JP2002374584A - Remote control, control signal distributor, control signal acquisition method, control signal distribution method, drive signal generator, and access service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control system at a low cost, which can be compatible with many kinds of diversified models without the need for remodeling existing devices already on the market. SOLUTION: Since the remote control system acquires a remote control signal from a terminal via a communication means, the system is applicable to diversified models of VTR or the like and provides convenience to many people, applicable also to new products only with data revisions so as to extend product cycles and save resources. As an example of the communication means, the communication means comprises a terminal means that accesses an external data supply section to acquire remote control signal data and a remote control means connected to the terminal means that converts and outputs the remote control signal data acquired by the terminal means into a remote control signal, and obtains the remote control signal data by inputting at least one of a device name, a device manufacturer name and a model name to the external data supply section from the terminal means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system which can be used for various models such as air conditioners and VTRs which are already used or will be released in the future. The present invention also relates to a system that can provide a drive signal that can operate each device. The present invention also relates to a device for generating such an operable drive signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 15 shows a system configuration of a conventional remote control system for an air conditioner. 2 is a terminal device such as a personal computer, a telephone, and a dedicated terminal connected to the Internet network 10 via the Internet provider 14, 20 is an air conditioner operable by the terminal device 2, 12 is a mobile phone, Personal data modulation (PDA), A terminal such as a personal computer is also connected to the Internet network 10 starting the Internet service provider 11. As shown in the figure, there are a personal computer 2 that can be connected to the Internet conventionally, an air conditioner 20 that can be controlled by a wired connection from a personal computer, and a mobile phone 12 that has an Internet mail function. A system for operating the home air conditioner 20 via the Internet 10 is realized. Also, many examples applied to home electric appliances such as refrigerators and microwave ovens have been reported.

Next, the operation will be described. Before returning home, use your mobile phone 12 to send e-mail to your home computer 2
To the air conditioner 20. The personal computer 2 at home decodes the mail and transfers an operation command to the air conditioner 20. As described above, the air conditioner at home can be operated from whereabouts, and the air conditioner is already set to a comfortable state when returning home.

[0004]

The conventional remote control device is configured as described above, and control from outside is realized. However, a dedicated personal computer interface is required for the air conditioner, and corresponding models are limited. There was a problem that it was done. Further, when an operation is instructed from outside to an absence house, useless expense is required if the personal computer is constantly connected to the Internet, and complicated operation is further required to connect the personal computer to the Internet. In addition to introducing new models, products other than air conditioners require a dedicated remote control, so even if you are indoors, instead of going out, you will have to rely on the operation of this dedicated remote control and search for a remote control. There was a problem that it was not easy to operate with a thing. Furthermore, if the manufacturers of devices such as air conditioners are different, it is necessary to operate a plurality of air conditioners with different remote controllers, and there is a problem that it is difficult to determine which device should be controlled with which remote controller. JP-A-2001-28789 and JP-A-11-28789 disclose a remote control system corresponding to a wide variety of devices and appliances.
Techniques such as Japanese Patent No. 306464 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-92574 are known. However, the systems described in any of these publications require special equipment or require a large-scale system and cannot be easily introduced, and there are no measures such as how to respond when introducing new products or new models. There was a problem that anyone could not easily use it at any time. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-41079, a communication protocol which is a format code of a remote controller for controlling the centralized control device is obtained from outside. Code information for specifying each device controlled by the centralized control device is disclosed. Had to be entered. However, if there is no centralized control device in general households, there is no way to know information or the like for specifying equipment. For example, taking an air conditioner as an example, the number of models of each manufacturer that will be released in one year is over 100. Considering the number of years this has been sold, it is very large. Considering various products, the amount will be out of hand. A lot of information is required to specify one of them, and there is a problem that ordinary households do not know what information is required and how to obtain it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has been developed for products already used in the market.
The aim is to obtain a system that can easily operate a wide variety of devices, including products to be released in the future. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method, a device, and a system using the same, which can provide a system that can be controlled anytime and anywhere by anyone and any device. Further, the present invention can provide a service that enables a service that solves the above-described problem. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a service system which are convenient for these systems and service operations.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device which is capable of obtaining remote control signal data by accessing an external data supply unit via communication means, and obtaining the remote control signal data by the terminal means. Remote control means connected to a terminal means for converting and outputting the remote control signal data into a remote control signal capable of operating a device such as a home appliance, and a device name and a device name of the device from the terminal device to an external data supply unit. Remote control signal data is obtained by inputting at least one of a device manufacturer name and a model name.

In the remote control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the terminal means is a telephone such as a mobile phone or a device which can be connected to the Internet such as a personal computer or a dedicated terminal, and the remote control signal data is digital data, and Format code and data code for operation and operation of equipment.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the terminal means and the remote control means are disposed or integrally formed in the vicinity, and the remote control signal is an infrared signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control device, the terminal means is a first terminal means which can access an external data supply unit and a second terminal which is arranged near the equipment and obtains remote control signal data. It is composed of means.

The terminal means of the remote control device according to claim 5 of the present invention obtains a plurality of remote control signal data from a data supply unit, and selects remote control signal data that can be operated by the equipment from the obtained remote control signal data.

[0011] In the remote control device according to claim 6 of the present invention, the remote control means responds to a plurality of remote control signal data.
Select remote control signal data that can be operated by the device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation signal distribution apparatus comprising: a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, or a database accessible from a fixed terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, or the like; A digital signal stored in a database and capable of operating a device such as an air conditioner or a VTR from a portable or fixed terminal, and at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name.
A unique operation signal data group for operating the device, such as the format of the corresponding device, operation data, etc., which can be extracted by inputting one. And continuously or simultaneously distribute the plurality of unique operation signal data to a portable or fixed terminal.

An operation signal distribution device according to claim 8 of the present invention comprises a database accessible from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or the like, or a fixed terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone, or a dedicated terminal that can be connected to the Internet. A digital signal stored in a database and capable of operating a device such as an air conditioner or a VTR from a portable or fixed terminal, and at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name.
One can input and withdraw, the format of the corresponding device, a unique operation signal data group for operating the device such as operation data, and a portable or fixed terminal and a menu screen capable of exchanging information to be transmitted so as to be posted, Transmitting means for transmitting a signal for operating the device based on the information processed on the menu screen.

[0014] In the operation signal distribution device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the transmission means includes a transmission means for transmitting a signal for directly operating a device input to the menu screen at a time input to the menu screen. It is provided.

An operation signal distribution device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention transmits or outputs a signal for starting or stopping the operation of a device at a time, or for notifying a terminal capable of connecting to the Internet that the device is operating.

[0016] According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining operation signal from a terminal means for accessing an external database via a communication means to obtain operation signal data of a device such as a home appliance. At least one of a device name, a device manufacturer name and a model name of the device from the terminal device to an external database. Is input to obtain operation signal data.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining an operation signal, comprising the steps of:
Selecting operation signal data that can operate the device to be operated.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining an operation signal, comprising the steps of: accessing an external database from a terminal means through a communication means to obtain a plurality of operation signal data of devices such as home electric appliances; A step of transmitting the signal data to an operation means of a device such as a home appliance and converting the operation signal into an operation signal for operating the device; and a step of sequentially transmitting the operation signal to a device to be operated and determining whether or not the operation is possible. And with.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining an operation signal, comprising the steps of:
Operating a device such as a TR and determining whether the device can be operated based on the operation status of the device or an operation signal from the device.

