JP2013106156A - Apparatus controller, control program, recording medium, apparatus control method, and apparatus control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify identification information of a target apparatus without putting a burden on a user and without change in the appearance of the target apparatus, thereby controlling the target apparatus using the identification information.SOLUTION: A controller 10 comprises: an image analyzer 123 for generating feature information of a reproduction apparatus; an apparatus identification unit 121 which identifies an apparatus name corresponding to the feature information by referring to a reproduction apparatus correspondence relation table 110; and an external apparatus control unit 120 which controls the reproduction apparatus using the apparatus name.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for causing an electronic device to recognize and control the target device, and more specifically, identifies identification information for the electronic device to recognize the target device, and controls the target device using the identification information. Regarding technology.

  With the spread of the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard, etc., the server device (for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, etc.) having a server function for providing content to a partner device on a home network can be played back. Opportunities for connecting and cooperating with other devices (for example, AV devices such as televisions, audio devices, recording devices, etc.) that copy / move via a network are increasing. For example, a function has been developed in which a smartphone serves as a server device, a television serves as a counterpart device, and content such as photos, music, and videos provided by the smartphone is played on the television.

  When the server device and the partner device are linked, it is necessary to determine in advance with which partner device the content in the server device is played (or copied or moved). That is, it is necessary to specify the counterpart device in advance.

  Normally, before using the home network linkage function, a device in the home network is searched for with a control device for specifying the counterpart device, and one device to be used as the counterpart device is selected from the displayed list.

  However, as home network cooperation functions become widespread, the number of network-compatible devices existing in the home is also increasing. Therefore, the number of displayed devices may increase. In addition, since the displayed list is usually displayed as a device serial number, a product number, or the like, it is difficult for the user to know which serial number corresponds to which device.

  In such a device, the counterpart device can be registered. However, even if such a registration is performed, it may be necessary to reproduce the contents of the server device by a device that is not registered. In such a case, it is necessary to make the selection as described above, and the operation becomes complicated.

  As prior art documents for solving such problems, for example, the following Patent Documents 1 to 3 can be cited.

  In Patent Document 1, second identification information (another name) that is easy for a user to recognize is given to a home network device so that the user can specify a desired device.

  In Patent Document 2, a barcode is affixed to a housing of a device, and the device is identified by photographing the barcode with a camera of a portable information processing terminal.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, an information code image is displayed on a display of a device, and the user is identified by photographing the information code image with an electronic camera.

JP 2003-283524 A (released on October 3, 2003) JP 2001-142825 A (released May 25, 2001) JP 2007-274567 A (released on October 18, 2007)

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the user forgets which alias is given to which device, the user cannot select the desired device, so the user can remember the alias reliably. It is necessary to keep. Moreover, the work of setting an alias for each device is a troublesome work for many users. That is, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that a burden on the user is generated.

  Further, the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 do not cause the problem as described in Patent Document 1, but in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, a barcode must be attached to the casing of the device. Must detract from the aesthetics of the equipment. Further, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 cannot be applied to selection of a device that does not have a display. That is, the techniques of these documents have a problem in that it is necessary to change the appearance of the device.

  As described above, in the conventional technology, even when the user wants to select a device in front of the user, it is not easy for the electronic device to recognize the device, and thus it is difficult to select the device. there were.

  In other words, when there is a certain target device, the user can recognize it visually, but the electronic device cannot recognize it, so in order to make the electronic device recognize this target device, It is necessary for the device to specify identification information for identifying the target device. In the prior art, in order to identify such identification information to the device, the identification information and the device alias are associated with each other so that the device can be selected from the alias (Patent Document 1), or the identification information is shown. Although barcodes are pasted (Patent Document 2) and identification information is displayed on a display (Patent Document 3), there are problems as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to identify identification information of a target device without imposing a burden on the user and without changing the appearance of the target device. The object is to provide a specific device or the like that can control the target device using information.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the device control apparatus according to the present invention specifies identification information for an electronic device to identify the target device for the target device, and controls the target device using the identification information. A device control device, wherein a feature information generating unit that generates feature information indicating an appearance feature of the target device based on an image obtained by photographing the target device, and an appearance of the device for each of the identification information candidates Identification information specifying means for specifying identification information corresponding to the feature information generated by the feature information generating means as identification information of the target device with reference to correspondence information associated with information indicating the above features; And a target device control means for controlling the target device using the identification information specified by the identification information specifying means.

  In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the device control method of the present invention specifies identification information for the electronic device to identify the target device, and controls the target device using the identification information. A device control method by a device control apparatus that performs a feature information generation step for generating feature information indicating an appearance feature of the target device based on an image obtained by photographing the target device, and for each candidate for the identification information The identification information corresponding to the feature information generated in the feature information generation step is specified as the identification information of the target device with reference to the correspondence information associated with the information indicating the appearance feature of the device. An identification information specifying step; and a target device control step of controlling the target device using the identification information specified in the identification information specifying step.

  In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the device control system of the present invention specifies identification information for an electronic device to identify the target device, and controls the target device using the identification information. A feature information generating device that generates feature information indicating an appearance feature of the target device based on an image obtained by capturing the target device, and for each of the identification information candidates, The identification information corresponding to the feature information generated by the feature information generation device is identified as the identification information of the target device with reference to the correspondence information associated with the information indicating the appearance feature, and the identification information And a device control device for controlling the target device using the.

  According to said structure, the feature information which shows the characteristic on the external appearance of an object apparatus is produced | generated based on the image which image | photographed the object apparatus. Then, with reference to the correspondence information, identification information corresponding to the generated feature information is specified as identification information of the target device, and the target device is controlled using the identification information.

  Therefore, the user can specify the identification information of the target device on the device control device by an extremely simple operation of inputting an image obtained by photographing the target device to the specifying device. In addition, since identification information is specified based on the appearance characteristics of the target device, the identification information can also be obtained for target devices that do not have a display without damaging the appearance of the target device as in the prior art where barcodes are pasted. Can be specified.

