111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 111111 11111111 1111
`US005469152A
`[11 1 Patent Nwnber:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,469,152
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`United States Patent [19J
`Yamamoto et al.
`
`[54] REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE THAT
`TRANSMITS SIGNALS INDICATING
`TER.i\1JNATION OF KEY PRESSING
`OPERATIONS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Hirotaka Yamamoto; Tamiya Tanaka,
`both of Kanagawa, Japan
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 271;1.77
`
`[22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 6, 1994
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63) Continuation of Ser. No. 885,085, May 18, 1992, aban(cid:173)
`doned.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`[30]
`
`411985 Hayes, Jr ........................... 340/825.57
`4,514,732
`511987 Smith ................................. 340/825.57
`4,663,626
`4,712,105 1211987 Kohler .................... ... ........ 340/825.69
`4,818,920
`411989 Jacob ........................................ 318116
`5,055,937 101199 1 Yamada et al. ........................ 360/14.1
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2533380
`3404976
`
`9/1982 France ............... ............... H03J 1/00
`711985 Germany ......................... G05G 1102
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Patent Abstracts of Japan, Pub.#JP60001916, Pub. Jan. 8,
`1985, Sony KK, European Patent Office, vol. 9, No. 110.
`
`Primary Examiner- Donald J. Yusko
`Assistant Examiner- Edward Merz
`Attorney, Agent, or Fim1-Pasquale Musacchio; Jeny A.
`Miller
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A remote control device controls an electronic system that
`bas a number of functions. The remote control device has a
`limited number of function keys, and certain keys corre(cid:173)
`spond to different functions of the electronic system. In
`order to permit discrimination of the function keys, the
`length of time during which the function key is actuated is
`employed in the electronic system. To prevent erroneous
`control caused by artificial interruption of the control signal,
`the remote control device appends one of two different time
`code signals to the key code corresponding to the actuated
`function key, whereby discrimination of the actuation time
`at the electronic system is made possible.
`
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 3-143870
`
`May 20, 1991
`Int. Cl.6
`................................ H04Q 9/14; H04Q 7/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl . ................................ 340/825.63; 340/825.69;
`340/825.24; 3411176; 3591148
`[58] Field of Search ......................... 340/825.24, 825.25,
`340/825.57,825.69, 825.72, 825.63; 358/194.1,
`86, 335; 360/14.1, 33.1; 369/24, 50; 3591148;
`3411176
`
`(56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,202,038
`4,459,591
`
`5/1980 Pctcl"lison .................................. 341123
`7/1984 Haubner et al .................... 340/82557
`
`7 Claims, 7 Dr awi.ng Sheets
`
`r-- tO
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`KEY CODE JcTM I
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`
`KEY CODE
`2[sec]
`
`t
`
`I
`r-t3
`
`t
`
`Roku EX1015
`U.S. Patent No. 7,589,642
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`5,469,152
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`5,469,152
`
`2
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`/
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`31
`
`348
`
`34C
`
`340
`
`35A 358 36A 368 36E 36F 361 36J
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`5,469,152
`
`32-38
`
`COM
`
`46
`
`44
`40
`RC
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`31
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`20
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`14
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`·FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,469,152
`
`46
`
`64A
`
`648
`
`64C
`
`640
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`SEEK+
`- AMS
`
`65A
`
`658
`
`65C
`
`650
`
`los\L I IFr L(l
`62
`68
`
`FIG. 4
`
`K MAT
`
`70
`
`46
`
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`
`74
`
`S1
`
`TRANS
`
`72
`76
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`5,469,152
`
`SP1
`
`SP3
`
`SP4
`
`OUI'PUT KEY S P5
`CDDE
`
`LOOP1
`LOOP2
`
`NO
`
`SP9
`
`YES
`
`CODE
`
`SP10
`
`SP11
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,469,152
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`r- tO
`
`~t 1 y-"'s 1
`
`KEY CODE
`T 1
`
`ICTM j
`I
`I
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`
`FIG. 78
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`KEY CODE
`2[sec]
`
`M 2
`
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`FIG. 8 A __J,_KEY_COD_E-.~..I _MUD_IT'_r_mo_E ~I c_T_M__....~,._
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`FIG. 8 B ~-KEY_COD--=--E~I c_Tu_JL.-MUL~IT'_I ~co=-D_E l~c_T_u _I~..--_
`-t
`2 [ sec]
`2 [ sec]
`
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`1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`5,469,152
`
`FIG. 9 A 1,...-KEY-
`
`1r- SRE
`COO- E ...,....
