JP2008116993A - Electronic device system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a menu item of an electronic device which becomes unusable is also displayed in displaying menus of other electronic devices. <P>SOLUTION: A first electronic device 100 includes a state information sending unit 105 that sends state information indicating a state of the own electronic device to a second electronic device 200. The second electronic device 200 includes: a second operation item information storage unit 202 that stores one or more pieces of first operation item information, each of which includes item information indicating an item in an operation menu and operation instruction information that is information instructing the first electronic device 100 to perform a specified operation corresponding to the item; a state information acquisition unit 203 that acquires the state information from the first electronic device 100; an operation menu display unit 204 that displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information stored in the storage unit 202, depending on the state information acquired by the acquisition unit 203. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices connected by a network or the like.

As a conventional electronic device system, there is one in which one electronic device receives menu information of another electronic device connected via a network or the like and combines it with the menu information of its own electronic device (for example, a patent). Reference 1 and Patent Document 2). In such an electronic device system, it is possible to control the operation of other connected electronic devices by using this synthesized menu.
JP 07-177586 A (first page, FIG. 1 etc.) JP 2003-029895 A (first page, FIG. 1 etc.)

  However, in the electronic device system as described above, the menu items of the electronic device that can no longer be used due to the power being turned off or the like are displayed as menu items of the composite menu. The item will be displayed. As a result of the increase in the number of unnecessary menu items, it takes time to search for a menu item that the user wants to select, or the menu item cannot be found, resulting in poor operability.

  An electronic device system according to the present invention is an electronic device system including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the first electronic device includes a first operation unit that performs a predetermined operation; A first operation instruction information receiving unit that receives operation instruction information that is information for instructing an operation from the second electronic device, and the first operation instruction information based on the operation instruction information received by the first operation instruction information receiving unit. A second operation that includes a first control unit that operates an operation unit, wherein the second electronic device stores at least one first operation item information that is information for operating the first electronic device; In accordance with the status information acquired by the item information storage unit, the status information acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating the status of the first electronic device, and the status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit, the second operation item information storage unit Based on the stored first operation item information Based on an operation menu display unit that displays a menu, a second operation instruction reception unit that receives an instruction for a menu item of the displayed operation menu as an operation instruction, and an operation instruction received by the second operation instruction reception unit, The second operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires the operation instruction information according to the first operation item information, and the operation instruction information acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit are transmitted to the first electronic device. A second operation instruction information transmission unit is provided.

  With this configuration, it becomes possible for the second electronic device to selectively display an operation menu required according to the state of the first electronic device, and the second electronic device displays unnecessary menu items. Thus, the operability of the menu can be improved.

  In the electronic device system, the first electronic device further includes a state information transmission unit that transmits state information indicating a state of the device to the second electronic device, and the state information acquisition unit includes: The status information transmitted by the status information transmission unit is acquired.

  With this configuration, the second electronic device can change the display of menu items based on the detailed state of the first electronic device.

  Further, in the electronic device system, the second electronic device further includes a state inquiry information transmitting unit that transmits state inquiry information for inquiring about a state of the first electronic device, and the first electronic device includes: A state inquiry information receiving unit that receives the state inquiry information, and the state information transmission unit transmits the state information in response to the state inquiry information received by the state inquiry information reception unit.

  With this configuration, when the second electronic device needs state information, it is possible to reliably acquire the state information of the first electronic device.

  In the electronic device system, the state inquiry information transmission unit transmits state inquiry information immediately before the operation menu display unit displays the operation menu.

  With this configuration, when the second electronic device displays the operation menu, the display of the operation menu can be changed based on the latest state of the first electronic device.

  Further, in the electronic device system, the operation menu display unit includes first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit according to state information indicating an activation state of the first electronic device. The operation menu is displayed based on.

  With this configuration, when the first electronic device cannot operate, the second electronic device can be prevented from displaying the operation menu for controlling the first electronic device.

  An electronic device system according to the present invention is an electronic device system including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the first electronic device includes a first operation unit that performs a predetermined operation; Based on the operation instruction information received by the first operation instruction information receiving unit, a first operation instruction information receiving unit that receives operation instruction information that is information for instructing a specific operation from the second electronic device. A first control unit that operates the first operation unit, a first operation item information storage unit that stores one or more first operation item information that is information for operating the first electronic device, and the first A transmission request information receiving unit that receives transmission request information for requesting transmission of one or more first operation item information from the second electronic device, and stored in the operation information storage unit according to the transmission request information The one or more first operation item information that is A first operation item information transmission unit for transmitting to the first electronic device, wherein the second electronic device transmits the transmission request information to the first electronic device; When the second operation item information receiving unit that receives the one or more first operation item information and the second operation item information receiving unit receives the first operation item information, the first operation item information is received. An operation menu display unit that displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information, a second operation instruction reception unit that receives an operation instruction that is an instruction to the menu item of the displayed operation menu, and the second operation instruction Based on the operation instruction received by the reception unit, the second operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires the operation instruction information according to the first operation item information, and the operation instruction acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit Affection And comprises a first operation instruction information sending unit that transmits to the first electronic device.

  With this configuration, the second electronic device can selectively display the operation menu of the first electronic device in response to the reception of the first operation item information from the first electronic device. It is possible to improve the operability of the menu by preventing unnecessary electronic items from being displayed on the electronic device.

  In the electronic device system, the first operation item information transmission unit transmits the first operation item information according to a state of the own device.

  With this configuration, it becomes possible for the second electronic device to selectively display an operation menu required according to the state of the first electronic device, and the second electronic device can display unnecessary menu items. It is possible to improve the operability of the menu without displaying. Furthermore, the second electronic device performs processing by selecting the operation menu according to the state of the first electronic device, which has been performed by the second electronic device, by distributing the processing to the first electronic device. Processing to be performed can be reduced, processing speed can be improved, and processing can be stabilized.

  In the electronic device system, the transmission request information transmission unit transmits the transmission request information immediately before the operation menu display unit displays the operation menu.

  With this configuration, when the operation menu is displayed, the second electronic device can change the display of the operation menu based on the latest state of the first electronic device.

  According to the electronic device system and the like according to the present invention, it is possible to display menu items of a plurality of electronic devices connected via a network or the like according to the state of the electronic device, and an electronic device system or the like excellent in operability. Can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic device system and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component and step which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment perform the same operation | movement, re-explanation may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device system according to the present embodiment. The electronic device system according to the present embodiment includes a first electronic device 100 and a second electronic device 200. The first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 are connected via a network 300.

  The first electronic device 100 includes a first operation unit 101, a first control unit 102, a first operation instruction information reception unit 103, a state inquiry information reception unit 104, a state information transmission unit 105, and a first operation. An item information storage unit 106 and a first operation item information transmission unit 107 are provided.

  The second electronic device 200 includes a second operation unit 201, a second operation item information storage unit 202, a state information acquisition unit 203, an operation menu display unit 204, a second operation instruction reception unit 205, An operation instruction information acquisition unit 206, a second operation instruction information transmission unit 207, a state inquiry information transmission unit 208, a second operation item information reception unit 209, and a second operation item information storage unit 210 are provided.

  The first electronic device 100 may be any electronic device as long as it can be connected to other devices via a network or the like. For example, it may be an AV device such as a TV, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a hard disk recorder, a video tape recorder, a CD player, a tuner, a cassette tape recorder, an amplifier, a surround system, a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner. It may be a household appliance such as a lighting fixture or a facility device such as a hot water supply system.

