JP2004186770A - Video recording and reproducing apparatus and remote control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video recording and reproducing apparatus capable of providing a user with an environment wherein remote control is available anywhere with a simple operation similar to that of a remote control unit. <P>SOLUTION: An MPU 105 of a video recorder 11 transmits a program to make a personal computer 302 display a remote control menu having an interface similar to the interface of a remote control unit 301 to the personal computer 302 connected to a network 300. When a user of the personal computer 302 operates the remote control menu, the personal computer 302 transmits a remote control code to the video recorder 11 via the network 300. The MPU 105 transmits the remote control code received from the personal computer 302 to a timer microcomputer section 109 having a remote control code processing function. The timer microcomputer section 109 executes the processing designated by the remote control code in cooperation with the MPU 105. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording and reproducing a video signal and a remote control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various recording / reproducing apparatuses capable of recording and reproducing a video signal such as a TV broadcast program have been developed. In this type of recording / reproducing apparatus, a remote control unit is usually used for operation control.
[0003]
By operating the remote control unit, the user can control operations of the recording / reproducing device, for example, a recording operation, a reproducing operation, a recording reservation operation, and the like.
[0004]
As a remote control unit for controlling a recording / reproducing device, for example, a remote control device having an extension setting function of a recording end time for a VTR is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This remote control device includes an extension setting unit that extends the setting of the recording end time every 15 minutes every time a predetermined button operation is performed. This makes it possible to easily change the setting of the recording end time even if the broadcast end time of the TV broadcast program being recorded is extended.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-306097 (page 2-3, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the range over which the signal transmitted from the remote control unit reaches is limited. For this reason, for example, it is not possible to perform an operation such as recording reservation of the recording / reproducing apparatus from a room different from the room where the recording / reproducing apparatus is installed.
[0007]
In recent years, with the spread of information processing terminals such as mobile phones and personal computers and the development of network technologies such as the Internet, a mechanism for easily controlling a recording / reproducing apparatus in a home even when away from home. The realization of is also desired.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus that allows a user to remotely control a remote control from any place with the same simple operation as a remote control unit. I do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording and reproducing a video signal, wherein the remote controller controls an operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus in accordance with a remote control code transmitted from a remote control unit. Code processing means, communication means for executing communication with the information processing terminal via a network, and a program for causing the information processing terminal to display a remote control operation screen corresponding to the remote control unit, via the communication means Means for transmitting to the information processing terminal, means for receiving, via the communication means, a remote control code transmitted from the information processing terminal by the program in accordance with an operation on the remote control operation screen, and Transmitting the remote control code received from the information processing terminal via the remote control code processing means to the remote control code processing means. Characterized by comprising a means.
[0010]
According to this recording / reproducing apparatus, by transmitting a program for displaying a remote control operation screen corresponding to the remote control unit on the information processing terminal via the network, the remote control of the recording / reproducing apparatus from the information processing terminal on the network can be performed. Is realized. Thus, the user can control the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus from any place by the same simple operation as the remote control unit.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a video recorder 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The video recorder 11 is a recording and reproducing apparatus capable of digitally recording and reproducing video and audio signals (AV signals) such as TV broadcast programs.
[0012]
The video recorder 11 is configured to control the recording and reproducing operations of the AV signal according to a remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit 301 by an infrared signal or the like.
[0013]
Further, the video recorder 11 has a network function for connecting to a local area network (LAN), and can communicate with an information processing terminal such as a personal computer 302 through a network 300 such as a LAN or the Internet.
[0014]
As shown, the video recorder 11 includes an AV input unit 101, a TV tuner 102, an encoder unit 103, a disk drive unit 104, an MPU 105, a decoder unit 106, an AV output unit 107, a display unit 108, a timer microcomputer unit 109, and a user operation unit. An input unit 110, a memory 111, a remote control interface (I / F) 112, and a communication control unit 113 are provided.