The operation signal distribution method according to claim 15 of the present invention is characterized in that an air conditioner is connected to a portable terminal such as a portable telephone or a database accessible from a fixed terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone or a dedicated terminal such as a dedicated terminal. Storing unique operation signal data capable of operating a device such as a VTR, and when at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name of the device is input from the terminal, the operation of the corresponding device is performed from the database. Delivering a plurality of candidates for the corresponding unique operation signal data.

The operation signal distribution method according to claim 16 of the present invention provides a remote control signal analysis menu including an operation pattern operation command for a device when information is obtained from the terminal that the device cannot be operated with the candidate for the unique operation signal data. Distributes and receives the remote control signal of the device via the terminal, formats,
And investigating and analyzing data codes and the like.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the operation signal distribution method, when information indicating that a device cannot be operated with a candidate for unique operation signal data is obtained from a terminal, the device is borrowed and the format and data code of the remote control signal are changed. Investigating and analyzing and storing in the database.

[0023] The operation signal distribution method according to claim 18 of the present invention provides a remote control signal format and data code from a device maker when information is obtained from a terminal indicating that a device cannot be operated with a unique operation signal data candidate. And storing the information in a database.

A drive signal generator according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a drive signal generator that can be connected to a terminal connected to the Internet and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home appliance. A plurality of drive signal generating elements for generating a signal are arranged so as to be able to transmit a signal over a wide range, and the plurality of drive signal generating elements are sequentially driven so as to reduce a signal driving current.

A drive signal generator according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is a drive signal generator that is connected to a terminal connectable to the Internet and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home appliance, and generates the signal. Pointing means for pointing a point on the screen of the terminal is provided near the drive signal generating element.

A drive signal generator according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is a drive signal generator that is connected to an Internet-connectable terminal and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home electric appliance. An audio signal confirmation device is provided near the signal generating element, and reception can be confirmed by a reception confirmation sound corresponding to signal transmission.

In a drive signal generating device according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the drive signal generating element for generating a signal generates pulse-modulated infrared light as a drive signal.

A connection service system according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention provides a step of providing an operation menu to a first terminal such as a mobile phone which can be connected to the Internet, and a step of providing the first terminal input according to the operation menu. And transferring the operation command to a second terminal connected to the Internet, and making a call that triggers the second terminal to connect to the Internet.

A connection service system according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention includes a step of setting processing for connecting to the Internet in accordance with a ring-up telephone in the second terminal, wherein the connection is established from the second terminal after connection to the Internet. An operation command can be transmitted to a drive signal generator that drives the device.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an application service provider (referred to as an ASP) which has remote control signal data such as a maker, a model name, a model name, a format, and a signal code of various products and can provide the data; Terminal equipment that can be connected to an external communication line such as the Internet, 3 is an air conditioner 20 or VTR
Reference numeral 21 denotes an interface device such as a remote controller capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal for operating a device such as a home electric appliance placed indoors. Reference numeral 10 denotes an Internet service provider 11, 14 or connection service provider ASP13. The Internet network 12 to which various application service providers are connected is another terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, and a personal computer that can access the air conditioner 20 or the like from outside or from another room via communication.

In the remote control system shown in FIG. 1, a terminal 12 which can be carried and operated such as a portable telephone, a PDA, or a personal computer which can be connected to the Internet 10 via an Internet service provider 11 has been described. A fixed terminal that can be operated through a communication line or the like may be used.
May be a terminal device 2 such as a personal computer. A terminal device 2 such as a personal computer, a telephone, and a dedicated terminal is an Internet service provider 1 located at a remote location.
The personal computer, the telephone, and the dedicated terminal may be connected to the Internet 10 via the remote controller 4 and may be built in or connectable to the interface device 3 which is a remote controller capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal. The conditions of the terminal device 2 are different between when the terminal device 2 is operated and when data is simply exchanged. The interface device 3 capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal transmits a drive signal such as an infrared signal to operate the air conditioner 20, the VTR 21, and the like. A portable type may be used as the control device.

If a signal to an air conditioner or the like can be transmitted by being connected to an external communication circuit, the terminal device 2 and the interface device 3 can be provided separately as shown in FIG. 1, or the terminal device 2 and the interface device 3 can be integrated, It goes without saying that the portable remote control may be combined. That is, the terminal 12, the terminal device 2, the interface device 3, or the remote control device shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a connection service AS for performing an interface between a terminal 12 such as a mobile phone, a PDA and a personal computer and a terminal device 2 such as a personal computer, a telephone and a dedicated terminal.
P13, describes the configuration of the remote control signal data providing ASP1 which has a remote control signal database of home appliances such as air conditioners and VTRs on a web server and provides it to terminal devices 2 such as personal computers, telephones and dedicated terminals. It goes without saying that it is only necessary to have a data supply unit that can supply remote control signal data such as a home page of a home appliance manufacturer instead of the provider ASP.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence explanatory diagram showing the operation of the present invention, in which each device performing the operation is shown at the top, and the operation procedure is described. The user operates the portable terminal 12 from outside to access the ASP 13 which is a database of a connection service provider. The connection service ASP 13 discloses the menu on the homepage to the terminal 12. User is user ID,
The user logs in to the connection service ASP 13 by inputting a password, the name of a device to be operated such as an air conditioner, a VTR, and the like. The connection service ASP 13 confirms the authentication of the user ID, the password and the like, and discloses the operation menu of the designated device to the terminal 12. Examples of the operation menu include “operation (operation / stop)” and “operation mode (cooling / heating)” when the device is the air conditioner 20. Next, the user selects an operation menu and sends it to the connection ASP 13. The connection service ASP 13 transfers the operation command to a terminal device 2 such as a personal computer, a telephone, or a dedicated terminal at a remote place such as a home. This transfer may be sent from the portable terminal 12 to the fixed terminal 2. Once the operation command is input into a terminal device such as a personal computer, the user can operate the device he wants to use simply by giving simple operation support from anywhere. Even if a new air conditioner is installed in this way, even if it becomes necessary to operate a device that has no means to operate, anyone can easily operate the device by exchanging information from the terminal and operating from the screen become.

The person who operates the terminal 12 which is a contractor who receives the service for the connection service ASP 13 registers the e-mail address of the mobile phone 12, the e-mail address of the personal computer 2, the telephone number of the personal computer 2, and the password used for user registration. Etc. When the contractor instructs the operation menu selected from the ASP server to the mobile phone together with the password and the like from the registered mobile phone 12 to the mobile phone, for example, the start of the cooling operation by e-mail, the ASP server transmits to the personal computer registered in advance. Forward e-mail. At this time, the personal computer, which is the terminal 2 placed in the absence home and instructing the air conditioner, is connected to the telephone as hardware, but is not connected to the Internet. The power supply may be either on or off. Of course, a system in which a personal computer is always connected to the Internet using cable television or ADSL may be used. However, in a general home or the like, a telephone is connected to a provider via a modem when used. In this case, a telephone charge and a connection fee to the provider are required, but the cost is only for the specification. The PC is not connected to the Internet except at the time of use, since this cost and energy waste. The personal computer 2, which is not a terminal connected to the Internet, cannot immediately receive the mail transferred from the ASP server.

