JP2007074244A - Personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain quick correspondence in a personal digital assistant for remotely controlling the other apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the personal digital assistant, data necessary for remotely controlling the other apparatus are divided into a basic data part and data to be displayed on a display, the basic data are previously stored in the personal digital assistant, and only the data for display are received by wireless communication immediately before the execution of remote control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device that performs remote control operations of other devices.

  Conventionally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-76197 has been proposed in which another device is remotely controlled by a portable information terminal device. This is because the portable information terminal device communicates specific setting information in the device, for example, setting program information for data setting of the device or set data, from other devices to be remotely controlled by communication. The data is received, data is set based on the setting information, and the setting data is transmitted to another device.

In addition, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 can be cited as other conventional examples.
JP 2000-76197 A JP 2001-086257 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-131542

  However, in the above conventional example, all of the basic data for control and the display data unique to the device must be transferred from other devices that are the targets of remote control. .

  Furthermore, when remote-controlling another device, basic data and device-specific display data must be transferred each time, which is inefficient.

  Also, when adding a new option to a remote control target device, the device-specific information including basic data and option information must be transferred from the beginning again, so immediately. The option was difficult for the user to operate remotely.

  On the other hand, when the option of the target device is deleted or removed, this situation cannot be reflected on the remote-controlled mobile information terminal side, and there is a problem that a quick response cannot be taken.

  Usually, the portable information terminal device detects other devices by performing a process called discovery in order to detect devices to be controlled remotely. When discovery is not performed, since the terminal cannot be detected, it is not possible to detect that the target device is connected to the network or disconnected from the network.

  Further, since the data related to display is usually a group, this data has to be transmitted every time, which is inconvenient and time consuming.

  Furthermore, since the data for remote control is fixed, it could not be changed according to the user's preference.

The invention of claim 1 separates basic data for remote control and data for display, and makes basic data common to various devices to be controlled. The data is stored on the information terminal device side, and only the data for display is received by wireless communication immediately before remote control.

The invention of claim 2 separates the basic data for remote control from the data for display, and makes the basic part common to various devices to be controlled. The basic unit and display data are received, and only the data related to the display unique to the device is transferred from the next device.

  According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, when an option of a target device is added or deleted, the mobile information terminal device is notified of this.

  According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, when a target device is connected to or disconnected from the network, the mobile information terminal is notified of the fact.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the display data of other devices, the data is classified into the common part and the device-specific data, and a unique ID is added to each.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, basic data and display data for controlling other devices can be stored and changed, and the data can be transmitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment of the present invention, the control data is separated into the basic data and the display data, and the basic data is stored in the storage unit of the portable information terminal device in advance. Since only the display data specific to the device needs to be transferred, the transfer time is shortened and the user can use it immediately. For example, when one device has a plurality of functions, it is possible to quickly prepare for remote control by changing only display data according to the functions.

  According to this embodiment of the present invention, once basic data is received and stored, only display data unique to the device can be transferred, so that the transfer time is short and the user can use it immediately. .

  According to this embodiment of claim 3 and claim 4, when an option is added to or deleted from another device to be remotely controlled, this situation can be reflected in the display of the portable information terminal device. It becomes possible, and the situation is easy for the user to understand. Moreover, since the basic data and display data regarding the option are transmitted, the portable information terminal device can display even an option that is not assumed in advance. That is, even if the option is new, there is no need to update the portable information terminal device side, so there is an advantage that maintenance is easy.

  According to this embodiment of claim 5 and claim 6, when another device to be remotely controlled is connected or disconnected from the network, this situation can be reflected on the display of the portable information terminal device. The situation is easy for the user to understand.

  According to the present embodiment of claim 7, it is possible to specify a plurality of basic data and display data by assigning IDs to the basic data for control and display data from the portable information terminal device. Thus, it is possible to provide a user-friendly terminal.

