JP2006323461A - Electronic device system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein other connected electronic devices must be individually operated, the operation is complicated, and the operability is poor. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic device system comprises a first electronic device 100 having a first content information acquiring section 102 for acquiring content information on contents to be processed by a first operation section 101 and a first content information transmission section 103 for transmitting the content information, a second operation command information acquiring section 205 for acquiring operation command information corresponding to the content information received from the first electronic device 100, and a second controller 202 for controlling a second operation section 201 based on the operation command information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices connected by a network or the like.

As a conventional electronic device system, there is one that can control the operation of another electronic device connected via a network or the like from one electronic device (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP 07-177586 A (first page, FIG. 1 etc.) JP 2003-029895 A (first page, FIG. 1 etc.)

  However, in the conventional electronic device system, the operation of another electronic device cannot be controlled in accordance with the type and attribute value of the content processed by one electronic device. For this reason, it is necessary to separately operate other electronic devices, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated and the operability is poor.

  An electronic device system according to the present invention is an electronic device system including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the first electronic device performs an operation for processing content. A first content information acquisition unit that acquires content information that is information related to content processed by the first operation unit, and a first content information transmission unit that transmits the content information to the second electronic device. The second electronic device includes a second operation unit that performs a predetermined operation, a second content information reception unit that receives content information from the first electronic device, and the content information corresponding to the content information. A second operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires operation instruction information that is information for instructing the second electronic device to perform an operation; and a second control that controls the second operation unit based on the operation instruction information Comprising the door.

  With this configuration, it is possible to control a plurality of electronic devices connected via a network or the like according to content, and it is possible to provide an electronic device system with excellent operability. Further, even if the number of electronic devices connected to the first electronic device increases, the processing in the first electronic device is hardly changed, so that the load applied to the processing of the first electronic device can be reduced.

  An electronic device system according to the present invention is an electronic device system including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, and the first electronic device performs an operation for processing content. An operation unit, a first content information acquisition unit that acquires content information that is information related to content processed by the first operation unit, and an instruction for the operation to the second electronic device corresponding to the content information A first operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires operation instruction information that is information, and a first operation instruction information transmission unit that transmits the operation instruction information to a second electronic device. A second operation unit that performs a predetermined operation; a second operation instruction information reception unit that receives operation instruction information from the first electronic device; and a second operation unit that controls the second operation unit based on the operation instruction information. With two control units That.

  With this configuration, it is possible to control a plurality of electronic devices connected via a network or the like according to content, and it is possible to provide an electronic device system with excellent operability. In addition, the processing in the second electronic device can be reduced, and the need for the second electronic device to have a high-performance processor or the like can be eliminated.

  In the electronic device system, the first electronic device further includes a first operation information storage unit that stores operation information that is information for operating the second electronic device. The operation instruction information acquisition unit acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information based on the operation information stored in the first operation information storage unit.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily control the second electronic device in accordance with the content only by giving the operation information of the second electronic device to the first electronic device.

  In the electronic device system, the second electronic device includes a second operation information storage unit that stores the operation information, and a second operation information transmission that transmits the operation information to the first electronic device. A first operation information receiving unit that receives operation information from the second electronic device, and the first operation information storage unit includes first operation information Stores operation information received by the receiving unit.

  With this configuration, it is not necessary to store operation information of the second electronic device in the first electronic device in advance, and any second electronic device can be configured to use the second electronic device corresponding to the content. The device can be controlled.

  According to the electronic device system of the present invention, it is possible to control a plurality of electronic devices connected via a network or the like according to content, and it is possible to provide an electronic device system with excellent operability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic device system and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component and step which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment perform the same operation | movement, re-explanation may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device system according to the present embodiment. The electronic device system according to the present embodiment includes a first electronic device 100 and a second electronic device 200. The first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 are connected via a network 300 or the like.

  The first electronic device 100 includes a first operation unit 101, a first content information acquisition unit 102, and a first content information transmission unit 103.

  The second electronic device 200 includes a second operation unit 201, a second control unit 202, a second content information reception unit 203, a second operation instruction information storage unit 204, and a second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205. It has.

