Input apparatus

Abstract: An input apparatus has a selection key for inputting a signal on the basis of an operation, a timer which is reset by an input of a signal from the selection key and which measures a predetermined time period, and a controller for inputting first conditions such as a menu selection on the basis of an input of a signal from the selection key, and for inputting second conditions such as a menu decision on the basis of an output of the timer. The first conditions are input on the basis of an input of a signal from the selection key, so that an operation such as a menu selection is done. When the selection key is not operated for a time period longer than the predetermined time period set in the timer, the second conditions are input, so that an operation such as a menu decision is done.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to an input apparatus, and more particularly to an input apparatus which is suitable for easily inputting many operation items with a small number of keys when an audio-visual (AV) apparatus such as a television receiver and a video tape recorder is operated using a remote controller while a menu of operation items is displayed on a display screen. Description of the Related Art Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional input apparatus. In the figure, 1 designates input key pad including a menu key 11, a selection key 12 and a decision key 13, 2 designates a controller which receives input signals from the input key pad 1 to control a control object (not shown) and perform other controls relating to inputs, and 3 designates a display controller which receives from the controller 2 display contents for informing the operator of operation guidance and which performs the superimpose process or the like on the television screen to display the contents on a display device 4. The operation of the thus configured input apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen which is displayed on the display device 4 for operating a video tape recorder (VTR) using the input apparatus of Fig. 1. At first, in order to call a menu for showing the operator the items to be operated through the input key pad 1, the menu key 11 is pressed. Then, the controller 2 enters the selection input mode so that the menu screen shown in Fig. 2 is superimposed on the television screen of the display device 4 through the display controller 3. When the operator presses again the menu key 11 of the input key pad 1 under this state, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so as to halt the display of the menu screen on the display device 4. In this example, "TIMER RECORDING MENU" is displayed on the display device 4. While judging whether the displayed menu screen includes an item to be operated, the operator operates the selection key 12 of the input key pad 1. Each time the selection key 12 is pressed, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that other control items are sequentially displayed as a menu screen on the display device 4. As a result of several operations of the selection key 12, for example, "TIMER RECORDING MENU" shown in Fig. 2 is displayed. In this example, "DAY OF RECORDING", "CHANNEL", "STARTING TIME", "ENDING TIME", etc. can be selected, and at first a cursor is positioned at the item of the day when the timer recording is to be done. When the operator presses the decision key 13 under this sate, the controller 2 judges that the timer recording reservation is to be done. Then, in order to input the day of timer recording which is the first item to be reserved, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that a menu including items of "MON", ... "SUN" as candidates is displayed on the display device 4. Each time the selection key 12 is pressed, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that the cursor pointing to one of the items of "MON", ... "SUN" is moved on the screen of the display device 4. Namely, the operator can select the desired day by pressing the selection key 12 to move the cursor on the menu screen. After the selection key 12 is pressed several times to move the cursor to the item of the desired day, for example, "MON", the decision key 13 is pressed to decide the reservation at that day. In order to reserve "CHANNEL", the controller 2 then controls the display controller 3 go that a screen for reserving the channel is displayed on the display device 4. Similarly, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that all the channels which can be selected are displayed in the screen for reserving the channel on the display device 4. The channel to be reserved is selected by operating the selection key 12 and the channel selection is decided by pressing the decision key 13. In accordance with the key operations performed by the operator, then, other items such as the record starting time and the record ending time are selected and decided in a similar manner. Thereafter, the screen on the display device 4 returns to "TIMER RECORDING MENU". Under this state, displayed are the input contents relating to all the items which are required for the timer recording reservation, for example, "DAY OF RECORDING" is "MON", "CHANNEL" is "12 CH", "STARTING TIME" is "P.M. 10:15", and "ENDING TIME" is "P.M. 11:30 ". When the operator presses the selection key 12 under this state, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that a menu for selecting other items is displayed on the display device 4 to show the operator the operation of other items. When the decision key 13 is pressed, the menu for the operations of setting the timer for recording which starts from the reservation of the day of timer recording is again shown, and, when the menu key 11 is pressed, the menu is erased and the input operation is ended. As described above, while viewing the display on the display device 4, the operator selects the required item using the selection key 12 and decides it by pressing the decision key 13, whereby the required item can be easily input. In the above, an example of the operation procedure has been described. Alternatively, the required item may be input through the guidance of the menu screen by, for example, the following process: the menu screen is changed each time the menu key 11 is pressed, the selection items displayed in the menu screen are changed each time one of the selection items is selected using the selection key 12, and the input of the required item is decided by pressing the decision key 13. These processes may be set by programs built in the controller 2. As described above, the conventional input apparatus is so constructed that the desired conditions are input by simultaneously performing the following operations: pressing the input key