JP2004207799A - Remote control method, remote controller, server apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control method, a remote controller, a server apparatus and a program which control a plurality of electronic apparatus, using one remote controller, and easily enable the unified control. <P>SOLUTION: The control method comprises a receiving process SP30 of receiving menu information about a control menu of remote-controllable electronic apparatus from a server apparatus, an informing process SP40 of informing a user of the control menu, a selecting process SP50 of selecting optional elements in the control menu, a sending process SP60 of sending the selected optional elements in the selecting process to the server apparatus, a receiving process SP70 of receiving control data for controlling the electronic apparatus from the server apparatus according to the selected elements, and a sending process SP90 of remote-sending the control data to the electronic apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote control method, a remote control device, a server device, and a program suitable for remote control of an electronic device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an infrared remote controller has been used for remote control of electronic devices such as a television and a video tape recorder (hereinafter, referred to as “VTR”). Some of these remote control devices are set as accessories of the electronic device in order to adapt to the function of the specific electronic device, or some remote control device for VTR controls a part of the functions of the television. there were.
On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology related to a television receiver transmitting / receiving apparatus that communicates with a server connected to a network, stores remote control signals of other plural electronic devices, and performs remote control of the plural electronic devices. Is disclosed. The device displays image data simulating a remote control device that controls an electronic device on a television receiver transmitting / receiving device, and transmits / receives the electronic device to / from the television receiver using a remote control device attached to the television receiver transmitting / receiving device. The remote control is performed via the device.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a first control device (remote controller) having a display screen and capable of operating a predetermined electronic device, and a plurality of electronic devices capable of communicating with the first control device. A technique relating to a control device including a first server connected to a first server and a second server connected via a network is disclosed. Here, the first control device can change the setting of the data held by the first control device based on the data held by the first server.
Further, Patent Literature 3 discloses a technique relating to a multi-function remote controller (universal remote controller) capable of controlling a plurality of devices with one remote controller. This universal remote control includes a first transmission remote control for transmitting a model ID to a database server holding various remote control signals and the like, and a remote control reception for receiving a signal of the first transmission remote control or a signal from a plurality of learning target remote controls. Unit, a remote control transmitting unit that transmits a remote control signal of a desired device, a memory that stores a plurality of remote control signals, a communication unit that exchanges data with the database server, and a CPU that controls these. ing. In this technology, a universal remote control main body that communicates with a database server has a memory that stores a plurality of remote control signals and the like. Patent Literature 4 includes a microphone that inputs voice, a voice recognition unit, a rewritable map that converts a voice recognition result into a device control code, and a device control unit that converts the voice recognition result into a device control code. A technology relating to a voice recognition remote controller has been disclosed.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-32381 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-16990 [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-322784 [Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-171098
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a product that is sold as a set as an accessory to an electronic device, a remote control device is required for each electronic device, and the number of remote controls is increased, which is complicated. Further, even in the case where a part of the function of the television is controlled by the remote control device of the VTR, the controllable electronic device (television) is fixed in advance, so that there is a problem that the incompatible electronic device cannot be controlled. Was.
Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the television receiver transmitting / receiving device displays a selected image of the remote control operation, it is necessary to turn on the power of the television receiver transmitting / receiving device every time the electronic device is operated. Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, information for controlling an electronic device is stored in a first control device (remote control). In the technique described in Patent Document 3, a plurality of remote control codes or signals are provided to a remote control device. Is stored. However, the information must be stored each time a new device is added. Furthermore, also in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4, the remote control device has a device control unit that converts a speech recognition result into a control code. Therefore, when there are electronic devices and remote controllers in a plurality of rooms, it is difficult to centrally manage the information.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a remote control method, a remote control device, and a server device that can control a plurality of types of electronic devices with a single remote control device and can easily perform centralized management. And to provide the program.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. The contents in parentheses are examples.
