JP2009296214A - Server device and remote control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unnecessary operations of an external apparatus from being performed, at receiving an infrared signal of a remote controller of a client device. <P>SOLUTION: Whether to receive a control command to interlockingly operate both a video player 1 and a television receiver 4 connected to the video player 1 is determined (S2). Signal to the movement of a person is analyzed, and a remote control code signal is analyzed (S3). The number of times of receiving the remote control code signal of own apparatus and another apparatus, and own remote control command are temporarily stored. Whether a person is detected is determined, on the basis of an analysis result (S4). When no person has been detected and is determined that there is no person inside a room, a television receiver 2 in the room is not operated (S5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device connected to a client device via, for example, a home network, and more particularly to a server device and a remote control method.

In recent years, a home link system has been proposed in which AV (AudioVisual) devices installed in different rooms in a home are connected by a wired network or a wireless network. In such a system, for example, an AV signal from a server device installed in a room on the first floor can be viewed by a television receiver in a room on the second floor. As the server device, for example, a video player can be used.

  In this case, a television receiver installed in a room on the first floor is connected to the video player, and the video player and the television receiver operate in conjunction with each other. As one of the interlocking operations, a power ON operation is possible, and the power of the television receiver is turned ON in conjunction with the power ON of the video player.

However, when the power of the video player is turned on by a remote controller that controls the television receiver installed in the second floor room, the power of the first floor television receiver may be turned on in conjunction with the video player. . It is a waste of power consumption to turn on the power of the television receiver on the first floor although it is not necessary. This is because a remote control system using a conventional infrared or Ir (Infrared) command cannot determine the remote controller that transmitted the control command.

  Also, when remotely operating the video player from outside the room where the video player is located using conventional infrared or IR commands, it is not possible to determine whether the operation is from inside the room or from outside the room. An unnecessary operation command is transmitted to the television receiver directly connected to the video player to operate the television receiver. As a result, there is a risk that unnecessary power ON or operation may be performed on the connected television receiver.

  In order to solve this problem, a method of additionally transmitting a device code to the control signal transmitted by the remote controller is conceivable. However, both the transmission-side electronic device and the reception-side electronic device need to be compatible. Yes, lacks versatility. Further, the setting may be changed so that the connected electronic device is not linked. However, this method requires a setting change operation and reduces operability.

  The present invention avoids the above-described problems by switching between operation and non-operation of an electronic device connected to a video player depending on whether or not there is a person near a playback device such as a video player. In Patent Document 1 below, in order to turn on / off a lighting fixture, light from a projector is reflected by a detected object and irradiated to a light receiver, and the proximity of turning on / off is controlled by an output signal of the light receiver. A sensor is described.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-102100

  As described in Patent Document 1, in order to detect whether or not a person is nearby, a light emitting element such as a projector is newly required, which increases the number of parts.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a server device and a remote control method that can accurately control an electronic device that is linked to a controlled device without separately increasing the number of sensors.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a playback unit that plays back a video signal and / or an audio signal transmitted to a client device connected via a network;
A light receiving unit that receives an infrared remote control signal from its own remote controller and an infrared remote control signal from the remote controller of the client device, and converts the received infrared remote control signal and infrared rays other than the infrared remote control signal into electrical signals. When,
An interface for supplying a video signal and / or an audio signal and a control signal reproduced by the reproducing unit to an external device;
A controller to which the output signal of the light receiving unit is supplied,
The controller generates a first control signal and a second control signal for the external device from the output signal of the light receiving unit,
When an external device receives a control command that operates in conjunction with the output signal of the light receiving unit, by analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit, determine the presence or absence of a person in the vicinity,
Only when it is determined that there is a person in the vicinity, the server device is configured to control the external device by the control command.

  Preferably, the presence of a person is detected by detecting that a signal having a frequency lower than that of the remote control signal is included in the output signal of the light receiving unit.

  Preferably, the presence of a person is detected by detecting that a remote control signal for another device is included in the output signal of the light receiving unit.

  Preferably, the presence of a person is detected by detecting that a different switch of the remote controller of the client device has been operated within a short time as a result of analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit.

  Preferably, the presence of a person is detected by detecting that the same switch of the remote controller of the client device is continuously operated as a result of analysis of the output signal of the light receiving unit.

