JP2008160245A - Television and data provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television controlling various external apparatuses by using an operation part. <P>SOLUTION: The television is provided with a connection part 21 for connecting a DVD recorder 4 and a VTR 5, an IR output part 18 for outputting an infrared control signal Sic to the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5, a control part 17 for generating a control signal Sc including a remote control code Cr corresponding to the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5 on the basis of an infrared operation signal Sio from a remote controller 20 and outputting the control signal Sc to the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5 through the IR output part 18, a communication part 15 transferring data with a server 2, and a storage part 19 for storing the remote control code Cr. The control part 17 acquires the remote control code Cr from the server 2 through the communication part 15, stores the remote control code Cr in the storage part 19 and generates the control signal Sc by using the stored remote control code Cr. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data providing system including a television configured to be able to control an external device according to an operation of an operation unit, and the television and a server that transmits data to the television.

  As this type of television, a television receiver disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-194356 is known. The television receiver includes a remote control transmitter, a recording control signal generation circuit, a remote control infrared light emitting unit, and the like. In this case, a remote control code corresponding to the function of the VTR as an external device is stored in the storage area of the recording control signal generation circuit. In this television receiver, the recording control signal generation circuit converts the infrared remote control signal output from the remote control transmitter into a VTR remote control signal using the remote control code and outputs it to the remote control infrared light emitting unit. The remote control infrared light emitting unit outputs an infrared remote control signal corresponding to the remote control signal for VTR to the VTR. For this reason, it is possible to control the VTR using the remote control transmitter of the television receiver by disposing the remote control infrared light emitting portion toward the remote control light receiving portion of the VTR.

JP 2004-194356 A (pages 4-6, FIGS. 1, 4 and 5)

  However, the conventional television receiver has the following problems. That is, this television receiver can control an external device by converting an infrared remote control signal into a remote control signal for an external device (VTR) using a remote control code stored in advance in a recording control signal generation circuit. I have to. However, since it is difficult to store a large number of remote control codes corresponding to all of the large number of external devices in the recording control signal generation circuit in advance, this television receiver is limited to controllable external devices. There is a problem. In addition, in this television receiver, it is difficult to store a remote control code corresponding to a newly released external device in the recording control signal generation circuit. Therefore, the above function is used for these external devices. Have difficulty.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a television and a data providing system capable of controlling more types of external devices using an operation unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a television according to the present invention includes a connection unit that connects an external device, a signal output unit that outputs a control signal to the external device connected to the connection unit, and the external device. A control unit that generates the control signal including the corresponding remote control code based on the operation signal output from the operation unit and outputs the control signal to the external device via the signal output unit, A television set configured to be able to control the external device in accordance with an operation of an operation unit, comprising a communication unit capable of data communication with an external server, and a storage unit for storing the remote control code, the control unit However, the remote control code is acquired from the server via the communication unit and stored in the storage unit, and the control signal is generated using the stored remote control code.

  According to this television, by acquiring a remote control code corresponding to an external device included in a control signal for controlling the external device from an external server, more types corresponding to many external devices stored in the server are obtained. The remote control code can be obtained from the server and used to generate the control signal, so that the controllable external device is limited to the external device corresponding to the remote control code stored in the storage unit in advance. In contrast, more types of external devices can be controlled using a control signal in a state where they are connected to the television without being restricted by the type of manufacturer or the distinction between new and old external devices.

  In the television according to the present invention, the connection unit includes a plurality of connection terminals so that a plurality of the external devices can be connected, and the control unit includes a plurality of the external devices connected to the connection unit. Sometimes, the remote control code corresponding to each external device and the connection information that can identify each connection terminal to which the external device is connected are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit.

  According to this television, when a plurality of external devices are connected to the connection unit, a remote control code corresponding to each external device is associated with connection information that can identify each connection terminal to which each external device is connected. Even if a plurality of external devices are connected to the connection unit by storing them in the storage unit, the remote controller corresponding to the external device can be specified only by specifying the external device to be operated and the connection terminal to which the external device is connected. A control signal including a code can be output to reliably control the external device.

  The television according to the present invention further includes a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a registration screen for registering device information related to the external device connected to the connection unit, and the control unit uses the registration screen. The registered device information is stored in the storage unit, and the remote control code is acquired using the stored device information.

