check whether it can still be used. It can be confirmed by turning it on, which is convenient. The indication of whether the power supply is normal may be temporarily displayed after the power switch is turned on.
[0015]
And, since it is configured to distinguish and display the time of automatic incoming call from the telephone and the time of signal transmission transmitted to control household devices based on the signal discrimination result from the telephone, During use, a home resident can refrain from using the telephone, or it can be used for fault diagnosis of the telecon.
[0016]
Also, since home appliances usually have a remote controller that transmits and controls infrared signals, the infrared signal receiver can be used as is if the telecon is also a remote controller that transmits infrared signals and controls household devices. If the remote control sends the same signal as the infrared signal that controls the home device, the home device on the receiving side of the infrared signal can be used. The number of signal types is reduced.
[0017]
For this reason, a power switch is provided in the telecon, the power is turned on only when going out and used, and the waiting time until it is called by the telephone is set to the minimum necessary power used for telecon control, for example, the sleeping mode Power is supplied only to the microcomputer chip, and normal power is stopped.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a telecontrol device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to a case where the same signal as that of an infrared remote controller is also transmitted from a telecon and the home appliance to be controlled is implemented in an air conditioner.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows the relationship between an air conditioner, a remote controller, a telephone set, a telecon and the like according to an embodiment of the telecon of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 is normally operated by a remote controller 2 that transmits a command signal by infrared rays. The telecon 3 also functions as a stand for the remote controller 2 and controls the air conditioner 1 by transmitting the same infrared signal as that of the remote controller 3 by operating other telephones 4 outside the building. Another telephone 4 outside the building is connected to a telephone line 5 such as a telephone company's exchange and a telephone terminal inside the building via a bifurcated modular connector 6. One modular cord 7 is connected to the telephone 9, and the other modular cord 8 is Each is connected to the telecon 3.
[0020]
2A and 2B are external views showing an embodiment of the telecon of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a side view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, and FIG. Are side views, each described in triangular projection.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, a modular cord 8 connected to a modular socket 31 is connected to another telephone 4 outside the building via a telephone line 5 such as a telephone company exchange. The telecon 3 includes a registration switch 32, a power switch 34, and a resin cover 38. The visible light emitting diodes LED 35, 36 used for displaying whether the power is normal, distinguishing between automatic incoming and signal transmission, and a remote controller 2 is provided with a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes 37 that transmit the same signal as 2 and control the air conditioner.
[0022]
The resin cover 38 is a filter that allows only a specific frequency band of infrared light from the infrared light emitting diode 37 to pass therethrough. Since a microphone that captures ambient sounds is provided inside, air holes 29 and 39 are also provided in the bottom surface portion and the resin cover portion 38. The power switch 34 is a push-lock type, and it can be visually confirmed whether the push button is turned on or off when the push button is protruding upward.
[0023]
Reference numeral 33 denotes a protrusion for preventing the telecon 3 from falling when the remote control 23 is placed on the telecon 3, particularly when the telecon 3 is installed vertically on a wall or the like. You can also withdraw. Although not shown, a hooking hole for installing the telecon 3 vertically on a wall or the like is also provided on the bottom surface.
[0024]
The infrared light emitting diode 37 for transmission is composed of a total of 6 pieces, one in the vertical direction and inclined at 45 ° from the vertical, and 5 in every horizontal angle of 50 °, and the half angle width of the directivity angle of the infrared light emitting diode is 25 °. Is. Therefore, the vertical area of the signal transmission area of the infrared light emitting diode is 95 ° in total, which is 25 ° from the vertical and 70 ° from the vertical, and the horizontal area is 250 °. And the reach | attainment distance is 7 m or more.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a principal block diagram of a control circuit showing an embodiment of the telecon of the present invention.
[0026]
First, registration of a personal identification number in the telecon 3 and setting or changing of the number of ringing sounds will be described.
[0027]
First, in order to prevent the malfunction of the telecon and the mischief, a PIN number with four digits of 0 to 9 is provided. If an answering machine is connected to the same telephone line, use a different PIN.
[0028]
Then, it is set how many times the calling bell is ringed before calling the home from another telephone 4 outside the building and operating the telecon 3. At this time, if an answering machine or the like is connected to the same telephone line, the number is set larger than the setting of the answering machine. This is to give priority to the answering machine over the telecon 3.
[0029]
First, after connecting a predetermined modular cord 8 or the like, the power switch 34 of the telecon 3 is turned on, and then the telephone 9 dials 177 (weather forecast) (using the dial button of the telephone 3 And 177 has no meaning). Then, the telephone 9 switches to a tone signal. If the telephone 9 is a push phone, it is a tone signal, so switching is not necessary.