The ASP server transfers the air-conditioner operation command mail to the registered mail number of the personal computer and makes a ring-up call by calling the registered telephone number of the personal computer 2. In other words, the Internet is not connected except during use. Therefore, even if you send mail to your home from home, you will not receive your personal computer at home, but if a signal is input to the modem of personal computer 2, this is the same as when the telephone arrives at your personal computer. This is a signal, and dial-up connection can be made if it is programmed in a personal computer in advance. If this program processing is included in the disk passed from the provider as one of the processing required at the time of contract, all the processing can be completed at once, or it may be sent by communication from the provider. As described above, the personal computer 2 detects that there is a ring-up call serving as a trigger and makes a dial-up connection to the Internet. As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 2 can automatically receive the Internet connection and the mail and execute the operation command of the air conditioner. As a result, a contractor who has contracted with the connection service ASP 13 can receive a convenient service at no cost.

The terminal equipment 2 such as a personal computer, a telephone and a dedicated terminal generates a drive signal capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal based on remote control signal data provided from the remote control signal providing ASP 1 in advance based on the transferred operation command. The data is transferred to the interface device 3 having an infrared ray generating element as an element. The interface device 3 transmits a drive signal such as an infrared remote control signal based on the command and drives the air conditioner 20 which is a device. Equipment air conditioner 20, VTR
21 operate according to the received remote control signal. Among the above, for the connection service ASP13, the mobile phone, P
It is also possible to directly exchange data between a terminal 12 such as a DA or a personal computer and a terminal device 2 such as a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, or the like. The above operation may be performed by the terminal 2 without the terminal 12, or the terminal 2 and the connection service ASP 13 may be connected by a normal telephone network or data communication network without passing through the Internet network 10. It is also conceivable that the same service provider performs the connection service ASP 13 and the remote control signal providing ASP 1. Further, a driving element other than the infrared ray may be used.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the remote control signal database. In FIG. 14, air conditioners and VTs are used as device names.
R, TV and the like are described. The name of each company is listed as a manufacturer name which is a name of a device manufacturer. In the next column, the model name is further described by various symbols such as 00 for the manufacturing year 2000. By using any one or a combination of two or more of the columns up to this point as a key of this database search, the format code and data in the subsequent columns can be easily extracted. However, there are various names for the device names in Japanese only, such as air conditioners, coolers, and air conditioners. Some people may enter it in English. The same applies to the manufacturer name, and there are various cases where the production year and the model name are misread between I and 1, 0 and I. Therefore, when the input data is to be used as a search keyword, it is necessary to pick up all the words and meanings that have the same meaning in the ASP1 database and send a plurality of signals to the terminal device. Remote control signals that can operate various devices can be reliably transmitted. The plurality of signals may be transmitted, for example, with the same manufacturer name. Devices that use a general remote control, such as home appliances, do not need to operate the main unit every time, and can be operated even while away from the device.
A convenient and easy-to-use control device is obtained. Further, as an apparatus using such an operation device, it is also useful for a factory which operates the apparatus from the outside unattended, and an apparatus which is operated from a distant place for safety because of handling explosive devices and chemicals. Although the device name, manufacturer name, model name, etc. are listed as searchable keywords in the database, general consumers may know the trademark, which is a more famous nickname by advertising, instead of the device name or manufacturer name. Many. In many cases, abbreviations are communicated from the trade name described in the product. By allowing these words to be used synonymously for consumers instead of equipment and manufacturer names, the system becomes more general and easier to use.

The fact that the signal differs depending on the device means that
First, how to create a digital signal, that is, the pulse low is 1 msec, high is 1 msec, and the digital signal is 1, and low is 1 msec and high is 3
Assuming that a signal is created with msec being 0 as a digital signal, if another manufacturer has a different time width, a signal difference occurs. Second, the air conditioner is turned on or the video channel is switched depending on the device by the manufacturer depending on how the digital signal is given, for example, how the command 0101 is given as a command.
Infrared rays are most often used as remote controls for appliances such as home appliances. It can operate various devices only by changing a signal which is software with a single hardware, and since it is a coded digital signal, accurate signal transmission is possible, there are few malfunctions, and the compatibility with the Internet is good.

In an infrared remote controller used for household equipment, etc., infrared is used as a carrier and 3 is used as a subcarrier.
It has a primary modulation of 3 KHz or more and 40 KHz or less, in which a pulse train is modulated by a data code according to the PPM method, and the amplitude of the subcarrier is modulated by the pulse train, and the secondary modulation is that the infrared modulation is performed by the primary modulated subcarrier. Subcarriers as shown in FIG. 14 are used according to each maker and each device. The configuration of the signal format of the infrared remote controller is such that a reader LD indicating the head of the signal in the order described in the format of FIG. 14, a custom code MCC which is a code for identifying a company supplying the product, and a bit for preventing data error. Or even
It is composed of a parity P which is a code for confirming whether the number has become odd, a data code D, and a trailer TR which indicates the end of a signal.

As shown in the pulse shape of FIG. 14, the reference width is 430 microseconds as described as, for example, 430 U.
The time width of highH and LowL is determined to be 8T, which is eight times the reference width. The 0 and 1 pulses used for data are also individually determined. Further, a device operation operation data command which is a command for specifically specifying an operation is determined by A and B operations such as cooling and heating and channel switching. There are many types of air conditioners, such as timer switching, buzzer, favorite operation, set temperature, vane position, etc., and a lot of status designations such as a configuration, one command, one command format, command group format, etc. Exists. As shown in FIG. 14, even if the subcarriers and the format are the same, the command included in the data and the reference width of the pulse shape differ from company to company. Further, when a new product, a new model, or a new control content is developed, the data command for operating the device changes. However, any kind of remote control signal data can be extracted and used by a simple operation if it is registered in a database as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of recording a signal from a database will be described with reference to FIG. 3, which is a sequence diagram of the present invention. The user operates the terminal 12 or the terminal device 2 to access the remote control signal providing ASP 1. The remote control signal providing ASP 1 discloses a menu. The user operates the terminal 12 or the terminal device 2 and selects an initial setting menu,
Enter the user ID, password, etc., and log in to the ASP. The remote control signal providing ASP 1 confirms the authentication of the user ID, the password, and the like, permits the login, and discloses the operation menu. The user may input any one of the model name, the manufacturer name, and the model name, or a combination of two or more. In ordinary households, it is necessary to look at a name plate for a type name, which is difficult to see, and it is difficult to know which type name is used. The manufacturer name and model of the air conditioner are easy to understand, and if there are two data, the processing will be faster. However, instead of the manufacturer name, a trademark or trade name having the same meaning as the manufacturer name largely described on the device surface may be used, but it is most preferable to include a model called an air conditioner. The remote control signal providing ASP 1 sends the corresponding remote control signal data as the search result to the terminal device 2.
Transfer to The terminal device 2 records the transferred remote control signal data group. As described above, since the terminal 2 can also be input from the terminal 12, the terminal 2 does not need to have operation input means, display means, and the like. By this operation, a remote control signal can be easily obtained for any device.

