JP2002026834A - Information distribution device and equipment control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device which can be used for an equipment control system capable of operating an equipment from outside even when using neither a telephone line, dedicated line or the like. SOLUTION: The information distribution device has a first receiving means for receiving a set of an identifier to be included in broadcasting and control information being a set of an identifier for identifying the equipment control apparatus and control information being information for controlling the equipment controller, and a first transmission means for transmitting the identifier and the control information received by the first receiving means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for broadcasting a signal to a device control device arranged in a home or a factory, so that a device connected to the device control device can be converted into a signal transmitted from the outside. The present invention relates to a technology for performing control based on the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a technology for making a call to a home and externally performing operations such as playing an answering machine message on a telephone located at home via a telephone line.

Further, there is a system in which another device is connected to the telephone itself and the other connected device is operated through the telephone.

[0004] In these means, control information for operation of a telephone or a device connected to the telephone is transmitted via a telephone line, and the presence of a fixed telephone is indispensable.

[0005]

However, in Japan, for example, due to the recent development of mobile phones, it is becoming difficult to say that telephone lines are always provided in each home. In developing countries, mobile phones tend to be more widespread than fixed phones.

[0006] Therefore, it is fully conceivable that fixed telephones will not be provided in homes in the future, and there is a possibility that the above-mentioned remote control system in which the provision of fixed telephones is indispensable will not be widely used.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to operate a device from outside even when a telephone line or other dedicated line is not provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device used for a device control system capable of performing the above.

[0008]

Means, actions and effects for solving the problem.
The invention described in the above is a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, and a set of an identifier and control information for inclusion in broadcast is received. An information distribution apparatus comprising: a first receiving unit; and a first transmitting unit configured to transmit a set of the identifier and the control information received by the first receiving unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information which is information for controlling the device control device. Receiving means for receiving, extracting means for extracting the control information paired with an identifier that matches a previously stored identifier from the set of the identifier and control information received by the receiving means, Appliance control means for controlling the appliance control device in accordance with the extracted control information.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided receiving means for receiving a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information which is information for controlling the device control device; A broadcast apparatus comprising a broadcast unit that broadcasts a set including control information.

[0011] The information distribution device, the device control device, and the broadcast device each include an information distribution device for transmitting an identifier and control information to the broadcast device, and an identifier and control information transmitted from the information distribution device. And a device control network configured to operate devices connected to itself from information broadcast by the broadcast device, and to configure the device control network. The feature is that the identifier and the control information are broadcast to the device control device. A device control device that receives a set of an identifier and control information from a broadcast controls itself to operate a device connected thereto based on the received information, and thus controls a device connected thereto. Can be.

According to each of the above configurations, the information on the operation control of the device to be transmitted to the information distribution terminal is broadcast to the device control device owned by each user. Therefore,
It is not necessary to individually specify the transmission destination of information to be transmitted to the device control device and communicate via the telephone line, and the information can be widely and simultaneously communicated by broadcasting. In this specification, broadcasting means sending information to an unspecified number of recipients, and is exemplified by television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, cable broadcasting, and the like, but is not limited thereto. According to the present invention, for example, when an earthquake occurs, it is possible to broadcast a signal for simultaneously performing control for closing a gas tap to a gas control unit or the like of each household. In this specification, the identifier is used to determine whether or not each device control device is control information to be extracted, and the ID of the device control device or the like is usually used.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal for a mobile communication system, wherein a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information for controlling the device control device is provided. And a transmitting unit for transmitting a set of an identifier and control information to be included in the mobile terminal.

This portable terminal is for transmitting control information for controlling a device connected to the device control device in the device control network to the information distribution device.

When transmitting information using a broadcasting means, the information can be transmitted including an ID, and information relating to a predetermined ID is generally converted from a signal widely broadcasted to a receiver (device control device). It is possible to pick it up. Therefore, for example, even a home user who has only a mobile phone and does not have a telephone line can identify control information having an identifier to be taken out by a device control device individually provided in each home or the like. Since the control information paired with the identifier can be taken out, it is possible to remotely control the connected device from the outside.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, and a set of an identifier and control information to be included in a broadcast. And transmitting a set of the received identifier and control information.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information which is information for controlling the device control device, the set including an identifier and control information included in a broadcast is received. Extracting the control information paired with an identifier that matches a previously stored identifier from the set of the received identifier and the control information, and executing the device control device according to the extracted control information. And a controlling step.

An information distribution method according to a twelfth aspect shows a method of processing in the information distribution device in the device control network. A device control method according to a thirteenth aspect is a method for processing in the device control device in the device control network. It shows the method.