  According to this television, device information related to the external device registered using the registration screen is stored in the storage unit, and a remote control code is obtained using the device information, thereby facilitating registration work for registering the external device. Can be done.

  Furthermore, the television according to the present invention displays the device information together with the image when the display control unit displays an image based on an image signal output from the external device on the display unit.

  According to this television, when displaying an image based on an image signal output from an external device on the display unit, the device information is displayed together with the image, so that the displayed image and the output sound can be displayed on the tuner of the television. Whether the signal is output from the external device or the signal output from the external device. In addition, when a plurality of external devices are connected to the television, it is possible to reliably grasp which external device is outputting the displayed image or output sound.

  In addition, the data providing system according to the present invention is configured to store the remote control code and the remote control code in response to a transmission request from the television connected via a communication line. And a server to send to.

  According to this data providing system, a TV and a server that transmits a remote control code to the TV in response to a transmission request from the TV connected via a communication line are provided. By storing the remote control code corresponding to the device in the server, the requested remote control code can be transmitted immediately in response to a transmission request transmitted from the television. The external device can be immediately controlled by operating the operation unit.

  In the data providing system according to the present invention, the server stores transmission source information capable of specifying the television requested to be transmitted, and stores a remote control code corresponding to the transmission request at the time of the transmission request. When the remote control code is acquired after the transmission request, the television requested to be transmitted is specified based on the transmission source information, and notification is made that transmission to the television is possible.

  According to this data providing system, when a remote control code corresponding to the transmission request is not stored at the time of a transmission request from the television and when the remote control code is acquired after the transmission request, it is possible to transmit to the television , Even if the remote control code requested at the time of the transmission request from the television is not stored, the remote control code can be surely acquired thereafter by the television.

  The best mode of a television and a data providing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A data providing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a data providing system according to the present invention, and includes a projection television 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “TV 1”) and a server 2. The television 1 is an example of a television according to the present invention, and includes a tuner 11, an image / audio processing unit 12, a display unit 13, an audio output unit 14, a communication unit 15, an IR reception unit 16, a control unit 17, and an IR output unit 18. A storage unit 19, a remote controller 20, and a connection unit 21 are provided.

  The tuner 11 receives various broadcast waves such as terrestrial analog broadcast, terrestrial digital broadcast, CS broadcast, and BS broadcast via the antenna 11a to generate a broadcast signal Sb, and the generated broadcast signal Sb is used as the image / audio processing unit 12. Output to. The image / audio processing unit 12 processes the broadcast signal Sb output from the tuner 11 to generate an image signal Sg and an audio signal Ss, outputs the image signal Sg to the display unit 13, and outputs the audio signal Ss to the audio signal Ss. Output to the output unit 14. The audio / video processing unit 12 functions as a display control unit according to the present invention. Under the control of the control unit 17, the menu screen Gm, the external device registration screen Gr, and the notification shown in FIGS. An image signal Sg for displaying the screen Gn, the external device selection screen Gc, and the information image Gi is output to the display unit 13.

  The display unit 13 includes a projector, a screen panel, and the like (not shown), and displays various images based on the image signal Sg output from the audio / video processing unit 12. Specifically, the display unit 13 displays various images on the screen panel by projecting projection light light-modulated based on the image signal Sg from the back side of the screen panel. In this case, the projector includes, for example, a light source, a liquid crystal light valve as a light modulation element, and a projection lens (none of which is shown). In place of the liquid crystal light valve, DMD (Digital Micromirror Device: DMD is a trademark of Texas Instruments Inc., USA) can also be used. The sound output unit 14 outputs sound based on the sound signal Ss output from the image sound processing unit 12.

  The communication unit 15 is connected to the server 2 via the Internet 3 corresponding to the communication line in the present invention and transmits / receives various data according to the control of the control unit 17. The IR receiver 16 receives the infrared operation signal Sio output from the remote controller 20 and outputs an operation signal So corresponding to each key (operation content) of the remote controller 20 to the controller 17. The control unit 17 controls each component constituting the television 1. In addition, when the external device connected to the connection unit 21 is registered by a registration operation, the control unit 17 executes a remote control code acquisition process 50 (see FIG. 5) described later. In addition, the control unit 17 executes an external device control process 70 (see FIG. 9) described later, and generates a control signal Sc based on the operation signal So output from the IR receiving unit 16.