Next, another signal recording operation from the database will be described with reference to FIG. 4 which is a sequence diagram of the present invention. The user operates the terminal 12 or the terminal device 2 to access the remote control signal providing ASP 1. The remote control signal providing ASP 1 discloses a menu. User is terminal 1
The user operates the terminal device 2 or the terminal device 2, selects an initial setting menu, inputs a user ID, a password, and the like, and logs in to the ASP. The remote control signal providing ASP1 is a user ID,
Confirm the authentication such as password, permit login, and disclose the operation menu. The user inputs the model name, manufacturer name, model name, and the like as described above. The basis is the model name of the air conditioner, but it is desirable to enter as many inputs as possible including the manufacturer name. The remote control signal providing ASP1 is only for the model name of the air conditioner, the instructions are confusing for the ventilation fan or dehumidifier, etc. Even if there is a search, a plurality of suitable remote control signal data groups are transferred to the terminal device 2 simultaneously or sequentially while searching. The terminal device 2 records the transferred plurality of remote control signal data groups.

As described above, even when the remote control signal data group cannot be uniquely identified from the input model name, manufacturer name, trademark, trade name, model name, etc., it is possible to respond by sending a plurality of candidates. And Of course, you will have to select the air conditioner in the menu, but there are many devices that have been combined and devices that have appeared newly, and you do not know which model to select. Manufacturer names and trade names are also more discrete. In such a case, a concept search may be performed in which a related sentence is input and words and connections in the sentence are logically searched. Without relying on the search described above, it would be difficult to obtain a system or service in any case, regardless of how large or complex the system or service would be. For the first time, services and systems according to the present invention provide simple, practical, and usable products for general households.

Next, when a plurality of remote control data signal group candidates are obtained in a case where the operation menu is small or the remote control signal data group cannot be narrowed down, the device can be operated from among them. A description will be given of a method of selecting an item that conforms to. The configuration is included in FIG. However,
The air conditioner 20, VTR 21, and interface device 3 have two-way communication means.

Next, the operation of signal selection after recording a plurality of signal groups will be described with reference to FIG. 5 which is a sequence diagram of the present invention. The terminal 2 transmits one of the remote control signal data group candidates to the interface device 3 that can generate a drive signal such as an infrared signal. The interface device 3 creates an infrared remote control signal based on the received remote control signal data such as a format and a command code, and
0, transmitted to VTR 21. Air conditioner 20, VTR 21
Perform the same operation as when a normal remote control signal is received. That is, if the signal is a suitable signal, it operates normally, and returns that it has operated. On the other hand, it does not work even if an unsuitable remote control signal comes. Next, the interface device 3 transmits the communication availability to the terminal 2. The terminal 2 stores the candidate for the remote control signal data group if the communication is normally performed, deletes the candidate if not, and repeats the same operation again with the next candidate. In normal use, remote control is performed using the remote control signal data group recorded as described above. When the air conditioner does not operate, it may be determined that the air conditioner does not operate after waiting for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, or it may be confirmed by the two-way remote controller that the air conditioner does not operate.

Next, the selection operation will be described with reference to another sequence diagram of FIG. The terminal 2 transmits one of the remote control signal data group candidates to the interface device 3 that can generate a drive signal such as an infrared signal. As a command to the terminal 2, a method of directly operating the terminal 2 and a method of remotely operating the terminal 12 to issue a command can be considered. Interface device 3
Creates an infrared remote control signal based on the received remote control signal data such as a format and a command code, and transmits the signal to the air conditioner 20, the VTR 21 and the like. Air conditioner 20, V
TR21 performs the same operation as when a normal remote control signal is received. That is, if the signal is suitable, it operates normally. On the other hand, it does not work even if an unsuitable remote control signal comes. Next, if the user can operate the air conditioner 20, the VTR 21, and the like in the same manner as when operating a remote controller attached to the device, the user manually selects and stores a candidate for this remote control signal data group as a compatible data group. If the operation is not performed normally, the remote control signal data group is manually deleted, and the same operation is repeated again with the next candidate. In normal use, remote control is performed using the remote control signal data group recorded as described above.

Next, the selection operation will be described with reference to another sequence diagram of FIG. The terminal 2 transmits one of the remote control signal data group candidates to the interface device 3 that can generate a drive signal such as an infrared signal. The interface device 3 creates an infrared remote control signal based on the received remote control signal data such as a format and a command code, and transmits the signal to devices such as the air conditioner 20 and the VTR 21. The air conditioner 20, VTR 21 and the like perform the same operation as when a normal remote control signal is received. That is, if the signal is suitable, it operates normally. On the other hand, it does not work even if an unsuitable remote control signal comes. Next, the terminal 2 repeats the same operation as described above until the next candidate in the remote control signal data group disappears.

The following relates to a method for enriching a remote control signal database to increase the number of devices that can be supported. Since the configuration is included in FIG. 1, the description is omitted. However, the interface device 3 has two-way communication means.

Next, a procedure for analyzing remote control signal data and adding it to the database will be described with reference to another sequence diagram of FIG. The user operates the terminal 2 to input a device name such as an air conditioner or a VTR, a model name, a manufacturer name, and the like. The terminal 2 displays an operation instruction of a push button of a remote controller based on a user's input according to a program provided in advance. The operation instruction of the terminal 2 is displayed in characters,
The contents of the operation instruction are commanded to a remote control attached to the device with a graphic display, a voice display, and the like, and the operation remote control transmits a signal. As a command to the terminal 2, a method of directly operating the terminal 2 and a method of remotely operating the terminal 12 to issue a command can be considered. In addition, the user operates the buttons of the remote controller attached to the corresponding device in accordance with the instruction of the terminal 2, transmits a remote control signal accompanying the operation to the interface device 3, takes in the transmitted interface device, and transfers it to the terminal. But it is good. In the case of a manual, first, the terminal 2 mainly operates to display. The device operates according to a signal such as a button operation of a remote controller, and the interface device 3 receives a signal of the operation in accordance with the operation, and transmits the received remote control signal via the interface device 3 to the terminal 2.
Transfer to The terminal 2 saves the transmitted remote control signal for operating the device as a signal corresponding to the displayed operation instruction, instructs the next operation mode, and repeats the above operation until the operation pattern ends. When the operation pattern is completed, the stored remote control signal data for each displayed operation instruction is analyzed, that is, the pulse train, shape, and time of the code are analyzed, and the code and the pulse train are collected in a one-to-one relationship.
For example, it is stored as a remote control signal data group of codes such as on / off, and then the remote control signal supply ASP is sent from the terminal 2.
1 and the device name of the air conditioner, VTR, etc., model name, manufacturer name, etc. The remote control signal supply ASP (1) adds a device name, a manufacturer name, a model name, and a remote control signal data group to the database.

