JP2009124584A - Device to be controlled, communication system and method of control in device to be controlled - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously control a plurality of devices intended by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A transmission source information storage circuit 160 is provided for storing transmission source information specifying a transmission source that transmits instruction information received by infrared rays and when data containing the instruction information are received via a network, the transmission source information stored in the transmission source information storage circuit 160 is compared with transmission source information of the data received via the network. When the transmission sources are identical, in accordance with the instruction information contained in the data received via the network, a system control circuit 190 controls the body of a device 100 to be controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a controlled device, a communication system, a control method in the controlled device, a program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to a technique suitable for use by a user side (control device) to control a plurality of controlled devices.

  Conventionally, when a plurality of controlled devices are connected to one network and the user side (control device) controls the plurality of controlled devices, command information is sent to the controlled devices through the connected network. There is a known control system that can transmit all of these simultaneously. As an example using such a control system, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for simultaneously controlling the power supplies of a plurality of devices by switching out / home from a telephone unit with a TV monitor.

JP-A-6-52475

  In the conventional control system as described above, it is possible to control the power supply of a plurality of devices all at once, but some devices connected to the network include devices that are not preferable to turn off the power supply, for example. There may be. As a specific example, when another user is watching a television connected to a network, the television viewing may be interrupted suddenly during the viewing due to a power-off instruction. As described above, there is a problem that control unintended by other users is performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to enable simultaneous control of a plurality of devices intended by a user.

  The controlled device of the present invention includes a first communication unit that receives the first command information transmitted from the control device, and a controlled device based on the first command information received by the first communication unit. Control means for controlling, storage means for storing source information for specifying a control device that has transmitted the first command information in a storage unit, and second command information different from the first command information, 2nd communication means received via a network, transmission origin information which specifies the control apparatus which transmitted the 2nd command information received by the 2nd communication means, and transmission memorized by the storage part Comparing means for comparing the original information, the control means, as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, when the control equipment that transmitted the first command information and the second command information is the same, Control based on the second command information And wherein the Ukoto.

  The communication system of the present invention provides a plurality of controlled devices as described above, and a source that identifies the control device that has transmitted the second command information and the second command information to the plurality of controlled devices. A communication converter for transmitting information is configured to be connected via the network.

  A control method in a controlled device according to the present invention includes a first communication step for receiving first command information transmitted from a control device, and a first command information received in the first communication step. A control step for controlling the control device, a storage step for storing source information for specifying the control device that transmitted the first command information in a storage unit, and second command information different from the first command information Are stored in the storage unit, the second communication step for receiving the communication information via the network, the source information for identifying the control device that has transmitted the second command information received in the second communication step. A comparison step of comparing with the transmission source information, and in the control step, as a result of the comparison in the comparison step, the control device that transmitted the first command information and the second command information is the same The second And performing control based on the decree information.

  A program according to the present invention controls a controlled device based on a first communication step for receiving first command information transmitted from a control device and the first command information received in the first communication step. A control step, a storage step of storing source information for specifying a control device that has transmitted the first command information in a storage unit, and second command information different from the first command information, via a network A second communication step that is received, transmission source information that identifies a control device that has transmitted the second command information received in the second communication step, and transmission source information stored in the storage unit In the control step, when the control device that transmitted the first command information and the second command information is the same as the result of the comparison in the comparison step, Second And characterized by causing a computer to execute to perform the control based on the instruction information.

  The recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording the program described above.

  According to the present invention, the source information for specifying the control device that has transmitted the first command information is stored, the source information for specifying the control device that has transmitted the second command information, and the stored source information. And compare. Then, when the control devices are the same, control based on the second command information is performed. Thereby, it can prevent that the control which the other user does not intend is performed, and the several apparatus which a user intends can be controlled simultaneously.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a controlled device according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the controlled device 100 includes a network connection terminal 110, a network communication circuit 120, an infrared light receiving sensor 130, and an infrared communication receiving circuit 140. Furthermore, a transmission source information storage circuit 150, a transmission source comparison circuit 160, an operation panel 170, a simultaneous control circuit 180, and a system control circuit 190 are provided.

  The network connection terminal 110 is a terminal for connecting to an Ethernet (registered trademark) network. The network communication circuit 120 receives data from the network through the network connection terminal 110 and outputs source information and command information (second command information) included in the received data. In the present embodiment, the network connection terminal 110 and the network communication circuit 120 function as second communication means.