  The first electronic device 100 is an electronic device that can be connected to another device via a network or the like, and may be any electronic device that handles content. Content is a movie, music, photo, cartoon, animation, computer game, other characters, figures, colors, sound, action or video, or a combination thereof, or these information is provided via a computer or the like. For the program. The first electronic device 100 may be an AV device such as a television, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a hard disk recorder, a video tape recorder, a CD player, a tuner, or a cassette tape recorder. Further, it may be an electronic book player or the like. Moreover, the refrigerator which outputs an advertisement, a flyer, etc. from a display panel etc. may be sufficient. Note that the configuration and operation for the first electronic device 100 to process content are well-known techniques, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The first operation unit 101 performs an operation for processing content. The first operation unit 101 normally performs a predetermined operation based on a control signal from another control unit or the like. Specifically, the content processing operation is a process of playing back, recording, or recording content, recognizing that the content to be processed has been received, or data contained in the content. The processing includes reading, converting the data included in the content by decoding or encoding, executing a program included in the content, and performing an operation on the data included in the content. For example, if the first electronic device 100 is a hard disk recorder or the like, it is an operation of receiving video and audio information of a program such as a news program or a drama, and encoding and recording them. If the device 100 is a DVD player, the operation is such that music content, movie content, or the like is read from the DVD disc and output. The first operation unit 101 can be realized by, for example, an MPU or a memory. The operation of the first operation unit 101 is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires content information that is information related to the content to be processed by the first operation unit 101. The content information may be identification information for identifying content, for example. The content information may be a title name of the content. The content information may be an item name or item code of a classification item when content is classified according to a predetermined classification, such as a content genre. The content information may be content copyright information or the like. The content information may be information such as the type of media on which the content is provided. The content information may be a combination of these. The content classification may be, for example, a classification such as “music content” for the main purpose of viewing music, “video content” for the main purpose of viewing video, or “ Classifications such as “high image quality”, “normal image quality”, and “low image quality” may be used. Further, the classification may be “movie”, “news”, “drama”, “sports” or the like based on the content of the video. Further, the classification may be based on optional information of content such as “bilingual” or “with subtitles”. This content information may be added to the content in advance and read as necessary. For television programs and the like, content information about programs that are currently displayed or recorded may be acquired using a so-called electronic program guide. In addition, the content information, the content name, the content playback time, and the content identification information are associated with each other and stored in the first electronic device 100 or an external database in advance and added to the content in advance. The content name, the content playback time, the content identification information, etc. may be used to search for and acquire information about the content from this database. Such a technique for acquiring content information corresponding to the content uses a known technique used in so-called CDDB or the like, or a known technique for embedding information for managing content such as copyright management information in the content. It is feasible. It does not matter how the first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires content information. The first content information acquisition unit 102 may acquire the content information acquired from the content by the first operation unit 101 directly or indirectly from the first operation unit 101, or the first content information acquisition unit 102. The content information may be acquired directly from the content, for example, by reading the content information. The data structure of content information does not matter. In the present embodiment, a case where the first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires content information from the first operation unit 101 will be described. The first content information acquisition unit 102 can be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure by which the first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires content information is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The first content information transmission unit 103 transmits the content information acquired by the first content information acquisition unit 102 to the second electronic device 200. The first content information transmission unit 103 may or may not include a transmission device such as a modem or a network card. The first content information transmission unit 103 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a transmission device. Transmission is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The first content information transmission unit 103 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The second electronic device 200 may be any electronic device as long as it can be connected to other devices via a network or the like. For example, it may be an AV device such as a TV, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a hard disk recorder, a video tape recorder, a CD player, a tuner, a cassette tape recorder, an amplifier, a surround system, a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner. It may be a home appliance such as a lighting fixture or a facility device such as a hot water supply system.

  The second operation unit 201 performs a predetermined operation based on a control signal from the second control unit 202. The predetermined operation may be any operation. For example, if the second electronic device 200 is a television, the operation is to receive radio waves and display an image. If the second electronic device 200 is a DVD player, a video signal and an audio signal are received from a DVD disk. Is read out and output. The second operation unit 201 can be realized by, for example, an MPU or a memory. The operation of the second operation unit 201 is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The second content information receiving unit 203 receives content information transmitted from the first electronic device 100 via the network 300 or the like. The second content information receiving unit 203 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving a modem or a network. The second content information receiving unit 203 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a receiving device. The second content information receiving unit 203 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The second content information receiving unit 203 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The second operation instruction information storage unit 204 stores one or more operation instruction information, which are instructions for operating the second electronic device 200. Specifically, the operation instruction information may be any information as long as it is information for instructing the second operation unit 201 to perform a specific operation. For example, it may be a command or event information that causes the second operation unit 201 to execute a predetermined action, or may be identification information that designates an action that the second operation unit 201 executes. The data structure of the operation instruction information does not matter. “Storing” here means temporary storage such as when temporarily storing data received by the receiving unit or when temporarily storing data in a cache or the like during data processing. Including. The second operation instruction information storage unit 204 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium such as a ROM or an optical disk, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium.