The pulse shape for the format and code as the remote control signal data is determined by the
It may be provided from a device maker such as a TR, and add a device name, a manufacturer name, a model name, and a remote control signal data group to the database. In this case, data published on the home page of the manufacturer may be downloaded via the Internet. In this case, the manufacturer's remote control signal will be released free of charge, but it will be used to advertise its own products and remote control, and the user will be able to provide services in case the remote control is lost.

Further, a remote controller of a device is received from a maker, a distributor, a user, or the like, and the remote controller signal data is analyzed in the same manner as described above, and a device name, a manufacturer name, a model name, and a remote control signal data group are added to a database. But it is good.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an infrared signal generation device which is an interface device 3 which is an example of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a layout diagram showing how this device is actually arranged in a room. In the figure, 23 is a desk, 24 is a living room, 25 is a receiving means, 26 is a USB interface, 27 is a sequential lighting means, and 31-34 are infrared light emitting elements. As shown in FIG. 9, the infrared signal generator 3 according to the present invention can reach the infrared signal even when placed on the desk 23 on the air conditioner 20 and the VTR 21 installed in different directions of the living room 24 as shown in FIG. Has a plurality of infrared emitting elements 31 to 34 and a lighting means 27 sequentially.

Regarding the operation of the interface device 3 shown in the figure, a current that can be supplied from a personal computer, a telephone, or the dedicated terminal 2 via the universal serial bus (USB) interface 26 without using a separate power source such as an AC adapter. Lighting means 2 so that
7, the infrared light emitting elements 31-34 are turned on one by one with a time lag, so that the instantaneous current can be reduced. In order to reduce this, the time interval for sequentially turning on the light may be reduced within the range of the current of the universal serial bus (USB) interface 26 so that a special power supply is not required. You may let it.
In addition, each of the elements 31-34 outputs the same signal, so that no matter where the target device fits, even if the target device or the interface device is moved, even if the signal is wrapped, it can be controlled without any problem.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of another driving signal generator 3 for generating infrared signals and the like. As shown in FIG. 11, the drive signal generating device 3 includes a trackball having a pointing function, a position detecting means 36 such as an optical type, a switch means 37, and a communication means 26, as shown in FIG. A position detecting means 36 and a switch input means 37 which are pointing functions which can indicate a point existing on a screen of a personal computer connected to a terminal such as a personal computer at the same signal destination near the infrared signal generating device, that is, near the infrared light emitting element. In other words, by providing the mouse function of the personal computer, the user can easily turn on and off the switch of the personal computer screen, thereby obtaining a remote controller which is easy to handle. Note that the movement may be detected by using an optical position detecting device for the light emitting element and the attending element instead of the trackball on the back side of the mouse.

In FIG. 11, the drive signal generating device 3 according to the present invention generally includes a position detecting means 36,
By communicating the position information and switch input information detected by the switch means 37 to the terminal 2 which is a personal computer by the communication means 26, the same operation as that of the conventional mouse is performed, and the remote control signal is captured and selected as described in the first embodiment. , Analysis, etc. can be performed easily. Also, when the user is out, the terminal 12 shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment can transmit a drive signal such as an infrared signal as a control signal to the air conditioner 20, the VTR 21 and the like to control the device. Although the terminal 12 described with reference to FIG. 1 of the first embodiment has described the operation from outside the home, the present invention is not limited to this, and the set-top box placed in the living room 24 of the home instead of the personal computer of the terminal 2 Such a device having no switch or display device can be used for the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention, for example, designation of a device maker such as an air conditioner or designation of a product model. That is, the system of the present invention can be realized if the terminal has the minimum necessary functions.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another infrared signal generator according to the present invention. The interface device 3 capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal has a sound confirmation unit 35. Regarding this operation, when a remote control signal is transmitted from the infrared light emitting element, a received sound emitted from the air conditioner is detected by the voice checking means, and it is confirmed that the remote control signal is recognized by the main body. The voice confirmation means can utilize functions of a personal computer or the like. By providing the voice confirmation means 35, it is possible to surely know and confirm what operation has been performed during operations such as capturing, selecting, transmitting, and analyzing the remote control signal described in the first embodiment. Useful for understanding.

Next, the operation of the signal operation using the infrared signal generator 3 described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 which is different from that of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.
The configuration of the system is as shown in FIG. The user is the terminal 12
Alternatively, the user operates the terminal device 2 to access the connection service ASP 13. The connection service ASP 13 discloses a menu. The user operates the terminal 12 or the terminal device 2 and selects the forgetting prevention time setting menu, and sets the user ID,
Enter a password and log in to the connection service ASP. The remote control signal providing ASP 1 confirms the authentication of the user ID, the password, and the like, permits the login, and discloses the operation menu. For example, the user usually inputs a time when the room is absent, a day of the week, a weekday at 9:00 in the morning, etc., and a time to prevent forgetting to cut. The connection service ASP 13 transfers a command to stop the air conditioner to the terminal device 2 at a specified time on a specified day, such as every day or a weekday, and stops the air conditioner. As another example, when the designated time comes, the connection service ASP 13 obtains the operating status of the air conditioner via the terminal 2, and notifies the terminal 12 that the air conditioner is operating if it is operating. In this example, an air conditioner is described, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a kotatsu, an electric carpet, and the like. In addition, this system can be realized by a single device without using this system, and is also effective as a function for preventing energy saving for saving energy.

The remote control system according to the present invention uses a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, which can be connected or connected to an interface device capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal placed in the house from a terminal such as a portable telephone which can be connected to the Internet. An air conditioner in the house, directly or via a connection service ASP,
In a system that controls a VTR or the like, a unique remote control signal data group such as a format of an air conditioner, a VTR, a command code, and the like is provided to the Internet-connectable devices such as a personal computer, a telephone, and a dedicated terminal.
An SP (application service provider) service has a remote control signal database for home electric appliances such as air conditioners and VTRs on a web server, and a transfer unit for transferring a remote control signal data group of the appliances.
In this system, the remote control signal providing ASP has a remote control signal database of home electric appliances such as an air conditioner and a VTR on a web server, and transfers a remote control signal data group of the appliances via the Internet.

An ASP for providing a remote control signal according to the present invention
The service is provided by a remote control signal database by inputting the names of equipment such as air conditioners and VTRs, as well as the names of manufacturers, models, etc. from Internet-accessible terminals such as mobile phones or personal computers, telephones, and dedicated terminals. Supplying a group of unique remote control signal data such as the format and command code of the corresponding device to an Internet-connectable device such as a personal computer or telephone that has a built-in or connectable interface device that can generate a drive signal such as an infrared signal placed in the house An air conditioner designated by an Internet connection-capable terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, or other Internet-connectable equipment.
It has a transfer means for transferring a remote control signal data group corresponding to a home appliance such as a VTR. This system can be connected to the Internet, such as a mobile phone, or a personal computer,
A remote control signal data group corresponding to a home appliance such as an air conditioner or a VTR specified from an Internet-connectable device such as a telephone or a dedicated terminal is transferred via the Internet.