  The IR output unit 18 corresponds to a signal output unit in the present invention, and converts the control signal Sc from the control unit 17 into an infrared control signal Sic and outputs it under the control of the control unit 17. In this case, the IR output unit 18 includes a plurality of light emitting units 18a, and each light emitting unit 18a is connected to each external device (for example, a DVD shown in FIG. 2) connected to the television 1 as shown in FIG. The recorder 4 and the VTR 5) are mounted in the cabinet so as to be close to each other. The control signal Sc and the infrared control signal Sic correspond to the control signal in the present invention. The storage unit 19 stores a remote control code Cr and the like used in the external device control process 70 under the control of the control unit 17. The remote controller 20 corresponds to an operation unit in the present invention, and as shown in the figure, a power key 20a, menu key 20b, channel selection key 20c, cursor key 20d, enter key 20e, recording start key 20f, stop key 20g and Various keys such as a reproduction key 20h are provided, and when these keys are operated, an infrared operation signal Sio corresponding to each key is output.

  The connection unit 21 includes a plurality of connection terminals 21a (see FIG. 1) for connecting external devices such as the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5 shown in FIGS. In this case, the image signal Sg and the audio signal Ss from the television 1 are output to the external device connected to the connection unit 21 via the connection terminal 21a, and the image signal Sg and the audio signal Ss from the external device are connected. The signal is input to the television 1 through the terminal 21a. Here, the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5 described above include IR receiving units 4a and 5a that receive an infrared signal (infrared control signal Sic transmitted from the IR output unit 18), respectively.

  As an example, the server 2 is installed in a call center operated by a manufacturer of the television 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the server 2 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The control unit 31 controls each unit of the server 2. Further, the control unit 31 reads the remote control code Cr of the external device requested by the transmission request data Dd from the television 1 from the storage unit 33 and causes the television 1 to transmit the remote control code Cr via the communication unit 32. In addition, when the remote control code Cr of the external device requested by the transmission request data Dd does not exist in the storage unit 33, the control unit 31 acquires the remote control code Cr from an external server or the like via the communication unit 32. The communication unit 32 is connected to the television 1 via the Internet 3 and transmits / receives various data according to the control of the control unit 31. The storage unit 33 stores remote control codes Cr corresponding to various external devices. The storage unit 33 also stores data (transmission source information in the present invention: hereinafter, this data is also referred to as “transmission source data Ds”) that can identify the television 1 that is the transmission source of the transmission request data Dd.

  Next, the overall operation of the television 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the television 1, when the power key 20 a of the remote controller 20 is operated, the control unit 17 supplies power to each unit constituting the television 1 according to the operation signal So output from the IR receiving unit 16. Next, the control unit 17 controls the tuner 11 to receive the broadcast wave of the channel that was selected when the power was turned off immediately before and output the broadcast signal Sb. Subsequently, the image / audio processor 12 processes the broadcast signal Sb to generate an image signal Sg and an audio signal Ss, and outputs them to the display unit 13 and the audio output unit 14, respectively. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the television image Gt based on the broadcast signal Sb is displayed on the display unit 13, and the television sound based on the broadcast signal Sb is output from the audio output unit 14.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5 as external devices are connected to the connection unit 21, the DVD recorder 4 is registered in the television 1 by a registration operation. Specifically, first, the menu key 20b of the remote controller 20 is operated. At this time, the remote controller 20 outputs an infrared operation signal Sio corresponding to the menu key 20b, and the IR receiver 16 outputs an operation signal So. In response to this, the control unit 17 controls the audio / video processing unit 12 to output an image signal Sg for displaying the menu screen Gm. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the menu screen Gm is displayed on the display unit 13. Next, the cursor key 20d and the enter key 20e of the remote controller 20 are operated to select the item “Register external device” in the menu screen Gm. At this time, the control unit 17 controls the image and sound processing unit 12 to output an image signal Sg for displaying the external device registration screen Gr, so that the external device registration screen Gr is displayed on the display unit 13 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  In this case, when the DVD recorder 4 is first registered, the cursor key 20d and the enter key 20e are operated in accordance with the guidance on the external device registration screen Gr, and the number of the connection terminal 21a to which the DVD recorder 4 is connected (this example Then, “terminal 1”) is selected. Next, the manufacturer name, model and model number of the DVD recorder 4 are selected. Note that the manufacturer name, model, and model number can be directly input (character input) into the input field in the external device registration screen Gr using the channel selection key 20c as a numeric key or alphabet key. Subsequently, the “OK” button in the external device registration screen Gr is selected. In response to this, the control unit 17 executes a remote control code acquisition process 50 shown in FIG. In this remote control code acquisition process 50, the control unit 17 sets the selected manufacturer name, model, and model number (device information in the present invention: hereinafter, this data is also referred to as “device data Da”) and the television 1. Transmission request data Dd including identification data that can be distinguished from other televisions is generated (step 51) and output to communication unit 15. Next, the control unit 17 controls the communication unit 15 to connect to the server 2 via the Internet 3 (step 52). Subsequently, the control unit 17 controls the communication unit 15 to transmit the transmission request data Dd to the server 2 (step 53).