  In other words, according to the above configuration, the identification information of the target device can be specified and the target device can be controlled using the identification information without imposing a burden on the user and without changing the appearance of the target device. There is an effect that can be done.

  The identification information specifying means preferably displays the specified identification information in association with the target device in the image.

  According to the above configuration, the user can recognize at a glance the association between the target device and its identification information. Thereby, for example, when the association between the target device and its identification information is incorrect, the user can be made aware of this.

  The device control apparatus includes: an input unit that receives a user input operation; and when the input unit receives an input operation on the target device in a displayed image, the target device control unit It is preferable to control the target device using the identification information specified by the identification information specifying means.

  According to said structure, when input operation with respect to the target apparatus in the displayed image is received, control with respect to the target apparatus is performed using identification information. Therefore, the user can control the operation of the target device with an intuitive operation of performing an input operation on the target device in the image.

  In addition, the device control apparatus acquires an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information that is a candidate for the identification information of the target device when the identification information specifying unit cannot identify the identification information corresponding to the feature information. Correspondence information generating means for generating correspondence information by associating the feature information generated by the feature information generation means with identification information selected from identification information candidates acquired by the identification information acquisition means; It is preferable to provide.

  According to said structure, when the identification information corresponding to the produced | generated feature information cannot be specified, the identification information used as the candidate of the identification information of a target apparatus is acquired. Then, correspondence information is generated by associating the generated feature information with the identification information selected from the acquired identification information candidates.

  That is, according to the above configuration, when the target device is a device in which the feature information and the identification information are not registered in association with the correspondence information, the correspondence information is generated. Therefore, after the correspondence information is generated, the identification information can be specified from the image of the target device.

  Further, the device control apparatus uses the design information in which the identification information of the device and the design information indicating the appearance of the device are associated with each other, and the feature information generated by the feature information generation unit. It is preferable to include candidate extraction means for extracting identification information associated with the feature information from identification information candidates acquired by the identification information acquisition means.

  According to the above configuration, from the acquired identification information candidates using the design information in which the identification information of the device is associated with the design information indicating the appearance of the device, and the generated feature information. Extract identification information.

  Here, design information (for example, shape, color, etc.) that determines the appearance of the device is determined according to the model, manufacturer, model number, and the like. For this reason, by using the design information and the feature information, the device identification information corresponding to the feature information can be extracted from the identification information candidates.

  As a result, identification information that is likely to correspond to the target device is extracted from the identification information candidates. That is, identification information candidates can be narrowed down. Therefore, the user can easily select the identification information as compared with the case of selecting from all the identification information candidates.

  In addition, the information indicating the feature on the appearance of the device included in the correspondence information includes positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the target device and another device, and the feature information generation unit includes an image of the target device. The feature information including the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the other devices included in the target device and the target device is generated, and the identification information specifying unit is included in the feature information generated by the feature information generating unit in the correspondence information. It is preferable that identification information associated with positional relationship information that matches the positional relationship information to be identified is specified as the identification information of the target device.

  According to the above configuration, since the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the target device and the other device is used, for example, the target device has a feature point that can be clearly distinguished from the other device in its appearance. Even in such a case, the identification information of the target device can be specified. The other device is preferably a device whose identification information is specified by the correspondence information. Thereby, since identification information can be specified based on the positional relationship between a target apparatus and a specific apparatus, specific precision can be improved.

  The device control apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for realizing the device control apparatus by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit of the device control apparatus, and A computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  Further, a television receiver equipped with the device control device has the same effects as the device control device.

  As described above, the device control apparatus according to the present invention specifies the identification information for the electronic device to identify the target device for the target device, and controls the target device using the identification information. The feature information generating means for generating feature information indicating the feature of the target device on the basis of an image obtained by photographing the target device, and the feature of the device for each identification information candidate The identification information specifying means for specifying the identification information corresponding to the feature information generated by the feature information generation means as the identification information of the target device, with reference to the correspondence information associated with the information indicating And a target device control unit that controls the target device using the identification information specified by the information specifying unit.

  The device control method according to the present invention also provides device control by a device control device that identifies identification information for an electronic device to identify the target device and controls the target device using the identification information. A feature information generating step for generating feature information indicating features on the appearance of the target device based on an image obtained by photographing the target device; and for each of the identification information candidates, An identification information identifying step for identifying identification information corresponding to the feature information generated in the feature information generation step as identification information of the target device with reference to correspondence information associated with information indicating a feature; And a target device control step for controlling the target device using the identification information specified in the identification information specifying step.

  In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the device control system of the present invention specifies identification information for an electronic device to identify the target device, and controls the target device using the identification information. A feature information generating device that generates feature information indicating an appearance feature of the target device based on an image obtained by capturing the target device, and for each of the identification information candidates, The identification information corresponding to the feature information generated by the feature information generation device is identified as the identification information of the target device with reference to the correspondence information associated with the information indicating the appearance feature, and the identification information And a device control device that controls the target device using the.

  Therefore, the identification information of the target device can be specified and the target device can be controlled using the identification information without imposing a burden on the user and without changing the appearance of the target device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the home network which concerns on the said embodiment. FIG. 10 is a transition diagram of a screen displayed by the control device when selecting content in the server device with the control device and selecting a playback device for playing back the selected content. It is a transition diagram of a screen displayed by the control device in the first process. It is the transition diagram of the screen which the said control apparatus displays in the process after the 2nd time. It is a figure which shows an example of the reproduction | regeneration apparatus corresponding | compatible relationship table which the said control apparatus uses for identification of a reproduction | regeneration apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the said reproducing | regenerating apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process from selection of the reproduction | regeneration apparatus performed by the said control apparatus to making a selected reproduction | regeneration apparatus perform reproduction | regeneration. It is a figure which shows the system structural example of the home network corresponding to the DLNA specification which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a transition diagram of a screen displayed by the control device according to the other embodiment in the first process. It is a figure which shows an example of the design information table which matched the information on the design which shows the external appearance of the reproduction | regeneration apparatus, and apparatus specific information which the said control apparatus uses for narrowing down reproduction | regeneration apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process after the said control apparatus acquires the image | video of a reproduction | regeneration apparatus, and reproduces | regenerates with a reproduction | regeneration apparatus.

