JP2001169367A - Device control system, remote controller and device to be controlled - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device control system by which it is not required to store a state of a device to be controlled again when a remote controller deletes information and it is not required to decide a transmission command format of a device state from the device to be controlled to the remote controller in the case that the state of the device to be controlled is stored by using one remote controller. SOLUTION: The remote controller transmits a device state storage command including information to specify other device to be controlled (video, DVD) and a device state switching command including information to specify the other device to be controlled to a device to be controlled (television receiver) and when the device to be controlled receives the device state storage command from the remote controller, the device to be controlled stores the current device state while being made to correspond to the information to specify the other device to be controlled included in the device state storage command, and the device to be controlled switches the device state into the device state which is made to correspond to the information to specify the other device to be controlled designated in the device state switching command and is stored when receiving the device state switching command from the remote controller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a remote control
The present invention relates to a device control system for controlling a controlled device, and in particular, by operating with a remote control,
After storing the device state of the controlled device, the device state is switched to the stored device state of the controlled device by further performing an operation on the remote controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional device control system, the device state of a controlled device is switched to the stored device state of the controlled device by operating a remote controller by storing the device state of the controlled device. Some remote controllers store the device status of the controlled device. As a conventional example, there is, for example, JP-A-4-346597.

Hereinafter, a conventional example will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional device control system. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 61 denotes a remote controller, and the input device 6
11, an information storage device 612, a central processing unit 613, and an infrared transmitting / receiving device 614. Reference numeral 62 denotes a controlled device, which includes an infrared transmitting / receiving device 621 and a central processing unit 62.
2. It comprises a controlled device main body 623 and an information storage device 624. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation environment in a conventional example. 7, reference numeral 71 denotes a television, and 72 denotes a remote controller.

[0004] In the conventional example configured as described above,
Hereinafter, the operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in a conventional example, a controlled device 62 is controlled by a remote controller 61. As the controlled device 62, a television 71 is considered as shown in FIG. As the remote control, a remote control 72
Considering this, it is assumed that a power button, a channel up button, a channel down button, a volume up button, a volume down button, an input switching button, and an input storage button exist on the remote controller.

The operator operates a power button on the remote control 72,
By pressing the channel up button, the channel down button, the volume up button, the volume down button, and the input switching button, the television 71 can perform a desired operation. When the operator presses a button on the remote controller 61, a signal corresponding to the pressed button is output from the input device 611 to the central processing unit 613, and the central processing unit 613 transmits a command corresponding to the button to the infrared transmitting / receiving device 614. Is transmitted to the controlled device 62 using. In the controlled device 62, after receiving this command by the infrared transmitting / receiving device 621, the central processing unit 622 processes the command, and the controlled device main body performs an operation corresponding to the command. Note that these commands need to be predetermined between the remote controller and the controlled device.

When the operator presses the input storage button of the remote controller 72, the input number of the input of the television 71 at that time is stored in the remote controller. The operation at this time will be described below. When the operator presses the input storage button, an input storage command is transmitted from the remote controller 61 to the television as the controlled device 72. The controlled device 62 receives this command through the infrared transceiver 621, and the central processing unit 622 receives this command.
When the central processing unit 622 receives the input storage command,
The information of the input number at that time is taken out from the information storage device 624, and the remote control device 6
Send to 1.

[0007] The remote controller 61 receives information on the input number from the controlled device 62 and stores the information in the information storage device 612. The remote controller 61 receives the information of the input number from the controlled device 62 by the infrared transmitting / receiving device 614, and receives the information from the infrared transmitting / receiving device 614.
The information storage device 612 stores the input number information.

When input number information is stored in the remote controller 61 and the input switch button is pressed, an input switch command including the stored input number is transmitted to the controlled device 62 as a television. And the input of the television is switched to the input number included in the command.

The operation at this time will be described. When the input switching button is pressed, the central processing unit 613 receives a signal from the input device 611 indicating that the input switching button has been pressed. The central processing unit 613 includes the information storage device 6
Since the input number information is stored in the storage unit 12, an input switching command including the stored input number information is transmitted using the infrared transmission / reception device 614. The controlled device 62, which is a television, receives the input switching command and switches the input to the input number included in the command.

