JP2002152856A - Remote control unit for electronic device and service management server, remote control method for the electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simpler remote control unit for an electronic device with excellent use-friendliness, a service management system and a remote control method for the electronic device. SOLUTION: A home management unit 60 receives a control signal sent from an infrared ray remote controller 80 of various electronic devices in a registration mode, and registers a signal code of the control signal to an infrared ray signal registration table 604a. Furthermore, the unit 60 transmits information with respect to the registered control signal to a service management server 50. Then the home management unit 60 receives a remote control command of an electronic device from the service management server 50 via a mobile packet communication network 20, the unit 60 reds the signal code corresponding to a code number included in the control command from the infrared ray signal registration table 604a. Then the unit 60 allows an infrared ray control section 607 to generate an infrared ray control signal in response to the signal code and allows each of infrared ray emission sections 607a, 607b and 607c to transmit the infrared ray control signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a remote control unit and service management server for an electronic device, and a remote control method for an electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a modern society, various electronic devices such as an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, a video deck, and a television exist in a home. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a concept regarding a network home appliance (also called a digital home appliance) capable of connecting a home network by connecting these electronic devices in a home with a communication cable and controlling an operation from a home server provided in the network. Various standards have been proposed. In addition, a technology for remotely controlling an electronic device by accessing the above-described home server from outside while using a mobile communication terminal or the like has been proposed.

[0003]

By the way, electronic devices that can be remotely controlled are only a part of electronic devices such as net home appliances connected to a home network and capable of performing data communication with a home server. It was only equipment. Further, in order to construct a home network, it is necessary to connect a home server and each electronic device with a communication cable. In addition, the home server must have a remote access function, a user authentication function, a communication function with a communication terminal serving as a remote control source and various electronic devices, and the like, and a high processing capacity is required for the home server. There was also a problem that the home server became expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and has as its object to provide a remote control unit and service management server for electronic equipment which is simpler and more convenient to use, and a remote control method for electronic equipment. And

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a storage device for storing identification information for designating a type of remote control for an electronic device in association with signal data used for generating a wireless operation signal required for the remote control. Means, identification information receiving means for receiving identification information specifying a desired type of remote control via a network, and generating a wireless operation signal in accordance with signal data corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means. And a wireless operation signal transmitting means for transmitting the remote control signal.

The present invention also provides a service management server which receives a command from a user terminal via a network and communicates with a remote control unit for remotely controlling an electronic device for the user according to the command. And
For each user, a service ID for specifying the user, a communication address for performing communication with a remote control unit that remotely controls the electronic device for the user, and a type of remote control of the electronic device that can be executed are set. A database storing the remote control menus shown in association with each other, and when a communication request from the terminal of the user is received, the service ID of the user is received from the terminal, and the remote control menu corresponding to the service ID is received. When the terminal sends information to specify the type of the desired remote control to the terminal and receives the information specifying the type of the desired remote control from the terminal, the identification information specifying the type is transmitted to the user using the communication address corresponding to the service ID. A service management server, comprising: a control unit that sends the data to a corresponding remote control unit.

Further, the present invention provides: a. Teaching a wireless operation signal required for remote control of the electronic device from a remote controller of the electronic device to a remote control unit; b. Receiving the instruction of the wireless operation signal and instructing the service management server from the remote control unit about the type of remote control that can be performed; c. Presenting the type of remote control that can be performed to a user of the terminal in response to a request from the terminal; d. A step in which the service management server receives a command specifying a desired type of remote control from the terminal; f. The service management server instructing the remote control unit to perform remote control according to a command from the terminal; g. Outputting a wireless operation signal for performing the remote control instructed by the remote control unit.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are given to common parts in each drawing. In addition, such an embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.

<A-1. Configuration of Embodiment><a. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication system 1 including a service management server 50 and a home management unit 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
A plurality of terminals 10, a mobile packet communication network 20, a gateway server 30, an Internet 40, a plurality of service management servers 50, and a plurality of home management units 6.
0 and a plurality of electronic device groups 70.

In FIG. 1, in order to prevent the drawing from being complicated, a predetermined terminal 10, a predetermined base station 21, 22, a predetermined service management server 50, and a predetermined home accommodated in the communication system 1. Only the management unit 60 and the predetermined electronic device group 70 are shown. Further, the Internet 40 may be an intranet.

The communication system 1 provides a service for remotely controlling various electronic devices in the user's home in response to a request from the user. In order to receive this service, the user may purchase the home management unit 60, install it in a place where each electronic device in the house can be seen, and perform a simple procedure for receiving the service. By thus installing the home management unit 60 in the house, the user can receive a service for remotely controlling the electronic device using the terminal 10 such as a mobile phone. The installation location of the home management unit 60 is
It is not limited to a house, and may be installed in a factory or outdoors.