  According to this embodiment of the present invention, the basic data and display data for control can be accumulated and changed, so that the user can change the data easily. In addition, since the accumulated data can be transmitted to other terminal devices, setting to other portable information terminal devices is facilitated.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a portable information terminal device according to the present invention.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU, such as a microprocessor, which controls the entire apparatus and outputs various data signals and control signals according to a control program stored in a ROM / RAM described later to control the entire apparatus. Yes. A ROM / RAM 102 stores control program data and the like. It is also used as a work area for the CPU 101, and various control data are temporarily stored. Reference numeral 103 denotes a display unit that displays various messages and images. An input unit 104 such as a key or a digitizer is operated by an operator to input various information. An auxiliary storage unit 105 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) card or an SD card is a memory for storing various types of information. A communication unit 106 performs wireless communication such as Bluetooth, and performs communication with nearby terminals. Reference numeral 107 denotes a system bus.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining claim 1 of the present invention.

  In step S201, the portable information terminal device transmits an inquiry (inquiry) to detect other devices that are the targets of remote control in the vicinity via the communication unit 106. When the other device receives the inquiry, it sends its model name in response. In step S202, waiting for a response from another device and receiving the response, the received terminal list is displayed on the display unit 103 in step S203.

  In step S204, the process waits for the user to specify a device to be remotely controlled via the input unit 104. When the terminal is designated, the process proceeds to step S205, and connection with another device is performed via the communication unit 106. In step S206, display data is requested from another device via the communication unit 106. The other device that has received the request transmits data for display unique to the device to the portable information terminal device. In step S207, the portable information terminal device waits until reception of all the display data is completed via the communication unit 106, and the received data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105.

  Next, in step S208, the display data of the other device stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is analyzed, and the operation screen of the other device targeted for remote control is displayed on the display unit 103. In step S209, an input for a user operation from the input unit 104 is awaited. If there is any input, the process proceeds to step S210, and it is determined whether or not the control key is an ESC key or the like assigned to end the remote control operation.

  If it is an end control key, the process proceeds to step S212, the display on the display unit 103 is returned to the original screen of the portable information terminal device, and the process ends. If the input is other than the end control key, the process proceeds to step S211 to perform remote processing. In this case, the remote processing replaces the input from the input unit 104 with the operation of the device that is the target of remote control, transmits the command to the other device via the communication unit 106, and returns the response. This is a series of processing related to remote control such as changing the operation screen of another device received by the communication unit 106 and displayed on the display unit 103 in response to the response.

  After performing this series of remote processing, the process returns to step S209 and waits for the next input from the input unit 104.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining claim 2 of the present invention.

  In step S301, the portable information terminal device transmits an inquiry (inquiry) to detect other devices to be remotely controlled via the communication unit 106. When the other device receives the inquiry, it sends its model name in response. In step S302, when a response from another device is waited for and a response is received, the received terminal list is displayed on the display unit 103 in step S303.

  In step S304, the process waits for the user to specify a device to be remotely controlled via the input unit 104. When the terminal is designated, the process proceeds to step S305, and connection with another device is performed via the communication unit 106. In step S306, it is determined whether there is basic data in the auxiliary storage unit 105. If there is basic data, the process proceeds to step S309. If there is no basic data, the process proceeds to step S307, and basic data is requested from another device via the communication unit 106. The other device that has received the request transmits basic data to the portable information terminal device. In step S308, the portable information terminal device waits until reception of all the basic data is completed via the communication unit 106, and the received data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105. When the reception of the basic data is completed, the process proceeds to step S309, and the display data is requested from another device via the communication unit 106. The other device that has received the request transmits data for display unique to the device to the portable information terminal device. In step S310, the portable information terminal device waits until reception of all the display data is completed via the communication unit 106, and the received data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105.

  Next, in step S311, the display data of the other device stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is analyzed, and the operation screen of the other device targeted for remote control is displayed on the display unit 103. In step S312, an input for user operation from the input unit 104 is awaited. If there is any input, the process proceeds to step S313 to determine whether or not the control key is an ESC key or the like assigned to end the remote control operation. If it is the end control key, the process proceeds to step S315, the display on the display unit 103 is returned to the original screen of the portable information terminal device, and the process ends. If the input is other than the end control key, the process proceeds to step S314 to perform remote processing. In this case, the remote processing replaces the input from the input unit 104 with the operation of the device that is the target of remote control, transmits the command to the other device via the communication unit 106, and returns the response. This is a series of processing related to remote control such as changing the operation screen of another device received by the communication unit 106 and displayed on the display unit 103 in response to the response.