As described above, the device state of the controlled device is stored in the remote controller, and the device state is transmitted from the remote controller to the device as necessary, so that the stored device state can be stored by the operator. Can be reproduced. These device control systems are effective when different device states are stored for each operator. That is, the operator has a remote controller for each individual, stores his / her favorite device state in the remote controller, and can switch the controlled device to his / her favorite device state as needed.

[0011]

However, the above configuration has the following problems. This is a problem in the case where the device storage of the controlled device A is performed for each related other controlled device. At this time, if there is a remote control for each of the other controlled devices,
It is conceivable to store the device state of the controlled device A. However, a universal remote control that realizes the operating environment of all the corresponding controlled devices by downloading the operation information from the controlled device to the bidirectional remote controller is considered. If the device status is stored, the following problem occurs.

The first problem is a problem of volatility of device status information. In the case of a universal remote controller corresponding to a plurality of controlled devices, when the operation information of one controlled device is stored, it may be necessary to delete information on another controlled device due to the storage capacity of the information storage device. is there. Therefore, even if the device status of the controlled device is stored once and the universal remote controller stores the device status, those device statuses are erased by downloading operation information of the other controlled devices, and the device status is re-read. A situation arises in which the user has to remember

The second problem is a problem of standardization of a command for transmitting a device state. Download operation information,
In the universal remote controller that realizes the operation environment of all the corresponding controlled devices, it is necessary to unify the format of the operation information. Further, when the device status of an arbitrary controlled device is to be stored by the remote controller, a command for requesting the device status from the remote controller to the controlled device, a transmission command of the device status from the controlled device to the remote controller, and It is necessary to unify the format of the device status transmission command to the control device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. When information is erased by a remote controller, there is no need to store the device state again, and the device of any controlled device can be controlled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device control system that does not need to determine the format of a device status transmission command from a device to a remote controller when the status is stored using one remote controller.

[0015]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention (claim 1) is a device control system including a remote controller and a controlled device, wherein the remote controller comprises:
For the controlled device, a device state storage command including information for specifying the other controlled device, and a device state switching command including information for specifying the other controlled device, and the controlled device is transmitted. Receiving the device status storage command from the remote controller, storing the current device status in association with information specifying another controlled device included in the device status storage command, and storing the device status switching command from the remote controller. Is received, the device status is switched to the device status stored in association with the information specifying the other controlled device indicated in the device status switching command.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote controller used in the device control system including the remote controller and the controlled device, the current status of the controlled device is stored in the controlled device. A device status storage command including information for specifying a controlled device other than the controlled device, and a command for switching the device status of the controlled device, A transmission unit for transmitting a device state switching command including information for specifying a controlled device other than the control device.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 3), in the controlled device used in the device control system including the remote controller and the controlled device, a device status storage command including information for specifying another controlled device is transmitted from the remote controller. Storage means for storing, when received, a current device state in association with information specifying another controlled device included in the device state storage command, and a device state including information specifying another controlled device from the remote controller A control means for switching the state of the device to the device state stored in association with the information specifying the other controlled device indicated in the device state switching command when the switch command is received. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device control system according to the first aspect, the information for specifying the other controlled device is a device ID.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 5), in the remote controller according to claim 2, the information for specifying the other controlled device is a device ID.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 6), in the controlled device according to claim 3, the information for specifying the other controlled device is a device ID.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 7), in the device control system according to claim 1, the information for specifying the other controlled device is device type information indicating a type of the device.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 8), in the remote controller according to claim 2, the information for specifying the other controlled device is device type information indicating a type of the device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the controlled device according to the third aspect, the information for specifying the other controlled device is device type information indicating a type of the device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device control system including a remote controller, a first controlled device, and a second controlled device, wherein the remote control includes the first controlled device. Receiving the information specifying the first controlled device from the first device, and for the second controlled device, a device state storage command including information specifying the first controlled device; and the first Transmitting a device state switching command including information specifying the controlled device, wherein the first controlled device transmits information specifying the own device to the remote controller; When the second controlled device receives the device status storage command from the remote controller, the current device status is stored in association with the information specifying the first controlled device included in the device status storage command. And said Rimoko When receiving the device status switching command from the first device state that has been stored in correspondence to the controlled apparatus illustrated in the instrument state switching command, which switches the device status.

