JP2002186057A - Remote control method for consumer electric appliance and visual recognition method in the inside of electric house appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control method for a consumer electric appliance by which the appliance remotely controlled by a user can easily be introduced. SOLUTION: This invention includes the consumer electric appliances and a server connected to a terminal to remotely control the appliances through network, the server provides a control menu corresponding to the appliances in response to a request from the terminal, receives control information of the appliances received through the control menu from the terminal and transmits the received control information to the appliances. The appliances are operated according to the control information received from the server through communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for remotely operating a home appliance and a method for visually recognizing a state inside the home appliance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, introduction of home electric appliances (hereinafter, referred to as "information home electric appliances") which can be remotely operated by users has been promoted. Information home appliances are equipped with a processor, a memory, and a communication interface (communication control device). By giving control information to information appliances, users of information appliances
Its operation can be controlled. Alternatively, information obtained by the information home appliance can be obtained by communication.

Conventionally, when introducing information home appliances into a home, it has been considered to install a computer as a control terminal in the home. For example, when operating the information home appliance from outside, the user operates the terminal device to access the control terminal.
Then, the control terminal provides a user interface (operation screen) for the user to input control information to the terminal device. The user inputs the specific information of the information appliance to be controlled and the control information via the operation screen, and gives them to the control terminal. The control terminal controls the operation of the information appliance to be controlled using the received control information.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, as a prerequisite for the introduction of information home appliances, a control terminal had to be installed.

[0005] In the conventional system, when operating the information home appliance, the user inputs data through a user interface provided from a control terminal. The provided user interface is a general-purpose user interface commonly used for a plurality of information home appliances, and the user uses the user interface to select an information home appliance desired to be operated regardless of the number of operable information home appliances. Had to be identified. The specification of the information home appliance has been performed by inputting the model name, product number, version information, and the like of the information home appliance, or by selecting from a candidate list.

[0006] The model name and product number of the home electric appliance are generally not information that is consciously stored by the user, so that the user has a high possibility of forgetting. Further, since the model name and the product number are often composed of a combination of numbers and alphabets, it has been a factor that makes it difficult for the user to memorize it accurately or forgets it immediately after memorizing it. For this reason, when the user memorizes or forgets the model name, product number, or the like in an unclear manner, it sometimes takes time to input data or select information through the user interface.

By the way, there is a case where a user of a household electric appliance having an accommodation space to be accommodated wants to know the inside of the accommodation space without directly looking at the accommodation space. For example, a user of a refrigerator may want to know what is currently in the refrigerator when purchasing food on the way home. However, they sometimes forget what was in the refrigerator and purchased the same food that was in the refrigerator.

[0008] A first object of the present invention is to provide a remote control method of home electric appliances which makes it easy for a user to introduce home electric appliances which are remotely operated.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a visual recognition system for home electric appliances which allows the user to visually recognize the inside of the accommodation space without actually visually confirming the inside of the accommodation space.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided the above-described first aspect.
The following means were adopted to achieve the purpose.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention is a method of remotely operating a home appliance, the method comprising the steps of: operating a home appliance that operates in accordance with received control information; A server connected to a terminal device via a network, wherein the server provides an operation screen corresponding to the home appliance in response to a request from the terminal device, and the home appliance input via the operation screen Receiving control information of a device from the terminal device and transmitting the received control information to the home electric device.

According to the first aspect, a server is prepared instead of the control terminal, and the server displays an operation screen (user interface) corresponding to the home electric appliance on the terminal device.
(User). The server receives information related to control from the terminal device, and transmits the received control information to the home electric appliance. The home appliance performs an operation according to the received control information. Therefore, the user does not need to install a control terminal. Further, by providing an operation screen corresponding to the home electric appliance, the user can easily operate the home electric appliance. This makes it easier for the user to introduce home appliances (information home appliances).

The terminal device is a personal computer (P
C), a workstation (WS), a mobile computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a mobile phone terminal, or any other terminal device applicable as a DTE to the Internet.

[0014] Home appliances are, for example, AV (audio
(Visual) equipment (TV receiver, video player, video recorder, radio receiver, CD / MD / cassette tape player, etc.), heating or cooling equipment (air conditioner (cooler, heater), electric stove, etc.), cooking Equipment (microwave oven, oven toaster, toaster, electric stove, IH cooker, etc.), refrigerator, water heater and the like.

Further, in the first invention, the server displays a screen for selecting a home appliance to be operated by a user, wherein the selection screen displays specific information of the home appliance set by the user. Preferably, the terminal device is provided in response to a request from the terminal device, and the terminal device is provided with an operation screen of a home appliance corresponding to the specific information selected via the selection screen.

