JP6169325B2 - Self-propelled electronic device, terminal device, and electronic device operation system with remote control - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-propelled electronic device that operates in accordance with an operation from a terminal device.

  As electronic devices for general households, self-propelled cleaners that perform self-propelled cleaning are becoming popular. As such a self-propelled cleaner, for example, Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a self-propelled cleaner operated by a mobile communication device operates an electric device such as an air conditioner, a lighting device, or an acoustic device. It is disclosed. According to this, when the mobile communication device sends a signal to the self-propelled cleaner to clean, the self-propelled cleaner receives this and starts cleaning, and the self-propelled cleaner A signal is transmitted with respect to the air conditioner and lighting apparatus of the location currently operated, and an air conditioner and lighting apparatus are operated. For communication between the mobile communication device and the self-propelled cleaner or electric device, a telephone line, a wired line, or a wireless medium such as infrared rays, radio waves, and sound waves is used.

  In addition, as a self-propelled electronic device for general households other than a vacuum cleaner, for example, Patent Document 2 proposes a self-propelled air cleaner (self-propelled air cleaning robot) that cleans indoor air. Yes.

JP 2002-209818 A JP-A-2005-331128

  However, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a mobile communication device operates an electric device via a self-propelled cleaner, but the mobile communication device operates an electric device via a self-propelled cleaner. It can't be said that the mechanism is well established.

  For example, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the operation that the self-propelled cleaner instructs the electric device is limited to the operation corresponding to the cleaning operation, and the electric device is desired to be operated via the self-propelled cleaner. It is not assumed that the operation is instructed. Therefore, there is no way to instruct a desired operation from the mobile communication device to the electric device via the self-propelled cleaner.

  Moreover, in the structure of patent document 1, when the signal used for communication between a self-propelled cleaner and an electric device is an infrared signal, the self-propelled cleaner is separated from the electric device, or the self-propelled cleaner. If there is an obstacle that blocks a signal between the machine and the electric device, there is a problem that the electric device cannot be operated.

  Note that the above problem can be solved to some extent by using a radio wave signal instead of an infrared signal with high directivity. However, in the case of using radio waves, not only self-propelled cleaners but also electric devices need to have a function of receiving radio signals and cannot be used with existing electric devices.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to instruct a remote controller electronic device that can be operated by a remote controller via a self-propelled electronic device to perform a desired operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation system capable of operating, a self-propelled electronic device and a terminal device constituting the operation system.

  In order to solve the above problems, an operation system according to the present invention includes a self-propelled electronic device operated by a terminal device connected via a communication network, and the self-propelled electronic device via the communication network. An operation system for operating a remote control electronic device including a terminal device that can be operated by a remote controller by outputting a remote control signal from the self-propelled electronic device, wherein the self-propelled electronic device is A movement control unit that controls movement of the remote control electronic device, and a remote control signal output unit that outputs a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device, wherein the terminal device receives an operation instruction for the remote control electronic device, and The remote control signal output unit is controlled so that the remote control electronic device that is the target of the operation instruction received by the operation instruction receiving unit is operated according to the instructed content. A remote control control unit for outputting a Mokon signal, the terminal device or the self-propelled electronic device is provided with a device information storage unit in which device information about each remote control electronic device that can be an operation target is stored, and the operation The instruction receiving unit displays an instruction screen for selecting a remote control electronic device to be operated and selecting a content to be instructed based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit, and the remote control unit The remote control signal output unit is controlled based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, the operation instruction receiving unit of the terminal device receives an operation instruction for the remote control electronic device. The operation instruction accepting unit displays an instruction screen for selecting a remote control electronic device to be operated and selecting a content to be instructed based on the device information of the remote control electronic device. It is possible to easily instruct a desired operation to the remote control electronic device.

  The remote control unit of the terminal device controls the remote control signal output unit of the self-propelled electronic device based on the device information of the remote control electronic device, and selects the remote control electronic device that is the target of the operation instruction received by the operation instruction reception unit. A remote control signal that operates according to the instructed content is output. The remote control electronic device to be operated that has received the remote control signal performs the operation of the instructed content.

  And according to the above configuration, since the movement control unit moves the device according to the instruction from the terminal device, even if the self-propelled electronic device is located at a location away from the remote control electronic device, A self-propelled electronic device can be moved to a place where a remote control signal can reach.

  Therefore, even if the signal used for communication between the self-propelled electronic device and the remote control electronic device is a highly directional infrared signal used in the existing remote control electronic device, the remote control electronic device can be operated without any problem. Can be made.

  Thus, according to the operation system of the present invention, the terminal device can instruct a desired operation to the remote control electronic device that can be operated by the remote control via the self-propelled electronic device.

  The operation system of the present invention provides the position of the own device when outputting the remote control signal, which is set to the terminal device or the self-propelled electronic device corresponding to each remote control electronic device that can be the operation target. A transmission position information storage unit in which transmission position information indicating the transmission position is stored, and the movement control unit is configured to move the own apparatus to the transmission position of the remote control electronic device to be operated based on the transmission position information. You can also.

  According to this, using the self-propelled configuration, the movement control unit moves the own device to a transmission position corresponding to the remote control electronic device to be operated, and at that position, the remote control signal output unit transmits the remote control signal. Is output.

  Therefore, without worrying about information on where the self-propelled electronic device is located, in the operation instruction reception unit of the terminal device, just select the remote control electronic device to be operated, and specify the operation, The selected operation can be surely performed on the remote control electronic device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the terminal device of the present invention is a terminal device that operates a self-propelled electronic device connected via a communication network, and an operation instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction for the remote control electronic device And a remote control signal output unit mounted on the self-propelled cleaner, the remote control signal output unit for outputting a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device is controlled and received by the operation instruction receiving unit A remote control unit that outputs a remote control signal that causes the remote control electronic device that is the target of the operation to operate according to the instructed content, and a device information storage unit that stores device information about each remote control electronic device that can be the operation target are provided. The operation instruction receiving unit selects a remote control electronic device to be operated based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit. Display instruction screen for selecting the contents to be indicated together the remote control unit, based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit is characterized by controlling the remote control signal output section.

  As already explained in the operation system of the present invention, according to the terminal device of the present invention, the operation system of the present invention is constituted by combining with the self-propelled electronic device of the present invention, and the same operational effects can be obtained. .

  The terminal device according to the present invention may include a first device information acquisition unit that acquires device information related to the remote control electronic device via the communication network and stores the device information in the device information storage unit.