  The first operation unit 101 performs a predetermined operation based on a control signal from the first control unit 102. The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of receiving radio waves and displaying an image if the first electronic device 100 is a television, or a DVD disc if the first electronic device 100 is a DVD player. The video signal and the audio signal are read out from the video signal and output. The first operation unit 101 can be realized by, for example, an MPU or a memory. The operation of the first operation unit 101 is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The first operation instruction information receiving unit 103 receives operation instruction information, which is information for instructing an operation, from the second electronic device 200. The operation instruction information may be any information as long as it is information that instructs the first operation unit 101 to perform an operation. For example, it may be a command or event information that causes the first operation unit 101 to execute a predetermined action, or may be identification information that designates an action that the first operation unit 101 executes. The data structure of the operation instruction information does not matter. The first operation instruction information receiving unit 103 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving a modem or a network. The first operation instruction information receiving unit 103 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a receiving device. The first operation instruction information receiving unit 103 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The first operation instruction information receiving unit 103 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The first control unit 102 operates the first operation unit 101 based on the operation instruction information received by the first operation instruction information receiving unit 103. Specifically, a control signal corresponding to the operation instruction information is output to the first operation unit 101, and the operation of the first operation unit 101 is controlled so that the operation instructed by the operation instruction information is performed. The first control unit 102 can be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the first control unit 102 is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The state information transmission unit 105 transmits state information that is information related to the state of the first electronic device 100 to the second electronic device 200. It does not matter what kind of information the status information is. For example, it may be information indicating a power-on state such as “ON” or “OFF” of the first electronic device 100, or information indicating a startup state of the first electronic device 100. It may be. Further, it may be information indicating an operation mode such as “input mode”, “output mode”, “display mode”, “recording mode”, “playback mode”. Moreover, the information which shows that only one part among the functions and structures of the 1st electronic device 100 can operate | move, and the information which shows the function and structure which can operate | move may be sufficient. Moreover, the information which shows that at least one part of the 1st electronic device 100 has failed, the information which shows that the 1st electronic device 100 operate | moves normally, etc. may be sufficient. In addition, a state in which main hardware such as a monitor and a hard disk of the first electronic device 100 is stopped, that is, a state indicating a so-called sleep state or suspend state may be used. Also, information indicating that the first electronic device 100 is already performing some kind of operation or a specific operation, for example, a state where a DVD recorder is already playing or recording a DVD. It may be information indicating that it is in the form. Further, the status information may be information indicating whether or not the first electronic device 100 is in an operable state. The data structure of state information does not matter. It does not matter how the status information transmission unit 105 acquires the status information of the first electronic device 100, that is, its own device. For example, the name or the like of the process being executed by the first operation unit 101 may be acquired as the state information, or the state information may be obtained using a conversion table or the like based on the process being executed by the first operation unit 101. May be obtained. Further, the state information may be acquired from the information output from the first operation unit 101, or the state information is obtained from the control information output from the first control unit 102 to the first operation unit 101 or the like. You may get it. Further, the state information may be acquired from the state of the power supply supplied to the state information transmission unit 105, the change thereof, or the like. Moreover, the timing and trigger which the status information transmission part 105 acquires and transmits the status information of the 1st electronic device 100 do not ask | require, respectively. For example, the state information transmission unit 105 may acquire and transmit the state information regularly or irregularly, or may detect that the state of the first electronic device 100 has changed, When information indicating that the information has changed is received, the status information may be acquired and transmitted. In addition, when an instruction to acquire state information is received from the outside, the state information may be acquired and transmitted. Alternatively, when it is detected that the state of the first electronic device 100 has changed, the state information is acquired, and when the instruction to acquire the state information is received from the outside, the acquired state information is transmitted. As described above, the trigger for acquiring the state information may be different from the trigger for transmitting the state information. In the present embodiment, in particular, a case will be described in which state information transmission unit 105 acquires and transmits state information triggered by reception of state inquiry information by state inquiry information reception unit 104 described later. . The status information transmission unit 105 may or may not include a transmission device for performing transmission such as a modem or a network. Further, the status information transmission unit 105 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a transmission device. The status information transmission unit 105 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, the status information transmission unit 105 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The state inquiry information receiving unit 104 receives state inquiry information that is information for inquiring about the state of the first electronic device 100 from the second electronic device 200. The data structure of the status inquiry information does not matter. The status inquiry information receiving unit 104 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving data such as a modem or a network. Further, the status inquiry information receiving unit 104 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a receiving device. The status inquiry information receiving unit 104 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, the status inquiry information receiving unit 104 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting means.

  The first operation item information storage unit 106 stores one or more pieces of first operation item information that is information for operating the first electronic device 100. The first operation item information includes, for example, item information indicating an operation menu item and operation instruction information corresponding to this item. The operation instruction information included in the first operation item information is operation instruction information for instructing the first operation unit 101 to perform an operation. The item information is information indicating operation menu items such as “channel up” and “volume down” if the first electronic device 100 is, for example, a television. The first electronic device 100 is, for example, a DVD player. If so, it is information indicating operation menu items such as “play” and “stop”. The item information may be text information or image information as long as it is information indicating an item of the operation menu. The item information may be displayed as a menu item, or text data or image data for displaying a menu item associated with the item information may be displayed as a menu item. Note that the first operation item information may include only item information or only operation instruction information. Further, the first operation item information may have information for identifying the first electronic device 100. The data format of the first operation item information does not matter. For example, it may be XML format data or tabular data. Moreover, the data structure of 1st operation item information, item information, and operation instruction information is not ask | required. The first operation item information storage unit 106 is preferably a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM or an optical disk, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium.

  The first operation item information transmission unit 107 transmits the first operation item information stored in the first operation item information storage unit 106 to the second electronic device 200. The trigger and timing which transmit 1st operation item information are not ask | required. For example, the first operation item information transmission unit 107 may acquire the first operation item information from the first operation item information storage unit 106 and transmit it to the second electronic device 200 regularly or irregularly. . Also, immediately after the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 are connected, or immediately after the second electronic device 200 is powered on, the first electronic device 100 is connected to any network or electronic device. The first operation item information may be transmitted when the connection between the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 is recognized, for example, immediately after being connected to. Here, the term “immediately after” includes a case where there is a slight delay from the time when the connection is recognized. In addition, the first operation item information transmission unit 107 may transmit the first operation item information by designating the address of the electronic device or the like to the electronic device or the like whose connection has been recognized. Further, the first operation item information may be multicast or broadcast transmitted via a network, wiring, or the like to which the first electronic device 100 is connected. When information requesting the first operation item information is received from another electronic device or the like, the first operation item information is transmitted to other electronic devices designated by the information or all electronic devices on the network. You may do it. The first operation item information transmission unit 107 may or may not include a transmission device for transmission such as a modem or a network. The first operation item information transmission unit 107 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the transmission device. The first operation item information transmission unit 107 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The first operation item information transmission unit 107 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The second electronic device 200 may be any electronic device as long as it can be connected to other devices via a network or the like. For example, it may be an AV device such as a TV, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a hard disk recorder, a video tape recorder, a CD player, a tuner, a cassette tape recorder, an amplifier, a surround system, a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner. It may be a home appliance such as a lighting fixture or a facility device such as a hot water supply system.

  The second operation unit 201 performs a predetermined operation. Usually, a predetermined operation is performed based on a control signal from another control unit or the like. The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of receiving radio waves and displaying an image if the second electronic device 200 is a television, or a DVD disc if the second electronic device 200 is a DVD player. The video signal and the audio signal are read out from the video signal and output. The second operation unit 201 can be realized by, for example, an MPU or a memory. The operation of the second operation unit 201 is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The second operation item information receiving unit 209 receives first operation item information, which is information for operating the first electronic device 100, from the first electronic device 100. The second operation item information receiving unit 209 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving a modem or a network. The second operation item information receiving unit 209 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the receiving device. The second operation item information receiving unit 209 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The second operation item information receiving unit 209 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The second operation item information storage unit 210 stores the first operation item information received by the second operation item information reception unit 209 in the second operation item information storage unit 202. The second operation item information storage unit 210 can be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like.