  On the other hand, in the server 2, the communication unit 32 receives the transmission request data Dd transmitted from the communication unit 15 of the television 1 and outputs it to the control unit 31. In response to this, the control unit 31 executes a remote control code transmission process 60 shown in FIG. In the remote control code transmission process 60, the control unit 31 generates transmission source data Ds that can identify the television 1 that is the transmission source of the transmission request data Dd, based on the identification data included in the transmission request data Dd. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 33 (step 61). Next, the control unit 31 specifies the manufacturer name, model, and model number of the DVD recorder 4 based on the device data Da included in the transmission request data Dd, searches the storage unit 33, and supports the DVD recorder 4 It is determined whether or not a remote control code Cr to be stored is stored (step 62). In this case, when the corresponding remote control code Cr is stored in the storage unit 33, the control unit 31 reads the remote control code Cr (step 63). Next, the control unit 17 controls the communication unit 32 to transmit the remote control code Cr to the television 1 (step 64).

  At this time, the communication unit 15 of the television 1 receives the remote control code Cr and outputs it to the control unit 17. Subsequently, the control unit 17 specifies data for specifying the connection terminal 21a to which the DVD recorder 4 is connected (connection information in the present invention: hereinafter, this data is also referred to as “connection data Dt”), and the DVD recorder 4 The device data Da and the remote control code Cr are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 19 (step 54 of the remote control code acquisition process 50). Thereby, the registration of the DVD recorder 4 to the television 1 is completed.

  Next, when registering the VTR 5 in the television 1, the operation is performed in accordance with the guidance on the external device registration screen Gr in the same manner as the registration of the DVD recorder 4 described above. At this time, the control unit 17 executes steps 51 to 53 of the remote control code acquisition process 50 described above. On the other hand, in the server 2, the control unit 31 executes the remote control code transmission process 60 described above in response to reception of the transmission request data Dd for the VTR 5 transmitted from the television 1. In this case, for example, when it is determined in step 62 that the remote control code Cr corresponding to VTR5 is not stored in the storage unit 33, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 32 to control the remote control code Cr corresponding to VTR5. Notification data Dn for notifying that there is no existing in the server 2 is transmitted to the television 1 (step 65).

  At this time, the communication unit 15 of the television 1 receives the notification data Dn and outputs it to the control unit 17. Subsequently, the control unit 17 stores the connection data Dt for specifying the connection terminal 21a to which the VTR 5 is connected and the device data Da for the VTR 5 in the storage unit 19 in association with each other (step of the remote control code acquisition process 50) 54), the audio / video processing unit 12 is controlled to display the message (not shown) indicating that the VTR 5 is temporarily registered because the remote control code Cr cannot be obtained. Thereby, provisional registration of the VTR 5 on the television 1 is completed.

  On the other hand, in the server 2, after the execution of step 65 described above, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 32 to connect to the external server, and sends the remote control code Cr corresponding to the VTR 5 from the external server via the communication unit 32. The acquired remote control code Cr is stored in the storage unit 33 (step 66). Subsequently, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 32 to connect to the television 1 and outputs notification data Dn notifying that the remote control code Cr corresponding to the VTR 5 has been acquired to the television 1. At this time, the communication unit 15 of the television 1 receives the notification data Dn and outputs the notification data Dn to the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 controls the image / sound processing unit 12 to notify the notification screen Gn ( 7) is displayed on the display unit 13.