In order to provide this service, the following two things are required. One is to obtain from a user information necessary for remote control, such as information for specifying an electronic device to be remotely controlled and details of the remote control. The other is to send a command for remote control of the electronic device to the home management unit 60 in the user's home according to the information thus obtained from the user. They are,
This is performed by the service management server 50. The home management unit 60 installed in each user's house outputs an infrared operation signal for remote control to surrounding electronic devices in accordance with the command sent from the service management server 50. That is, in the present embodiment, a service for remotely controlling the electronic devices in the home is provided by the cooperation of the service management server 50 and the home management unit 60 in each user's home. The above is the outline of the present embodiment.

Next, each device shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The terminal 10 is a portable communication terminal having an instruction input unit for a user to input an instruction and a liquid crystal display unit for displaying information and an image, such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). )
And so on. This terminal 10 has a mobile packet communication network 20
It is only necessary to have a function of performing packet communication via
No special function is required to receive the remote control service of the electronic device.

The terminal 10 has a memory not shown. This memory has a mobile packet communication network 2
0, a terminal I for uniquely identifying the terminal 10
D (Identification) and a program of a WWW (World Wide Web) browser are stored. The terminal 10 uses the function of the WWW browser to access the Internet 4
0 can exchange data with the service management server 50 connected to the service management server 50.

The mobile packet communication network 20 is a network that provides a packet communication service to the terminal 10 and the home management unit 60, and is connected to the Internet 40 via the gateway server 30. Base stations 21 and 22
Are installed in the communication service area of the mobile packet communication network 20, and each terminal 1 is located in each wireless cell.
0 and the home management unit 60.

The gateway server 30 is provided in a mobile packet gateway relay exchange (not shown) for interconnecting the mobile packet communication network 20 and the Internet 40. The gateway server 30 has a function of relaying data exchange between networks having different communication protocols. More specifically, the gateway server 30 includes a communication protocol for the mobile packet communication network 20 and a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / In) which is a standard communication protocol of the Internet 40.
The communication between the mobile packet communication network 20 and the Internet 40 is relayed by performing mutual conversion with the Internet Protocol.

The terminal 10 is a notebook computer or a PD.
In the case of A or the like and conforming to TCP / IP, the gateway server 30 performs only protocol conversion of a lower layer than TCP / IP.

The service management server 50 performs data communication with a plurality of home management units 60 under its management via the mobile packet communication network 20, and controls each of these home management units 60. The service management server 50 receives a command for remote control of the electronic device from the terminal 10, and according to the command, the home management unit 60
Determine the control command to be sent to In addition, the service management server 50 notifies the terminal 10 of the temperature and humidity in the user's house according to the sensor detection information received from the home management unit 60.

The home management unit 60 is installed in each user's home, and operates each electronic device under its control by infrared operation according to a control command sent from the service management server 50 via the mobile packet communication network 20. Control using signals. Further, the home management unit 60 transmits the temperature, humidity, and the like detected by the plurality of built-in sensors to the service management server 50.

Here, the electronic device that can be controlled by the home management unit 60 includes an infrared operation signal transmitted from an infrared remote controller (hereinafter, simply referred to as an infrared remote controller) for operating the electronic device, The electronic device is capable of executing a process corresponding to the operation signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device group 70 that can be controlled by the home management unit 60 includes, for example, a lighting device, an air conditioner, a VCR, a television, an audio device, an air purifier, and the like. Each of these electronic devices receives the infrared operation signal transmitted from the home management unit 60 and executes a process corresponding to the operation signal.

<B. Configuration of Service Management Server> FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the service management server 50 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the service management server 50 includes a memory 501, a CPU
It has a (Central Processing Unit) 502 and a communication interface 503, and these units are connected by a bus 504.

The memory 501 stores various programs executed by the CPU 502 and the like. The memory 501 stores an authentication DB (DataBase) 501.
a, control code registration DB 501b, and command storage DB5
01c and a sensor detection information DB 501d.

As shown in FIG. 3, the authentication DB 501a stores a password for each service ID assigned to each home management unit 60 managed by the service management server 50. Here, service I
D is identification information for specifying a user who can receive the service, and is given when the service is subscribed, that is, when the home management unit 60 is purchased. The password is information for authenticating the service subscriber.

In this embodiment, each user, unless he or she knows the service ID and the password, can access the electronic devices under the control of the home management unit 60 owned by a third party.
That is, it is not possible to receive a remote control service of an electronic device in a third party's house or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control code registration DB 501b stores, in advance, for each service ID of each home management unit 60 under the control of the service management server 50, a code number and the control content of the code number. Are stored in association with each other. Here, the code No. is a control code transmitted to the home management unit 60 to remotely control the electronic device. The control content indicates each electronic device to be remotely controlled and the content of remote control for each electronic device.

For example, in FIG. 4, code No. "1"
Is a control code for turning on a lighting device in the user's home, and code No. “2” is a control code for turning off the lighting device. Code No. "3"
"8" are control codes for controlling an air conditioner in the user's home, and code Nos. "9" to "14" are control codes for controlling a VCR in the user's home.