[0030]
Next, the registration switch 32 of the telecon 3 is pushed. At this time, the LED 35 of the LED display unit 16 is turned on. Then, after pressing the “* button” on the telephone set 9, a total of 6 digits are dialed in succession, 4 digits for the PIN, “* button”, and 2 digits for setting the number of ringing sounds. The “* button” is displayed as a mark formed by rotating the “*” mark by 90 degrees on the telephone. Here, it is difficult to describe this formal mark, so the “*” mark is substituted.
[0031]
Then, a confirmation sound is emitted from the handset, and the LED 35 of the telecon 3 is turned off to notify that the password registration and the number of ringing sounds have been set. For example, if you want to set the PIN number to 5555 and the number of ringing tones, dial * 5555 * 08. When the telecon 3 is shipped, the personal identification number is set to 1234 and the number of ringing sounds is set to seven.
[0032]
Further, once the personal identification number and the number of ringing sounds are set, they are stored in the EEPROM 19 so that the memory is not lost even if the power switch 34 of the telecon 3 is turned off or the battery is removed. Note that the PIN change registration and the ringing tone count setting change can be performed by the same operation as the above new setting.
[0033]
Then, the telephone 9 is disconnected. When the telecon 3 is not used, the power switch 34 is turned off.
[0034]
Furthermore, even when the answering machine 9 is connected and set to the same telephone line, the answering machine 9 can be set first by setting the number of ringing sounds to a value smaller than the telecon 3 for the answering machine 9. Answering machine 9 and telecon 3 can be used on the same telephone line.
[0035]
Next, the confirmation of whether or not the power supply is normal will be described. When the power switch 34 of the input unit 15 is turned on, the power supply voltage read by the power supply voltage detection circuit 14 is taken into the microcomputer 11 and the power supply voltage becomes DC 5.4V. If it exceeds, it is determined that the power supply voltage is normal, and the LED 35 of the LED display unit 16 is lit for 5 seconds.
[0036]
The telecon 3 operates with a power supply voltage of DC 4.4V to 6.8V. If the power supply voltage is lowered to 5.4V or less, the microcomputer 11 determines that the power supply is abnormal, stops the telecon function, The LED 35 blinks for 5 seconds and is displayed. Of course, when the battery is completely consumed, the LED 35 is not lit at all, and the telecon 3 is not operated.
[0037]
Further, if the power supply voltage is normal, the password and the number of rings set are read from the EEPROM 19 into the microcomputer 11. At this time, even in the case of an EEPROM error such as the PIN number that should have been previously set and registered and the number of times the ringing tone has been set, the LED 35 of the LED display unit 16 is lit for 10 seconds for notification.
[0038]
Since the check of the power supply voltage and the check of the EEPROM 19 are completed instantaneously, a test telecon signal is transmitted from the infrared light emitting diode 37 of the infrared light emitting unit 17 based on a command from the microcomputer 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, a signal for commanding the operation stop of the air conditioner 1 is transmitted. The result of the power supply voltage check is displayed over time.
[0039]
Even when the power switch is not turned on, the microcomputer 11 checks the power supply voltage immediately after connecting the line and every 2 minutes thereafter by a telecon operation from another telephone 4 outside the building. It is determined that the power supply voltage is abnormal, and a confirmation (rejection) sound generation unit of the microcomputer 11 generates a warning sound of “boo, boo, boo,...” And warns through a receiver of another telephone 4 outside the building. The telephone line is disconnected after 1 minute according to the command of the microcomputer 11. This is to prevent uncertain telecon operation. Therefore, if you hear a “boo, boo, boo ...” sound, you must hurry to finish the telecon operation.
[0040]
Note that the microcomputer 11 is reset by the reset circuit 21 when the power is turned on, for example, when the battery is replaced. Nevertheless, it is recommended and recommended that the reset switch 30 be pushed and reset when replacing the battery.
[0041]
The oscillator 18 for operating the microcomputer 11 is provided with two oscillators, an oscillator A having a frequency of 4.19 MHz and an oscillator B having a frequency of 32.768 kilohertz. Is configured. Normally, the two oscillation circuits are used together. However, when the power switch 34 is turned off and even when the power switch 34 is turned on, the telecon 3 is waiting for the telephone to receive the oscillator B having a frequency of 32.768 kilohertz. The sleeping mode is set to operate only the oscillation circuit.
[0042]
In general, the microcomputer 11 consumes a large amount of power in the oscillation circuit portion, and the power consumption increases when the oscillation frequency is large. Since the current consumption in the normal case of operating two oscillation circuits with the oscillator A and the oscillator B is on the order of milliamperes, the frequency is low in the sleeping mode in which only the oscillation circuit of the oscillator B is operated. The operation of the microcomputer 11 is slow and consumes only a minute current on the order of microamperes.