An information distribution apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: a first storage unit for storing a set of the identifier and the control information received by the first receiving unit; and a set of the identifier and the control information. Second receiving means for receiving billing information requesting the broadcast of the broadcast, and the billing information received by the second receiving means from a set of the identifier and control information stored in the first storage means. A search unit for searching for a set of the identifier and the control information requested to be broadcast by the following, and a second transmission unit for transmitting the set of the identifier and the control information searched for by the search unit. And

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus control device comprising:
A storage unit that stores the control information extracted by the extraction unit, a detection unit that detects a fact of occurrence of abnormality or a possibility of occurrence of abnormality with respect to the control information stored in the storage unit, And a fifth transmission unit for transmitting billing information for requesting broadcasting of the control information to be stored in the storage unit when the fact of the occurrence of the abnormality or the possibility of the occurrence of the abnormality is detected. And

According to the above configuration, the device control device transmits the billing information when detecting an abnormality such as the control information received by itself being destroyed or the control information being erased due to a power failure or the like. can do. In addition, the information distribution device that has received the billing information transmitted by the device control information transmits the pair of the identifier and the control information transmitted for the previous broadcast to rebroadcast, and the broadcasting means performs the device control again. Broadcast to the device. Therefore, the device control device cannot receive the control information paired with the identifier, or may receive the control signal that could be received but was destroyed before being transmitted to each device and included again in the broadcast. it can. Therefore, broadcast reception errors can be reduced,
This has the effect of improving the accuracy of device control.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information distribution apparatus, wherein the second storage means stores a set of the identifier and the control information received by the first receiving means, and a set of the identifier and the control information. A third receiving unit for receiving a reception notification for notifying the reception of a broadcast including: a third reception unit for receiving the reception notification for the set of the identifier and the control information stored in the second storage unit; A third transmitting means for transmitting a set of the identifier and the control information when the signal is not received within a predetermined period is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device control apparatus, further comprising a fourth transmitting unit for transmitting the control information extracted by the extracting unit.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device control device comprising:
A specific information creating unit that creates specific information that identifies the control information extracted by the extracting unit; and a third unit that transmits the specific information created by the specific information creating unit.
And transmission means. In the present invention, the specific information is, for example, when transmitted from the information distribution device, is exemplified by signal information attached to the control information and the like, and newly created and broadcast received This includes the case where a part included in the control information is extracted.

According to the above configuration, the device control device transmits the control information or the specific information as a signal indicating that the control information has been received. Since the control information is transmitted, the device control device can reliably receive the control information.
Therefore, the system for controlling the equipment is improved. In addition, when the device control device receives the control information, the received control information is notified to the information distribution device, and thus the control information is not retransmitted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution apparatus, the first, second, or third transmitting means transmits the set of the identifier and the control information when the amount of video information to be broadcast is less than a predetermined value. And a transmission control means for controlling the first, second, or third transmission means.

[0027] The information distribution apparatus includes a configuration in which the broadcaster broadcasts the identifier and the control information together with the content that the broadcast apparatus should originally broadcast. The identifier and the control information can be put on the broadcast by covering the gap of the content originally broadcast by the user. Therefore, information overflow can be prevented in the broadcasting device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution apparatus, the first, second, or third receiving means receives priority information on the set of the identifier and the control information or information for generating priority information. The first, second, and third transmitting means transmits the set of the identifier and the control information based on the priority information or information for generating the priority information. It is characterized by having priority transmission control means for controlling the second or third transmission means.

According to the above configuration, the information distribution apparatus transmits the control information based on the priority indicated in the priority information. Therefore, there is an effect that the flow of the information having the higher priority becomes smooth. For example, if important information such as forgetting to close the gas tap is set to a high priority, these are transmitted prior to other control information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the device control apparatus, the receiving means receives a set of the identifier and the control information included in the satellite broadcast.

According to the above configuration, a signal broadcast by satellite broadcasting can be received, so that a wide area can be covered, and the system can be used immediately even in an area where no network system equipment exists. can do. Further, according to the satellite broadcasting, there is an effect that the control information can be easily selected by the identifier in the device control device, and the receiving accuracy is improved.

The invention according to claim 16 is a device control device for controlling the operation of the connected device based on the broadcast information, a portable terminal for transmitting an application signal for the operation of the connected device, An information distribution device that receives an application signal from a mobile terminal and creates control information including a device identifier indicating a control target of the connected device connected to the device control device, and the control created by the information distribution device An information distribution device constituting a network system including a broadcasting device for broadcasting information, the application distribution unit receiving an application signal transmitted from the mobile terminal, and at least a device identifier of the device control device are stored. A control device storage unit, and a control signal for creating and managing control information according to the application signal received by the reception unit and the information of the control device storage unit A processing section, the information distribution apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a control signal transmitter for transmitting to the broadcast device control information created according to the management of the control signal management unit by the control signal management unit.

