JPH10340123A - Bidirectional remote controller and its controlled device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bidirectional remote control system which can perform the backup of the setting information on the controlled devices by a bidirectional remote controller and the exchange of information between these controlled devices. SOLUTION: Every controlled device 12 of a bidirectional remote controller 11 sends the device information to the controller 11, and a device information storage device 112 of the controller 11 stores the received device information. Then the controller 11 sends the device information to the device 12 from the storage device 112 as necessary. In such a constitution, a bidirectional remote control system is obtained to secure the non-volatility and portability for the device setting information on the device 12 and to attain the exchange of information between the devices 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system for remotely controlling a device by a remote controller, a remote controller controlled device, and a remote controller.
Two-way remote control system, two-way remote controller controlled device, bi-directional remote control system that can download information on the operating state of the remote controller controlled device and operation information for controlling the remote controller controlled device to the remote controller It concerns the remote controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional bidirectional remote control system, a bidirectional communication path is provided between a remote controller controlled device and a remote controller, so that the operating state information of the bidirectional remote controller controlled device can be bidirectionally transmitted. Download to remote controller,
There was a system that could do the display.

[0003] As a conventional technique, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
115298. These devices output information on the operating status from the controlled device to the bidirectional remote controller, and display the operating status on the bidirectional remote controller to confirm that the operating status can be confirmed by the bidirectional remote controller. It is possible.

[0004] The following describes the conventional technology with reference to the drawings.
Give an explanation. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a conventional two-way remote control system.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 91 denotes a two-way remote controller, which includes a selection device 911, a display device 912,
A central processing unit 913 and a two-way communication device 914, 92 is a two-way remote controller controlled device, a two-way communication device 921, a controlled device main body 92
It consists of two.

The operation of the conventional technique configured as described above will be described below. First, command transmission from the bidirectional remote controller 91 to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 92 is performed in the same manner as in a normal remote control system.

That is, when the operator selects a certain command with the selection device 911, the selection device 911
Central processing unit 913 having received the command selected from
Instructs the two-way communication device 914 to transmit an operation request signal corresponding to the command. The bidirectional communication device 914 that has received the instruction transmits an operation request signal of the corresponding command to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 92.

[0008] Bidirectional remote controller controlled device 9
2, the operation request signal is received by the two-way communication device 921, and the two-way communication device 921 outputs the operation request signal to the controlled device main body 922. The controlled device main body 922 that has received the operation request signal performs an operation corresponding to the specified operation request signal, and a series of operations is completed.

The operating state information of the controlled device 92 such as the temperature of the air conditioner is downloaded from the controlled device 92 to the bidirectional remote controller 91 as follows. .

First, the controlled device main unit 922 of the bidirectional remote controller 92 outputs operating state information to the bidirectional communication device 921 periodically or when there is a change in the operating state. . The two-way communication device 921 that has received the operation state information operates the two-way remote controller 9.
1 to transmit the operation state information.

[0011] The bidirectional remote controller 91 receives the operation state information by the bidirectional communication device 914 and outputs it to the central processing unit 913. Next, the central processing unit 913
The operating state information is output to the display device 912, and the display device 9
12 displays this operation state information. For example, when the controlled device of the two-way remote controller is an air conditioner, the two-way remote controller 91 receives information such as temperature-27 degrees, operation mode-cooling, and air flow-strong, and the display device 912 displays the information. By these operations, the operator is able to communicate with the controlled device 92
At a distant position, the operation state of the controlled device 92 can be confirmed by the bidirectional remote controller 91.

[0012]

However, the above configuration has the following problems.

In the controlled device of the interactive remote controller of the main body, there is a problem that the setting information is volatile and is not portable.

According to the conventional bidirectional remote control system, it is possible for an operator to confirm the operation state of the bidirectional remote controller. The problem of resetting when the power of the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller is turned off has not been solved.

That is, when the power of the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller is turned off, the operating state and the setting state are cleared, and when the power is turned on again,
It is necessary to set again with a bidirectional remote controller or the like. Further, even when using the same device as the home at the time of going out, such as when traveling, if the user wants to use the device at the same setting as at home, it is necessary to perform the setting again. There is a problem that it is very troublesome.