According to this configuration, when the user selects a home appliance to be operated, the user sets the home appliance.
Since a selection screen on which the specific information (name) of the (named) home appliance is displayed is provided, a desired home appliance can be easily selected. Therefore, the user can specify the name, model name, product number, serial number,
You do not need to remember the version number etc. This makes it easier for the user to introduce information home appliances (home appliances that are remotely controlled).

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one home appliance that operates in accordance with received control information and a remote operation of the home appliance in order to support a user's remote operation of the home appliance. A server connected to the terminal device through a network, the storage device storing data of an operation screen corresponding to the home appliance, and providing the data of the operation screen in response to a request from the terminal device Providing means, when receiving control information of the home appliance input via the operation screen from the terminal device, transmitting the received control information to the home appliance, remote control of the home appliance provided It can be specified as a support server.

The providing means provides the terminal device with a selection screen for displaying a home appliance specific information set by the user, the screen being for the user to select a home appliance to be operated. It is preferable to provide the terminal device with an operation screen of the home appliance corresponding to the specific information selected via the terminal device.

Further, the present invention employs the following configuration in order to achieve the second object.

That is, a second invention of the present invention is a method for visually recognizing a state inside a home appliance, the home appliance including a housing space to be housed, a photographing unit, a transmission unit, a terminal device, And a server, wherein the photographing means photographs the state in the accommodation space when the accommodation space is closed, and the transmitting means transmits image data indicating the state in the photographed accommodation space to the server, The server stores the received image data in a storage device, and provides the image data stored in the storage device via a network in response to a request from the terminal device, and the terminal device performs processing based on the provided image data. This is a method of visually recognizing the inside of a home appliance including displaying an image.

According to the second invention, when the user of the home electric appliance wants to visually recognize the inside of the accommodation space, the user operates the terminal device to acquire image data indicating the inside of the accommodation space from the server. A state inside the accommodation space based on the image data is displayed on the terminal device. Thus, the user can visually recognize the inside of the accommodation space without actually visually recognizing the accommodation space.

The home appliance in the second invention is, for example,
Household appliances including storage space for storage objects (food, medicine, tableware, clothing, etc.) such as refrigerators, freezers, microwave ovens, oven toasters, dish dryers, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, and the like. The housing space provided in these home appliances is, for example, abutment (joining) of the lid or door to the main body.
Also, it is closed by abutment (joining) between the main bodies (housings).

The image data in the second invention may be still image data or moving image data, but it is preferable to use still image data in consideration of the amount of data transmitted to the server.

The present invention can be specified as a system for realizing the second invention or as a home appliance in the second invention. That is, the present invention transmits a photographing means for photographing the inside of the accommodation space when the accommodation space of the accommodation object provided in the home appliance is closed, and transmits image data indicating the photographed interior of the accommodation space. A transmitting unit, a server that receives the transmitted image data, stores the received image data in a storage device, and provides the stored image data in response to a request, and transmits the request to the server and transmits the request to the image data provided from the server. A terminal device for displaying an image based on the
It can be specified as a visual recognition system inside a home appliance equipped with.

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage space to be stored, a photographing means for photographing a state in the storage space when the storage space is closed, and image data indicating the photographed state in the storage space. A terminal device that obtains the image data from the server and transmits the image data to the server to display the image data.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the following embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment.

[First Embodiment] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system for realizing a method of remotely controlling home electric appliances according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 1 is a system in which a user operates a mobile phone terminal 20 or a PC terminal device 21 to operate home electric appliances (information home appliances) at home.

In FIG. 1, in a user's home, digital video 1 and analog video 2 are provided as information home appliances.
, Refrigerator 3 and air conditioner (air conditioner)
4, 5 and a water heater 6 are provided. The air conditioner 4 is provided in a living room (living room), the air conditioner 5 is provided in a bedroom, and the water heater 6 is provided in a bathroom (bathroom).

Hereinafter, the digital video 1, the analog video 2, the refrigerator 3, the air conditioners 4, 5 and the water heater 6 are collectively referred to as "information home appliances 1 to 6". The number of information home appliances may be one or more, and the type (combination) of the information home appliances can be appropriately set according to the information home appliances used by the user.

Each of the information appliances 1 to 6 has a processor (C).
A control device including a PU or MPU) and a memory, and a communication control device are mounted, and function as a user terminal device (DTE: Data Terminal Equipment) for a network. Each of the information appliances 1 to 6 is a LAN (Local Area).
Network) is connected to the dial-up router 7 through a line.

The dial-up router 7 has a D (not shown)
Equipped with SU (Digital Service Unit), DSU
Is connected to an ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network). That is, the dial-up router 7
Internet service provider through SDN
(ISP) network (ISP network 8). Thus, each of the information home appliances 1 to 6 is connected to the Internet N by a LAN-type bidirectional dial-up IP connection.