[First Embodiment]
A control device (device control apparatus) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(System configuration)
Since the control device 10 according to the present embodiment is used by being connected to a home network, first, the system configuration of the home network will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a home network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, this system includes a control device 10, a server device 20, a router 30, a playback device (target device) 40, a playback device 50, and a playback device 60. These devices are communicably connected to each other to form a home network. Here, an example will be described in which the control device 10, the server device 20, and the playback devices 40, 50, and 60 are all DLNA-compatible devices, and a home network is configured by DLNA.

  The control device 10 displays a content list of the server device 20, determines a content to be reproduced by a user operation, specifies a reproduction device, and transmits the content to be reproduced to the reproduction device. That is, it is called DMC (Digital Media Controller) in the DLNA standard. The control device 10 may be a smartphone, for example.

  The server device 20 transmits content to a playback device in the home network. That is, in the DLNA standard, this is called DMS (Digital Media Server).

  The router 30 is a device that relays communication in the home network, and also functions as a wireless access point. The control device 10 connects to the home network using this wireless access point function. The router 30 connects a different network such as the Internet and the home network.

  The playback devices 40, 50, 60 acquire content from the server device 20 and play it back. That is, in the DLNA standard, it is called DMP (Digital Media Player) or DMR (Digital Media Renderer). Here, it is assumed that the playback devices 40 and 50 play back photos, music, and videos. These playback devices may be televisions, for example. The playback device 60 is a device such as audio that plays back audio data such as music.

  Note that each device shown in FIG. 2 is not limited to being realized as a different device, and may be realized as a single device having a plurality of functions. When realized as one device, for example, if the control device 10 is a smartphone, it can also function as the server device 20.

(Outline of processing performed in home network)
When the user reproduces the content (photograph, music, video) in the server device 20, first, the control device 10 communicates via the router 30 to reproduce the content in the server device 20. Select the content you want. Also, the playback device (40, 50, 60) that plays the selected content is specified. Then, the control device 10 instructs the server device 20 to cause the content selected by the user to be transmitted to the playback device selected by the user and to be played back by the playback device.

  Although details will be described later, the control device 10 has a feature that the user can select the playback device very easily and reliably.

(Outline of control device processing)
Next, an outline of processing performed by the control device 10 when content is played back by the playback device will be described. As described above, in order to play back content on a playback device, the content to be played back is selected from the server device 20, and a playback device (one of the playback devices 40, 50, 60) that plays back the content is selected. .

(1. Processing to select content and playback equipment)
First, processing when the control device 10 selects content and playback devices will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a transition diagram of a screen displayed by the control device 10 when the control device 10 selects content in the server device 20 and selects a playback device that plays back the selected content.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the user first selects the server device 20 with content and the type of content on the screen D10 of the control device 10. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “server 2” and “photograph” on the screen D10. Thereby, the screen changes to D11.

  The screen D11 is a content selection screen. The user selects content to be reproduced on this screen D11. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “Photo 2”. When content is selected, the screen changes to D12.

  On the screen D12, the photograph selected by the user is displayed, and an option “reproduce with an external device” is presented to the user. Here, when the user selects “play with external device”, the control device 10 displays a screen D13 to display a list of playback devices stored in advance and “select with camera”. To the user.

  When the user selects “select with camera” on the screen D13, the camera included in the control device 10 is automatically activated. Then, the user puts the playback device he wants to select within the shooting range of the camera. As a result, the control device 10 identifies the playback device that has entered the shooting range, so that the user can easily select the playback device as a content playback device. The specification of the playback device by the camera will be described in detail below.

(2. Processing to specify playback equipment)
Next, a process for specifying a playback device from a captured video (image) will be described. In the control device 10, the processing for specifying the playback device from the captured video is different between the first processing and the second and subsequent processing.

  In the first process, feature points of the device are extracted from the captured video of the playback device, and feature information indicating the extracted feature points is generated. Then, the generated feature information is associated with device specifying information (identification information) indicating the playback device. This process is performed when a video of a playback device that has not yet been associated with these pieces of information is acquired by the camera. Although an example in which a device name is used as the device identification information will be described here, the device identification information is information that allows the electronic device such as the control device 10, the server device 20, and the playback devices 40, 50, and 60 to identify the device. Any uuid or the like may be used.

  In the first process, after the video of the playback device is acquired by the camera, a list of playback device names is displayed on the screen of the control device 10 and the user selects a device name corresponding to the playback device in the video. Then, the control device 10 associates the selected device name with the characteristic information of the reproduction device, and stores it in a reproduction device correspondence table (correspondence information, see FIG. 6) described later.

  In the second and subsequent processes, for the playback device in the video acquired by the camera, the feature information of the playback device and the device name of the playback device are already associated by the first process. Process. In the second and subsequent processes, after the user acquires the video of the playback device with the camera, the control device 10 recognizes the playback device from the video. Then, the device name of the playback device associated with the feature information of the playback device is read from the correspondence relationship stored in the first process, and is displayed superimposed on the video of the playback device.

  Hereinafter, the first process and the second and subsequent processes will be described in detail based on FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a transition diagram of screens displayed by the control device 10 in the first processing. FIG. 5 is a transition diagram of screens displayed by the control device 10 in the second and subsequent processes.

(2.1. Initial processing)
First, the first process will be described. When the user selects “select by camera” on the screen D13 shown in FIG. 2, the camera included in the control device 10 is activated and the acquisition of the video is started. Thereby, a screen D14 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

  On the screen D14, images of two television receivers (hereinafter simply referred to as televisions) are displayed. This is an image taken by a camera, and these televisions are playback devices. Since the feature information and the device name are not associated with each other in the above two televisions, a message prompting the association between the device video and the list (device name list) is displayed as illustrated. .

