JP2003052092A - Apparatus controller and apparatus control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus controller in which the resource of storage media is not wasted by lessening the burden imposed to a user or an operating person even when an apparatus being controlled is added or modified or the controllable function of that apparatus is altered. SOLUTION: The apparatus controller comprises an interface means 11 connectible from a terminal 2 with one or a plurality of apparatus 3 being controlled and transmitting/receiving a signal to/from the apparatus 3, means 4 for storing a program component folder 6 storing an independent program component for each function, and means 9 for generating a specified application depending on the function of the apparatus 3 being controlled by collecting required program components selectively among program components stored in the program component folder 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device such as a digital camera, an air conditioner such as an air conditioner, a cooking appliance such as a microwave oven, and a video device, which are remotely provided via a network such as the Internet or a CATV. Equipment and audiovisual equipment such as a digital video disk device (DVD), lighting equipment such as a lamp, and a plurality of electronic equipment such as an information processing device such as a printer and a scanner (hereinafter referred to as equipment)
The present invention relates to a device for controlling a machine and a device control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various techniques have been proposed for controlling equipment provided at home, office, etc. by a terminal provided remotely.

An example of such a conventional equipment control technique will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 26 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional equipment control system.

A terminal 203 (personal computer (personal computer), personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.) at a remote place has a browser display means 215 built-in, and is configured to be connectable to a server 205 via the Internet 202.

A server 20 provided in a home or office
5, a plurality of devices 211 to be controlled are connected via the serial interface 204.

The server 205 includes a database unit 210.
And a device control unit 207 that sends and receives signals to and from the device 211 through the Internet 202, and the device control unit 207 that sends and receives signals to and from the device 211. A control code for causing the device 211 to execute control,
And a Hyper for displaying a control Web page showing a control target, a control item, and a control instruction procedure to the user.
Text Markup Language (HTM
A code described as an L document (hereinafter referred to as an HTML code, a combination of the control code and the HTML code is referred to as a control application) is stored in advance.

When the user wants to control the device 211 from the terminal 203, the user accesses the server 205 through the Internet 202 and the HT for displaying the control Web page of the device 211 from the database section 210.
The ML code is sent to the terminal 203 via the interface unit 201, and the browser display means 215 provided in the terminal 203 displays the control Web page.

On the control Web page, controllable functions and operations of the device 211 to be controlled are displayed as icons, and the user can select a desired function from the icons on the Web page.

When the user selects an icon, the HTML code describing the selected function is displayed on the terminal 203.
From the Internet to the server 205 via the Internet 202. The server 205 uses the HT sent from the terminal 203.
The ML code is received, and the control code based on the described contents is sent from the database unit 210 to the device control unit 207.
To the device 21 to be controlled by the device control unit 207.
Send control code to 1. The device 211 executes the matter described in the sent control code.

With such a device control system, the user can execute desired control on the device 211 provided remotely from the terminal 203 (eg, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-51674).

[0012]

However, in the device control system as described above, for all the devices to be controlled, a comparative description such as a Web page description code including a control code and a GUI is provided for each device. Large amount of information had to be stored in advance in the server database.

All control codes and Web page description codes relating to all controllable devices,
In other words, holding the control application means holding similar programs such as the same control code and the same GUI in duplicate, and requires a large storage area.
There is a possibility that the resource of the recording medium will be wasted.

Further, when a new controllable device is added, or when the function of the device is added or modified, or the version is upgraded, a new control code or W is added.
It was necessary to add the description code of the eb page to the database.

Therefore, for example, a device to be controlled is added,
A technique has been proposed in which a control code or the like necessary for the database section of each server is downloaded from a server separately provided on the network every time the change is made (eg, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-53779). ).

However, even in such a system,
When a new device is added or the function is expanded, downloading the data each time is difficult to perform, such as recovery work when the download fails, and it requires a long-time operation. It was a big burden for the administrator.

At the same time, also for those who operate the device control system (hereinafter referred to as an operator), a new control Web page is prepared every time a device or function is added or changed, a control code, a GUI, etc. are prepared. It has been a heavy burden to change the description code and the like of the control Web page every time.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and even if a device to be controlled is added or changed or a controllable function of the device is changed, a user or An object of the present invention is to provide a device control device and a device control system that reduce the burden on the operator and use the storage medium resources wastefully.

[0019]

A device control apparatus of the present invention is capable of connecting a terminal and one or more devices to be controlled and constitutes an application for executing the function of the device to be controlled. A storage unit that stores a program component to be stored and a program component required to execute the function of the device selected in response to the instruction based on the instruction from the terminal are selected from the storage unit, and a predetermined application is selected. And an application generating means for generating.