The ISP network 8 forms a part of the Internet N, and the Internet N is configured by connecting a plurality of ISP networks. In FIG. 1, the ISP network 8 is illustrated separately from the Internet N for explanation. The ISP network 8 includes an access point (AP) 9 and a network operation center (NOC) 10.

The AP 9 includes an access router 11 for accommodating the dial-up router 7, and an access router 11 and an LA.
N, and includes a router 12 connecting the AP 9 and the NOC 10.

The NOC 10 includes the router 13 and the authentication server 1
4, a WWW (World Wide Web) server 15 and a large router (backbone router) 16 are connected by a high-speed LAN 17.

The router 13 is connected to the router 12 of the AP 9, and the router 16 is connected to the Internet N (an AP of another ISP). Although not shown, the high-speed LAN 17 houses a DNS (Domain Name System) server, a mail server, a news server, and a management manager.

The Internet N is connected to a mobile communication network through a gateway server 18, and the gateway server 18 is connected to a base station 19 of the mobile communication network. The base station 19 performs wireless communication with the mobile phone terminal 20.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the Internet N accommodates a PC terminal device 21 in a company. As the connection form of the PC terminal device 21 to the Internet N, any existing connection form can be applied.

Mobile phone terminal 20 and PC terminal device 21
Can access the WWW server 15 by connecting to the Internet N as necessary. And WWW
Web site provided by the server 15
web page) can be displayed on the display device. For example, the mobile phone terminal 20A includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 20A as a display device, and a Web page is displayed on the LCD 20A.

<Configuration of WWW Server> WWW Server 15
Responds to requests from the mobile phone terminal 20 and the PC terminal device 21 by allowing the user to operate the information home appliances 1 to 6.
Provide b site (homepage).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the WWW server 15 shown in FIG. 2, the WWW server 15 includes a communication control device 22 connected to the high-speed LAN 17 and a control device 23 connected to the communication control device 23.
And an auxiliary storage device 24 connected to the control device 23 via an input / output device (not shown).

The auxiliary storage device 24 stores various programs executed by the control device 23 and data used in executing the programs. In this example, the auxiliary storage device 24 includes a user database 25,
And an HTML database 26.

The user database 25 stores information home appliances 1 to
6 is a database that stores information about users. The user database 25 has a table 25A provided for each home user.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table 25A included in the user database 25. In FIG.
As an example, information home appliances 1 to 1 installed in the home shown in FIG.
A table 25A for six users is shown.

The table 25A stores a user ID (account ID), a user's address and name, a home (home) telephone number, an e-mail address, and information on registered home appliances. Is searched for as a key.

[0045] The registered information home appliance is a mobile phone terminal 2
0 (or the PC home device 21) is an information home appliance registered as an information home appliance operated using the information home appliances 1 to 6 shown in FIG. In this example, a registered name (specific information of the registered information home appliance) set by the user and an IP address assigned to the information home appliance are stored as the information of the registered information home appliance.

The HTML database 26 stores HTML (Hypertext Marku) related to a Web site provided to the user.
p Language) data. The HTML data includes an HTML file, an image file associated with the HTML file, and the like.

The WWW server 15 provides each user with a Web site (hereinafter referred to as an “operation site”) for operating the registered information home appliance from outside the home. The operation site includes a plurality of Web pages, and includes a user-specific Web site (custom site) created for each user. The operation site is operated, for example, by a provider (vendor) of the registered information home appliance or a person related to the vendor as an operator.

The custom site includes a Web page for providing a user interface (operation screen) of the registered information home appliance. The file related to the web page of the custom site is stored in the user ID of the user database 25.
And stored in the HTML database 26 in association with

The user interface is created in consideration of the standard, function, performance, etc. obtained from the model, product number, model, version information, etc. of the registered information home appliance. Therefore, when the user specifies the information home appliance to be operated (controlled), the user does not need to input the model name, model name, version information, and the like of the information home appliance, and even if the user does not remember such information. I'm done.

The Web page of the custom site is created when an application for registering an information home appliance to the operation site is made. For example, when a user purchases an information home appliance, the user registers his / her name, address, home phone number, e-mail address, and registered name for the information home appliance (the user can set any name).
To the operator of the operation site as personal information.

The operator acquires a user ID (user name) and a password for the user to access the custom site, and registers the personal information received from the user in the user database 25 in association with the user name.

Further, the operator acquires information (registration, function, and performance obtained from model information, product number, model, version information, etc.) on the registered information home appliance, and based on the acquired information,
Create a Web page (HTML file, image file) for the user interface. At this time, the personal information (name, registered name, etc.) obtained from the user is appropriately incorporated into the HTML file.