As the value of each registration flag in the control code registration DB 501b, "0" is stored as an initial value. When the operation signal of the infrared remote controller corresponding to the code No. is registered in the home management unit 60, the value of the corresponding registration flag is changed from “0” to “1” according to the registration request sent from the home management unit 60. Is rewritten as

In FIG. 4, the number of control codes is omitted for the sake of simplicity, but many other control codes are prepared in advance. For example, a control code for adjusting the air volume of an air conditioner, a control code for an air purifier, a spare control code, and the like are prepared in advance.

As shown in FIG. 5, the command storage DB 501c sequentially stores remote control commands for electronic devices specified by the terminals 10. Here, the command instructed from each terminal 10 includes the service ID of the home management unit 60 that manages the electronic device to be controlled, and the content of remote control for the electronic device. For example, as shown in the figure, a command related to video recording reservation is registered in storage No. “3”. The command storage DB 50
The command stored in 1c is deleted when the remote control of the electronic device according to the command is completed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the sensor detection information DB 501d, for each service ID of each home management unit 60 under the control of the service management server 50, it is detected by a built-in sensor of the home management unit 60, and The sensor detection information sent to the service management server 50 is stored in association with the acquisition date and time information. Here, the sensor detection information is information indicating whether or not the lighting device is turned on, which is detected using the optical sensor, and information on temperature and humidity detected using the temperature / humidity sensor.

Returning to FIG. 2, the CPU 502
By executing various programs stored in the storage unit 1, each unit of the apparatus connected via the bus 504 is controlled. The CPU 502 performs remote control of the electronic device via the home management unit 60 according to a remote control command for the electronic device received from the terminal 10 as a process unique to the present embodiment.

The communication interface 503 is connected to the service management server 50 and the terminal 1 via the Internet 40.
0 and a circuit for controlling data communication performed with the home management unit 60.

<C. Configuration of Home Management Unit> FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a home management unit 60 illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, a plurality of openings are provided on the upper surface (upper side of the paper) of the main body case 60a of the home management unit 60. A key input unit 60 provided with a plurality of operation keys facing each opening.
3, a liquid crystal display unit 606, an infrared light emitting unit 607a for transmitting an infrared operation signal to an electronic device, and an infrared light receiving unit 6 for receiving an operation signal transmitted from an infrared remote controller
07d are provided inside the case. A plurality of openings are also provided on the side surface of the main body case 60a, and each opening has an optical sensor 605a, a temperature / humidity sensor 605b, and the above-mentioned infrared light emitting units 607b, 607c.
Is installed.

Here, a plurality of infrared light emitting units 607a,
The configuration in which the electronic components 07b and 607c are installed in different directions, respectively, enables each electronic device existing around the home management unit 60 to reliably receive the infrared operation signal transmitted from the home management unit 60. That's why.

The key input section 603 and the liquid crystal display section 60
6 and the opening for the infrared receiver 607d may not be provided in the main body case 60a. In this case, when registering the operation signal of the infrared remote controller in the home management unit 60, the registration operation is performed by opening the main body case 60a.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the home management unit 60 shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the home management unit 60 includes a wireless communication unit 601, a protocol conversion unit 602, a key input unit 603, a memory 604, a sensor control unit 605, a liquid crystal display unit 606, an infrared control unit 607, a power supply unit 608, and a CPU 609.
They are connected by a bus 610.

The wireless communication unit 601 is a wireless communication module that includes an antenna 601a and controls wireless data communication performed with the base station 22. This wireless communication unit 60
1 superimposes various data such as sensor detection information on a carrier under the control of the CPU 609, and
1a to the base station 22. The wireless communication unit 601 receives a signal transmitted from the base station 22 to itself via the antenna 601a, and demodulates the signal to obtain various data such as a control command.

[0038] The protocol conversion unit 602 includes the radio communication unit 6.
01, the protocol of the data received or the protocol of the data transmitted via the wireless communication unit 601 is converted. The key input unit 603 has a plurality of input keys such as a SET key and a cursor key, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of these keys to the CPU 609.

The memory 604 stores various programs executed by the CPU 609 and the like. Also,
This memory 604 stores an infrared signal registration table 604a.
Having. FIG. 9 shows the infrared signal registration table 604a.
As shown in (1), the code No. and the control content of the code No. are stored in advance in association with each other. here,
The code number and the control contents are stored in the control code registration DB 50 stored in the service management server 50.
1b (see FIG. 4).

Each signal code item in the infrared signal registration table 604a stores a signal code of an operation signal of the infrared remote controller received via the infrared light receiving section 607d. Also, in FIG. 9, the number of control codes is omitted as in FIG. 4, but many other control codes are prepared in advance.

Referring back to FIG. 8, an optical sensor 605a and a temperature / humidity sensor 605b are connected to the sensor control unit 605. Under the control of the CPU 609, the sensor control unit 605 uses these sensors 605a and 605b to detect the presence or absence of lighting of the lighting device, temperature, humidity, and the like. The liquid crystal display unit 606 includes a liquid crystal display panel and a drive circuit that controls display of the liquid crystal display panel.