According to the present invention (claim 11), in the remote control used in an equipment control system including a remote control, a first controlled equipment, and a second controlled equipment, the first controlled equipment includes And a command for instructing a second controlled device to store a current device state of the second controlled device, the command being a command for instructing a second controlled device to store the current device state of the second controlled device. A device status storage command including information for specifying the first controlled device; and a command for instructing switching of the device status of the second controlled device, including information for specifying the first controlled device. Transmission means for transmitting a device state switching command.

The present invention (claim 12) is a device control system including a remote controller, a first controlled device, and a second controlled device, wherein the remote control includes the first controlled device. Receiving the operation information including the information for operating the first controlled device, the information specifying the first controlled device, and providing the operating environment of the first controlled device. And a device state storage command including information for specifying the first controlled device and a device state switching command including information for specifying the first controlled device for the second controlled device. And the first controlled device transmits, to the remote control, operation information including information for operating the remote control device and specifying the own device. The second controlled machine However, when the device status storage command is received from the remote controller, the current device status is stored in association with the information specifying the first controlled device included in the device status storage command, and Upon receiving the device status switching command, the device status is switched to the device status stored in association with the first controlled device indicated in the device status switching command.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a device control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a device control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a controlled device A, which is a controlled device main body 111,
An information storage device 112, a central processing unit 113, and an infrared transmission / reception device 114 are provided. Reference numeral 12 denotes a controlled device B, a controlled device main unit 121, an information storage device 122,
A remote controller 13 includes an information storage device 131, an infrared transmitting / receiving device 132, a central processing device 133, and an input device 1.
34, and a display 135.

Next, the operation of the device control system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. The controlled device B is a controlled device capable of storing a device state corresponding to the controlled device A. In the first embodiment, the controlled device A includes two video devices, a DVD and a controlled device. Consider a television as device B. Also, as the device state, the input of TV input switching is considered, and the video, DVD
The input of the television corresponding to is input, and the input of the television can be switched to the input corresponding to the video and the DVD according to the request from the operator.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation environment of the device control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 21 is a video, 22 is a DVD, 23 is a television, 2
Reference numerals 4 and 25 are remote controllers. The remote controller 13 is a universal remote controller that downloads operation information from the controlled device A and realizes an operating environment of the controlled device A.

When the operation information is downloaded from the video 21, the operation environment of the video 21 can be realized like the remote controller 24. Buttons are displayed on the display 135, and an operator can select a button displayed on the display 135 by a hard button present below the display. On the remote control 24, a rewind button, a stop button, a play button, a fast forward button,
An input switching button and an input storage button are provided to the operator.

When the operation information is downloaded from the DVD 22, the operation environment of the DVD 21 can be realized like the remote controller 25. In the remote controller 25, a rewind button, a stop button, a play button, a fast forward button, an input switching button, and an input storage button are provided to the operator.

Next, from the controlled device A11 to the remote controller 13
Next, the operation information to be downloaded will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of video operation information according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 3
1 is device information, and 32 is button information. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of DVD operation information according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes device information, and reference numeral 42 denotes button information. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation information is
It consists of device information and button information. The format of the operation information needs to be determined in advance.

The device information is information on the device itself, and includes a device name and a device ID. In the case of video, the device name is “video”, the device ID is “0x1234”, and D
In the case of VD, the device name “DVD” and the device ID “0x5”
678 ".

The button information is information relating to the buttons of the device, and includes a button type, a transmitting device, and additional information. The button type is information indicating the type of the button. In the first embodiment, there are “rewind”, “stop”, “play”, “fast forward”, “input switching”, and “state storage”. .
The transmitting device indicates a device to which a command is transmitted when a button is pressed. If the transmitting device is “own device”, the corresponding command is transmitted to the controlled device from which the operation information has been downloaded. If the transmitting device is “other device”, the corresponding command is operated. Indicates that information is transmitted to devices other than the controlled device from which the information was downloaded. The additional information is icon information except for the input storage button.
In addition to the icon information, a button type to be stored in the state is included.