In the remote control method according to the first aspect, a menu information receiving step (SP30) of receiving menu information (control menu display information) relating to a control menu of an electronic device capable of remote control from a server device (home information server 300). An informing step (SP40) of informing (displaying, sounding) the control menu to the user, a selecting step (SP50) of selecting a selection element included in the control menu, and a selection element selected in the selection step Transmitting the control data to the server device (SP60), receiving a control data corresponding to the selected element for controlling the electronic device from the server device (SP70), And a control data transmission step (SP90) of remotely transmitting the control data to the electronic device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for receiving menu information relating to a control menu of an electronic device capable of remote control and control data received by the electronic device via a network, and storing (storing) the information. An information receiving and storing step; a menu information transmitting step of transmitting the menu information to the remote control device (100); a selecting element receiving step of receiving a selecting element selected from the control menu; Transmitting a control data for controlling the electronic device to the remote control device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device for executing the remote control method according to the first aspect.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server apparatus for executing the remote control method according to the second aspect.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for executing the remote control method according to any one of the first to second aspects.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1. Configuration of Embodiment (1) System Configuration The overall configuration of a system using the remote control device / server device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, reference numerals 100, 100, ... denote remote control devices, which transmit signals to electronic devices 200, 200, ..., 250, 250, ..., such as televisions and air conditioners, by infrared rays. These electronic devices 200, 200, ..., 250, 250, ... are installed together with a single remote control device 100, 100, ... in each room of a facility such as a house or a hotel. The electronic devices 200, 200,..., 250, 250,... Have a remote control device attached as an accessory and are equivalent to electronic devices sold, and have no new functions added. Reference numeral 300 denotes an in-home information server, which performs wireless communication with the remote controllers 100, 100,... In each room, and is installed in a facility such as a house or a hotel. Reference numeral 400 denotes a server device for the electronic device 200, which is installed by a manufacturer of the electronic device 200. Reference numeral 450 denotes a server device for the electronic device 250, which is installed by a manufacturer of the electronic device 250. Each server device communicates with the home information server 300 via the Internet 500.
[0007]
(2) Configuration of Remote Control Device 100 Next, the configuration of the remote control device 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 4 (a).
In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 10 denotes a wireless transmission / reception unit which transmits / receives radio waves via an antenna and performs modulation / demodulation. Reference numeral 15 denotes a wireless baseband processing unit, which performs data processing before modulation is performed in the wireless transmission and reception unit 10 and performs data processing after demodulation. Reference numeral 20 denotes an infrared light emitting unit, which is composed of an infrared LED. Reference numeral 25 denotes an infrared light emission drive unit that drives the infrared LED. Reference numeral 30 denotes a display screen, which is constituted by a liquid crystal panel. Reference numeral 32 denotes a display memory which stores data displayed on the display screen 30. A display control unit 34 drives the display screen 30 based on data read from the display memory 32. A key input unit 40 includes a plurality of switches, and includes a control start key 45, a selection key 46, and keys 41, 42, 43, and 44 for moving up, down, left and right (see FIG. 4A). Reference numeral 48 denotes a key input detection unit which detects which one of a plurality of switches in the key input unit 40 has been pressed. A data processing unit 50 processes data from the wireless baseband processing unit 15 and the key input detection unit 48, and transmits processed data to each of the units 15, 25, and 32. Reference numeral 52 denotes a CPU, which controls each unit. A ROM 54 stores control programs and parameters. Reference numeral 56 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work memory. Note that the CPU 52, the ROM 54, and the RAM 56 constitute a part of the function of the data processing unit 50. Remote control device 100 is configured by the above components.
[0008]
(3) Configuration of Home Information Server 300 Next, the configuration of the home information server 300 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, 210 is a wireless transmission / reception unit, and 215 is a wireless baseband processing unit. Each has the same function as the wireless transmission / reception unit 10 and the wireless baseband processing unit 15 inside the remote control device 100, and performs wireless communication with the remote control device 100. Reference numeral 220 denotes an Internet connection unit, which is connected to the Internet 500. Reference numeral 250 denotes a CPU, which controls each unit. Reference numeral 260 denotes a memory, which includes a ROM in which a control program and data are stored, and a RAM which is used as a work memory and stores control data. The home information server 300 is configured by the above components.