The present invention includes a step of receiving an infrared remote control signal generated by a remote controller of a client device connected via a network by a light receiving unit;
A step of determining whether an external device connected via an interface has received a control command that operates in conjunction with the output signal of the light receiving unit;
Determining the presence or absence of a person in the vicinity by analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit; and
And a step of controlling an external device by a control command only when it is determined that there is a person in the vicinity.

  According to this invention, when the infrared remote control signal from the remote controller of the client device is received, the presence / absence of a person in the vicinity is determined by analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit. Only when it is determined that there are people in the vicinity, the external device is operated in conjunction with a specific control command.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the present invention in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a home link system, for example. An electronic device such as a video player 1 is installed in a room such as a living room 101, and an electronic device such as a television receiver 2 is installed in another room such as a bedroom 102. A video player 1 and a television receiver 2 are connected by a home network 3. With the television receiver 2 in the bedroom 102, the video player 1 can watch a movie or the like reproduced from a medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk. The home network 3 may be either a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN.

  An external device such as a television receiver 4 is directly connected to the video player 1 via a digital interface 5. The television receiver 4 is also installed in the living room 101. Both the video signal, the audio signal and the control signal are exchanged with the video player 1 through the digital interface 5. An example of the digital interface is HDMI (High-definition multimedia interface). An analog interface may be used instead of the digital interface, or the video signal / audio signal and the control signal may be transmitted via separate interfaces.

  The video player 1 includes a playback unit 11, an interface 12 that performs control related to the digital interface 5, a controller 13, a light receiving unit 14, and an interface 17. The reproduction unit 11 reproduces a video signal / audio signal from a medium such as an optical disk. The light receiving unit 14 includes an infrared light receiving element and an amplifier that amplifies an electrical signal corresponding to the detected infrared light. In order to remotely control the video player 1, a remote controller 15 is used. By operating a key of the remote controller 15, an infrared remote control signal is transmitted to the light receiving unit 14. For example, the infrared remote control signal expresses binary codes “0” (meaning logical 0) and “1” (meaning logical 1) using a pulse position modulation method, Infrared light is emitted. Infrared light is emitted during a period when the pulse position modulation type pulse signal is at a high level. In this case, light is emitted as blinking light modulated at 38 kHz to 40 kHz, not continuous light. The light receiving unit 14 includes, for example, a phototransistor, and generates an output current having an amplitude level corresponding to the amount of received infrared light. Note that the video player 1 is provided with operation units such as keys and switches (not shown).

  A remote control signal from the light receiving unit 14 is supplied to the controller 13. An operation signal from an operation unit (not shown) is also supplied to the controller 13. The controller 13 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and a video stored by executing a program stored in the ROM or the like. The operation of the player 1 is controlled. In FIG. 1, control signals are supplied to the reproduction unit 11, the interface 12, and the interface 17.

  In order to control the video player 1 by a control signal from another client device, an infrared remote control signal from a light emitting unit (referred to as an AV mouse) (not shown) for generating an infrared remote control signal is received by a light receiving unit. 14 can be received. This infrared remote control signal is of the same standard as that generated by the remote controller 15. Further, the video player 1 can be controlled by a control signal from the control S terminal.

The interface 17 is provided for controlling the home network 3. For example, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is used as the home network 3. The television receiver 2 in the bedroom 102 has an interface 22 relating to control of the home network 3. The playback video signal and playback audio signal from the playback unit 11 are supplied to the interface 17 and supplied to the television receiver 2 via the home network 3 and the interface 22.

  The television receiver 2 supplies the reproduction signal of the video player 1 received via the interface 22 to the signal processing unit 23. A display 21 such as a liquid crystal is connected to the signal processing unit 23, and a reproduction signal of the video player 1 is displayed on the screen of the display 21. The signal processing unit 23 forms a display signal for the display 21 from the signal received through the home network 3.

  The interface 22 and the signal processing unit 23 are controlled by the controller 24. The controller 24 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the operation of the television receiver 2 by executing a program stored in the ROM.

  A remote control signal is supplied from the light receiving unit 25 to the controller 24. The light receiving unit 25 includes an infrared light receiving element and an amplifier that amplifies an electric signal corresponding to the detected infrared light. An infrared remote control signal from the remote controller 26 is supplied to the light receiving unit 25. The operation of the television receiver 2 can be controlled by operating the remote controller 26, and the operation of the video player 1 installed in the living room 101 can be controlled.