Since the information distribution apparatus of the present invention has a device identifier which is information for specifying which connected device is to be controlled with respect to the device control device, an application signal which is simple information transmitted from the user. , Detailed control information for the connected device can be created. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can externally perform detailed operations on various types of connected devices only by performing simple operations.

It should be noted that the means described in the above claims do not individually indicate that they are necessary as a physical entity, and in particular, the first to third receiving means, the first and second storing means. Needless to say, each of the first to third transmitting means and the fourth and fifth transmitting means may be composed of one physical component.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information distribution apparatus, an apparatus control apparatus, a broadcast apparatus, and an apparatus control system including a portable terminal as components of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an information distribution apparatus, and 101 denotes a broadcast apparatus. , 102 are distribution means (transmitting antennas), 103 is a public network, 104 to 107 are device control devices, 108 is a portable terminal (mobile phone), 109 to 120 are connected devices, and 121 to 124
Is a receiving antenna.

The broadcasting device 101 distributes control information to the device control device (104 to 107) via the broadcasting means 102 in combination with control information. In the present embodiment, the broadcasting unit 102 is an antenna for transmitting a video program or the like through satellite broadcasting. The control information is simultaneously distributed by a method such as satellite digital broadcasting or terrestrial broadcasting by bridging gaps between video information such as television programs, but is not limited thereto. The device control devices (104 to 107) include connected devices (10
9 to 120) are connected, and a signal for operating these connected devices is selected from signals emitted by the broadcasting device,
Send to the target connected device. Each device control device receives control information paired with an identifier indicating a signal to be received by itself.

In the control information distributed by the distribution means 102, control of which connected device is operated and how is performed by the device control devices (104 to 107) from the information distribution device 100 via the broadcast device 101. The device control device receives and receives the information based on the device identifier and the control information included in the control information. The information distribution device 100 and the broadcasting device 101 are connected by a dedicated line 125, and transmit information of a terminal to be distributed to the broadcasting device.

Although FIG. 1 shows four device control devices, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the number of connected devices connected to each device control device is not limited to three. Further, the broadcasting device 101 and the information distribution device 100 are not different, but may be formed of the same device. Hereinafter, the operation of the device control system using the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information distribution apparatus 201 in the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 202 denotes a control signal management unit, 203 denotes a contract server database, 204 denotes a connected device management database, 205 denotes a device control signal database, 206 denotes a transmission unit as a first transmission unit, 207 denotes an application management unit,
An application receiving unit 208 is a first receiving unit. The contract server database 203 and the connected device management database 204 both correspond to a control device storage unit of claim 16. The following is an explanation of an information distribution device that creates control information by referring to information of a device control device owned by the information distribution device based on an application signal received from a mobile terminal. However, the information distribution device is not limited to this, and the device control information is simply transmitted from the portable terminal, and the information distribution device that receives the device control information sets the device control information as it is with the identifier for specifying the device control device and sets the broadcast device as the May be transmitted. In this case, the application receiving unit 208
And transmission unit 206 are the only essential components

The application receiving unit 208 is connected to a portable terminal (108 in FIG. 1) operated by the user, and receives an application signal transmitted from the portable terminal via the line 210. The application management unit 207 receives information from the application receiving unit 208 that has received an application from a user who wants to operate a connected device connected to the device control apparatus, and performs an application process. Acquisition of data necessary for the application processing and writing of the processing result to the database are performed via the control signal management unit 202. The control signal management unit 202 accesses each database and the like (203 to 205) and performs processing corresponding to each case described below. The accompanying control information is transmitted via the transmission unit 206,
It is transmitted to the corresponding broadcasting device (101 in FIG. 1). In the claims, the application management unit 207 and the control signal management unit 202 both correspond to a control signal management unit.

FIG. 3 shows a contract server database (20 in FIG. 2) in the information distribution apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The schematic diagram of the data structure of 3) is shown. This data is information relating to the equipment control device contracted to receive the service. Reference numeral 301 denotes personal information such as the name and address of the device control device owner. Reference numeral 302 denotes a user identifier and a password of the device control device owner. Reference numeral 303 denotes an identifier unique to the device control device. When one user owns a plurality of device control devices, a plurality of identifiers are stored for each device control device. Reference numeral 304 denotes information on the specifications of the corresponding device control device. In the present embodiment, the information is information included in the device identifier of the connected device connected to the device control device.