[0015]
The AV input unit 101 is a device that inputs an AV signal output from an external audio / video device or the like. The TV tuner 102 is a device that performs reception of a TV broadcast signal and channel selection processing for channel selection, and is connected to an external TV antenna.
[0016]
The encoder unit 103 executes an encoding process for digitally compressing and encoding an AV signal input from the AV input unit 101 or the TV tuner 102 under the control of the MPU 105. By this encoding process, the AV signal is converted into a compression-encoded digital data string corresponding to, for example, the MPEG2 or DVD video format.
[0017]
The disk drive unit 104 is a disk storage device that executes a process of recording an AV signal converted into a compression-encoded digital data sequence and a process of reading the recorded AV signal under the control of the MPU 105. The disk drive unit 104 includes a disk drive 104a and a temporary storage device 104b.
[0018]
The disk drive 104a includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a DVD drive, and the like. The DVD drive executes read / write processing for a recordable medium such as a DVD-RAM / DVD-R. When a DVD drive is used as the disk drive 104a, the disk medium 201 such as a DVD-RAM / DVD-R is detachably mounted on the disk drive 104a. The DVD drive can also execute a process of reading data from a DVD-ROM medium.
[0019]
Note that both the hard disk drive and the DVD drive may be provided as the disk drive 104a in the disk drive unit 104. In this case, the AV signal converted into the compression-encoded digital data sequence is first recorded on the hard disk drive. The AV signal recorded on the hard disk drive is recorded (dubbed) on a disk medium 201 such as a DVD-RAM / DVD-R as necessary.
[0020]
The temporary storage device 104b is a buffer memory for temporarily recording write data to the disk drive unit 104 or read data from the disk drive unit 104. The compression-encoded AV signal obtained by the encoder unit 103 is input to the disk drive 104a via the temporary storage device 104b. The compression-coded AV signal read from the disk drive 104a is sent to the decoder unit 106 via the temporary storage device 104b.
[0021]
The decoder unit 106 is a device that executes a decoding process for decoding a compression-coded AV signal under the control of the MPU 105. The AV signal decoded by this decoding process is output to, for example, a TV receiver via the AV output unit 107.
[0022]
The MPU 105 is a main CPU provided for controlling the operation of the video recorder 11. According to the program stored in the memory 111, the MPU 105 creates, for example, a recording / reproducing process of an AV signal, a recording reservation process, a recording reservation list creation process, and a title list of AV signals recorded in the disk drive unit 104. Perform processing and the like. Further, the MPU 105 can also function as an HTTP server by executing an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server program stored in the memory 111.
[0023]
The server function of the MPU 105 is used for realizing remote control of controlling the operation of the video recorder 11 from the personal computer 302 via a home LAN or the Internet. In the present embodiment, this remote control is realized by a “network remote control” function that uses a personal computer 302 connected to the computer network 300 instead of the remote control unit 301.
[0024]
The user of the personal computer 302 can request the video recorder 11 to activate the “network remote control” function by accessing the video recorder 11 via a web browser. The MPU 105 reads out a predetermined program (hereinafter, referred to as a remote control applet) for displaying a remote control screen having an interface similar to that of the remote control unit 301 on the personal computer 302 from the memory 111, and reads the program through the computer network 300. Send to 302. When the user of the personal computer 302 operates the remote control screen, a remote control code is transmitted from the personal computer 302 to the video recorder 11 via the computer network 300. As the remote control code transmitted from the personal computer 302 to the video recorder 11, the same remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit 301 to the video recorder 11 is used.
[0025]
With such a “network remote control” function, the user can remotely control the video recorder 11 from the personal computer 302 with the same simple operation as when operating the remote control unit 301. Details of the "network remote control" function will be described with reference to FIG.
[0026]
The display unit 108 is a display device for status display provided in the main body of the video recorder 11, and includes, for example, status information such as the title and channel number of the AV signal currently being reproduced / recorded, and the progress of reproduction / recording. Used to display For example, when the user instructs recording / reproduction of a certain TV program by operating the remote control unit 301, the title of the TV program to be recorded / reproduced by the video recorder 11 is displayed on the display unit. Displayed at 108.