In order to change the setting state of the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller, the bidirectional remote controller and the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller must be connected by wire or wirelessly and set in an online state. There was a problem that it was bothersome.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bidirectional remote control system that does not require setting of the same bidirectional remote controller controlled device again. Another object of the present invention is to realize a bidirectional remote control system capable of changing settings of a controlled device of a bidirectional remote controller independently on the bidirectional remote controller side and making a plurality of changes collectively. And

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bidirectional remote control system comprises a bidirectional remote controller controlled device and a bidirectional remote controller. Device information is stored by a device information storage device provided in the bidirectional remote controller. The device information is uploaded to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device as required by the operator or when the power of the bidirectional remote control controlled device is turned on.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, with the above-described configuration, a two-way remote control system which does not require resetting of device information such as an operation state and a setting state of a device, and a device between different two-way remote controllers to be controlled. Thus, a two-way remote control system capable of exchanging information can be realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a two-way remote control system comprises a two-way remote controller controlled device and a two-way remote controller, and transmits device information from the two-way remote controller controlled device to a two-way remote controller. The device information stored in the device information storage device is stored by the device information storage device provided in the remote controller, and the device information stored in the device information storage device is transmitted from the bidirectional remote controller to the bidirectional remote controller at the time set in the timer device provided in the bidirectional remote controller. The device information is transmitted to the control device, and the device information is uploaded to the controlled device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to set a device to a specified operation state and a set state at a specified time in a device having no timer reservation function.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a two-way remote control system comprises a two-way remote controller controlled device and a two-way remote controller, and transmits device information from the two-way remote controller controlled device to a two-way remote controller. The information is stored by the device information storage device provided in the remote controller. The device information is edited and uploaded to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device as required by the operation of the operator.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, with the above-described configuration, the setting state of the device is edited offline on the bidirectional remote controller side, and returned to the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller to reset the setting state. It is possible to realize a two-way remote control system that can change the settings of the remote control collectively.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a bidirectional remote control system, a bidirectional remote controller, and a controlled device of a bidirectional remote controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a two-way remote control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a bidirectional remote controller, which includes a selection device 111, a device information storage device 112,
A central processing unit 113 and a two-way communication device 114 are provided. Reference numeral 12 denotes a two-way remote controller controlled device, and a two-way communication device 121 and an operation information storage device 12.
2. It is composed of the controlled device main unit 123.

The operation of the thus configured bidirectional remote control system of the present embodiment will be described below.

As a controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller to be operated by the bidirectional remote controller, a television is considered.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the device setting information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 denotes a television setting information table. As shown in FIG. 2, the TV setting information includes a device name, channel setting information, a channel number,
There are volume information, input setting information, screen setting information, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the television setting information 21 is stored in the device information storage device 122 of the controlled device 12 in the controlled device 12. In accordance with a change in the current operation state of the television, the device setting information is output from the controlled device main body 123 to the device information storage device 122, and the device information storage device 122 always stores the current device setting information of the television. I remember.

The bidirectional remote controller 11 has a selection device 111, and this selection device 111 has a setting download button. When the operator presses the setting download button, the device setting information of the television is downloaded to the interactive remote controller 11 in the following procedure.

The selection device 111 outputs a signal indicating that the setting download button has been selected to the central processing unit 113.
To be sent. Central processing unit 1 receiving this signal
13 instructs the two-way communication device 114 to transmit a setting information request signal. Two-way communication device 1 receiving instructions
14 transmits a setting information request signal to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 12.

The controlled device 12 that has received the setting information request signal transmits the device setting information to the bidirectional remote controller 11. The device setting request signal is transmitted to the controlled device 1 of the bidirectional remote controller.
2 is received by the two-way communication device 121 and outputs this signal to the device information storage device 122. The device information storage device 122 that has received the signal outputs the stored device setting information to the two-way communication device 121. Two-way communication device 121
Transmits the device setting information to the bidirectional remote controller 1.
Send to 1.

The bidirectional remote controller 11 receives and stores the device setting information. The two-way communication device 114 that has received the device setting information transmits this information to the central processing unit 1.
13 is output. The central processing unit 113 receiving the output,
This information is output to the device information storage device 112, and the device information storage device 112 stores the device setting information.