Thereafter, the operator stores the created Web page in the HTML database 26. The stored web page of the custom site is stored in association with the user ID, and can be read using the user ID. Also, an IP address for the registered information home appliance is assigned.

Since the operator is a vendor or a party related to the vendor, it is possible to obtain accurate information on the type of information home appliance, and an appropriate user interface (operation screen).
Can be created. Therefore, there is no burden for the user to create and modify the user interface. Further, the operator can appropriately improve the user interface, and the user can always use the latest and best user interface.

When the operator newly acquires a user ID and a password, the operator notifies the user of the user ID and the password.

The control unit 23 has a CPU (Central Process
ing unit) and a main memory, and a predetermined process is executed by loading a program held in the auxiliary storage device 24 into the main memory and executing the program.

For example, the control device 23 is the communication control device 2
2 controls communication processing according to a predetermined communication protocol. For example, an HTML file corresponding to a request from a user is read or created, and HTTP
(Hypertext Transfer Protocol). In addition, a predetermined process is performed on the information input by the user via the Web page.

The auxiliary storage device 24 corresponds to the storage means of the present invention, and the communication control device 22 and the control device 23
It corresponds to the providing means and the transmitting means of the present invention.

<Operation Example> Next, an operation example in the above-described system will be described. As an example, a case will be described in which a user operates the mobile phone terminal 20 and reserves recording using the digital video 1 in the home.

In FIG. 1, first, the user operates the mobile phone terminal 20 to activate a browser mounted on the mobile phone terminal 20. Next, the user operates the browser to operate the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the operation site.
To request the provision of an operation site. The request is:
The information is transmitted to the WWW server 15 through the base station 19, the gateway server 18, the Internet N, and the router 16.

Control device 23 of WWW server 15 (FIG. 2)
Receives the request received by the communication control device 22, retrieves the data of the top page of the operation site (HTML file and image file related to the top page) from the HTML database 26, and sends it to the mobile phone terminal 20 using HTTP. Send.

When the mobile phone terminal 20 receives the top page data, the browser displays the top page on the LCD 20A.
To be displayed. The top page displays a user interface for a user to call a custom site.

The user operates keys or buttons (not shown) provided on the mobile phone terminal 20 to input a custom site provision request instruction via the user interface. Then, the mobile phone terminal 20 transmits a request for providing a custom site to the WWW server 15.

Upon receiving the request for providing a custom site, the control device 23 of the WWW server 15 creates a request for inputting a user ID and a password for performing user authentication,
It is transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 20.

When the mobile phone terminal 20 receives the input request, the browser displays a user ID and password input screen.
(Not shown) is displayed on the LCD 20A. The user inputs the user ID and the password notified in advance to the input screen, and inputs a transmission instruction of such information. Then, the entered user ID and password are stored in the mobile phone terminal 20.
To the WWW server 15.

When the control device 23 of the WWW server 15 receives the user ID and the password, it temporarily stores the user ID. Further, the control device 23 requests the authentication server 14 for the user authentication process by transmitting the user ID and the password to the authentication server 14.

The authentication server 14 holds user ID and password authentication data (database storing user name and password master data). The authentication server 14 receives the user I received from the WWW server 15
D and password are subjected to authentication processing (verification processing) using the authentication data, and the authentication result (verification result: appropriate (O
K: valid) or illegal (NG: improper) is returned to the WWW server 15.

Only when the authentication result received from the authentication server 14 is “OK (OK)”, the control device 23 of the WWW server 15 converts the data of the main page of the custom site corresponding to the temporarily stored user ID into HTML. It is retrieved from the database 26 and transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 20. Note that the processing related to the user authentication is performed by the WWW server 15.
May be executed.

When the mobile phone terminal 20 receives the data of the main page, the browser, based on the received data,
The main page is displayed on LCD 20A. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the main page of the custom site. In FIG. 4, the main page displays the name of the user and the registered names of registered information home appliances (information home appliances 1 to 6).

The user can operate the cursor K displayed on the main page by operating the keys or buttons of the mobile phone terminal 20 to select the registered information home appliance to be operated (controlled). At this time, the main page
Since the registered name is displayed instead of the model name or product number of the information home appliance, the registered information home appliance desired by the user to operate can be easily specified. Here, it is assumed that the user has selected and designated “digital video”.

Then, the mobile phone terminal 20 generates and transmits a request for providing an operation screen corresponding to the designated registered information home appliance (designated result of the registered information home appliance). The provision request includes the registration name (“digital video”) of the designated registration information home appliance. The provision request transmitted from the mobile phone terminal 20 is transmitted to the WWW server 15 in accordance with the URL of the link destination set to the character of the designated registered name.