[0027]
The timer microcomputer unit 109 is a microcomputer having a built-in timer for counting time, and functions as a sub CPU for processing signals transmitted from the user operation input unit 110 and the remote control unit 301.
[0028]
The timer microcomputer unit 109 has a function of managing the channel number, title, recording start time, recording end time, and the like for each TV program reserved for recording. The timer built in the timer microcomputer unit 109 functions as a clock module that measures the current date and time. When the recording start time or the recording end time of each TV program reserved for recording has come, the timer microcomputer unit 109 notifies the MPU 105 of the arrival.
[0029]
The timer microcomputer unit 109 is connected to the remote control interface 112. The timer microcomputer unit 109 has a remote control code processing function. The remote control code processing function is a function of receiving and interpreting a remote control code received from the remote control unit 301 via the remote control interface 112, and executing an operation requested by the remote control code in cooperation with the MPU 105.
[0030]
In the video recorder 11, an operation to be executed is specified for each remote control code. The user operates the remote control unit 301 to execute operations such as recording / playback of AV signals, recording reservation, displaying a list of recording reservations, and displaying a list of titles of recorded AV signals, for example. 11 can be instructed.
[0031]
The remote control code processing function of the timer microcomputer unit 109 is used not only for processing the remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit 301 but also for processing the remote control code transmitted from the personal computer 302 via the computer network 300.
[0032]
The remote control unit 301 is provided with a function key 401, a cursor key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like as illustrated. The function key 401 includes, for example, a power on / off button of the video recorder 11, and a group of buttons (play button, stop button, pause button, record button, fast forward / Button, etc. for operating the above-described recording reservation function / recording reservation list display function / title list display function, and the like.
[0033]
The cursor keys 402 include, for example, four buttons corresponding to left, right, up, and down, respectively, and are used for a process of selecting a target function from an operation menu displayed on the TV set by the MPU 105. The numeric keypad 403 includes a plurality of buttons for inputting numbers, symbols, and the like, and is used, for example, for inputting a channel number and editing a title name.
[0034]
In the remote control unit 301, a key code corresponding to each button described above is assigned. When a certain button is operated by the user, a key code corresponding to the button is transmitted to the video recorder 11 by an infrared signal or the like.
[0035]
The communication control unit 113 is a device for connecting the video recorder 11 to the computer network 300, and executes communication with the personal computer 302 via the computer network 300.
[0036]
The communication control unit 113 includes, for example, a network interface controller for connecting the video recorder 11 to a LAN. When the video recorder 11 is connected to the Internet, the communication control unit 113 is connected via a LAN to a modem or a router connected to an ADSL line, a CATV line, or the like.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 113 is used for realizing the “network remote control” function described above.
[0038]
Next, the "network remote control" function will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.
[0039]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a main page 400 provided to the personal computer 302 by the MPU 105. The main page 400 is a main menu screen provided first from the MPU 105 to the web browser when the web browser of the personal computer 302 accesses the video recorder 11 via the computer network 300.
[0040]
The main page 400 shows a list of functions of the video recorder 11 that can be provided to the personal computer 302. On the main page 400, function item names 401, 402, 403,... Corresponding to these functions are displayed. The function item name 403 is used to select a “network remote control” function.
[0041]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a remote control screen displayed on personal computer 302 when the "network remote control" function is selected.
[0042]
This remote control screen is displayed on the screen of the personal computer 302 by the MPU 105 transmitting a remote control applet to the personal computer 302. The remote control applet is a program for displaying a remote control screen on the personal computer 302, and is composed of a program that can be executed by a web browser and is described in a script language such as Java (R).
[0043]
When the remote control applet is executed, a remote control screen 411 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed as a window on the screen of the personal computer 302. The remote control screen 411 is an operation screen for realizing the same operation as that of the remote control unit 301.