With the above operation, the device setting information stored in the controlled device 12 can be downloaded to the bidirectional remote controller 11.

The bidirectional remote controller 11 can upload the stored device setting information to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 12 as follows, based on a request from the operator.

The selection device 111 of the bidirectional remote controller 11 has a setting upload button, and when the user selects this button, device setting information is transmitted to the controlled device 12 of the bidirectional remote controller. When the setting upload button is selected, a device setting information transmission request is output to the central processing unit 113. The central processing unit 113 outputs this signal to the device information storage device 112, and the device information storage device 112 that has received the signal outputs the stored device setting information to the central processing device 113.
The central processing unit 113 outputs the device setting information to the two-way communication device 114, and the two-way communication device 114 transmits the device setting information to the two-way remote controller
Send to 2.

Bidirectional remote controller controlled device 1
2 receives the device setting information and sets the device setting information in the controlled device main body 123. The two-way communication device 121 that has received the device setting information outputs the device setting information to the device information storage device 122, and the device information storage device 122 stores the device setting information. Controlled device main unit 123
Performs an operation based on the device setting information stored in the device information storage device 122.

With the above operation, the device setting status is temporarily stored by the bidirectional remote controller 11, and the device setting status is temporarily stored in the controlled device 1.
2 can be uploaded. This allows
It is possible to realize the nonvolatile state of the operation state and the setting state of the device. If the operating status and setting status of the controlled device are downloaded to the bidirectional remote controller, the device settings of the controlled device can be uploaded even after the power of the controlled device is turned off. By pressing the button, the settings of the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller can be returned to the original settings, which is very effective for devices having complicated settings.

When it is desired to temporarily change the state or setting of the device or to return to the original state, the bidirectional remote controller downloads the setting state by a bidirectional remote controller before the change. Is stored, and after the change is made and the two-way remote controller controlled device is used, the original state and settings are uploaded again, thereby making it very easy to restore the original state and settings. .

If the setting of the device is complicated, such as when it is desired to change the setting of the device for each individual, it is not possible to reset the device to its own setting after another person uses it. , It is very troublesome work. If each person has the bidirectional remote controller of the present embodiment, by storing their own setting information in the bidirectional remote controller for each individual, complicated device settings can be set for each individual. This is unnecessary.

The operation state information is downloaded to the bidirectional remote controller and the operation state information is uploaded from the bidirectional remote controller when the power is turned off and on by the operator. With a small number of operations, it is possible to download the operation state information and the setting state information and upload the information to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device.

In this embodiment, the operation in the case where the setting information of one controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller is stored has been described. It is also possible to store data by a bidirectional remote controller. In addition, by one button operation, it is possible to simultaneously upload and download setting information of a plurality of bidirectional remote controller controlled devices, and to store setting information of the bidirectional remote controller controlled device of the whole room. Can be.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a two-way remote control system, a two-way remote controller, and a controlled device of a two-way remote controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes a two-way remote controller, which includes a selection device 311, a device information storage device 312, a central processing unit 313, and a two-way communication device 314. Reference numeral 32 denotes a television, and a two-way communication device 321, 33 is a microwave oven, and includes a bidirectional communication device 331 and a microwave oven main body 332.
It is composed of

The operation of the thus configured bidirectional remote control system of the present embodiment will be described below.

In the second embodiment, a cooking program is broadcast on the television 32, and the setting information of the microwave oven 33 for cooking the dish being broadcast is multiplexed with the information of the program. Shall be. Microwave oven on TV 3
Setting information for the two-way remote controller 3
Hereinafter, a series of operations transmitted to and stored in the microwave oven 33 via 1 will be described.

When the operator wants to download the microwave oven setting information, first, the bidirectional remote controller 31 stores the setting information in the following procedure.

When the television main unit 322 of the television 32 broadcasts a cooking program and finds that information that can be downloaded to the microwave oven 33 is multiplexed in the broadcast signal, the television screen 322 displays An indication that microwave oven information can be downloaded is displayed.

With this operation, the operator of the two-way remote controller 31 having learned that the microwave oven information can be downloaded can be used.
The download button provided by the selection device 311 is selected. At this time, a download request signal is output from the selection device 311 to the central processing unit 313, and the central processing unit 313 outputs the download request signal to the two-way communication device 314. The two-way communication device 314 that has received the download request signal transmits the download request signal to the television 32.