The video is a "rewind" button, a "stop" button, a "play" button, a "fast forward" button, an "input switching" button, and a "input" button which is a storage button for storing the state of the "input switching" button. It has a "switch" button. On the other hand, DV
D is a “rewind” button, a “stop” button, a “play” button, a “fast forward” button, an “input switching” button, and an “input storage” button that is a storage button for storing the state of the “input switching” button. have. The remote control 13 receives these operation information from the controlled device A11 and provides the operator with an operation environment.

The procedure for downloading the operation information from the controlled device A11 to the remote controller 13 will be described below. When the operator downloads the operating environment of a controlled device A11, the remote controller 13
The learning button is pressed toward 11. The central processing unit 133 notifies the input device 13 that the learning button has been pressed.
4, the operation information request signal is transmitted to the controlled device A11 by the infrared transceiver 132.

The controlled device A11 receives the operation information request signal and transmits the operation information to the remote controller 13. The controlled device A11 receives the operation information request signal by the infrared transmitting / receiving device 114, and receives the operation information request signal.
13 retrieves the operation information from the information storage device 112,
The data is transmitted to the remote controller 13 using the infrared transmitting / receiving device 114.

The remote controller 13 provides an operation environment by receiving the operation information and analyzing the operation information. The remote controller 13 receives the operation information via the infrared transceiver 132, and the central processing unit 133
Then, after storing this information, analysis is performed. The device name is displayed on the display 135, and the icon of each button is displayed on the display 135. In the case of a video, the device name “video” and the icon of each button are displayed on the display 135.

Next, the operation when the button for which the transmitting device is the own device is pressed will be described by taking as an example the operation when the "rewind" button of the video is pressed. When the leftmost hard button corresponding to the “rewind” button is pressed on the remote controller 13, the central processing unit 13
3 receives a signal indicating that the leftmost hard button has been pressed from the input device 134, and sends a rewind command corresponding to the leftmost button using the infrared transceiver 132,
Transmit to video (controlled device A11). The controlled device A11, which is a video, receives the rewind command, and the controlled device main unit 111 performs a rewind operation.

The same applies to the case where the controlled device A11 is a DVD. As described above, a universal remote control that downloads the operation information from the controlled device to the remote control and realizes the operating environment of all the corresponding controlled devices by one unit is realized.

Next, the operation of storing the device status of the controlled device B12 corresponding to the controlled device A11 using the remote controller 13 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of storing and reproducing the device state in the device control system according to the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes a sequence.

In the sequence 51, the operator changes the input of the television 23 from the video 21, and
The input storage button is pressed on the remote controller 24 that provides the operation environment described above. Thereby, the input number (input number 2) corresponding to the input of the video 21 is stored in the storage device in the television 23 in association with the device ID (0x1234) of the video 21. After the storage, when the operator presses the input switch button on the remote controller 24 that provides the operation environment of the video 21, an input switch command including the device ID of the video 21 is transmitted to the television 23, and
Switches the input to the stored video 21 input.

Similarly, in the sequence 51, the operator sets the input of the television 23 from the DVD 22 and
An input storage button is pressed on the remote controller 25 that provides the operation environment of the VD 22. Accordingly, the input number (input number 1) corresponding to the input of the DVD 22 is stored in the storage device in the television 23 as the device ID (0x5678) of the DVD 22.
Is stored in association with. After the storage, when the operator presses the input switch button on the remote controller 25 that provides the operation environment of the DVD 22, the device ID of the DVD 22
Is transmitted to the television 23, and the television 23 switches the input to the input of the stored DVD 22.

The above operation is performed according to a sequence 51.
The details will be described below. First, in a sequence 51, operation information of the video 21 and the DVD 22 is downloaded to the remote controller 24, and an operation environment is provided by the remote controller. These procedures are as described above. The operator switches between the operation environment of the video 21 and the operation environment of the DVD 22,
This can be performed by pressing the device switching buttons of the remote controllers 24 and 25. When the device switching button is pressed, the central processing unit 133 knows from the output signal of the input device 134 that the device switching button has been pressed,
The operation environment of the video 21 and the operation environment of the DVD 22 are exchanged.

