JP2007134962A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller for easily registering control information. <P>SOLUTION: The remote controller 10 equipped with a plurality of operation parts 11 for remotely controlling prescribed equipment 50 to be controlled is provided with an IC tag reading part 12 for reading equipment information associated with the equipment 50 from the IC tag 51; a control information data file 163a1 for storing equipment information and control information by associating them with each other; a CPU 161 for executing a registration program 163b3 for registering the equipment information read by the IC tag reading part 12, and for acquiring control information associated with the equipment information from the control information data file 163a1, and for registering the control information by associating it with each operation part 11; and a CPU 161 for, when the operation part 11 is depressed, executing a transmission program 163b4 for transmitting the control information associated with the depressed operation part 11 among the registered control information to the equipment 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote controller.

  Conventionally, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) capable of remotely controlling a controlled device is known. Specifically, the remote control includes a plurality of operation units that can be pressed, and when the user presses the operation unit, the control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit can be transmitted to the controlled device. It can be done.

In recent years, remote controllers that can control a plurality of controlled devices are also known.
In such a remote controller, the user first needs to register control information for a controlled device to be controlled by the remote controller as an initial operation. Specifically, for example, the remote controller stores in advance device information such as the model number of the controlled device and control information for the controlled device in association with each other, and the controlled device to be controlled by the user by the remote controller is stored in advance. When device information is input, the corresponding control information is acquired and registered from the stored control information. That is, the user has to input device information to the remote control as an initial operation, which is troublesome.

  Therefore, for example, a remote controller (for example, see Patent Document 1) in which control information is stored in an operation unit (switch) has been proposed. Specifically, an operation unit capable of storing predetermined control information and transmitting the control information can be attached to and detached from the remote control body.

In addition, a server that stores device information and control information in association with each other, a remote controller that can be connected via a communication network (for example, see Patent Documents 2 to 4), and the like have also been proposed.
Specifically, according to Patent Document 2, the remote controller can acquire and register control information corresponding to the device information input by the user from the server.
According to Patent Document 3, a controlled device can also be connected to a server. The controlled device receives remote control specific information transmitted from a remote controller, and the remote control specific information is transmitted to the controlled device. The remote controller specific information is transmitted to the server, and the server transmits the control information for the controlled device that has transmitted the remote controller specific information to the remote controller corresponding to the remote controller specific information. Can do. The remote controller can register the control information transmitted from the server.
According to Patent Document 4, the remote controller receives a signal transmitted from an attached remote controller (conventional remote controller) only for controlling the controlled device that is attached when the controlled device is purchased. A controlled device can be determined from the signal, and control information can be acquired from the server and registered based on the determination result.
JP 2005-136461 A JP 2002-291073 A JP 2005-33685 A JP 2005-519493 A

However, in the remote control described in Patent Document 1, when the user wants to control a new controlled device with the remote controller, the user must attach each operation unit for the new controlled device to the remote control body. There is a problem that it is bothersome.
Moreover, in the remote control described in Patent Documents 2 to 4, the user has to connect the remote control to the server, which is troublesome.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller capable of easily registering control information.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of operation units, and transmits the control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device. In a remote controller for remotely controlling the device, reading means for reading device information associated with the controlled device from an IC card or an IC tag incorporated in the controlled device, the device information, the control information, Is stored in association with the device information read by the reading device, and control information associated with the device information is acquired from the storage device and associated with each of the operation units. When the registration unit for registration and the operation unit are pressed, control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit is In accordance with an instruction from the instruction means for instructing the registration means to register the transmission means to be transmitted to the controlled device, the device information in association with the identification information for identifying the device information, and When the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration unit and then the second device information is read by the reading unit, the registered first device information And means for determining whether or not the read second device information is the same, and the second device information is associated with second identification information different from the first identification information Selection means for selecting whether or not to register, and when the determination means determines that the first device information and the second device information are the same by the determination means, The second device information is The registration unit is instructed to register in association with the second identification information, and the registration unit is selected to register the second device information in association with the second identification information by the selection unit. In this case, the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information in accordance with an instruction from the instruction means.