  The infrared light receiving sensor 130 functions as a first communication means, receives infrared light transmitted from a remote operation device (remote control) described later, demodulates the received infrared light, and outputs an infrared reception signal to the infrared communication receiving circuit 140. . When the infrared communication reception circuit 140 detects from the target device information included in the infrared reception signal demodulated by the infrared light receiving sensor 130 that the controllable device 100 main body can be controlled, the infrared communication reception circuit 140 transmits the source information included in the infrared reception signal and Command information (first command information) is output. In the present embodiment, the infrared light receiving sensor 130 and the infrared communication receiving circuit 140 function as first communication means.

  The transmission source information storage circuit 150 functions as a storage unit, and stores the transmission source information output from the infrared communication reception circuit 140 in a storage unit such as a memory (not shown). In addition, when transmission origin information is already memorize | stored, it updates to new transmission origin information. Therefore, the sender information storage circuit 150 stores the latest sender information output last from the infrared communication receiver circuit 140. In addition, the source information can be read and output to the source comparison circuit 160. The transmission source comparison circuit 160 functions as a comparison unit, compares the transmission source information output from the network communication circuit 120 with the transmission source information output from the transmission source information storage circuit 150, and compares the comparison result information with the simultaneous control circuit. Output to 180.

  The operation panel 170 is installed on the surface of the controlled device 100 main body and has a plurality of buttons. Then, an operation signal corresponding to the user's button operation is output to the simultaneous control circuit 180.

  The simultaneous control circuit 180 inputs command information output from the network communication circuit 120 or the infrared communication receiving circuit 140, comparison result information output from the transmission source comparison circuit 160, and an operation signal output from the operation panel 170. To do. Then, a control signal for controlling the system control circuit 190 is output according to the input signal. The system control circuit 190 controls the overall operation of the controlled device 100 according to the control signal output from the simultaneous control circuit 180.

  When a direct operation is performed on the operation panel, the simultaneous control circuit 180 outputs command information to the system control circuit 190 according to the operation signal output from the operation panel 170. Then, the system control circuit 190 controls the overall operation of the controlled device 100 according to the command information output from the simultaneous control circuit 180.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the remote operation device according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the remote control device 200 includes an operation panel 210, a transmission source information storage circuit 220, a control circuit 230, an infrared communication transmission circuit 240, and an infrared light emission circuit 250.

  The operation panel 210 is installed on the surface of the remote operation device 200 main body and has a plurality of buttons. Then, an operation signal corresponding to the user's button operation is output to the control circuit 230. The transmission source information storage circuit 220 has a nonvolatile memory and stores transmission source information unique to the remote control device 200. Then, the source information is read and output to the control circuit 230.

  When an operation signal is output from the operation panel 210, the control circuit 230 generates remote operation information based on the operation signal and the transmission source information output from the transmission source information storage circuit 220, and an infrared communication transmission circuit Output to 240. The infrared communication transmission circuit 240 modulates the remote operation information output from the control circuit 230 into an infrared transmission signal, and outputs the modulated infrared transmission signal to the infrared light emission circuit 250. The infrared light emitting circuit 250 emits infrared light corresponding to the infrared transmission signal output from the infrared communication transmission circuit 240.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication converter according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 3, the communication converter 300 includes an infrared light receiving sensor 310, an infrared communication receiving circuit 320, a network communication circuit 330, and a network connection terminal 340.

  The infrared light receiving sensor 310 demodulates the received infrared light and outputs an infrared reception signal to the infrared communication reception circuit 320. Then, the infrared communication receiving circuit 320 outputs data including transmission source information and command information included in the infrared reception signal demodulated by the infrared light receiving sensor 310 to the network communication circuit 330. The network communication circuit 330 transmits the data output from the infrared communication reception circuit 320 to a device connected to the network via the network connection terminal 340.

Next, the operation of the controlled device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step S501, the infrared light receiving sensor 130 determines whether or not infrared light emitted from the remote operation device 200 has been received. As a result of this determination, if infrared rays are not received, the process stands by, and if received, the received infrared rays are demodulated and an infrared reception signal is output to the infrared communication reception circuit 140.

  Next, in step S <b> 502, the infrared communication receiving circuit 140 determines whether or not the controlled device 100 main body can be controlled from the target device information included in the infrared reception signal output from the infrared light receiving sensor 130.