  The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information received by the second content information reception unit 203. It does not matter how the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information. For example, if the operation instruction information corresponding to the content information is stored in the second operation instruction information storage unit 204, the operation instruction information may be acquired, or the operation information is included in the content information. Thus, the operation instruction information may be acquired from the received content information. Here, as an example, the correspondence relationship between the content information and the operation instruction information stored in the second operation instruction information storage unit 204 is shown in a recording medium such as a memory or the second operation instruction information storage unit 204. Data such as a table is prepared in advance, content information that matches the content information received by the second content information receiving unit 203 is searched from this data, and the operation instruction information associated with the matched content information is The case where it acquires from the 2nd operation instruction information storage part 204 is demonstrated. A specific example of processing in which the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to content information will be described later. The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 can be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure by which the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires the operation instruction information is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The network 300 may be any network as long as data can be transmitted and received between the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200. The network 300 may be a wireless or wired network using an IP protocol or the like, for example. Communication in this network may be realized by terrestrial broadcasting, cable television broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, or the like. Also, if data communication is possible between the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200, instead of connecting them via a network, they are connected using a serial bus such as IEEE1394 or USB. Also good.

  Next, the operation of the first electronic device 100 of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Although not described here, the operation of processing the content, such as playback of the content or recognition of the content, performed in the first operation unit 101 of the first electronic device 100 is described in the flowchart. Separately from the processing shown above, for example, it is performed in parallel and ends when the content is played up to a predesignated location, or when a command to stop processing the content, power off or processing end interrupt And

  (Step S201) The first content information acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not the first operation unit 101 has started an operation for processing content. When the operation is started, the process proceeds to step S202. When the operation is not started, the process returns to step S201. Note that the operation to be determined here may be any operation such as a process of reproducing content. Further, instead of determining the start of content processing, it is determined whether or not the first electronic device 100 is instructed to perform an operation for processing the content or to perform an operation for processing the content. It may be determined whether an event has occurred. Further, the status of processing other than the start, such as whether or not the operation for processing the content has been completed, may be determined.

  (Step S <b> 202) The first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires content information of content processed by the first operation unit 101 from the first operation unit 101. For example, the content information included in the content data read by the first operation unit 101 is acquired. In addition, the processing order of step S201 and step S202 is not ask | required.

  (Step S203) The first content information transmission unit 103 transmits the content information acquired by the first content information acquisition unit 102 to the second electronic device 200. This transmission may be a one-to-one transmission in which the transmission partner is specified to the second electronic device 200, a one-to-many multicast transmission, or a broadcast transmission that does not specify a transmission partner. There may be. Then, the process returns to step S201.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the second electronic device 200 of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S301) The second content information receiving unit 203 determines whether or not the content information from the first electronic device 100 has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S302. If not received, the process returns to step S301.

  (Step S302) The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information received in Step S301 from the second operation instruction information storage unit 204. A specific example of this process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  (Step S303) It is determined whether or not the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 has acquired operation instruction information. If acquired, the process proceeds to step S304. If not acquired, the process returns to step S301.

  (Step S304) The second control unit 202 controls the operation of the second operation unit 201 based on the operation instruction information acquired in step S303.

  (Step S305) The second operation unit 201 performs a predetermined operation. Then, the process returns to step S301. In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process ends.

  Next, details of the processing for acquiring the operation instruction information corresponding to the content information described in step S302 of FIG. 3 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S401) The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires the content information received in Step S301 from the second content information reception unit 203.

  (Step S402) The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 determines whether content information that matches the content information acquired in step S401 is stored in a memory or the like. If stored, the process proceeds to step S403. If not stored, the process proceeds to step S404.

  (Step S403) The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires operation instruction information associated with the content information that matches the content information acquired in step S401 from the second operation instruction information storage unit 204. Then, the acquired operation instruction information is returned to the upper function.

  (Step S404) The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 acquires from the memory or the like a value indicating that there is no operation instruction information corresponding to the content information, for example, “−1”, and returns to the upper function.

  Next, a specific example will be described. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a specific example of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment. In this specific example, the first electronic device 100 is a DVD recorder capable of recording / reproducing video / audio information, and the second electronic device 200 is an illumination whose brightness can be adjusted in two stages of “bright” and “dark”. Assume that the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 are connected by a wireless network 300 using an Internet protocol. The output of the first electronic device 100 is connected to an external display 400, and an image or the like is displayed on this display.