The invention described in claim 2 is a remote controller that includes a plurality of operation units, and remotely controls the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device. A reading unit that reads the control information and device information associated with the controlled device from an IC card or an IC tag incorporated in the controlled device, and registers the device information read by the reading unit, Registration means for registering the control information read by the reading means corresponding to each of the operation units, and when the operation unit is pressed, the control information registered by the registration unit is pressed. A transmission unit that transmits control information corresponding to the operation unit to the controlled device, and the device information is associated with identification information for identifying the device information. To register, and instruction means for instructing said registration means,
When the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration unit in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit, and then the second device information is read by the reading unit, the registration is performed. Determining means for determining whether or not the read first device information is the same as the read second device information, and the second device information is different from the first identification information. Selecting means for selecting whether or not to register in association with the identification information of 2, wherein the instruction means has the same first device information and second device information as determined by the determining means. The registration unit instructs the registration unit to register the second device information in association with the second identification information, and the registration unit uses the selection unit to register the second device information. Associating information with the second identification information If it is selected to be recorded, in accordance with an instruction from said instruction means, and registers the second device information in association with the second identification information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a remote controller comprising a plurality of operation units, and remotely controlling the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device, Read by a reading unit that reads device information associated with the controlled device from a predetermined storage medium, a storage unit that stores the device information and the control information in association with each other, and read by the reading unit Registering device information, acquiring control information associated with the device information from the storage unit, and registering corresponding to each of the operation units, and when the operation unit is pressed, Transmission means for transmitting, to the controlled device, control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a remote controller comprising a plurality of operation units, and remotely controlling the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device, Reading means for reading the control information and the device information associated with the controlled device from a predetermined storage medium, registering the device information read by the reading means, and the control information read by the reading means Registering means corresponding to each of the operation units, and when the operation unit is pressed, control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit, Transmitting means for transmitting to the controlled device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote controller according to the third or fourth aspect, the predetermined storage medium is an IC card.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote controller according to the third or fourth aspect, the predetermined storage medium is an IC tag incorporated in the controlled device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the remote controller according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, the device information is registered in association with identification information for identifying the device information. An instruction means for instructing the registration means is provided.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the remote controller according to the seventh aspect, the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration unit in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit, and thereafter Whether the relationship between the registered first device information and the read second device information satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance when the second device information is read by the reading unit Determination means for determining whether or not the instruction means determines that a relationship between the first device information and the second device information satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance by the determination means. In this case, the registration unit is instructed to register the second device information in association with second identification information different from the first identification information.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the remote controller according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the selecting means for selecting whether or not to register the second device information in association with the second identification information. And the registration means, when the selection means is selected to register the second device information in association with the second identification information, according to an instruction from the instruction means, the second device information Is registered in association with the second identification information.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the reading unit can read the device information associated with the controlled device from the IC card or the IC tag incorporated in the controlled device, and the storage unit can The device information and the control information can be stored in association with each other. The registration unit registers the device information read by the reading unit, and obtains the control information associated with the device information from the storage unit. When the operation unit is pressed by the transmission unit, the control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit can be registered. Can be transmitted to the controlled device.
That is, the control information is registered simply by causing the reading unit to read the device information. Therefore, the control information can be easily registered.
Further, an IC card or IC tag storing device information is inexpensive and easy, and therefore has high versatility.

Furthermore, the instruction unit can instruct the registration unit to register the device information in association with the identification information for identifying the device information.
That is, the registered device information can be identified by the identification information. Thus, for example, when remotely controlling a controlled device, the user can clearly identify which of the plurality of controlled devices is currently a controlled device that can be remotely controlled. It is easy to use.

Further, when the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration device in accordance with the instruction from the instruction device, and then the second device information is read by the reading device. The registered first device information and the read second device information can be determined to be the same, and the instruction means determines whether the first device information is the same as the first device information. When it is determined that the second device information is the same, the registration unit can be instructed to register the second device information in association with the second identification information.
That is, when the controlled device corresponding to the first device information and the controlled device corresponding to the second device information are the same controlled device, the first device information and the second device information Can be identified by the identification information and registered. Thus, for example, when remotely controlling a controlled device, the user can clearly identify which of a plurality of identical controlled devices is currently a controlled device that can be remotely controlled. It is easier to use.

Further, the selection means can select whether or not the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information different from the first identification information, and the registration means If the second device information is selected to be registered in association with the second identification information, the second device information may be registered in association with the second identification information in accordance with an instruction from the instruction means. it can.
That is, the user can select whether or not the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the reading unit can read the control information and the device information associated with the controlled device from the IC card or the IC tag incorporated in the controlled device, and the registration unit. By registering the device information read by the reading unit, the control information read by the reading unit can be registered corresponding to each of the operation units, and when the operation unit is pressed by the transmission unit, Of the control information registered by the registration means, the control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit can be transmitted to the controlled device.
That is, since the control information is registered simply by causing the reading means to read the control information and the device information, the control information can be easily registered.
Control information is stored in the IC card or IC tag. Therefore, since arbitrary control information can be registered, any controlled device can be remotely controlled, which is convenient.
An IC card or IC tag storing control information and device information is inexpensive and easy, and therefore has high versatility.

Furthermore, the instruction unit can instruct the registration unit to register the device information in association with the identification information for identifying the device information.
That is, the registered device information can be identified by the identification information. Thus, for example, when remotely controlling a controlled device, the user can clearly identify which of the plurality of controlled devices is currently a controlled device that can be remotely controlled. It is easy to use.

Further, when the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration device in accordance with the instruction from the instruction device, and then the second device information is read by the reading device. The registered first device information and the read second device information can be determined to be the same, and the instruction means determines whether the first device information is the same as the first device information. When it is determined that the second device information is the same, the registration unit can be instructed to register the second device information in association with the second identification information.
That is, when the controlled device corresponding to the first device information and the controlled device corresponding to the second device information are the same controlled device, the first device information and the second device information Can be identified by the identification information and registered. Thus, for example, when remotely controlling a controlled device, the user can clearly identify which of a plurality of identical controlled devices is currently a controlled device that can be remotely controlled. It is easier to use.