  The second operation item information storage unit 202 stores one or more pieces of first operation item information that is information for operating the first electronic device 100. “Storing” here means temporary storage such as when temporarily storing data received by the receiving unit or when temporarily storing data in a cache or the like during data processing. Including. The second operation item information storage unit 202 may store the first operation item information in advance, or may store the first operation item information transmitted from the first electronic device 100. The second operation item information storage unit 202 is preferably a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM or an optical disk capable of rewriting data, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium. Further, if it is not necessary to rewrite the first operation item information, a storage medium such as a ROM that cannot be rewritten may be used.

  The state inquiry information transmission unit 208 transmits state inquiry information that is information for inquiring about the state of the first electronic device 100. The state inquiry information may be any information, and may be event information for starting up a program or the like that causes the first electronic device 100 to acquire and transmit state information. A command or the like that causes the first electronic device 100 to execute the above process may be used. In addition, the status inquiry information may include address information such as an IP address for specifying the position of the second electronic device 200 and the like. Moreover, identification information such as a MAC address and a serial number for identifying the second electronic device 200 may be included. Also, it does not matter what timing or event information state inquiry information transmission unit 208 transmits state inquiry information. For example, the status inquiry information may be transmitted regularly or irregularly, or the status inquiry information may be transmitted in response to an instruction from another processing unit in the second electronic device 200. . In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the state inquiry information is transmitted immediately before the operation menu display unit 204 displays the operation menu. The “immediately before displaying the operation menu” described here refers to the timing immediately before the operation menu display unit 204 displays the operation menu according to the first operation item information. For example, it is a period from when an instruction to display the operation menu according to the first operation item information is received to when the operation menu is actually displayed. The reason why it is transmitted immediately before is that it is preferable in that the state information regarding the latest state of the first electronic device 100 can be acquired when the operation menu is displayed. Here, the term “immediately before” includes a case that is slightly ahead of the point in time when the operation menu is displayed. The status inquiry information transmission unit 208 may or may not include a transmission device for transmission such as a modem or a network. Further, the status inquiry information transmission unit 208 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a transmission device. It is realized by a status inquiry information transmission unit 208, communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, the status inquiry information transmission unit 208 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting means.

  The state information acquisition unit 203 acquires state information that is information indicating the state of the first electronic device 100. It does not matter how the state information acquisition unit 203 acquires the state information of the first electronic device 100. For example, the status information may be acquired by receiving the status information transmitted from the first electronic device 100. In addition, after transmitting the state inquiry information from the state inquiry information transmitting unit 208, when the state information cannot be received within a predetermined time, it is determined that the first electronic device 100 is not in an operable state, You may acquire the status information which shows the state which is not an operable state. Further, the status information of the first electronic device 100 may be acquired from other information output from the first electronic device 100. Specifically, if the first electronic device 100 is a CD player, when the first electronic device 100 is outputting playback sound, the first electronic device 100 determines that the first electronic device 100 is in operation and operates. You may acquire the status information which shows being in. The status information acquisition unit 203 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving data such as a modem or a network. Further, the state information acquisition unit 203 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the receiving device. The status information acquisition unit 203 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, the status information acquisition unit 203 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit. Furthermore, when the state information acquisition unit 203 performs processing for determining the state of the first electronic device 100 from the received information or the like, an MPU or a memory may be included.

  The operation menu display unit 204 displays an operation menu having one or more menu items based on the first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202 and the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 203. indicate. “Based on status information” and “display” include not displaying an operation menu at all depending on the result of determination based on status information. Specifically, based on the status information, it is determined whether or not to display the operation menu based on the first operation item information, and the operation menu is displayed or not displayed according to the determination result. The determination process of whether or not to display the operation menu by the operation menu display unit 204 may be anything. For example, in the case where the status information is information indicating whether or not the first electronic device 100 can be operated, the operation menu is displayed only when the information indicates that the operation is possible. You may make it judge. In addition, when the state information is information indicating the power state of the first electronic device 100, information indicating that a specific operation is currently being executed, or the like, the state information and an operation for the state information are performed in advance. Prepare a table that shows the relationship with the judgment result for whether to display or hide the menu, and use this table to determine what judgment result is to be output for the status information. It may be determined. In addition to determining whether or not to perform display, it is determined based on the state information that only a part of all menu items is displayed, and the menu item is determined to be displayed. An operation menu to be displayed may be displayed. The trigger that causes the operation menu display unit 204 to display the operation menu is not limited. For example, a reception unit (not shown) that receives an instruction to display the operation menu may be provided, and the operation menu may be displayed triggered by the reception unit receiving an instruction to display the operation menu. The operation menu may be displayed using an instruction to display the operation menu output from the unit as a trigger. For example, the operation menu display unit 204 displays an operation menu having menu items corresponding to item information included in the first operation item information. For example, if the included item information is text data indicating the name of a menu item, this text data is displayed as a menu item as it is, or a menu item such as a button created using this text data is displayed. It may be. Further, if it is image data of a menu item, the image data may be displayed as a menu item. The operation menu display unit 204 may display the operation menu in any shape such as a list or a button. Further, it may be displayed as a menu having a hierarchical structure. The operation menu display unit 204 synthesizes the first operation item information with the operation item information that is information for operating other electronic devices such as the second electronic device 200, for example. An operation menu may be displayed based on the item information. When combining and displaying, any combination may be performed. For example, a composition rule on the structure of data in which item information included in other operation item information is added after item information included in the first operation item information may be applied. It is also possible to apply a synthesis rule for a shape that has been set in advance, such as how to select. In addition, an operation synthesis rule may be applied. For example, when there is an instruction for a video recording operation, recording is performed after the control is always transferred from the television to the video. In other words, in the case of some operation of video, the operation to transfer control to video is always defined as preprocessing. In addition, when a video playback instruction is given, a process for switching the input destination of a television display signal to an external input terminal to which a video output is connected may be defined. The operation menu display unit 204 may be considered as including or not including a display device such as a display. Information for displaying the operation menu may be output to another display device. The operation menu display unit 204 can be realized by display device driver software, or display device, driver software, and an output device. Further, it may have an MPU, a memory, etc. for executing a process for determining whether or not to display the operation menu by software, or a dedicated hardware for executing these processes. You may have.

  The second operation instruction receiving unit 205 receives an operation instruction that is an instruction for the menu item of the operation menu displayed on the operation menu display unit 204. Specifically, an operation instruction is accepted by selecting an item of the operation menu displayed on the operation menu display unit 204. The operation instruction may be an instruction to display a new menu relating to a predetermined operation menu item, for example, a submenu. The operation instruction is received by, for example, selecting a menu item using a remote control device, selecting a menu item on a touch panel provided in the operation menu display unit 204, or the like. Further, information on pressing a hard button provided in the second electronic device 200 may be received as an operation instruction. The input accepted by the second operation instruction accepting unit 205 is input by a remote control device, a touch panel, a hard button, a numeric keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and any input means may be used. The second operation instruction accepting unit 205 can be realized by a remote control device, a device driver of an input means such as a touch panel or a hard button, control software for a menu screen, or the like.

  The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 206 acquires operation instruction information corresponding to the first operation item information based on the operation instruction received by the second operation instruction reception unit 205. Specifically, the first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202 and the menu item of the operation menu displayed by the operation menu display unit 204 are, for example, the first operation item information in the menu item. Correspondence is made by providing identification information for identification or link information. If the menu item selected by the second operation instruction receiving unit 205 is displayed based on the first operation item information, the second operation instruction information acquiring unit 206 is the second operation instruction receiving unit 205. The first operation item information associated with the menu item selected by the first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202 is determined, and the associated first operation item is determined. Operation instruction information corresponding to the item information is acquired. As the operation instruction information according to the first operation item information, the operation instruction information having any relationship with the first operation item information may be acquired. For example, when the first operation item information includes operation instruction information, the operation instruction information included in the first operation item information may be acquired. Further, when there is operation instruction information associated with the first operation item information using link information or the like, the associated operation instruction information may be acquired. Moreover, you may comprise operation | movement instruction information using the 1 or more information in 1st operation item information. The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 206 can be realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure by which the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 206 acquires the operation instruction information is realized by software, for example, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

  The second operation instruction information transmission unit 207 transmits the operation instruction information acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 206 to the first electronic device 100. The second operation instruction information transmission unit 207 may or may not include a transmission device for performing transmission such as a modem or a network card. The second operation instruction information transmission unit 207 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the transmission device. Transmission is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The second operation instruction information transmission unit 207 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The network 300 may be any network as long as data can be transmitted and received between the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200. The network 300 may be a wireless or wired network using an IP protocol or the like, for example. Communication in this network may be realized by terrestrial broadcasting, cable television broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, or the like. In addition, as long as data communication is possible between the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200, they may be connected in any manner. For example, instead of connecting via a network, a serial bus such as IEEE1394 or USB may be used.