The infrared control unit 607 includes a plurality of infrared light emitting units 607a, 607b, 607c and an infrared light receiving unit 6
07d is connected. This infrared control unit 607
Transmits an operation signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller 80 of various electronic devices under the control of the CPU 609 to the infrared receiver 60.
7d. Then, the infrared control unit 607
After amplifying the received infrared operation signal to a predetermined level, the signal is decoded to obtain a signal code of the infrared operation signal. This signal code is stored in the infrared signal registration table 604a by the CPU 609. Further, the infrared control unit 607 generates an infrared operation signal using the signal code instructed by the CPU 609, and transmits the infrared operation signal to each of the infrared light emitting units 607a, 607b, 60
7c.

The power supply unit 608 is a power supply circuit for supplying drive power to each unit of the home management unit 60. C
The PU 609 controls each unit of the device connected via the bus 610 by executing various programs stored in the memory 604. This CPU 609,
As a process unique to the present embodiment, for each electronic device to be remotely controlled, a process of registering a signal code of each operation signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller 80 of the electronic device in the infrared signal registration table 604a is performed. . In addition, information on the registered infrared operation signal is stored in the service management server 5.
Send to 0.

Further, upon receiving a control command from the service management server 50 via the mobile packet communication network 20, the CPU 609 receives a code included in the control command.
An infrared operation signal corresponding to No. is generated in cooperation with the infrared control unit 607, and the infrared operation signal is transmitted from each of the infrared light emitting units 607a, 607b, and 607c. The above is the configuration of the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

<A-2. Operation of Embodiment> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, upon receiving the remote control service of the electronic device, the user purchases the home management unit 60 and performs a simple procedure for receiving the service. According to the service subscription procedure, the service provider determines the service management server 50 that manages the home management unit 60 of the newly subscribed user. Further, the service provider performs a process of writing information necessary for controlling the home management unit 60 of the newly subscribed user to the service management server 50.

For example, the service provider registers a service ID and a password in the authentication DB 501a with the service management server 50, and executes a control code registration DB
Processing for setting a data area for the new user's home management unit 60 in the 501b and the sensor detection information DB 501d, and storing the data area in association with the service ID;
For example, a process of storing the address information of the home management unit 60 in the address 01 in association with the service ID is performed. Here, the address information is, for example, an IP address or a telephone number, and is information necessary for the service management server 50 to perform data communication with the home management unit 60.

<A. Operation Related to Registration of Infrared Operation Signal> First, an operation for registering an operation signal of the infrared remote controller 80 of various electronic devices in the home management unit 60 is performed by the unit registration process performed by the home management unit 60 and performed by the service management server 50. The server registration process will be described in this order.

<A-1. Unit Registration Processing> This unit registration processing is executed when the home management unit 60 is installed or when a new electronic device is registered as a target of remote control. The home management unit 60 starts unit registration processing when a power switch (not shown) is turned on while the SET key of the key input unit 603 is pressed.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the unit registration process executed by CPU 609 in home management unit 60. As shown in the figure, first, the CPU 609 displays a registration menu shown in FIG. 11 on the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 606 in response to a pressing operation of a cursor key provided in the key input unit 603 (step S11). The user switches the content of the registration menu displayed on the screen by pressing the cursor key, and selects the operation content of the infrared operation signal to be registered and the corresponding electronic device. Then, the user presses the SET key when the corresponding item is displayed on the screen. By pressing the SET key, the operation content of the infrared operation signal to be registered and the electronic device, that is, the code number are determined.

CPU 609 determines whether or not the SET key has been pressed (step S12). If the SET key has not been pressed, the process returns to step S11. When determining that the SET key has been pressed, the CPU 609 first determines the code number of the infrared operation signal to be registered (step S13). Then C
The PU 609 instructs the infrared control unit 607 to receive an operation signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller 80 (Step S14). Here, the user operates the infrared remote controller 80 provided as an accessory of the electronic device, and transmits an infrared operation signal to be registered to the infrared light receiving unit 607d of the home management unit 60. Infrared controller 6
07 receives an operation signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller 80 via the infrared light receiving unit 607d. Then, after amplifying the received infrared operation signal to a predetermined level, the infrared control unit 607 decodes the signal to obtain a signal code of the infrared operation signal, and transmits the signal code to the CPU 609.

When receiving the signal code from the infrared control unit 607 (step S15), the CPU 609 converts the signal code into the code N determined in step S13.
Corresponding to o. is stored in the infrared signal registration table 604a (step S16). Next, the CPU 609
A message asking whether to end the registration of the infrared operation signal is displayed on the screen, and it is determined whether or not to end the registration of the infrared operation signal based on the content of the key input (step S).
17). If the CPU 609 does not end the registration of the infrared operation signal, that is, if it is instructed to subsequently register another infrared operation signal, the CPU 609 proceeds to step S11.
Return to

When the CPU 609 is instructed to end the registration of the infrared operation signal, the CPU 609 transmits a registration request to the service management server 50 via the mobile packet communication network 20 (step S18). Here, the registration request includes each code No. corresponding to one or more infrared operation signals registered by the processes of steps S11 to S17 and the service I of the home management unit 60.
D. The registration request is transmitted to the service management server 50 via the wireless communication unit 601 after the protocol conversion is performed by the protocol conversion unit 602.