  When the user selects the first television on the screen D14, the screen transitions to the screen D15, and a device name list of playback devices in the home network is displayed. The user selects a device name corresponding to the first television on the screen D15. Here, it is assumed that “LC-20V5” is selected.

  When the device name is selected, the control device 10 generates feature information from the image of the first television from the features of the television (details will be described later, for example, size, installation location, color, etc.). Then, the generated feature information and the device name (“LC-20V5”) selected by the user are associated with each other and stored in a reproduction device correspondence table (FIG. 6) described later. Further, as shown on the screen D16, the user is notified of a message “correspondence saved” indicating that the association has been performed.

  As for the second television, the characteristic information and the device name “LC-60L5” are associated with each other and stored in a reproduction device correspondence table (FIG. 6) described later in the same manner as described above. As a result, as shown in the screen D17, the device name is displayed over the video of each television. Since the user selects a playback device from this screen, the user can select a desired device more easily and reliably than when selecting from the device name.

(2.2. Process after the second)
Next, the second and subsequent processes will be described with reference to FIG. When the user selects “Select by camera” on the screen D13 shown in FIG. 3, the camera included in the control device 10 is activated as described above. If the playback device enters the shooting range of the camera, a screen D18 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

  In the example of the screen D18, the camera acquires images of two televisions, and the two televisions are displayed. In each of the two televisions, since the feature information and the device name are associated with each other, the device name of the television is displayed in an overlapped manner on the television image.

  As described above, after the association is completed, the device name of the device that is in the shooting range of the camera is displayed by being superimposed on the image of the device acquired by the camera. Therefore, the user can easily and surely select a desired device based on the displayed video after confirming the device name of the device.

(Configuration of control equipment)
Below, the principal part structure of the control apparatus 10 is demonstrated based on FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the control device 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device 10 includes a storage unit 101, a control unit 102, a video acquisition unit 103, a display unit 104, an input unit 105, and a communication unit 106. Although not shown, the control device 10 further includes a distance sensor that measures the distance to the object and a position acquisition device (such as GPS) that acquires position information of the own device, in addition to the above-described units. May be.

  The storage unit 101 stores various data used by the control device 10, stores a playback device correspondence table 110, and includes a home network information storage unit 111.

  As described above, the playback device correspondence table 110 is information in which the feature information generated based on the video of the playback device is associated with the device identification information indicating the playback device. By referring to the playback device correspondence table 110, it is possible to specify the device identification information of the playback device in the video. That is, by referring to the playback device correspondence table 110, the control device 10 can recognize the playback device in the video.

  The home network information storage unit 111 stores information received from other devices connected to the home network. Specifically, a list of playback devices whose connections are detected in the home network is stored. In addition, information regarding the server device 20 in the home network and the contents of the server device 20 may also be stored in the home network information storage unit 111.

  The control unit 102 controls the functions of the control device 10 in an integrated manner, and includes an external device control unit (target device control unit) 120, a device identification unit (identification information identification unit) 121, and a playback device information management unit (identification). Information acquisition means, correspondence information generation means) 122, video analysis section (feature information generation means, feature information generation apparatus) 123, display control section 124, input control section 125, and communication control section 126.

  The external device control unit 120 controls a device external to the control device 10, more specifically, another device in the home network. Specifically, the external device control unit 120 transmits a command to the playback devices 40, 50, and 60 in FIG. 2 to cause the device to acquire content from the server device 20 and play it back.

  The device specifying unit 121 specifies device specifying information of a device external to the control device 10. Specifically, among the playback devices that can play back the content transmitted by the server device 20 (here, the playback devices 40, 50, and 60), the device whose video is acquired by the video acquisition unit 103 is the device. Identify specific information.

  The playback device information management unit 122 generates correspondence information by associating the feature information with the device identification information. Specifically, the feature information generated by the video analysis unit 123 and the device specifying information selected by the user are associated with each other and stored in the playback device correspondence table 110.

  The video analysis unit 123 analyzes the video input from the video acquisition unit 103, detects a playback device from the video, and generates feature information of the detected playback device. This feature information indicates the appearance characteristics of the playback device and may be any information that can identify and detect a specific device from the video. For example, it may be information indicating the color of the playback device or information indicating the shape.

  When the control device 10 includes a distance sensor, the video analysis unit 123 determines the actual playback device based on the distance to the playback device measured by the distance sensor and the size of the playback device in the video. The size may be estimated and generated as feature information.

  Note that the feature information is not limited to information indicating the appearance characteristics of the playback device itself, but may be related to the background of the playback device in the video. This is because there are many regenerative devices such as televisions, and the background when such devices are photographed is generally unchanged. For example, when the video acquisition unit 103 acquires videos of a plurality of playback devices, a position indicating a positional relationship between the playback device to be registered and a playback device in the vicinity thereof (for example, right adjacent, left adjacent, etc.) The relationship information may be generated as feature information.

  Further, when the control device 10 includes a position acquisition device, the position information acquired by the position acquisition device may be stored as information for supplementing the feature information. Thereby, for example, when playback devices having the same external appearance are in different positions (for example, different rooms), these devices can be distinguished.

  The display control unit 124 causes the display unit 104 to display an image (moving image or still image). In addition, the input control unit 125 generates control information indicating the content of the input operation received by the input unit 105 and transmits the control information to other components in the control unit 102 such as the device specifying unit 121. The communication control unit 126 controls communication via the communication unit 106.

  The video acquisition unit 103 is for taking an image. Here, description will be made assuming that the video acquisition unit 103 is a camera capable of capturing a still image. In the control device 10, the video acquisition unit 103 is used to acquire the video of the playback device that is desired to be selected.

  The display unit 104 displays an image, and the input unit 105 receives a user input operation. These may be integrally configured as a touch panel.

  The communication unit 106 is an interface for the control device 10 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the control device 10 communicates with other devices (the server device 20 and the playback devices 40, 50, 60) in the home network via the communication unit 106. It is also possible to connect to an external network such as the Internet via the communication unit 106.