  In this specific example, the content information indicates “music” indicating that the content is intended for viewing music, “movie” indicating that the content is a movie, and sports content. It is assumed that there are “sports”, “animation” that is an animation content, and the like. It is assumed that the content information is recorded on a DVD disc in a state that can be read by a DVD recorder.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation instruction information management table stored in the second operation instruction information storage unit 204 of the second electronic device 200. This operation instruction information management table has attributes of “operation ID” and “operation instruction information”. “Operation ID” is identification information for managing the operation instruction information. The “operation instruction information” is operation instruction information that is information for instructing the second operation unit 201 to perform an operation as described above, and here, as an example, for causing the second operation unit 201 to perform a predetermined operation. Suppose that it is a command. This command includes a command “light_OFF” for turning off the illumination, a command “light_HIGH” for setting the brightness “light”, a command “light_LOW” for setting the brightness “dark”, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a content information management table for managing the correspondence between content information and operation instruction information stored in the memory or the like of the second electronic device 200. This content information management table has attributes “content information” and “operation ID”. “Content information” is information corresponding to the content information received by the second content information receiving unit 203. The “operation ID” is information corresponding to the “operation ID” shown in FIG. The content information management table may be stored in the second operation instruction information storage unit 204. Further, the operation instruction information management table shown in FIG. 6 and the content information management table shown in FIG. 7 may be configured as one management table. Further, instead of these management tables, a file such as XML having similar attributes and attribute values may be used.

  First, the user inserts a DVD disk containing a movie into the first electronic device 100. It is assumed that content information “movie” is stored in a predetermined area of the DVD disc. When the user operates the remote control device or the like and selects the menu item “play”, first, the first operation unit 101 reads content information “movie” on the DVD disc. Then, the first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires the read content information “movie”. The first content information transmission unit 103 transmits the acquired content information to all electronic devices on the network 300.

  When the second content information receiving unit 203 of the second electronic device 200 receives the content information “movie”, the second operation instruction information acquiring unit 205 displays “content information” in the content information management table shown in FIG. ”Are searched for those that match the attribute value“ movie ”. If there is a match, the attribute value of “operation ID” of the same record as that attribute value is acquired. Here, since there is a match with “movie”, the attribute value of “operation ID” of “001” in the same record as the attribute value of “movie” is acquired.

  Next, the second electronic device 200 acquires “light_OFF” as the operation instruction information of the record whose “operation ID” is “001” from the operation instruction information management table illustrated in FIG. 6. Then, the second control unit 202 controls the second operation unit 201 based on the operation instruction information “light_OFF” acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205. As a result, in the second electronic device 200, an operation of turning off the illumination is performed.

  In this way, when watching movie content, the room lighting is automatically turned off, and the user can enjoy the atmosphere of watching a movie in a movie theater.

  Next, the user inserts a DVD disc containing a soccer game into the first electronic device 100. It is assumed that content information “sports” is stored in a predetermined area of the DVD disc. When the user operates the remote control device or the like and selects the menu item “play”, first, the first operation unit 101 reads content information “sports” of the DVD disc. The first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires the read content information “sports”, and the first content information transmission unit 103 transmits the acquired content information to all electronic devices on the network 300. Send to.

  When the second content information receiving unit 203 of the second electronic device 200 receives the content information “sport”, the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205 reads “sport” from the content information management table shown in FIG. “002” that is the attribute value of “operation ID” of the record including “content information” is acquired.

  Next, the second electronic device 200 acquires “light_HIGH” as the operation instruction information of the record whose “operation ID” is “002” from the operation instruction information management table illustrated in FIG. 6. Then, the second control unit 202 controls the second operation unit 201 based on the operation instruction information “light_HIGH” acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 205. As a result, in the second electronic device 200, an operation for setting the illumination brightness to the maximum brightness is performed.

  In this way, when viewing sports content, the room lighting automatically becomes the maximum brightness, and the user can enjoy watching sports in a bright atmosphere.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the operation of the second electronic device 200 according to the content processed by the first electronic device 100. Accordingly, even if the user does not operate each electronic device individually, the content processed by the first electronic device 100 can be made to each electronic device only by causing the first electronic device 100 to process the content. Therefore, it is possible to perform an optimal operation and improve operability. As a result, it is possible to provide the user with an optimum environment according to the content when viewing the content.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the second electronic device 200 is operated in accordance with the content processed by the first electronic device 100 has been described. However, the present invention is, for example, the operation of the second operation unit. The present invention can also be applied when a plurality of different second electronic devices or a plurality of second electronic devices having the same operation of the second operation unit are connected to the first electronic device. For example, in the specific example, a surround system is further provided as the second electronic device in addition to the lighting fixture. In this surround system, the audio is based on the content information received from the first electronic device 100. Operation instruction information for changing the output mode is acquired. For example, if the content information is “movie”, the operation instruction information for switching to the surround setting for movies is acquired, and if the content information is “music”, the operation instruction information for switching to the surround settings for music is acquired. To. Then, by operating the surround system by switching the audio output mode based on this operation instruction information, the lighting can be changed according to the content processed by the first electronic device 100, and the surround output setting of the audio is also set. It becomes possible to change. The same applies to other embodiments.

  Further, in the electronic device system of the first embodiment, the second operation information storage unit 601 described in the present embodiment is provided instead of the second operation instruction information storage unit 204, and second operation instruction information acquisition is performed. The unit 205 acquires the operation instruction information corresponding to the second content information from the operation information stored in the second operation information storage unit 601, similarly to the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 of the present embodiment. You may do it.