  Next, the operation of the first electronic device 100 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S <b> 201) When the first electronic device 100 is powered on, the first operation item information transmission unit 107 acquires the first operation item information from the first operation item information storage unit 106, and uses the network 300. The first operation item information is transmitted to another electronic device, here the second electronic device 200. Here, the first operation item information is transmitted with the first electronic device 100 being turned on as a trigger. However, in the present embodiment, the first operation item information is transmitted with a trigger. Does not matter. For example, the first electronic device 100 may transmit the first operation item information triggered by the recognition of the connection to the network 300, or some signal output from the second electronic device 200 may be When the first electronic device 100 accepts the first operation item information, the first operation item information may be transmitted.

  (Step S202) The state inquiry information receiving unit 104 determines whether or not state inquiry information has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S203. If not received, the process proceeds to step S205.

  (Step S203) The state information transmission unit 105 acquires state information that is information indicating the state of the first electronic device 100.

  (Step S204) The state information transmitting unit 105 transmits the state information acquired in step S203 to the second electronic device 200. Then, the process returns to step S202.

  (Step S205) The first operation instruction information receiving unit 103 determines whether or not the operation instruction information has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S206. If not received, the process returns to step S202.

  (Step S206) The first control unit 102 controls the first operation unit 101 based on the operation instruction information to cause the first operation unit 101 to execute a predetermined operation. Then, the process returns to step S202.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the second electronic device 200 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S301) The second operation item information receiving unit 209 determines whether or not the first operation item information from the first electronic device 100 has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S302. If not received, the process proceeds to step S303.

  (Step S302) The second operation item information storage unit 210 stores the first operation item information received in step S301 in the second operation item information storage unit 202. Then, the process proceeds to step S303.

  (Step S303) The operation menu display unit 204 determines whether an instruction to display an operation menu based on the first operation item information has been received. If an instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S304. If not, the process returns to step S301. Note that the instruction to display the operation menu may be accepted in any way. For example, a reception unit or the like that receives an instruction for displaying an operation menu may be provided and may be received from the reception unit, or an instruction or the like output from another processing unit or the like may be received.

  (Step S304) The operation menu display unit 204 determines whether or not the first operation item information is stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S305. If it is not stored, the process returns to step S301.

  (Step S305) The state inquiry information transmission unit 208 transmits state inquiry information to the first electronic device 100.

  (Step S306) The state information acquisition unit 203 determines whether or not the state information from the first electronic device 100 has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S307. If not received, the process proceeds to step S313.

  (Step S307) The operation menu display unit 204 determines whether to display the operation menu based on the state information. If a determination result for displaying the operation menu is obtained, the process proceeds to step S308. If a determination result for not displaying is obtained, the process returns to step S301.

  (Step S308) The operation menu display unit 204 acquires the first operation item information from the second operation item information storage unit 202.

  (Step S309) The operation menu display unit 204 displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information acquired in step S308.

  (Step S310) The second operation instruction accepting unit 205 determines whether or not an operation instruction for the menu item of the operation menu displayed in Step S309 has been accepted. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S311. If not accepted, the process returns to step S310.

  (Step S311) The second operation instruction information acquisition unit 206 acquires operation instruction information based on the first operation item information corresponding to the operation instruction received in Step S310.

  (Step S312) The second operation instruction information transmission unit 207 transmits the operation instruction information acquired in Step S311 to the first electronic device 100. Then, the process returns to step S301.

  (Step S313) The state information acquisition unit 203 determines whether or not a timeout has occurred. The timeout is, for example, determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the status inquiry information. If timed out, the process proceeds to step S314, and if not timed out, the process returns to step S306.

  (Step S314) The state information acquisition unit 203 acquires, as the state information of the first electronic device 100, for example, state information indicating a state in which the first electronic device 100 is in a state where information cannot be transmitted and received. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process ends.

  In addition to the operations described above, the operation of the second electronic device 200 displays an operation menu for operating the second electronic device 200, or according to an operation instruction for an operation item of the operation menu, The second operation unit 201 may perform a predetermined operation. Since such a configuration is a known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted. The same applies to other embodiments.

  Next, a specific example will be described. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a specific example of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment. In this specific example, the first electronic device 100 is a so-called mini component audio system including a CD player, a surround amplifier, and a speaker, and the second electronic device 200 is a DVD player capable of recording and reproducing video / audio information. Assume that the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 are connected by a wired network 300 using the Internet protocol. Here, it is assumed that the audio output destination of the second electronic device 200 is the first electronic device 100. Further, the output of the second electronic device 200 is connected to an external display 600, and an image or the like is displayed on the display 600.

  First, when the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 are powered on, the first electronic device 100 recognizes the connection with the second electronic device 200 and the first operation item information storage unit. The first operation item information stored in 106 is output to the second electronic device 200. Then, the first operation item information is received by the second operation item information receiving unit 209 of the second electronic device 200, and the second operation item information storage unit 210 stores it in the second operation item information storage unit 202. . Also, the first electronic device 100 transmits the address information of the own device together with the identification information of the own device to the second electronic device 200, and the second electronic device 200 receives the received first electronic device 100. Are associated with the address information of the first electronic device 100 and stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of first operation item information stored in the first operation item information storage unit 106 of the first electronic device 100. Here, it is assumed that one or more pieces of first operation item information are stored in one file. In this data, information sandwiched between a start tag “item” (enclosed in <>) and an end tag (enclosed in </>) corresponds to one first operation item information. . Hereinafter, information sandwiched between such a start tag and an end tag is referred to as an element. The element “item name” is a display name displayed as a menu item of the operation menu, and corresponds to item information. The element “action name” is a name of an action to be executed by the first electronic device 100 and corresponds to operation instruction information. The element “target ID” is identification information of a device that is an action execution target. Here, “CB01” that is identification information of the first electronic device 100 is set.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an electronic device information management table stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202 of the second electronic device 200. The electronic device information management table has attributes of “target ID” and “device address information”. “Target ID” is identification information of an electronic device and corresponds to the “target ID” shown in FIG. “Device address information” is information indicating the network address of the electronic device corresponding to the target ID, and is an IP address here. Here, “CB01” that is the identification information of the first electronic device 100 and “192.168.1.25” that is the IP address of the first electronic device 100 are stored in the same record. .

  When the user instructs the second electronic device 200 to operate the remote control device or the like to output the operation menu, the second electronic device 200 follows the instruction as shown in FIG. The operation menu 70 for operating the second electronic device 200 is displayed on the display 600. A configuration for displaying an operation menu used for the operation of the own device, a configuration for generating an event for executing a predetermined process on the own device by selecting a menu item of the operation menu, and these Since the processing executed in the configuration is a known technique, a description thereof is omitted here.

  When the user operates the remote control device or the like and selects the menu item 71 “play” in the operation menu 70, an event for causing the second electronic device 200 to execute the DVD disc playback process occurs. In addition, an event for causing the operation menu of the first electronic device 100 to be displayed as a submenu of the operation menu 70 occurs.

  Then, based on the event for executing the DVD disk playback process, the second electronic device 200 executes the DVD disk playback process.

  Furthermore, the following processing is executed based on an event for executing processing for displaying the operation menu of the first electronic device 100 as a submenu of the operation menu 70.