  The remote controller 26 is a multi-remote controller, and the video player 1 is directly controlled by causing the infrared light from the remote controller 26 to enter the light receiving unit 14. When the device switch of the remote controller 26 is pressed, the control target is switched from the television receiver 2 to the video player 1.

  The operation of the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is an operation in the bedroom 102 when the remote controller 26 is operated to control the video player 1 in the living room. The control is performed by the controller 13 of the video player 1. In a state of waiting for infrared light reception, only the remote control signal is analyzed with respect to the light reception signal from the light receiving unit 14 (step S1). This is to prevent the remote control from malfunctioning due to disturbance. For example, the remote control signal is a signal modulated so as to be lit at a predetermined frequency of 36 to 40 kHz in order to be distinguished from natural light. Therefore, the high level time and low level time of the input waveform are counted by software, and only a series of signals having substantially the same frequency as the remote control signal of the video player 1 is determined as the remote control signal. Signals of other frequencies are determined as noise.

  In step S2, it is determined whether a specific control command has been received. The specific control command is a command for operating not only the video player 1 but also the television receiver 4 as an external device connected to the video player 1 in conjunction with each other. Specifically, a power ON / OFF command, a reproduction command (turns on the power of the television receiver 4), a eject command (turns off the power of the television receiver 4), and the like.

  In step S3, a signal analysis with respect to the movement of a nearby person and a remote control signal are analyzed. When it has a temperature like a person, infrared rays are generated. This infrared light is received by the light receiving element of the light receiving unit 14. The output signal of the light receiving unit 14 generated by the movement of a person has a frequency as low as several Hz or less compared to the remote control signal, and the amplitude level greatly changes compared to the remote control signal due to the movement of the person. Accordingly, in step S2, only a period of several seconds immediately after receiving a specific control command is used to set a high level period and a low level period for the output signal of the light receiving unit 14 having a small amplitude level or more, respectively. Measure and determine whether there is a signal having a large amplitude level with a component of several Hz or less. As the characteristics of infrared rays generated in response to the presence of a person, those other than those described above may be used.

  At the same time, the high level period and low level period of the output signal of the light receiving unit 14 are measured by software, and only a series of signals in the vicinity of the same frequency as the remote control signal of the device are determined as remote control signals. Perform analysis. The number of remote control signal receptions of itself and other devices and its own remote control command are temporarily stored. These signals generated by the movement of people in the vicinity and signals of frequencies other than the remote control signal are determined as noise and are not processed.

  Based on the analysis result of step S3, it is determined in step S4 whether or not a person has been detected. If no person is detected and it is determined that there is no person in the room, the process proceeds to step S5. Step S5 is a process of not operating an external device (the television receiver 4) in the room because there is no person in the room. As a result, it is possible to prevent the television receiver 4 from being turned on in conjunction with a remote control signal for turning on the video player 1 even when there is no person in the living room 101.

  When a person is detected in step S4, it is confirmed in step S6 whether a remote control signal has been received. If the remote control signal is not received, it is determined that there is a person and the process proceeds to step S7. Step S7 is a process of controlling the operation of the television receiver 4 by the specific control command received and stored in step S2. For example, the power of the television receiver 4 is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S6 that a remote control signal has been received, there is a possibility of noise other than the remote control signal, so the process moves to step S8. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the received remote control signal is only its own during the period of analyzing the signal with respect to the movement of the person in step S3.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the remote control signal of the other electronic device is included, it is determined that there is a person who has operated the other electronic device in the same room, and the process proceeds to step S7. Step S7 is a process of controlling the television receiver 4 of the external device according to the specific control command received and stored.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the received signal is only its own remote control signal, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the received remote control signal is the same as the immediately preceding remote control signal during the period of analyzing the signal with respect to the movement of the person in step S3. The immediately preceding remote control signal is a signal corresponding to the specific control command received in step S2.

  If it is determined in step S9 that the received remote control signal does not coincide with the immediately preceding remote control signal, the process proceeds to step S7, where the television receiver 4 of the external device is controlled by the stored specific control command. Is made. That is, it is determined that two different switches (buttons) of the remote controller 26 are operated within a short time. If such a continuous operation is detected, it is determined that there is a person.