  In this case, when the user reacquires the remote control code in accordance with the guidance on the notification screen Gn, the remote controller 20 is operated to display the external device registration screen Gr described above, and the “replay” in the external device registration screen Gr is displayed. Select the “Acquire” button (see FIG. 4). In response to this, the control unit 17 executes steps 51 to 53 of the remote control code acquisition process 50 described above and outputs the transmission request data Dd, and the control unit 31 of the server 2 executes the remote control code transmission process 60 described above. Steps 61 to 64 are executed to transmit the remote control code Cr corresponding to the VTR 5 to the television 1. In this case, the control unit 17 of the television 1 connects the connection data Dt and the device data Da for the VTR 5 specifying the connection terminal 21a to which the VTR 5 already stored in the storage unit 19 is connected, and the acquired remote control code Cr. Are stored in the storage unit 19 (step 54 of the remote control code acquisition process 50). Thereby, the registration (main registration) of the VTR 5 to the television 1 is completed.

  Next, a method for controlling the DVD recorder 4 and the VTR 5 using the remote controller 20 of the television 1 will be described. For example, when causing the DVD recorder 4 to perform recording (hereinafter also referred to as “recording”) of the image signal Sg and the audio signal Ss output to the DVD recorder 4 via the connection terminal 21 a of the connection unit 21 using the remote controller 20. First, the DVD recorder 4 is designated as an external device to be controlled. Specifically, the menu key 20b of the remote controller 20 is operated to display the menu screen Gm described above on the display unit 13. Next, the cursor key 20d and the enter key 20e are operated to select the item “control external device” in the menu screen Gm. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, an external device selection screen Gc showing a list of external devices registered (connected) in the television 1 is displayed on the display unit 13. Subsequently, the cursor key 20d and the enter key 20e are operated to select the DVD recorder 4 from the external devices displayed as a list in the external device selection screen Gc.

  In response to this, the control unit 17 executes an external device control process 70 shown in FIG. In the external device control processing 70, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the operation signal So is output from the IR receiver 16 (whether or not the infrared operation signal Sio is output from the remote controller 20) (step 71). In this case, when the DVD recorder 4 executes recording as described above, the recording start key 20f of the remote controller 20 is operated. At this time, the IR receiver 16 receives the infrared operation signal Sio corresponding to the recording start key 20f output from the remote controller 20 and outputs the operation signal So.

  In response to this, the control unit 17 determines that the operation signal So is output in step 71, and stores the remote control code Cr associated with the connection data Dt indicating the connection terminal 21a to which the DVD recorder 4 is connected. Read from the unit 19 (step 72). Next, the control unit 17 converts the operation signal So output from the IR receiving unit 16 into a control signal Sc for controlling the DVD recorder 4 by using the read remote control code Cr (step 73). Subsequently, the control unit 17 outputs the converted control signal Sc to the IR output unit 18 (step 74). In response to this, the IR output unit 18 converts the control signal Sc into an infrared control signal Sic and outputs it.

  At this time, in the DVD recorder 4, the IR receiver 4 a receives the infrared control signal Sic output from the IR output unit 18 of the television 1. Next, the DVD recorder 4 starts recording in accordance with the infrared control signal Sic. On the other hand, after executing step 74 of the external device control process 70, the control unit 17 of the television 1 determines whether or not termination has been instructed (step 75). In this case, when it is determined that the end is not instructed, the control unit 17 executes Step 71 described above.

  Next, when the DVD recorder 4 stops recording, the stop key 20g of the remote controller 20 is operated. At this time, the control unit 17 executes steps 72 to 74 described above, converts the operation signal So corresponding to the stop key 20g into the control signal Sc, and outputs the control signal Sc to the IR output unit 18. The control signal Sc is converted into an infrared control signal Sic and output. Thereby, the recording by the DVD recorder 4 is stopped. Next, when the DVD recorder 4 is caused to reproduce the recorded image signal Sg and audio signal Ss, the reproduction key 20h of the remote controller 20 is operated. At this time, the control unit 17 executes steps 72 to 74 described above, converts the operation signal So corresponding to the reproduction key 20h into the control signal Sc, and outputs the control signal Sc to the IR output unit 18. The IR output unit 18 The control signal Sc is converted into an infrared control signal Sic and output. Thereby, reproduction by the DVD recorder 4 is started.