  First, the operation menu display unit 204 determines whether or not the first operation item information used for displaying the operation menu of the first electronic device 100 is stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202. Here, as described above, since the first operation item information is stored, a determination result “stored” is obtained.

  Then, the state inquiry information transmission unit 208 transmits state inquiry information to the first electronic device 100.

  When the state inquiry information receiving unit 104 of the first electronic device 100 receives the state inquiry information from the second electronic device 200, the state information transmission unit 105 acquires the state information of the first electronic device 100. Here, it is assumed that the first electronic device 100 is in a power-on state and does not perform processing for outputting sound or the like, and state information “power on” is acquired. Then, the status information “power on” is transmitted to the second electronic device 200.

  The state information acquisition unit 203 of the second electronic device 200 acquires the state information “power on” transmitted from the first electronic device 100.

  FIG. 8 is a menu display determination table showing the relationship between status information and whether or not to perform menu display based on the first operation item information. The menu display determination table has attributes of “status information” and “determination result”. “State information” corresponds to the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 203. The “determination result” is an attribute indicating the result of determining whether or not to display the operation menu based on the first operation item information, and the attribute value “display” indicates that the display is performed. The result indicates that the attribute value “non-display” indicates a determination result that the display is not performed. The menu display determination table is stored in a memory or the like (not shown).

  The operation menu display unit 204 searches the menu display determination table shown in FIG. 8 for a record having an attribute value that matches the status information “power on” acquired by the status information acquisition unit 203, and this record. The attribute value of the attribute “judgment result” included in is acquired. Here, the attribute value “display” is obtained.

  The operation menu display unit 204 determines from the attribute value “display” that the operation menu may be displayed. Then, based on the first operation item information shown in FIG. 5 stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation menu 90 is changed to a sub-menu item 71 “play”. Display as a menu. The process in which the operation menu display unit 204 configures the display operation menu based on the first operation item information is realized by using a style file such as model information. Since the technique for constructing such an operation menu is a known technique, description thereof is omitted. Note that the operation menu may be displayed in any structure or shape. For example, it may be displayed as a menu having a hierarchical structure. Further, all menu items may be displayed only by text, or may be displayed by buttons customized by the user.

  When the user operates the remote control device or the like to select the menu item 91 “volume up” of the operation menu 90, the second operation instruction information acquisition unit 206 corresponds to the selected menu item 91. The operation instruction information for the first operation unit 101 is acquired from the first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit 202. Here, the “item name” element acquires “volume_UP” that is the “action name” element of the first operation item information that is “increase the volume”. Also, “CB01” that is the “target ID” element is acquired.

  Then, the second operation instruction information transmission unit 207 obtains the attribute value of “192. Device Address Information” of the record whose “Target ID” is “CB01” from the electronic device information management table shown in FIG. 168.1.25 ”is acquired, and“ volume_UP ”is transmitted to the first electronic device 100 using this IP address. The first control unit 102 of the first electronic device 100 controls the first operation unit 101 based on the operation instruction information “volume_UP” to execute a process for increasing the volume.

  As described above, if the state of the first electronic device 100 is “power on”, the second electronic device 200 is selected according to the selection of the menu item “play” of the second electronic device 200. A menu for operating the first electronic device 100 that is the output destination of the sound is displayed. Thereby, the user can adjust the volume of the sound output from the first electronic device 100 when the content or the like is reproduced on the second electronic device 200.

  Here, consider a case where the first electronic device 100 is reproducing a CD or the like when the menu item 71 “play” of the second electronic device 200 is selected. In this case, the state information transmission unit 105 of the first electronic device 100 detects that the reproduction operation is being performed, acquires the state information “operating”, and obtains the second electronic device 200. Send to. The acquisition of such state information is, for example, a conversion table in which the state information “operating” is obtained if the process executed in the first electronic device 100 is a process such as reproduction or fast-forwarding in advance. Can be realized by acquiring the processing executed in the first electronic device 100, here, reproduction, and converting it using the above conversion table. The status information acquisition unit 203 acquires the status information “operating”, and the operation menu display unit 204 determines, based on the status information “active”, from the menu display determination table shown in FIG. A determination result “not displayed” is obtained. Based on the determination result, the operation menu display unit 204 does not display an operation menu based on the first operation item information, that is, a submenu.

  In this way, when the first electronic device 100 is in some operation and the operation from the second electronic device 200 is inappropriate, the operation menu based on the first operation item information is not displayed. Can be.

  Also, consider a case where the power source of the first electronic device 100 is turned off at the time when the menu item 71 “play” of the second electronic device 200 is selected. In this case, the first electronic device 100 cannot transmit the state information in response to the transmission of the state inquiry information by the state inquiry information transmission unit 208. As a result, the state information acquisition unit 203 waits for reception of the state information for a certain period, and determines that a timeout has occurred. Then, state information “power off” that the power of the first electronic device 100 is off is acquired. The operation menu display unit 204 obtains a determination result “non-display” from the menu display determination table shown in FIG. 8 based on the status information “power off”. Based on the determination result, the operation menu display unit 204 does not display an operation menu based on the first operation item information, that is, a submenu.

  Thus, when the state information cannot be acquired from the first electronic device 100, the first operation item is determined as being inoperable due to the power of the first electronic device 100 being turned off. An operation menu based on information can be prevented from being displayed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation menu for operating the first electronic device 100 displayed on the second electronic device 200 can be changed according to the state of the first electronic device 100. It becomes possible. As a result, a necessary operation menu can be selectively displayed according to the state of the first electronic device 100, and unnecessary menu items are not displayed, thereby improving the operability of the menu. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the operation menu of the first electronic device 100 is displayed as a sub-menu of the operation menu of the second electronic device 200 has been described as an example. The present invention can also be applied to the case where only the operation menu of the electronic device 100 is displayed alone, or the case where the operation menus of the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device are combined and displayed simultaneously. The same applies to other embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, the operation menu is displayed based on the first operation item information acquired from the first electronic device 100. However, the second operation item information storage unit 202 stores the first operation item information in advance. The first operation item information of one electronic device 100 may be stored. In this case, the process of acquiring the first operation item information is not necessary, and the menu display process can be speeded up. Further, the first operation item information storage unit 106, the first operation item information transmission unit 107, the second operation item information reception unit 209, the second operation item information storage unit 210, and the like can be omitted. The same applies to other embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the menu of the first electronic device 100 is displayed on the second electronic device 200 has been described. However, the present invention is, for example, a plurality of second operations with different operations of the first operation unit. The present invention can also be applied to the case where one electronic device or a plurality of first electronic devices having the same operation of the first operation unit are connected to the second electronic device. For example, the second operation item information storage unit 202 stores the first operation item information of the plurality of first electronic devices, and the state information acquisition unit 203 acquires the state information from each first electronic device. In this manner, the operation menu display unit 204 can display the operation menu of each first electronic device according to the state information. The same applies to other embodiments.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, the first electronic device 100 is only turned on or off depending on whether or not the first electronic device 100 is connected to the first electronic device 100. When determining whether or not to display an operation menu for operating the electronic device 100, it is not necessary to provide the first electronic device 100 with means for acquiring status information of the own device. The same applies to other embodiments.

  The software that realizes the first electronic device of the electronic device system in the above embodiment is the following program. That is, the program includes a state information transmitting step for transmitting state information indicating the state of the device to the computer, a first operation instruction information receiving step for receiving operation instruction information which is information for instructing an operation, This is a program for executing the first control step for controlling the operation of the own device based on the operation instruction information received in the one operation instruction information receiving step.