  The terminal device according to the present invention acquires device information related to the remote control electronic device from the dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device via the remote control signal output unit of the self-propelled electronic device, and stores the device information in the device information storage unit. It can also be set as the structure which has a 2nd apparatus information acquisition part.

  The terminal device of the present invention may further include a reception information display control unit that displays information received from the remote control electronic device via the signal output unit of the self-propelled electronic device.

  The self-propelled electronic device of the present invention is a self-propelled electronic device operated by a terminal device connected via a communication network in order to solve the above-described problem, and the movement for controlling the movement of the self-device A control unit and a remote control signal output unit that outputs a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device are provided.

  As already explained in the operation system of the present invention, according to the terminal device of the present invention, the operation system of the present invention is constituted by combining with the self-propelled electronic device of the present invention, and the same operational effects can be obtained. .

  In the self-propelled electronic device of the present invention, the remote control signal output unit receives information from the remote control electronic device, and the remote control signal output unit transmits the information received by the remote control signal output unit to the terminal device. Furthermore, it can also be set as the structure provided.

  In the self-propelled electronic device according to the present invention, the remote control signal output unit receives device information of a corresponding remote control electronic device from a dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device, and the remote control signal output unit receives the information received by the terminal It can also be set as the structure further provided with the 2nd information transmission part transmitted to an apparatus.

  In the self-propelled electronic device of the present invention, it is preferable that the remote control signal output unit is configured by an optional device that can be connected to an expansion connector provided in the self-propelled electronic device. Further, in this case, in preparation for further function expansion, the optional device constituting the remote control signal output unit may be provided with an expansion connector unit that allows connection of another optional device. preferable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation system which can instruct | indicate desired operation | movement with respect to the remote control electronic device which a terminal device can operate with a remote control via a self-propelled electronic device, and the self-propelled which comprises this operation system There is an effect that an electronic device and a terminal device can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a structure of the operation system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control apparatus contained in the said operation system. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the terminal device contained in the said operation system. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the self-propelled cleaner with which the remote control apparatus was connected contained in the said operation system. An example of a movement instruction screen for moving the self-propelled cleaner by instructing from the terminal device while displaying a video taken by the self-propelled cleaner on the display screen of the terminal device included in the operation system is shown. It is a drawing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which operates a remote control electronic device via a self-propelled cleaner using the terminal device contained in the said operation system. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device contained in the operation system which is other embodiment of this invention. In the said operation system, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the learning operation | movement which makes the self-propelled cleaner learn the transmission position according to remote control electronic device performed between a terminal device and a self-propelled cleaner. In the said operation system, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement in which the terminal device operates remote control electronic equipment via a self-propelled cleaner performed between the said terminal device and a self-propelled cleaner. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the self-propelled cleaner with which the remote control signal transmitter was connected contained in the operation system of a 1st modification. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which is performed between the terminal device and a self-propelled cleaner contained in the operation system of a 1st modification, and a terminal device operates remote control electronic equipment via a self-propelled cleaner. It is. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the self-propelled cleaner with which the remote control signal transmitter was connected contained in the operation system of the 2nd modification. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which is performed between the terminal device and self-propelled cleaner contained in the operation system of a 2nd modification, and the terminal device operates remote control electronic equipment via a self-propelled cleaner. It is.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an operation system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation system 100 includes a self-propelled electronic device 1, a terminal device 200, remote control electronic devices 400 a to 400 c, a remote control device 80, and a communication network 300.

  The self-propelled electronic device 1 is, for example, a self-propelled cleaner that performs self-propelled cleaning and a self-propelled air cleaner as described in Patent Document 2. In FIG. 1, a self-propelled cleaner is illustrated, and in the following, the self-propelled electronic device 1 is described as a specific example of the self-propelled cleaner.

  The self-propelled electronic device 1 is, for example, a self-propelled cleaner that performs self-propelled cleaning and a self-propelled air cleaner as described in Patent Document 2. In FIG. 1, a self-propelled cleaner is illustrated, and in the following, the self-propelled electronic device 1 is described as a specific example of the self-propelled cleaner.

  The self-propelled cleaner 1 includes a traveling drive unit for self-propelling, a dust collecting operation unit for collecting dust, and a photographing unit 47 (see FIG. 4) for photographing the surroundings of the self-propelled cleaner 1. For example). The imaging unit 47 captures an image such as a moving image, a still image, or a continuous still image, and includes an optical lens, a color filter, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that is a light receiving element, and the like. An image photographed by the photographing unit 47 is processed by an image transmission processing unit 24 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and transmitted to the terminal devices 200A, 200B, 200C, or 200D. The self-propelled cleaner 1 has a built-in secondary battery (not shown), and various parts such as a travel drive unit, a dust collecting operation unit, and a photographing unit are operated by power supply from the secondary battery.

  The terminal devices 200A to 200D are, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a mobile phone. The terminal devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D are connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 via the communication network 300, and perform bidirectional communication with the self-propelled cleaner 1, thereby operating the self-propelled cleaner 1. Can be sent and operated. In order to enable the operation of the self-propelled cleaner 1, there is an association called pairing between the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the terminal devices 200A to 200D.

  In the example of FIG. 1, four terminal devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D are paired with the self-propelled cleaner 1. Although all of the four terminal devices 200A to 200D can operate the self-propelled cleaner 1, the plurality of terminal devices 200 cannot operate the self-propelled cleaner 1 at the same time. Of the terminal devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D, only one device that tries to connect to the self-propelled cleaner 1 and has previously acquired the right to operate the self-propelled cleaner 1 can operate the self-propelled cleaner 1. Hereinafter, the terminal device 200 having the operation right of the self-propelled cleaner 1 among the terminal devices 200A to 200D is referred to as a login terminal device. In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 200 </ b> A has the right to operate the self-propelled cleaner 1. Further, the terminal devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D are referred to as the terminal device 200 when it is not necessary to distinguish them.

  The communication network 300 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 network, etc. can be used. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network 300 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, etc. (Registered trademark), WiFi (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR (High Data Rate), NFC (Near Field Communication), DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), mobile phone network, satellite line It can also be used by radio such as a terrestrial digital network.

  The remote control electronic devices 400a to 400c are electronic devices that can be operated by a remote control such as a television, an audio device, a lighting device, and an air conditioner. In the example of FIG. 1, a television 400a, a lighting device 400b, and an air conditioner 400c are shown. The remote control electronic devices 400a to 400c are connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 through a wireless medium 500 that is relatively weak as a signal such as an infrared signal. Hereinafter, the remote control electronic device 400 is referred to unless it is individually distinguished.