`,C-TM..;....,I
`
`:
`FIG. 9 B I KEY CODE I --- I KEY OJDE I c T u
`
`3[sec]
`
`r-SRE
`FIG. 9 c I KEY OJDE I --- I I c .T u I
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`I KEY (ll)E loVER 2 [sec] CODE loVER 4 [sec J CODE I
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`T 6
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`t
`
`FIG. 11
`
`

`

`2
`The foregoing object and other objects of the invention
`have been achieved by the provision of a remote control unit
`46 (FIG. 3) which outputs remote control signal Sl (FIG. 5)
`to the prescribed control object 1 corresponding to the
`5 operation keys 62 to 68 (FIG. 4), operation time of operation
`keys 62 to 68 (FIG. 4) is detected and depending on the
`detected result, and remote control signal Sl (FIG. 5) is
`formed marking operation time information CTM FIG. 7 A),
`CTU (FIG. 7B), on the code of operation keys 62 to 68 (FIG.
`10 4).
`Further, regarding the second concept, in the header 2
`(FIG. 1), which receives remote control signal Sl (FIG. 5)
`outputted from the remote control unit 46 (FIG. 3), and shifts
`the motion according to the result received, remote control·
`signal Sl (FIG. 5) is formed by the code data of the
`operation key and operation time infonnation CTM (FIG.
`7A), CTU (FIG. 7B) of the operation key and shifts the
`function according to the code data and operation time
`information CTM (FIG. 7 A), CTU (FIG. 7B).
`As such, utilization of the CTM (FIG. 7A) and CTU (FIG.
`7B) codes enables the operation keys of the remote com(cid:173)
`mander to control more than one function of the audio
`system. This enables a reduction in Lhe total number of
`operation keys, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the
`25 overall size of the remote commander. Furthermore, upon
`reception of the CTM (FIG. 7 A) or CTU (FIG. 7B) codes by
`the audio system, operation of the audio system is subse(cid:173)
`quently not affected if the remote control signal is inter(cid:173)
`rupted and not received by the audio system.
`The nature, principle and utility of the invention will
`become more apparent from the following detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion when read in conjunction with the accompanying draw(cid:173)
`ings in which like parts are designated by like reference
`numerals or characters.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`5,469,152
`
`1
`REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE THAT
`TRANSMITS SIGNALS INDICATING
`TERMINATION OF KEY PRESSING
`OPERATIONS
`
`This is a continuation of application Scr. No. 07/885,085
`filed on May 18, 1992 which is abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This in vemion relates to a remote control device and more
`particularly to an audio system for cars.
`In conventional audio systems for cars, there are some
`systems which arc capable of playing a plurality of compact
`discs selectively.
`For example, in this type of audio system, the plurality of
`compact discs are stored in the predetermined magazine, and
`the magazine is integrated with the compact disc player
`which is placed in the trunk room.
`Thus, regarding said audio system, the desired compact
`discs can be selected and played remotely operating the
`compact disc player by operating a switch key on the
`dashboard.
`In regards to this type of car audio system, it is considered
`convenient if audio appliances, such as compact disc player,
`cassette tape recorder, and visual appliances, such as tele(cid:173)
`vision receiver, can be turned on at will.
`In such a case, if overall function of the audio system can
`be remotely controlled by using remote commander, e.g., a
`fellow passenger on the back scat can operate the audio
`system, it is considered very convenient.
`However, if various audio and visual appliances arc
`connected, the construction of remote commander becomes
`larger sized as well as number of operation keys are
`increased.
`One of the methods to solve the above problem is that the
`pressing lime of the operation key can be detected by
`detecting the running time of the remote control signals to be 40
`outputted from the remote commander and the motion can
`be sbifled according to said pressing time.
`Using this method, several shifting functions can be
`assigned to one operation key and the remote commander
`can be smaller sized accordingly.