pad 1 including at least three keys, the menu key 11, selection key 12 and decision key 13; viewing the menu screen displayed on the display device 4 which is controlled by the controller 2 through the display controller 3; and selecting the required candidate. In the input operation, therefore, the operator must operate the input key pad 1 near at hand while viewing the menu screen on the display device 4. This introduces problems that the input operation is complicated and requires a prolonged time period, and that there is the considerable possibility of input errors. US 48 47 696 discloses a system with a timer screen comprising an input device, a controller and a display device. The controller includes a timer and when operating the input device a reservation schedule for a week is displayed whereby the start day of the week is automatically set to the present day. The input device has a key for shifting a screen in units of a week and the time period for reservation, the channel of a TV programm and the recording mode can be displayed. EP 02 47 380 describes a data display-controllng device including a control key for reducing the speed of which a data is displayed on a display unit. Upon depression of the control key CPU reads current time from a timer. If a predetermined time has passed data to be presented is supplied to the display unit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the invention is to provide an input apparatus through which many operation items can be easily and rapidly input using a single key. The object is solved by the features of the main claims. On the basis of an input of a signal from the input means, an operation such a a menu selection is done. When a selection key is not operated for a time period longer than the predetermined time period set in the timer, the controlling means is controlling the display means, so that an operation such as a menu decision is done. The above and further objects and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional input apparatus; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an input apparatus of the invention; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of another input apparatus of the invention; Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a further input apparatus of the invention; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in the input apparatus of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a still further input apparatus of the invention; and Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a still further input apparatus of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 3, portions labeled by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 1 designate the same portions in Fig. 1, and therefore their description is omitted. In Fig. 3, the reference numeral 5 designates a timer circuit built in the controller 2. The timer circuit 5 measures the time period during which the selection key 12 of the input key pad 1 is not operated. Next, the operation of the input apparatus will be described referring to the example of a display shown in Fig. 2. In order to call a menu for showing the operator the items to be operated through the input key pad 1, the menu key 11 is pressed. Then, the controller 2 enters the selection input mode so that the menu screen shown in Fig. 2 is superimposed on the television screen of the display device 4 through the display controller 3. When the operator presses again the menu key 11 of the input key pad 1 under this state, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so as to halt the display of the menu screen on the display device 4. In this embodiment, "TIMER RECORDING MENU" is displayed on the display device 4. While judging whether the displayed menu screen includes an item to be operated, the operator operates the selection key 12 of the input key pad 1. Each time the selection key 12 is pressed, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that other control items are sequentially displayed as a menu screen on the display device 4. As a result of several operations of the selection key 12, for example, "TIMER RECORDING MENU" shown in Fig. 2 is displayed. In this embodiment, "DAY OF RECORDING", "CHANNEL", "STARTING TIME", "ENDING TIME", etc. can be selected, and at first a cursor is positioned at the item of the day when the timer recording is to be done. When the operator remains to perform no further operation, the timer circuit 5 of the controller 2 operates and the controller 2 judges that the operation to be done is the timer recording reservation. The controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that a menu including items of "MON", ... "SUN" as candidates is displayed on the display device 4. Each time the selection key 12 is pressed, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that the cursor pointing to one of the items of "MON", ... "SUN" is moved on the screen of the display device 4. Namely, the operator can select the desired day by pressing the selection key 12 to move the cursor on the menu screen. When the operator remains to perform no further operation after the selection key 12 is pressed several times to move the cursor key to the item of the desired day, for example, "MON", the timer circuit 5 of the controller 2 operates and the controller 2 decides the reservation of that day. Thereafter, in order to reserve "CHANNEL", the controller 2 then controls the display controller 3 so that a screen for reserving the channel is displayed on the display device 4. Similarly, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that all the channels which can be selected are displayed in the screen for reserving the channel on the display device 4. When the operator remains to perform no further operation after the channel to be reserved is selected by operating the selection key 12, the timer circuit 5 of the controller 2 operates and the channel selection is decided. In accordance with the key operations performed by the operator, then, the other items such as the record starting time and the record ending time are selected and decided in a similar manner. Thereafter, the screen on the display device 4 returns to "TIMER RECORDING MENU". Under this state, displayed are the input contents relating to all the items which are required for setting the timer for recording, for example, "DAY OF RECORDING" is "MON", "CHANNEL" is "12 CH", "STARTING TIME" is "P.M. 10:15", and "ENDING TIME" is "P.M. 11:30". When the operator presses the selection key 12 under this state, the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so that a menu for selecting other items is displayed on the display device 4 to show the operator the operation of other items. When