  Moreover, the software which implement | achieves the 2nd electronic device of the electronic device system in the said embodiment is the following programs. That is, this program is a program for causing a second electronic device to execute processing in an electronic device system including the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and causes the computer to execute the first electronic device. A state information acquisition step for acquiring state information indicating the state of the operation, and an operation menu based on the first operation item information that is stored for operating the first electronic device according to the state information An operation menu display step for displaying, a second operation instruction reception step for receiving an instruction for a menu item of the displayed operation menu as an operation instruction, and the stored first operation based on the received operation instruction A second operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information, which is information indicating an operation, according to the item information; Instruction information, a program for executing a second operation instruction information transmission step of transmitting to the first electronic device.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic device system according to the present embodiment. In the electronic device system according to the present embodiment, in the electronic device system according to the first embodiment, the first electronic device 100 determines transmission of the first operation item information according to the state of the own device. It is a thing. The electronic device system according to the present embodiment includes a first electronic device 400 and a second electronic device 500. The first electronic device 400 and the second electronic device 500 are connected via the network 300. Since the network 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The first electronic device 400 includes the first operation item information transmission unit 402 instead of the first operation item information transmission unit 107 in the first electronic device 100 described in the first embodiment, and the state inquiry information The transmission request information reception unit 401 is provided without the reception unit 104 and the state information transmission unit 105. Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The second electronic device 500 does not include the second operation item information storage unit 202, the state information acquisition unit 203, and the state inquiry information transmission unit 208 in the second electronic device 200 described in the first embodiment. A transmission request information transmission unit 501, a second operation item information storage unit 502, and an operation menu display unit 503 are provided. Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The transmission request information transmission unit 501 transmits transmission request information requesting the first electronic device 400 to transmit the first operation item information. The transmission request information may be any information. It may be event information, a command, or the like for starting up a program or the like that causes the first electronic device 400 to acquire and transmit the first operation item information. It may be a program to be executed. Further, the transmission request information may include address information such as an IP address for specifying the position of the second electronic device 500 and the like. Further, identification information such as a MAC address and a serial number for identifying the second electronic device 500 may be included. Further, it does not matter what timing or event information the transmission request information transmission unit 501 transmits the transmission request information. For example, the transmission request information may be transmitted regularly or irregularly, or the transmission request information may be transmitted in response to an instruction from another processing unit in the second electronic device 500. . In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which transmission request information is transmitted immediately before operation menu display unit 503 displays an operation menu. The reason why it is transmitted immediately before is that it is preferable to determine whether or not the first electronic device 400 can transmit the transmission request information when the operation menu is displayed. Here, the term “immediately before” includes a case that is slightly ahead of the point in time when the operation menu is displayed. The transmission request information transmission unit 501 may or may not include a transmission device for transmission such as a modem or a network. The transmission request information transmission unit 501 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a transmission device. The transmission request information transmission unit 501 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, the transmission request information transmission unit 501 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The transmission request information receiving unit 401 receives transmission request information from the second electronic device 500. The transmission request information receiving unit 401 may or may not include a receiving device for receiving data such as a modem or a network. The transmission request information receiving unit 401 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a receiving device. The transmission request information receiving unit 401 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. Further, the transmission request information receiving unit 401 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit.

  The first operation item information transmitting unit 402 transmits the first operation item information to the second electronic device 500 in accordance with the transmission request information received by the transmission request information receiving unit 401. For example, the process of transmitting the first operation item information may be executed with the transmission request information receiving unit 401 receiving the transmission request information as a trigger, or the first according to the command included in the transmission request information. Processing for transmitting operation item information may be executed. Furthermore, the first operation item information transmission unit 402 transmits the first operation item information according to the state of the first electronic device 400, that is, the own device. “Transmit first operation item information according to the state” includes not transmitting the first operation item information according to the state. Specifically, when transmitting the first operation item information according to the transmission request information, the same information as the state information described in the above embodiment is acquired from the own device, and based on the state information, It is determined whether or not to transmit one operation item information. The process for making this determination may be any process. For example, a determination process similar to the determination process of whether or not to display the operation menu by the operation menu display unit 204 described in the above embodiment may be performed. In this case, for example, instead of the determination “display”, a determination is made to transmit the first operation item information. Further, instead of the determination of “not displaying”, a determination is made not to transmit the first operation item information. The first operation item information transmission unit 402 may transmit the transmission request information only to the second electronic device 500 based on information indicating an address included in the transmission request information, or multicast communication. Or, it may be performed by broadcast communication, and the transmission method is not limited. The first operation item information transmission unit 402 may or may not include a transmission device for transmission such as a modem or a network. The first operation item information transmission unit 402 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a transmission device. The first operation item information transmission unit 402 is realized by communication means such as LAN, infrared communication, near field communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or e-mail transmission means. The first operation item information transmission unit 402 may be realized by a wireless or wired broadcasting unit. Further, it may have an MPU, a memory, or the like for executing a process for determining whether or not to transmit the first operation item information by software, or a dedicated unit for executing these processes. You may have hardware.

  The second operation item information accumulation unit 502 is the second operation item information storage unit 502 according to the second embodiment except that the second operation item information storage unit 209 stores the first operation item information received by the second operation item information reception unit 209 in a storage medium such as a memory (not shown). Since it is the same as that of the operation item information storage part 210, description is abbreviate | omitted. If the second operation item information receiving unit 209 temporarily stores the received first operation item information in a storage medium such as a memory, the second operation item information storage unit 502 may be omitted. Good.

  The operation menu display unit 503 displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information received by the second operation item information receiving unit 209 when the second operation item information receiving unit 209 receives the first operation item information. To do. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the second operation item information receiving unit 209 has received the first operation item information after the time point when the operation menu display instruction based on the first operation item information is received. When received, the second operation item information storage unit 502 displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information stored in the memory or the like. In addition, when it cannot be received, the operation menu based on the first operation item information is not displayed. Note that it may be determined whether or not the first operation item information has been received within a predetermined period after receiving an instruction to display the operation menu. This predetermined period may be set in any way. Normally, this time is the second time when the first electronic device 400 is operating normally and the communication between the first electronic device 400 and the second electronic device 500 is functioning normally. After the electronic device 500 receives an instruction to display the operation menu, the electronic device 500 is set to a time that is considered sufficient to receive the first operation item information corresponding to the instruction from the first electronic device 400. Further, after the transmission request information transmitting unit 501 transmits the transmission request information, it may be determined whether the second operation item information receiving unit 209 has received the first operation item information. When the second operation item information storage unit 502 is omitted, the operation menu display unit 503 displays the operation menu based on the first operation item information stored in the memory or the like by the second operation item information receiving unit 209. You just have to do it. The rest of the configuration is the same as that except for the configuration used only for displaying the operation menu based on the state information from the operation menu display unit 204 of the above embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. .

  Next, the operation of the first electronic apparatus 400 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same or corresponding processing steps, and the description thereof is omitted.

  (Step S1101) The transmission request information receiving unit 401 determines whether or not transmission request information has been received from the second electronic device 500. If received, the process proceeds to step S1102, and if not received, the process proceeds to step S205.

  (Step S <b> 1102) The first operation item information transmission unit 402 acquires state information that is information indicating the state of the first electronic device 400.

  (Step S1103) The first operation item information transmission unit 402 determines whether or not to transmit the first operation item information based on the state information received in step S1102. When transmitting, it progresses to step S1104, and when not transmitting, it returns to step S1101.

  (Step S1104) The first operation item information transmission unit 402 acquires the first operation item information from the first operation item information storage unit 106, and transmits the first operation item information to the second electronic device 500. Then, the process returns to step S1101.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process is terminated.

  Next, the operation of the second electronic device 500 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 indicate the same or corresponding processing steps, and the description thereof is omitted.

  (Step S1201) The operation menu display unit 503 determines whether an instruction to display an operation menu based on the first operation item information has been received. If an instruction has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S1202, and if not, the process returns to step S1201. Note that the instruction to display the operation menu may be accepted in any way. For example, a reception unit or the like that receives an instruction for displaying an operation menu may be provided and may be received from the reception unit, or an instruction or the like output from another processing unit or the like may be received.

  (Step S1202) The transmission request information transmission unit 501 transmits the transmission request information to the first electronic device 400.