Thereafter, the CPU 609 receives a registration completion notification from the service management server 50 (step S1).
9), end the unit registration process. Note that the CPU 60
When the registration completion notification is not received within a predetermined time after the transmission of the registration request to the service management server 50, the communication device 9 determines that a communication error has occurred and transmits the registration request to the service management server 50 again.

<A-2. Server Registration Process> Upon receiving a registration request from the home management unit 60 under its management, the service management server 50 starts the server registration process. FIG. 12 shows that the service management server 50
9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server registration process executed by a PU 502.

As shown in FIG.
Upon receiving the registration request from the home management unit 60 (step S31), one or more code numbers included in the registration request and the service I of the home management unit 60
The control code registration DB 501b is updated based on D (step S32). More specifically, the CP
U502 indicates that the service ID included in the registration request and one or more codes N are stored in the control code registration DB 501b.
Set the value of each registration flag corresponding to the combination with o. to “0”
From “1” to “1”.

Next, the CPU 502 operates the memory 501 according to the updated contents of the control code registration DB 501b.
Is updated (step S33). Here, the remote control menu is
4 is an operation menu displayed on a screen to allow a user to input a remote control command in the terminal 10. The user
According to the remote control menu displayed on the screen of the terminal 10,
Select items and input data to determine the content of the command.

This remote control menu is prepared for each home management unit 60. The contents of the remote control menu are customized for each home management unit 60 by the process of step S33. For example, if the infrared operation signal for remotely operating the air conditioner is 1
No control items related to the air conditioner are displayed in the remote control menu for the home management unit 60 that is not registered at all. A specific screen display example of the remote control menu will be described later in a remote control process.

When the updating of the remote control menu is completed, C
The PU 502 sends the registration completion notification to the home management unit 60.
(Step S34), and terminates the server registration process.

<B. Operation when Remote Control of Electronic Device is Performed> Next, the operation when remote control of the electronic device is performed using the terminal 10 is performed by the remote control process performed by the service management server 50 and the home management unit 60. The description will be made in the order of signal transmission processing.

<B-1. Remote control process> When the user wants to perform remote control of the electronic device,
While instructing activation of W browser by key operation,
The access to the service management server 50 is instructed using the function of the executed WWW browser. In response, the terminal 10 transmits a communication request to the service management server 50 via the mobile packet communication network 20. When receiving the communication request from the terminal 10, the service management server 50 starts a remote control process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the remote control process executed by the CPU 502 in the service management server 50. As shown in the figure,
First, the CPU 502 transmits authentication screen data for performing user authentication to the terminal 10 (step S51). The authentication screen data prompts the user to enter a service ID and a password, as shown in FIG. This authentication screen is displayed on the terminal 10, and in response to this, the user inputs a service ID and a password by key operation. Then, the service ID and the password are transmitted from the terminal 10 to the service management server 50.

CPU 502 of service management server 50
Upon receiving the service ID and the password from the terminal 10 (Step S52), the terminal performs user authentication with reference to the authentication DB 501a (Step S53). And CPU5
02 transmits the authentication result to the terminal 10 (step S5).
4). If the authentication is not successful, a message that the authentication is unsuccessful and a message urging re-input of the service ID and the password are transmitted to the terminal 10, and the process returns to the step S51. If the user authentication is successful, the CP
U502 reads the data of the remote control menu corresponding to the authenticated service ID from memory 501 and transmits the data to terminal 10 (step S55). In response, the terminal 10 displays the received remote control menu on the screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram exemplifying the contents of the remote control menu displayed on the screen of the terminal 10 and the state transition thereof. The screen display example shown in FIG. 15 shows the case where the terminal 10 is a mobile phone having a small liquid crystal display panel. First, as shown in FIG. 1A, a main menu for remote control is displayed on the screen of the terminal 10. When "1" air-conditioning control is selected in the main menu, the air-conditioning menu shown in FIG. An example of a screen display when “display” is selected is shown in FIG.
(D) and (e) of the screen display when “OFF” is selected. In the air conditioning menu shown in (b) of FIG. (F) and (g) of FIG.
FIG. 11H shows an example of a screen display when “4” state confirmation is selected.

In each of the screen display examples shown in FIG. 15, a portion indicated by a broken line is menu data that cannot be displayed on one screen, and is displayed on the screen by instructing scrolling.

The user switches the content of the remote control menu displayed on the screen by key operation, and selects the electronic device to be remotely controlled and the control content. Further, data input is performed as needed. When a remote control command is determined by key operation, the command is transmitted to the service management server 5.
Sent to 0. Here, the command transmitted to the service management server 50 includes the authenticated service ID.

Returning to FIG. 13, when the CPU 502 of the service management server 50 receives a command for remote control from the terminal 10 (step S56), the command is stored in the command storage DB 50.
1c (step S57). Also, the CPU 50
2 acquires a code number corresponding to the command with reference to the control code registration DB 501b (step S58). Then, the CPU 502 transmits a control command including the code No. to the corresponding home management unit 60 via the mobile packet communication network 20 (step S59). Upon receiving the control command from the service management server 50, the home management unit 60 generates an infrared operation signal corresponding to the code number included in the control command, and transmits the infrared operation signal. In the home management unit 60, the sensor control unit 605 detects whether the lighting is on, the temperature, and the humidity, and transmits the sensor detection information to the service management server 50.