[0009]
2. Hereinafter, the operation of the remote controller 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
Control information such as control programs and control data suitable for the electronic devices 200, ..., 250, ... is stored in advance in the server devices 400, 450 of the electronic device maker. The control information is stored in the memory 260 inside the home information server 300 via the Internet 500. Further, a program relating to menu information for selecting an electronic device or selecting a control menu is also stored in the home information server 300.
[0010]
When the power switch of the remote control device 100 is turned on, the routine of FIG. 3 is started. In step SP10, it is determined whether the control start key 45 has been pressed. The control start key 45 is a key that is pressed when the operator instructs to start control of the electronic device. If the control start key 45 has not been pressed, “NO” is determined, and the determination is repeated until the key is pressed. If the control start key 45 has been pressed, “YES” is determined, and the process proceeds to step SP20. In step SP20, key information indicating that the control start key 45 has been pressed is wirelessly transmitted to the home information server 300. When the home information server 300 receives the key information, pressing of the control start key 45 is detected by the home information server 300. Thereby, home information server 300 transmits the control menu display information. Then, the process proceeds to step SP30.
[0011]
In step SP30, control menu display information transmitted from home information server 300 is received. The control menu includes selection elements to be selected from among the electronic devices 200 and 250 and is stored in the home information server 300 in advance. Then, the process proceeds to step SP40, and an electronic device selection screen is displayed. One example is shown in FIG. In the figure, character strings of “VTR”, “CD player”, “AV amplifier”, and “air conditioner” are displayed on the display screen 30 as selection elements. Then, the process proceeds to step SP50.
[0012]
In step SP50, any selected element is selected by the operator. That is, a desired electronic device is selected by the operator by “cursor movement” of the screen by operating the movement keys 41, 42, 43, 44 and “decision” by pressing the selection key 46. In FIG. 4B, "air conditioner" is selected as a selection element as the electronic device. Then, the process proceeds to step SP60, where the selected element is wirelessly transmitted to the home information server 300. That is, a notification that "air conditioner" has been selected as the electronic device to be operated is transmitted. Then, home information server 300 receives the selected element and transmits control data corresponding to the selected element to remote control device 100. Here, the control data is control data transmitted to the electronic device (air conditioner) by infrared rays, and includes a “submenu command” for designating another selection screen to be displayed as necessary. In “temperature setting”, “wind power setting”, and “timer setting” in FIG. 4C, “sub menu command” is included because more detailed settings are required. Then, the process proceeds to step SP70, and the control data is received from the home information server 300. Then, the process proceeds to step SP80.
[0013]
In step SP80, it is determined whether the control data is a "submenu command". If the control data received in step SP70 is not “submenu command”, “NO” is determined, and the process proceeds to step SP90. In step SP90, the received control data is transmitted to the electronic device by infrared rays, and this routine ends. On the other hand, if the command is a “submenu command”, “YES” is determined, and the process returns to step SP20.
[0014]
At the next execution, in step SP20, a “submenu command” is transmitted to the home information server 300 as key information. Thereby, home information server 300 receives the key information and transmits control menu display information on the submenu. In step SP30, control menu display information about the submenu is received, and in step SP40, it is displayed on the screen. FIG. 4C shows a screen display example when “air conditioner” is selected at the time of the previous execution. Character strings of “ON / OFF”, “temperature setting”, “wind power setting”, and “timer setting” are displayed on the display screen 30 as a selection screen. In step SP50, the selection element of "temperature setting" is selected by the operator, and in step SP70, control data is received. In step SP80, since the control data is "submenu command", "YES" is determined, and the process returns to step SP20 again.