  As a result of this determination, if the controlled device 100 main body can be controlled, the process proceeds to step S503, where the source information included in the infrared reception signal is output to the source information storage circuit 150 and included in the infrared reception signal. Command information to be output to the simultaneous control circuit 180. The transmission source information storage circuit 150 stores the transmission source information output from the infrared communication reception circuit 140. On the other hand, the simultaneous control circuit 180 outputs a control signal based on the command information output from the infrared communication receiving circuit 140 to the system control circuit 190. The system control circuit 190 controls the operation of the entire device according to the control signal output from the simultaneous control circuit 180.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S502, if the controlled device 100 main body cannot be controlled, the process returns to step S501. Next, in step S504, the network communication circuit 120 determines whether data has been received from the network through the network connection terminal 110. As a result of the determination, if data is not received from the network, the process waits as it is. If data is received, the process proceeds to step S505.

  Next, in step S505, the network communication circuit 120 outputs the source information included in the received data to the source comparison circuit 160, and outputs the command information included in the received data to the simultaneous control circuit 180. Then, the transmission source comparison circuit 160 compares the transmission source information output from the network communication circuit 120 with the transmission source information stored in the transmission source information storage circuit 150, and determines whether or not the transmission sources are the same. Judging.

  If the result of this determination is that the source is not the same, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, the transmission source comparison circuit 160 outputs the comparison result information to the simultaneous control circuit 180. Then, the simultaneous control circuit 180 continues the control based on the command information output from the infrared communication receiving circuit 140 and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S505 is that the source is the same, processing proceeds to step S507. In step S507, the transmission source comparison circuit 160 outputs the comparison result information to the simultaneous control circuit 180. Then, the simultaneous control circuit 180 outputs a control signal based on the command information output from the network communication circuit 120 to the system control circuit 190. The system control circuit 190 controls the overall operation of the controlled device 100 in accordance with the control signal output from the simultaneous control circuit 180.

  Next, an example in which the operation procedure shown in FIG. 5 is specifically realized will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a communication system in which a plurality of controlled devices are connected to each other via a network in the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, each device is connected via a single network, but any network medium or configuration may be used as long as information is transmitted.

  In FIG. 4, a first controlled device 11 to a fourth controlled device 22 and a communication converter 31 are connected to a network 401. The configuration of the first controlled device 11 to the fourth controlled device 22 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of the communication converter 31 is the same as that shown in FIG. It is the composition. Further, the configurations of the first remote control device 41 and the second remote control device 42 shown in FIG. 4 are the same as those shown in FIG. Further, these devices may be installed at locations away from each other.

  First, the case where the 1st to-be-controlled device 11 is controlled from the 1st remote control apparatus 41 by operation of a 1st user is demonstrated. When the operation panel 210 of the first remote control device 41 is operated by the first user toward the first controlled device 11, the first remote control device 41 responds to the button operation of the first user. Infrared light is emitted toward the first controlled device 11.

  When receiving the infrared rays emitted from the first remote control device 41, the first controlled device 11 demodulates the infrared rays and generates an infrared reception signal. And if it detects that the object apparatus information contained in the produced | generated infrared reception signal can control this apparatus, the 1st to-be-controlled apparatus 11 memorize | stores the transmission origin information contained in the said infrared reception signal. Further, the entire first controlled device 11 operates in accordance with the command information included in the infrared reception signal.

  For example, when the power button of the first remote control device 41 is operated by the first user, the power of the first controlled device 11 is turned on or off based on the command information for turning the power on or off. It becomes.

  Then, it is assumed that the second controlled device 12 is controlled from the first remote operation device 41 by the operation of the first user in the same procedure. Furthermore, it is assumed that the third controlled device 21 and the fourth controlled device 22 are controlled from the second remote operation device 42 by the operation of another second user in the same procedure.

Next, a case where data is transmitted all at once to the first controlled device 11 to the fourth controlled device 22 connected to the network 401 will be described.
When the operation panel 210 of the first remote operation device 41 is operated toward the communication converter 31 by the operation of the first user, the first remote operation device 41 responds to the button operation of the first user. Infrared light is emitted toward the communication converter 31.

  When communication converter 31 receives an infrared ray emitted from first remote control device 41, communication converter 31 demodulates the infrared ray to generate an infrared reception signal. Then, the data including the transmission source information and the command information included in the generated infrared reception signal is transmitted to the first controlled device 11 to the fourth controlled device 22 connected to the network 401.

  The first controlled device 11 and the second controlled device 12 receive data from the network 401, compare the source information included in the data with the stored source information, and compare Generate result information. In this case, since the source is the same, the entire device operates in accordance with the command information included in the data received from the network 401.