CPU 502 of service management server 50
Receives the sensor detection information from the home management unit 60 (step S60), stores the sensor detection information in the sensor detection information DB 501d (step S6).
1). Next, the CPU 502 compares the command stored in the command storage DB 501c with the received sensor detection information as necessary to determine whether a control result according to the command has been obtained (Step S62). ).

For example, the command is to turn on or off the lighting equipment,
If the room temperature is adjusted by an air conditioner, the control result can be confirmed based on the sensor detection information. Therefore, in this case, the process of step S62 is performed. However, when the command is a video recording instruction or the like, the control result cannot be confirmed based on the sensor detection information. Therefore, in this case, step S
The execution of the process of 62 is canceled.

If the CPU 502 determines in step S62 that the control result according to the command has not been obtained, the process returns to step S59, and retransmits the control command to the home management unit 60. For example, if the command indicates that the lighting device is turned on, but the sensor detection information indicates that the lighting device is turned off, a control command for instructing lighting of the lighting device is transmitted to the home management unit 60 again. .

However, for example, if the command is to adjust the room temperature by an air conditioner, a certain period of time must be elapsed to obtain a control result according to the command. In this case, if it is determined in step S62 that the control result corresponding to the command has not been obtained, and the control configuration immediately returns to step S59, the infrared operation signal instructing the operation of the air conditioner from the home management unit 60 is constant. For a period of time, it is constantly transmitted. Therefore, in the case of a process that requires a certain time lapse to obtain a control result according to the command, after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined in step S62 that the control result according to the command was not obtained. , It is desirable to adopt a control configuration that returns to step S59.

On the other hand, the CPU 502 proceeds to step S6
In step 2, if it is determined that the control result corresponding to the command has been obtained, or if the execution of the processing of step S62 has been canceled, first, a control completion notification is transmitted to the home management unit 60 (step S63). . Next, the CPU 502 notifies the terminal 10 of the control result (step S64), and ends the remote control processing.

<B-2. Signal transmission processing> Home management unit 60 starts signal transmission processing when receiving a communication request from service management server 50. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a signal transmission process performed by CPU 609 in home management unit 60.

As shown in FIG.
Is transmitted from the service management server 50 to the mobile packet communication network 2.
0 is received (step S81). Here, the control command is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 6.
01, and is transferred to the CPU 609 after the protocol conversion is performed by the protocol conversion unit 602.

Next, the CPU 609 extracts the code number included in the received control command, and acquires the signal code of the infrared operation signal corresponding to the code number with reference to the infrared signal registration table 604a (step S8).
2). Then, the CPU 609 transmits this signal code to the infrared control unit 607, and
7 is instructed to transmit an infrared operation signal (step S83).

In response to this, the infrared control unit 607
An infrared operation signal is generated using the signal code given by U609, and this infrared operation signal is transmitted via each infrared light emitting unit 607a, 607b, 607c. Each electronic device to be remotely controlled is stored in the home management unit 6.
When receiving the infrared operation signal transmitted from 0, it decodes the infrared operation signal and determines whether or not it is an operation command addressed to itself. Then, only the electronic device that is determined to be the operation command addressed to itself executes a process according to the received operation command.

The CPU 6 of the home management unit 60
09 transmits a detection instruction to the sensor control unit 605 after transmitting the infrared operation signal in step S83. In response to this, the sensor control unit 605 detects whether or not the lighting device is turned on, the temperature, the humidity, and the like using the optical sensor 605a and the temperature / humidity sensor 605b, and transfers the detected information to the CPU 609 as sensor detection information. CPU 609 is
This sensor detection information is transmitted to the service management server 50 via the mobile packet communication network 20 (step S8).
4).

Thereafter, CPU 609 shifts to the reception standby mode. Then, when a new control command is received from the service management server 50 (step S85: Yes), the CPU 609 returns to step S82,
Performs processing according to the reception of the control command. Also, CPU
Upon receiving the control completion notification from the service management server 50 (Step S86: Yes), the 609 ends the signal transmission process.

<B-3. Sequence chart when electronic device is remotely controlled> Next, FIG. 17 shows a case where the terminal 10, the service management server 50,
5 is a sequence chart illustrating the transmission and reception of signals between a home management unit 60 and an electronic device group 70. In the following description, the same step numbers are given to portions corresponding to the respective steps of the remote control process (see FIG. 13) and the signal transmission process (see FIG. 16).

As shown in the figure, the service management server 5
0, upon receiving the communication request from the terminal 10, returns the authentication screen data (step S51). When receiving the service ID and the password from the terminal 10 (step S52), the service management server 50 performs user authentication and returns an authentication result to the terminal (step S54).
If the authentication is successful, the service management server 50
Transmits a remote control menu to the terminal 10 (step S55).