FIG. 4 shows a connection device management database (20 in FIG. 2) in the information distribution apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
A schematic diagram of the data structure of 4) is shown. Reference numeral 401 denotes an identifier of the device control device. Reference numeral 402 denotes a device identifier of a connected device that can be controlled by each device control device. Reference numeral 403 denotes the operation content of the connected device, which differs for each type of connected device. Reference numeral 404 denotes priority information, which is an operation performed for each connected device, and stores information indicating which type of operation of which connected device has a higher priority. For example, an operation of reopening a gas main valve that has been forgotten to be closed is set with a higher priority than a video recording operation. The priority order may be automatically determined according to the type of the connected device and the operation content thereof, or may be set by the user himself. In the present embodiment, as described in FIG. 6, the user sets the priority information as option information.

FIG. 5 shows a device control signal database (20 in FIG. 2) in the information distribution apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
A schematic diagram of the data structure of 5) is shown. The device control signal database is for accumulating a control signal when it is created based on an application signal from a user.
When the control information is distributed to the broadcasting device via the transmission unit (206 in FIG. 2) based on the management of the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2), the information stored in this database is distributed. I do. This information includes the information of the device control device, that is, the device control device with which the user has contracted and receives the control information, that is, the identifier (502), and the signal number (503) of each control command. A device identifier (504) indicating which connected device connected to the device control device should be operated is also described. In the present embodiment, an ID is used to identify the device control device and the connected device connected thereto. The operation information 507 includes at least the content of the operation and time information on when to perform the operation. At least the device identifier 50
4 and the operation information 507 form control information for controlling which connected device is operated and how. However, as a modified example, priority information described later may be included in this. The check flag 505 is used to determine whether or not to retransmit control information to a broadcasting device in a second embodiment described later. The priority information 506 is for determining the order of priority when the control information is distributed to the broadcasting device. Note that when the device control device is also serving as a connected device (ie, when the device control device has a recording reservation function, etc.), the device connection ID indicates that fact or is omitted.

Next, the operation of the device control system using the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, a case where a video deck, an air conditioner, and a gas control unit are selected as connection devices will be described for specific description.

First, the user registers information on connected devices connected to the device control device owned by the user in the connected device management database (204 in FIG. 2) of the information distribution device. This work is performed via the Internet or a character information transmission / reception service of a mobile phone. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the processing operation of the information distribution device when the user applies for registration of a connected device connected to the device control device owned by the user to the information distribution device in the embodiment of the present invention. First, the user makes a telephone call and connects to the application receiving unit (208 in FIG. 2) of the information distribution device. In the present embodiment, connection to the information distribution apparatus is established by a PPP dial-up connection. The user accesses the application registration screen for connection device registration prepared by the application management unit (207 in FIG. 2) of the information distribution apparatus, fills in necessary items, and transmits the information to the information distribution apparatus (step 601). here,
Necessary items include the name of the terminal contractor and the terminal ID. The information distribution device receives the signal transmitted from the user and checks the name of the terminal contractor and the terminal ID (step 602). Specifically, the application management unit (20 in FIG. 2)
7) transmits information on the contractor's name and terminal ID to the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2), and the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2) transmits the contract server database (20 in FIG. 2).
3) is accessed, and the user of the application confirms whether or not it has been registered (step 603). If not registered, in step 604, a registration procedure request screen is presented to the user, and information obtained in the registration procedure is registered in the contract server database (203 in FIG. 2). If it has been registered, the process proceeds to step 605, and a step of confirming the contracted device control device is performed. This is because the same contractor may have a plurality of device control devices and these need to be identified. Therefore, in this device control system, the contractor and the information distribution device are always in one-to-one correspondence.
This step is not required if the above is taken into account. At this time, when the user inputs the ID and password of the device control device to which the device is to be connected and transmits the information to the information distribution device, the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2) accesses the contract server database (203 in FIG. 2) to apply. It is confirmed whether or not the device control device has been registered (step 607).
If not registered, in step 606, a device control device registration procedure request screen is presented to the user. Information obtained in the registration procedure is registered in the contract server database (203 in FIG. 2). If the device has been registered, the process proceeds to step 608, where information on a connected device to be connected to the contracted device control device is input. After that, the user sets options for the operation of these connected devices (step 609). Options include, for example,
If the connected device is a stove, etc., and you want to avoid automatically igniting the home in an unattended state, prohibit this work, such as prohibiting the setting of certain operations and setting the priority in each operation, Some of the connected devices are based on operations. Hereinafter, the above operation is similarly repeated for the VCR and the air conditioner, and after all the registration is completed, the connected device management database is updated, and the registration of the connected device is completed. After the connected device management database is updated, the contents of the connected device management database are notified to the device control device via the broadcasting device via the transmission unit (206 in FIG. 2) and stored in the device control device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the processing operation of the information distribution apparatus when the user applies for operation of a connected device registered in the information distribution apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. This operation application operation is performed by the mobile terminal owned by the user. Hereinafter, a case where the user makes a recording reservation will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal uses a mobile phone, and transmits and receives information using a character information transmission / reception service provided by a mobile phone company. First,
The user calls a predetermined connection destination,
Call the operation registration screen of the device control system. The user operates the application management unit of the information distribution device (207 in FIG. 2).
Accesses the application screen for the operation of the connected device prepared by the user, fills in necessary items, and transmits the information to the information distribution device (step 701). Here, necessary items include a user identifier, an ID of a contracted information distribution device, and a password. Specifically, the application management unit (2 in FIG. 2)
07) transmits information on the ID (identifier) and password of the device control device to the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2), and the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2) transmits the contract server database (203 in FIG. 2). , And confirms whether the device controller of the application has been registered (step 703). If not registered, an error message is displayed at step 704. If registered, the process proceeds to step 705, where a list of operable control device candidates is transmitted to the mobile terminal. Specifically, in the present embodiment, options for gas unit operation, video operation, and air conditioner operation, which are operations for the connected devices registered in the connected device management database, are presented, and the user selects an option for the recording device operation ( Step 706). This information is transmitted to the control signal management unit (202 in FIG. 2) via the application management unit (207 in FIG. 2) of the information distribution device, and the existence of lower-order selection candidates is confirmed. In the present embodiment, information of a channel used for recording reservation in operation of the recording device is transmitted to the portable terminal as a second lower candidate by referring to a television program database (not shown). When the user refers to the transmitted information and selects a channel for broadcasting the program to be recorded, the program name stored in the transmitted program table is displayed as a third lower candidate, so that the desired program is displayed. Choose your first name. Further, the user selects various options such as a recording speed, which is the fourth lower candidate, and when all the lower candidates disappear, the information distribution apparatus determines that the application has been completed, and the control signal management unit 205 creates control information, and controls the device. The signal database (205 in FIG. 2) is updated (step 708).