  After performing this series of remote processing, the process returns to step S312 to wait for the next input from the input unit 104.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining claims 3 and 4 of the present invention.

  In this option notification processing, first, in step S401, the process waits until an option notification from another device is received via the communication unit 106. When an option is added or deleted in another device, an option notification is transmitted to the portable information terminal device. Therefore, in step S402, whether the option notification received via the communication unit 106 is an addition is deleted. It is judged whether it is. When the option notification is added, the process proceeds to step S403, the basic data for operating the added option apparatus is requested to the other apparatus via the communication unit 106, and the process proceeds to step S404. Wait for basic data to be received from another device. When the reception of the basic data is completed, the process proceeds to step S405, and the display data related to the optional device is requested to other devices via the communication unit 106. Next, the process proceeds to step S406 and waits to receive display data from another device. When the reception ends, the process proceeds to step S407, the display corresponding to the optional device added to the display unit 103 is performed, and the process ends.

  If the option notification is a deleted notification in step S402, the process proceeds to step S408, the display of the option device displayed on the display unit 103 is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S409. In step S409, the basic data corresponding to the optional device stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is deleted. In step S410, the display data related to the optional device stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is deleted and processed. finish.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining claims 5 and 6 of the present invention.
In this network notification process, first, in step S501, it waits to receive a network notification from another device via the communication unit 106. When another device is connected to or disconnected from any network, a network notification is transmitted to the portable information terminal device. When the portable information terminal device receives a network notification from another device, the process proceeds to step S502, and it is determined whether the network notification received via the communication unit 106 is connection or disconnection. If the network notification is connection, the process proceeds to step S503, the basic data related to the network connection is requested to the other device via the communication unit 106, and the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, it waits for the reception of the basic data to end, and when the reception of the basic data ends, the process proceeds to step S505, and requests display data related to the network connection from another device via the communication unit 106. Next, the process proceeds to step S506 and waits to receive display data related to the network connection from another device. When the reception of the display data is completed, the process proceeds to step S507, displaying that another device is connected to the network on the display unit 103, and the process is ended.

  In step S502, if the received network notification is disconnected, the process proceeds to step S508, and the network connection display of other devices displayed on the display unit 103 is deleted to indicate to the user that the connection has been disconnected. In step S509, the basic data corresponding to the network connection stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is deleted, and in step S510, the display data related to the network connection stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is deleted and processed. finish.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining claim 7 of the present invention.

  In step S601, the portable information terminal device transmits an inquiry (inquiry) to detect other devices that are the targets of remote control in the vicinity via the communication unit 106. When the other device receives the inquiry, it sends its model name in response. In step S602, a response from another device is awaited. When a response is received, the received terminal list is displayed on the display unit 103 in step S603.

  In step S604, the process waits for the user to specify a device to be remotely controlled via the input unit 104. When the terminal is designated, the process proceeds to step S605, and connection with another device is performed via the communication unit 106. In step S606, it is determined whether there is basic data in the auxiliary storage unit 105. If there is basic data, the process proceeds to step S609. If there is no basic data, the process proceeds to step S607, and the basic data ID is read from the correspondence table between the device and the basic data and display data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105, via the communication unit 106, Request the data by specifying the basic data ID to another device. The other device that has received the request transmits basic data to the portable information terminal device.

  In step S608, the portable information terminal device waits until reception of all the basic data is completed via the communication unit 106, and the received data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105. When the reception of the basic data is completed, the process proceeds to step S609, where the display data ID is read from the correspondence table between the device, the basic data, and the display data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105, and the other data is transmitted via the communication unit 106. Specify the display data ID for the device and request the data. The other device that has received the request transmits data for display unique to the device to the portable information terminal device. In step S610, the portable information terminal device waits until the display data is completely received via the communication unit 106, and the received data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105.

  Next, in step S611, the display data of the other device stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is analyzed, and the operation screen of the other device that is the target of remote control is displayed on the display unit 103. In step S612, an input for a user operation from the input unit 104 is awaited. If there is any input, the process proceeds to step S613 to determine whether or not the control key is an ESC key or the like assigned to end the remote control operation.