Thereafter, when the service management server 50 receives a remote control command for the electronic device from the terminal 10 (step S56), it transmits a control command corresponding to the command to the home management unit 60 (step S5).
9). The home management unit 60 receives the control command from the service management server 50 (step S8).
1), an infrared operation signal corresponding to the control command is generated and transmitted to the electronic device group 70 (step S83).

The electronic equipment group 70 includes the home management unit 6
When an infrared operation signal is received from 0, the infrared operation signal is decoded, and only an electronic device that is determined to be an operation signal addressed to itself executes a process according to the received operation signal.

The home management unit 60 transmits sensor detection information detected by using the optical sensor 605a and the temperature / humidity sensor 605b to the service management server 50 (step S84). After that, the service management server 50 compares the command instructed from the terminal 10 with the sensor detection information as necessary, and until the control result corresponding to the command is obtained, the home surrounded by the broken line in FIG. The control for the management unit 60 is repeatedly performed.

When the control result according to the command is obtained, the service management server 50 starts the home management unit 6.
Then, a control completion notification is transmitted to 0 (step S63). Further, the service management server 50 transmits the control result to the terminal (Step S64).

<B-4. Operation in case of video recording reservation> When the command from terminal 10 is video recording reservation, service management server 50 and home management unit 60
The command processing is executed by applying the above-described remote control operation of the electronic device. Hereinafter, a supplementary description of the operation related to the video recording reservation will be given.

When receiving a command for video recording reservation from terminal 10, service management server 50 stores this command in command storage DB 501c. The instruction regarding the video recording reservation is, for example, the storage No. “3” in FIG.
These are the instructions shown in Also, the service management server 50
Has a clock function, and can acquire current date and time information.

The service management server 50 has a command storage DB
When the recording start time of the instruction related to the video recording reservation stored in the video recording device 501c or a predetermined time before the recording start time comes, the remote control process for the video deck is started. Then, the home management unit 6 sends a control command including a main power supply of the VCR, a setting CH (channel) for recording, and each code number corresponding to the recording operation.
Send to 0. The home management unit 60 transmits each infrared operation signal according to the received control command, and instructs the VCR to start recording.

When the recording end time comes, the service management server 50 starts remote control processing for the VCR again, and executes a control command including each code number corresponding to the operation of stopping the VCR and turning off the main power supply. To the home management unit 60. Home management unit 60
Transmits each infrared operation signal according to the received control command, and instructs the VCR to end recording.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
It will be possible to remotely control various household appliances that are already widely used, such as air conditioners, VCRs, televisions, and audio devices that can be operated by infrared remote control.

Further, according to the present embodiment, user authentication, management of a remote operation menu, and a terminal 1 serving as a remote control source
Data communication with 0 is performed by the service management server 50. Further, the home management unit 60 only transmits an infrared operation signal when controlling the electronic device.
Therefore, the configuration of the home management unit 60 can be simplified, and the production cost can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, the home management unit 60 transmits and receives data to and from the base station 22 of the mobile packet communication network 20 by wireless communication. Therefore, there is no need to connect the home management unit 60 to a telephone line or the like, and it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the installation location when installing the home management unit 60. Further, it is not necessary to connect each electronic device with a communication cable, so that usability can be improved.

<C. Modifications> Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following modifications can be considered.

<Modification 1> In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which an infrared signal is transmitted from home management unit 60 to remotely control an electronic device. However, instead of the infrared signal, HomeRF (Home Radio Frequenc
y) or transmitting a wireless signal conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark) to remotely control the electronic device.

<Modification 2> In the above embodiment, the home management unit 60 is configured to transmit the sensor detection information to the service management server 50. However, the home management unit 60 may be configured to directly transmit the sensor detection information to the terminal 10 via the mobile packet communication network 20. In this case, the home management unit 60 sends the telephone number or IP address of the terminal 10 to which the sensor detection information is notified.
An address, a mail address, and the like can be registered in the memory 604 according to a key operation.

<Modification 3> In the above embodiment, for example, all the power supplies of the electronic devices are turned off, or the lighting devices are turned on, and the room temperature is set to 25 by the air conditioner.
The user may create a control code in which each code No. is combined, such as adjusting to ° C., according to a key operation of the terminal 10 and register the control code in the remote control menu. That is, the macro function of the control code is transferred to the service management server 50.
, The user may customize the remote control menu using the terminal 10.

<Modification 4> In the above embodiment, the service management server 50 is connected to the Internet 40. However, the service management server 50
May be installed in the mobile packet communication network 20. Further, the service management server 50 may be configured to be directly connected to the gateway server 30 via a dedicated line. Further, the gateway server 30 may have a function of the service management server 50.

<Modification 5> In the above embodiment, the terminal 10
The case where a mobile phone, a notebook computer, or a PDA is used has been described. However, the present invention is applied to a personal computer or PDA that can perform data communication with the service management server 50 only via a network such as the Internet 40 or a LAN (Local Area Network) without passing through the mobile packet communication network 20. It is also applicable. In addition, PHS (Personal Handyph
Of course, it can be applied to one system (registered trademark).