[0043]
In this way, by using less power, it is possible to use a battery power source and to provide an inexpensive telecon 3. In the embodiment of the present invention, even when the power switch is turned off, the microcomputer consumes a small amount of power in the sleeping mode. However, when not in use, the power may be completely turned off by the power switch. In the embodiment of the present invention, the battery power source is used. However, it goes without saying that the DC power source may be a rectified DC power source from a commercial power source using a transformer or the like.
[0044]
Next, setting of the installation position of the telecon 3 will be described.
[0045]
First, with reference to the signal transmission area of the infrared light emitting diode 37 for transmission described above, the position and orientation of the telecon 3 such as a wall hanging or a table are tentatively determined. Of course, it is confirmed that there is no obstacle between the telecon 3 and the infrared signal receiver of the air conditioner 1, and the power switch 34 is turned on at that position. Put it in.)
[0046]
When the power switch 34 is turned on, a test air conditioner control signal (hereinafter referred to as a telecon signal) is transmitted from the telecon 3. In this embodiment, a signal instructing to stop the operation of the air conditioner 1 is transmitted for testing. When the air conditioner 1 receives the telecon signal, it emits a beeping / buzzing signal reception sound in the same way as when the remote control signal is received. If the air conditioner 1 is in operation, the operation is stopped. Thus, it can be determined that the telecon signal has worked safely. In this case, the optimum installation position is determined by repeating this operation several times while changing the position and orientation of the telecon.
[0047]
Next, a description will be given of a method of operating the air conditioner 1 by calling the home from another telephone 4 outside the building and operating the telecon 3.
[0048]
First, the power switch 34 of the telecon 3 is turned on before going out.
[0049]
When a telephone number outside the building that can output a tone signal is dialed to the telephone number to which the telecon 3 is connected, the telecon 3 is displayed as a call display via the telephone line 5 and the LED 36 of the LED display unit 16 is ON (lit) for 1 second. Flashes off for 2 seconds. At this time, the telephone 4 outside the building is switched to a tone signal. However, if the outside telephone 4 is a push phone, it is not necessary to switch since it is a tone signal from the beginning.
[0050]
Then, after the ringing tone reaches the set number of times, the automatic receiving unit 12 connects the line to the telecon 3, and the confirmation (rejection) generation unit in the microcomputer 11 generates a connection confirmation sound "Pippo". The connection confirmation sound is heard from the handset of the telephone 4 outside the building to confirm that the line is connected to the telecon 3. Thereafter, the telecon 3 detects a tone signal at the tone signal detector 13.
[0051]
Next, when the dial 4 is pressed by pressing the “* button” followed by the four digits of the password number and the “* button” on the outside telephone 4, the microcomputer 11 registers the password number through the tone signal detection unit 13. It is determined whether or not it matches, and when it matches, a confirmation (rejection) sound generation unit generates a confirmation sound “pipotsu” and confirms by listening from the handset of the telephone 4 outside the building.
[0052]
At this time, the “* button” that is pressed first may be doubled with the “* button” that is pressed to switch to the above tone signal. Therefore, even if the “* button” is continuously dialed twice, The microcomputer 11 understands that the same operation was performed once. Here, the microphone circuit 20 provided with the microphone is turned on and collects sound, so that the sound around the telecon 3 can be monitored by the microphone.
[0053]
If the PIN does not match, you will hear a “boo” rejection sound from the handset. In this case, after pressing the “* button” again, four digits of the password and the “* button” are pressed for dialing. If the password is matched, the password is accepted as described above. If the password is not matched three times, the telephone line is disconnected by a command from the microcomputer 11 after the handset hears a rejection sound “boo”.
[0054]
Subsequently, when the operator presses the two-digit operation number for instructing the air conditioner 1 and the “* button” and dials on the outside telephone 4, the microcomputer 11 determines the operation number, and the operation number is a predetermined number. For example, the confirmation sound generating unit 23 emits a confirmation sound “pipo” and listens to the confirmation sound from the handset of the telephone 4 outside the building to confirm that the telecon 3 has received the command.
[0055]
At this time, the microcomputer 11 drives the infrared light emitting unit 17, and transmits to the air conditioner 1 a telecon signal 22 that is the same infrared ray as the remote control signal to control the air conditioner 1 from the infrared light emitting diode 37. To do. When the air conditioner 1 receives the command signal, the air conditioner 1 emits a reception confirmation sound such as “beep” or “buzz”.
Therefore, since the microphone circuit 20 including the microphone collects sound, the reception confirmation sound is monitored, and the confirmation sound can be heard from the receiver. In some cases, the sound accompanying the operation of the air conditioner 1 is heard. Can confirm that the operation command has been accepted. Further, in synchronization with the telecon signal transmission, the LED 35 of the LED display unit 16 blinks to display the transmission.