When the control device 23 of the WWW server 15 receives the request for providing the operation screen, it retrieves the corresponding operation screen data (HTML file or the like) from the HTML database 26 and transmits it to the mobile phone terminal 20. Further, the control device 23 temporarily holds (saves) the registered name included in the provision request.

When the mobile phone terminal 20 receives the operation screen data, the browser displays the operation screen on the LCD 20A. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the operation screen. The operation screen displays a user operation interface (user interface) corresponding to the designated information home appliance.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the operation screen displays a user interface for setting a recording reservation for the digital video 1. Specifically, the operation screen displays a user interface for specifying a recording date, a recording channel, a recording start time, and a recording end time, and a user interface for specifying a G code. This allows the user to make a recording reservation using one of two methods.

The user refers to the operation screen, selects an arbitrary user interface, and inputs necessary data (corresponding to control information of home electric appliances). Here, it is assumed that the user has input the G code of the program desired to be recorded.

Thereafter, when the user inputs a control information transmission instruction to the mobile phone terminal 20 via the operation screen, a G code as control information is transmitted from the mobile phone terminal 20 to the WWW server 15.

Upon receiving the control information, control device 23 of WWW server 15 transmits the received control information to the corresponding registered information home appliance. That is, the control device 23 extracts the home telephone number of the user from the user database 25 based on the temporarily stored user ID.

Further, the control device 23, based on the user ID and the registered name (specific information of the designated registered information home appliance),
The IP address of the registration information home appliance (digital video 1) to be operated is extracted from the user database 25.

Next, the control device 23 generates a packet including the control information (G code) and the home telephone number, and using the IP address obtained from the user database 25 as the destination IP address. At this time, the control information is stored in the data field of the IP packet. The home telephone number is stored in, for example, an option field or a data field of the header of the IP packet. The WWW server 15 transmits the created packet.

The transmitted packet is transmitted to the set destination I
According to the P address, it is received by the access router 11 through the routers 13 and 12. Access router 11
Refers to the destination IP address of the packet, determines that the destination of the packet is digital video 1, calls the dial-up router 7 using the home telephone number stored in the packet, and connects the digital video 1 with the Internet. Is connected by a dial-up IP connection.

When the connection processing is completed, the access router 1
1 transmits the packet to the dial-up router 7. In addition, instead of the above configuration, the access router 11 holds a correspondence table between the IP address and the home telephone number,
The access router 11 may determine the home telephone number from the destination IP address.

The packet transmitted from access router 11 is received by dial-up router 7 through ISDN, and dial-up router 7 transmits the packet to digital video 1 according to the destination IP address.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the digital video 1. The packet transmitted from the dial-up router 7 is received by the communication control device 28,
9 given.

The control device 29 includes a processor (CPU or MPU), a memory, and a control signal generation circuit (none is shown). The control device 29 generates a control signal (control signal corresponding to the G code) corresponding to the received control information using the control signal generation circuit, and provides the digital video unit 30 with the control signal.

The digital video unit 30 has a configuration similar to that of a conventional digital video, and performs a recording reservation setting process (setting) in accordance with an input control signal. When the control information is input, the digital video unit 30 may generate a control signal from the control information and perform a predetermined process or operation. In this case, the control device may not have the control signal generation circuit.

Thereafter, when the digital video 1 completes the recording reservation process, a reservation completion notification is transmitted from the digital video 1 to the WWW server 15, and the WWW server 15 transmits a reservation completion notification to the portable telephone terminal 20.

As described above, the user operates the mobile phone terminal 20 to access the WWW server 15 (operation site), thereby operating the digital video 1 from a remote place (outside the home), and making a recording reservation. It can be carried out. In addition, the mobile phone terminal 20 can be used in the home instead of the remote controller.

The mobile phone terminal 2 in the above operation example
Even when the PC terminal device 21 is used as the terminal device instead of 0, almost the same operation as the above operation example is performed.
Therefore, the user can make a recording reservation using the digital video 1 even by operating the PC terminal device 21 of the company.

In the above operation example, the recording reservation of the digital video 1 has been described.
Digital video 2 can be remotely operated to make a recording reservation. In addition, the refrigerator 3 can be remotely operated to adjust the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment. Air conditioner 4
And / or remotely control the air conditioner 5 to set the mode (cooling,
Heating, ventilation, drying, etc.) and temperature adjustment. Further, the water temperature can be adjusted by remotely operating the water heater 6. Further, it is also possible to control on / off of the power of the information home appliances 1 to 6.

<Operation of First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, a WWW server 15 is provided instead of a control terminal as an apparatus for providing a user with a user interface of an information home appliance. Therefore, there is no need for the user to install a control terminal at home.