With such a configuration, it is possible to generate an application corresponding to the function of the device to be controlled. Therefore, even if the device or function is added or changed, the user or operator can Does not need to install or download a control application or driver for each device each time.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user and the operator, such as the recovery at the time of a failure, which accompanies the installation and the download.

Further, since the capacity of software required for control of the control application etc. can be reduced as a whole, the resources of the storage medium can be effectively used.

Further, the storage means stores a user table in which user authentication information is stored, a control target device table in which information about devices to be controlled by each user is stored, and execution is possible for each device to be controlled. And a device information table storing control information, wherein the application generating unit generates a predetermined application based on the information stored in the user table, the controlled device table, and the device information table. By doing so, the application can be generated for each controllable device for each user, so that the user does not need to judge the controllable function, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

Further, the storage means further has a control command table storing function command information of the equipment to be controlled, and by transmitting a control command suitable for the selected equipment to the selected equipment. Even for various types of devices with different control programs installed, by adding information such as the location of the control program, control commands and arguments, etc., to the control command table, the number of devices can be increased. Equipment, for example,
It is possible to control devices with different control programs. Further, even when controlling a device having a different control program, by adding information about the control program to the control command table without newly installing or downloading the program,
Since it is possible to control a larger number of devices, for example, devices having different control programs, the burden on the operator can be reduced and the storage medium resources can be effectively used.

Further, the terminal has a browser display unit, and the program component stored in the storage means causes the browser display unit of the terminal to display operation buttons related to the function for each function of the device to be controlled. And a control command program for transmitting a control command to a device to be controlled, the same program component can be shared by a plurality of devices, so that the capacity of a program such as a control application is small. In addition to being able to enhance the effect of saving, it is not necessary to create a new control Web page or to download or install even if a device is added or changed. It is possible to reduce the burden of.

The control command program is PHP
By being described in the language, the processing speed can be increased and the server load can be reduced as compared with Perl / CGI or the like.

Further, since the button display program is described by the description code adapted to the browser display section of the terminal, the dependence on the type of browser display section and the type of terminal is reduced, and the device can be operated from many types of terminals. can do.

Furthermore, since the device control device determines the type of the terminal by further including the terminal determining means for determining the type of the terminal, it is not necessary for the user to register the type of the terminal in advance. While realizing device operation using a terminal that has different types of browser display units,
It is possible to provide a device control device that does not impose an extra burden on the user.

Further, the device control system of the present invention includes a terminal, one or more devices to be controlled, and
A storage unit that stores a program component that should form an application for executing the function of the device to be controlled, and a function of the device selected according to the instruction based on the instruction from the terminal. It is characterized by including an application generating unit that selects a necessary program component from the storage unit and generates a predetermined application, and includes a server that transmits a control command corresponding to the instruction to the selected device.

With such a configuration, it is possible to generate an application corresponding to the function of the device to be controlled. Therefore, even if the device or function is added or changed, the user or operator can Does not need to install or download a control application or driver for each device each time.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user or operator such as recovery at the time of failure due to installation or download.

Further, since the capacity of software required for control of the control application etc. can be reduced as a whole, the resources of the storage medium can be effectively used.

Further, the storage means stores a user table in which user authentication information is stored, a control target device table in which information on devices to be controlled for each user is stored, and execution is possible for each device to be controlled. And a device information table storing control information, wherein the application generating unit generates a predetermined application based on the information stored in the user table, the controlled device table, and the device information table. By doing so, the application can be generated for each controllable device for each user, so that the user does not need to judge the controllable function, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

Further, the storage means further has a control command table storing function command information of the equipment to be controlled, and by transmitting a control command suitable for the selected equipment to the selected equipment. Even for various types of devices with different control programs installed, by adding information such as the location of the control program, control commands and arguments, etc., to the control command table, the number of devices can be increased. Equipment, for example,
It is possible to control devices with different control programs. Further, even when controlling a device having a different control program, by adding information about the control program to the control command table without newly installing or downloading the program,
Since it is possible to control a larger number of devices, for example, devices having different control programs, the burden on the operator can be reduced and the storage medium resources can be effectively used.

Further, the program component stored in the storage means controls, for each function of the device to be controlled, a button display program for displaying operation buttons related to the function on the browser display section of the terminal and a control command. By including the control command program to be transmitted to the device, the same program component can be shared by a plurality of devices, so that the effect that the capacity of a program such as a control application can be small can be enhanced. In addition, since it is not necessary to newly create a control Web page, download, install, etc. even if a device is added or changed, the burden on the user and the operator can be reduced.

Furthermore, the connection between the terminal and the server is performed via a global network (WAN), so that the device to be controlled can be controlled from a wider range, for example, from any place accessible by the Internet. Remote control can be performed.