[0056]
In the embodiment of the present invention, as the operation number for instructing the air conditioner 1, in order to instruct “stop operation”, “operation number 00” and “automatic operation ON (humidification, ventilation ON)” are instructed. If you want to command "operation number 01", "humidification ON (humidity only operation)" to command "operation number 02", if you want to command "ventilation ON (ventilation only operation)""operation number 03" It is said.
[0057]
If a two-digit number other than the operation number is dialed, a rejection sound of “boo” is heard from the receiver in response to a command from the microcomputer 11. Also in this case, the operation number 2 digits and the “* button” are pressed again after the “* button” and dialed by the outside telephone 4. This operation can be repeated any number of times, but if more than 1 minute has passed since the last operation, or if 10 minutes have passed since the telephone line was connected, the telephone line is disconnected by a command from the microcomputer 11.
[0058]
If the tone signal is not input for 1 minute or 30 seconds, the telephone line is disconnected according to a command from the microcomputer 11. However, the selection of the 1 minute or 30 seconds is performed by selecting a low ( It can be selected depending on whether it is connected to (GND).
[0059]
Then, the outside telephone 4 is disconnected.
[0060]
If the power switch 34 of the telecon 3 is OFF, the battery is dead, the battery is not inserted, etc., the telecon 3 does not operate, and the line is not connected even if the ringing sound from the telephone 4 from the outside reaches the set number of times. .
[0061]
Next, when there are a plurality of air conditioners 1 controlled by the telecon 3 within the signal reach of the infrared light emitting diode 37 of the telecon 3, and only a specific product is to be telecon controlled, the air conditioner of the specific model to be sold The case where it is desired to make the telecon 3 that reacts only to the machine will be described.
[0062]
If the remote control signal (infrared signal) of the air conditioner is the same, it will react to all the air conditioners in the same manner as above, and cannot be distinguished. Therefore, in the case of a remote control, a jumper wire is attached to the input terminal of the microcomputer on the transmitter side of the remote control to determine whether it is connected to Low (GND). Even in the harmony machine, it is distinguished which signal should react depending on whether or not a jumper wire is attached to the input terminal of the microcomputer and connected to Low (GND). The telecon 3 of the embodiment of the present invention can be distinguished by the same thing.
[0063]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
The telecon of the present invention is provided with a power switch, and only when the telecon is used, the main power source is used so that energy is saved. For this reason, even batteries can be used for a long period of time, and it is no longer necessary to use a DC power supply by lowering the voltage from a commercial power supply to a power transformer, etc., thereby reducing the price of telecons and encouraging consumers to purchase. it can.
[0065]
Also, since the test signal is transmitted to the controlled household device when the power switch is turned on, whether the household device is normally controlled with respect to the test signal transmitted from the telecon. , You can check each time.
[0066]
That is, whether the telecon is operating normally and the home device is controlled normally, for example, the power switch of the home device is turned off, or whether the transmitted infrared rays reach the home device normally. It can be confirmed each time the switch is turned on, that is, every time it is used. Since an infrared signal is transmitted, it will be difficult if there is a shield or if the telecon is placed in a position where infrared rays are difficult to reach, but it can be confirmed each time the power switch is turned on. Further, since the power supply of the telecon itself is provided with a determination means and a display means, it is possible to confirm whether the battery power supply is normal, for example.
[0067]
And, since it is configured to distinguish and display the time of automatic incoming call from the telephone and the time of signal transmission transmitted to control household devices based on the signal discrimination result from the telephone, During use, a home resident can refrain from using the telephone, or it can be used for fault diagnosis of the telecon.
[0068]
Further, since the infrared signal is transmitted to control the household device as in the case of the remote controller that transmits the infrared signal, the infrared signal receiver of the remote controller can be used as it is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship among an air conditioner, a wireless remote controller, a telephone set, a telecontrol device, etc., showing an embodiment of a telecontrol device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an outline drawing showing an embodiment of a telecontrol device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a principal block diagram showing an embodiment of a telecontrol device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Air conditioner (controlled household equipment)
3 Telecon 4 Other telephone outside the building 5 Telephone line 6 Modular connector 9 Telephone 11 Microcomputer 34 Power switch

Claims (3)

Battery-powered drive that automatically receives a call from a telephone, a determination section that determines a signal from the telephone, and a signal that controls a home device based on the determination result of the determination section The telecontrol device includes a power switch for turning on the battery power, and when the power switch is turned on, a signal for instructing operation to be stopped as a test signal is transmitted to the controlled household device using infrared rays. A telecontrol device characterized in that it is configured to transmit.   2. The telecontrol device according to claim 1, wherein when the power switch is turned on, the determination means determines whether the power supply is normal and the display means displays whether the power supply is normal. . Claim 2, characterized in that it has a structure for displaying to distinguish the automatic incoming call from the telephone set, and a time signal transmission to be transmitted to control the home appliance on the basis of a signal discrimination result than the telephone The described telecontrol device.

Images