An ASP for providing a remote control signal according to the present invention
The service is provided by the remote control signal database by inputting the model name such as the name of the air conditioner, VTR, etc., and the name of the maker from the Internet connectable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PC, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, etc. PCs, telephones, and dedicated devices with built-in or connectable interface devices that can generate drive signals such as infrared signals placed at home with a plurality of candidates that match the unique remote control signal data group such as device format and command code An ASP service characterized by supplying to devices such as terminals that can connect to the Internet, such as air conditioners, VTRs, etc. designated from devices that can connect to the Internet such as mobile phones or personal computers, telephones, dedicated terminals, etc. Remote control signal data for home appliances Having a transfer means for plurality transferring a group of candidates. In this system, a plurality of remote control signal data candidates for home electric appliances such as air conditioners and VTRs specified from Internet-connectable terminals such as mobile phones or personal computers, telephones, and dedicated terminals such as dedicated terminals are transmitted via the Internet. Forward.

The remote control system according to the present invention uses a plurality of candidates for a specific remote control signal data group such as a plurality of formats and command codes to connect a terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, etc. to a device such as an air conditioner or a VTR. Software for Internet-connectable devices such as PCs, telephones, and dedicated terminals that have the function of automatically determining the unique remote control signal data group for devices that match the communication consistency. And automatic detecting means for automatically detecting a suitable remote control signal data group. In this system, a remote control signal data group that matches from a plurality of candidates is
Communication is performed between dedicated terminals, etc., and automatic detection is performed.

The remote control system according to the present invention can be implemented by a terminal or a personal computer, a personal computer, a telephone, or the like, which can be actually connected to the Internet, such as a mobile phone, from a plurality of candidates for a unique remote control signal data group such as a plurality of formats and command codes.
PCs, telephones, and software for Internet-connectable devices, such as dedicated terminals, that have the function of manually operating an Internet-connectable device such as a dedicated terminal and setting a unique remote control signal data group for compatible devices. And a setting means for manually detecting and setting a suitable remote control signal data group. By operating a terminal such as a mobile phone or the like, a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, or the like that can be connected to the Internet, a suitable remote control signal data group can be manually detected and set from a plurality of candidates.

The remote control system according to the present invention is for a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, etc., having a function of sequentially transmitting a plurality of candidates for a group of unique remote control signal data such as a plurality of supplied formats and command codes. The software includes transmitting means for sequentially transmitting a plurality of candidates, and sequentially transmits the plurality of candidates.

The remote control system according to the present invention provides an air conditioner that is not registered in the remote control signal database.
When a VTR or the like occurs, an ASP service characterized by receiving a remote control signal unique to the device from an interface device having a function of receiving an infrared signal or the like, investigating and analyzing a format, a command code, etc., and adding the same to the remote control signal database. In, the remote control signal receiving means, analysis means, having an additional means for adding a remote control signal data group,
Receives remote control signals not registered in the database
Analyze and add remote control signal data group.

An ASP for providing a remote control signal according to the present invention
When an air conditioner or VTR that is not registered in the remote control signal database occurs, the service borrows the equipment from the user for a fee or free of charge, investigates and analyzes the format and command code, and adds it to the remote control signal database. A feature of the ASP service is that the remote control signal is supplied from a device maker and has additional means for adding a remote control signal data group. The remote control signal is supplied from the device maker and a remote control signal data group is added.

An ASP for providing a remote control signal according to the present invention
The service is characterized in that, when an air conditioner, VTR, or the like that is not registered in the remote control signal database occurs, the data is provided to the remote control signal database by receiving the data such as a format and a command code from the device maker for a fee or free of charge, and adding to the remote control signal database. The service includes an additional unit for analyzing the remote control signal and adding a remote control signal data group, renting a device from a user, analyzing the remote control signal, and adding the remote control signal data group.

The infrared signal generator according to the present invention comprises:
An infrared signal generator, which has a plurality of infrared emitting elements, can transmit signals over a wide range, and reduces the average current by sequentially lighting a plurality of infrared emitting elements. A plurality of infrared light emitting elements arranged in different directions and a transmitting means for sequentially transmitting the plurality of infrared light emitting elements arranged in different directions;

The drive signal generator for infrared signals and the like according to the present invention is a drive signal generator for infrared signals and the like, which is provided with a pointing function such as a mouse. Means, switch input means, and communication means, and transfers position information and switch input information detected by a position sensor such as a trackball or an optical type to a personal computer by the communication means.

The interface device according to the present invention capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal has an audio signal confirmation device, and confirms reception by a reception confirmation sound at the time of signal transmission. An internet connection device such as a personal computer, a telephone, or a dedicated terminal that has a built-in or connectable interface device that can generate a drive signal, and has an audio signal confirmation unit that confirms reception with the reception sound of the remote control generated by the device when transmitting the remote control An interface device capable of generating a drive signal such as an infrared signal confirms reception by a remote control reception sound generated by the device at the time of remote control reception.

The remote control system according to the present invention is characterized in that at the time set by the user, the air conditioner is turned off or the fact that the air conditioner is operating is reported to a terminal such as a mobile phone which can be connected to the Internet, so that the user can not forget to cut off. ASP
The service has a means for inputting a check time to prevent forgetting to turn off, a scheduler, an operation status confirmation means, and an information transfer means,
When the time set to prevent the user from forgetting to turn off is reached, the air conditioner is stopped or the operation status is checked. If the air conditioner is operating, the user is notified.

The connection service according to the present invention provides an operation menu such as operation / stop, cooling / heating, set temperature, etc. to a portable terminal such as a mobile phone which can be connected to the Internet, for example, in the case of an air conditioner. To select. Next, the connection service transmits the selected operation command to a terminal such as an answering machine connected to the Internet by data transfer means such as mail, and makes a ring-up call as a command to dial up the terminal to the Internet.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to control a variety of devices such as an air conditioner and a VTR from outside by using an infrared remote control signal which is already widely used.
It is useful for improving convenience and promoting energy saving. By providing a service that absorbs signals that differ depending on the manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, etc., it becomes possible to use common hardware and save equipment without having to discard equipment when replacing with a new model such as an air conditioner or VTR. Resources can be obtained. The drive signal generator can also suppress the current, and does not require a separate power supply. It can also be used as a mouse to save space. Even in the one-way communication from the current mainstream remote control to the air conditioner, the reception reliability can be improved by confirming the reception with the received sound. The forget-to-turn-off prevention service makes it possible to reduce wasteful power generated by forgetting to turn off. Further, according to the present invention, necessary information can be obtained by simple input, so that it is possible to construct a system capable of providing necessary and sufficient services at any terminal, anywhere, and using any language.

[0073]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device, comprising: terminal means capable of accessing an external data supply unit via communication means to obtain remote control signal data; and remote control signal data obtained by the terminal means. And remote control means connected to a terminal means for converting and outputting a remote control signal capable of operating a device such as a home electric appliance, and a device name and a device manufacturer name of the device from the terminal means to an external data supply unit. And at least one of the model names is input to obtain remote control signal data, so that any remote control signal can be easily obtained.