[0044]
As shown, the remote control screen 411 includes a function key 501, a cursor key 502, a numeric keypad 503, a status display area 504, a main body remote control ON / OFF switching button 505, and the like.
[0045]
A function key 501, a cursor key 502, and a numeric keypad 503 on the remote control screen 411 are operation buttons corresponding to the function key 401, the cursor key 402, and the numeric keypad 403 provided on the remote control unit 301, respectively. When the user selects a certain button on the remote control screen 411 by operating a mouse or the like, the remote control applet transmits a remote control code corresponding to the button to the video recorder 11.
[0046]
The status display area 504 displays status information such as the title and channel number of the AV signal that is currently being reproduced / recorded and the progress status of the reproduction / recording, similarly to the display unit 108 provided in the video recorder 11. Used for For example, when the user instructs recording / playback of a certain TV program by operating the remote control screen 411, the status display shows the title name of the TV program to be subjected to the recording / playback processing executed by the video recorder 11. It is displayed in area 504.
[0047]
By displaying the current operation status of the video recorder 11 remotely controlled by the personal computer 302 on the status display area 504 in this manner, for example, the user can operate the video recorder 11 in a room different from the room where the video recorder 11 is installed. Even when the video recorder 11 is remotely operated using the personal computer 302, the user can check the result of the remote operation on the screen of the personal computer 302.
[0048]
The main body remote control ON / OFF switching button 505 is a button prepared for permitting or prohibiting use of the remote control unit 301. When the use of the remote control unit 301 is prohibited using the main body remote control ON / OFF switching button 505, the video recorder 11 executes a process for invalidating the remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit 301. Thus, it is possible to prevent a problem caused by a conflict between the remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit 301 and the remote control code transmitted from the personal computer 302 beforehand.
[0049]
FIG. 4 shows a state of communication executed between the personal computer 302 and the video recorder 11.
[0050]
(1) Main page acquisition request
The web browser 601 executed on the personal computer 302 transmits a main page acquisition request to the IP address assigned to the video recorder 11.
[0051]
(2) Main page transmission
In the video recorder 11, an HTTP server 602 is executed by the MPU 105. The HTTP server 602 transmits the main page 400 described in FIG. 2 to the web browser 601 in response to the main page acquisition request from the web browser 601.
[0052]
(3) Remote control function activation request
When the function item name 403 on the main page 400 is selected by the user, the web browser 601 transmits a remote control function activation request to the HTTP server 602.
[0053]
(4) Remote applet transmission
The HTTP server 602 transmits the remote control applet to the web browser 601 and causes the web browser 601 to execute the remote control applet.
[0054]
(5) Remote control code
The remote control applet displays a remote control screen 411 shown in FIG. When a button on the remote control screen 411 is operated by the user, the remote control applet transmits a remote control code corresponding to the operated button to the HTTP server 602 through the web browser 601. The remote control applet corresponds to the shortcut key not only when a button on the remote control screen 411 is operated but also when a user performs a predetermined key operation using the keyboard of the personal computer 302 (shortcut key). The remote control code to be transmitted is transmitted to the HTTP server 602 through the web browser 601.
[0055]
The key code received by the HTTP server 602 is sent to the timer microcomputer unit 109 by the MPU 105. The timer microcomputer unit 109 is provided with a remote control code processing module 603 for executing the above-described remote control code processing function. The remote control code transmitted from the MPU 105 to the timer microcomputer unit 109 is processed by the remote control code processing module 603. Then, the operation specified by the remote control code is executed by the joint operation of the timer microcomputer unit 109 and the MPU 105.
[0056]
(6) Response
The HTTP server 602 transmits status information to be displayed in the status display area 504 to the web browser 601 as a response corresponding to the remote control code.