Next, the operator presses an input switching button on the remote controller 24 for realizing a video operation environment,
Switch TV input to video input. When the input switch button is pressed, the input of the TV is increased by one, and the operator presses the input switch button several times to make the input of the TV a video input. In the sequence 51, the operator presses the input switching button three times to switch the input of the television to the input number “2” which is the input of the video.

Remote control 24 for realizing a video operation environment
In, when the operator presses the input switching button, an input switching command is transmitted from the remote controller to the television. The remote controller 24 includes a device ID in a command to a controlled device other than the controlled device from which the operation information has been downloaded, and includes a video device ID “0x1234” in an input switching command. TV 23
If there is no input switching input number stored in association with the device ID included in the command, the input is switched to an input number that is one higher than the current input number.

After adjusting the input of the television to the video, the operator presses the input storage button with the remote control 24 for realizing the operation environment of the video. If the pressed button is a storage button, the remote control includes information on the type of button to be stored in the command. Therefore, when the input storage button is pressed, the remote controller 24 sets the button type “input switch”,
The storage command including the information of the device ID “0x1234” is transmitted.

The television 23 receiving this storage command,
Button type "input switching" included in the command, device ID
The device ID “0x1234” is associated with the current input number “2” from “0x1234”, and the information storage device 122
To memorize.

Similarly, for the DVD 22, the operator presses the input switch button several times (two times in FIG. 5) on the remote
Is switched to the input number “1”. After that, the operator
On the remote controller 25, an input storage button is pressed. At this time, a storage command including the button type “input switching” for storing “0x5678”, which is the DVD device ID, is transmitted from the remote controller 25 to the DVD 22, and the storage device (information storage device 122) in the television 23 stores the device ID. “0x567
8 "and the input number" 1 "are stored in association with each other.

When the operator presses the input switching button after the input number is stored by the input storage, the input of the television is switched to the stored input number in association with each device.

When the operator presses the input switch button on the remote control 24 which is the operating environment of the video 21, the television 23 inputs the input number “2” stored in association with the video to the input of the television 23. Switch. When the operator presses the input switching button, the remote control 24
An input switching command including the device ID “0x1234” is transmitted to the television 23. Upon receiving this command, the television 23 switches the input to the input number “2” stored in association with the device ID “0x1234”.

The same operation is performed when the operator presses the input switch button on the remote controller 25, which is the operating environment of the DVD 22, and the television 23 receives the device ID “0x”.
The input is switched to the input number “1” stored in association with “5678”.

By the above operation, in the controlled device controlled by the remote controller, the device state of the controlled device is stored in association with the other controlled device, whereby the other controlled device controlled by the remote controller is controlled. Different device states can be stored for each device. The remote control is a universal remote control that downloads the operating environment of the controlled device. Even when the stored information needs to be erased, it is not necessary to store the stored device state again.

When the status of the device is stored in the remote controller as in the conventional example, a request command for the device status from the remote controller to the controlled device, a transmission command of the device status from the controlled device to the remote controller, Although it is necessary to determine the format of the transmission command of the device status from the device to the controlled device, the device control system according to the present embodiment associates the controlled device downloaded to the remote control with any other controlled device. When storing the device status, if only the device status storage command from the remote control to the controlled device that realizes the device status and the device status switching command from the remote control to the controlled device that realizes the device status should be standardized, Good, standardization is easy.

The communication function in the controlled device (the television 23 in the above embodiment) for storing the device status may be only the reception function. In the present embodiment, a case has been described where a device ID is used as information for specifying a device used for storing a device state. However, other information may be used as information for specifying a device. As other information for specifying the device, a device type (television, video, and the like), a product model number, and a combination thereof can be considered.