  In general, remote control electronic devices 400 such as televisions, audio devices, lighting devices, and air conditioning devices are each provided with a dedicated remote control attached to the device, and can be operated by each remote control. Usually, such a remote control is an IR remote control that transmits infrared signals.

  There is also a learning remote controller that can integrate the functions of a dedicated remote controller attached to each of the plurality of remote controller electronic devices 400 with a single remote controller. Each learning remote controller learns information of infrared signals (hereinafter referred to as remote control information) used to operate the remote control electronic device 400 to which each dedicated remote controller corresponds, so that a plurality of learning remote controllers can be used in the same manner as each dedicated remote controller. Remote control electronic device 400 can be operated.

  The self-propelled cleaner 1 includes a remote control device (remote control signal output unit) 80 that can function as a remote control signal transmission / reception unit of such a learning remote control as an optional device connected by USB, for example. The remote controller 80 may be configured to be attached to the self-propelled cleaner 1 from the beginning.

  The self-propelled cleaner 1 equipped with such a remote control device 80 performs two-way communication with the terminal device 200 and is operated from the plurality of remote control electronic devices 400 instructed by the terminal device 2. A remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device with the instructed content is transmitted to 400. Thereby, the terminal device 200 can instruct a desired operation to the plurality of remote control electronic devices 400 via the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the remote control device 80. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control device 80 includes a signal transmission / reception unit 81, a storage unit 82, a device connection unit 83, and an expansion device connection unit 84.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 81 transmits a remote control signal that causes the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated to operate according to the instructed content in accordance with an instruction from a remote control control unit 202 (described later) constructed in the control unit 201 of the terminal device 200. The remote control signal uses infrared rays as the wireless medium 500. Infrared rays are wireless media used exclusively for remote control of existing electronic devices. Therefore, the existing electronic device can be included in the operation target electronic device as it is as the remote control electronic device. Note that the wireless medium 500 is not limited to infrared, but may be Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The signal transmission / reception unit 81 receives information from the remote control electronic device 400 by performing bidirectional communication with the remote control electronic device 400. Information received from remote control electronic device 400 is transmitted to terminal device 200 through self-propelled cleaner 1.

  Further, the signal transmission / reception unit 81 also functions as a signal reception unit when learning remote control information from the dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device 400. In accordance with an instruction from a remote control learning unit 207, which will be described later, constructed in the control unit 201 of the terminal device 200, a remote control signal for instructing each operation to the remote control electronic device 400 is received from the dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device 400. Information received from the dedicated remote controller is transmitted to the terminal device 200 via the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  When the remote control device 80, which is a USB device, is connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1, the storage unit 82 communicates with the self-propelled cleaner 1 to communicate with the remote control device 80 and the self-propelled type. Various information, programs, and the like that enable connection with the vacuum cleaner 1 are stored.

  The device connection unit 83 is a USB connector, and connects the remote control device 80 to the self-propelled cleaner 1. The device connection unit 83 is on the plug side of the USB connector and is connected to the socket of the USB connector of the self-propelled cleaner 1. The remote control device 80 is an optional device that can be connected to the expansion connector of the self-propelled cleaner 1. In addition, the remote controller 80 is configured such that the remote controller 80 is mechanically connected and fixed to the self-propelled cleaner 1 by connecting the device connecting portion 83 to the USB connector of the self-propelled cleaner 1. It is more preferable that

  The expansion device connection part (expansion connector part) 84 is a USB connector, and connects a USB device other than the remote control device 80 to the self-propelled cleaner 1 via the remote control device 80. The expansion device connection unit 84 is on the socket side of the USB connector, and is connected to a USB connector plug provided in another USB device. In addition, although it is set as the structure provided with only one apparatus connection part 84 for expansion in FIG. 2, it is good also as a structure provided with two or more.

  In FIG. 3, the structure of the principal part of the terminal device 200 is shown with a functional block diagram. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the terminal device 200 includes a data communication unit 220, an input / output panel 225, a control unit 201, and a storage unit 210.

  Based on the program and data stored in the storage unit 210, the data input from the input / output panel 225, the program and data received from an external device (not shown), the control unit 201 This block controls and controls the block.

  The controller 201 activates a cleaner application program (vacuum cleaner application) 211 for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1 stored in the storage unit 210. As a result, the control unit 201 controls the remote control device 80 via the operation request unit 204 that can instruct the self-propelled cleaner 1 to move, clean, photograph, and the like, and the self-propelled cleaner 1. A remote control control unit 202 that performs control, a reception information display control unit 206 that displays information received from the remote control electronic device 400, and a remote control learning unit 207 that causes the remote control device 80 to function as a learning remote control.

  The operation request unit 204 causes the operation instruction to the self-propelled cleaner 1 to be performed by displaying each instruction screen. In order to request the movement operation, a movement instruction screen is displayed, and the self-propelled cleaner can be moved by inputting an instruction on the instruction screen. Similarly, in order to request a photographing operation, a photographing instruction screen is displayed, and by inputting an instruction on the instruction screen, the self-propelled cleaner can photograph a surrounding image.

  The operation requesting unit (operation instruction receiving unit) 204 also displays a remote control instruction screen that allows an instruction input to the remote control device 80 connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1. By inputting an instruction on the remote control instruction screen, an operation instruction for the remote control electronic device 400 using the remote control device 80 can be input.

  The operation request unit 204 displays a remote control instruction screen using the device information regarding each remote control electronic device 400 that can be an operation target stored in the device information storage unit 213 of the storage unit 210. The remote control instruction screen can be operated on a device selection screen for selecting a remote control electronic device to be operated from each remote control electronic device 400 that can be an operation target, and on the selected remote control electronic device 400 to be operated. And a function selection screen for selecting a function from the function list.

  Specifically, on the device selection screen, the manufacturer / model name of the remote control electronic device 400 that can be an operation target is displayed, and is selected. By determining the manufacturer and model name of the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated, the remote control operable functions in this model are listed as a function selection screen, and operations such as ON / OFF can be performed. In the device information storage unit 213, the manufacturer / model name of the remote control electronic device that can be the operation target, information on the remote control operable function for each model, and remote control information necessary for outputting the remote control signal of the operable function Is stored as device information.