After receiving the download request signal by the two-way communication device 321, the television 32 outputs the download request signal to the television main unit 322. The television main unit 322 having received the download request signal outputs the microwave setting information multiplexed in the program to the two-way communication device 321, and this information is transmitted to the two-way communication device 321.
Is transmitted to the bidirectional remote controller 31.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of device setting information according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 41 denotes microwave setting information. In the example of FIG. 4, the heating time and the heating temperature set in the microwave oven are arranged in order.

The bidirectional remote controller 31 stores such microwave oven setting information in the following procedure.
The two-way remote controller 31 receives the microwave setting information transmitted from the television 32 by the two-way communication device 314, and outputs the information to the central processing unit 313. The central processing unit 313 transmits the microwave setting information to the central processing unit 313. Output to the device information storage device 312. Device information storage device 312
Stores this microwave oven setting information.

Next, the bidirectional remote controller 31
Can upload microwave setting information to the microwave oven 33 according to a request from the operator.

When the microwave oven setting information is downloaded to the two-way remote controller 31, the operator points the two-way remote controller 31 at the microwave oven 33 and selects the upload button provided on the two-way remote controller 31. I do. When the upload button is selected, the selection device 311 outputs an upload request signal to the central processing unit 313, and the central processing unit 313
It instructs the device information storage device 312 to output microwave setting information. Device information storage device 312 that received the instruction
Outputs the microwave setting information to the central processing unit 313. The central processing unit 313 outputs the microwave oven setting information to the two-way communication device 314,
Transmits microwave setting information to the microwave oven 33.

The microwave oven 33 receives the microwave oven setting information by the two-way communication device 331 and outputs it to the microwave oven main body 332. The microwave main unit 332 sets the device main unit to the setting indicated by the received microwave setting information.

By the operation as described above, the setting information of the microwave oven broadcasted on the television can be set in the microwave oven via the two-way remote controller.

In this embodiment, the bidirectional remote controller controlled device for exchanging information is
Although the television and the microwave oven have been mentioned, the present invention is effective for a combination of a bidirectional remote controller controlled device having any other information to be exchanged.

As another example, there is an example in which teletext information of a television is transferred to a personal computer. A bidirectional remote controller is widely used as an intermediary device for exchanging complicated information between devices. it can.

In this embodiment, the case where information is exchanged between the controlled devices in the same room with the bidirectional remote controller is described. However, the present invention is also effective for information exchange with outdoor equipment such as a destination. It is.

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, a two-way remote control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote controller system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes an indoor car navigator; 52, a key-type bidirectional remote controller; and 53, an on-vehicle car navigator.

In FIG. 5, similarly to the first and second embodiments, when the device information can be stored by the two-way remote controller, the indoor car navigator 5 is set in advance.
The route information set in step 1 is downloaded to the key-type bidirectional remote controller 52, and the on-vehicle car navigator 53 is downloaded.
Can be uploaded to

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the route setting information. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 61 denotes route setting information. The route setting information includes link information indicating a starting point, a destination point, and a road connecting those points. The route setting information as shown in FIG. 6 is downloaded to the bidirectional remote controller 52 and uploaded to the on-vehicle car navigator 53.

The procedure for uploading and downloading can be performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

By these operations, it is possible to set a route in a room in advance and to easily carry the set route information to the car without having to set a complicated route in the car navigation in the car.

(Embodiment 4) Hereinafter, a bidirectional remote control system, a bidirectional remote controller, and a controlled device of a bidirectional remote controller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 71 denotes a bidirectional remote controller, which is a selection device 711, a display device 712, a device information storage device 713, a central processing device 714, and a timer device 7.
15, a bidirectional communication device 716; 72, a bidirectional remote controller controlled device, which is composed of a bidirectional communication device 721 and a controlled device main body 722;

An air conditioner is considered as the controlled device 72 of the bidirectional remote controller.

The bidirectional remote controller 71 can download device setting information from the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 72. The download of the device setting information can be performed in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

Further, the downloaded setting information of the controlled device 72 can be displayed on the display device 712 to the operator.