When the user selects the information home appliance to be operated, the registered name set by the user is displayed as an option of the information home appliance as an option. Therefore, the user does not need to store the product name, product number, model name, version information, and the like of the information home appliance in order to specify the information home appliance to be operated, and can easily (without complicated steps). ) It is possible to specify the information appliance to be operated.

Further, since a user interface is provided as an operation screen in consideration of the standard, function, performance, and the like of the information home appliance to be operated, the user performs various operations (controls) on the information home appliance from a remote place. be able to.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, since the burden on the user is reduced as compared with the related art, it becomes easy to introduce home electric appliances (information home electric appliances) remotely operated by the user.

In the first embodiment, the address and the e-mail address stored in the user database 25 are used for other purposes (for contacting the user).
It is not an essential component of the present invention. Also, the name can be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the information home appliances 1 to 6
Is connected to the ISP network 8 of the Internet N by a two-way dial-up IP connection, but the information home appliances 1 to 6 may be connected to the ISP network 8 by a dedicated line connection. In this case, no configuration regarding the home telephone number is required.

In the first embodiment, a case has been described where a plurality of registered information home appliances are installed at home.
The user can use the system of the first embodiment even when one registered information home appliance is installed at home. In this case, the information home appliance may be connected to the ISP network 8 (Internet) through a terminal-type two-way dial-up IP connection.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment has the same points as the first embodiment, and therefore, mainly the differences will be described, and the common components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The second embodiment describes a system for realizing a method for allowing a user to visually recognize the inside of a refrigerator as a home appliance including a storage space from a remote place. A system configuration similar to the system configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be applied to the system configuration of the second embodiment.

However, in the second embodiment, the refrigerator 3 and the Internet (ISP network 8) communicate with each other by a two-way dial-up IP.
It need not be connected by a connection. That is, in the second embodiment, the refrigerator 3 may be configured to be connected to the Internet using any of the existing connection modes to the Internet. Further, a configuration in which only the refrigerator 3 is installed at home may be adopted. In this regard, a terminal-type dial-up IP connection can be employed.

<Refrigerator> FIG. 7 is an external structural view of the refrigerator 3. In FIG. 7, the refrigerator 3 has a box-shaped main body 32.
And a door (lid) 33. The main body 32 has an opening on one side, and has a refrigerator compartment 32A and a freezer compartment 32B provided therein. Each of the refrigerator compartment 32A and the freezer compartment 32B corresponds to a storage space of the present invention.

The door 33 is mounted so as to be rotatable around a shaft 35 provided on the main body 32 within a predetermined angle range. The door 33 rotates integrally with the shaft 35 with respect to the main body 32, and closes the refrigerator compartment 32A and the freezer compartment 32B by contacting the main body 32.

At an appropriate position inside the refrigerator compartment 32A or the freezer compartment 32B, a digital camera 34 as a photographing means is provided. In this example, the digital camera 34
Is provided on the inner wall on the back side of the main body 32 of the refrigerator compartment 32A.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration for obtaining image data showing the inside of refrigerator 3. 8, the refrigerator 3 includes a communication control device 28 and a control device 29.
A, a rotary encoder 36, a counter 37,
A digital camera 34, a light 38 as illumination means for illuminating the inside of the accommodation space, and a memory 39 are provided.

Although not shown, the rotary encoder 36 has a plurality of slits provided radially and has a shaft 3.
5, a disk (capstan) coaxially mounted, an aperture provided substantially parallel to the capstan, and having a slit shifted by one slit with respect to the slit of the capstan, and facing each other across the capstan and the aperture 2 sets of light emitting diode (LED) and photodiode
(PD).

Each LED emits light toward the corresponding PD, and when the capstan rotates with the rotation of the shaft 35, it transmits or blocks the light emitted from the LED. Each PD detects blinking of light caused by transmission and blocking of light by the capstan, and outputs a pulse signal corresponding thereto. ON / OFF of output pulse
The number of (blinking light) indicates the amount of rotation (rotation angle) of the shaft 35.

The pattern of light passing through the capstan and the aperture (transmission pattern) differs depending on the rotation direction of the capstan (axis 35), and the phase of the pulse signal output from each PD is the Depends on the direction of rotation. Thereby, the rotation direction of the shaft 35, that is, the door 3
3 can be detected.

The structure of the rotary encoder 36 is described in "The PC Disassembly Shinsho Atsushi Oshima, First Edition, 8th Edition, Published by Softbank Publishing, Inc."
June 10, 1999, pages 110-111 ".

The counter 37 is a rotary encoder 3
6 receives the two pulse signals output from it and holds a counter value corresponding to one of the pulse signals. However, the counter value becomes an initial value (for example, zero) when the door 33 is completely closed, increases when the shaft 35 rotates in the opening direction of the door 33, and decreases when the shaft 35 rotates in the closing direction of the door 33. I do.