When transmitting the user identifier for identifying the user in the step of identifying the information distribution apparatus in step 702, it is preferable to use, for example, a calling telephone number notification service of a mobile phone as the user identifier. Specifically, the telephone number of the mobile phone may be used as it is as the user identification ID, or a table for associating the mobile phone number with the user identification ID may be created in advance at the time of user contract, and stored in the contract server database. And the notified mobile phone is used as the user identification ID.
May be converted. Further, the telephone number is converted by a predetermined algorithm, and the converted
You may use as D. Even with such a simple identification method, security is maintained because the device control device is again authenticated as described above. In addition,
It goes without saying that the user may be identified by creating a user identifier and a password for the user, as is generally done.

Created by the control signal management unit 202,
The control information stored in the device control signal database 205 is transmitted to the broadcasting device via the transmission unit (206 in FIG. 2) under the control of the control signal management unit 202. The control of the transmission by the control signal management unit is not particularly limited, and the same control information may be transmitted again after a certain period of time has elapsed, considering that the distribution method is broadcasting means. In addition, the priority information attached to the control information may be considered, and the one with the higher priority may be transmitted preferentially.

Since the broadcasting apparatus uses satellite television broadcasting as its propagation medium, it is preferable that the information distribution apparatus transmits control information when the broadcast has enough free space to broadcast the control information. Specifically, when at least one control information to be transmitted to the broadcasting device exceeds the data amount excluding the video information from the distributable data amount, the control information is not transmitted to the broadcasting device and the control device enters a waiting state. Control is performed as follows.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the device control device 801 in the stored broadcast distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention, 802 is a receiving unit, 803 is a header data analyzing unit as an extracting means, and 804 is device control management. 805, a device control signal database; and 806, a connected device transmitting unit. Although not shown in the figure, there is a storage unit for storing information for identifying a connected device connected to the device control apparatus, and information on the connected device registered according to the processing in FIG. The information is distributed from the information distribution device to the device control device via the broadcast device, and is stored in the storage unit.