Further, the selection means can select whether or not the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information different from the first identification information, and the registration means If the second device information is selected to be registered in association with the second identification information, the second device information may be registered in association with the second identification information in accordance with an instruction from the instruction means. it can.
That is, the user can select whether or not the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the reading unit can read the device information associated with the controlled device from the predetermined storage medium, and the storage unit can read the device information and the control information. The device information read by the reading unit can be registered by the registration unit, and the control information associated with the device information can be acquired from the storage unit to correspond to each of the operation units. When the operation unit is pressed by the transmission unit, the control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit is transmitted to the controlled device. Can do.
That is, the control information is registered simply by causing the reading unit to read the device information. Therefore, the control information can be easily registered.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the reading unit can read the control information and the device information associated with the controlled device from a predetermined storage medium, and the registration unit reads the reading unit. The device information can be registered and the control information read by the reading unit can be registered corresponding to each of the operation units. When the operation unit is pressed by the transmission unit, the control information registered by the registration unit is registered. Control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit can be transmitted to the controlled device.
That is, since the control information is registered simply by causing the reading means to read the control information and the device information, the control information can be easily registered.
Control information is stored in a predetermined storage medium. Therefore, since arbitrary control information can be registered, any controlled device can be remotely controlled, which is convenient.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it goes without saying that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 3 or 4 can be obtained, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) card which is a predetermined storage medium is inexpensive and easy. Therefore, versatility is high.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 3 or 4 can be obtained, and the IC tag as a predetermined storage medium is inexpensive and easily controlled. Since it can be provided in equipment, it is highly versatile.
Further, since the IC tag is incorporated in the controlled device, there is no problem such as loss.

According to the invention described in claim 7, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 6 can be obtained. The registration means can be instructed to register in association with identification information for identification.
That is, the registered device information can be identified by the identification information. Thus, for example, when remotely controlling a controlled device, the user can clearly identify which of the plurality of controlled devices is currently a controlled device that can be remotely controlled. It is easy to use.

According to the invention described in claim 8, it is needless to say that the same effect as in the invention described in claim 7 can be obtained, and the first device information is obtained by the registration means according to the instruction from the instruction means by the judging means. When the second device information is registered in association with the first identification information and then read by the reading unit, the registered first device information and the read second device information It is possible to determine whether or not the relationship between the first device information and the second device information is preset by the determining means. When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the registration unit can be instructed to register the second device information in association with the second identification information different from the first identification information.
That is, when the relationship between the first device information and the second device information satisfies a predetermined condition, specifically, for example, the controlled device corresponding to the first device information and the second device information are supported. When the controlled device to be controlled is a controlled device of the same model, or the controlled device corresponding to the first device information and the controlled device corresponding to the second device information are the same controlled device, etc. The first device information and the second device information can be identified and registered by the identification information. Thus, for example, when remotely controlling a controlled device, the user clearly identifies which of the same model or the same controlled device is currently a controlled device that can be remotely controlled. Is now easier to use.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, it is of course possible to obtain the same effect as that of the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, and the second device information is converted into the second identification information by the selection means. Whether to register in association with each other can be selected, and when the registration unit selects that the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information by the selection unit, from the instruction unit According to the instruction, the second device information can be registered in association with the second identification information.
That is, the user can select whether or not the second device information is registered in association with the second identification information.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

[First embodiment]
First, the remote controller 10 in the first embodiment will be described.

<Configuration of remote control>
First, the configuration of the remote controller 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The remote controller 10 can remotely control the controlled device 50 by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device 50 to a predetermined controlled device 50 (50a, 50b,...). ing.
Specifically, the remote controller 10 includes, for example, a plurality of operation units 11 (111, 112, 113,...), An IC (Integrated Circuit) tag reading unit 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14, and control information. The transmission unit 15 and the control unit 16 are provided. Each unit is connected by a bus 17.
In the controlled apparatus 50 (50a, 50b,...), For example, IC tags 51 (51a, 51b,...) As predetermined storage media are incorporated. The IC tag 51 stores device information associated with the controlled device 50. That is, device information associated with the controlled device 50a is stored in the IC tag 51a, and device information associated with the controlled device 50b is stored in the IC tag 51b.
Here, the device information is, for example, the model number of the controlled device 50, and the manufacturer of the controlled device 50 and the model of the controlled device 50 can be identified by the device information.

  For example, the operation unit 11 outputs a pressing signal when the user presses the operating unit 11 to the control unit 16. That is, when the operation unit 111 is pressed by the user, the operation unit 111 outputs a pressing signal unique to the operation unit 111, and when the operation unit 112 is pressed by the user, the operation unit 112 outputs a pressing signal specific to the operation unit 112. When the button 113 is pressed by the user, a pressing signal unique to the operation unit 113 is output.

The IC tag reading unit 12 reads device information associated with the controlled device 50 from the IC tag 51 as a reading unit.
Specifically, for example, when the IC tag reading unit 12 is brought close to the IC tag 51 by the user, the IC tag reading unit 12 reads device information from the approached IC tag 51.

  The display unit 13 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or the like, and performs a given display process according to a display signal input from the control unit 16.

For example, the communication unit 14 is connected to a communication network (not shown) in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 16 (specifically, a CPU 161 (which will be described later) that has executed the update program 163b5), and performs predetermined processing on the communication network. Various information is transmitted to and received from a server (not shown).
Here, for example, a database that stores device information and control information in association with each other is stored in a predetermined server on the communication network. It is assumed that the latest information is stored in the database.
The communication unit 14 may be configured to be able to connect to a communication network (not shown) wirelessly, or may be configured to be able to connect by wire.
The communication unit 14 may be configured to be directly connected to a communication network (not shown), or may be a mobile phone (not shown) or a personal computer (not shown) on the communication network. You may be comprised so that it can connect via.