  The reception information display control unit 206 is a display control unit that displays information received by the remote control device 80 from the remote control electronic device 400 on the input / output panel 225. For example, in an air conditioner that is one of the remote control electronic devices 400, not only transmission of a remote control signal from the remote control to the air conditioner but also various types of room temperature, operation time, power consumption, filter replacement time, etc. from the air conditioner to the remote control Some information is sent. The received information display control unit 206 displays these pieces of information on the input / output panel 225, so that the user of the terminal device 200 can check the operation state of the remote control electronic device 400.

  In addition, for example, information on sensing odor or dust is input from a remote control electronic device 400 such as an air conditioner and the information is displayed, so that the self-propelled cleaner 1 is moved to a place where odor or dust is sensed. The cleaning function and the air cleaning function (when the self-propelled electronic device 1 has the air cleaning function) can be operated.

  The remote control control unit 202 uses the device information regarding each remote control electronic device 400 that can be an operation target stored in the device information storage unit 213 of the storage unit 210 to control the remote control device 80 connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1. Control. The remote control control unit 202 provides remote control information for operating the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated with the instructed contents (selected function) from the device information storage unit 231 related to each remote control electronic device 400 that can be the operation target. read out. Then, based on the remote control information, a command for causing the remote control device 80 to output a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device 400 that is the target of the received operation instruction with the instructed content is transmitted to the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  The remote controller learning unit 207 operates the remote controller 80 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 as a learning remote controller. Specifically, a learning screen for remote control learning is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 200, and the signal transmission / reception unit 81 and the signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26 of the remote control device 80 are controlled by operating the screen. The remote control device 80 is caused to receive remote control information from a dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device 400. The remote control learning unit 207 stores information such as remote control information received by the remote control device 80 from the dedicated remote control in the device information storage unit 213 in association with the manufacturer and model name of the remote control electronic device 400.

  Moreover, the control part 201 constructs | assembles the connection control part 203 in the control part 201 by starting the cleaner application program (vacuum cleaner application). The connection control unit 203 performs various processes related to the connection with the self-propelled cleaner 1. Specifically, wireless communication setting processing, wireless communication ON / OFF processing, pairing processing between the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the terminal device 200, and login / logout processing to the self-propelled cleaner 1 are performed.

  In FIG. 3, detailed functional blocks are omitted for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1 constructed in the control unit 201 by starting an application program (a cleaner application).

  The device information stored in the device information storage unit 213 may be stored in the storage unit 210 in advance when the terminal device 200 is shipped, or may be included in the cleaner application. Moreover, the structure acquired suitably from the server apparatus of the provider who provides self-propelled cleaner 1 and the server apparatus of the provider who provides each remote control electronic device may be sufficient. Further, the remote controller learning unit 207 may be read by a dedicated remote controller of the remote controller electronic device 400.

  In the present embodiment, the device information of the remote control electronic device 400 is transmitted to the terminal device 200 from the server device of the business operator that provides the self-propelled cleaner 1 or the server device of the business operator that provides each remote control electronic device. A first device information acquisition unit 208 that is acquired via 300 and stored in the device information storage unit 213 is provided.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 200 acquires the device information of the remote control electronic device 400 from the dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device 400 via the remote control device 80 of the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the device information storage unit 213. A second device information acquisition unit 209 for storing the information is provided.

  The storage unit 210 stores various programs executed by the control unit 201, various data used and created when executing the various programs, various data input to the terminal device 200, and the like. The storage unit 210 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM (registered trademark), and an HDD, and a volatile storage device such as a RAM constituting a work area.

  The storage unit 210 stores the above-described vacuum cleaner application program (vacuum cleaner application), and also includes a device information storage unit 213 that stores the device information.

  The data communication unit 220 is a block that transmits and receives data to and from an external device including the self-propelled cleaner 1 via the communication network 300. In particular, the data communication unit 220 transmits an operation signal for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1 to the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the data stored in the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the self-propelled cleaner. The data acquired by the machine 1 is received from the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  The input / output panel 225 is a touch panel in which an input function and a display function are integrated. The input / output panel 225 receives various data inputs and displays various data through operations such as a user's finger contact and a stylus. . Instead of the input / output panel 225, an input unit having an input function and a display unit having a display function may be provided.

  In FIG. 4, the structure of the principal part of the self-propelled cleaner 1 to which the remote control device 80 is connected is shown in a functional block diagram. As shown in FIG. 4, the self-propelled cleaner 1 includes a dust collection operation unit 42, a travel drive unit 40, an operation panel 45, a data communication unit 50, a signal transmission / reception unit 81, a photographing unit 47, a control unit 20, and a storage unit. 30.

  The dust collecting operation unit 42 performs an operation of sucking and collecting dust and dust, which is a main function as a vacuum cleaner. The dust collecting operation unit 42 includes a suction device (not shown) that generates a suction force, a cleaning brush (not shown), and the like.

  The traveling drive unit 40 moves the self-propelled cleaner 1 and includes wheels, rollers, and the like. The traveling drive unit 40 can perform forward / backward movement in which the direction of the self-propelled cleaner 1 is moved in parallel while maintaining the direction of the self-propelled cleaner 1, and a rotation operation that changes the direction of the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  The operation panel 45 is a user interface (UI) of the housing, and includes an operation unit that inputs various instructions to the self-propelled cleaner 1 and a display unit that displays various information. The operation unit is provided with a plurality of operation buttons.

  The data communication unit 50 transmits / receives data to / from the terminal device 200 via the communication network 300 (see FIG. 2). The data communication part 50 transmits the data memorize | stored in the self-propelled cleaner 1 to the terminal device 200 at the time of login, or receives the data for login from the terminal device 200. After the login, the data communication unit 50 receives an operation signal for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1 from the terminal device 200 only from the login terminal device 200, and the data acquired by the self-propelled cleaner 1 ( (Including images taken by the photographing unit 47) are transmitted only to the login terminal device.

  The control unit 20 controls the respective units of the self-propelled cleaner 1 based on the program and data stored in the storage unit 30 and the program and data input from the login terminal device 200 connected to the network. is there. By executing the program, the control unit 20 is configured with a dust collection control unit 27, a travel control unit 29, an imaging control unit 37, an image transmission processing unit 24, and a signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26.

  Among them, the dust collection control unit 27 controls the dust collection operation unit 42, the travel control unit 29 controls the travel drive unit 40, and the imaging control unit 37 controls the imaging unit 47.