`However, this method has disadvantages. A disadvantage
`is that the remote control signal transmitted from the remote
`commander to the audio system may be interrupted by an
`obstruction positioned between the remote commander and
`the audio system. As such, reception of the remote control so
`signal by the audio system is interrupted, resulting in erro(cid:173)
`neous operation of the audio system. By way of example,
`this may occur in a car having front and rear seat passengers,
`wherein a rear seat passenger utilizes the remote commander
`to transmit a desired remote control signal which is subse- 55
`quently interrupted by the body of a from seat passenger. In
`addition, a further disadvantage is that since the actuation of
`many functions of the audio system is dependent upon the
`amount of time that an operation key is activated, the
`response time for activating these functions is undesirably 60
`increased.
`
`45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE Th'VEl\lTION
`In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to 65
`provide a remote control device capable of solving the above
`problems.
`
`In the accompanying drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an audio system
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a front panel of a header
`unit;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a header unit;
`FIG. 4 is a plane view illustrating a remote commander;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a remote com-
`mander;
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating processing of the control
`circuit;
`FIGS. 7 A and 7B arc signal wavefonn charts illustrating
`difference in remote control signals caused by pressing time;
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are signal wavefonn charts illustrating
`a case of multiple pressing;
`FIGS. 9A to 9C are signal waveform charts illustrating
`receiving signals;
`FIGS. lOA and l OB are signal waveform charts illustrat(cid:173)
`ing remote control signals and receiving signals as the other
`embodiments; and
`FIG. 11 is a signal waveform chart illustrating remote
`control signals in case of detecting the pressing time in two
`steps.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described
`with reference to the accompanying drawings:
`
`

`

`3
`General Construction
`
`5,469,152
`
`5
`
`10
`
`4
`truck data via the serial bus BUS, and thus the function of
`each compact disc player 4, 6 or 8, can be recognized in the
`header unit 2.
`Also in the television tuner 10, a built-in control circuit
`receives the control data COM and the function is shifted in
`accordance with said control data COM.
`Thus, in the television tuner 10, the television broadcast(cid:173)
`ing which the user requests is chosen as well as the visual
`signal and audio signal of said television broadcasting are
`outputted.
`Regarding the video tape recorder, the operation mode is
`shifted according to the control data COM to be inputted in
`the built-in control circuit and thus the video tape set by the
`user can be reproduced.
`
`Header Unit Construction
`
`35
`
`Designated generally at numeral I in FIG. 1 is a car audio
`system, and e.g., compact disc players 4, 6, 8 can be
`remotely operated by handling the header unit 2 placed in
`the console panel.
`In the audio system 1, compact disc players 4, 6, 8 and
`television tuner (TV tuner) 10 are placed in the trunk room
`and video tape recorder (VTR) 12 and monitor unit 14 can
`be arranged in the console panel.
`Further, in the audio system 1, the compact disc players
`4, 6, 8, television tuner 10 and header unit 2 are connected
`via the serial bus BUS and the operation of compact disc
`players 4, 6, 8, television tuner 10, and video tape recorder
`12 can be controlled by the header unit 2 transmitting the 15
`control data through the serial bus BUS.
`Moreover, in the audio system 1, the compact disc players
`4, 6, 8, television tuner 10, video tape recorder 12 and the
`header unit 2 are connected to each other via selectors 16
`and 18, thus selection signals of the selectors 16 and 18 are 20
`inputted to the header unit 2.
`The control data can be inputted and outputted between
`each selector 16 and 18 and the header unit 2 via the serial
`bus BUS. Thus the function can be switched over according
`to said control data.
`In the audio system 1, visual signals of television tuner 10
`and video tape recorder 12 can be monitored using the
`monitor unit 14 upon activating the selection signals of
`selectors 16 and 18 by utilizing header unit 2.
`Further, regarding the audio system 1, audio signals of
`television tuner 10 and video tape recorder 12 can be
`monitored using a speaker 20 and also the output signal of
`the compact disc players 4, 6 and 8 can be monitored by
`activating selectors 16 and 18.
`Here each selector is capable of selecting and outputting
`3 input signals. Thus, in the audio system 1, a plurality of
`terminal units can be connected by adding selectors and
`shifting connections.