Therefore, while watching the setting state of the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 72 on the display device 712,
By operating the bidirectional remote controller, the setting state of the controlled device 52 can be changed.

Hereinafter, the reservation function realized in the bidirectional remote control system according to the present embodiment will be described.

An example of the operation environment of the bidirectional remote controller according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation environment example of the bidirectional remote controller according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, where 81 is an example of a normal operation environment, and 82 is an example of a reservation operation environment.

In FIG. 8, the LCD touch panel
The operator is provided with an operation environment, and the operator can select a command displayed on the button by touching the button displayed on the LCD. The display on the LCD can be switched as needed.
Reference numeral 81 denotes an operating environment during normal operation, in which power is turned on and off by a power button, air flow is switched by an air flow switching button, cooling and heating operation modes are switched by an operation switching button, and a temperature up button is displayed. ,
The set temperature can be adjusted with the temperature down button. The air conditioner, air flow strength, and 27 degrees at the right center of 81 indicate the current air conditioner setting state. The active display at the upper right of 81 indicates that the bidirectional remote controller 71 is in the normal command transmission state. By selecting this button, the bidirectional remote controller 71 transits to the reservation operation mode. .

Reference numeral 82 denotes an operation environment of the reservation operation mode. In 81, the mode display at the upper right, which is a display during operation, indicates that reservation is being performed.

At the time of reservation, the operator reserves two items: reservation time and reserved device status. 82, the start 1:12 and the end 4:12 in the middle part of the screen indicate the start time of the reservation and the end time of the reservation, and can be adjusted by the arrow buttons at the bottom.

Regarding the reserved device status, it is desired to reserve the device status information (operating mode, air volume, temperature) displayed on the bidirectional remote controller 72 by using the air volume switching button, the operation switching button, the temperature up button, and the temperature down button. Set to device status.

After setting the reservation time and the reservation device state as described above, the reservation is completed by the operator selecting the reservation button, and the bidirectional remote controller 71
It returns to the normal operation mode of 81.

In the operation environment as described above, the bidirectional remote controller 71 uses the selection device 711 and the display device 712.
And provide it to the operator.

When the operator makes a reservation, the reservation time information output from the central processing unit 714 is transmitted to the timer 71
5 is stored, and the reserved device setting information output from the central processing unit 714 is stored in the device information storage device 713.

When the time reaches the reservation time set by the operator, the reserved operation is performed as follows. When the start time set by the operator is reached, the timer device 715
Interrupts the central processing unit 714 and instructs the central processing unit 714 to start a reservation. Upon receiving the reservation start, the central processing unit 714 instructs the device information storage device 713 to output the reserved device setting information, and the device information storage device 713 instructs the central processing device 714 to output the device reserved by the operator. Output configuration information. Central processing unit 714
Outputs the device setting information to the two-way communication device 716, and the two-way communication device 716 transmits the device setting information to the two-way remote controller controlled device 72. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, device setting information of the operation mode—cooling, air flow—high, and the set temperature—27 degrees is transmitted.

Bidirectional Remote Controller Controlled Device 7
2, after receiving the reserved device setting information by the two-way communication device 721, this information is output to the controlled device main body 722, and the two-way remote controller controlled device 72 is set to the reserved device setting state. You.

When the reservation end time comes, a signal instructing the end of the operation is transmitted from the bidirectional remote controller 71 to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device 72. When the reservation end time comes, the timer device 716
An interrupt is issued to the central processing unit 714 to instruct the end of the reservation. Upon receiving the reservation end, the central processing unit 714 outputs a reservation end signal to the two-way communication device 716, and the two-way communication device 716 transmits this reservation end signal to the two-way remote controller controlled device 72.

[0084] Bidirectional remote controller controlled device 7
2, after the reservation end signal is received by the two-way communication device 721, this signal is output to the controlled device main body 722,
The bidirectional remote controller controlled device 72 ends the operation.

With the above operation, it is possible to realize a two-way remote control system that enables reservation by the timer of the two-way remote controller. With such a bidirectional remote controller system, a reservation function can be realized even for a bidirectional remote controller controlled device having no reservation function. For example, it is difficult for a light or the like to have a reservation function in a device itself because it has no display means and it is not economical to have a complicated circuit. According to this, the reservation function can be easily realized.