The control device 29A monitors the counter value held by the counter 37, and determines whether or not the counter value has become the initial value while decreasing. This determination processing is performed, for example, based on whether or not a condition that the counter value immediately before the counter value becomes larger than the initial value when the counter value becomes the initial value is satisfied.

When the above condition is satisfied, the controller 29A inputs a photographing command to the digital camera 34 and turns on the light 38 for a predetermined time. The light 38 illuminates the shooting range of the digital camera 34. The predetermined time is a time for obtaining an appropriate output from at least an imaging device (for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD)) provided in the digital camera 34. The light 38
May also be used as an indoor light conventionally provided in a refrigerator.

The digital camera 34 includes a control device 29A.
When a shooting command is received from the camera, shooting, A
A series of processes including -D conversion, image processing (color tone correction, resolution conversion, etc.), temporary recording, and compression are performed, and the obtained image data (image data) is stored in a memory 3 in a predetermined image file format.
Record in 9.

The control device 29A monitors the memory 39, and when image data is newly recorded, controls the communication control device 28 to perform a connection process to the Internet (ISP network 8). When the connection process is completed (when the call is established), the control device 29A reads new image data (image file) recorded in the memory 39, and transfers the read image file to an FTP (File Transfer Pro).
transfer to the WWW server 15 according to HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

Thus, every time the door 33 is closed, the interior of the refrigerator 3 is photographed, an image file showing the photographed interior is created, and the WWW server 1
5 uploaded.

Instead of the above configuration, a plurality of digital cameras 34 may be provided, and a plurality of image files showing the state when the door 33 is closed may be transferred (uploaded) to the WWW server 15. good.

The rotary encoder 36 described above is used.
In place of the counter 37, a switch that is temporarily turned on when the door 33 is closed and a latch (storage unit) that holds a flag that becomes “1” when the switch is turned on are prepared. A configuration may be adopted in which a photographing instruction is issued to the digital camera 34 when the latch flag becomes “1”, and the flag is reset to “0”. The operation of turning the switch off → on → off when the door 33 is closed may be realized by any of a mechanical system, an electric system, and an optical system.

The digital camera 34 corresponds to the photographing means of the present invention, and the communication control device 28 and the control device 29A
Corresponds to the transmitting means of the present invention.

<WWW Server> The WWW server 15 has the same configuration as the block configuration shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the HTML database 26 stores the image file transferred from the refrigerator 3 as a Web site for browsing the image file (referred to as a “browsing site”).
(Corresponding to storage means). The user database 25 holds information on users of the browsing site.

<Operation Example> When the user operates the mobile phone terminal 20 to access a browsing site provided by the WWW server 15, the control device 23 of the WWW server 15
After performing user authentication as in the first embodiment, HTML
HTM for browsing sites stored in database 26
The L file and the image file last uploaded from the refrigerator 3 are transmitted to the corresponding mobile phone terminal 20. The browsing site is a custom site provided for each user.

When the mobile phone terminal 20 receives the HTML file and the image file, the browser of the mobile phone terminal 20 uses these files to open the web site of the browsing site.
The page b is displayed on the LCD 20A.

[0120] The Web page displays an image based on the image file. As a result, the LCD 20A has
W including an image (latest image in refrigerator) showing the inside of refrigerator 3 when door 33 of refrigerator 3 was last closed.
The eb page (screen inside the refrigerator) is displayed (see FIG. 9).
By browsing the latest images in the refrigerator,
The inside of the refrigerator 3 can be grasped. At this time,
The shooting time may be displayed together with the image.

Further, the PC terminal device 21 can also use the WW
Download the image file from W server 15,
An image based on the image file is displayed, and the displayed image can be viewed by the user.

According to the second embodiment, the door 33 of the refrigerator 3
Is uploaded to the WWW server 15, and the user downloads the image file using the mobile phone terminal 20, the PC terminal device 21 or the like, and based on the image file. Images can be referenced.

As a result, the user can operate in a remote place (outside the home).
, The inside of the refrigerator 3 can be visually recognized. Therefore, if the user refers to the image at the time of shopping on the way home, the user does not need to purchase the articles (food, medicine, etc.) stored in the refrigerator 3 by mistake. Further, the user can use the displayed image as a material for determining a menu when considering a menu for a meal. It can also be used for monitoring the inside of a refrigerator.

In the second embodiment, only the last shot image is displayed on the Web page. However, images shot a plurality of times are displayed in such a manner that the flow of time can be understood. (For example, each image is displayed together with the photographing time, and the images are displayed along with time). In this case, the refrigerator 3
The user can grasp what is gone from inside.