In this embodiment, the control information sent from the information distribution device to the broadcasting device is sent to the receiving unit (802) via the line 810 by receiving the broadcast.
This data is a signal related to the device operation applied by the user via each step shown in FIG. Since the control information propagates through the satellite television broadcast as described above, the signal broadcast and restored from the broadcast device has a structure as shown in FIG. 9 as a whole. In FIG. 9, 9
A synchronization signal 01 indicates the beginning of the program data. Thereafter, video data 904 of other programs and the like follow. However, these portions do not affect the device control device of the present invention at all, and are not particularly required for the operation of the connected device. In the present embodiment, the following signals are transmitted through gaps between radio waves transmitting the above information. 9
Numeral 02 is a system signal, which is a signal for transmitting information on the connected device registered via the flow shown in FIG. 6 to the device control device. Reference numeral 903 denotes control information, which includes an identifier for identifying a device control device, a connected device ID (identifier) for identifying a connected device, and information on its operation. Each of the signals (901 to 904) is broadcasted simultaneously from the broadcasting device, and each registered device control device selects only the signal including its own identifier for the system signal 902 and control information 903 of all the received signals. Take out.

The signal received by the receiving unit 802 via the line 810 moves to the header data analyzing unit 803 via the line 811. The header data analysis unit, which corresponds to the extracting means in the claims, checks whether or not the signal includes its own device control device ID, and extracts only the signal relating to its own ID. If the signal does not include its own identifier, the header data analysis unit 803
Does not perform signal extraction and does not perform the following processing. The control information extracted by the header data analysis unit 803 is stored in the connected device management database 805 via the device control management unit 804. The device control management unit 804 is a connected device management database (corresponding to a storage unit in the claims) 8
The control unit 05 accesses the control unit 05 at predetermined time intervals, and transmits only control information satisfying a predetermined condition to the connection device specified by the connection device identifier included in the information via the connection device transmission unit 805. The connected device that has received the control information starts each operation according to the control information.

In the present embodiment, the control information is handled by being stored in the connected device management database. However, the control information extracted by the header data analysis unit is unconditionally transmitted to each connected device. You may. In this case, each component of the device control management unit and the connected device management database is not required as the device control device.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the device control network constituted by the devices according to the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of the device control device in the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
1, reference numeral 1102 denotes a reception unit; 1103, a header data analysis unit which is an extraction unit; 1104, a device control management unit;
Reference numeral 105 denotes a connected device management database, 1106 denotes a connected device transmitting unit, and 1107 denotes a device management information transmitting unit.

The device management information transmitting unit 1107 which is the third transmitting means is a device management information receiving unit (FIG. 10) of the information distribution apparatus.
The information can be transmitted to and from the device control management unit 1104.
It is. The device control management unit 1104 accesses the connected device management database 1105 at an arbitrary timing, and sends the device management information, which is information for specifying the control information stored in the connected device database 1105 and received from the information distribution device, to the information distribution device. Send. The device management information corresponds to the specific information in the claims. As an example, the device management information may be the device control information itself stored in the connected device database, or the signal number ( 503) in FIG. However, when received by the information distribution apparatus as described later, it is an essential condition that the information distribution apparatus includes information for specifying which identifier and control information are a set.

Examples of transmission timing include, for example, (i) a case in which device control information is newly received from the information distribution device and then sent to the information distribution device to notify the completion of reception (fourth transmission Or (ii) a trouble such as a power failure occurs, and the connected device management database 11
The control information stored in 05 may be a fact of occurrence of an abnormality or a case where an abnormality may occur (corresponding to a fifth transmission unit). By transmitting at these timings, for example, in the former, it is confirmed whether or not the control information distributed from the broadcasting device by the television broadcast network has been properly received, and the Operation errors and the like can be reduced. Further, according to the latter, when control information to be transmitted to the connected device due to a power failure or the like is accidentally erased or destroyed, the control information can be requested again to the information distribution device. Operation mistakes can be reduced. Note that the transmission timing is not limited to the above-described timing, and may be performed periodically at regular intervals.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the information distribution device in the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10, reference numeral 1002 denotes a control signal management unit;
1003 is a contract server database, 1004 is a connected device database, 1005 is a device control signal database, 1006 is a transmission unit, 1007 is an application management unit, 1010
08 is an application receiving unit, 1009 is a device management information receiving unit that is a second receiving unit or a third receiving unit, and 1010 is a control signal comparing unit.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the device control device transmits device management information for specifying control information stored in the connected device management database to the information distribution device at a predetermined timing. FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing when the information distribution device receives device management information from the device control device. In the actual operation, the device control signal database of the information distribution device includes device control information transmitted to a plurality of device control devices, but in the following description, the device control information included in the device management information is included. Attention is paid only to the device control information in which the information specifying the device matches.
The device management information receiving unit 1009 receives device management information from the device control device via the line 1011, and
12 to the control signal comparing unit 1010 (1
201). The control signal comparing unit 1010 compares the control information stored in the device control signal database 1005 with the received device management information, and matches or does not match the received device management information with the control information stored in the device control signal database. Is determined (1202). As a result of the above comparison,
When both match completely, that is, the control information stored in the connected device management database (1105 in FIG. 11) of the device control device transmitted as device management information is the same as the control information transmitted to the broadcasting device. If they are completely the same (that is, if the device control device correctly receives all broadcast signals and there is no abnormality), the following processing is not performed.