  On the other hand, the third controlled device 21 and the fourth controlled device 22 also receive data from the network 401, compare the source information included in the data with the stored source information, The comparison result information is generated. However, in this case, since the source is not the same, the operation according to the command information included in the data received from the network 401 is not performed.

  For example, when a command to turn off the power is transmitted from the first remote control device 41 via the network 401, the power of the first controlled device 11 and the second controlled device 12 is turned off. However, the power supplies of the third controlled device 21 and the fourth controlled device 22 are not turned off. In addition, when a command to set the outing mode as the operation mode is transmitted from the first remote control device 41, the first controlled device 11 and the second controlled device 12 are in the outing mode. The controlled device 21 and the fourth controlled device 22 are not in the outing mode. The same applies to other commands other than the above-described power on / off and operation mode switching.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when a plurality of controlled devices are connected to the network, each controlled device stores information on the remote control device that has transmitted command information in the past. Since the controlled devices can be controlled when the remote control devices that have transmitted the command information are the same, the devices that the user has operated in the past can be controlled all at once.

(Other embodiments according to the present invention)
Each means constituting the controlled device in the embodiment of the present invention and each process of the control method in the controlled device can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Note that the present invention includes a case where a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5) is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. This includes the case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Further, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, there is a method of connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  As another method, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and encrypted from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Download the key information to be solved. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, the program read from the recording medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the controlled apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the remote control apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the communication converter in embodiment of this invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure showing the state where a plurality of controlled devices are mutually connected via a network. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure in the controlled apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Controlled Device 110 Network Connection Terminal 120 Network Communication Circuit 130 Infrared Light Sensor 140 Infrared Communication Reception Circuit 150 Source Information Storage Circuit 160 Source Comparison Circuit 170 Operation Panel 180 Simultaneous Control Circuit 190 System Control Circuit

Claims (11)

First communication means for receiving first command information transmitted from the control device;
Control means for controlling the controlled device based on the first command information received by the first communication means;
Storage means for storing source information for identifying a control device that has transmitted the first command information in a storage unit;
Second communication means for receiving second command information different from the first command information via a network;
Comprising source information for identifying the control device that has transmitted the second command information received by the second communication means, and comparison means for comparing the source information stored in the storage unit;
The control means performs control based on the second command information when the control device that transmitted the first command information and the second command information is the same as a result of the comparison by the comparison means. A controlled device that is characterized.   The controlled device according to claim 1, wherein the second command information is information for controlling a power source.   The controlled device according to claim 1, wherein the second command information is information for controlling an operation mode.   The first communication means receives source information that identifies the control device that transmitted the first command information, and the second communication means originates that identifies the control device that transmitted the second command information. The controlled device according to claim 1, wherein original information is received.   A plurality of controlled devices according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a control device that has transmitted the second command information and the second command information to the plurality of controlled devices. A communication system, wherein a communication converter for transmitting source information is connected via the network. A first communication step of receiving first command information transmitted from the control device;
A control step of controlling the controlled device based on the first command information received in the first communication step;
A storage step of storing in the storage unit transmission source information that identifies the control device that has transmitted the first command information;
A second communication step of receiving second command information different from the first command information via a network;
A source information for identifying the control device that has transmitted the second command information received in the second communication step, and a comparison step for comparing the source information stored in the storage unit,
In the control step, when the control device that transmitted the first command information and the second command information is the same as a result of the comparison in the comparison step, the control is performed based on the second command information. A control method in a controlled device characterized by the above.   The control method in the controlled device according to claim 6, wherein the second command information is information for controlling a power source.   The control method in the controlled device according to claim 6, wherein the second command information is information for controlling an operation mode.   In the first communication step, source information specifying the control device that transmitted the first command information is received, and in the second communication step, the control device that transmitted the second command information is specified. The control method in the controlled device according to claim 6, wherein the source information to be received is received. A first communication step of receiving first command information transmitted from the control device;
A control step of controlling the controlled device based on the first command information received in the first communication step;
A storage step of storing in the storage unit transmission source information that identifies the control device that has transmitted the first command information;
A second communication step of receiving second command information different from the first command information via a network;
Causing the computer to execute source information for identifying the control device that has transmitted the second command information received in the second communication step and a comparison step for comparing the source information stored in the storage unit ,
In the control step, when the control device that transmitted the first command information and the second command information is the same as a result of the comparison in the comparison step, control based on the second command information is performed. A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the program.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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