  At this time, the control unit 17 transfers the image signal Sg and the audio signal Ss output from the DVD recorder 4 and input via the connection unit 21 to the image / audio processing unit 12, and thereby an image based on the image signal Sg. (Recorded image) is displayed on the display unit 13, and sound (recorded sound) based on the sound signal Ss is output from the sound output unit 14. In addition, the control unit 17 reads the device data Da for the DVD recorder 4 from the storage unit 19 to specify information (manufacturer name, model, model number, etc.) regarding the DVD recorder 4 and controls the audio / video processing unit 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, an information image Gi indicating the specified information is displayed on the display unit 13 together with the recorded image. Therefore, whether the displayed image or the output sound is based on the signal output from the tuner 11 of the television 1 or the signal output from the external device (DVD recorder 4 or VTR 5). It can be surely grasped. In addition, when a plurality of external devices are connected to the television 1, it is possible to reliably grasp which external device is outputting the displayed image or the output sound. Thereafter, the DVD recorder 4 is controlled by the IR receiver 16, the IR output unit 18, and the control unit 17 performing the same processing as described above in accordance with operations on the operation keys of the remote controller 20.

  Next, when the control of the DVD recorder 4 using the remote controller 20 is ended, the remote controller 20 is operated to display the above-described external device selection screen Gc on the display unit 13, and then within the external device selection screen Gc. Select the “Finish” button. In response to this, the control unit 17 determines that the termination is instructed in step 75 of the external device control processing 70 and terminates the external device control processing 70. On the other hand, when the VTR 5 is controlled using the remote controller 20, the VTR 5 is selected from the external devices displayed in the list on the external device selection screen Gc, and each of the DVD recorders 4 when the DVD recorder 4 is controlled hereinafter. Perform the same operation as the operation. Thereby, the VTR 5 can be controlled using the remote controller 20.

  As described above, according to the television 1, by acquiring the remote control code Cr corresponding to the external device included in the infrared control signal Sic for controlling the external device from the server 2, a large number of external devices stored in the server 2 are obtained. Since more types of remote control codes Cr corresponding to the device can be obtained from the server 2 and used to generate the control signal Sc, an external device corresponding to the remote control code previously stored in the storage unit by the controllable external device Unlike conventional televisions that are limited to devices, the remote controller 20 is used with more types of external devices connected to the television 1 without being restricted by the type of manufacturer or the distinction between old and new external devices. Can be controlled.

  Further, according to the television 1, when a plurality of external devices are connected to the connection unit 21, it is possible to specify the remote control code Cr corresponding to each external device and each connection terminal 21a to which each external device is connected. By storing the connection data Dt in the storage unit 19 in association with each other, even if a plurality of external devices are connected to the television 1, only the external device to be operated and the connection terminal 21a to which the external device is connected are specified. Thus, the external device can be reliably controlled by outputting the infrared control signal Sic including the remote control code Cr corresponding to the external device.

  Furthermore, according to the television 1, the external device registration screen Gr for registering the external device connected to the connection unit 21 is displayed, and the device data Da registered using the external device registration screen Gr is stored in the storage unit 19. Then, by acquiring the remote control code Cr using the device data Da, the registration work for registering the external device can be easily performed.

  Further, according to the television 1, when an image based on the image signal Sg output from the external device is displayed on the display unit, the display unit 13 displays information on the external device based on the device data Da, thereby displaying the image. Therefore, it can be surely grasped whether the image or the output sound is based on the signal output from the tuner 11 of the television 1 or the signal output from the external device. In addition, when a plurality of external devices are connected to the television 1, it is possible to reliably grasp which external device is outputting the displayed image or the output sound.

  Further, according to the data providing system 100, a server that is connected to the television 1 via the television 1 and the Internet 3 and transmits the remote control code Cr to the television 1 according to the transmission request data Dd transmitted from the television 1. 2, the remote control code Cr corresponding to many external devices connectable to the television 1 is stored in the server 2, so that the request can be made according to the transmission request data Dd transmitted from the television 1. Since the remote control code Cr thus transmitted can be transmitted immediately, the external device can be immediately controlled by remote control operation using the remote control code Cr in the television 1.