  (Step S1203) The operation menu display unit 503 determines whether or not the second operation item information receiving unit 209 has received the first operation item information from the first electronic device 400. If received, the process proceeds to step S1204. If not received, the process proceeds to step S1206.

  (Step S1204) The second operation item information storage unit 502 stores the first operation item information received in step S1203 in a memory or the like.

  (Step S1205) The operation menu display unit 503 displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information accumulated in step S1204. Then, the process proceeds to step S310.

  (Step S1206) The operation menu display unit 503 determines whether or not a timeout has occurred. The timeout is, for example, determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of transmission request information. Alternatively, it may be determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving an operation menu display instruction. If timed out, the process proceeds to step S1201, and if not timed out, the process returns to step S1203.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process is terminated.

  Next, a specific example will be described. The outline of the electronic device system of this specific example is the same as that described in FIG. However, the first electronic device 400 is provided instead of the first electronic device 100, and the second electronic device 500 is provided instead of the second electronic device 200.

  First, the first electronic device 400 and the second electronic device 500 are powered on. Then, when the user gives an instruction to operate the remote control device or the like to output an operation menu to the second electronic device 500, the second electronic device 500 is shown in FIG. As described above, the operation menu 70 for operating the second electronic device 500 is displayed on the display 600.

  Then, when the user operates the remote control device or the like and selects the menu item 71 “play” in the operation menu 70, an event for causing the second electronic device 500 to execute the DVD disc playback process occurs. At the same time, an event for executing a process of displaying the operation menu of the first electronic device 400 as a submenu of the operation menu 70 occurs.

  Then, based on the event for executing the DVD disk playback process, the second electronic device 500 executes the DVD disk playback process.

  Further, the following processing is executed based on an event for executing processing for displaying the operation menu of the first electronic device 400 as a submenu of the operation menu 70.

  First, the transmission request information transmission unit 501 transmits transmission request information to the first electronic device 400.

  When the transmission request information receiving unit 401 of the first electronic device 400 receives the transmission request information from the second electronic device 500, the first operation item information transmitting unit 402 acquires the status information of the first electronic device 400. To do. Here, it is assumed that the first electronic device 400 is in a power-on state and does not perform processing for outputting sound or the like, and state information “power-on” is acquired.

  FIG. 13 is a transmission determination table showing the relationship between status information and whether or not to transmit the first operation item information. The transmission determination table has attributes of “status information” and “determination result”. “Status information” corresponds to status information acquired by the first operation item information transmission unit 402. The “determination result” is an attribute indicating the result of determining whether or not to transmit the first operation item information. The attribute value “transmittable” indicates the determination result that transmission is performed. The attribute value “transmission impossible” indicates a determination result that transmission is not performed. This transmission determination table is stored in a memory or the like (not shown).

  The first operation item information transmitting unit 402 searches the transmission determination table shown in FIG. 13 for a record having an attribute value that matches the acquired “power on” state information, and includes “ The attribute value of the attribute “judgment result” is acquired. Here, an attribute value “transmittable” is obtained.

  The first operation item information transmission unit 402 determines that the first operation item information may be transmitted from the attribute value “transmittable”. Then, the first operation item information shown in FIG. 5 stored in the first operation item information storage unit 106 is transmitted to the second electronic device 500. At this time, the identification information of the own device and the address information of the own device are transmitted to the second electronic device 500.

  When the second operation item information reception unit 209 receives the first operation item information from the first electronic device 400, the second operation item information storage unit 502 stores the first operation item information in a memory or the like. At this time, the identification information and address information of the first electronic device 400 are also received and stored in an electronic device information management table as shown in FIG.

  Then, based on the first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit 502, the operation menu display unit 503 displays the operation menu 90 as a sub-item of the menu item 71 “play” as shown in FIG. Display as a menu.

  Since the subsequent operation is the same as the specific example of the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, when the state of the first electronic device 400 is “power on”, the first operation item information of the first electronic device 400 is transmitted to the second electronic device 500. As the menu item “play” of the second electronic device 500 is selected, a menu for operating the first electronic device 400 that is the audio output destination of the second electronic device 500 is displayed. As a result, the user can adjust the volume of the sound output from the first electronic device 400 when reproducing the content or the like on the second electronic device 500.

  Here, consider a case where the first electronic device 400 is reproducing a CD or the like when the menu item 71 “play” of the second electronic device 500 is selected. In this case, the first operation item information transmission unit 402 of the first electronic device 400 detects that the reproduction operation is being performed, acquires the state information “in operation”, Based on the status information “medium”, the determination result “transmission impossible” is obtained from the transmission determination table shown in FIG. Based on this determination result, the first operation item information transmission unit 402 does not transmit the first operation item information to the second electronic device 500. For this reason, the second operation item information receiving unit 209 does not receive the first operation item information, and the operation menu display unit 503 indicates that the second operation item information receiving unit 209 has not received the first operation item information. Do not display the operation menu.

  In this way, when the first electronic device 400 is in some operation and the operation from the second electronic device 500 is inappropriate, the first operation item information transmission unit 402 The information is not transmitted to the second electronic device 500, and the second electronic device 500 can be configured not to display the operation menu based on the first operation item information.

  Further, consider a case where the power source of the first electronic device 400 is turned off at the time when the menu item 71 “play” of the second electronic device 500 is selected. In this case, the first electronic device 400 cannot transmit the first operation item information in response to the transmission request information transmitted by the transmission request information transmission unit 501. As a result, since the first operation item information is not received by the second operation item information receiving unit 209 within a predetermined period after the instruction to display the operation menu is received, the operation menu display unit 503 displays the first operation item information. Does not display an operation menu based on one operation item information.

  Thus, when the state information cannot be acquired from the first electronic device 400, the first operation item is determined as being inoperable due to the power of the first electronic device 400 being turned off. An operation menu based on information can be prevented from being displayed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation menu for operating the first electronic device 400 displayed on the second electronic device 500 can be changed according to the state of the first electronic device 400. It becomes possible. As a result, a necessary operation menu can be selectively displayed according to the state of the first electronic device 400, and unnecessary menu items are not displayed, thereby improving the operability of the menu. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the second electronic device 500, it is not necessary to perform a process for determining whether or not to display the operation menu according to the state of the first electronic device 400. Thereby, the processing burden of the second electronic device 500 can be reduced. For this reason, when a plurality of first electronic devices 400 are connected to the second electronic device 500, the processing for displaying the operation menu of the first electronic device 400 can be distributed, and the processing speed is increased. And stabilization.

  In each of the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by centralized processing by a single device (system), or by distributed processing by a plurality of devices. May be.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  The software that realizes the first electronic device of the electronic device system in the above embodiment is the following program. That is, the program includes a transmission request information receiving step for receiving transmission request information for requesting a computer to transmit first operation item information that is information for operating the own device, the transmission request information, and the own device. According to the state of the first operation item information transmission step of transmitting one or more stored first operation item information, a first operation instruction information reception step of receiving the operation instruction information, the first This is a program for executing the first control step for controlling the operation of the own device based on the operation instruction information received in the one operation instruction information receiving step.

  Moreover, the software which implement | achieves the 2nd electronic device of the electronic device system in the said embodiment is the following programs. That is, this program is a program that causes a second electronic device to execute processing in an electronic device system that includes the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and that causes the computer to execute the first electronic device. A transmission request information transmission step for transmitting transmission request information for requesting transmission of one or more first operation item information which is information for operation; and the one or more first operation items from the first electronic device. A second operation item information receiving step for receiving information, and an operation for displaying an operation menu based on the received first operation item information when the first operation item information is received in the second operation item information receiving step. A menu display step, a second operation instruction receiving step for receiving an instruction for a menu item of the displayed operation menu as an operation instruction, and the operation Based on the received first operation item information, a second operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information, which is information for instructing an operation, and the acquired operation instruction information, This is a program for executing the first operation instruction information transmission step to be transmitted to the electronic device.