In this embodiment, the bidirectional remote controller stores only the device setting status of one controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller and makes a reservation.
The present invention is also effective when storing the device setting states of a plurality of controlled devices of the bidirectional remote controller. As described above, the device setting status of the plurality of bidirectional remote controller controlled devices is stored, and the device setting information is transmitted and set to the plurality of bidirectional remote controller controlled devices simultaneously with the set reservation time. Thus, a reservation function of a plurality of controlled devices of the bidirectional remote controller and a synchronous reservation function can be realized. As an application example, when a program reproduced on a set-top box (STB) is to be recorded as a video, simultaneous reservation of the STB and the video can be realized.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to the bidirectional remote control system for performing only one reservation, the present invention can be applied to a plurality of reservations by setting a plurality of pieces of time information that can be set in the timer device. Can respond.

(Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, a bidirectional remote controller, a bidirectional remote controller controlled device, and a bidirectional remote control system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a bidirectional remote control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a controller; 1002, an input device; 1003, a central processing unit;
004 is a program information storage device, 1005 is a display device, 10
06 is a two-way communication device, 1007 is a set-top box, 1008 is a central processing unit, 1009 is a program information storage device, 1010 is a program receiving device, 1011 and 1012 are program information, 1013 is a program, and 1014 is program selection information. .

FIG. 11 shows an example of a bidirectional remote control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1101 denotes a program supply network;
02 is a controller operation screen, 1103 is a recording medium, 1
104 is a television, 1105 is a non-program supply network,
Reference numeral 1106 denotes a personal computer.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of program information and program selection information according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
, 1201 is a program information format, 1202
Is a program selection information format, 1203 is a program ID, 1
204 is a program name, 1205 is a program genre, 1206 is a program description, 1207 is a start time, and 1208 is an end time.

The operation of the bidirectional remote control system configured as described above will be described below. In this embodiment, a remote controller with a liquid crystal display or a personal digital assistant (PD) is used as a controller.
Consider a device having a function of providing a graphical user interface as in A). On the other hand, a set-top box capable of receiving and reproducing satellite broadcasting or cable television is considered as the controller controlled device.

The set-top box 1007 includes a satellite,
A program 1013 is received from a program supply network 1101 such as a cable television or a telephone network. At the same time as the program, program guide information representing the contents of the program is broadcast in parallel, and the program information 1012 is also received. The received program information 1012 is decoded,
It is temporarily stored in the program information storage device 109. The program information 1012 is stored in the central processing unit 1008 as necessary.
From the TV 1104 as a program guide screen.
Will be displayed on the screen.

Further, the program information is transmitted to the controller 1001 through the two-way communication device 1006 as it is or after processing such as simplification is performed for a controller having poor display capability. In addition, there are cases where all the program information is sent, and cases where some filtering processing such as only the program genre, preference setting, broadcast time, and specific channel is performed and a part thereof is selected and sent.

On the other hand, the controller 1001 receives the program information 1011 by the two-way communication device 1006 and stores it in the program information storage device 1004 via the central processing unit 1003. This information is provided to the central processing unit 10 as necessary.
03 is read from the program information storage device 1004, assembled as a graphic operation screen, and displayed on the display device 1005. As the display device 1005, for example, there is a touch panel display. The user operates the display device 100
By operating the operation screen displayed in 5, a program to be watched is selected. The selection operation is detected by an input device 1002 such as a button or a touch panel, and information designating the selected program is returned to the set-top box 1007.

The set-top box 1007 receives the program selection information 1014, tunes and receives and reproduces the selected program, and displays the program on a television.

Here, the format 1201 of the program information
Is a program ID 1203 and a program name 12 for uniquely specifying a program.
04, program genre 1205, program description 1206 with a brief introduction of the program, start time 1207, end time 1
208 and the like. The controller that has received the program information of one or more programs generates and displays a user operation screen such as a program guide screen from the program information.
When the user operates this screen to select a program to be viewed, information for specifying the selected program is extracted from the stored program information, edited, configured as program selection information, and notified to the set-top box. . For example, the program selection information format 1202 includes a program ID 1203, and this information is sent back to the set-top box. The set-top box tunes, receives, plays, and displays the selected program on a television.