  For example, the control information transmission unit 15 transmits the control information to the controlled device 50 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 16 (specifically, a CPU 161 (described later) that has executed the transmission program 163b4).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 161, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 162, a storage unit 163, and the like.

  The CPU 161 performs various control operations according to various processing programs for the remote controller 10 stored in the storage unit 163.

  The RAM 162 includes a program storage area for expanding a processing program executed by the CPU 161, a data storage area for storing input data, a processing result generated when the processing program is executed, and the like.

The storage unit 163 includes a system program that can be executed by the remote controller 10, various processing programs that can be executed by the system program, data that is used when these various processing programs are executed, data of processing results that are arithmetically processed by the CPU 161, and the like. Remember. Note that the program is stored in the storage unit 163 in the form of a computer readable program code.
Specifically, in the storage unit 163, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a control information data file 163a1 (hereinafter referred to as “control information DF163a1”), a registration control information data file 163a2 (hereinafter referred to as “registration control information DF163a2”). ”), A determination program 163b1, an instruction program 163b2, a registration program 163b3, a transmission program 163b4, an update program 163b5, and the like are stored.

The control information DF163a1 stores, for example, device information and control information in association with each other as storage means.
Specifically, the control information DF163a1 includes, for example, a “device information” storage area 163a11, a “control information” storage area 163a12, and the like, as shown in FIG.
The “device information” storage area 163a11 stores device information associated with the controlled device 50.
The “control information” storage area 163a12 stores control information for controlling the controlled device 50 corresponding to the device information.

In the registration control information DF163a2, a CPU 161 (described later) that executes the registration program 163b3 registers a registration number as identification information, device information, control information, operation unit information, and the like in association with each other.
Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the registration control information DF 163 a 2 includes a “registration number” storage area 163 a 21, a “device information” storage area 163 a 22, a “control information” storage area 163 a 23, and an “operation unit”. Information "storage area 163a24.
In the “registration number” storage area 163a21, a registration number is registered as identification information for identifying device information.
Device information is registered in the “device information” storage area 163a22.
Control information is registered in the “control information” storage area 163a23.
In the “operation unit information” storage area 163a24, operation unit information related to the operation unit 11 (operation units 111, 112, 113,...) Associated with the control information is registered. Specifically, the operation unit information is information for determining a pressing signal output from the operation unit 11, for example.

In the determination program 163b1, the device information (first device information) is registered with the registration number (first registration number) by the CPU 161 (described later) that executes the registration program 163b3 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 161 (described later) that executes the instruction program 163b2. When the device information (second device information) is read by the IC tag reading unit 12 after being registered in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with the registered first device information and the read The CPU 161 is caused to realize a function of determining whether or not the relationship with the second device information satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance.
Specifically, the predetermined condition set in advance includes, for example, first device information registered by a CPU 161 (described later) that has executed the registration program 163b3, and a second device read by the IC tag reading unit 12. The condition is that the information is the same.
The CPU 161 functions as a determination unit by executing the determination program 163b1.

The instruction program 163b2 has a function of instructing the CPU 161 (which will be described later) executing the registration program 163b3 to register the device information in the registration control information DF 163a2 in association with the registration number for identifying the device information. make it happen.
Specifically, for example, when the CPU 161 that has executed the determination program 163b1 determines that the relationship between the first device information and the second device information satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance, the CPU 161 CPU 161 (described later) that executes registration program 163b3 to register the second device information in association with a registration number (second registration number) different from the first registration number corresponding to the first device information. To instruct. On the other hand, for example, when the CPU 161 that has executed the determination program 163b1 determines that the relationship between the first device information and the second device information does not satisfy a predetermined condition set in advance, the CPU 161 The CPU 161 (described later) that executed the registration program 163b3 is instructed to register the device information in association with an arbitrary registration number.
The CPU 161 functions as an instruction unit by executing the instruction program 163b2.

The registration program 163b3 registers the device information (second device information) read by the IC tag reading unit 12 in the registration control information DF163a2, and controls the control information associated with the second device information as control information DF163a1. The CPU 161 realizes a function of acquiring from the above and registering it in the registration control information DF163a2 corresponding to each of the operation units 11.
Specifically, for example, the CPU 161 is instructed to register the second device information in association with the second registration number by the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2, and the operation unit 11 as a selection unit performs the first registration. 2 is registered in association with the second registration number, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 161 executing the instruction program 163b2, the second apparatus information is registered in association with the second registration number. To do. On the other hand, for example, when the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2 is instructed to register the second device information in association with an arbitrary registration number, the CPU 161 follows the instruction from the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2. The second device information is registered in association with an arbitrary registration number.
The CPU 161 functions as a registration unit by executing the registration program 163b3.

When one operation unit 11 of the plurality of operation units 11 is pressed, the transmission program 163b4 is one of the control information registered in the registration control information DF163a2 by the CPU 161 that executes the registration program 163b3. The CPU 161 is caused to realize a function of transmitting control information corresponding to the operation unit 11 to the controlled device 50 via the control information transmission unit 15.
The CPU 161 functions as a transmission unit by executing the transmission program 163b4.

  When the device information (second device information) read by the IC tag reading unit 12 is not stored in the control information DF163a1, the update program 163b5 transmits the control information corresponding to the second device information to the communication unit. The CPU 161 has a function of updating the information stored in the control information DF163a1 by acquiring the information from a predetermined server (not shown) on the communication network (not shown) via the network 14 and storing it in the control information DF163a1. Let

<Processing by remote control>
Next, processing by the remote controller 10 will be described.