the operator remains to perform no further operation, the timer circuit 5 of the controller 2 operates and the menu for the operations of setting the timer for recording which starts from the reservation of the day of timer recording is again shown. When the menu key 11 is pressed, the menu is erased and the input operation is ended. As described above, while viewing the display on the display device 4, the operator selects the required item using the selection key 12, and, when the operator remains to perform no further operation, this selected item is decided. For the selection and decision of an item, therefore, the input key pad 1 requires in principle only the selection key 12, thereby allowing the operator to input required items while viewing only the display device 4 and without sight of the input key pad 1. In the above, an example of the operation procedure has been described. Alternatively, the required item may be input through the guidance of the menu screen by, for example, the following process: the menu screen is changed each time the menu key 11 is pressed, the selection items displayed in the menu screen are changed each time one of the selection items is selected using the selection key 12, and the selection key 12 is kept unoperated so that the elapse of the predetermined time period causes the timer circuit 5 to operate, thereby deciding the input of the required item. These processes may be set by programs built in the controller 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an input apparatus which is another embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of Fig. 4 is different from the embodiment of Fig. 3 in that the input key pad 1 is not provided with the menu key 11 or the input key pad 1 includes only the selection key 12. The operation of the input apparatus of the embodiment will be described. In order to call a menu for showing the operator the items to be operated through the input key pad 1, the selection key 12 is pressed. As a result, the controller 2 enters the selection input mode so that the menu screen shown in Fig. 2 is superimposed on the television screen of the display device 4 through the display controller 3. In this embodiment, "TIMER RECORDING MENU" is displayed on the display device 4. The subsequent operations are in principle the same as those of the embodiment of Fig. 3 except the following: When the input operation using the menu screen is to be ended, the selection key 12 is allowed to stand without being operated. In accordance with the operation of the timer circuit 5, then, the controller 2 changes in sequence the menus, and, after all the menu screens have been displayed, automatically exits from the mode of displaying a menu screen. Therefore, only when the operator wishes to perform the input operation while viewing a menu screen, the operator is requested to operate the selection key 12 so as to input the required items. According to the embodiment, since the input operation can be performed by operating only the selection key 12, the operation process is simpler than that of the embodiment of Fig. 3. In the embodiments described above, when the selection key 12 is allowed to stand without being operated, the timer circuit 5 operates and the controller 2 controls the display controller 3 so as to change the contents of the display one after another. When the operator operates the input apparatus for the first time, therefore, there may arise an inconvenience that the menu is changed to another one before the operator comprehends the contents of the menu. The configuration of a further embodiment of the invention which can obviate such an inconvenience is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the reference numeral 6 designates a state judging circuit which judges whether or not the operation against the selection key 12 is performed for the first time on the menu screen. The other configuration of the embodiment is the same as that of Fig. 3. The operation of the input apparatus of the embodiment will be described with reference to an example of the display screen shown in Fig. 6. When the menu key 11 is operated, the display is changed to a menu screen by the controller 2. The state judging circuit 6 monitors the contents of the displayed menu screen and the operation state of the selection key 12. Only when a main menu is displayed for the first time, the state judging circuit 6 detects this state. This detection causes the operation of the timer circuit 5 to be halted or ignored, and the candidates to be selected are not displayed to be blank or struck by horizontal lines as shown in Fig. 6. The controller 2 does not enter the usual input operation mode until the selection key 12 is then operated. As a result, the display can be kept unchanged until the operator comprehends the way of operation, whereby the operation can be surely performed. In the configuration described above, in the case that the operation of the timer circuit 5 is ignored and the change of the menu is suppressed for one of the main menu screens, the selection key 12 may be continued to be unoperated for a long period time so that the menu display remains to be unchanged and this state continues. This inconvenience may be obviated by providing another timer circuit 7 which can measure a sufficiently long time period, in addition to the timer circuit 5 as shown in Fig. 7, and by forcedly changing the state. More specifically, the controller 2 is programmed so that, on the basis of the operation of the other timer circuit 7, the menu display is returned to the previous one or the selection input mode is ended. Therefore, the process can be returned even when the selection key 12 is erroneously operated, and the menu selection operation can be restarted from the beginning. The setting of the measuring time period of the timer circuit 7 can be changed by the controller 2. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of an input apparatus which is a still further embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of Fig. 8 is different from the embodiment of Fig. 4 in that the input key pad 1 is provided with a decision key 13 and a cancellation key 14 which function as auxiliary keys, in addition to the selection key 12. In this configuration, the operation is in principle the same as that of the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4. When the decision key 13 is pressed while the selection through the selection key 12 remains undone and before the decision is done as a result of the operation of the timer circuit 5, however, the decision of the input can be performed in advance of the operation of the timer circuit 5. This allows a skilled operator to quickly perform the input of the required item while jumping the waiting time period of the timer circuit 5. When the cancellation key 14 is operated before the menu screen proceeds to the next one as a result that the selection key 12 has remained to be unoperated, it is possible to perform various operations such as that the menu screen is returned to the previous one, that the input mode is ended so that the input operation is restarted from the beginning in the case that it has been erroneously done, that the selection input mode can be quickly ended after all the required items have been input, and that the selection input mode which has been erroneously started is forcedly ended. In the above-described embodiments, a single key is used as the selection key 12. In the case that there are many candidates, a selection key for the reverse direction may be further provided so that the selection operation is performed using the two selection keys, the forward selection key and the reverse selection key. In this case, when any key is not pressed during a predetermined time period in the menu selection operation, the selected candidate is decided. Alternatively, the input apparatus may be provided with two or more selection keys and these selection keys may be classified depending on the frequency in use. This classification may be performed as follows: A selection key which is usually used (e.g., a selection key for setting the timer for recording) may be independently disposed, or a key relating to the operation mode of a VTR is separately disposed. In the embodiments described above, the timer circuit 5 measuring the time period during which the selection key 12 of the input key pad 1 is not operated measures only one kind of time period. With respect to some items, it takes a considerably long time period to set one of them. Therefore, the operation time period of the timer circuit 5 may be different for each of items, thereby reducing the number of possible erroneous operations. The embodiments which are used for operating a VTR have been described above. The invention can be effectively applied also to input apparatus which are used for operating other kinds of AV apparatus or apparatus having a display screen. As described above, according to the invention, the reaction in response to the operation of one key is made different from that produced when any key is kept unoperated for a predetermined time period. Hence, the invention can provide an input apparatus in which the operation to be conducted while viewing a menu screen on a screen can be easily performed and an input operation can be rapidly and surely conducted. As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims: Input apparatus for inputting operation items for an audio/visual device comprising input means (1) including at least one key (11 - 14) for inputting a signal on the basis of an operation of the at least one key (11-14), controlling means (2,3) comprising a timer (5) for receiving signals from said input means (1), display means (4) for displaying a menu screen for a input operation being controlled by the controlling means (2,3), characterized in that said timer (5) is reset by a signal produced by operation of said input means (1) and outputs an output signal after a predetermined time period when the input means (1) remains unoperated, and that said controlling means (2,3) selects a menu dependent on a signal due to an operation of said input means (1) and decides a selected menu dependent on the output signal of said timer (5). Input apparatus for inputting operation items for an audio/visual device comprising input means (1) including at leat one key (11-14) for inputting a signal on the basis of an operation of the at least one key (11-14), controlling means (2,3) comprising a timer (5) for receiving signals from said input means (1), display means (4) for displaying a menu screen for an input operation being controlled by the controlling means (2,3), characterized in that said timer (5) is reset by a signal produced by operation of said input means (1) and outputs an output signal after a predetermined time period when the input means (1) remains unoperated, and that said controlling means (2,3) selects a menu dependent on a signal due to an operation of said input means (1) and the output signal of said timer (5) and decides a selected menu dependent on a further operation of said input means (1). Input apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said input means comprises a first and a second key (11,12), said timer (5) being reset by a signal produced by operation of said first key and said controlling means (2,3) calling and erasing a menu-screen on the basis of an operation of said second key (11) and selecting a menu on the basis of a signal due to an operation of said first key (12). Input apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that controlling means (2,3) decides a selected menu on the basis of a display state of said display means (4), an operation state of said input means (1) and an output of said timer (5). Input apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said controlling means comprises a second timer (7) which is reset by a signal produced on the basis of an operation of said input means and measures a second time period and judging means (6) for judging a display state of said display means (4), and an operation state of said input means (1), and decides a selected menu on the basis of an output of said judging means (6) and an output of said first timer (5), and switches an input operation on the basis of an output of said judging means (6) and an output of said second timer (7). Input apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said second time period is changeably set on the basis of the judging result of said judging means (6). Input apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said input means (1) comprises a first and a second key, said timer being reset by a signal produced by operation of said first key and said controlling means selecting a menu on the basis of a signal due to an operation of said first key and switching an input operation on the basis of a signal due to an operation of said second key. Input apparatus according to one of the claims 1, 3 to 7, characterized in that said input means comprises at least third key (13,14) and said controlling means (2,3) decides a selected menu, on the basis of eather of an output of said timer (5) or a signal from said third key when the time period of the timer (5) has not yet elapsed.

Inventors: HAYAKAWA MASAHARU, HAYAKAWA, MASAHARU, Hayakawa, Masaharu, c/o Mitsubishi Denki K. K.
Applicants: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G04G15
IPC codes: H04N5, G06F3, H04B1, G04G15