  If it is determined in step S9 that the received remote control signal matches the previous remote control signal, it is determined that the same switch (button) of the remote controller 26 may be continuously pressed (long press). The process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, it is determined that there is a possibility that the same key of the remote controller 26 is continuously pressed, and the process returns to step S4 (person detection process). If the process proceeds to step S10 again, it is determined that the same key is continuously pressed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S7, and the television receiver 4 is controlled by the specific control command received and stored.

  The above-described embodiment of the present invention is an example in which a home network is used, but the present invention uses a system for compressing and transmitting a high-definition signal wirelessly, for example, by a pair of a transmitter and a receiver. Also good. In other words, as one of the broadcast content distribution systems, a location-free (Sony Corporation registered trademark; the same shall apply hereinafter) is a location-free viewing system that enables viewing of a television broadcast without being confined to the location. It has been put to practical use. The minimum components of this system are a transmitter as a content transmission device and a receiver that provides a user with video and audio for viewing.

  When a television antenna is connected to the transmitter, a television broadcast program being broadcast can be viewed in real time in any room in the home by the wireless communication function of the transmitter. If a DVD recorder or a hard disk recorder is connected to the transmitter as a server device, the reproduced video can be similarly transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the television broadcast program received by the transmitter is converted into a digital signal, and the video is compressed in real time by MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2), AVC (Advanced Video Coding) (H.264), MPEG4, etc. The audio is compressed by AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), MPEG audio, etc., and the compressed data is retransmitted via the Internet. The retransmitted compressed data can be viewed on the receiving device at a place where the user is away or abroad.

As a receiving device (client device), a portable game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a portable personal computer (notebook PC), a portable liquid crystal monitor,
Mobile devices such as mobile phones can be used. Further, by using a receiving device called a TV box (product name of Sony Corporation) that outputs the received broadcast content as a video output to the television receiver, the broadcast program is broadcasted by a general television receiver. Can be watched.

  In such a location-free system, the transmitter corresponds to the controller 13 of the video player 1 in the above-described embodiment, and the receiver corresponds to the television receiver 2 described above. When a device such as a video player connected to the transmitter is directly operated by the infrared remote controller by the remote controller on the receiver side, there is a possibility that the external device is operated in conjunction as described above. The present invention can be applied to such a location-free system to prevent the external device from being turned on even when a person is not in the vicinity.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications based on the technical idea of the present invention are possible. For example, in addition to a video player, a video recorder, a hard disk device, or the like may be used as a server device, and an electronic device other than a television receiver may be connected as an external device. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a video signal but also to a case where only an audio signal is handled.

1 is an overall block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video player 2 ... Television receiver 3 ... Home network 4 ... Television receiver 5 ... Digital interface 11 ... Reproduction | regeneration part 13 ... Controller 14, 25 ...・ Light receivers 15, 26 ... Remote controller

Claims (6)

A playback unit for playing back a video signal and / or an audio signal transmitted to a client device connected via a network;
Receives an infrared remote control signal from its own remote controller and an infrared remote control signal from the remote controller of the client device, and converts the received infrared remote control signal and infrared rays other than the infrared remote control signal into electrical signals. And
An interface for supplying a video signal and / or an audio signal and a control signal reproduced by the reproduction unit to an external device;
A controller to which an output signal of the light receiving unit is supplied,
The controller generates a first control signal and a second control signal for the external device from the output signal of the light receiving unit,
When the external device receives a control command that operates in conjunction with the output signal of the light receiving unit, by analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit, determine the presence or absence of a person in the vicinity,
A server device that controls the external device by the control command only when it is determined that there is a person in the vicinity.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the presence of a person is detected by detecting that a signal having a lower frequency than the frequency of the remote control signal is included in the output signal of the light receiving unit.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the presence of a person is detected by detecting that a remote control signal for another device is included in an output signal of the light receiving unit.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the presence of a person is detected by detecting that a different switch of the remote controller of the client device has been operated within a short time as a result of analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the presence of a person is detected by detecting that the same switch of the remote controller of the client device is continuously operated as a result of analysis of the output signal of the light receiving unit. Receiving the infrared remote control signal generated by the remote controller of the client device connected via the network by the light receiving unit;
Determining whether or not an external device connected via an interface has received a control command that operates in conjunction with the output signal of the light receiving unit;
Analyzing the output signal of the light receiving unit to determine the presence or absence of a person in the vicinity;
And a step of controlling the external device by the control command only when it is determined that there is a person in the vicinity.

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