  The image transmission processing unit 24 captures an image of the surroundings using the imaging unit 47 and transmits an image captured by the imaging unit 47 to the communication network 300 from the data communication unit 50 in an image transmission mode in which the image is transmitted to the outside. Is to be sent through. The image transmission processing unit 24 changes the image photographed by the photographing unit 47 to a signal suitable for transmission via the communication network 300.

  The signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26 controls the signal transmission / reception unit 81 of the remote control device 80 based on a command output from the remote control unit 202 of the terminal device 200, and is received by the operation request unit 204 of the terminal device 200. A remote control signal that causes the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated to operate according to the instructed content is output. The signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26 also transmits information received by the signal transmission / reception unit 81 from the remote control electronic device 400 or remote control information received from the dedicated remote control to the terminal device 200 via the data communication unit 50. is there. The signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26 functions as a first information transmission unit and a second information transmission unit in the self-propelled electronic device of the present invention.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 81 is controlled by the remote control control unit 202 of the terminal device 200 via the signal transmission / reception unit 81 to output a remote control signal that causes the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated to operate according to the selected instruction content. The signal transmission / reception unit 81 transmits information received from the remote control electronic device 400 and remote control information received from the dedicated remote control to the signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26.

  The storage unit 30 stores various programs executed by the control unit 20, various data used and created when the various programs are executed, various data input to the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the like. . The storage unit 30 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and an HDD, and a volatile storage device such as a RAM that constitutes a work area.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a movement instruction screen for instructing the terminal device 200 to move the self-propelled cleaner while displaying the video image taken by the self-propelled cleaner 1 on the display screen of the terminal device 200. Show. On the movement instruction screen, an image taken by the self-propelled cleaner 1 is displayed in real time. And the movement instruction | indication button which gives an instruction | indication to the traveling control part 29 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 is superimposed and displayed on a movement instruction | indication screen. In the example of FIG. 5, a direction instruction button 438 is displayed in a superimposed manner. When direction indicator button 438 is tapped, the traveling direction of self-propelled cleaner 1 can be switched, and a command including information on the operated direction indicator button is transmitted to self-propelled cleaner 1. Thereby, the self-propelled cleaner 1 changes the traveling direction. In addition to the movement instruction buttons, there are a rotation instruction button, a forward instruction button, and the like. By operating these movement instruction buttons, a self-propelled vacuum cleaner is confirmed while confirming an image displayed on the terminal device 200. 1 can be moved. Here, the configuration in which the movement instruction button is superimposed and displayed on the video screen is illustrated, but a configuration in which a movement instruction button display area is provided below the video display area may be employed.

  FIG. 6 shows a procedure for operating the remote control electronic device 400 via the self-propelled cleaner 1 in the terminal device 200.

  First, the vacuum cleaner application of the terminal device 200 is activated to make the self-propelled cleaner 1 operable, and the photographing unit 47 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 is driven to transmit an image to the terminal device 200 ( S1). While confirming the screen on which the video is shown, the movement instruction button is operated to move the self-propelled cleaner 1 (S2). When the self-propelled cleaner 1 reaches a position suitable for transmitting a remote control signal to the remote control electronic device 400, the movement of the self-propelled cleaner 1 is stopped (S3). The position suitable for transmission of the remote control signal means that there is no obstacle in the remote control electronic device 400 between the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated and the signal transmission / reception unit 81 receives the remote control signal of the remote control electronic device 400 (or This is a position where the remote control signal reliably reaches the receiving unit. When infrared rays are used as the wireless medium 500, since there is directivity, the signal transmission / reception unit 81 needs to face the reception unit of the remote control electronic device 400. Therefore, for the operation until the self-propelled cleaner 1 is stopped at a position suitable for transmission of the remote control signal, the self-propelled cleaner 1 is set so that the signal transmitting / receiving unit 81 faces the receiving unit of the remote control electronic device 400. An operation of rotating the is also included.

  When the self-propelled cleaner 1 moves to a position suitable for the remote control operation of the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated, a device selection screen for selecting the remote control electronic device 400 is displayed, for example, the manufacturer and model name are selected. Thus, the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated is selected and designated (S4). By designating the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated, a function selection screen as shown in a list, for example, is displayed for functions that can be instructed to be operated by the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated. Instruct (S5).

  Thereafter, the terminal device 200 is used to instruct execution of the instructed operation (S6). As a result, a command for outputting a remote control signal from the signal transmission / reception unit 81 is transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the self-propelled cleaner 1 for causing the remote control electronic device 400 to perform the operation of the instructed content. The

  The self-propelled cleaner 1 that has received the command transmits a remote control signal to the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated according to the instructed content (S7). The remote control electronic device 400 to be operated that has received the remote control signal performs an operation instructed by the remote control signal (S8).

  As described above, according to the operation system 100 of the present embodiment, the operation request unit 204 of the terminal device 200 displays the remote control instruction screen on the display screen of the terminal device 200 and issues an operation instruction to the remote control electronic device 400. Accept. The operation request unit 204 displays an instruction screen for selecting a remote control electronic device 400 to be operated and selecting a content to be instructed based on the device information of the remote control electronic device 400. A desired operation can be easily instructed to remote control electronic device 400 using the screen.

  Further, the remote control unit 202 of the terminal device 200 controls the remote control device 80 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 based on the device information of the remote control electronic device 400, and determines the remote control electronic device 400 that is the target of the received operation instruction. A remote control signal that operates according to the instructed content is output.

  And since the traveling control part 29 and the traveling drive part 40 which comprise a movement control part move the self-propelled cleaner 1 according to the instruction | indication from the terminal device 200, even if the self-propelled cleaner 1 is remote control electronic equipment Even if it is located at a location away from 400, the self-propelled cleaner 1 can be moved to a location where the remote control signal can reach.

  Therefore, even if the signal used for communication between the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the remote control electronic device 400 is a highly directional infrared signal used in the existing remote control electronic device, there is no problem. 400 can be operated.