In the remote control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the terminal means is a telephone such as a portable telephone or a device such as a personal computer or a dedicated terminal which can be connected to the Internet, and the remote control signal data is digital data and at least Since the format code and the data code for operation and operation of the device are included, a highly reliable device with less signal malfunction can be obtained.

In the remote control device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the terminal means and the remote control means are arranged or integrally formed in the vicinity and the remote control signal is an infrared signal, so that the remote control apparatus is versatile and space-saving. A device is obtained.

In the remote control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the terminal means is a first terminal means which can access an external data supply unit and a second terminal which is arranged near the equipment and obtains remote control signal data. Since it is constituted by the means, an easy-to-handle device can be obtained.

In the remote control device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the terminal means obtains a plurality of remote control signal data from the data supply unit and selects remote control signal data which can be operated by the equipment from the obtained remote control signal data. Can be performed reliably.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote operation device, the remote operation means responds to a plurality of remote control signal data.
Since the remote control signal data that can be operated by the device is selected, a reliable signal can be obtained.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation signal distribution apparatus comprising: a database accessible from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, or a fixed terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone, or a dedicated terminal; A digital signal stored in a database and capable of operating a device such as an air conditioner or a VTR from a portable or fixed terminal, and at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name.
A unique operation signal data group for operating the device, such as the format of the corresponding device, operation data, etc., which can be extracted by inputting one. Since a plurality of unique operation signal data are distributed continuously or simultaneously, advanced services can be performed with a simple device.

An operation signal distribution device according to claim 8 of the present invention comprises a database accessible from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a fixed terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone or a dedicated terminal such as a personal computer, A digital signal stored in a database and capable of operating a device such as an air conditioner or a VTR from a portable or fixed terminal, and at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name.
One can input and withdraw, the format of the corresponding device, a unique operation signal data group for operating the device such as operation data, and a portable or fixed terminal and a menu screen capable of exchanging information to be transmitted so as to be posted, Since there is provided a transmission unit for transmitting a signal for operating the device based on the information processed on the menu screen, the service can be performed by any device anywhere and with a simple device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the operation signal distribution device, the transmission means transmits a signal for directly operating a device input to the menu screen at a time input in the menu screen. Since it is provided, in addition to receiving data of a remote control signal, a service relating to an operation based on the signal can be performed.

The operation signal distribution device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention starts or stops the operation of the device at the time, or transmits a signal to notify a terminal capable of connecting to the Internet that the device is operating. Thus, an easy-to-use system that can eliminate waste can be obtained.

An operation signal obtaining method according to claim 11 of the present invention comprises the steps of: obtaining an operation signal data of a device such as a home appliance by accessing an external database from a terminal means through a communication means; At least one of a device name, a device manufacturer name and a model name of the device from the terminal device to an external database. To obtain the operation signal data,
Necessary data can be easily obtained.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining an operation signal from a plurality of obtained operation signal data group candidates.
A step of selecting operation signal data that can operate the device to be operated, so that necessary data can be reliably obtained.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining an operation signal, comprising the steps of: accessing an external database from a terminal means through a communication means to obtain a plurality of operation signal data of devices such as home appliances; A step of transmitting the signal data to an operation means of a device such as a home appliance and converting the operation signal into an operation signal for operating the device; and a step of sequentially transmitting the operation signal to a device to be operated and determining whether or not the operation is possible. The data acquisition is easy and reliable.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining an operation signal, comprising the steps of:
A step of operating a device such as a TR and determining whether the device can be operated based on the operation status of the device or an operation signal from the device, so that error-free data can be obtained.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation signal distribution method, comprising the steps of providing an air conditioner to a database accessible from a portable terminal such as a portable telephone or a fixed terminal such as a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal or the like. Storing unique operation signal data capable of operating a device such as a VTR, and when at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name of the device is input from the terminal, the operation of the corresponding device is performed from the database. And distributing a plurality of candidates for the corresponding unique operation signal data, so that an easy-to-use system can be obtained.

The operation signal distribution method according to claim 16 of the present invention provides a remote control signal analysis menu including a device operation pattern operation command when information is obtained from a terminal that a device cannot be operated with a candidate for unique operation signal data. Distributes and receives the remote control signal of the device via the terminal, formats,
The step of investigating and analyzing data codes and the like is provided, so that information can be easily collected and a database can be easily constructed.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the operation signal distribution method, when information indicating that a device cannot be operated with a candidate for unique operation signal data is obtained from the terminal, the device is borrowed and the format and data code of the remote control signal are changed. The step of investigating and analyzing and storing the result in the database is provided, so that the construction of the database is ensured.

The operation signal distribution method according to claim 18 of the present invention is characterized in that, when information indicating that a device cannot be operated with a candidate for unique operation signal data is obtained from a terminal, the format and data code of a remote control signal are obtained from the device manufacturer. And the step of storing the data in a database, providing the database at a low cost.

A drive signal generator according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a drive signal generator that can be connected to a terminal connected to the Internet and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home electric appliance. A plurality of drive signal generating elements for generating signals are arranged so as to be able to transmit signals over a wide range, and a plurality of drive signal generating elements are sequentially driven so as to reduce a signal driving current, so that energy consumption is reduced. I can do it.

A drive signal generator according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is a drive signal generator that is connected to a terminal connectable to the Internet and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home appliance, and generates the signal. Since the pointing instructing means for instructing a point on the screen of the terminal is provided near the drive signal generating element, the operation is simple.

A drive signal generator according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is a drive signal generator that is connected to an Internet-connectable terminal and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home electric appliance. An audio signal confirmation device is provided in the vicinity of the signal generating element, and reception can be confirmed by a reception confirmation sound corresponding to signal transmission, so that a device with reliable operation can be obtained.

In the drive signal generation device according to claim 22 of the present invention, since the drive signal generation element for generating a signal generates pulse-modulated infrared light as a drive signal, a versatile device can be obtained.

A connection service system according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention provides a step of providing an operation menu to a first terminal such as a mobile phone which can be connected to the Internet, and a step of providing a first terminal input according to the operation menu. Transfer operation command to a second terminal connected to the Internet, and a step of making a call that triggers the second terminal to connect to the Internet. can get.

