JP3498718B2 - Remote control device and method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device and method, and more particularly to a remote control device and method that can be connected via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When controlling a conventional electric device such as a television receiver or a video deck, a desired control is performed by operating an operation button provided on a main body of the apparatus or a remote controller. .

Further, by utilizing a timer function or the like for executing the contents set by the operation buttons at a predetermined time,
Even when the user is absent, the electric device can be operated as desired.

In recent years, for example, it has become possible to interactively control a VCR or the like at home from outside the home using a tone signal of a telephone.

[0005]

However, in the case of the electric equipment for operating the operation buttons provided on the remote controller or the main body, there is a problem that these cannot be controlled when the user is outside the home. It was

Further, even in the case of an electric device having a timer function, the setting cannot be performed from outside the home, and therefore, when an unexpected situation arises and it is necessary to urgently control the electric device. There was a problem that we could not deal with it.

Further, in the case of controlling interactively via a telephone line, it is necessary to operate the push button according to the voice from the receiving side (electrical device), so that the control takes time. there were. Also, if a plurality of electric devices are in the home and all of them are controlled by the same method, it is necessary to allocate a telephone line to each electric device, resulting in a large cost of equipment. There were challenges.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and makes it possible to easily and quickly control an electric device installed in a home from outside the home.

[0009]

The remote control device of the present invention repeats a predetermined process to set a preset time.
By repeating the determining whether or not spent, at pre-specified time interval, to access a predetermined server, thereby,
Certain electronic devices that are transmitted over the network
At least the operating mode, operating start time, and operating
An acquisition unit that acquires control information including an end time , an operation mode included in the control information acquired by the acquisition unit ,
Extraction means for extracting the control commands corresponding to the operation start time and operation end time, and the current date and time are measured and output.
Timing output means and the operation start extracted by the extraction means.
Start time or operation end time and time output means
Comparison means to compare the current date and time output by
When the date and time of is the operation start time or operation end time
Start or end the operation of each operation mode
And a control means for controlling the electronic device as described above .

The remote control method of the present invention repeats a predetermined process.
Return to determine if a preset time has passed
By repeating, in a pre-specified time interval, to access a predetermined server, thereby, transmitted via the network, the predetermined electronic device, at least the operation
Mode, operation start time, and acquisition control processing step for controlling the acquisition of control information including operation end time, included in the control information acquisition is controlled by the processing of the acquisition control processing step , operation mode, operation start time, And end of operation
Extraction processing step that extracts the control command corresponding to the end time, and the clock output control step that clocks and outputs the current date and time.
And steps, extracted by the processing of extracting the processing steps dynamic
Start time or end time of operation and time output control
Compare with the current date and time output by the processing of your step
The comparison step and the current date and time
Is the end time of the operation.
And a control processing step of controlling the electronic device to start or end the electronic device.

In the remote control device and method of the present invention, a predetermined process is repeated to set a preset time.
By repeating the determining whether or not spent, at pre-specified time interval, to access a predetermined server, thereby,
Certain electronic devices that are transmitted over the network
At least the operating mode, operating start time, and operating
The control information including the end time is acquired , and the operation mode, the operation start time, and the operation included in the acquired control information
Control command corresponding to the end time is Ru are extracted. That
The current date and time are measured and output, and the extracted operation start
The start time or operation end time is compared with the current date and time,
The current date and time is the operation start time or operation end time
If the operation mode operation is started or ended respectively
The electronic device is controlled so that.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, terminal 1-1
1 to 6 are public lines (analog line or IS
Provider 3 through 2-1, 2-2)
1, 3-2, and providers 3-1 and 3-
Under the management of No. 2, it is possible to send and receive information to and from other terminals.

The providers 3-1 and 3-2 are terminals 1-1.
To 1-6 call via the public lines 2-1 and 2-2, TCP / I is exchanged with the calling terminal.
P (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protoco
l) based on the connection (dial-up IP connection).

The Internet 4 is provided by the providers 3-1 and 3-1.
3-2 are mutually connected, and information is communicated between them based on the above-mentioned protocol called TCP / IP.

FIG. 2 shows terminals 1-1 to 1-6 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of FIG. In this figure, the gateway 20 is capable of exchanging information with other terminals via the public line 2.

The input unit 24 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated when inputting predetermined information to the gateway 20. CRT (Cath
The odeRay Tube) monitor 25 is configured to display the received information and the information input from the input unit 24.

The IR (Infra Red) transmitting section 26 irradiates infrared rays according to the control of the gateway 20 and controls the video deck 27.

The connection line 28 is, for example, Wired CI.
It is a signal line conforming to a home bus such as RCS or LANC, and exchanges information between the gateway 20 and the video deck 27.