(Reproduction equipment correspondence table)
Next, the playback device correspondence table 110 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a playback device correspondence table.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the playback device correspondence table 110, playback device IDs are associated with sizes, installation locations, colors, and neighboring playback device IDs as feature information of playback devices. In addition, an identification ID (unique ID, uid) and a device name are associated as device specifying information of the playback device.

  “Size” is information indicating the size of the playback device, and describes a value calculated from the distance from the own device to the playback device and the size of the playback device in the video during the first processing. When using the size as the feature information, the control device 10 needs to include means for specifying the distance to the object, such as the distance sensor described above.

  “Installation location” is information indicating the installation location of the playback device, and describes the location information of the control device 10 acquired from the location acquisition device such as GPS in the first processing. In this way, information obtained from other than the captured video may be included in the playback device correspondence table 110. Thereby, the accuracy of the feature information can be improved as compared with the case where only the information obtained from the captured video is used. In addition, when the user acquires the video of the playback device with the camera, the playback device and the control device 10 are in a close positional relationship. Therefore, it is practically problematic to use the position information of the control device 10 as the installation location of the playback device. Absent.

  “Color” is information indicating the color of the playback device. In the first processing, the device recognizes the device in the image by analyzing the image captured by the camera, and further sets the color of each part. A value (for example, a color code) obtained by specifying is described.

  In “Nearby playback device ID”, the playback device ID of a playback device in the vicinity of the playback device displayed on the screen is described. This is because when the installation location of the playback device does not change frequently, the playback device can be specified based on the positional relationship with the playback device in the vicinity. The “neighboring playback device ID” may be specified as follows. That is, when a plurality of playback devices are detected in the video, feature information is generated by extracting feature points for each device other than the device to be registered. Further, it is confirmed whether or not this feature information is already registered in the playback device correspondence table 110. If the device is registered, it is described as “neighboring playback device ID” together with the ID of the device and information indicating in which direction the device is to be registered.

  In “device name”, the device name selected from the device name list by the user is described. In “uuid”, the unique ID of the playback device identified by the selected device name is described. The device name and uuid can be acquired by communicating with the playback device via the home network.

(Configuration of playback equipment)
Below, the principal part structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus is demonstrated. Since the playback devices 40, 50, and 60 all have the same essential parts, the playback device 40 will be described as an example here with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the playback device 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the playback device 40 includes an audio output unit 201, a video / audio control unit 202, a display unit 203, a communication unit 204, a communication control unit 205, and a storage unit 206. .

  The audio output unit 201 outputs audio, and can be configured by, for example, a speaker.

  The video / audio control unit 202 performs control for causing the audio output unit 201 to output audio, and performs control for causing the display unit 203 described below to output video. Of course, audio output control and video output control may be performed in separate blocks.

  The display unit 203 displays an image and can be configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display.

  The communication unit 204 is an interface for the playback device 40 to communicate with an external device. Specifically, the playback device 40 communicates with the control device 10 and the server device 20 via the communication unit 204.

  The communication control unit 205 controls the communication unit 204 to transmit and receive information.

  The storage unit 206 stores various data used by the playback device 40, and includes a home network information storage unit 207. The home network information storage unit 207 stores information received by the communication unit 204 from the home network. For example, the content downloaded from the server device 20 is temporarily stored in the home network information tube storage 206.

(Process flow)
As described with reference to FIG. 3, when content is played back on a playback device, the content is first selected. After that, when “select with camera” is selected, a playback device is selected using video captured by the camera. In the following, the flow of processing from when “select with camera” is selected until the content is played back by the playback device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from selection of a playback device until the selected playback device performs playback.

  When the external device control unit 120 receives from the input control unit 125 a control signal indicating that an input operation for selecting “select with camera” has been performed, the external device control unit 120 instructs the device specifying unit 121 to specify the device. Upon receiving this instruction, the device identification unit 121 activates the video acquisition unit 103 and acquires the video of the playback device (S101). The video acquired by the video acquisition unit 103 is displayed on the display unit 104 by the display control unit 124. The video acquisition unit 103 may be activated by the user.

  Subsequently, the device specifying unit 121 instructs the video analysis unit 123 to analyze the video of the playback device acquired by the video acquisition unit 103. Upon receiving this instruction, the video analysis unit 123 analyzes the acquired video (S102; feature information generation step). The result is notified to the device identification unit 121. Specifically, it recognizes a playback device in the video, generates feature information (information indicating color, size, shape, etc.) of the playback device, and transmits the generated feature information to the device specifying unit 121.

  The device specifying unit 121 that has received the feature information refers to the playback device correspondence table 110 and determines whether a device corresponding to the received feature information is registered (S103; identification information specifying step). Specifically, the device specifying unit 121 determines whether or not feature information that matches the received feature information is registered in the playback device correspondence table 110. Note that the feature information does not have to be completely matched. If they match to a degree that satisfies a preset criterion, it is determined that the feature information matches. When the feature information matches, the device name associated with the feature information is specified as the device name of the device.

  If it is determined that a registered device has not been detected (No in S103), the device specifying unit 121 causes the playback device information management unit 122 to register the device in the playback device correspondence table 110. Instruct. At this time, the feature information received from the video analysis unit 123 is transmitted to the playback device information management unit 122.

  Upon receiving the above instruction, the playback device information management unit 122 acquires a list of playback devices in the home network (S104). Multicast technology can be used to detect playback devices in the home network. The playback device list acquired here includes a device name and a unique ID (uuid).

  Then, the playback device information management unit 122 instructs the display control unit 124 to display the playback device list (list of device names) acquired in S104 on the display unit 104. In addition, a message that prompts the user to associate the device from which the video has been acquired with the device name (character string) of the device included in the playback device list is displayed (S105).

  When the user performs an input operation on the input unit 105 in accordance with this message and selects a device name, a control signal to that effect is transmitted from the input control unit 125 to the playback device information management unit 122. Therefore, the playback device information management unit 122 The device name selected based on is specified. Then, the device name and the feature information of the device generated by the video analysis unit 123 are associated with each other and registered in the reproduction device correspondence table 110 (S106). At this time, a unique ID is acquired from the playback device list acquired in S104, and this is also registered in the playback device correspondence table 110. Then, the playback device ID is added to these pieces of information. As a result, a playback device correspondence table 110 as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained.

