DE10317419B4 - system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system with a plurality of external devices and a remote control (1) for these devices, wherein the remote control at least one control interface (4, 5) for wireless transmission of remote control and control signals to control interfaces of the external devices, a control device (2) for controlling the Control interface (4, 5), a user interface (3) with a control panel (3.2), a first memory (7.1) and at least one further memory (7.3), wherein in the first memory (7.1) of the control device (2) as designations of Devices whose device-specific data are stored, in the form of the respective different external devices identifying identification, together with the control parameters associated with these devices, wherein the first memory (7.1) is designed as a flash memory and wherein the further memory (7.3) for Storage of programs and operating routines is provided, characterized in that the remote control (1) di e contains at least one control interface (4, 5), the control device (2), the user interface (3), the first memory (7.1) and the further memory (7.3) in an operating device, and in that the control interfaces (4, 5) for a bidirectional data transmission are designed so that automatically register the external devices on request by the remote control (1) and this is virtually wired after entering the name of the external devices and their control parameters using a graphical interface to the remote control (1 ) to identify the input and output relationships of the external devices.

Description

The invention relates to a system with several external devices and a remote control for these devices according to the preamble of claim 1.

"Remote control" in the context of the invention is generally an operating device with which external devices can be operated or controlled wirelessly. "External devices" are in the context of the invention generally devices or devices of various kinds, which are wirelessly controlled by a remote control or an operator panel, especially devices and household appliances such. As devices of consumer electronics, control devices for operating or switching on and off of consumers, such as lamps, answering machines, heating systems, etc. The invention is also used in other areas, such as offices, in industry, in catering, etc.

The wireless remote control of devices, especially those of consumer electronics is common practice. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that with increasing number of remote-controlled devices that are used, for example, in a household, and the number of remote controls increases and this can also lead to confusion between the individual remote controls and the associated devices.

A system having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known ( EP 1 111 915 A1 ). In this known system, the remote control consists of a control unit which includes a co-operating with external devices control interface, the control device for controlling the control interface and a first memory and another memory, as well as several independent operating devices, which are assigned to the controller and an infrared Data link communicate with the controller.

Furthermore, remote controls are also known ( US 5,410,326 . US 5,515,052 . US 4,918,439 ), which allow the control of a variety of devices using a single remote control. A disadvantage of the known systems and remote controls, inter alia, that they do not allow bidirectional data transmission between the external devices and the remote control.

The object of the invention is to remedy this disadvantage. To solve this problem, a system according to claim 1 is formed.

A special feature of the invention is that device-specific data are stored in a memory designed as a flash memory of the controller, in the form of the respective different external devices identifying identification, together with the control parameters associated with these devices and that at least one further memory for storing the Programs and operating routines is provided.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figure, which shows in a block diagram the essential components of a universal control device or a universal remote control of the invention.

This in the figure generally with 1 designated operating device serves as a common remote control for a variety of different devices, eg. B. devices of consumer electronics, such as TV, VCR, DVD player, hi-fi systems and their components, as a remote control for controlling and / or switching electrical consumers, such. B. Lighting equipment, air conditioners, heaters, etc ..

• • ein Bedienpanel 3 mit Anzeigeeinrichtung und Eingabevorrichtung, die bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform von einer LCD-Anzeige 3.1 und einem Touch-Panel 3.2 gebildet sind,
• • eine Infrarot-Schnittstelle 4 mit Infrarot-Sender und Infrarot-Empfänger für eine bidirektionale Datenübertragung mit einem räumlich entfernten, aber in Sichtweite vorhandenen Imfrarot-Empfänger bzw. -Sender eines über das Bediengerät 1 zu steuernden externen Gerätes,
• • eine Hochfrequenz-Schnittstelle 5 bestehend aus einem Sender und einem Empfänger, ebenfalls für eine bidirektionale Datenübertragung mit einem räumlich entfernten Hochfrequenz-Empfänger bzw. -Sender eines über das Bediengerät 1 zu steuernden externen Gerätes,
• • ein Uhr- und Kalender-Modul 6 sowie
• • ein Speicher 7, der als Peripherie des Mikroprozessors 2 beispielsweise einen Flash-Speicher 7.1, einen Arbeitsspeicher 7.2 und ein ROM 7.3 zur Speicherung der grundsätzlichen Programme und Betriebsroutinen aufweist.

The central component of the HMI device is a microprocessor 2 which are assigned among others

• • a control panel 3 with display device and input device, which in the illustrated embodiment of an LCD display 3.1 and a touch panel 3.2 are formed,
• • an infrared interface 4 with infrared transmitter and infrared receiver for bidirectional data transmission with a remote, but in sight, infrared receiver or transmitter via the HMI device 1 external device to be controlled,
• • a high-frequency interface 5 consisting of a transmitter and a receiver, also for bidirectional data transmission with a remote high-frequency receiver or transmitter one via the HMI device 1 external device to be controlled,
• • a clock and calendar module 6 such as
• • a memory 7 acting as the periphery of the microprocessor 2 for example, a flash memory 7.1 , a working memory 7.2 and a ROM 7.3 for storing the basic programs and operating routines.