  The software that realizes the first electronic device of the electronic device system in the embodiment is a program as described below. That is, the program includes, in the computer, a first operation step for processing content, a first operation information acquisition step for acquiring content information that is information about the content to be processed by the first operation step, and the content. This is a program for executing a first content information transmission step of transmitting information to another electronic device.

  Moreover, the software which implement | achieves the 2nd electronic device of the electronic device system in the said embodiment is the following programs. In other words, the program causes the computer to operate on the device corresponding to the content information, the second operation related information receiving step of receiving content information that is information related to the content to be processed by another electronic device. A second operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information, which is information for instructing, and a second control step for controlling the device to perform a predetermined operation based on the operation instruction information. It is a program.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The electronic device system according to the present embodiment is the electronic device system according to the first embodiment, in which the first electronic device receives the operation instruction information corresponding to the content processed by the first electronic device, and the second electronic device The data is sent to the device.

  The electronic device system according to the present embodiment includes a first electronic device 500 and a second electronic device 600. The first electronic device 500 and the second electronic device 600 are connected via a network 300 or the like.

  Since the configuration of the network 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The first electronic device 500 does not include the first content information transmission unit 103 in the first electronic device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 in the above embodiment, and includes the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501, One operation instruction information transmission unit 502, a first operation information reception unit 503, and a first operation information storage unit 504 are provided. Note that the description of the same configuration as that of the first electronic device 100 of the above embodiment is omitted.

  The second electronic device 600 includes the second content information receiving unit 203, the second operation instruction information storage unit 204, and the second operation in the second electronic device 200 described with reference to FIG. The second operation information storage unit 601, the second operation information transmission unit 602, and the second operation instruction information reception unit 603 are provided without providing the instruction information acquisition unit 205. Note that the description of the same configuration as that of the second electronic device 200 of the above embodiment is omitted.

  The first operation information storage unit 504 stores one or more pieces of operation information that is information for operating the second electronic device 600. It does not matter what kind of information the operation information is. Specifically, the operation information may be any information as long as the operation instruction information based on the content information acquired by the first content information acquisition unit 102 can be acquired. For example, the operation information includes the operation instruction information described in the first embodiment, and information that can indicate the relationship between the operation instruction information and the content information acquired by the first content information acquisition unit 102. May be. The operation information includes information for identifying the address of the second electronic device 600, for example, address information on the network of the second electronic device 600, identification information of the second electronic device 600, and the like. You may do it. The data structure of operation information does not matter. The operation information may be, for example, XML format data or tabular format data, and the format of the data is not limited. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the operation information includes operation instruction information and content information associated with the operation instruction information. “Storing” here means temporary storage such as when temporarily storing data received by the receiving unit or when temporarily storing data in a cache or the like during data processing. Including. The first operation information storage unit 504 may store operation information in advance, or may store operation information transmitted from other devices or the like. The first operation information storage unit 504 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium such as a ROM or an optical disk capable of rewriting data, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium. Further, if rewriting of operation information is not necessary, a recording medium such as a ROM that cannot be rewritten may be used.

  The first operation information reception unit 503 receives operation information transmitted from the second electronic device 600. Then, the received operation information is accumulated in the first operation information storage unit 504. The first operation information receiving unit 503 further includes information for identifying the address of the second electronic device 600, for example, address information on the network of the second electronic device 600, and the second electronic device 600. The identification information or the like may be received and stored in a memory or the like. The first operation information receiving unit 503 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving a modem or a network. Further, the first operation information receiving unit 503 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the receiving device. The first operation information receiving unit 503 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The first operation information receiving unit 503 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information received by the first content information acquisition unit 102. It does not matter how the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires the operation instruction information corresponding to the content information. For example, if operation instruction information corresponding to content information is stored in a recording medium such as a memory, the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 may acquire this, or the operation information is included in the content information. If it is, you may acquire this. Here, as an example, a case where the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires operation instruction information based on the operation information stored in the first operation information storage unit 504 will be described. Specifically, the operation information includes content information and operation instruction information associated with the content information, and the content information received by the first content information acquisition unit 102 from the operation information. A case will be described in which operation information including content information that matches is retrieved and operation instruction information is acquired from operation information including the matched content information. The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 can be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure by which the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires operation instruction information is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The first operation instruction information transmission unit 502 transmits the operation instruction information acquired by the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 to the second electronic device 600. The first operation instruction information transmission unit 502 may or may not include a transmission device for transmission such as a modem or a network card. The first operation instruction information transmission unit 502 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the transmission device. Transmission is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The first operation instruction information transmitting unit 502 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The second operation information storage unit 601 stores one or more pieces of the operation information described above. “Storing” here means temporary storage such as when temporarily storing data received by the receiving unit or when temporarily storing data in a cache or the like during data processing. Including. The second operation information storage unit 601 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium such as a ROM or an optical disk capable of rewriting data, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium. Further, if rewriting of operation information is not necessary, a recording medium such as a ROM that cannot be rewritten may be used.