Further, since the device and the server are connected via the global network (WAN), even if the distance between the server and the device to be controlled is long,
The server can be installed in a wider area, for example, anywhere that is accessible by the Internet.

Further, since the terminal has the browser display section for displaying the Web page, it is possible to form a device control system having less dependence on the model of the terminal.

Further, since the device has the WWW server, it is possible to easily specify the model in the program component by using the URL or the like.

Further, the program component stored in the program component folder has, for each function of the controllable device, a button display program for displaying operation buttons related to the function, and a control command for transmitting a control command to the device. By being composed of a program, the same program component can be used for a plurality of devices, so that the effect that the capacity of a program such as a control application can be small can be further enhanced and a device can be added. Also, even if there is a change or the like, it is not necessary to newly create a control Web page, or to download or install, so that the burden on the user and the operator can be reduced.

Further, if the control command program is PHP
By being described in the language, the processing speed can be increased and the server load can be reduced as compared with Perl / CGI or the like.

Further, since the button display program is written in a code suitable for the browser display section of the terminal, the dependence on the type of browser display section and the type of terminal is reduced, and the device is operated from many types of terminals. be able to.

Further, since the server has a terminal discriminating means for discriminating the type of the terminal, the type of the terminal is discriminated by the device control device, so that the user does not need to register the type of the terminal in advance. It is possible to provide a device control system that does not impose an extra burden on a user while realizing a device operation using a terminal having various types of browser display units.

[0044]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a system configuration diagram of a device control system in the embodiment of FIG.

The device control system of the present invention comprises a plurality of devices 3 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) connected to the server 1 from a remote terminal 2 via a server 1 which is a remote control device. ) Is a system that can control. Here, the device 3 and the server 1 are connected via a global network (hereinafter referred to as WAN) such as the Internet, and the device 3 and the communication means 15 such as a WWW server that receives a control command from the server 1. , A module of a control program 18 for operating the device in accordance with the received control command. Here, the device 3 includes, for example, all electronic devices capable of receiving the control command from the server 1, such as an IP camera, a digital camera, a digital video camera, an air conditioner, a microwave oven, a television, a video, and a printer.

The terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer or PDA,
It has a browser display means 13 capable of displaying a web page, and can exchange information with the server 1 via the WAN 12.

The server 1 has at least a storage means 4,
The calculation means 14 and the interface means 11 are built in.

First, as the storage means 4, a generally used data storage means such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory or the like can be used, and a plurality of tables and folders are stored therein.

As an example of the table, FIG. 12 shows an example of the user table 8, FIG. 13 shows an example of the controlled device table 5, and FIG. 14 shows an example of the device information table 7.

First, the user table 8 stores authentication information of users who can access the server 1. As the authentication information, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, information such as a user ID, a name, a user name, an area amount of the usable storage means 4 secured in the server 1, a password, and the like are stored. Further, a flag or the like regarding the service provided to the user may be stored. As an example, the user table 8 shown in FIG. 12 stores a flag indicating whether or not the user desires a service for mobile phones (described as a mobile control service).

Next, the controlled device table 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the I of the device 3 to be controlled is controlled for each user.
Information enumerating D, name, URL, nickname, device status, device location, etc. is stored.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the device information table 7 stores information listing the controllable functions for each device (information such as ID and name).

In addition, in the program component folder 6, for each control command, a PHP Hypertext Pr for sending the control command to the control program 18 built in the equipment.
A control command program 16 described in an eprocessor (hereinafter referred to as PHP) and a Hyper Text.
A program component including a button display program 17 for displaying a GUI such as a button for transmitting the content of control described in Markup Language (hereinafter referred to as HTML) on a Web page is stored (in the drawing, Although the control command program 16 and the button display program 17 of FIG.
Contains a pair of program components for each controllable function).

Next, as the interface means 11,
Commonly used Ethernet (registered trademark), ISD
Interfaces such as N, ADSL, telephone line, serial and parallel can be used.

A plurality of devices 3 (only one unit is shown) are connected to the server 1 via these interface means 11.

Further, as the arithmetic means 14, a generally used CPU can be used, and the application generating means 9 is a program for extracting necessary information from the above-mentioned three tables and program components and combining them to generate an application. Is loaded.

Next, a device control method using such a device control system will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the device control method of the present invention.

In step S102 of FIG. 2, first,
The user accesses the server 1 from the terminal 2 through the browser display means 13.