The video deck 27 is adapted to perform operations such as recording, reproducing, or stopping in accordance with a control signal transmitted via the IR transmitter 26 or the connection line 28.

The gateway 20 includes a modem unit 2
1, a control unit 22, and an interface unit 23.

The modem unit 21 transmits signals between the public line 2 and a control unit 22 (to be described later) and signals (analog signals) on the public line 2 and signals inside the control unit 22 (digital signals). Signal) and is designed to be mutually converted.

The control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processi).
ng Unit) 22a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 22
b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22c, and
It is composed of a timer 22d.

The CPU 22a executes various calculations and controls various parts of the apparatus. ROM
22b stores programs executed by the CPU 22a, data required for processing, and the like. RAM22
The c is configured to temporarily store data and the like generated when the CPU 22a executes arithmetic processing. The timer 22d is adapted to measure and output the current date and time.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

Now, it is assumed that the terminal installed in the home of a certain user is the terminal 1-1, and the terminal installed in the place where this user is currently (for example, a company) is the terminal 1-4. Suppose

In such a situation, a case will be described in which the user sends an electronic mail from the company terminal 1-4 to the home terminal 1-1 to make a recording reservation for the VCR 27.

Now, it is assumed that the user operates the input unit 24 of the company's terminal 1-4 to input an electronic mail as shown in FIG. The destination of the electronic mail is described in the first line of the electronic mail. That is, "home-server@bar.sony.co.jp" described after "TO:" is the delivery destination of the electronic mail. Specifically, "bar.sony.co.jp" described after "@" indicates the domain name (domain name of the provider 3-1), and is described before "@". "Home-server" is the ID name (Terminal 1-
1).

The transmission source is described in the second line.
That is, "foo" described after "From:" is the ID name of this user in the company, and "sm.sony.co.jp" described after "@" is the domain name ( The domain name of the provider 3-2).

In this embodiment, the terminals 1-4 to 1-6 are connected to the Internet 4 via the provider 3-2.
However, these terminals are connected to the LAN (Lo
calArea Network) and may be connected to the Internet 4 via a host computer.

Returning to FIG. 3, in the third line, the second delivery destination of this electronic mail is described. In this example, "mother" described immediately after "Cc:" is the ID name of the second distribution destination (for example, the ID of the mother of this user).
Name), and "bar.s" written after "@"
"ony.co.jp" indicates the domain name (domain name of the provider 3-1).

On the fourth line, a control command for the gateway 20 is described. In this example, "Subjec
"Video Reservation" is described after "t:", indicating that this e-mail contains a control command for making a recording reservation for the video deck 27.

"VideoReserva" described in the fifth line
"tion" is a control command, and is a command for making a recording reservation of the video deck 27 as described above.

The characters described in the sixth line specify each parameter for making a recording reservation. That is, these characters are for defining what parameter the numerical value or character described in the following seventh line is.

The numerical values and characters described in the 7th line are
It is the setting value of the parameter defined in the above-mentioned 6th line. In this example, “From 11:00 on 10th (Date) to (FROM) to 12:00 (TO), 3 channels (C
H) is the standard (SP: Standard Play) speed (SPEED) "
It is set to record with. The order of these can be changed arbitrarily.

The message is described in the last 8th line. That is, in this example, the message "I made a reservation with the above contents, please do." Is described, and the fact that the above settings have been made is transmitted to the mother of the user who is the second distributor. It is done like this.

Next, the electronic mail as described above is sent to the terminal 1-
4, the operation of the terminal 1-1 on the receiving side will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining an example of processing executed in the terminal 1-1. It should be noted that this processing is executed when the power of the terminal 1-1 is turned on.

When this processing is executed, C of the control unit 22
In step S1, the PU 22a determines whether or not the set time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed. As a result, if it is determined that the set time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S1 and the same processing is repeated until the set time elapses. If it is determined that the set time has elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the CPU 22a supplies a predetermined control signal to the modem section 21, and the public line 2
Call the provider 3-1 via the
It is determined whether an e-mail addressed to it has arrived. As a result, when it is determined that the email has not arrived (NO), the process returns to step S1 and the same process as the above is repeated. Also, an email has arrived (YE
If it is determined to be S), the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the CPU 22a acquires the electronic mail received by the provider 3-1 via the modem unit 21 and stores it in the RAM 22c. And
Go to step S4.