[0057]
Next, how the personal computer 302 executes the remote control code transmission process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0058]
When receiving the remote control applet transmitted from the video recorder 11 (step S101), the personal computer 302 executes the remote control applet (step S102). Thus, the remote control screen 411 is displayed on the screen of the personal computer 302.
[0059]
The executed remote control applet monitors whether a button arranged on the remote control screen 411 has been operated and whether a predetermined shortcut key operation has been performed (steps S103 and S105). Then, the remote control applet generates a remote control code corresponding to the executed button operation or shortcut key operation on the remote control screen 411, and transmits the remote control code to the video recorder 11 through the web browser 601 (steps S104 and S106).
[0060]
Thereafter, when receiving the status information transmitted from the video recorder 11 (step S107), the remote control applet displays the status information in the status display area 504 of the remote control screen 411 (step S108).
[0061]
As described above, the operation of transmitting the remote control code by the personal computer 302 is executed under the control of the remote control applet transmitted from the video recorder 11 to the personal computer 302. Therefore, only the WEB browser needs to be prepared on the personal computer 302 side, and there is no need to prepare any dedicated program or the like for remotely controlling the video recorder 11.
[0062]
Therefore, if it is a normal information processing terminal that can execute a WEB browser, the video recorder 11 can be remotely controlled from not only the personal computer 302 but also a mobile phone, for example.
[0063]
Next, a processing procedure executed by the video recorder 11 to realize the “network remote control” function will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0064]
Upon receiving the remote control function activation request from the web browser 601 of the personal computer 302 (step S201), the MPU 105 of the video recorder 11 transmits a remote control applet to the web browser 601 (step S202). Thus, the above-described processing in FIG. 5 is executed on the personal computer 302 side.
[0065]
Thereafter, when the MPU 105 receives the remote control code from the WEB browser 601 of the personal computer 302 (step S203), the received remote control code corresponds to a special remote control OFF request corresponding to a main body remote control OFF request instructing the use of the remote control unit 301. It is determined whether the received code is a code or another normal remote control code (step S204). Here, the normal remote control code refers to a code belonging to the same remote control code group as the remote control code group assigned to the remote control unit 301.
[0066]
The timer microcomputer unit 109 can process normal remote control codes, but cannot process other specially defined remote control codes. Therefore, if the received remote control code is a special remote control code corresponding to the main body remote control OFF request (YES in step S204), MPU 105 converts the remote control code into a command that timer microcomputer unit 109 can interpret. Then, the command is transmitted to the timer microcomputer 109 as a main body remote control OFF request (step S205). The timer microcomputer unit 109 executes a process of invalidating (ignoring) the remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit 301 via the remote control interface 112 in response to the main body remote control OFF request.
[0067]
If the received remote control code is a normal remote control code (NO in step S204), MPU 105 transmits the received remote control code to timer microcomputer unit 109 as it is (step S206). Then, the MPU 105 executes a process specified by the received remote control code in cooperation with the timer microcomputer unit 109.
[0068]
After that, the MPU 105 determines whether there is status information to be returned to the web browser 601 as a response corresponding to the remote control code (step S207). The data is transmitted to the browser 601 (step S208).
[0069]
When the display function of the recording reservation list and the title list display function are requested by the remote control code from the personal computer 302, the recording reservation list and the title list are transmitted to the personal computer 302 via the computer network 300, and Is displayed on the screen by the web browser 601.
[0070]
In this case, the MPU 105 determines whether the recording reservation list / title list display function has been requested by the remote control code of either the remote control unit 301 or the personal computer 302. A recording reservation list or title list is displayed on the TV set, and if the code is a remote control code from the personal computer 302, the recording reservation list or title list is displayed on the TV set and the personal computer 302 is displayed via the computer network 300. The data is transmitted to the web browser 601.
[0071]
Of course, even in the case of the remote control code from the remote control unit 301, the recording reservation list or the title list is displayed only on the TV receiver, or is transmitted only to the personal computer 302 without displaying it on the TV receiver. It is also possible to execute such processing.