If the two do not match and the control information received as the device management information is smaller than the control information stored in the device control signal database of the information distribution device (for example, if the device control device If the received broadcast control information is not successfully received, or if information in the connected device management database of the device control device indicates that there is an abnormality or a possibility of occurrence of an abnormality), the information is stored in the control information database. The control information that is included in the control information but is not included in the device management information is notified to the control signal management unit 1002 via the line 1013, and is broadcast by the control signal management unit 1002 via the transmission unit 1006. Send to device again. The broadcasting device retransmits the control information received from the information distribution device to the device control device.

At this time, it is preferable that retransmission processing is performed by adding a flag (step 1204) to a check flag (505 in FIG. 5) of the necessity of retransmission to the control information stored in the device control signal database. . That is, at the time of the comparison process by the control signal comparing unit 1010, the device control information corresponding to the transmitted device management information is individually flagged, and the check flag is set when all the device management information has been checked. If the control information does not exist, it is determined that the control information is not included in the device management information, and a process of retransmitting the control information to the device control device is performed (step 1205). After the retransmission step is completed, it is preferable to remove all check flags for the next comparison process (step 1206).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device control system including each device of the present invention as a constituent element.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information distribution device 201 in the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a data structure of a contract server database in the information distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a data structure of a connected device management database in the information distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a data structure of a device control information database in the information distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a processing operation of the information distribution apparatus when a user requests the information distribution apparatus to register for a connected device connected to a device control device owned by the user;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing operation of the information distribution apparatus when a user applies for an operation of a connected device registered in the information distribution apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a device control device 801 in the stored broadcast distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing data broadcast by a broadcasting device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the information distribution device in the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the device control device in the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process when the information distribution device receives device management information from the device control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 information distribution device 101 broadcast device 104, 105, 106, 107 device control device 108 portable terminal 202 control signal management unit 203 contract server database 204 connected device management database 205 device control signal database 206 transmission unit 207 application management unit 208 application reception unit 802 Receiver 803 Header data analyzer (extraction means) 804 Device control manager 805 Device control signal database 806 Connected device transmitter

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5K048 AA01 BA01 BA21 CA08 DA02 DB01 DC01 DC04 EA11 EB02 FC01 GC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 5K101 KK11 KK18 LL01 LL03 LL12 MM07 NN21 NN34 SS07 TT06 UU16