In this embodiment, the case where the stored device state is the input number set by input switching has been described, but the stored device state may be other. Various other device states, such as a volume, a light amount, and an operation mode, can be considered, and a plurality of device states can be simultaneously stored. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the controlled device storing the device state has only the function of receiving from the remote controller has been described, but the device has the function of transmitting to the remote controller and downloads operation information to the remote controller. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the remote controller is controlled in the same manner as other controlled devices.
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, a method using infrared light has been described as an example of a communication method between the remote controller and the controlled device. However, the present invention is also effective when a communication method other than infrared light is used. .

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, a device control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, in a plurality of controlled devices, a device state is stored in association with one controlled device A, and a certain button is pressed in an operation environment for controlling the controlled device A of the remote controller. By pressing,
An example will be described in which the stored device states of a plurality of controlled devices are simultaneously reproduced. The configuration of the device control system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Is the same as that of the device control system. Embodiment 2
In the above, a video is considered as the controlled device A, and a television and a light are considered as the controlled device B.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation environment of the device control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 8, 81 is a television, 82 is a video, 83 is a light, and 84 is a remote controller. As in the first embodiment, the remote controller 13 is a universal remote controller that downloads operation information from the controlled device A11 and realizes an operation environment of the controlled device A11.

When the operation information is downloaded from the video 82, the operation environment of the video 82 can be realized like the remote controller 84. In the remote controller 84, an operator is provided with a rewind button, a play button, a fast forward button, an input switch button, a light amount switch button, and a storage button.

Next, the operation information downloaded from the controlled device A to the remote controller will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of video operation information according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 91 denotes device information, and 92 denotes button information. As in the first embodiment,
The operation information includes device information and button information according to a predetermined format. The format of the operation information needs to be determined in advance. The formats of the device information and the button information are basically the same as in the first embodiment.

The device information includes a device name “video”, a device ID
It consists of “0x1234”. The video has a “rewind” button, “stop” button, “play” button, “fast forward” button, “input switch” button, “light switch” button, and “input switch” and “light switch” state storage. It has an “input storage” button that is a storage button to be performed. When the "play" button is pressed, a playback command is transmitted to the video, and at the same time, an input switching command is transmitted to the television and a light amount switching command is transmitted to the light. The information of these simultaneously transmitted commands is included in the button information of the “play” button as additional information.

The "light quantity switching" button is a button for transmitting a light quantity switching command for the light when pressed.
The “store” button is a button that, when pressed, transmits a storage command requesting storage of the input switching device state and the light amount switching device state. When the controlled device that has received the storage command can perform an operation corresponding to the command of input switching and light amount switching, the controlled device changes the device state corresponding to the command to the controlled device included in the storage command. ID
Is stored in association with. The button information of the memory button includes
The information on the button type to be stored is included as additional information. In this case, the information on the button type for input switching and light amount switching is included.

The procedure in which the operation information is downloaded from the controlled device A11 to the remote controller 13, and the operation when the transmitting device is the own device button is pressed are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the operating environment shown in FIG. 8, the operator presses the input switch button of the remote controller 84 to set the input of the television 81 to the video input, and presses the light amount of the light 83 by pressing the light amount switch button of the remote controller 84. Then, after setting the light amount to a state suitable for video viewing, the storage button on the remote controller 84 is pressed. As a result, the input device status of the television and the device status of the light amount of the light suitable for video viewing are stored in association with the video device ID. Next, the operator operates the remote controller 84 to
By pressing the play button, a play command is transmitted to the video, an input switch command to the television, and a light amount switch command to the light. Thus, at the same time as the reproduction operation is performed on the video, the device state of the video input and light amount stored in the television and the light is reproduced.

Hereinafter, these sequences will be described with reference to FIG.
Explanation will be made using 0. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of storing and reproducing the device state in the device control system according to the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes a sequence. In the sequence 1001, first, the operation information of the video 82 is downloaded to the remote controller 84, and the operation environment is provided by the remote controller. These procedures are as described above.

The operator presses an input switching button on the remote controller 84 for realizing a video operation environment, and switches the input of the television to the input of the video. When the input switch button is pressed, the input of the TV is increased by one, and the operator presses the input switch button several times to make the input of the TV a video input. In the sequence 1001, the operator presses the input switch button three times to switch the input of the television to the input number “2” which is the input of the video.