Next, in the server 1, in step S103, the application generating means 9 authenticates whether or not the accessing user is a registered user in the user table 8. Authentication is generally performed using ID and password, and if it is confirmed that the user has been registered, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the information about the type of the device 3 which the user is allowed to control is acquired from the controlled device table 5 to the calculating means 14 according to the user who has accessed the server 1.

Next, in step S105, step S1
Based on the information acquired in 04, the application generation unit 9 generates a screen for prompting the user to select the device 3 to be controlled from a plurality of devices, and the screen of the terminal 2 is generated via the interface unit 11 and the WAN 12. It is displayed on the browser display unit 13, and in the subsequent step S106, the user selects the device 3 to be controlled.

Next, in step S107, the application generating means 9 obtains from the device information table 7 the information on the type of control that can be executed by the device 3 selected in step S106, and in the following step S108. , A program component related to a function that can be controlled by the device 3 to be controlled from the program component folder 6, specifically, a program including a pair of button display program 17 and control command program 16 for one controllable function To do.

Next, in step S109, the application generating means 9 obtains the controllable function menu of the selected device 3 and displays the button display program 43.
A web page that is selectably displayed is generated using and is displayed on the browser display means 13 of the terminal 2.

Next, when the user selects the control content desired in step S110, the control command program 16 acquired in step S108 is executed by the calculating means 14 in the following step S111, and as a result, the argument of the control command or the like is obtained. Is transmitted to the device 3 to be controlled through the interface means 11, and in the device 3, the communication means 15 receives an argument such as a control command, and the control program 18 performs a desired control operation. 3 controls can be performed.

Next, in step S112, the control result is received by the server 1, and in the following step S113, it is determined whether the operation is finished. If it is finished, the operation is finished, and if it is not finished. Then, the process returns to the function selection step by the user in step S110.

By using the device control system and the device control method as described above, by using a pair of program components prepared for each function, there is no dependence on the difference in the type of the device 3, and therefore the device is added. Even if it is changed, it is not necessary to install a new control application, driver, etc. in the server 1, and it is not necessary to create an operation Web page for the added or changed device.

Further, when controlling the same device, or when a controllable function is added, it is not necessary to re-install all control applications, drivers, etc.
It suffices to add only the program component related to the added function and edit the database or the like.

With these effects, the burden on the user and the operator can be reduced, and the resources of the storage medium can be saved as compared with the conventional case.

In the present embodiment, the server 1
Although the connection between the device 3 and the device 3 and the connection between the server 1 and the terminal 2 are connected via the WAN 12,
The connection between the server 1 and the device 3 or the connection between the server 1 and the terminal 2 may be a direct connection using a LAN, serial cable, USB, or the like.

Further, it goes without saying that a gateway, a router or the like may be provided between the server 1 and the device 3.

(Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the device control system shown in the first embodiment, the device control is performed by remotely controlling an Internet camera (hereinafter referred to as an IP camera) capable of transmitting a still image. The method will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a device control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, the storage means 4 is provided with an image storage folder 10, and the IP camera 31 is a WAN.
It is connected to the server 1 via 12. In the present embodiment, the IP camera 31 is controlled to perform “pan”,
A description will be given by using a control example in which “tilt” and “zoom” are performed and a still image is stored.

The control method will be described again with reference to FIG. Since steps S102 to S104 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

First, in step S105 of FIG.
An operation screen GUI as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the browser display means 13 of the terminal 2.

In FIG. 5, for the logged-in user name A, the operable devices are the IP camera 31 and the IP
This is an air conditioner (not shown), and the user A of the terminal 2 is informed that the IP camera 31 and the IP air conditioner can be selected by the radio button.

In step S106 of FIG. 2, when the IP camera 31 is selected as the device to be controlled by the radio button of the GUI shown in FIG. 5, step S10 is performed.
8, the program components necessary for controlling the IP camera 31 are the program component folder 6
It is included in the application generation means 9 loaded in the calculation means 14 by the above.

IP camera 3 that can be controlled by user A
For the function of No. 1, by referring to the device information table 7 shown in FIG. 14 and the user table 8 shown in FIG. 12, “pan”, “tilt”, “zoom”, “image save”
And the program component based on this is included in the application generation means 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, the included program components include "pan", "tilt",
Includes programs for "zoom" and "image save". 4 shows the program component folder 41.
A part of the program components included in the application generating means 9 among the program components stored in FIG.

For example, as the control command program 42, the image save command program 44, the pan / tilt command program 45, and the zoom command program 46, which are described in PHP language, are included, and the button display program is described in the HTML document. The image save button program 47, the zoom button program 48, and the pan / tilt button program 49 are included in the application generating means 9.

The image display program 50 is also included in the application generating means 9 as another necessary program component.