  The second operation information transmission unit 602 transmits the operation information stored in the second operation information storage unit 601 to the first electronic device 500. The trigger and timing at which the second operation information transmission unit 602 transmits the operation information does not matter. For example, the second operation information transmission unit 602 includes the first operation information immediately after the first electronic device 500 and the second electronic device 600 are connected, or immediately after the second electronic device 600 is turned on. The operation information may be transmitted when the connection between the electronic device 500 and the second electronic device 600 is recognized. Here, the term “immediately after” includes a case where there is a slight delay from the time when the connection is recognized. Further, the operation information may be transmitted regularly or irregularly. In the present embodiment, an example in which operation information is transmitted when the first electronic device 500 and the second electronic device 600 are connected will be described. The second operation information transmission unit 602 may or may not include a transmission device for transmission such as a modem or a network. The second operation information transmission unit 602 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the transmission device. The second operation information transmission unit 602 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, it may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting means.

  The second operation instruction information receiving unit 603 receives operation instruction information from the first electronic device 500. The second operation instruction information receiving unit 603 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving a modem or a network. The second operation instruction information receiving unit 603 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a receiving device. The second operation instruction information receiving unit 603 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, it may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting means.

  Next, the operation of the first electronic device 500 of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Although explanation is omitted here, the operation of processing the content such as the reproduction of the content and the recognition of the content performed in the first operation unit 101 of the first electronic device 500 is shown in the flowchart. Separately from the processing shown above, for example, it is performed in parallel and ends when the content is played up to a predesignated location, or when a command to stop processing the content, power off or processing end interrupt And

  (Step S901) The first operation information receiving unit 503 determines whether or not operation information has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S902. If not received, the process proceeds to step S903.

  (Step S902) The first operation information receiving unit 503 stores the received operation information in the first operation information storage unit 504. Then, the process proceeds to step S903.

  (Step S903) The first content information acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not the first operation unit 101 has started an operation for processing content. If the operation has started, the process proceeds to step S904, and if not, the process returns to step S901. This process is the same as step S201 in FIG.

  (Step S <b> 904) The first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires content information of content processed by the first operation unit 101 from the first operation unit 101. For example, content information included in the content data read by the first operation unit 101 is acquired.

  (Step S905) The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information received in step S904, based on the operation information stored in the first operation information storage unit 504. A specific example of this process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  (Step S906) The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 determines whether operation instruction information has been acquired. If it can be acquired, the process proceeds to step S907. If it cannot be acquired, the process returns to step S901.

  (Step S907) The first operation instruction information transmission unit 502 transmits the operation instruction information acquired in step S906 to the second electronic device 600. Then, the process returns to step S901.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process is terminated.

  Next, details of the processing for acquiring the operation instruction information corresponding to the content information described in step S905 of FIG. 9 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S1001) The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires the content information acquired in step S904 from the first content information acquisition unit 102.

  (Step S1002) The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 determines whether or not operation information including content information that matches the content information acquired in step S904 is stored in the first operation information storage unit 504. If stored, the process proceeds to step S1003. If not stored, the process proceeds to step S1004.

  (Step S1003) The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires operation instruction information included in the operation information including the content information that matches the content information acquired in step S904 from the first operation information storage unit 504. Then, the acquired operation instruction information is returned to the upper function.

  (Step S1004) The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 acquires a value indicating that there is no operation instruction information corresponding to the content information, for example, “−1” from the memory or the like, and returns to the upper function.

  Next, the operation of the second electronic device 200 of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S1101) The second operation information transmission unit 602 acquires operation information from the second operation information storage unit 601, and transmits the acquired operation information to the first electronic device 100. As described above, the trigger and timing at which the second operation information transmission unit 602 acquires and transmits the operation information is not limited. For example, operation information is acquired and transmitted when the first electronic device 500 and the second electronic device 600 are connected. This transmission may be a one-to-one transmission in which the transmission partner is specified to the first electronic device 100, a one-to-many multicast transmission, or a transmission by broadcast that does not specify a transmission partner. There may be.

  (Step S1102) The second operation instruction information receiving unit 603 determines whether or not the operation instruction information from the first electronic device 100 has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S1103. If not received, the process returns to step S1102.

  (Step S1103) The second control unit 202 controls the operation of the second operation unit 201 based on the operation instruction information acquired by the second operation instruction information receiving unit 603.