  Further, according to the data providing system 100, the remote control code Cr corresponding to the transmission request is not stored in the storage unit 33 when the transmission request data Dd is transmitted from the television 1, and the remote control code Cr is acquired after the transmission request. In some cases, by sending notification data Dn indicating that transmission is possible to the television 1, the requested remote control code Cr is stored in the storage unit 33 when the transmission request data Dd is transmitted from the television 1. Even if it is not done, the remote control code Cr can be surely acquired by the television 1 thereafter.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said structure. For example, a configuration having a function (learning function) of outputting an infrared operation signal from a remote controller of an external device, outputting a remote control code Cr included in the signal, and storing it in the storage unit 19 can be adopted. . By providing this function, when the requested remote control code Cr is not recorded in the server 2, only the remote control code corresponding to the minimum necessary operation is temporarily stored in the storage unit 19, and the notification data Dn as described above. It is possible to correspond to a usage mode in which the remote control code Cr corresponding to all operations is stored when is transmitted. In addition, as described above, the control unit 17 automatically acquires the remote control code Cr from the server 2 when the “OK” button in the external device registration screen Gr is selected. However, the television 1 and the server 2 are connected. It is also possible to employ a configuration that requires a predetermined procedure such as selection of whether connection is possible or input of a user ID before the connection.

  In addition, the example in which the external device is controlled by the infrared control signal Sic output from the IR output unit 18 has been described above, but the configuration in which the control signal Sc is output to the external device via the cable connected to the connection terminal 21a, A configuration in which the control signal Sc is output to an external device via a dedicated cable may be employed. Further, the display unit 13 is not limited to the projection-type television 1, and a configuration including a CRT, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display, and the like can also be employed.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data providing system 100. FIG. It is a front view of the television 1, DVD recorder 4, and VTR5. It is a display screen figure of the menu screen Gm. It is a display screen figure of the external device registration screen Gr. 10 is a flowchart of remote control code acquisition processing 50. 7 is a flowchart of remote control code transmission processing 60. It is a display screen figure of the notification screen Gn. It is a display screen figure of the external device selection screen Gc. 5 is a flowchart of an external device control process 70. It is a display screen figure of information image Gi.

Explanation of symbols

  1 TV, 2 server, 3 Internet, 4 DVD recorder, 5 VTR, 15 communication unit, 17 control unit, 18 IR output unit, 19 storage unit, 20 remote control, 21 connection unit, 21a connection terminal, 33 storage unit, 100 data Provision system, Ds transmission source data, Da device data, Dd transmission request data, Cr remote control code, Dt connection data, Sc control signal, Sic infrared control signal, Sio infrared operation signal, So operation signal

Claims (6)

A connection unit that connects an external device, a signal output unit that outputs a control signal to the external device connected to the connection unit, and an operation unit that receives the control signal including a remote control code corresponding to the external device A control unit that generates the control signal based on the operation signal output from the control unit and outputs the control signal to the external device via the signal output unit, and is configured to control the external device according to the operation of the operation unit. TV,
A communication unit capable of data communication with an external server, and a storage unit for storing the remote control code,
The television, wherein the control unit acquires the remote control code from the server via the communication unit, stores the remote control code in the storage unit, and generates the control signal using the stored remote control code. The connection unit includes a plurality of connection terminals and is configured to be able to connect a plurality of the external devices,
When the plurality of external devices are connected to the connection unit, the control unit can identify the remote control cords corresponding to the external devices and the connection terminals to which the external devices are connected. The television set according to claim 1, wherein connection information is associated and stored in the storage unit. A display control unit that causes a display unit to display a registration screen for registering device information related to the external device connected to the connection unit;
The television according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the device information registered using the registration screen in the storage unit and acquires the remote control code using the stored device information.   The television according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit displays the device information together with the image when displaying an image based on an image signal output from the external device on the display unit.   The remote control code is transmitted to the television in response to a transmission request from the television set according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the remote control code configured to be capable of storing the remote control code and connected via a communication line. And a data providing system comprising a server to perform.   The server stores transmission source information capable of specifying the transmission-requested television, and does not store a remote control code corresponding to the transmission request at the time of the transmission request and obtains the remote control code after the transmission request 6. The data providing system according to claim 5, wherein when the transmission is requested, the television requested to be transmitted is identified based on the transmission source information, and notification is made that transmission to the television is possible.

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