  Thus, according to the operation system 100 of the present embodiment, the terminal device 200 can instruct a desired operation to the remote control electronic device 400 via the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  In addition, in the operation system of this embodiment, although the apparatus information storage part 213 was provided in the memory | storage part of the terminal device 200, it is good also as a structure provided in the memory | storage part 30 of the self-propelled cleaner 1. FIG. By providing the device information storage unit 213 on the terminal device 200 side, the device information storage unit 213 is appropriately acquired from the server device of the provider that provides the self-propelled cleaner 1 or the server device of the provider that provides each remote control electronic device. There is an advantage that can be easily implemented. On the other hand, when the device information storage unit 213 is provided on the self-propelled cleaner 1 side, the device information can be shared by a plurality of terminal devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D paired with the self-propelled cleaner 1. There is a merit such as.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the self-propelled cleaner 1 is equipped with the photographing unit 47, and using the image of the photographing unit 47, the self-propelled cleaner 1 is moved to a position suitable for transmitting a remote control signal. The structure to move was illustrated. However, if the terminal device 200 is not equipped with the photographing unit 47, it may be moved using the terminal device 200 on which the movement instruction button is displayed while directly viewing the self-propelled cleaner 1.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those used in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The difference from the previous embodiment is that, in this operation system, transmission position information indicating the position of the self-propelled cleaner 1 at the time of outputting a remote control signal is transmitted for each remote control electronic device 400 that can be an operation target. The remote control electronic device which is stored in the position information storage unit 31 and controls the driving of the traveling drive unit 40 by the traveling control unit 29 of the self-propelled cleaner, and the self-propelled cleaner is operated based on the transmission position information. It is a point moved to 400 transmission positions. In the present embodiment, the device information storage unit associates the device information of each remote control electronic device 400 with the user information such as “living TV”, “living air conditioner”, and “kitchen lighting”. The name of the remote control electronic device 400 including information indicating the position in the house is also given so that each remote control electronic device 400 can be designated by its installed position.

  With such a configuration, the remote control instruction screen is displayed without worrying about the information on the location where the self-propelled cleaner 1 is located, and the remote control electronic device 400 to be operated can be By selecting based on the name of the remote control electronic device 400 including the information indicating the position and designating the operation to be instructed, the selected operation can be reliably performed on the remote control electronic device 400.

  In FIG. 7, the structure of the principal part of the terminal device 200A included in the operation system of this embodiment is shown in a functional block diagram. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the terminal device 200 </ b> A further includes a position learning unit 223 and a transmission position information storage unit 31 with respect to the terminal device 200.

  The transmission position information storage unit 31 stores transmission position information that is information necessary for moving the self-propelled cleaner 1 to the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400.

  The position learning unit 223 generates transmission position information necessary for moving the self-propelled cleaner 1 to a transmission position suitable for each remote control electronic device 400. The position learning unit 223 learns the operation content (time-series operation information such as the forward distance and the rotated angle) when the terminal device 200 is operated to move from the charging stand to the transmission position. To do. The position learning unit 223 stores the learned content in the storage unit 210 as transmission position information. In addition, the position learning part 223 is diverted as it is, and the function which is conventionally mounted in the self-propelled cleaner 1 and learns the area | region to clean by learning.

  The self-propelled cleaner 1 receives a command including the transmission position information from the remote controller control unit 202 of the terminal device 200A, and the travel control unit 29 controls the travel drive unit 40 to The remote control electronic device 400 to be operated is moved to the transmission position.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a learning operation procedure performed between the terminal device 200 </ b> A and the self-propelled cleaner 1 to cause the self-propelled cleaner 1 to learn a transmission position according to the remote control electronic device 400. .

  When the user activates an application (vacuum cleaner application) for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1 in the terminal device 200A (S11), the input / output panel 225 displays various types for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1. A screen (not shown) for receiving instructions is displayed. And if a user selects position learning on this screen (S12), it will change to the learning screen (not shown) which makes self-propelled cleaner 1 learn position information. In this screen, when the user instructs to start learning, the information is transmitted to the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the self-propelled cleaner 1 prepares for learning. For example, when the self-propelled cleaner 1 is not located on the charging stand, the self-propelled cleaner 1 returns to the charging stand.

  The user operates the self-propelled cleaner 1 using the terminal device 200A, and moves the self-propelled cleaner 1 from the charging stand to the transmission position of the remote control electronic device 400 (S15). The self-propelled cleaner 1 learns the operation content (time-series operation information such as the distance traveled and the angle rotated) when moved from the charging stand to the transmission position of the remote control electronic device 400 (S16). ).

  When the user moves the self-propelled cleaner 1 to the transmission position, the user instructs the end of learning on the screen for learning the position information. The learning end information is transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the self-propelled cleaner 1 transmits the learned content to the terminal device 200A as transmission position information (S8). And stored in the storage unit 210 (S19).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operations performed between the terminal device 200A and the self-propelled cleaner 1 by which the terminal device 200A operates the remote control electronic device 400 via the self-propelled cleaner 1. .

  When the user activates an application (vacuum cleaner application) for operating the self-propelled cleaner 1 in the terminal device 200 (S21), the operation request unit 204 displays the self-propelled cleaner in the input / output panel 225. A screen (not shown) for receiving various instructions for operating 1 is displayed. Then, when the user selects a remote control operation on the screen (S22), a transition is made to a remote control instruction screen (not shown) that enables an instruction input to the remote control electronic device 400. On this screen, the user selects the operation target based on the name of the remote control electronic device 400 to which information indicating the position in the house (information such as “living TV”, “living air conditioner”, “kitchen lighting”) is attached. When the remote control electronic device 400 is selected and an operation is selected from the function list (S23), the remote control unit 202 is instructed by the remote control device 80 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 to the selected remote control electronic device 400 to perform the operation. A command for outputting a remote control signal to be performed is transmitted to the self-propelled cleaner 1 (S24). The command also includes transmission position information of the selected remote control electronic device 400 to be operated.

  When the self-propelled cleaner 1 receives a command from the terminal device 200 (S25), it analyzes the command (S27), and sets the travel drive unit 40 based on the transmission position information of the selected remote control electronic device 400 to be operated. Control and move the self-propelled cleaner 1 to the transmission position (S28).

  When the self-propelled cleaner 1 reaches the transmission position, the signal transmission / reception unit control unit 26 controls the signal transmission / reception unit 81 based on the command to transmit a remote control signal to the selected remote control electronic device 400 ( S29).

  As described above, in the operation system 100 of the present embodiment, the transmission position where the remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device 400 reaches the remote control electronic device 400 using the self-propelled configuration of the self-propelled cleaner 1. After the self-propelled cleaner 1 moves, the remote control signal is output.

  By adopting such a configuration, the remote control instruction screen is displayed without worrying about the location of the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the name with the information indicating the position in the house is attached. The remote controller electronic device 400 can be surely selected to perform the selected operation only by selecting the remote controller electronic device 400 to be operated based on the above and specifying the operation to be instructed.