  (Step S1104) The second operation unit 201 performs a predetermined operation. Then, the process returns to step S1102.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process is terminated.

  Next, a specific example will be described. The conceptual diagram of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment includes a first electronic device 500 instead of the first electronic device 100 and a second electronic device 200 in the specific example shown in FIG. A second electronic device 600 is provided. Similarly to FIG. 5, the first electronic device 500 can adjust the brightness in two stages of “bright” and “dark”, and the second electronic device 600 can adjust the brightness to “bright” and “dark”. It shall be a proper lighting fixture. Other configurations and the like are the same as the specific example described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of operation information stored in the second operation information storage unit 601 of the second electronic device 200. Here, it is assumed that one or more pieces of operation information are stored in one file. In this data, information sandwiched between a start tag “item” (enclosed by <>) and an end tag (enclosed by </>) corresponds to one piece of operation information. Hereinafter, information sandwiched between such a start tag and an end tag is referred to as an element. The element “command” is an instruction given to the second electronic device 200 and corresponds to operation instruction information. This command includes a command “light_OFF” for turning off the illumination, a command “light_HIGH” for setting the brightness “light”, a command “light_LOW” for setting the brightness “dark”, and the like. The element “content information” indicates content information associated with the operation instruction information. In this specific example, it is assumed that there is content information such as “movie”, “music”, and “animation”, as in the specific example of the first embodiment. The element “device address” is information indicating the address of the device that is the target of the action, and here, as an example, “192.168.4.21”, which is the IP address of the second electronic device 600. Is set.

  First, when the second electronic device 600 is connected to the first electronic device 500 via the network 300, the second electronic device 200 recognizes the connection with the first electronic device 100 and performs the second operation. The operation information as shown in FIG. 12 stored in the information storage unit 601 is output to the second electronic device 200. In addition, since the structure and process which recognize a connection between electronic devices are well-known techniques, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The first electronic device 500 receives the operation information transmitted from the second electronic device 600 as shown in FIG. 12 and accumulates it in the first operation information storage unit 504.

  Next, the user inserts a DVD disk containing a movie into the first electronic device 500. It is assumed that content information “movie” is stored in a predetermined area of the DVD disc. When the user operates the remote control device or the like and selects the menu item “play”, first, the first operation unit 101 reads content information “movie” on the DVD disc. Then, the first content information acquisition unit 102 acquires the read content information “movie”.

  The first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 searches for operation information including content information that matches the content information “movie” acquired by the first content information acquisition unit 102. Specifically, in the operation information shown in FIG. 12, a tag “content information” is searched, and it is determined whether the element is “movie”. If it is “movie”, the “command” element included in the operation information, that is, between the same “item” tags is acquired as operation instruction information corresponding to the content information. If it is not “movie”, the same processing after the processing for searching for the next tag “content information” is repeated. Here, since there is a “content information” element that is “movie”, the first operation instruction information acquisition unit 501 uses a command “light_OFF” between “item” tags including this tag as operation instruction information. get.

  Then, the first operation instruction information transmission unit 502 transmits the acquired operation instruction information to the second electronic device 600. Specifically, the “device address” element between “item” tags whose “content information” is “movie”, “192.168.4.21” in this case, is acquired, and an operation instruction is given to this IP address. Send information.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction information “light_OFF”, the second electronic device 600 controls the second operation unit 201 based on the operation instruction. As a result, in the second electronic device 600, an operation of turning off the illumination is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the operation of the second electronic device 600 according to the content processed by the first electronic device 500. Thus, even if the user does not individually operate each electronic device, the content processed by the first electronic device 600 can be processed by each electronic device only by causing the first electronic device 500 to process the content. Therefore, it is possible to perform an optimal operation and improve operability. As a result, it is possible to provide the user with an optimum environment according to the content when viewing the content.

  Further, in the second electronic device 600, processing for obtaining operation instruction information from content information is not required, so that it is not necessary to use a high-performance processor or the like, and the apparatus can be simplified. It becomes.

  In the present embodiment, the operation information of the second electronic device 600 may be stored in advance in the first operation information storage unit 504 of the first electronic device 500. By doing in this way, the structure for transmitting / receiving operation information between the 1st electronic device 500 and the 2nd electronic device 600 becomes unnecessary, and it becomes possible to simplify the structure of an electronic device system. Become.

  In each of the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by centralized processing by a single device (system), or by distributed processing by a plurality of devices. May be.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  The software that realizes the first electronic device of the electronic device system in the embodiment is a program as described below. That is, the program includes, in the computer, a first operation step for processing content, a first operation information acquisition step for acquiring content information that is information about the content to be processed by the first operation step, and the content. A first operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information, which is information for instructing an operation to another electronic device, corresponding to the information, and a first operation for transmitting the operation instruction information to the other electronic device This is a program for executing an instruction information transmission step.