In step S4, the CPU 22a sends the RA
E-mail stored in M22c is sequentially read line by line, and command character string (character string including control command)
It is determined whether or not is included. As a result, when it is determined that the command character string is not included (NO),
The process returns to step S1 and the same processing as that described above is repeated. Also, there is a command character string (YE
If it is determined to be S), the process proceeds to step S5. In addition,
When it is determined that the command character string does not exist (NO), the electronic mail stored in the RAM 22c can be displayed on the CRT monitor 25 by operating the input unit 24.

When it is determined in step S4 that the command character string exists (YES), the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether the command character string is "VIDEO Reservation" (video recording reservation). As a result, when it is determined that the command character string is not "VIDEO Reservation" (NO), the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined that the command character string is "VIDEO Reservation" (YES), the process proceeds to step S6.

Step S6 is a subroutine process, the details of which will be described with reference to FIG. When the process of step S6 is executed, the process of step S20 of FIG. 5 is called and executed. In the process of step S20, the CPU 22a determines whether or not the setting content (parameter) of the command character string is normal. That is, for example, it is detected that the recording end time is earlier than the recording start time, or that the recording reservation data set previously and a part of the recording time of the recording reservation data received this time overlap. As a result, the settings are not normal (N
If it is determined to be “O”, the process proceeds to step S21, an e-mail indicating that the recording reservation cannot be set as shown in FIG. 6, and the sending terminal 1-4 is set via the modem unit 21. Send to.

In the electronic mail shown in FIG. 6, as in the case described above, the ID name and domain name of the destination terminal 1-4 are described in the first line. Also, in the second line,
The ID name and domain name of the terminal 1-1 that is the transmission source are described. Furthermore, the third line indicates that this e-mail is related to video recording reservation.
“Eservation” is described.

In the next line, the setting contents described in the electronic mail shown in FIG. 3 are directly described. In addition, next to that, a message indicating that the recording reservation data of the reservation number 1 previously reserved and the recording reservation data transmitted this time partially overlap and therefore cannot be set is described. ing. Such an electronic mail is generated in the process of step S21, and the terminal 1-4
Sent to. Then, step S6 shown in FIG.
Return to processing (return).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the setting contents are normal (YES), the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the CPU 22a extracts the parameters included in the recording reservation data, and then in step S22.
Proceed to 23.

In step S23, the CPU 22a determines whether or not all the parameters are included in the extracted parameters. The parameters relating to the recording reservation are the recording date (DATE), the recording start time (FROM), the recording end time (TO), the recording channel (CH), and the recording mode (SPEED). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that they are not all provided (NO), the process proceeds to step S24, the missing parameters are complemented by default values, and the process proceeds to step S25. Where the default value is
It is set as follows.

Recording date: Date of the day when the email was received Recording start time: Time when the email was received Recording end time: Time one hour after the recording start time Channel: Favorite channel (preset Recording channel: LP (Long Play) mode

Therefore, for example, suppose that the electronic mail including the following recording reservation parameters is received on the 10th.

[0050]   DATE FROM TO CH SPEED              10:00 4

In this case, the recording reservation parameters to be set are as follows.

[0052]   DATE FROM TO CH SPEED     10 10:00 11:00 4 LP

The above default values may be changed appropriately. For example, the recording date is the day after the email arrives, the recording start time is 10 minutes after the email arrives, the recording end time is 30 minutes after the recording start time, and the recording mode is Is SP (Standa
rd Play) mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that all parameters are complete, step S23
The process of 24 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, the extracted parameters are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 22c (area for setting the operation time of the timer), and the operation of the timer 22d is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the CPU 22a creates, for example, the electronic mail shown in FIG.
-4. In this embodiment, the destination, the source, and the electronic mail title described in the first to third lines are the same as those in FIG. However, in the 4th line, the reservation number is written,
It indicates that the data received by the terminal 1-1 has been accepted as the second recording reservation data. In the next line, the setting contents of the accepted parameters are described. In the last line, a message indicating that the recording reservation is made by the setting contents shown in this figure is described. Such an e-mail is transmitted to the terminal 1-4, and the user who has transmitted the recording reservation e-mail shown in FIG. 3 receives the e-mail shown in FIG.
It can be seen that 1 has made the setting normally.

When the processing of step S26 is completed, FIG.
The process returns to step S6 shown in. And step S1
Then, the process similar to the above case is repeated.