Next, in step S109, the operation screen GUI as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the operation screen GUI shown in FIG. 6, the zoom button 61 for zooming the IP camera 31, the pan / tilt button 63 for panning or tilting, the image save button 62, the name of the IP camera 31, and an image representing the previously captured image. The display unit 64 is displayed.

To display the operation screen GUI shown in FIG. 6 on the browser display means 13 of the terminal 2, step S1
In 08, the button display program 43 included in the application generation means 9 is used.

Specifically, the pan / tilt button program 4
The operation will be described in order from 9 with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the pan / tilt button program 49, and FIG. 21 is an example of the description contents of the program.

In FIG. 7, first, in step S72, the pan / tilt button 63 is displayed on the operation screen GUI of the browser display means 13. Next, step S73.
In step S74, when the user inputs an instruction (for example, an upward tilt is instructed), the pan / tilt direction is the control command program of the pan / tilt function (the argument Move = ↑) is the pan / tilt command program 45 in step S74. And the processing flow of the pan / tilt button program 49 ends.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a processing flow of the pan / tilt command program 45.

FIG. 9 shows a description example of the pan / tilt command program 45 in the PHP program.

In step S81, the pan / tilt button program 49 is processed, and in the pan / tilt command program 45, the argument (Move = ↑) is received.
Via the interface means 11 to the argument (Dir
(action = TiltUP) is transmitted as a control command, and the process ends.

Specifically, in the program example shown in FIG. 9, if move = ↑, @fopen ("$ deviceURL / cgi-bi
n / Control Camera? Direction
= TiltUP "," r "); is executed.

At this time, the $ deviceURL contains the device URL (example: http: // a_kitchen_c) described in the controlled device table 5 shown in FIG.
am. devicecontrolsystem. co
m) enters.

The IP camera 31 is a cgi in the WWW server.
-In the bin directory, ControlCamer
It has a control program named a and its ControlC
The control program named amera uses the argument (Direct
tion = TiltUP) and execute.

As a result, the IP camera 31 performs the actual pan and tilt operations.

In this way, the pan / tilt operation of the IP camera 31 can be performed from the terminal 2 provided remotely.

Even when the IP camera 31 is caused to perform the zoom operation, the pan / tilt button program 49 described above is used.
And the same processing as the example of the processing by the pan / tilt command program 45 is performed. FIG. 10 shows a processing flow of the zoom button program 48, and FIG. 11 shows a processing flow of the zoom command program 46.

First, in FIG. 10, the zoom button program 48 displays the zoom button 61 in step S92, and if there is an input from the user in step S93, zooms the argument for zooming (Zoom = zoom). Send to the command program 46 and end.

Next, in FIG. 11, the zoom command program 46 receives an argument from the zoom button program 48 in step S11, and determines in step S12 whether or not the IP camera 31 to be controlled has a zoom function. If there is a zoom function, the following step S1
3, the interface means 1 to the IP camera 31
The argument is sent as a control command via 1 and the process ends.

This control command (Zoom = zoom
In response to 1), the IP camera 31 executes the control program and can perform the actual zoom-in function.

In this way, the zoom operation of the IP camera 31 can be performed from the terminal 2 provided remotely, in the same manner as the pan / tilt operation.

In addition, if the IP camera 3
If it is determined that No. 1 does not have a zoom function, the control command is not sent to the IP camera 31, but step S1
4 may include a digital zoom command program for executing digital zoom inside the command program.

In this case, since the processing up to step S11 is as described above, the description thereof will be omitted.
When an argument is received from 8, the digital zoom is performed in step S14 by cutting out a part of the image and enlarging the image by the zoom command program 46, and the digitally zoomed image is returned to finish.

Next, when the image taken by the IP camera 31 is desired to be captured, the image save button 62 shown in FIG. 6 displayed in advance using the image save button program 47 is displayed, and the image save button 62 is displayed. When the user selects, the image save command program 4
4 is activated, images are saved, and the images can be stored in the image saving folder 10 of the storage unit 4 of the server 1.

As described above, by using the program components subdivided for each function, a pair of program components prepared for each function can be used, so long as the device can receive the same control command and argument. Since there is no dependency on the difference in type between devices, it is not necessary to install or download a new control application, driver, etc. in the server 1 even if the device is added or changed. In addition, since the same button display program can be used for devices having the same function, it is not necessary to install or download a new program when newly controlling a device of a different model. Furthermore, it is not necessary to newly create a web page for operating a newly added or changed device.

Due to these actions, even when adding or changing a device, the software for the newly added or changed device can be downloaded and installed at the minimum, so that the burden on the user and the operator can be reduced. It becomes possible to effectively use the storage medium resource.