  If it is an end control key, the process proceeds to step S615, the display on the display unit 103 is returned to the original screen of the portable information terminal device, and the process ends. If the input is other than the end control key, the process proceeds to step S614 to perform remote processing. In this case, the remote processing replaces the input from the input unit 104 with the operation of the device that is the target of remote control, transmits the command to the other device via the communication unit 106, and returns the response. This is a series of processing related to remote control such as changing the operation screen of another device received by the communication unit 106 and displayed on the display unit 103 in response to the response.

  After performing this series of remote processing, the process returns to step S612 to wait for the next input from the input unit 104.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining claim 8 of the present invention.

  In step S701, a list of various basic data and display data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 105 is displayed on the display unit 103. In step S702, the process waits for the user to specify data from the input unit 104. When data is designated from the input unit 104, the process proceeds to step S703 to determine whether to change the data. If the data is not changed, the process proceeds to step S705. When changing the data, in step S704, the contents of the accumulated data are displayed on the display unit 103, changed according to the designation from the user input unit 104, and accumulated in the auxiliary storage unit 105.

  Next, in step S705, the user determines whether to transmit basic data and display data to another device, and waits for designation from the input unit 104. If not, the process is terminated. In the case of transmission, the process proceeds to step S706, where data is read from the auxiliary storage unit 105, transmitted to another terminal via the communication unit 106, and the process ends.

(Other Embodiments of the Invention)
In the first, second, and seventh embodiments, in order to detect a terminal to be controlled, an inquiry is transmitted using wireless communication and a response is awaited. If you know this, you can also specify the user.

  In addition, the display data is transmitted every time, but this can also be stored in advance.

  Further, in this embodiment, basic data and display data for control are received from the target device, but can be received from other devices such as a server.

  In this embodiment, one portable information terminal device remotely controls one other device. However, a configuration in which a plurality of devices are remotely controlled is also possible.

  In the embodiments in claims 3, 4, 5 and 6, the events notified from other devices are option addition / deletion and network connection / disconnection, but other events such as errors, etc. It is also possible to deal with various events such as display.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable information terminal device concerning this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating Claim 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating Claim 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating Claim 3 and 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating Claim 5 and 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating Claim 7 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating Claim 8 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
102 ROM / RAM
103 Display Unit 104 Input Unit 105 Auxiliary Storage Unit 106 Communication Unit 107 System Bus

Claims (8)

  In a portable information terminal device comprising a wireless communication means, a display means, and a storage unit, the basic data for controlling other devices to be remotely controlled and the data for display are separated and the basic data for control is sent to the portable terminal device The mobile unit is stored in advance in the storage unit, receives only data for display unique to the device via wireless communication means, and remotely controls another device using the display data. Information terminal device.   Basic data and device-specific display data necessary to control the other devices are received from other devices that communicated first by wireless communication means, stored in the storage unit, and then another device is remotely connected. 2. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when controlling, only the display data unique to the device is received.   When an option is newly added to another device subject to the above remote control, basic data and display data for control related to that option are received and the option can be controlled remotely. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal device is characterized by the following.   When the connected option is deleted to the other devices subject to the above remote control, the fact is notified, the basic data for control related to the option and the display data are deleted, and the remote control is deleted. The portable information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the status of a device to be controlled can be reflected.   When another device subject to the above-mentioned remote control is connected to the network, the fact is notified, and the display data unique to this device is received to enable remote control. The portable information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   Immediately before the other devices subject to remote control are disconnected from the network, this is notified, and the display data specific to this device is deleted to reflect the status of the device subject to remote control. The portable information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portable information terminal device can be used.   Separate the display data related to the operation of other devices subject to remote control into those common to the device and those specific to the device, assign a unique ID to each data, and specify this ID The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal device can be received from another device.   The basic data for controlling other devices subject to the above remote control and the data for display are received from other devices, stored in the storage unit, this data is changed, and other devices The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal device can be registered by being transmitted to the mobile phone.

Images