On the other hand, in the process of step S5, when it is determined that the command character string is not "VIDEO Reservation" (NO), the process proceeds to step S7. And C
The PU 22a determines whether the command character string is “VIDEO Cancel”. As a result, the command string is "VI
If it is determined that it is not "DEOCancel" (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. Also, the command string is "VIDEOCance
If it is determined to be “l” (YES), step S
Go to 8. Since the process of step S8 is also a subroutine process, its details will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the details of the cancel processing shown in FIG. In this processing, the previously set recording reservation data is deleted. When this processing is executed, in step S40, the CPU 22a determines whether or not the designated recording reservation data (designated to be deleted) is stored in the RAM 22c. As a result, when it is determined that the designated recording reservation data is not stored in the RAM 22c (NO), the process proceeds to step S41 and step S21 of FIG.
Similarly to the case of (1), an electronic mail indicating that the designated recording reservation data cannot be deleted is transmitted to the terminal 1-4 via the modem unit 21. Then, the process returns to the process of step S8 (return).

On the other hand, in the process of step S40, when it is determined that the designated recording reservation data exists (YES), the process proceeds to step S42. Step S42
Then, the CPU 22a stores the designated recording reservation data in the R
Delete from AM22c. Then, in step S43, an electronic mail indicating that the reservation data has been deleted is sent to the terminal 1-4. And step S in FIG.
Return to the process of 8 (return). After returning to the processing of step S8, the processing returns to step S1 and the same processing as that described above is repeated.

If it is determined in the process of step S7 that the command character string is not "VIDEO Cancel" (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. Step S
9, the CPU 22a determines that the command character string is "VIDEOCon
"firm" is determined. As a result, when it is determined that the command character string is not "VIDEO Confirm" (NO), the process returns to step S1 and the same processing as the above case is repeated. If it is determined that the command character string is "VIDEO Confirm" (YES), the process proceeds to step S10.

Step S10 is a subroutine for transmitting all the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c as an electronic mail. When this processing is executed, the processing shown in FIG. 9 is executed. .

When the process of step S60 shown in FIG. 9 is executed, the CPU 22a reads all the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c. And step S
Proceeding to 61, the CPU 22a creates an electronic mail as shown in FIG. 10 and sends it to the terminal 1-4 via the modem unit 21.

In the first line of the electronic mail shown in FIG. 10,
The ID name and domain name of the terminal 1-4 as the transmission destination are described, and in the second line, the terminal 1-
The ID name of 1 and the domain name are described. Furthermore, the third
The line indicates that this e-mail is intended to confirm the recording reservation data of the VCR 27.

The fourth line has a description "The contents of the recording reservation setting are as follows.", And shows that the recording reservation data is described after that. That is, assuming that the reservation number is “1”, 9:00 on the 10th
From 1 to 10:00, 1 channel is LP (Long Pla
y) The recording reservation data that means recording in the mode is described, and next, the reservation number is "2".
As data that is, 11:00 to 12:00 on 10th
Up to 0, recording reservation data indicating recording of 3 channels in SP (Standard Play) mode is shown.

The electronic mail as described above is received by the terminal 1-4. The user can email the received email with C
By displaying it on the RT monitor 25, it becomes possible to confirm the recording reservation data set in the terminal 1-1.

When the process of step S61 of FIG. 9 is completed, the process returns to the process of step S10 of FIG. Then, the process returns to step S1 and the same processing as the above case is repeated.

Through the above processing, the terminal 1 outside the home
The recording reservation data transmitted from -4 is the terminal 1 in the home.
-1 is stored in the RAM 22c. And this terminal 1
-1 controls the video deck 27 according to the processing shown in FIG. 11 and executes recording at the reserved time.

When the processing shown in FIG. 11 is executed, the terminal 1
In step S80, the CPU 22a of -1 compares the output data of the timer 22d with the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c, and determines whether the recording start time has come. As a result, if it is determined that the recording start time has not come (NO), the process returns to step S80, and the same processing is repeated until the recording starts. Also,
If it is determined that the recording start time has come (YES),
It proceeds to step S81.

In step S81, the CPU 22a determines whether or not the video deck 27 is wired. That is, it is determined whether the video deck 27 is connected to the gateway 20 by the connection line 28. As a result, if it is determined that the connection is wired (YES),
If it is determined that the connection is not wired (NO), the process proceeds to step S82.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a wired connection is made and an IR transmitter 26 for controlling the video deck 27 by infrared rays is connected to the gateway 20. In such a case, the transmission speed is high,
The connection line 28 having high reliability is preferentially used.

Returning to FIG. 11, if YES is determined in step S81, the process proceeds to step S82,
The CPU 22a turns on the power source of the video deck 27 via the wired interface (via the connection line 28). Then, the process proceeds to step S83, and the recording speed is set to, for example, the SP mode by the wired interface.

In the following step S84, the CPU 22a
Sets the recording channel of the VCR 27 via the wired interface. Further, in step S85, similarly, a predetermined control signal is transmitted to the video deck 27 via the wired interface to start recording.