A connection service system according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention comprises the step of setting processing for connecting to the Internet in accordance with a ring-up telephone to the second terminal. Since the operation command can be transmitted to the drive signal generation device that drives the device, a service system that is easy for the user to use is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an infrared signal generator showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a substantial arrangement diagram showing a positional relationship of arranged devices, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a drive signal generation device such as an infrared signal showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an interface device showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a remote control signal database as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a system configuration diagram showing a conventional remote control system for an air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Remote control signal providing ASP, 2 Terminal equipment such as personal computer, telephone, dedicated terminal, 3 Interface device capable of generating drive signals such as infrared signals, 10 Internet network, 11, 14 Internet service provider, 12 Mobile phone, PDA, personal computer Terminals, 13 connection service ASP, 14 Internet service provider, 20 air conditioner, 21
VTR, 22 remote control attached to equipment, 23 desks, 2
4 living room, 25 receiving means, 26 USB interface, 27 sequential lighting means, 31-34 infrared light emitting element, 35 voice confirmation means, 36 position detecting means, 37 switch input means.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301D F-term (Reference) 3L061 BA03 BA05 BB03 5C056 AA05 AA10 BA08 BA10 CA01 CA06 CA20 5K048 AA04 AA06 AA09 BA03 BA08 DB04 DC07 EA14 EB02 FB10 FB15 HA01 HA02 5K101 KK11 LL01 LL11

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A terminal means capable of obtaining remote control signal data by accessing an external data supply unit via a communication means, and a remote control capable of operating a device such as a home appliance by using the remote control signal data obtained by said terminal means. Remote control means connected to the terminal means for converting into a signal and outputting the signal,
A remote control device, wherein the remote control signal data is obtained by inputting at least one of a device name, a device manufacturer name, and a model name of the device from the terminal means to the external data supply unit. 2. The terminal means is a telephone such as a mobile phone or a device which can be connected to the Internet such as a personal computer or a dedicated terminal, wherein the remote control signal data is digital data and at least a format code corresponding to the device and the device operation operation. The remote control device according to claim 1, further comprising a data code for use. 3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein said terminal means and said remote control means are arranged or integrally formed in the vicinity, and said remote control signal is an infrared signal. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal means comprises first terminal means capable of accessing an external data supply unit and second terminal means disposed near the device and for obtaining the remote control signal data. The remote control device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein 5. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal unit obtains a plurality of the remote control signal data from a data supply unit, and selects remote control signal data that can be operated by a device from the obtained remote control signal data. A remote control device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein said remote control means selects remote control signal data which can be operated with respect to a plurality of said remote control signal data. 7. A database accessible from an Internet-accessible portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, a telephone, or a dedicated terminal such as a dedicated terminal that can be connected to the Internet, and said portable or fixed terminal stored in said database. A digital signal that can operate equipment such as an air conditioner, VTR, etc., which can be extracted by inputting at least one of the equipment name, manufacturer name, and model name. Specific operation signal data group, and receives the input from the portable or fixed terminal and continuously or simultaneously distributes a plurality of related unique operation signal data held by the database to the portable or fixed terminal. An operation signal distribution device, comprising: 8. A database which can be accessed from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone which can be connected to the Internet or a fixed terminal which can be connected to the Internet such as a personal computer, a telephone, a dedicated terminal, etc., and the portable or fixed terminal stored in the database and A digital signal that can operate equipment such as an air conditioner, VTR, etc., which can be extracted by inputting at least one of the equipment name, manufacturer name, and model name. Transmitting a unique operation signal data group and a menu screen capable of exchanging information to the portable or fixed terminal, and transmitting a signal for operating the device based on the information processed on the menu screen. And an operation signal distribution device. 9. The transmitting means comprising: transmitting means for transmitting a signal directly operated on the device input to the menu screen at a time input in the menu screen. 9. The operation signal distribution device according to 8. 10. A signal for starting or stopping the operation of the device at the time, or transmitting a signal notifying that the device is operating to an Internet-connectable terminal. Item 10. The operation signal distribution device according to Item 9. 11. A step of obtaining operation signal data of a device such as a home electric appliance by accessing an external database from a terminal device through a communication device, and transmitting the obtained operation signal data to an operation device of the device to perform the operation. Means for converting to an operation signal for operating the device,
An operation signal obtaining method, wherein at least one of a device name, a device manufacturer name, and a model name of the device is input from the terminal means to the external database to obtain the operation signal data. 12. The operation according to claim 11, further comprising the step of selecting operation signal data capable of operating a device to be operated from a plurality of obtained operation signal data group candidates. How to get a signal. 13. A step of obtaining a plurality of operation signal data of a device such as a home appliance by accessing an external database via a communication device from a terminal device, and transmitting the obtained operation signal data to a control device of the device such as a home appliance. Transmitting and converting the operation means into an operation signal for operating the device; and transmitting the operation signal to the device to be sequentially operated to determine whether the operation is possible or not, and How to get operation signal. 14. A step of operating a device such as an air conditioner or a VTR to be operated based on the operation signal, and determining whether the device can be operated based on an operation state of the device or an operation signal from the device. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the operation signal is obtained. 15. An inherent operation capable of operating devices such as an air conditioner and a VTR in a database accessible from a portable terminal capable of connecting to the Internet such as a mobile phone or a fixed terminal capable of connecting to the Internet such as a personal computer, a telephone, or a dedicated terminal. Storing signal data; and at least one of a device name, a manufacturer name, and a model name of the device from the terminal.
And delivering a plurality of candidates for the unique operation signal data corresponding to the operation of the corresponding device from the database when one of them has been input. 16. When the information that the device cannot be operated with the candidate for the unique operation signal data is obtained from the terminal, a remote control signal analysis menu including an operation pattern operation command of the device is distributed and the terminal transmits the menu via the terminal. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of receiving a remote control signal of the device, and investigating and analyzing a format, a data code, and the like. 17. When information indicating that the device cannot be operated with the candidate for the unique operation signal data is obtained from the terminal, the device is borrowed and a format of a remote control signal is obtained.
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of investigating and analyzing a data code and storing the data code in the database. 18. When information indicating that the device cannot be operated with the candidate for the unique operation signal data is obtained from the terminal, a format of a remote control signal and a data code are provided from a manufacturer of the device, and the database is transmitted to the database. 16. A storing step, comprising:
The described operation signal distribution method. 19. A driving signal generating device which can be connected to a terminal connected to the Internet and generates a signal for operating a device such as a home appliance, comprising a plurality of driving signal generating elements for generating the same signal. A drive signal generating device arranged to transmit a signal over a wide range and sequentially driving the plurality of drive signal generating elements so as to reduce a signal driving current. 20. A drive signal generator connected to a terminal connectable to the Internet and generating a signal for operating a device such as a home appliance, wherein a screen of the terminal is provided near a drive signal generating element for generating the signal. A driving signal generating device comprising a pointing instruction means capable of instructing an upper point. 21. A drive signal generator connected to a terminal capable of connecting to the Internet and generating a signal for operating a device such as a home appliance, comprising: an audio signal confirmation device in the vicinity of the drive signal generator for generating the signal. A drive signal generator capable of generating a drive signal, wherein the reception signal can be confirmed by a reception confirmation sound corresponding to signal transmission. 22. The driving signal generating device according to claim 19, wherein the driving signal generating element for generating the signal generates a pulse-modulated infrared ray as a driving signal. 23. A step of providing an operation menu to a first terminal such as a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet, and an operation command input from the first terminal according to the operation menu is connected to the Internet. Transfer service to the second terminal, and making a call that triggers the second terminal to connect to the Internet. 24. A step of setting processing for connecting to the Internet to the second terminal in response to a ring-up telephone, wherein the apparatus is connected from the second terminal to the second terminal after the connection to the Internet. 24. The connection service system according to claim 23, wherein the operation command can be transmitted to a drive signal generator for driving the connection service.