`Therefore, users can enjoy music and television broad- 40
`casting by shifting connections of terminal units as they
`desire.
`. Then in the compact disc players, 4, 6 and 8, compact
`discs 22A, to 221 can be stored in the magazine, and the
`compact discs 22A to 221 can be played back selectively 45
`according to the control data COM to be inputted via the
`serial bus BUS.
`In the compact disc players 4, 6 and 8, the control data
`COM is inputted in the microcomputer constructed control
`circuit 24, and the control circuit 24 controls the rcproduc- 50
`tion unit 26 and the disc exchange unit 28.
`The disc exchange unit 28 serves to transport a selected
`compact disc 22A to 221 from a storage position within the
`magazine to a playback position within the reproduction unit 55
`26 in accordance with the output signal from the control unit
`24. The reproduction unit 26 serves to playback a selected
`compact disc 22A to 221 placed in the playback position by
`energizing an optical pickup (not shown). Upon completion
`of playback, the disc exchange unit 28 transports the 60
`selected compact disc 22A to 221 from the playback position
`back to the storage position within the magazine. Thus,
`header unit 2 may be utilized to control the operation of
`compact disc players 4, 6 and 8 in order to playback a
`desired compact disc 22A to 221.
`Furthermore, each compact disc player 4, 6 or 8 outputs
`the recognition data of reproducing compact disc 22 and
`
`25
`
`30
`
`As shown in FIG. 2, in the header unit 2, the display unit
`31 is arranged on the front panel 30, and display of the
`display unit 31 can be shifted by operating the operation key
`for switching the display mode 32; e.g., the present time can
`be displayed.
`On the front panel 30, while the electric power switch 33
`is placed on the left end, operation keys for sound volume
`35A and 3SB are set on the lower part and terminal appliance
`operation keys 34A to 340 for selecting the terminal appli·
`ances are located on the right side of the panel. Thus the
`usability can be outstandingly improved since the operation
`keys of the same category are placed together.
`Further, in the front panel 30, the operation keys for
`switching the operation mode 36A to 36J are placed near the
`sound volume operation keys 3SA and 3SB and overall
`operation mode of the audio system 1 can be switched by
`shifting the operation keys 36A to 363.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the header unit 2 contains micro(cid:173)
`computer constructed control circuit 40, and the control
`circuit 40 outputs control data corresponding to the opera(cid:173)
`tion of the operation keys 32 to 38.
`Then, the control circuit 40 outputs the control data to the
`s!gnal processing circuit 42 when the sound volume opera(cid:173)
`uon keys 35A and 3SB are operated and the function of said
`signal processing circuit 42 is switched over.
`Hence, the signal processing circuit 42 inputs the selec(cid:173)
`tive signal SEL to be inputted via selectors 16 and 18, and
`a function is selected according to the selection signals of
`selectors 16 and 18.
`In a case when said compact disc players 4, 6 and 8 are
`selected, the signal processing circuit 42, after amplifying
`the audio signal to be outputted from the compact disc
`players 4, 6 and 8, outputs to the speaker 20.
`At this moment, the signal processing circuit 42 shifts
`quality and volume of sound corresponding to the output
`data of the control circuit 40.
`On the other hand, when the television tuner 10 or video
`tape recorder 12 is selected, the signal processing circuit 42
`outputs audio signal to be outputted from said television
`tuner 10 or video tape recorder 12 to the speaker 20, and also
`outputs it to the monitor unit 14 after signal processed visual
`signal.
`Thus, the signal processing circuit 42 is able to monitor
`the audio signal and visual signal, on the condition the user
`65 desires.
`When the operation key 32 for switching display mode is
`operated, the control circuit 40 controis the display unit 31
`
`

`

`5,469,152
`
`6
`
`5
`by switching lhe display, and thus in said header unit 2, the
`present time can be recognized via the display unit 31.
`At this time, the control circuit 40 outputs the control data
`to the signal processing circuit 42 corresponding to the
`user's operation. And thus, the present time can be recog- 5
`nized via the monitor unit 14.
`Further, if terminal appliance operation keys 34A to 34D
`are operated, the control data COM is outputted to the serial
`bus BUS and terminal appliances 4-18 connected to serial
`bus BUS are selected. In addition, the functions of the audio 10
`system 1 can be selected by and controlled by operating the
`remote commander 46.