Next, the operator presses a light amount switching button on the remote controller 84 for realizing a video operation environment,
Switch the light amount to a light amount suitable for video viewing. When the light amount switching button is pressed, the light amount of the light changes. By pressing the light amount switching button several times, the light amount is set to a light amount suitable for video viewing. In sequence 1001,
The operator presses the light amount switching button twice to switch the light amount of the light to a light amount suitable for video viewing.

After setting the state of the television and the lights, the operator presses the storage button on the remote controller 84. When the pressed button is a memory button, the remote control
The type of button to be stored and the device ID of the original controlled device are included in the command. When the storage button is pressed, the remote controller 84 transmits a storage command including information of “input switching” and “light amount switching” as the button type and “0x1234” as the device ID.

The television 81 receiving this storage command,
From the button type “input switching”, “light quantity switching”, and device ID “0x1234” included in the command, the device ID
“0x1234” and the current input number “2” are stored in the information storage device 122 in association with each other. Since the operation corresponding to the light amount switching does not exist in the television, the television
The information of “light quantity switching” is ignored. On the other hand, the light 83 that has received the storage command sets the button type “input switching”, “light intensity switching”, and the device ID “0x1” included in the command.
234 ”, the device ID“ 0x1234 ”is associated with the current light amount and stored in the information storage device 122. Since the operation corresponding to the input switching does not exist in the light,
The light ignores the information of “input switching”.

Further, the operator operates the remote controller 84 to
When the playback button is pressed, three commands, a playback command, an input switching command, and a light amount switching command, are transmitted. For input switching and light intensity switching commands,
The video device ID “0x1234” is included. The simultaneous transmission of the input switching command and the light amount switching command when the playback button is pressed is described in the additional information of the button information.

At this time, the video 82 receives a playback command and performs a playback operation. The television 81 receives the input switching command and switches the input of the television 81 to the input number “2” stored in association with the video device ID “0x1234”. The light 83 receives the light amount switching command, and switches the light amount to the light amount stored in association with the video device ID “0x1234”. As described above, by pressing one of the play buttons,
The reproduction operation and the device state suitable for the video stored in the television and the light are reproduced.

By the above operation, in a plurality of controlled devices controlled by the remote controller, the device state corresponding to a certain controlled device A is stored, and a certain button is pressed in the remote control operating environment of the controlled device A. By doing so, the device states stored in the plurality of controlled devices can be reproduced at the same time.

In the second embodiment, the device ID used for storing the device status is specified by the device ID.
Has been described, but other information may be used as information for specifying the device, as in the first embodiment. As other information for specifying the device, a device type (television, video, and the like), a product model number, and a combination thereof can be considered.

Further, in the second embodiment, the case where the stored device state is the input number set by the input switching and the light amount set by the light amount switching has been described. The stored device state may be other. Various other device information can be considered, such as the volume and the operation mode of the device.

In this embodiment, the case where the controlled device storing the device status has only the function of receiving data from the remote control has been described. The present invention is also effective when downloaded to a remote control device and controlled in the same manner as other controlled devices. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, a method using infrared light has been described as an example of a communication method between the remote controller and the controlled device. However, the present invention is also effective when a communication method other than infrared light is used. .

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a device control system including a remote controller and a controlled device, the remote controller includes, for the controlled device, information for specifying another controlled device. A device status storage command and a device status switching command including information specifying another controlled device are transmitted, and when the controlled device receives the device status storage command from the remote controller, the current device status is displayed on the device. The device is stored in association with information specifying another controlled device included in the status storage command, and when the device status switching command is received from the remote controller, the other controlled device indicated in the device status switching command is specified. Since the device status is switched to the device status stored in association with the information, if the information is deleted by the remote control, It is not necessary to store the device status, and when storing the device status of any controlled device using one remote controller, it is necessary to determine the format of the device status transmission command from the device side to the remote controller. There is an effect that a device control system can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation environment of the device control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining video operation information in the device control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining DVD operation information in the device control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of storing and reproducing a device state in the device control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional device control system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation environment in a conventional device control system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation environment of a device control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining video operation information in the device control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of storing and reproducing a device state in a device control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Controlled device A 12 Controlled device B 111, 121 Controlled device main body 112, 122, 131 Information storage device 113, 123, 133 Central processing unit 114, 132 Infrared transmitting / receiving device 124 Infrared receiving device 13, 24, 25, 84 Remote control 134 Input device 135 Display 21, 82 Video 22 DVD 23, 81 Television 31, 41, 91 Device information 32, 42, 92 Button information 51, 1001 Sequence 83 Write