(Control information registration process)
First, processing related to registration of control information by the remote controller 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, when the IC tag reading unit 12 reads device information (second device information) from the IC tag 51 incorporated in the controlled device 50 (step S101), the CPU 161 executes the determination program 163b1 and registers it. It is determined whether or not all device information (first device information) registered in the control information DF163a2 has the same device information as the second device information (step S102).

  If it is determined in step S102 that the first device information does not include the same device information as the second device information (step S102; No), the CPU 161 executes the update program 163b5 to execute the second device information. It is determined whether or not the information is stored in the control information DF163a1 (step S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the second device information is stored in the control information DF163a1 (step S103; Yes), the CPU 161 executes the registration program 163b3 to control information corresponding to the second device information. Is acquired from the control information DF163a1 (step S104).

  Next, the CPU 161 registers the second device information in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with an arbitrary registration number in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2 (step S105), and the control acquired in step S104. Information is registered in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with each of the operation units 11 (step S106), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the second device information is not stored in the control information DF163a1 (step S103; No), the CPU 161 sends control information corresponding to the second device information to the communication unit 14. Via a predetermined server (not shown) on the communication network (not shown) (step S107) and stored in the control information DF163a1.

  Next, the CPU 161 executes the registration program 163b3, and registers the second device information in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with an arbitrary registration number according to the instruction from the CPU 161 that executed the instruction program 163b2 (step S108). The control information acquired in step S107 is registered in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with each of the operation units 11 (step S109), and this process ends.

If it is determined in step S102 that the first device information includes the same device information as the second device information (step S102; Yes), the CPU 161 displays the second device information on the display unit 13. Is registered in association with a registration number (second registration number) different from the registration number (first registration number) corresponding to the first device information determined to be the same as the second device information. A selection screen that prompts the user to select whether or not to perform the operation is displayed (step S110), and the second device information is associated with the second registration number by operating the operation unit 11 by the user according to the displayed selection screen. It is determined whether or not it has been selected to be added and registered (step S111).
Specifically, for example, when “F-TV001” is read as the second device information by the IC tag reading unit 12 in step S101, the CPU 161 that has executed the determination program 163b1 in step S102 determines that FIG. ) In the first device information (“F-TV001” (registration number “TV1”) and “F-DVD002” (registration number “DVD1”)) registered in the registration control information DF163a2 shown in FIG. It is determined that there is device information identical to the device information. Next, in step S110, the CPU 161 causes the display unit 13 to display the second device information on the first registration number corresponding to the first device information determined to be the same as the second device information (“ A selection screen that prompts the user to select whether or not to register in association with a second registration number (for example, “TV2”) different from “TV1”) is displayed.

  If it is selected in step S111 that the second device information is not registered in association with the second registration number (step S111; No), the CPU 161 ends this process.

  On the other hand, if the second device information is selected to be registered in association with the second registration number in step S111 (step S111; Yes), the CPU 161 executes the registration program 163b3 to execute the second Control information corresponding to the device information is acquired from the control information DF163a1 (step S112).

Next, the CPU 161 registers the second device information in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with the second registration number in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2 (step S113), and acquired in step S112. The control information is registered in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with each of the operation units 11 (step S114), and this process ends.
Specifically, by the processing of step S101, step S102, step S110 to step S114 by the CPU 161, for example, the registration control information DF163a2 as shown in FIG. 4B is changed from the registration control information DF163a2 shown in FIG. Is obtained.

(Control information transmission process)
Next, processing related to transmission of control information by the remote controller 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when a device category, a registration number, or the like of the controlled device 50 to be remotely controlled by the remote controller 10 is selected by the operation of the operation unit 11 by the user (step S121), the CPU 161 causes the user to select among the plurality of operation units 11 by the user. It is determined whether or not one operation unit 11 has been pressed (step S122).
Here, the device category is a category in which the model of the controlled device 50 (for example, a TV (Television) receiver or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder) is classified.
Specifically, for example, in step S121, “TV” or the like is selected as the device category, and “TV2” or the like is selected as the registration number.

  If it is determined in step S122 that one operation unit 11 has not been pressed (step S122; No), the CPU 161 repeats the process of step S122.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S122 that one operation unit 11 has been pressed (step S122; Yes), the CPU 161 executes the transmission program 163b4, and from the control information registered in the registration control information DF163a2, the CPU 161 Control information corresponding to the operation unit information of the pressed one operation unit 11 is acquired (step S123), and the acquired control information is transmitted via the control information transmission unit 15 to the device category selected in step S121. It transmits to the controlled apparatus 50 corresponding to a registration number etc. (step S124), and complete | finishes this process.