`The header unit 2, after receiving the remote control
`signal of the remote commander 46 in the remote control
`receiver 44, outputs the receiving signal SRE to the control
`circuit 40.
`The control circuit 40 outputs the control data according
`to the said receiving signal SRE as well as the operation keys
`32 to 38 arc operated, and thus the functions of the audio 20
`system 1 can be selected according to the operation of the
`remote commander 46.
`
`15
`
`Remote Commander
`
`SP2.
`Then the control circuit 72 repeats step SP2 and when the
`operation keys 62 to 68 are pressed, moves to step SP3.
`Here the control circuit 72 detects which operation keys
`62 to 68 have been activated and depending on the detection
`result, refers to the key code table 74 and detects the key
`code of the operation key activated.
`Then the control circuit 72 moves to step SP4, and here
`after resetting the built-in timer, moves to step SPS, and
`outputs key code detected to the transmining unit 76.
`Hence after transmitting remote control signal Sl the
`control circuit 72 moves to step SP6 and judges whether
`activation of the operation keys 62 to 68 has been completed
`or not.
`In a case when the operation key 62 to 68 is left pressed,
`the control circuit 72 obtains negative -result and moves to
`step SP7, and judges whether timer has exceeded 2 [sec] or
`not.
`In this case the control circuit 72 moves to step SPS if
`negative result is obtained, and outputs the key code
`detected to the transmitting unit again.
`As shown in FIG. 7, in the remote comm.ander 46, the
`control circuit 72 repeats
`the looping LOOP1, step
`25 SP5-SP6-SP7-SP5, and if the operation key 62 to 68 is at
`the time point tO, outputs remote control signal Sl formed by
`the repetition of key code, until an operation key 62-68 has
`been activated for more than 2 [sec] (FIGS. 7 A and 7B).
`On the other hand, if activation of tbe operation keys 62
`to 68 is completed within 2 [sec], the control circuit 72
`obtains positive result at the step SP6, and moves toward the
`step SP8, and again judges whether activation has exceeded
`2 [secl or not. And if negative result is obtained, moves to
`the step SP9.
`Hence, the control circuit 72 after outputting the code
`CTM, which shows that activation is under 2 [sec], to the
`transmitting unit 76 for the predetermined number of times,
`moves to the step SPlO, and the process is completed.
`Thus, in the remote control signal S1, if activation is
`under 2 [sec], under 2 second code CTM continues after key
`code continues during the period Tl, from a point of time tO
`to a point of time tl, activation of the operation key is
`completed (FIG. 7 A).
`On the other hand, if activation on an operation key 62-68
`exceeds 2 (sec], the positive result can be obtained at the step
`SP7, then the control circuit 72 moves to the step SPll.
`Then, the control circuit 72 outputs the code to show that
`activation is over 2 [sec] (hereinafter referred to as over 2
`[sec] code) CTU to the transmitting unit 74 and returns to the
`step SP6.
`Then in the control circuit 72, if activation exceeds 2
`[sec], the loop LOOP2 of step SP6-SP7- SP11- SP6 is
`repeated in place of the loop LOOP!, and when activation
`is completed, the positive result is obtained at the step SP6,
`and moves to the step SP8.
`And the pontrol circuit 72, because of positive result,
`moves to the step SPIO directly and completes the proce-
`60 dure.
`Then the remote control signal Sl, in a case when
`activation exceeds 2 [sec), after the key code continues for
`2 [sec], over 2 [sec] code CTU is outputted continuously
`during the period from the time t2 to the time t3, activation
`is completed (FIG. 7B).
`Therefore, at the control circuit 40 on the receiving side,
`the operation key activated according to the key code can be
`
`50
`
`As shown in FIG. 4, the remole commander 46 includes
`operation keys 62 to 68. Operation keys 62 to 68 may be
`utilized to select each function of the audio system 1. It is
`noted that operation keys 62 to 68 may be used to select the
`same functions of the audio system 1 which may be selected 30
`by using front panel operation keys 32 to 38. As such, either
`the remote commander 46 operation keys or the front panel
`operation keys may be used to operate the audio system 1.