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiko Kurosaki 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C056 AA05 BA01 BA08 CA01 CA13 CA19 DA01 EA09 5K048 AA02 BA03 DA02 DB04 EA11 EA14 EB02 EB12 FB10 FB15 HA04 HA06 HA13

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A device control system comprising a remote controller and a controlled device, wherein the remote control sends a device status storage command including information for specifying another controlled device to the controlled device, The controlled device transmits a device status switching command including information for specifying a control device, and the controlled device includes a current device status in the device status storage command when receiving the device status storage command from the remote controller. Stored in association with information specifying other controlled devices to be controlled,
Upon receiving the device status switching command from the remote controller, the device status is switched to the device status stored in association with the information specifying the other controlled device indicated in the device status switching command. An apparatus control system, characterized in that: 2. A device status storage command which instructs a controlled device to store a current device status of the controlled device, the device status storage including information for specifying a controlled device other than the controlled device. Transmitting means for transmitting a command and a device state switching command including information for specifying a controlled device other than the controlled device, the command being a command for switching a device state of the controlled device. A remote control. 3. When a device status storage command including information for specifying another controlled device is received from a remote controller, a current device status is associated with information for specifying another controlled device included in the device status storage command. Storage means for storing and, when a device status switching command including information for specifying another controlled device is received from the remote controller, in association with the information for specifying the other controlled device indicated in the device status switching command. A controlled device, comprising: a control unit that switches a device state to the stored device state. 4. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the information specifying the other controlled device is a device ID. 5. The remote controller according to claim 2, wherein the information for specifying the other controlled device is a device ID.
A remote control characterized by the following. 6. The controlled device according to claim 3, wherein the information specifying the other controlled device is a device ID.
A controlled device characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the information for specifying the other controlled device is device type information indicating a type of the device. 8. The remote controller according to claim 2, wherein the information specifying the other controlled device is device type information indicating a type of the device. 9. The controlled device according to claim 3, wherein the information specifying the other controlled device is device type information indicating a type of the device. 10. A device control system comprising a remote controller, a first controlled device, and a second controlled device, wherein the remote controller controls the first controlled device from the first controlled device. Upon receiving the information to be specified, the second controlled device includes a device state storage command including information for specifying the first controlled device, and information for specifying the first controlled device. The first controlled device transmits information specifying the own device to the remote controller, and the second controlled device includes the remote controller. And when the device status storage command is received, stores the current device status in association with the information specifying the first controlled device included in the device status storage command, and switches the device status from the remote controller. Ko When receiving a command, switches the device state to the device state stored in association with the first controlled device indicated in the device state switching command. Device control system. 11. A receiving means for receiving, from a first controlled device, information for specifying the first controlled device; A command for instructing storage of the device state, a device state storage command including information for specifying the first controlled device, and a command for instructing switching of the device state of the second controlled device. Transmitting means for transmitting a device state switching command including information for specifying the first controlled device. 12. A device control system comprising a remote controller, a first controlled device, and a second controlled device, wherein the remote controller is configured to control the first controlled device from the first controlled device. Receiving the operation information including the information for specifying the first controlled device, providing the operating environment of the first controlled device, and operating the second controlled device. A device status storage command including information specifying the first controlled device and a device status switching command including information specifying the first controlled device are transmitted to the device. The first controlled device transmits, to the remote controller, operation information that is information for the remote controller to operate its own device and includes information for identifying its own device, and the second controlled device The control device is: When the device status storage command is received, the current device status is stored in association with the information specifying the first controlled device included in the device status storage command, and the device status switching command is transmitted from the remote controller. A device control system, which, upon receipt, switches the device state to a device state stored in association with the first controlled device indicated in the device state switching command.