Further, when controlling the same device, or when a controllable function is added, it is not necessary to re-install or download all the control applications, drivers, etc., and only the program component relating to the added function is required. You can download or install.

With these operations, the burden on the user and the operator can be reduced, and the storage medium resource can be saved as compared with the conventional case.

In the present embodiment, as the program components, the image save command program 44, the pan / tilt command program 45 and the zoom command program 46, and as the button display program 43, the image save button program 47, the zoom button program 48 and the pan / tilt. Although the button program 49 is shown as an example, this program component is not limited to these.

For example, when considering control of the IP camera 31, in addition, a resolution switching component (consisting of a resolution switching button display program and a resolution switching command program) for changing the resolution of the IP camera 31, and i
In consideration of remotely controlling the IP camera 31 from a mobile phone such as a mode, an image cutout component (an image cutout button display program and an image cutout command) which cuts out an image in accordance with the display screen of a terminal such as a mobile phone. It goes without saying that program components (including programs) are also included in the device control apparatus and device control system of the present invention.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the button display program 43 is described in the HTML document,
Although the control command program 42 is described in the PHP language as an example, the present invention does not limit the language to be described. For example, the CGI and other languages may be used to describe the present invention. It goes without saying that it is included in the device control apparatus and the device control system.

For example, mobile phones and PHs, which have been increasing in recent years,
Considering access to the server 1 from the terminal 2 such as S,
Browser display means 1 installed in mobile phones, PHS, etc.
In accordance with No. 3, for example, MML document, HDML document, C
By preparing the button display program 43 described by an HTML document, an open content document, or the like, it is possible to access the server 1 from many types of terminals 2, for example, mobile terminals such as mobile phones and PHS. be able to.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, the browser type of the terminal 2 that accesses the server 1 by loading the terminal discriminating means 32 which is software together with the application generating means 9 into the computing means 14. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for determining such as.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a program description of the terminal discriminating means 32 in PHP language.

According to the terminal discriminating means 32, for example, if the acquired terminal information includes the character DoCoMo, the button display program 43 prepared in advance for the i mode is used in the following processing. To be Similar discrimination processing is performed for the other terminals 2, and in the following processing, the installed browser display means 13 is used.
The button display program 43 described in a language according to the type of is used.

By providing such a terminal discriminating means 32, the number of mobile phones, PHSs, etc., which have been increasing in recent years, can be increased.
When the server 1 is accessed as, the user does not need to register the type of the terminal 2 in advance, and the information of the terminal 2 can be acquired at the time of access, and the user can use various types of terminals. Can be used and the burden on the user can be further reduced.

(Third Embodiment) A device control apparatus, a remote control system and a remote control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is not limited to the control of the IP camera 31 described in the above embodiment, but control of all electronic devices, such as IP camera, digital camera, digital video camera, air conditioner, microwave oven, television, video, printer, etc. , Including control of all electronic devices that can receive control commands from the server 1.

As an example of this, in the third embodiment, a control for turning on or off the power supply of the air conditioner from a remote terminal will be described.

FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram of an equipment control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The same constituents as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

IP having as communication means 15 a WWW server capable of receiving the control command transmitted from the server 1.
The air conditioner 60 is connected to the server 1 via the WAN 12.

FIG. 22 shows a part of the program components stored in the program component folder 71 and included in the application generating means 9.

As shown in FIG. 22, in FIG. 2 showing the flow of the device control method described in the first embodiment, a program included in the application generating means 9 loaded in the calculating means 14 in step S108. In the component, as the button display program 73,
An ON / OFF button display program 75 is included, and an ON / OFF command program 74 is included as the control command program 72.

FIG. 18 shows a description example of the ON / OFF button display program 75, and FIG. 20 shows a description example of the ON / OFF command program 74.

Returning to FIG. 2 again, the device control method will be described. In step S109, the ON / OFF button display program 75 shown in FIG. 18 is executed to turn ON or OFF the power supply as shown in FIG. G to urge
The UI is displayed on the browser display means 13 of the terminal 2.

Next, in step S110, the control content desired by the user (in this case, turning on / off the power supply of the IP air conditioner 60).
When FF) is selected, the argument is sent to the ON / OFF command program 74, and the ON / OFF command program 74 is executed.

Specifically, the ON / OFF shown in FIG.
In the command program 74, for example, when the “ON” button is selected, the data “ON” becomes “a”.
It is sent to the "destination URL" with the name "ct". The "URL of the jump destination" includes the ON / OFF command program 74.

Next, when the data "ON" is received,
In the / OFF command program 74, as shown in FIG. 20, @fopen ("$ deviceURL / cgi-bi
n / Control? Action = ON ”,
"R"); is executed.