  When the registration is completed, the playback device information management unit 122 notifies the fact, and the device specifying unit 121 that has received this notification refers to the playback device correspondence table 110 in which the device has been newly registered, and again checks the device. To identify.

  Then, the device identification unit 121 reads the device name of the detected device from the playback device correspondence table 110, instructs the display control unit 124 to superimpose the device name on the playback device displayed on the display unit 104, and displays it. (S107). The position where the device name is displayed need only be a position where the user can understand the correspondence between the device name and the device in the video, and does not necessarily have to be superimposed. Further, the re-specification of the device after S106 may be omitted, and the process may proceed to S107, and the device name registered by the playback device information management unit 122 may be displayed.

  When an input operation for selecting a playback device is performed on the input unit 105, a control signal indicating that is transmitted from the input control unit 125 to the external device control unit 120. Here, when the input unit 105 is a touch panel, it is preferable to detect a touch operation on the video of the playback device as an input operation for selecting the playback device. Thereby, the user can select the playback device by an intuitive operation.

  Then, the external device control unit 120 creates a reproduction command including a URL indicating the storage location of the content, and transmits this to the communication unit 106 (S108, target device control step). The URL can be acquired from the server device 20. Here, it is assumed that the playback device 40 in FIG. 7 is selected.

  Then, in the playback device 40 that receives the playback command transmitted in S108, the home network information storage unit 207 temporarily stores the content from the URL in the playback command via the communication unit 204 under the control of the communication control unit 205. Download to. Then, the video / audio control unit 202 outputs the content video by the display unit 203 and also outputs the audio of the content by the audio output unit 201 to reproduce the content (S109).

  In S103, when the device specifying unit 121 determines that the feature information of the playback device in the video is registered (Yes in S103), the process directly proceeds to S107, and the device name is assigned to the playback device in the video. Are superimposed and displayed (S107).

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the example in which the user selects the device identification information to be registered from the list of device identification information (device name) in the first process has been described. However, some users may find it difficult to select from a list of device names in which character strings are arranged.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, in the initial processing, the control device narrows down device name candidates and presents them to the user, and allows the user to select from the presented candidates. In this way, by making a selection from candidates narrowed down by the control device, registration by the user can be facilitated.

  Below, the control apparatus 70 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. 9-13. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment, the same member number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

(System configuration)
First, the system configuration of the home network according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a home network according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the system configuration of the home network according to the present embodiment is the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment, except that the device database 80 exists on the Internet.

  The device database 80 stores a design information table (design information) in which device specifying information of a playback device is associated with design information indicating the appearance of the playback device. For example, a design information table (details will be described later) as shown in FIG. 11 is stored.

(Outline of control device processing)
Next, an outline of processing performed by the control device 70 when content is played back by the playback device will be described. Similarly to the control device 10, the control device 70 selects a content to be played from the server device 20 and plays back the content (playback devices 40, 50, 60) in order to play the content on the playback device. Any).

(1. Processing to select content and playback equipment)
Since the processing when the content and playback device (target device) are selected by the control device 70 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Below, it demonstrates centering on the process which specifies a reproduction | regeneration apparatus.

(2. Processing to specify playback equipment)
Next, processing for specifying a playback device will be described with reference to FIG. In the control device 70, the process of specifying the playback device with the camera is different between the first process and the second and subsequent processes, as described in the first embodiment. Since the second and subsequent processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and in this embodiment, the first process will be described.

(2.1. Initial processing)
First, when “select with camera” is selected on the screen of D13 in FIG. 3, the video of the playback device is acquired by the camera built in the control device 70, and a screen D21 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. . As shown in the figure, it is assumed here that the camera acquires the images of two television sets, and the first television set is selected.

  When the television is selected, the screen transitions to the screen D22, and the device name corresponding to the first television is displayed. Specifically, the control device 70 first generates feature information of the first television from an image acquired by the camera. In addition, a design information table (see FIG. 11, details will be described later) stored in the device database 80 is acquired via the Internet.

  Then, with reference to this design information table, the device specifying information (here, the device name) associated with the information corresponding to the generated feature information is specified, and it becomes a candidate for the device name of the first television. It is displayed on the display unit as a candidate name.

  Note that a series of processing for identifying candidate names from video acquired by the camera may be performed entirely by the control device 70 as in the above example, or may be partly shared by other devices. For example, the control device 70 may upload the video of the playback device to the Internet and cause a service on the Internet to generate feature information from the uploaded video and specify candidate names from the device database 80. Good. And you may receive a candidate name from the said service. Also, the control device 70 uploads the extracted feature information to the Internet, causes the service on the Internet to perform processing for specifying candidate names corresponding to the extracted information from the device database 80, and receives the specified result. May be. In this case, the amount of transmission data can be reduced compared to a method for transmitting video. That is, these series of processes can be realized by a system constituted by a plurality of devices distributed on a network.

  The design information table may be stored in the control device 70 in advance. That is, the control device 70 may specify a candidate name of a device that has acquired an image with a camera, using a design information table stored by itself. In this case, it is not necessary to connect to the Internet. Further, for example, a design information table for a playback device of the same manufacturer as the control device 70 may be stored in advance. If the same manufacturer, information on the design of the device can be easily obtained and used freely, and it is easy for the user to register the device by arranging the manufacturer of the control device 70 and the playback device. There are benefits.

  Returning to FIG. 10, on the screen D22, the candidate name of the first television (device specifying information specified in the design information table) is displayed, and the user is allowed to select whether or not the candidate name is correct. When the user selects “Yes”, the control device 70 associates the feature information of the first television with the candidate name and stores them in the reproduction device correspondence table as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the screen transitions to a screen D23, and a message “correspondence saved” is notified to the user.