[0015]
At the next execution, the key information is transmitted to the home information server 300 in step SP20. Then, in step SP30, the control menu display information on the submenu is received, and in step SP40, it is displayed on the screen. FIG. 4D shows an example of a screen display when “Temperature setting” is selected during the previous execution. Character strings of “raise”, “lower”, and “complete” are displayed as a selection screen, and “set temperature” is displayed. In step SP50, the operator selects “raise” and “lower” a plurality of times, and further selects “complete”, thereby confirming the entire operation that the operator intends to perform on the air conditioner. I do. In step SP60, the set temperature is transmitted to the home information server 300 as selection information. Thereby, home information server 300 transmits control data corresponding to the set temperature (selection information) to remote control device 100. Then, in step SP70, control data to be transmitted to the air conditioner is received. Then, in step SP80, since the control data is not the “sub-menu command”, it is determined as “NO”, the control data is transmitted to the air conditioner via the infrared light emitting unit 20, and the routine ends.
[0016]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control a plurality of types of electronic devices with a single remote control device. Further, it is not necessary to add a new function to the conventional electronic device. Furthermore, it is possible to easily respond to newly installed electronic devices by importing control information such as control programs and control data into a home information server via the Internet. Not necessary. Further, since an operation screen suitable for each electronic device is displayed on the display screen 30, it is advantageous in that the operation is simple, clear, and easy to understand. Further, a plurality of operation screens can be provided for one electronic device, and a more suitable screen display can be selected according to each operator.
[0017]
3. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, for example, as described below, and all are included in the scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the control menu screen is displayed using the display screen 30 and the selection element is selected by the key operation of the key input unit 40. However, the control is performed by generating voice guidance from the speaker. It is also possible to notify a menu and select a selected element by voice input from a microphone. In this case, a data conversion unit is provided instead of the key input detection unit and the display control unit, and an A / D converter and a D / A converter are used. Communication between the remote control device and the information server is performed in the state of the voice signal, and voice recognition or voice synthesis is performed inside the home information server. That is, the menu information or the selected element is communicated as an audio signal. Also, a specific “keyword” is set in advance instead of the control start key in order to instruct the home information server to control the electronic device via the remote control device.
(2) In the above embodiment, the submenu command is received from the server each time. However, the control menu and the submenu commands below it can be received at once. In that case, step SP80 in FIG. 3 becomes unnecessary.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the configuration of the first aspect, it is possible to control a plurality of types of electronic devices with a single remote controller.
Furthermore, according to the configuration of the second aspect, it is possible to control a single remote control device capable of controlling a plurality of types of electronic devices.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a remote control device and a configuration diagram of a home information server of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external view and a display screen of the remote control device of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 210: wireless transmission / reception unit, 15, 215: wireless baseband processing unit, 20: infrared light emitting unit, 25: infrared light emission drive unit, 30: display screen, 32: display memory, 34: display control unit, 40: key Input unit, 41, 42, 43, 44 ... movement key, 45 ... control start key, 46 ... selection key, 48 ... key input detection unit, 50 ... data processing unit, 52 ... CPU, 54 ... ROM, 56 ... RAM, 100 remote control device, 200, 250 electronic device, 220 internet connection unit, 250 CPU, 260 memory, 300 home information server, 400, 450 server device

Claims (5)

A menu information receiving step of receiving menu information related to a control menu of the electronic device capable of remote control from the server device,
A notification process of notifying the user of the control menu,
A selection step of selecting a selection element included in the control menu;
A selection element transmission step of transmitting the selection element selected in the selection step to the server device;
Corresponding to the selection element, a control data receiving step of receiving control data for controlling the electronic device from the server device,
A control data transmitting step of remotely transmitting the control data to the electronic device. A control information receiving and storing step of receiving, via a network, menu information and control data received by the electronic device with respect to a control menu of the remote controllable electronic device;
A menu information transmitting step of transmitting the menu information to a remote control device,
A selection element receiving step of receiving a selection element selected from the control menu,
A control data transmission step of transmitting control data for controlling the electronic device to the remote control device, corresponding to the selection element. A remote control device that executes the remote control method according to claim 1. A server apparatus for executing the remote control method according to claim 2. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the remote control method according to claim 1.

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