According to the remote controller 10 in the first embodiment described above, the IC tag reading unit 12 reads device information associated with the controlled device 50 from the IC tag 51 incorporated in the controlled device 50. The control information DF163a1 can store the device information and the control information in association with each other, and the device information read by the IC tag reading unit 12 by the CPU 161 that has executed the registration program 163b3 is registered control information. In addition to registering in the DF 163a2, the control information associated with the device information can be acquired from the control information DF 163a1 and registered in the registration control information DF 163a2 corresponding to each of the operation units 11, and the transmission program 163b4 is executed. The CPU 161 controls any one of the plurality of operation units 11. When the unit 11 is pressed, control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit 11 among the control information registered in the registration control information DF163a2 by the CPU 161 that has executed the registration program 163b3 is sent to the controlled device 50. Can be sent.
That is, the control information is registered simply by causing the IC tag reading unit 12 to read the device information. Therefore, the control information can be easily registered.
Moreover, since the IC tag 51 in which the device information is stored can be provided in the controlled device 50 inexpensively and easily, the IC tag 51 is highly versatile.

Furthermore, the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2 can instruct the CPU 161 that has executed the registration program 163b2 to register the device information in association with a registration number for identifying the device information.
That is, the registered device information can be identified by the registration number. Therefore, for example, when the controlled device 50 is remotely controlled, the user can clearly identify which of the plurality of controlled devices 50... Is the currently controlled device 50 that can be remotely controlled. It is possible to use and it is easy to use.

Furthermore, the first device information is registered in association with the first registration number by the CPU 161 that has executed the registration program 163b3 by the CPU 161 that has executed the determination program 163b1, and then registered in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2. When the second device information is read by the IC tag reading unit 12, it is determined whether or not the registered first device information and the read second device information are the same. The CPU 161 that has executed the instruction program 163b2 determines that the first device information and the second device information are the same by the CPU 161 that has executed the determination program 163b1. The registration program 163b3 so that the information is registered in association with the second registration number. It is possible to instruct the CPU161 you run.
That is, when the controlled device 50 corresponding to the first device information and the controlled device 50 corresponding to the second device information are the same controlled device, the first device information and the second device The information can be identified by the registration number and registered in the registration control information DF163a2. Therefore, for example, when the controlled device 50 is remotely controlled, the user clearly identifies which of the plurality of identical controlled devices 50... Is the currently controlled device 50 that can be remotely controlled. It becomes easier to use.

Further, the operation unit 11 can select whether or not to register the second device information in association with the second registration number different from the first registration number, and execute the registration program 163b3. When the operation unit 11 selects to register the second device information in association with the second registration number, the CPU 161 changes the second device information according to the instruction from the CPU 161 that executed the instruction program 163b2. 2 in association with the registration number of 2.
That is, the user can select whether or not to register the second device information in association with the second registration number.

Further, when the device information read by the IC tag reading unit 12 is not stored in the control information DF 163a1 by the CPU 151 that has executed the update program 163b5, the control information corresponding to the device information is transmitted via the communication unit 14. Information acquired from a predetermined server (not shown) on the communication network (not shown) and stored in the control information DF163a1 can update the information stored in the control information DF163a1.
Therefore, since any control information stored in the server can be registered, it is possible to remotely control any controlled device 50, and it is even easier to use.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the remote controller 20 in the second embodiment will be described.

<Configuration of remote control>
First, the configuration of the remote controller 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that the remote controller 20 of the second embodiment differs from the remote controller 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first embodiment in the information read by the IC tag reader 22. Specifically, a part of the configuration of the IC tag reading unit 12 and a part of the configuration of the control unit 16 in the remote controller 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are different. Further, a part of the configuration of the IC tag 51 in the controlled device 50 (FIG. 1) is different. Therefore, only different parts will be described, and other common parts will be described with the same reference numerals.

The remote controller 20 can remotely control the controlled device 60 by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device 60 to a predetermined controlled device 60 (60a, 60b,...). ing.
Specifically, the remote controller 20 includes, for example, a plurality of operation units 11 (111, 112, 113,...), An IC tag reading unit 22, a display unit 13, a control information transmission unit 15, and a control unit 26. And so on. Each unit is connected by a bus 27.
For example, IC tags 61 (61a, 61b,...) Are incorporated in the controlled devices 60 (60a, 60b,...). The IC tag 61 stores control information for controlling the controlled device 60, device information associated with the controlled device 60, and the like. That is, the IC tag 61a stores control information for controlling the controlled device 60a, device information associated with the controlled device 60a, and the like, and the IC tag 61b controls the controlled device 60b. For example, device control information and device information associated with the controlled device 60b are stored.

  The IC tag reading unit 22 reads control information for controlling the controlled device 60 and device information associated with the controlled device 60 from the IC tag 61 as reading means.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 26 includes a CPU 161, a RAM 162, a storage unit 263, and the like.

The storage unit 263 includes a system program that can be executed by the remote controller 20, various processing programs that can be executed by the system program, data that is used when executing these various processing programs, and data that is a result of processing that has been arithmetically processed by the CPU 161 Remember. Note that the program is stored in the storage unit 263 in the form of a computer-readable program code.
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the storage unit 263 includes a registration control information data file 163a2 (registration control information DF163a2), a determination program 163b1, an instruction program 163b2, a registration program 263b3, a transmission program 163b4, and the like. It is remembered.

The registration program 263b3 registers the device information (second device information) read by the IC tag reading unit 22 in the registration control information DF163a2, and also transmits the control information read by the IC tag reading unit 22 to each of the operation units 11. The CPU 161 realizes the function of registering in the registration control information DF163a2 in correspondence with the above.
The CPU 161 functions as a registration unit by executing the registration program 263b3.

<Processing by remote control>
Next, processing by the remote controller 20 will be described.