  On the other hand, when the user selects “No” on the screen D22, the screen transitions to the screen D25, and the home playback device list is displayed. Since the selection from this list is the same as in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The second television is registered in the reproduction device correspondence table (FIG. 6) in the same manner as described above. As a result, as shown on the screen D24, the device name is superimposed on the video of each television.

(3. Design information table)
Next, the design information table will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a design information table in which design information indicating the appearance of a playback device is associated with device identification information.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the design information table, a device name is described as device specifying information. In addition, “size”, “color”, and “feature” are described as design information indicating the appearance of the playback device.

  Among these, “size” and “color” are information included in the feature information of the playback device correspondence table 110 (see FIG. 6). As described above, the design information table includes information related to the same attribute as the playback device correspondence table 110, and the difference in specifying the candidate name using the design information table is compared with the information related to the same attribute. Determine if they match.

  The “feature” is information indicating other external features of the playback device. By using such information, the accuracy of specifying the playback device can be increased. For example, for a playback device with a golden logo mark in the lower left corner of the bezel, if the same feature is extracted from the video by describing this external feature, the device belongs to the model. Can be estimated.

  Here, some playback devices change in appearance according to their operating state. For example, in a playback device including an LED that indicates an operation state by color, the color of the LED changes according to the operation state. Therefore, in order to increase the specific accuracy by “color” for such a playback device, information indicating that there is a variation in color change for the specific part is described in “feature” as shown in the example in the figure. It may be left.

(Configuration of control equipment)
Below, the principal part structure of the control apparatus 70 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the control device 70. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the control device 70 has the same configuration as the control device 10 according to the first embodiment except that the control device 70 further includes a candidate extraction unit (candidate extraction unit) 127.

  The candidate extraction unit 127 estimates the playback device based on the playback device feature information generated by the video analysis unit 123, and displays the estimated device name of the playback device as a candidate name. Specifically, the candidate extraction unit 127 instructs the communication control unit 126 to acquire the design information table (FIG. 11) from the device database 80 on the Internet via the communication unit 106, and the home network information storage unit 111. To save. Then, the candidate extraction unit 127 refers to the design information table, extracts a device name corresponding to the feature information generated by the video analysis unit 123, and displays it as a candidate name.

(Process flow)
Next, a flow until content is played back by a playback device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing from when the video acquisition unit 103 acquires the video of the playback device to playback on the playback device. Note that S201 to S204 and S212 to S216 in the flowchart of FIG. 13 are the same processes as S101 to S109 in the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, first, in the control device 70, the camera, that is, the video acquisition unit 103 acquires the video of the playback device (S201). Then, the display control unit 124 causes the display unit 104 to display the video of the playback device acquired by the video acquisition unit 103.

  Next, the video analysis unit 123 analyzes the video of the playback device acquired by the video acquisition unit 103 and generates feature information of the playback device (S202; feature information generation step). Then, the device specifying unit 121 refers to the playback device correspondence table 110 and determines whether a device corresponding to the feature information received from the video analysis unit 123 is registered (S203; identification information specifying step).

  If the device specifying unit 121 determines that no registered device has been detected (No in S203), the device specifying unit 121 instructs the playback device information management unit 122 to register the detected device in the playback device correspondence table 110. To do. Upon receiving this instruction, the playback device information management unit 122 acquires a list of playback devices in the home network (S204).

  Here, the playback device information management unit 122 transmits the feature information generated by the analysis of S202 to the candidate extraction unit 127, and instructs extraction of a candidate name corresponding to the feature information.

  Upon receiving this instruction, the candidate extraction unit 127 acquires the design information table (FIG. 11) from the device database 80 on the Internet via the communication control unit 126 and the communication unit 106, and the home network information storage unit 111. (S205). It is assumed that information (URL or the like) for acquiring the design information table from the device database 80 is stored in advance in the storage unit 101 or the like of the control device 70.

  Next, the candidate extraction unit 127 searches for the device corresponding to the feature information generated by the analysis of S202 from the acquired design information table (S206). This search compares items (size and size, color and color, etc.) related to the same attribute between the items of design information indicating the appearance of the device included in the design information table and the items included in the feature information. Is done. That is, a device in which information that matches feature information at a certain ratio or more is associated is detected.

  Next, the candidate extraction unit 127 determines whether or not a device has been extracted from the design information table by the above search (S207). If the candidate extraction unit 127 determines that a device has been detected (Yes in S207), the candidate extraction unit 127 instructs the display control unit 124 to display the device name of the detected device on the display unit 104 as a candidate name (S208). .

  From the display screen displayed in this way, the user selects whether the candidate name is correct as the name of the device in the video (see D22 in FIG. 10). Therefore, the candidate extraction unit 127 determines whether the candidate name is correct based on the information received from the input unit 105 and the input control unit 125 that have received the user's selection operation (S209).

  If the candidate extraction unit 127 determines that the candidate name is correct (Yes in S209), the candidate extraction unit 127 transmits the candidate name to the playback device information management unit 122. Then, the playback device information management unit 122 stores the candidate name as the device name of the device in the playback device correspondence table (S210).

  Further, the candidate extraction unit 127 instructs the display control unit 124 to superimpose and display the candidate name on the playback device in the video (S211). It should be noted that the device specifying unit 121 performs re-specification using the playback device correspondence table 110 in which the candidate names are registered as device names, thereby displaying the device name superimposed on the video of the playback device. Also good.

  Thereafter, when an input operation for selecting a playback device is performed on the input unit 105, the external device control unit 120 creates a playback command including a URL indicating the storage location of the content, and sends the playback command to the communication unit 106. Transmit (S215, target device control step). Then, the playback device that has received the playback command transmitted in S215 downloads the content from the URL in the playback command and plays it back (S216).

  In S203, if the device specifying unit 121 determines that the feature information of the playback device in the video is registered (Yes in S203), the process directly proceeds to S214, and the device name is assigned to the playback device in the video. Are superimposed and displayed (S214).

  If it is determined in S207 that no device has been detected (No in S207), and if it is determined in S209 that the candidate name is not correct (No in S209), the candidate extraction unit 127 notifies that fact. The reproduction device information management unit 122 is notified, and the process proceeds to S212.