`The electric power source operation key 63 is placed on
`top of the remote commander 46, and in said audio system 35
`1, the electric power can be on/off controlled by operating
`the said operation key 63 or the front panel operation key 33.
`In the remote commander 46, the operation keys 65A to
`650 for sound volume, etc. are located below operation key
`63 and in the audio system 1, the operation of signal 40
`processing circuit 42 can be changed by operating said
`operation keys 65A to 65D or front panel operation keys 35A
`to 350.
`Furthermore, on the right hand side of the remote com(cid:173)
`mander 46, the operation keys 64A to 64D for switching 45
`terminal unit are placed corresponding to the front panel
`operation keys 34A tO 34D. And the operation key 62 for
`switching display, and the file display operation key 68 are
`placed on the lower part corresponding to the front panel
`operation key 32 and the file display operation key 38.
`As shown in FIG. 5, in the remote commander 46 acti(cid:173)
`vation of the operation keys 62 to 68 is detected via key
`matrix 70 at the control circuit 72, and the control circuit 72
`gains access to the key code table 74 depending on the
`detected result thereof.
`Therefore, in regard to the remote commander 46, a
`prescribed key code corresponding to an activated operation
`key 62 to 68 is transmitted to the transmitting unit 76. The
`transmitting unit 76 then outputs a remote control signal Sl.
`At this time, in the control circuit 72, pressing time of the
`operation key is detected by carrying out the process as
`shown in FIG. 6 and depending on the detected result, the
`remote control signal Sl is formed.
`Next the control circuit 72 moves from step SPl to step 65
`SP2 and judges whether the operation keys 62 to 68 are
`pressed or not, and if negative result is obtained, repeats step
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`As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, in the control circuit 40, the
`key code received at first and the time information, i.e., over
`2 [sec] code or under 2 [sec) code, received are detected
`(FIG. 9A), and output the control data COM as occasion
`5 demands.
`At this point, in the control circuit 40, as the result the
`remote signal Sl is intercepted, the receiving signal SRE is
`received to be intercepted on the way (FIG. 9B).
`In this case, one condition on which the operation key is
`pressed continuously and the other condition on which the
`next operation key is pressed, are considered.
`In this embodiment, the control circuit 40 judges as the
`remote control signal Sl is intercepted for some reason and
`outputs the control data COM corresponding to the key code
`and time information received when the time information is
`detected within 3 [sec) after key code rises (FIG. 9C).
`Thus, in the control circuit 40, even if the remote control
`signal Sl is intercepted, operation error can be avoided
`20 effectively.
`Further, in the control circuit 40, concerning the key code
`and time information to be transmitted repeatedly, if each
`one of these can be received, the content of the remote
`control signal Sl can be detected.
`Accordingly, the responding time can be effectively short(cid:173)
`ened, thus the usability of the audio system can be improved.
`Thus, in the control circuit 40, for example, when the key
`code and under 2 [sec) code are received, function of
`compact disc players 4, 6 and 8 are switched. On the other
`hand, when the key code and over 2 [sec) code are received,
`function of the audio system 1 is switched over to the mode
`which has comparatively low frequency in switching (con(cid:173)
`sisting of modes, such as to register the title of compact
`disc).
`In the control circuit 40, if the multiple code is added, the
`function with lower frequency will be switched (such as
`switching of background color of display 31).
`Hence, in the control circuit 40, even if many operation
`keys 62 to 68 are not included in the remote commander 46,
`various functions can be switched over and thus the usability
`of said audio system 1 will improved.
`
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`35
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`7
`detected. On the other hand, the activation of operation key
`can be detected in accordance with the under 2 [sec) code
`CTM and/or over 2 [sec) code CTU marked on the key code.
`At this moment, in this embodiment, the control circuit 40
`is able to detect repeatedly the same key code, and under 2
`[sec) code CfM and over 2 [sec) code cru by repeating the
`loop LOOP! and LOOP2.
`Therefore, in a case if the remote control signal Sl is
`intercepted and received intermittently, the activation key
`operated and operation time can be securely detected, and 10
`thus the function error of the audio system 1 can be avoided
`in advance.
`Similarly, in the control circuit 72, if one of the operation
`keys 62 to 68 is activated, as shown in FIGS. SA and 88, the
`remote control signal Sl is outputted and thus the function 15
`can be selected by operating 2 operation keys.