(Control information registration process)
First, processing related to registration of control information by the remote controller 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, when the IC tag reading unit 22 reads control information and device information (second device information) from the IC tag 61 incorporated in the controlled device 60 (step S201), the CPU 161 executes the determination program 163b1. Then, it is determined whether or not all the device information (first device information) registered in the registration control information DF163a2 has the same device information as the second device information (step S202).

  If it is determined in step S202 that the first device information does not include the same device information as the second device information (step S202; No), the CPU 161 executes the registration program 263b3 to execute the instruction program 163b2. In accordance with the executed instruction from the CPU 161, the second device information is registered in the registration control information DF 163 a 2 in association with an arbitrary registration number (step S 203), and the control information read in step S 201 is stored in each operation unit 11. Correspondingly, it is registered in the registration control information DF163a2 (step S204), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the first device information includes the same device information as the second device information (step S202; Yes), the CPU 161 displays the second device information on the display unit 13. Is registered in association with a registration number (second registration number) different from the registration number (first registration number) corresponding to the first device information determined to be the same as the second device information. A selection screen prompting the user to select whether to perform or not is displayed (step S205), and the second device information is associated with the second registration number by the user operating the operation unit 11 in accordance with the displayed selection screen. It is then determined whether or not it has been selected to be registered (step S206).

  If it is selected in step S206 not to register the second device information in association with the second registration number (step S206; No), the CPU 161 ends this process.

  On the other hand, when the second device information is selected to be registered in association with the second registration number in step S206 (step S206; Yes), the CPU 161 executes the registration program 263b3 to execute the instruction program 163b2. Is registered in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with the second registration number (step S207), and the control information read in step S201 is stored in the operation unit 11 in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 161 that executed Corresponding to each, registration is performed in the registration control information DF163a2 (step S208), and this process is terminated.

(Control information transmission process)
Since the process related to the transmission of control information by the remote controller 20 is substantially the same as the process related to the transmission of control information by the remote controller 10 (FIG. 7), detailed description thereof is omitted.

According to the remote controller 20 in the second embodiment described above, the control information and the controlled object for controlling the controlled device 60 from the IC tag 61 incorporated in the controlled device 60 by the IC tag reading unit 22. The device information associated with the device 60 can be read, and the device information read by the IC tag reading unit 22 is registered in the registration control information DF163a2 by the CPU 161 executing the registration program 263b3, and the IC tag reading unit 22 is also registered. Can be registered in the registration control information DF163a2 in association with each of the operation units 11, and the CPU 161 that has executed the transmission program 163b4 allows one operation unit 11 of the plurality of operation units 11 to be registered. When pressed, the CPU 161 that executed the registration program 263b3 registers it. The control information corresponding to one of the operation unit 11 is pressed out of the control information registered in the control information DF163a2, it can be transmitted to the controlled device 60.
That is, since the control information is registered simply by causing the IC tag reading unit 22 to read the control information and the device information, the control information can be easily registered.
Control information is stored in the IC tag 61. Therefore, since arbitrary control information can be registered, the arbitrary controlled device 60 can be remotely controlled, which is convenient.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof.
The predetermined storage medium is the IC tag 51 incorporated in the controlled device 50 in the first embodiment, and the IC tag 61 incorporated in the controlled device 60 in the second embodiment. However, the predetermined storage medium may be an IC card attached to the controlled device 50 or the controlled device 60, for example. Specifically, as an IC card attached to the controlled device 50 or the controlled device 60, for example, a B-CAS (BS Conditional Access) attached to a digital broadcast compatible tuner, a TV receiver, a DVD recorder, or the like. In the case of the first embodiment, the device information is stored in a (Systems) card, and in the case of the second embodiment, the device information and control information are stored. Further, the IC card does not necessarily have to be attached to the controlled device 50 or the controlled device 60.

In the first embodiment, the IC tag reading unit 12 reads the device information from the approached predetermined storage medium when approached to the predetermined storage medium (IC tag 51). The method of reading the device information from the predetermined storage medium by the IC tag reading unit 12 can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the predetermined storage medium.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the CPU 161 executing the instruction program 163b2 instructs to register the device information in association with the registration number. For example, the user associates the device information with the registration number. You may be instructed to register. Specifically, for example, the remote controller 10 may be provided with a registration number changeover switch (not shown), and a registration number to be associated may be instructed by switching of the registration number changeover switch by the user.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, during the control information transmission process (FIG. 7), the registration number is selected by operating the operation unit 11, but the registration number changeover switch (not shown) provided in the remote controller 10 is selected. ) Or the like may be selected.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, predetermined conditions set in advance are set as the first device information registered by the CPU 161 that has executed the registration program 163b3, and the second device information read by the IC tag reading unit 12. However, it is difficult to distinguish the controlled device corresponding to the first device information from the controlled device corresponding to the second device information under the predetermined condition. For example, the controlled device corresponding to the first device information and the controlled device corresponding to the second device information may be of the same model.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the remote controller 10 wirelessly reads the device information by the IC tag reading unit 12, but for example, the device information is stored in the controlled device 50 and the remote controller 10 and the controlled device are controlled. The device information may be read in a wired manner by connecting the device 50 with a predetermined code.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the operation unit 11 may be displayed on a display unit covered with a touch panel.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the CPU 161 that has executed the update program 163b5 acquires control information that is not stored in the control information DF163a1 from a predetermined server (not shown) on the communication network (not shown). The information stored in the control information DF163a1 is updated by storing the acquired control information in the control information DF163a1, but all the control information stored in the server is acquired, and all the acquired information is stored. The information stored in the control information DF163a1 may be updated by storing the control information in the control information DF163a1.
The same applies to the second embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the remote control and controlled apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the remote control in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the control information data file shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the registration control information data file shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 1st process regarding the registration of the control information by the remote control in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 2nd process regarding registration of the control information by the remote control in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process regarding transmission of the control information by the remote control in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the remote control and controlled apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the remote control in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 1st process regarding registration of the control information by the remote control in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 2nd process regarding registration of the control information by the remote control in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20 Remote control (remote controller)
11 (111, 112, 113, ...) operation unit (selection means)
12, 22 IC tag reading section (reading means)
50 (50a, 50b, ...), 60 (60a, 60b, ...) Controlled equipment 51 (51a, 51b, ...), 61 (61a, 61b, ...) IC tag (storage medium)
161 CPU (determination means, instruction means, registration means, transmission means)
163a1 Control information data file (storage means)
163b1 determination program (determination means)
163b2 instruction program (instruction means)
163b3, 263b3 registration program (registration means)
163b4 transmission program (transmission means)