Here, $ deviceURL is a URL indicated in the item of device URL in the control target device table, for example, http: // a_bedroom_ac.
n. devicecontrolsystem. com
It is a URL like.

As a result, from the interface means 11 of the server 1, the control existing in the cgi-bin directory of the IP air conditioner 60, which is the device to be controlled, is controlled.
"Action = O
It requests to execute the command "N" (step S111 in FIG. 2).

As a result, in the IP air conditioner 60, "Action = O
The command "N" is executed and the power is turned on.

In this way, the IP air conditioner 60 can be controlled from the terminal 2 provided remotely.

The present embodiment is not limited to the control of the IP air conditioner 60 described above, but control of all electronic devices such as an IP camera, a digital camera, a digital video camera, a microwave oven, a television and a video. Needless to say, it includes control of all electronic devices such as a printer, which can receive control commands from the server 1.

As described above, by using the device control apparatus, the device control system, and the device control method of the present invention, only the arguments are passed from the server to various devices, and the first embodiment described above is used. In addition to the effects described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, different functions can be controlled using the same program component with the same function, resulting in a necessary control program. The size of can be significantly reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the description of the above-described first to third embodiments of the present invention, the location of the control program built in the device to be controlled, the command and the argument, and the like. An example in which the description is described in the control command program 16 in advance is shown.
The present invention can have another system configuration in order to realize remote control of various types of devices.

The system configuration of this device control system will be described in detail as the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a system configuration diagram of an equipment control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in FIG. 24, the same components as those in FIG. 1 or FIG.

In FIG. 24, the storage means 4 of the server 1
Further, a control command table 81 is provided.

The control command table 81 stores information as shown in FIG. 25, for example.

In FIG. 25, for each function of each device capable of remote control, information on the location (for example, directory information) stored in the device of the control program, description of the command to be transmitted, and argument information are stored. Has been done.

For example, by referring to FIG.
If you want to perform pan / tilt upwards on the device hcm10, you can use Direction = Tilt for the control program Control Camera in the hcm10 directory cgi-bin.
It turns out that it is sufficient to send the command Up.

By providing such a control command table, the contents of the control command program can be simplified.

The control command program stored in the program component folder 82 is described in PHP language, and is written in @fopen ("$ deviceURL / $ progr".
amplace? $ Controlcommand ”,
The description "r"); may be included.

Next, such a control command table 8
Next, a remote control method of the device by the device control system in the case where 1 is provided will be described.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the processing flow of the remote control method for devices by the device control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 23, steps indicating the same processing steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The remote control method for the device in the present embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that a step of acquiring command information of the device is added as step S114 between step S110 and step S111. Is.

The newly added step S114 will be described in detail.

When the user selects a desired function in step S110, the control command program refers to the information in the control command table 81 according to the selected function in subsequent step S114.

As a result, for example, when performing an upward pan / tilt operation of the device hcm10 which is the IP camera 31, @fopen ("$ deviceURL / $ progr"
amplace? $ Controlcommand ”,
"R"); is a control command program variable, $ dev
By referring to the control target device table shown in FIG. 13 in the iceURL part, the URL of the IP camera 31 to be controlled is http: // a_kitch.
en_cam. devicecontrolsystem
m. com comes in.

By referring to the control command table 81, the location of the control program in the IP camera 31, that is, cgi-bin / ControlCame.
ra enters the part of $ progmplace, and D is added to the part of $ Controlcommand
direction = TiltUP is entered.

Thus, in the subsequent step S111, the control command program actually executed is: @fopen ("http: // a_kitchen_
cam. devicecontrolsystem. c
om / cgi-bin / ControlCamera?
Direction = TiltUP "," r ");

As a result, the IP camera 3 to be controlled
Direction = Tilt for the control program called ControlCamera stored in 1.
A command with an argument of UP is transmitted, and a desired operation can be realized.

With such a configuration of the device control system, the control programs relating to various types of devices 3 having different control programs installed can be
Only by additionally describing the information such as the location of the control program, the control command and the argument in the control command table 81, it is possible to remotely control a larger number of devices 3, for example, devices having different control programs.

Furthermore, according to the device control system shown in the present embodiment, even when controlling a device having a different control program, information about the control program can be displayed without newly installing or downloading the program. By only adding to the control command table, it is possible to remotely control a larger number of devices, for example, devices with different control programs, thus reducing the burden on the user and operator and saving storage medium resources. It can be used effectively.