`For example, if one of the operation keys 62 to 68 is
`activated at a point of time t4 and then one of the other
`operation keys 62 to 68 is activated at a point of time tS, the
`control circuit 72 firstly outputs the key code of operation
`key 62 to 68 activated during the period from a point of time
`t4 to a point of time tS (FIG. SA).
`If two operation keys are operated almost simultaneously
`and period of time from the time point t4 to time point tS is
`short, the remote control circuit 72 outputs key codes of 2 25
`operation keys 62 to 68 operated (the key codes of this case
`referred to as multiple code) from the time point tS when the
`second operation key 62 to 68 is activated.
`Under this condition, during the period in which 2 opera-
`Lion keys 62 to 68 are simultaneously activated, the control
`circuit 72 outputs multiple code continuously, and activated
`of a key is completed, 2 [sec] code CTM is outputted,
`provided the period T2, 2 keys are activated simultaneously,
`is under 2 [sec).
`On the contrary, after 2 [sec], if two operation keys are
`still being activated simultaneously, then after 2 [sec), over
`2 [sec] code cru is outputted converting multiple code.
`Thus in the control circuit 40 of the receiving side, the
`function of the prescribed audio system 1 can be switched as 40
`desired even if the remote control signal Sl is intercepted.
`Further, when operation keys of the remote commander
`46 are operated simultaneously, and if one operation key is
`activated earlier by mistake, the operation error of the audio
`system I can be avoided in advance.
`On the other hand, in a case when the second operation
`key is activated after the elapse of prescribed period on
`condition that the first operation key is left activated, the
`control circuit 72 outputs the key code of said operation key
`for 2 [sec) from the time point t4, and then outputs over 2 50
`[sec] code CTU to the time point t8, the second operation
`key is activated. (FIG. 88).
`Further, the control circuit 72 outputs the multiple code
`from the time point t8 and if the period in which two
`operation keys 62 to 68 are being simultaneously pressed is
`under 2 [sec), outputs under 2 [sec] code CTM. And if the
`prescribed period is over 2 [sec], outputs over 2 [sec] code
`cru after the elapse of 2 [sec].
`Regarding the audio system 1, in a case when a function
`is selected by operating 2 operation keys simultaneously,
`function of the operation key can be changed over according
`to the length of time the operation key is activated.
`Regarding the remote commander 46, various controls
`can be executed with the limited number of operation keys
`62 to 68, and thus the usability of the audio system can be
`advanced.
`
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`Effects of the Embodiments
`
`According to the construction discussed above, even if the
`control signals arc intercepted, the function can be switched
`over with certainty by marking operation time information
`on the key code of the operation key and forming remote
`control signals.
`Therefore, the function of each operation key can be
`switched over in accordance with operation time of the
`operation key, and the construction of remote commander
`can be simplified accordingly.
`
`Other Embodiments
`
`60
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`The embodiment discussed above has dealt with the
`transmittal of pressing time information after judgment has
`been made whether the operation key is pressed over 2 [sec]
`or not. The present invention is not, however, Limited to this
`device. As shown in PIGS. lOA and lOB, by marking key
`OFF information era to show the operation of operation
`65 key is done at the end of key code, operation time informa(cid:173)
`tion can be transmitted using this key OFF information
`era.
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`Thus, when the receiving signal SRE is stopped on the
`receiving side, and if key code and time information arc
`received within the designated time T4 (e.g., the period of
`several hundred [msec]), the function can be switched over
`judging the remote control signal S1 is intercepted for some 5
`reason and thus the function error of the audio system 1 can
`be effectively avoided.
`Furthermore, the embodiment discussed above bas dealt
`with the case of judging whether the activation time is over
`2 [sec] or noL The present invention is not limited to this. As 10
`shown in FIG. 11, in addition to over 2 [sec) or not, time
`information can be outputted in accordance with the result of
`judgment if the key is pressed over 4 [sec] or noL
`Moreover, the embodiment discussed above bas dealt
`with the case of judging the activation time by dividing at 2 15
`[sec] intervals. However, the present invention is not only
`limited to this device, but also applicable to the case of
`dividing at