  In each program in each of the above embodiments, processing performed by hardware in a transmission step for transmitting information, a reception step for receiving information, and the like, for example, processing performed by a modem or an interface card in the transmission step (Processing performed only by hardware) is not included.

  These programs may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, and a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like) is read out. May be executed.

  Further, the computer that executes these programs may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is useful as an electronic device system including a plurality of electronic devices, and is particularly suitable as an electronic device system including electronic devices such as AV devices and home appliances connected via a network or the like.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Flow chart for explaining the operation of the electronic device system Flow chart for explaining the operation of the electronic device system The figure which shows the outline of a structure of the electronic device system The figure which shows the structure of the 1st operation item information of the same electronic device system The figure which shows the electronic device information management table | surface of the same electronic device system The figure which shows the example of a display of the same electronic device system The figure which shows the menu display judgment table of the same electronic device system The figure which shows the example of a display of the same electronic device system The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. Flow chart for explaining the operation of the electronic device system Flow chart for explaining the operation of the electronic device system The figure which shows the transmission judgment table of the same electronic device system

Explanation of symbols

70 Operation Menu 71 Menu Item 90 Operation Menu 91 Menu Item 100 First Electronic Device 101 First Operation Unit 102 First Control Unit 103 First Operation Instruction Information Receiving Unit 104 Status Inquiry Information Receiving Unit 105 Status Information Transmitting Unit 106 First Operation item information storage unit 107 First operation item information transmission unit 200 Second electronic device 201 Second operation unit 202 Second operation item information storage unit 203 Status information acquisition unit 204 Operation menu display unit 205 Second operation instruction reception unit 206 Second operation instruction information acquisition unit 207 Second operation instruction information transmission unit 208 State inquiry information transmission unit 209 Second operation item information reception unit 210 Second operation item information storage unit 300 Network 400 First electronic device 401 Transmission request information reception Unit 402 First operation item information transmission unit 500 Second electronic device 5 1 transmission request information transmitting unit 502 second manipulation item information storage unit 503 operation menu display unit 600 displays

Claims (18)

An electronic device system comprising a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
The first electronic device is
A first operation unit for performing a predetermined operation;
A first operation instruction information receiving unit for receiving operation instruction information which is information for instructing an operation from the second electronic device;
A first control unit for operating the first operation unit based on the operation instruction information received by the first operation instruction information receiving unit;
The second electronic device is
A second operation item information storage unit in which one or more first operation item information which is information for operating the first electronic device is stored;
A status information acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating a status of the first electronic device;
In accordance with the status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit, an operation menu display unit that displays an operation menu based on the first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit,
A second operation instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to the menu item of the displayed operation menu as an operation instruction;
A second operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires the operation instruction information according to the first operation item information based on the operation instruction received by the second operation instruction reception unit;
An electronic device system including a second operation instruction information transmission unit that transmits the operation instruction information acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit to the first electronic device. The first electronic device is
Further comprising a status information transmitter that transmits status information indicating the status of the device to the second electronic device;
The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the status information acquisition unit acquires status information transmitted by the status information transmission unit. The second electronic device is
A state inquiry information transmission unit for transmitting state inquiry information for inquiring about the state of the first electronic device;
The first electronic device further includes a state inquiry information receiving unit that receives the state inquiry information,
The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the state information transmitting unit transmits the state information in response to the state inquiry information received by the state inquiry information receiving unit. The electronic device system according to claim 3, wherein the state inquiry information transmission unit transmits state inquiry information immediately before the operation menu display unit displays an operation menu. The operation menu display unit displays an operation menu corresponding to first operation item information stored in the second operation item information storage unit, based on state information indicating an activation state of the first electronic device. The electronic device system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first electronic device is
A first operation item information storage unit in which one or more of the first operation item information is stored;
A first operation item information transmission unit that transmits one or more first operation item information stored in the operation information storage unit to the second electronic device;
The second electronic device is
A second operation item information receiving unit for receiving first operation item information from the first electronic device;
6. The electronic device system according to claim 1, further comprising a second operation item information storage unit that stores the received first operation item information in the second operation item information storage unit. An electronic device system comprising a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
The first electronic device is
A first operation unit for performing a predetermined operation;
A first operation instruction information receiving unit for receiving operation instruction information, which is information for instructing a specific operation, from the second electronic device;
A first control unit that operates the first operation unit based on the operation instruction information received by the first operation instruction information receiving unit;
A first operation item information storage unit in which one or more first operation item information that is information for operating the first electronic device is stored;
A transmission request information receiving unit for receiving transmission request information for requesting transmission of one or more first operation item information from the second electronic device;
A first operation item information transmission unit that transmits one or more first operation item information stored in the operation information storage unit to the second electronic device in response to the transmission request information;
The second electronic device is
A transmission request information transmitting unit for transmitting the transmission request information to the first electronic device;
A second operation item information receiving unit that receives the one or more first operation item information transmitted by the first electronic device;
An operation menu display unit for displaying an operation menu based on the received first operation item information when the second operation item information receiving unit receives the first operation item information;
A second operation instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction that is an instruction to a menu item of the displayed operation menu;
A second operation instruction information acquisition unit that acquires the operation instruction information according to the first operation item information based on the operation instruction received by the second operation instruction reception unit;
An electronic device system comprising a first operation instruction information transmission unit that transmits operation instruction information acquired by the second operation instruction information acquisition unit to the first electronic device. The electronic device system according to claim 7, wherein the first operation item information transmission unit transmits the first operation item information according to a state of the own device. The transmission request information transmitting unit
9. The electronic device system according to claim 7, wherein the operation menu display unit transmits the transmission request information immediately before displaying the operation menu. The electronic device system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first operation item information includes item information indicating an item of the operation menu and the operation instruction information corresponding to the item. The 1st electronic device which comprises the electronic device system in any one of Claims 1-10. The 2nd electronic device which comprises the electronic device system in any one of Claims 1-10. An electronic device that changes an operation menu to be displayed according to the state of another electronic device. An electronic device that transmits information for operating the device to another electronic device according to the state of the device. On the computer,
A status information transmission step for transmitting status information indicating the status of the device;
A first operation instruction information receiving step for receiving operation instruction information which is information for instructing an operation;
A program for executing the first control step of controlling the operation of the device itself based on the operation instruction information received in the first operation instruction information receiving step. A program for causing a second electronic device to execute processing in an electronic device system comprising a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
On the computer,
A state information acquisition step of acquiring state information indicating the state of the first electronic device;
An operation menu display step for displaying an operation menu based on the first operation item information that is stored and information for operating the first electronic device according to the state information;
A second operation instruction receiving step for receiving an instruction to the menu item of the displayed operation menu as an operation instruction;
A second operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information, which is information indicating an operation, in accordance with the stored first operation item information based on the received operation instruction;
A program for executing a second operation instruction information transmission step of transmitting the acquired operation instruction information to the first electronic device. On the computer,
A transmission request information receiving step for receiving transmission request information for requesting transmission of first operation item information that is information for operating the device;
A first operation item information transmission step of transmitting one or more stored first operation item information according to the transmission request information and the state of the device;
A first operation instruction information receiving step for receiving the operation instruction information;
A program for executing the first control step of controlling the operation of the device itself based on the operation instruction information received in the first operation instruction information receiving step. A program for causing a second electronic device to execute processing in an electronic device system comprising a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
On the computer,
A transmission request information transmission step for transmitting transmission request information for requesting transmission of one or more first operation item information that is information for operating the first electronic device;
A second operation item information receiving step for receiving the one or more first operation item information from the first electronic device;
An operation menu display step for displaying an operation menu based on the received first operation item information when the first operation item information is received in the second operation item information receiving step;
A second operation instruction receiving step for receiving an instruction to the menu item of the displayed operation menu as an operation instruction;
Based on the operation instruction, a second operation instruction information acquisition step for acquiring operation instruction information which is information indicating an operation according to the received first operation item information;
A program for executing the first operation instruction information transmission step of transmitting the acquired operation instruction information to the first electronic device.

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