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A first method for receiving a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, wherein the set includes an identifier for inclusion in a broadcast and control information. An information distribution apparatus comprising: a receiving unit for transmitting a set of the identifier and the control information received by the first receiving unit. 2. First storage means for storing a set of the identifier and control information received by the first receiving means, and receiving billing information for requesting broadcasting of the set of the identifier and control information. A second receiving means, and a set of the identifier requested to be broadcast by the billing information received by the second receiving means, based on the set of the identifier and the control information stored in the first storage means. 2. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a search unit configured to search for a set of information; and a second transmission unit configured to transmit a set of the identifier and the control information searched by the search unit. . 3. A second storage unit for storing a set of the identifier and the control information received by the first receiving unit, and a reception notification for notifying reception of a broadcast including the pair of the identifier and the control information. And a third receiving unit for receiving the notification of the set of the identifier and the control information stored in the second storage unit, wherein the third receiving unit does not receive the reception notification within a predetermined period. 3. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: third transmission means for transmitting a set of the identifier and the control information when the information is transmitted. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, or third transmitting means transmits the set of the identifier and the control information when the amount of video information to be broadcast is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Second
4. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission control unit for controlling the third transmission unit. 5. The first, second or third receiving means,
Receiving the priority information or the information for generating the priority information about the set of the identifier and the control information, wherein the first, second, or third transmitting means is configured to generate the priority information or the priority information; 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: priority transmission control means for controlling said first, second or third transmission means so as to transmit a set of said identifier and control information based on information. Or an information distribution device as described above. 6. A receiving means for receiving a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, wherein the set includes an identifier and control information included in a broadcast. Extracting means for extracting, from a set of the identifier and the control information received by the receiving means, the control information paired with an identifier that matches a previously stored identifier, according to the control information extracted by the extracting means A device control unit for controlling the device control device. 7. The device control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said receiving means receives a set of said identifier and control information included in satellite broadcasting. 8. The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control information is information relating to recording, and said apparatus control means controls recording according to said control information. 9. The apparatus control device according to claim 6, further comprising a fourth transmission unit that transmits the control information extracted by the extraction unit. 10. A storage unit for storing the control information extracted by the extraction unit, and a detection unit for detecting a fact or a possibility of occurrence of an abnormality in the control information stored in the storage unit. A fifth transmitting unit that transmits, when the detection unit detects the fact of the occurrence of the abnormality or the possibility of the occurrence of the abnormality, a billing information requesting a broadcast of the control information to be stored in the storage unit; 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
10. The device control device according to any one of items 1 to 9. 11. A specific information creating means for creating specific information for identifying the control information extracted by the extracting means, and a third transmitting means for transmitting the specific information created by the specific information creating means. The device control device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, further comprising: 12. A step of receiving a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, wherein the set includes an identifier for inclusion in broadcast and control information. Transmitting the set of the received identifier and the control information. 13. A step of receiving a set of an identifier for identifying the device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, the set including an identifier and control information included in the broadcast; Extracting the control information paired with an identifier that matches a previously stored identifier from the set of the obtained identifier and control information, and controlling the device control device according to the extracted control information. A device control method comprising: 14. A portable terminal for a mobile communication system, comprising a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device, the identifier being included in a broadcast. A mobile terminal, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a set of the control information and the control information. 15. Receiving means for receiving a set of an identifier for identifying a device control device and control information that is information for controlling the device control device; and a set of an identifier and control information received by the receiving device. A broadcasting device comprising a broadcasting unit for performing broadcasting including: 16. A device control device for controlling operation of a connected device based on broadcast information, a mobile terminal for transmitting an application signal for operation of the connected device, and an application from the mobile terminal An information distribution device that receives a signal and creates control information including a device identifier indicating a control target of the connected device connected to the device control device, and a broadcast that broadcasts the control information created by the information distribution device An information distribution device that configures a network system configured with the device, an application reception unit that receives an application signal transmitted from the mobile terminal, a control device storage unit that stores at least the device identifier, and the reception unit A control signal management unit that creates and manages control information in accordance with the application signal received in step 2 and the information in the control device storage unit; and the control signal management unit. Thus the information distribution apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a control signal transmitter for transmitting to the broadcast device control information created according to the management of the control signal management unit. 17. The control signal management unit creates control information including priority information in creating control information, and the control signal transmission unit transmits control information based on the priority information. Item 18. The information distribution device according to Item 16. 18. A device management information receiving unit that receives device management information that is control information transmitted by the device control device after the device control device receives the device control information, and the control managed by the control signal management unit. A control signal comparing unit that compares information and the device management information received by the device management information receiving unit, wherein the control signal transmitting unit is included in the control information compared by the comparing unit. 18. The information distribution device according to claim 16, wherein the control information not included in the device management information is retransmitted to a broadcasting device. 19. A device control device for controlling operation of a connected device based on broadcast information, a portable terminal for transmitting an application signal for operation of the connected device, and an application from the portable terminal An information distribution device that creates control information including a device identifier indicating a control target of the connected device connected to the device control device in response to a signal, and transmits the control information created by the information distribution device to a television broadcast An information distribution device configuring a network system configured with a broadcasting device that broadcasts by
17. The control signal transmitting unit according to claim 16, wherein the control information is transmitted to the broadcasting device when the broadcastable data amount excluding the data amount of the video information broadcast in the television broadcast is larger than the control information. , 17 or 18. 20. A device control device for controlling operation of a connected device based on broadcast information, a portable terminal for transmitting an application signal for operation of the connected device, and an application from the portable terminal. An information distribution device that generates control information including a device identifier indicating a control target of the connected device connected to the device control device in response to a signal instruction, and broadcasts the control information generated by the information distribution device A device control device configuring a network system configured with a broadcasting device, a control signal receiving unit that receives control information broadcast by the broadcasting device, and a control signal received by the control signal receiving unit, which is stored in advance from the control information. A control signal analysis unit for selecting control information including a device identifier that matches the device identifier, and a control information received by the control signal analysis unit. A control signal management unit that manages the connection information, and a connection device transmission unit that transmits control information to a connection device specified by a device identifier included in the control information managed by the control signal management unit. Equipment control device. 21. The control signal receiving section according to claim 20, wherein the control signal receiving section receives information broadcast by satellite broadcasting.
The device control device according to the above. 22. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a device management information transmission unit for transmitting control information managed by a control signal management unit to said information distribution device.
2. The device control device according to 1.