Claims (9)

In a remote controller comprising a plurality of operation units and remotely controlling the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device,
Reading means for reading device information associated with the controlled device from an IC card or an IC tag incorporated in the controlled device;
Storage means for storing the device information and the control information in association with each other;
A registration unit that registers the device information read by the reading unit, acquires control information associated with the device information from the storage unit, and registers the control information corresponding to each of the operation units;
When the operation unit is pressed, a transmission unit that transmits control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit to the controlled device;
An instruction means for instructing the registration means to register the device information in association with identification information for identifying the device information;
When the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration unit in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit, and then the second device information is read by the reading unit, the registration is performed. Judging means for judging whether or not the read first device information and the read second device information are the same;
Selecting means for selecting whether or not to register the second device information in association with second identification information different from the first identification information;
With
When the determination unit determines that the first device information and the second device information are the same, the instruction unit associates the second device information with the second identification information. Instructing the registration means to register,
When the selection unit selects the second device information to be registered in association with the second identification information by the selection unit, the registration unit stores the second device information in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit. A remote controller characterized by being registered in association with second identification information. In a remote controller comprising a plurality of operation units and remotely controlling the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device,
Reading means for reading the control information and device information associated with the controlled device from an IC card or an IC tag incorporated in the controlled device;
Registering the device information read by the reading unit, and registering the control information read by the reading unit corresponding to each of the operation unit,
When the operation unit is pressed, a transmission unit that transmits control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit to the controlled device;
An instruction means for instructing the registration means to register the device information in association with identification information for identifying the device information;
When the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration unit in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit, and then the second device information is read by the reading unit, the registration is performed. Judging means for judging whether or not the read first device information and the read second device information are the same;
Selecting means for selecting whether or not to register the second device information in association with second identification information different from the first identification information;
With
When the determination unit determines that the first device information and the second device information are the same, the instruction unit associates the second device information with the second identification information. Instructing the registration means to register,
When the selection unit selects the second device information to be registered in association with the second identification information by the selection unit, the registration unit stores the second device information in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit. A remote controller characterized by being registered in association with second identification information. In a remote controller comprising a plurality of operation units and remotely controlling the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device,
Reading means for reading device information associated with the controlled device from a predetermined storage medium;
Storage means for storing the device information and the control information in association with each other;
A registration unit that registers the device information read by the reading unit, acquires control information associated with the device information from the storage unit, and registers the control information corresponding to each of the operation units;
When the operation unit is pressed, a transmission unit that transmits control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit to the controlled device;
A remote controller comprising: In a remote controller comprising a plurality of operation units and remotely controlling the controlled device by transmitting control information for controlling the controlled device to a predetermined controlled device,
Reading means for reading the control information and device information associated with the controlled device from a predetermined storage medium;
Registering the device information read by the reading unit, and registering the control information read by the reading unit corresponding to each of the operation unit,
When the operation unit is pressed, a transmission unit that transmits control information corresponding to the pressed operation unit among the control information registered by the registration unit to the controlled device;
A remote controller comprising: The remote controller according to claim 3 or 4,
The remote controller, wherein the predetermined storage medium is an IC card. The remote controller according to claim 3 or 4,
The remote controller, wherein the predetermined storage medium is an IC tag incorporated in the controlled device. In the remote controller according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
A remote controller comprising: instruction means for instructing the registration means to register the device information in association with identification information for identifying the device information. The remote controller according to claim 7,
When the first device information is registered in association with the first identification information by the registration unit in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit, and then the second device information is read by the reading unit, the registration is performed. Determining means for determining whether or not a relationship between the read first device information and the read second device information satisfies a predetermined condition;
With
When the determining unit determines that the relationship between the first device information and the second device information satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance, the instruction unit determines the second device information as follows: A remote controller that instructs the registration means to register in association with second identification information different from the first identification information. The remote controller according to claim 7 or 8,
Selecting means for selecting whether or not to register the second device information in association with the second identification information;
When the selection unit selects the second device information to be registered in association with the second identification information by the selection unit, the registration unit stores the second device information in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit. A remote controller characterized by being registered in association with second identification information.

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