  Moreover, in the cleaning apparatus of patent document 1, operation | movement of the remote control electronic device was controlled according to the cleaning of a self-propelled cleaner. For this reason, for example, a user who is away from home cannot operate the air conditioner and set the room temperature to an appropriate temperature before returning home. However, in the operation system 100, it is possible to easily order such an operation using the terminal device 200.

  Moreover, not only can a plurality of electronic devices be managed as the remote control electronic device 400 using the position learning function, but by combining the self-propelled configuration, for example, the self-propelled cleaner 1 If it is within the movable range, it is possible to easily go to a plurality of rooms and operate the lighting device and the air conditioner in each room.

  In the above configuration, the self-propelled cleaner 1 learns route information in response to an instruction from the terminal device 200 and stores the learned information in the terminal device 200. However, the learned content is self-propelled cleaning. It is good also as a structure memorize | stored in the machine 1. FIG. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which self-propelled (vacuum) cleaner 1 learns route information itself instead of the instruction | indication from the terminal device 200, and hold | maintains the learned information in the memory | storage part with which it is provided.

  Subsequently, two examples of modifications will be described with reference to FIGS. In the operation system 100 including the self-propelled cleaner 1 described above, the position learning unit 223 is mounted, and the self-propelled cleaner 1 is suitable for each remote control electronic device 400 by operating with the terminal device 200. Actually moved to the transmission position, the operation content at that time was stored in the storage unit 210 of the terminal device 200A as transmission position information.

  On the other hand, in the operation system of the first modified example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the self-propelled cleaner 1 </ b> A uses the infrared detection unit 70 that is mounted to return to the charging stand. Move to a transmission position suitable for remote control electronic device 400. As shown in FIG. 10, the self-propelled cleaner 1 </ b> A further includes a transmission control unit 22 and a transmission position specifying unit 25 with respect to the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  In the said structure, an infrared signal output device is installed in the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400 used as operation object. Note that, for example, when a plurality of remote control electronic devices 400 are arranged at close positions and the transmission position can be shared, one infrared output device may be installed for the plurality of remote control electronic devices 400.

  Although not shown, the position information storage unit of the storage unit of the terminal device included in the operation system of the present modification can specify the infrared rays output from the infrared output device arranged at the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400 Is stored as the transmission position information.

  The transmission position specifying unit 25 of the self-propelled cleaner 1A specifies whether or not the transmission position has been reached from the transmission position information included in the command transmitted from the terminal device and the infrared information detected by the infrared detection unit 70. To do. When the detected infrared intensity is smaller than a predetermined value, the transmission position specifying unit 25 moves closer to the infrared output device until the detected infrared intensity is greater than the predetermined value, and the infrared intensity is predetermined. When the size is over, it is determined that the transmission position has been reached.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the terminal device operates the remote control electronic device 400 via the self-propelled cleaner 1A, which is performed between the terminal device and the self-propelled cleaner 1A, FIG. Instead of S28 in the flowchart, S40 and S41 are performed to move to the transmission position.

  That is, the traveling drive control unit 21 controls the traveling drive unit 40 to move the self-propelled cleaner 1A and searches for infrared rays output from the transmission position of the selected remote-control electronic device 400 (S40). ). Meanwhile, the infrared detection unit 70 continues to detect infrared rays. And if the transmission position specific | specification part 25 detects the infrared rays output from the transmission position of the selected remote control electronic device 400 from the infrared rays which the infrared detection part 70 detected, the intensity | strength of the said infrared rays will be predetermined. When the value becomes equal to or greater than the value, it is determined that the transmission position has been reached (S41). Thereby, traveling drive control part 21 stops self-propelled cleaner 1A, and shifts to S32.

  In the operation system of the second modification shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the transmission position suitable for each remote control electronic device 400 using the photographing unit 47 mounted on the self-propelled cleaner 1. Move to. In the self-propelled cleaner, there is a model equipped with a CCD camera in order to check the indoor situation from the terminal device 200, and this is used. As shown in FIG. 12, the self-propelled cleaner 1 </ b> B further includes a transmission control unit 22 and a transmission position specifying unit 28 with respect to the self-propelled cleaner 1.

  In this configuration, a shooting target mark is placed at the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400 to be operated. Also in this case, if the plurality of remote control electronic devices 400 are arranged at close positions and the transmission position can be made common, one mark may be installed for the plurality of remote control electronic devices 400.

  Although not shown, in the position information storage unit of the storage unit of the terminal device included in the operation system of the present modification, a mark placed at the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400 is set as the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400. Information that can be identified is stored.

  The transmission position identification unit 28 compares the transmission position information included in the command transmitted from the terminal device with the mark photographed by the photographing unit 47 and identifies whether or not the transmission position has been reached. When the size of the photographed mark is small, the transmission position information moves closer to the mark until it reaches a predetermined size or more, and the size of the mark is equal to or larger than the predetermined size. Then, it is determined that the transmission position has been reached. As a mark for identifying the transmission position of each remote control electronic device 400, a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode can also be used. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which memorize | stores the photograph of each remote control electronic device 400 itself as a mark which identifies a transmission position. The photographing unit 47 photographs the surroundings, analyzes the photographed image, finds the target remote control electronic device 400, and moves to the transmission position of the target remote control electronic device 400.

  And as shown in FIG. 13, when the terminal device 200 is operated between the terminal device 200 and the self-propelled cleaner 1B and operates the remote control electronic device 400 via the self-propelled cleaner 1B, Instead of S30 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, S50 and S51 are performed to move to the transmission position.

  That is, the traveling drive control unit 21 controls the traveling drive unit 40 to move the self-propelled cleaner 1B and searches for a mark attached to the selected transmission position of the remote-control electronic device 400 (S50). ). In the meantime, the photographing unit 47 continues photographing. Then, when the transmission position specifying unit 28 detects a mark attached to the transmission position of the selected remote-control electronic device 400 from the video imaged by the imaging unit 47, the size of the mark is determined in advance. At this point, it is determined that the transmission position has been reached (S51). Thereby, traveling drive control part 21 stops self-propelled cleaner 1B, and shifts to S32.

  In the operation system of the present embodiment, the transmission position information storage unit 31 is provided in the storage unit of the terminal device 200, and the transmission position information is transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the self-propelled cleaners 1, 1A, 1B. Although it was set as the structure, it is good also as a structure which provides the transmission position information storage part 31 in the memory | storage part 30 of self-propelled cleaner 1, 1A, 1B. Based on the name of the remote control electronic device 400 transmitted from the terminal device 200, the self-propelled cleaner 1 may read and transmit the transmission position information from its own storage unit.