Further, in the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the refrigerator 3 is applied to a one-door type, but for a refrigerator having a plurality of doors (doors), the refrigerator 3 is provided for each room corresponding to the door. A rotary encoder 36, a counter 37, a light 38, and a digital camera 34 are provided, and the state of each room is uploaded to the WWW server 15.

In this case, before providing the refrigerator internal screen (FIG. 9), WWW server 15 displays a refrigerator selection screen (refrigerator operation screen: see FIG. 10) for displaying an instruction to select a room to be browsed. The image is provided to the user, and an image corresponding to the room selected by the user using the mobile phone terminal 20 (PC terminal device 21) is provided to the mobile phone terminal 20.

Note that the first embodiment and the second embodiment are different from each other.
It is possible to combine them under the condition that the connection form to the Internet is adjusted to the first embodiment.

[0128]

According to the present invention, it becomes easy for a user to introduce a home electric appliance to be remotely controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to visually recognize the inside of the accommodation space without actually visually confirming the inside of the accommodation space of the home electric appliance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a WWW server.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a user database.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation screen.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a digital video.

FIG. 7 is an external configuration diagram of a refrigerator.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a refrigerator.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a refrigerator internal screen.

FIG. 10 shows a display example of a refrigerator selection screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 N Internet 1 Digital video 2 Analog video 3 Refrigerator 4,5 Air conditioner 6 Water heater 7 Dial-up router 8 Internet service provider network 9 Access point 10 Network operation center 11 Access router 12,13,16 Router 14 Authentication server 15 WWW server 17 High-speed LAN 18 Gateway server 19 Base station 20 Mobile phone terminal 20A Liquid crystal display (display means) 21 PC phone terminal 22, 28, 28A Communication control device 23, 29, 29A Control device 24 Auxiliary storage device 25 User database 26 HTML Database 32 Main body 32A Refrigerator room 32B Freezer room 33 Door (door) 34 Digital camera 35 Axis (rotary axis) 36 Rotary encoder 37 Counter 38 Light 39 memory

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04L 12/28 100 H04L 12/28 100H

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A method for remotely operating a home appliance, the method comprising: at least one home appliance that operates in accordance with received control information; and a terminal device for remotely operating the home appliance through a network. Including a server to be connected, the server, in response to a request from the terminal device, provides an operation screen corresponding to the home appliance, and the control information of the home appliance input via the operation screen, A method of remotely operating a home appliance, comprising: receiving control information from a terminal device; and transmitting the received control information to the home appliance. 2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising: a selection screen for displaying a home appliance specific information set by the user, wherein the selection screen is a screen for a user to select a home appliance to be operated. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing an operation screen of the home appliance corresponding to the specific information selected via the selection screen to the terminal device. 3. A network for supporting a user's remote control of home electric appliances, comprising at least one home electric appliance that operates in accordance with the received control information and a terminal device for remotely operating the home electric appliances. A server connected through the terminal, storage means for storing data of an operation screen corresponding to the home appliance, providing means for providing data of the operation screen in response to a request from the terminal device, A remote control support server for a home appliance, comprising: a transmission unit that, when receiving control information of the home appliance input via a screen from the terminal device, transmits the received control information to the home appliance. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit provides the terminal device with a selection screen for displaying a home appliance specific information set by the user, the screen being used by the user to select a home appliance to be operated. The remote control support server for home electric appliances according to claim 3, wherein an operation screen of the home electric appliance corresponding to the specific information selected via the selection screen is provided to the terminal device. 5. A method for visually recognizing a state inside a home appliance, comprising: a home appliance including an accommodation space to be accommodated, an imaging unit, a transmission unit, a terminal device, and a server. The state of the accommodation space when the accommodation space is closed is photographed, the transmitting unit transmits image data indicating the photographed state of the accommodation space to the server, and stores the image data received by the server. Memorize in the device,
A method for visually recognizing the inside of a household electrical appliance, the method comprising: providing image data stored in the storage device via a network in response to a request from the terminal device; and displaying the image based on the provided image data by the terminal device. 6. A photographing means for photographing a state of the accommodation space when the accommodation space of the accommodation object provided in the home appliance is closed, and a transmission for transmitting image data indicating the photographed state of the accommodation space. Means, a server for receiving the transmitted image data and storing it in a storage device, and providing the stored image data in response to a request, transmitting the request to the server, and providing the image data provided from the server And a terminal device for displaying an image based on the image. 7. An accommodation space to be accommodated, photographing means for photographing a state in the accommodation space when the accommodation space is closed, and image data indicating the photographed state in the accommodation space.
A transmission unit for transmitting the image data from the server to the server so that the terminal device obtains and displays the image data from the server;