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to remotely control home electric appliances which are already widely used with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system including a service management server and a home management unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a service management server according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a data configuration of an authentication DB stored in a memory in the service management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a control code registration DB stored in a memory in the service management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a command storage DB stored in a memory in the service management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a sensor detection information DB stored in a memory in the service management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the home management unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a home management unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an infrared signal registration table stored in a memory in the home management unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a unit registration process executed by a CPU in the home management unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram exemplifying contents of a registration menu displayed on a liquid crystal display unit and a state transition thereof in the home management unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server registration process executed by a CPU in the service management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a remote control process executed by a CPU in the service management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram exemplifying an authentication screen displayed on a liquid crystal display unit in the terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating contents of a remote control menu displayed on a liquid crystal display unit and a state transition thereof in the terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a signal transmission process executed by a CPU in the home management unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a sequence chart illustrating transmission and reception of signals between a terminal, a service management server, a home management unit, and an electronic device group when the electronic device is remotely controlled in the embodiment.

[Brief description of reference numerals]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 10 ... Terminal, 20 ... Mobile packet communication network, 21, 22 ... Base station, 30 ... Gateway server, 40 ... Internet, 50 ... Service management server, 60 ... Home management Unit, 60a ...
... body case, 70 ... electronic equipment group, 501 ... memory, 501a ... authentication DB, 501b ... control code registration DB, 501c ... command storage DB, 501d ... sensor detection information DB, 502 ... CPU, 503: communication interface, 504: bus, 601: wireless communication unit, 601a: antenna, 602: protocol conversion unit, 603: key input unit, 604: memory, 604
a infrared sensor registration table 605 sensor control unit 605a optical sensor 605b temperature / humidity sensor 606 liquid crystal display unit 607 infrared control unit 607a 607b 607c Infrared light emitting section,
607d: infrared receiving section, 608: power supply unit,
609: CPU, 610: Bus.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA23 GB02 HA14 JA35 KA03 5K033 BA08 DA17 DA20 DB05 DB12 5K048 BA03 BA07 BA08 BA12 DB01 DB04 DC01 DC07 EA14 EB02 HA01 HA02 HA03 5K101 KK11 LL01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing identification information specifying a type of remote control for an electronic device and signal data used for generating a wireless operation signal required for the remote control in association with each other; Identification information receiving means for receiving, via a network, identification information designating a type; wireless operation signal transmission for generating and transmitting a wireless operation signal in accordance with signal data corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means And a remote control unit for electronic equipment. 2. A wireless operation signal receiving unit that receives a wireless operation signal output from a remote controller of the electronic device to perform remote control of the electronic device, and generates signal data corresponding to the wireless operation signal. 2. A registration unit which writes identification information specifying a type of remote control of the electronic device and signal data generated by the wireless operation signal receiving unit into the storage unit in association with each other. 3. A remote control unit for an electronic device according to claim 1. 3. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein the wireless operation signal is an infrared signal. 4. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein the identification information receiving unit is a wireless receiver, and receives the identification information via a wireless section. 5. The wireless operation signal is an infrared signal, and the wireless operation signal transmitting means includes a plurality of infrared light emitting units for transmitting the infrared signal in different directions. 2. A remote control unit for an electronic device according to claim 1. 6. A sensor for detecting a state of an environment in which the remote control unit is installed or an operation state of the electronic device, and transmitting output information of the sensor to a server for controlling the remote control unit via a network. The remote control unit for an electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor output information transmitting unit. 7. A service management server that receives a command from a user terminal via a network and communicates with a remote control unit that remotely controls an electronic device for the user according to the command. For each user, a service ID for specifying the user, a communication address for performing communication with a remote control unit that remotely controls the electronic device for the user, and a type of remote control of the electronic device that can be executed are set. A database storing the remote control menus shown in association with each other, and when a communication request from the user's terminal is received, a service ID of the user is received from the terminal, and the remote control menu corresponding to the service ID is stored in the database. If the information sent to the terminal is received from the terminal and specifies the type of desired remote control, the service ID corresponding to the service ID is received. With signal address, the service management server identification information that specifies the type, characterized by comprising a control means for sending to the remote control unit corresponding to the user. 8. When identification information for specifying a type of remote control of an electronic device newly enabled in the remote control unit is received from the remote control unit,
8. The service management server according to claim 7, further comprising: a remote control menu updating unit that customizes the content of the remote control menu corresponding to the remote control unit according to the received identification information. 9. A method according to claim 9, Teaching a wireless operation signal required for remote control of the electronic device from a remote controller of the electronic device to a remote control unit; b. Receiving the instruction of the wireless operation signal and instructing the service management server from the remote control unit about the type of remote control that can be performed; c. Presenting the type of remote control that can be performed to a user of the terminal in response to a request from the terminal; d. A step in which the service management server receives a command specifying a desired type of remote control from the terminal; f. The service management server instructing the remote control unit to perform remote control according to a command from the terminal; g. Outputting a wireless operation signal for the remote control unit to perform the instructed remote control.