  In addition, some self-propelled cleaners have map information in the house in advance and clean an area designated based on the map information. In the case of having such map information, the position of each remote control electronic device 400 is registered in the map information, and the map information is used to move to the designated position (transmission position) of the remote control electronic device 400. It is good.

  Finally, the control units 20, 20A, 20B of the self-propelled cleaners 1, 1A, 1B and the control units 201, 201A of the terminal devices 200, 200A are respectively formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip). It may be configured as hardware by a logic circuit, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, each of the self-propelled cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B or the terminal devices 200, 200 </ b> A has a CPU (central processing unit) that executes a command of a control program that realizes each function, and a ROM (read only) that stores the program memory), a RAM (random access memory) for expanding the program, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source code) of each control program of the self-propelled cleaners 1, 1A, 1B or the terminal devices 200, 200A which are software for realizing the functions described above. The recording medium in which the program is recorded so as to be readable by the computer is supplied to the self-propelled cleaner 1, 1A, 1B or the terminal device 200, 200A, respectively, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) is recorded on the recording medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, logic circuits such as PLD (Programmable Logic Device), etc. it can.

  Further, the self-propelled cleaner 1, 1A, 1B or the terminal device 200, 200A 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. Further, 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), IEEE802.11 radio, HDR (High Data Rate), NFC (Near Field Communication), DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, etc. . 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 is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1,1A, 1B Self-propelled vacuum cleaner (self-propelled electronic equipment)
20, 20A, 20B Control unit 21 Traveling drive control unit 24 Image transmission processing unit 25 Transmission position specifying unit 26 Signal transmission / reception unit control unit (first information transmission unit, second information transmission unit)
27 Dust Collection Control Unit 28 Transmission Position Identification Unit 29 Travel Control Unit (Movement Control Unit)
Reference Signs List 30 Storage unit 31 Transmission position information storage unit 40 Travel drive unit 42 Dust collection operation unit 45 Operation panel 47 Imaging unit 50 Data communication unit 70 Infrared detection unit 80 Remote control device (remote control signal output unit)
81 signal transmission / reception unit 82 storage unit 83 device connection unit 84 device connection unit for expansion (connector unit for expansion)
100 Operation System 200A to 200D Terminal Device 201 Control Unit 202 Remote Control Unit 203 Connection Control Unit 204 Operation Request Unit (Operation Instruction Accepting Unit)
206 Reception information display control unit 207 Remote control learning unit 210 Storage unit 211 Vacuum cleaner application program 213 Device information storage unit 220 Data communication unit 223 Position learning unit 225 Input / output panel 231 Device information storage unit 300 Communication network 400a to 400c Remote control electronic device 438 Direction indication button 500 Wireless medium

Claims (10)

A self-propelled electronic device that is operated by a terminal device connected via a communication network, and the terminal device that operates the self-propelled electronic device via the communication network, and can be operated by a remote controller An operation system for operating a remote control electronic device by outputting a remote control signal from the self-propelled electronic device,
The self-propelled electronic device is
A movement control unit for controlling the movement of the own device;
A remote control signal output unit for outputting a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device,
The terminal device is
An operation instruction receiving unit for receiving an operation instruction for the remote control electronic device;
A remote control unit that controls the remote control signal output unit and outputs a remote control signal that causes the remote control electronic device that is the target of the operation instruction received by the operation instruction reception unit to operate according to the instructed content;
In the terminal device or the self-propelled electronic device,
A device information storage unit that stores device information about each remote control electronic device that can be an operation target;
A transmission position information storage unit that stores transmission position information indicating the position of the own device when outputting the remote control signal, which is set corresponding to each remote control electronic device that can be the operation target. ,
The operation instruction receiving unit displays an instruction screen for selecting a remote control electronic device to be operated and selecting a content to be instructed based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit,
The remote control unit controls the remote control signal output unit based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit,
The said movement control part moves an own apparatus to the transmission position of the remote control electronic device of operation object based on the said transmission position information, The operating system characterized by the above-mentioned. A terminal device for operating a self-propelled electronic device connected via a communication network,
An operation instruction receiving unit for receiving operation instructions for the remote control electronic device;
A remote control signal output unit mounted on the self-propelled electronic device, wherein the remote control signal output unit that outputs a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device is controlled, and the operation instruction received by the operation instruction reception unit A remote control control unit for outputting a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device to be operated according to the instructed content;
A device information storage unit that stores device information about each remote control electronic device that can be an operation target;
A transmission position information storage unit that stores transmission position information indicating the position of the own device when outputting the remote control signal, which is set corresponding to each remote control electronic device that can be the operation target. ,
The operation instruction receiving unit displays an instruction screen for selecting a remote control electronic device to be operated and selecting a content to be instructed based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit,
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the remote control unit controls the remote control signal output unit based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit.   The terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising a first device information acquisition unit that acquires device information related to the remote control electronic device via the communication network and stores the device information in the device information storage unit.   A second device information acquisition unit that acquires device information related to the remote control electronic device from the dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device via the remote control signal output unit of the self-propelled electronic device and stores the device information in the device information storage unit; The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the terminal device has a terminal device.   5. The reception information display control unit according to claim 2, further comprising a reception information display control unit configured to display information received from the remote control electronic device via the remote control signal output unit of the self-propelled electronic device. The terminal device described. A self-propelled electronic device operated by a terminal device connected via a communication network,
A movement control unit for controlling the movement of the own device;
A remote control signal output unit for outputting a remote control signal for operating the remote control electronic device,
The movement control unit sets the own device as the operation target based on the transmission position information indicating the position of the own device when outputting the remote control signal, which is set corresponding to each remote control electronic device that can be the operation target. A self-propelled electronic device characterized by being moved to a transmission position of a remote control electronic device. The remote control signal output unit receives information from the remote control electronic device,
The self-propelled electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising a first information transmission unit that transmits the information received by the remote control signal output unit to the terminal device. The remote control signal output unit receives device information of a corresponding remote control electronic device from a dedicated remote control of the remote control electronic device,
The self-propelled electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a second information transmission unit that transmits the device information received by the remote control signal output unit to the terminal device.   The self-propelled electronic device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the remote control signal output unit includes an optional device that can be connected to an expansion connector provided in the device.   The optional device constituting the remote control signal output unit is provided with an expansion connector unit that allows connection of another optional device. 10. Self-propelled electronic equipment.