[0072]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified in an implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, assuming that a normal computer on which a program can be easily installed is used as an information processing terminal for remotely controlling the video recorder 11, an application program having the function of the above-described remote control applet is previously stored in the computer. And the remote control code may be transmitted to the video recorder 11 in accordance with an operation on the remote control operation screen provided by the application program. Further, the home LAN is not limited to a wired LAN, and a wireless LAN can be used.
[0073]
Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effects described in the column of the effect of the invention can be solved. Is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a recording / reproducing apparatus that can provide a user with an environment in which remote control can be performed from any place with the same simple operation as a remote control unit is realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an example of a display screen of a main page provided from the video recorder in FIG. 1 to the information processing terminal via a network.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a remote control operation screen provided by a program transmitted from the video recorder of FIG. 1 to the information processing terminal via a network.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a state of communication executed between the video recorder of FIG. 1 and the information processing terminal.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by an information processing terminal which remotely controls the video recorder of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the video recorder in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
11 video recorder, 101 AV input unit, 102 TV tuner, 103 encoder unit, 104 disk drive unit, 105 MPU, 106 decoder unit, 107 AV output unit, 108 display unit, 109 timer Microcomputer section, 110: user operation input section, 111: memory, 112: remote control interface, 113: communication control section, 300: network, 301: remote control unit, 302: personal computer, 411: remote control screen, 601: web browser, 602 ... HTTP server, 603 ... Remote control code processing module.

Claims (10)

In a recording / reproducing device capable of recording and reproducing a video signal,
Remote control code processing means for controlling the operation of the recording and playback device according to a remote control code transmitted from a remote control unit,
Communication means for performing communication with the information processing terminal via a network;
Means for transmitting, to the information processing terminal, a program for displaying a remote control operation screen corresponding to the remote control unit to the information processing terminal via the communication means;
Means for receiving, via the communication means, a remote control code transmitted from the information processing terminal by the program according to an operation on the remote control operation screen,
Means for transmitting a remote control code received from the information processing terminal via the communication means to the remote control code processing means. The program transmits a remote control code corresponding to an operation on the remote control operation screen to the recording and playback device, and a process of transmitting a remote control code corresponding to a keyboard operation of the information processing terminal to the recording and playback device, 2. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording and reproducing apparatus is configured to be executed by the information processing terminal. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program described in a script language. If the remote control code received from the information processing terminal via the communication unit is a specific code requesting prohibition of use of the remote control unit, the remote control unit further includes a unit for invalidating the remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The information indicating the current operation status of the recording / reproducing apparatus controlled by the remote control code processing means in accordance with the remote control code from the information processing terminal received via the communication means, 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting to the processing terminal. A remote control method for remotely controlling a recording / reproducing device capable of controlling a recording and reproducing operation of a video signal according to a remote control code transmitted from a remote control unit via a network,
Transmitting, via the network, a program for displaying a remote control operation screen corresponding to the remote control unit to an information processing terminal connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus via a network;
Receiving, via the network, a remote control code transmitted from the information processing terminal by the program according to an operation on the remote control operation screen;
Controlling the operation of the recording / reproducing device in accordance with a remote control code received from the information processing terminal via the network. The program transmits a remote control code corresponding to an operation on the remote control operation screen to the recording and playback device, and a process of transmitting a remote control code corresponding to a keyboard operation of the information processing terminal to the recording and playback device, 7. The remote control method according to claim 6, wherein the remote control method is configured to be executed by the information processing terminal. 7. The remote control method according to claim 6, wherein the program is a program described in a script language. If the remote control code received from the information processing terminal via the network is a specific code requesting prohibition of use of the remote control unit, the method further includes invalidating the remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit. 7. The remote control method according to claim 6, wherein: Transmitting, to the information processing terminal via the network, information indicating a current operation status of the recording / reproducing apparatus controlled in accordance with a remote control code from the information processing terminal received via the network. 7. The remote control method according to claim 6, further comprising:

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