For the LCD display 3.1 No high resolution is required because the display is preferably done by displaying large icons.

The HMI device also has a power supply 8th which z. B. is designed as a power supply and / or as a battery, preferably as a rechargeable battery or rechargeable battery. In addition, the HMI device includes a modem 9 , which can be connected to a telephone line.

The flash memory 7.1 is used to store device-specific tables, in particular, the special control or command codes via the HMI device 1 Contain the devices to be controlled and at any time via the modem 9 from the internet or via the interfaces 4 respectively. 5 or manually using the touch panel 3.2 can be updated.

The interfaces 4 and 5 or their transmitter and receiver are not subject to standard, but freely programmable within predetermined technical limits, via the microprocessor and in the flash memory 7.1 stored devices specific parameters. Furthermore, the infrared transmitter and infrared receiver of the interface 4 designed so that they operate omni-directional, so that the external device to be controlled in each position relative to the HMI device 1 can be located. The RF antenna of the interface 5 is for example in the housing of the operating device 1 integrated.

The clock / calendar module 6 For example, is designed as a radio clock, so that the control unit, for example, always has an accurate time in its function as a timer and so very specific at specific times by wireless control external devices certain actions can be performed, such as turning on a VCR, a coffee machine, etc ..

The modem 9 which is also used to program telephony components, e.g. As an answering machine, an A / B adapter, etc. can be used, for example, is essentially software by the microprocessor 2 realized. The housing of the HMI device 1 is splash-proof and shockproof.

The programming of the HMI device 1 is possible as follows:
Already existing or currently available on the market devices that have only the infrared input or receiver are, with all their control parameters and identifying the respective device name or identification in a table of flash memory 7.1 stored. The entry of this name, which clearly identifies the respective device, is sufficient for the HMI device 1 or its interfaces 4 respectively. 5 to set the external device to be operated and then via the control panel, namely the touch panel 3.2 to initiate the corresponding operator command.

Data of such devices whose data is not yet in flash memory 7.1 can be stored in the manner described above either via the modem or via the interfaces 4 or 5 or manually in the flash memory 7.1 be read or entered.

Future devices, which have a bi-directional control interface, can be automatically configured as requested by the operator panel 1 sign in to this.

Systems consisting of several external devices are virtually wired after inputting the designation of these devices and the control parameters by means of a graphical interface in order to make the input and output relationships to the HMI device.

The scope of application of the HMI device is very extensive. The primary area of application is the household. But there are also other types of applications, for example, in offices in the industry and catering possible.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

control unit

2

microprocessor

3

Control Panel

3.1

LCD display

3.2

Touch panel

4

Infrared interface

5

Radio frequency or radio interface

6

Clock / Calendar module

7

memory array

7.1

Flash memory

7.2

random access memory

7.3

ROME

8th

Power supply (power supply and / or battery)

9

ground

Claims (8)

System with several external devices and a remote control ( 1 ) for these devices, the remote control having at least one control interface ( 4 . 5 ) for the wireless transmission of remote control and control signals to control interfaces of external devices, a control device ( 2 ) for controlling the control interface ( 4 . 5 ), a user interface ( 3 ) with a control panel ( 3.2 ), a first memory ( 7.1 ) and at least one further memory ( 7.3 ), wherein in the first memory ( 7.1 ) of the control device ( 2 ) as designations the devices whose device-specific data are stored, in the form of an identification identifying the respective different external devices, together with the control parameters assigned to these devices, the first memory ( 7.1 ) is designed as a flash memory and wherein the further memory ( 7.3 ) is provided for storing the programs and operating routines, characterized in that the remote control ( 1 ) the at least one control interface ( 4 . 5 ), the control device ( 2 ), the user interface ( 3 ), the first memory ( 7.1 ) as well as the further memory ( 7.3 ) in an HMI device, and that the control interfaces ( 4 . 5 ) are designed for a bidirectional data transmission in such a way that the external devices, as requested by the remote control ( 1 ) automatically log in to this and after entering the name of the external devices and their control parameters using a graphical interface they are virtually wired to the remote control ( 1 ) to identify the input and output relationships of the external devices. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device is a microprocessor ( 2 ). System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control interfaces infrared interfaces ( 4 ) are. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control interfaces radio or RF interfaces ( 5 ) are. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remote control ( 1 ) an interface which can be connected to a telephone line and / or to a data line, for example in the form of a modem ( 9 ) having. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification of the external devices identification and the associated control parameters in the memory ( 7.1 ) manually via a user interface or a local control panel ( 3.2 ) are readable. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification of the external devices identification and the associated control parameters in the memory ( 7.1 ) via a control interface and / or via the interface connected to the telephone or data line ( 9 ) in the memory ( 7.1 ) are readable. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a clock / calendar module ( 6 ), which is preferably designed as a radio clock.

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