In step S86, the CPU 22a refers to the output data of the timer 22d and the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c to determine whether the recording end time has come. As a result, if it is determined that the recording end time has not come (NO), the process returns to step S86, and the same processing is repeated until the recording end time. When it is determined that the recording end time has come (YES), the process proceeds to step S87, and the CPU 22a stops the recording of the video deck 27 via the wired interface. Then, the process proceeds to step S88, the power supply of the video deck 27 is turned off, the process returns to step S80, and the same process as the above is repeated.

Incidentally, in step S81, the CPU 2
2a, the VCR 27 is not wired (N
If it is determined to be O), the process proceeds to step S89, where IR
A predetermined control signal is transmitted from the interface (IR transmitter 26) to turn on the power of the video deck 27.

Then, in step S90, the recording speed is set by the IR interface.

In the following step S91, the CPU 22a
Sets the recording channel of the VCR 27 via the IR interface. Further, in step S92, a predetermined control signal is transmitted to the video deck 27 via the IR interface to start recording.

In step S93, the CPU 22a refers to the output data of the timer 22d and the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c to determine whether the recording end time has come. As a result, if it is determined that the recording end time has not come (NO), the process returns to step S93, and the same processing is repeated until the recording end time. When it is determined that the recording end time has come (YES), the process proceeds to step S94, and the CPU 22a stops the recording of the video deck 27 via the IR interface. Then, the process proceeds to step S95, the power of the video deck 27 is turned off, and then the process returns to step S80 to repeat the same process as the above case.

According to the above processing, the video deck 27 can be controlled according to the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c to record a desired program.

According to the above-described embodiment, even when the user is outside the home, it is possible to control an electric device such as a VCR in the home by sending an electronic mail. It becomes possible to confirm whether or not the setting is possible and the setting contents by e-mail.

In the above embodiment, the video deck 27 is illustrated as an electric device controlled by the gateway 20, but the present invention is not limited to such a case and, for example, an air conditioner. It goes without saying that it is also possible to control other electric devices such as audio devices and audio devices.

In the above embodiment, the terminals 1-1 to 1-6 are connected via the Internet 4 and the providers 3-1 and 3-2, but other transmission media may be used. Of course, it may be used.

[0083]

According to the remote control device and method of the present invention, the control information transmitted through the network is acquired and obtained by accessing a predetermined server at a predetermined time interval. Since the control command included in the control information is extracted and the predetermined electronic device is controlled according to the extracted control command, it is possible to accurately control the electric device even from a remote place. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a terminal 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic mail for video reservation sent from the transmission side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a control unit 22 shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating details of a reservation process shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic mail sent from the receiving side when the recording reservation is not normally made as a result of the reservation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic mail sent from the receiving side when the recording reservation is normally made as a result of the reservation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of a cancel process shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of the confirmation process illustrated in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic mail sent from the receiving side as a result of the confirmation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the control unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 when a recording reservation is made.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 modem section, 22a CPU, 23 interface section, 24 input section

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A preset process is repeated by repeating a predetermined process.
Time By repeatedly determining whether or not elapsed, at pre-specified time interval, to access a predetermined server, this
The Le, transmitted via the network, predetermined
Of electronic devices, at least the operation mode, operation start time,
And an acquisition unit that acquires control information including an operation end time, and the operation mode, the operation start time, and the motion included in the control information acquired by the acquisition unit.
Extraction means for extracting a control command corresponding to the operation end time, timing output means for measuring and outputting the current date and time, and the operation start time extracted by the extraction means, or
Output from each of the operation end times and the time output means
The comparing means for comparing the applied current time and date, and the current time and date is the operation start time or the operation end time.
If it is the end time, the operation of each of the above operation modes is started.
And a control unit that controls the electronic device to start or end the remote control device. 2. A preset process is repeated by repeating a predetermined process.
Time By repeatedly determining whether or not elapsed, at pre-specified time interval, to access a predetermined server, this
The Le, transmitted via the network, predetermined
Of electronic devices, at least the operation mode, operation start time,
And an acquisition control processing step for controlling acquisition of control information including an operation end time, and the operation mode and the operation included in the control information whose acquisition is controlled by the processing of the acquisition control processing step.
Extraction processing step for extracting a control command corresponding to the start time and the operation end time, and a clock output control step for measuring and outputting the current date and time
And the operation extracted by the processing of the extraction processing step
Each of the start time or the operation end time and the timekeeping
The current date output by the process of the output control step
A comparison step of comparing the time with the current start time or the end of the operation.
If it is the end time, the operation of each of the above operation modes is started.
A control processing step of controlling the electronic device to start or end the remote control method.