  In each program described in each of the above embodiments, the transmission step for transmitting information, the reception step for receiving information, and the like are performed by processing performed by hardware, such as a modem or an interface card in the transmission step. Processing (processing performed only by hardware) is not included.

  These programs may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, and a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like) is read out. May be executed by

  Further, the computer that executes these programs may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is useful as an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices, and is particularly suitable as an electronic device system including electronic devices such as AV devices and home appliances connected via a network or the like.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. Flow chart showing operation of the electronic device system Flow chart showing operation of the electronic device system Flow chart showing operation of the electronic device system Conceptual diagram of the electronic device system The figure which shows the operation instruction information management table | surface of the same electronic device system The figure which shows the content information management table | surface of the same electronic device system The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. Flow chart showing operation of the electronic device system Flow chart showing operation of the electronic device system Flow chart showing operation of the electronic device system The figure which shows the structure of the operation information of the electronic device system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 1st electronic device 101 1st operation | movement part 102 1st content information acquisition part 103 1st content information transmission part 200 2nd electronic device 201 2nd operation | movement part 202 2nd control part 203 2nd content information reception part 204 1st Second operation instruction information storage unit 205 Second operation instruction information acquisition unit 300 Network 400 Display 500 First electronic device 501 First operation instruction information acquisition unit 502 First operation instruction information transmission unit 503 First operation information reception unit 504 First Operation information storage unit 600 Second electronic device 601 Second operation information storage unit 602 Second operation information transmission unit 603 Second operation instruction information reception unit

Claims (15)

An electronic device system comprising a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
The first electronic device is
A first operation unit that performs an operation of processing content;
A first content information acquisition unit that acquires content information that is information related to content processed by the first operation unit;
A first content information transmission unit that transmits the content information to the second electronic device;
The second electronic device is
A second operation unit for performing a predetermined operation;
A second content information receiving unit for receiving content information from the first electronic device;
A second operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information, which is information for instructing the second electronic device to perform an operation;
An electronic device system comprising: a second control unit that controls the second operation unit based on the operation instruction information. The second electronic device is
A second operation instruction information storage unit storing one or more operation instruction information;
The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the second operation instruction information acquisition unit acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information from the second operation instruction information storage unit. An electronic device system comprising a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
The first electronic device is
A first operation unit that performs an operation of processing content;
A first content information acquisition unit that acquires content information that is information related to content processed by the first operation unit;
A first operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires operation instruction information that is information for instructing the second electronic device to perform an operation corresponding to the content information;
A first operation instruction information transmission unit for transmitting the operation instruction information to a second electronic device,
The second electronic device
A second operation unit for performing a predetermined operation;
A second operation instruction information receiving unit for receiving operation instruction information from the first electronic device;
An electronic device system comprising: a second control unit that controls the second operation unit based on the operation instruction information. The first electronic device is
A first operation information storage unit that stores operation information that is information for operating the second electronic device;
5. The electronic device system according to claim 4, wherein the first operation instruction information acquisition unit acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the content information based on operation information stored in the first operation information storage unit. The second electronic device is
A second operation information storage unit in which the operation information is stored;
A second operation information transmission unit that transmits the operation information to the first electronic device;
The first electronic device is
A first operation information receiving unit for receiving operation information from the second electronic device;
The electronic device system according to claim 4, wherein the operation information received by the first operation information receiving unit is stored in the first operation information storage unit. The electronic device system according to claim 4, wherein the operation information includes the operation instruction information. The electronic device system according to claim 6, wherein the operation information includes the content information associated with the operation instruction information. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the content information is a classification item in which content is classified. The 1st electronic device which comprises the electronic device system in any one of Claims 1-8. The 2nd electronic device which comprises the electronic device system in any one of Claims 1-8. An electronic device that controls the operation of another electronic device in accordance with the content processed by the device itself. An electronic device that controls the operation of its own device in accordance with content processed by another electronic device. On the computer,
A first operational step of processing content;
A first operation information acquisition step of acquiring content information that is information relating to the content to be processed by the first operation step;
A program for executing a first content information transmission step of transmitting the content information to another electronic device. On the computer,
A second operation related information receiving step of receiving content information that is information relating to content to be processed by another electronic device;
A second operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information corresponding to the content information, which is information for instructing the device to perform an operation;
A program for executing a second control step of controlling the own device to perform a predetermined operation based on the operation instruction information. On the computer,
A first operational step of processing content;
A first operation information acquisition step of acquiring content information that is information relating to the content to be processed by the first operation step;
A first operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information corresponding to the content information, which is information for instructing another electronic device to perform an operation;
A program for executing a first operation instruction information transmission step of transmitting the operation instruction information to the other electronic device.

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