  In S212, the playback device information management unit 122 displays the playback device list (list of device names) acquired in S204 on the display unit 104, and prompts the user to associate with the video (S212). Then, the device name selected by the user is associated with the feature information generated by the video analysis unit 123 and registered in the playback device correspondence table 110 (S213). As a result, the registered device name is superimposed on the playback device in the video (S214), and when a playback device is selected on this display screen, the process proceeds to S215.

[Modification]
The example in which the control devices 10 and 70 select the content playback device has been described above, but the selection target is not limited to the content playback device. For example, it can be used to select a copy destination and a move destination of content. It can also be used when the user simply wants to know the name of the device. In other words, the control devices 10 and 70 identify the device identification information of the device from the device image, in other words, enable the electronic device to recognize the device in the image. The process performed using apparatus specific information is not specifically limited. For this reason, the application range of the present invention is not limited to a control device that controls devices on a network.

  The control devices 10 and 70 may be portable devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and PDAs, or stationary devices such as televisions. In recent years, televisions equipped with a camera for making a videophone call via the Internet are also commercially available. Therefore, the present invention is applied to such a television, and the television is used to recognize other devices. It is also possible. That is, a television receiver including a device information specifying device such as the control devices 10 and 70 is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, the example in which the video acquisition unit 103 included in the control devices 10 and 70 is a camera has been described above. However, the video acquisition unit 103 is not limited to this as long as it acquires video of the target device. . For example, the video acquisition unit 103 may receive video captured by a camera separate from the control devices 10 and 70 by wired or wireless communication.

  Furthermore, in the above description, an example in which feature points are extracted while the playback device is within the shooting range of the camera (the shutter is not released) is shown. It does not have to be limited to this as long as it is reflected. For example, feature points may be extracted from a still image recorded with the shutter released, or a feature image may be extracted from a recorded moving image by capturing a moving image of a playback device.

  In the above description, the control devices 10 and 70 include the device specifying unit 121 and the video analysis unit 123. However, even in a system in which these components are distributed on the network, The same effects as the control devices 10 and 70 are obtained. That is, a device control system including a device specifying device having the function of the device specifying unit 121 and a specific information generating device having the function of the video analysis unit 123 is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[Supplement]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the control devices 10 and 70, in particular, the control unit 102 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the control devices 10 and 70 are storage devices such as a CPU that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM that stores the program, a RAM that expands the program, a memory that stores the program and various data, and the like. (Recording medium). An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the control devices 10 and 70, which are software for realizing the functions described above, are recorded in a computer-readable manner Can also be achieved by reading the program code recorded on the recording medium and executing it by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The control devices 10 and 70 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention can be used for a device that identifies a counterpart device. In particular, it can be suitably used for mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, and PDAs.

10, 70 Control device (device control device)
40, 50, 60 Playback equipment (target equipment)
105 Input unit 110 Playback device correspondence table (correspondence information)
120 External device control unit (target device control means)
121 Device identification unit (identification information identification means)
122 Playback device information management unit (identification information acquisition means, correspondence information generation means)
123 Video analysis unit (feature information generation means, feature information generation device)
127 Candidate extraction unit (candidate extraction means)

Claims (11)

For a target device, an electronic device identifies identification information for identifying the target device, and is a device control device that controls the target device using the identification information,
Feature information generating means for generating feature information indicating features on the appearance of the target device based on an image of the target device;
The identification information corresponding to the feature information generated by the feature information generating unit is obtained by referring to the correspondence information in which the information indicating the feature on the appearance of the device is associated with each of the identification information candidates. Identification information specifying means for specifying as identification information,
A device control apparatus comprising: target device control means for controlling the target device using the identification information specified by the identification information specifying means.   The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information specifying unit displays the specified identification information in association with the target device in the image. It has an input unit that accepts user input operations,
When the input unit receives an input operation on the target device in the displayed image, the target device control unit controls the target device using the identification information specified by the identification information specifying unit. The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 2. An identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information that is a candidate for identification information of the target device when the identification information identification unit cannot identify the identification information corresponding to the feature information;
Corresponding information generating means for generating the corresponding information by associating the characteristic information generated by the characteristic information generating means with the identification information selected from the identification information candidates acquired by the identification information acquiring means. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the device control device is a device.   The identification acquired by the identification information acquisition unit using the design information in which the identification information of the device is associated with the design information indicating the appearance of the device, and the feature information generated by the feature information generation unit 5. The device control apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising candidate extraction means for extracting identification information associated with the feature information from information candidates. Information indicating the appearance characteristics of the device included in the correspondence information includes positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the target device and other devices,
The feature information generating means generates feature information including positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between another device included in the image of the target device and the target device,
The identification information specifying unit uses, as the identification information of the target device, identification information in which the positional relationship information that matches the positional relationship information included in the feature information generated by the feature information generation unit is associated in the correspondence information. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device control apparatus is specified.   A control program for causing a computer to function as the device control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control program causes the computer to function as each of the means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 7 is recorded. For a target device, the device control method by a device control device that specifies identification information for the electronic device to identify the target device and controls the target device using the identification information,
A feature information generating step for generating feature information indicating features on the appearance of the target device based on an image obtained by photographing the target device;
The identification information corresponding to the feature information generated in the feature information generation step is referred to for the identification information corresponding to the feature information generated in the feature information generation step with reference to the correspondence information associated with the information indicating the appearance characteristics of the device for each candidate of the identification information An identification information identification step that identifies the identification information of
And a target device control step of controlling the target device using the identification information specified in the identification information specifying step. For a target device, an electronic device specifies identification information for identifying the target device, and uses the identification information to control the target device.
A feature information generating device that generates feature information indicating an appearance feature of the target device based on an image of the target device;
The identification information corresponding to the feature information generated by the feature information generation device is obtained by referring to the correspondence information in which the information indicating the feature on the appearance of the device is associated with each identification information candidate. And a device control device that controls the target device using the identification information.   A television receiver comprising the device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images