[0154]

As described above, when the device control apparatus and the device control system of the present invention are used, the device to be controlled is added or changed, or the controllable function of the device is changed. However, since the opportunity to download the data can be minimized, the burden on the user and the operator can be reduced, and the device control device and the device control system and the device control method that do not wastefully use the storage medium resource. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a device control method by the device control system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a device control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a program component folder according to the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a GUI example according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a GUI example according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a pan / tilt button program according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a pan / tilt command program according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a description example of a pan / tilt command program according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a zoom button program according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a zoom command program according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a user table of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a control target device table of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a device information table of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a system configuration diagram of another device control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a program description of a terminal discriminating means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram of a device control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an ON / O in the third embodiment of the invention.
The figure which shows the example of description of the FF button display program

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows ON / O in the third embodiment of the invention.
Diagram showing example description of FF command program

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a description example of a pan / tilt button program according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a program component folder according to the third embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a device control method in the device control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a system configuration diagram of a device control system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a control command table of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional device control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Remote Control Device (Server) 2 Terminal 3 Device 4 Storage Unit 5 Controlled Device Table 6, 41, 71, 82 Program Component Folder 7 Device Information Table 8 User Table 9 Application Generation Unit 10 Image Storage Folder 11 Interface Unit 12 WAN 13 Browser display means 14 Computing means 15 Communication means 16, 42, 72 Control command program 17, 43, 73 Button display program 18 Control program 31 IP camera 32 Terminal discriminating means 44 Image save command program 45 Pan-tilt command program 46 Zoom command program 47 image Save button program 48 Zoom button program 49 Pan / tilt button program 50 Image display program 60 IP air conditioner 61 Zoom button 62 Image save Tan 63 pan tilt button 64 image display unit 74 ON / OFF command program 75 ON / OFF button display program 81 controls the command table S11~S114 step

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit, to which a terminal and one or more devices to be controlled can be connected, and which stores a program component that constitutes an application for executing the function of the device to be controlled, Application generating means for generating a predetermined application by selecting, from the storage means, a program component required to execute the function of the device selected in response to the instruction from the terminal. An apparatus control device having. 2. A user table in which the user authentication information is stored in the storage means, a control target device table in which information about devices to be controlled by each user is stored, and each device to be controlled. A device information table storing executable control information is further provided, and the application generation unit is configured to perform a predetermined operation based on the information stored in the user table, the control target device table, and the device information table. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application is generated. 3. The storage means further comprises a control command table in which function command information of the device to be controlled is stored, and a control command suitable for the selected device is supplied to the selected device. The information is transmitted.
Alternatively, the device control device according to claim 2. 4. The terminal has a browser display section, and the program component stored in the storage means displays an operation button related to the function on the browser display of the terminal for each function of the device to be controlled. 4. The device control according to claim 1, further comprising a button display program to be displayed on the unit and a control command program to send a control command to the device to be controlled. apparatus. 5. The control command program is PHP
The device control device according to claim 4, wherein the device control device is described in a language. 6. The device control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the button display program is written in a code adapted to the browser display unit of the terminal. 7. The device control apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a terminal discriminating means for discriminating the type of the terminal. 8. A terminal, a single or a plurality of devices to be controlled, and a storage unit that stores a program component that constitutes an application for executing the function of the device to be controlled, and a storage unit from the terminal. An application generating means for generating a predetermined application by selecting, from the storage means, a program component required to execute the function of the device selected in response to the instruction, A device control system comprising: a server that transmits a control command corresponding to an instruction to the selected device. 9. A user table in which the user authentication information is stored in the storage means, a control target device table in which information on devices to be controlled by each user is stored, and each device to be controlled. A device information table storing executable control information is further provided, and the application generation unit is configured to perform a predetermined operation based on the information stored in the user table, the control target device table, and the device information table. 9. The device control system according to claim 8, wherein the application is generated. 10. The storage means further comprises a control command table in which function command information of the device to be controlled is stored, and a control command suitable for the selected device is supplied to the selected device. 9. Sending is performed.
Alternatively, the device control system according to claim 9. 11. The device control system according to claim 8, wherein the connection between the terminal and the server is performed via a global network. 12. The device control system according to claim 8, wherein the connection between the device and the server is performed via a global network. 13. The device control system according to claim 8, wherein the terminal has a browser display unit that displays a Web page. 14. The device control system according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the device has a WWW server. 15. A button display program for causing the program component stored in the storage unit to display an operation button related to the function on a browser display unit of the terminal for each function of the device to be controlled, and a control command. 15. The device control system according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a control command program for transmitting the control command program to the device to be controlled. 16. The control command program is a PH
The device control system according to claim 15, wherein the device control system is described in P language. 17. The device control system according to claim 15, wherein the button display program is written in a code adapted to the browser display unit of the terminal. 18. The device control system according to claim 17, wherein the server further comprises a terminal discriminating means for discriminating the type of the terminal.