In the fifth embodiment, a set-top box has been described as an example of a program information supply source. However, a personal computer 1106, a floppy disk, a compact disk (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), or the like may be used. Any medium that can provide program information, such as a storage medium 1103 or a non-program supply network 1105 (such as the Internet) to which no set-top box is connected, may be used.

Although the set-top box has been described as an example of the controller-controlled device, other than the set-top box, a television, a VCR,
Any device that can provide a program, such as a disk player such as a DVD or a video server, may be used.

(Embodiment 6) Hereinafter, a bidirectional remote controller, a bidirectional remote controller controlled device, and a bidirectional remote control system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a bidirectional remote control system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1301 denotes a VCR;
02 is a receiving device, 1303 is a central processing unit, 1304 is a program reservation information storage device, 1305 is program reservation information, 13
06 is a program recording device, and 1307 is a reproduced program.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a bidirectional remote control system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of the program reservation information according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
01 is a program reservation information format.

The operation of the bidirectional remote control system configured as described above will be described below.

In this embodiment, the fifth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that the bidirectional remote controller controlled device further includes a VC
Consider a configuration in which R (video cassette recorder) is added.

As in the fifth embodiment, the program information 1011 is transmitted from the set-top box 1007 to the controller 100.
1 is sent. The controller 1001 receives the program information 1011 and stores it in the program information storage device 1004. This information is assembled as a graphic operation screen as necessary and displayed on the display device. The user operates the displayed operation screen to select a program to be reserved. In the present embodiment, the controller 1001 and the set-top box 1007 do not necessarily need to be connected online. For example, the controller 1001 may be taken outside to select a program offline. Thereafter, the program reservation information 1305 is returned to the set-top box 1007,
Make a reservation for a program. Note that the number of reserved programs is not limited to one, and it is also possible to select a plurality of programs at a time and transmit the program reservation information of the plurality of programs to the set-top box 1007 to make a batch reservation. Further, the program reservation information 1305 is also received by the receiving device 1302 of the VCR 1301, and the recording reservation of the VCR is performed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 15, the program reservation information 1305 includes a program ID for designating a program, a program name, a program genre, a start time, an end time, and the like. For example, FIG.
In 4, two programs, a weather forecast and news at 6:00, are selected, and the program reservation information is transmitted from the controller 1001 to the set-top box 1007 and the VCR 1301 in the program reservation information format of FIG. Set-top box 100 receiving program reservation information 1305
7 and the VCR 1301 store the program reservation information 1305. When the start time of the reserved program comes, the central processing unit 1303 activates the program recording device 1306 to record the reproduction program 1307 from the set-top box. I do.

In this embodiment, a VCR is described as an example of a controller-controlled device.
Any device that can record a program, such as an M or a hard disk device, may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described as an example where there are two controller controlled devices, a set-top box and a VCR. However, a home server integrating these functions into one is used as a controller controlled device. It may be.

Embodiment 7 Hereinafter, a bidirectional remote controller, a bidirectional remote controller controlled device, and a bidirectional remote control system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain it.

FIG. 16 shows the configuration of a bidirectional remote control system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 16, 1601 is a program reservation information storage device, 1602 is pointing information, and 1603 is a program operation screen.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a control system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of the two-way remote control system configured as described above will be described below.

In the present embodiment, unlike the sixth embodiment, the set-top box 1007 uses the operation screen on the television screen to make a program reservation, and the program reservation information 1305 is used to store the program reservation information 1305. From the controller 1001 to the VCR 1301,
This is for making a program reservation.

In the present embodiment, the set-top box 10 receiving the program 1013 and the program information 1012
07 is a program operation screen 160 based on the program information 1012.
3 is assembled and displayed on the television 1104. The user
While watching the television screen, the controller 1001 is operated to make a program reservation. At this time, the controller transmits pointing information 1602 such as upper, lower, left, and right for selecting a desired program. When the program reservation is performed, the central processing unit 1008 of the set-top box generates program reservation information 1305 in a format that can be received by the controller 1001 and the VCR 1301, and transmits the program reservation information 1305 from the two-way communication device 1005 to the controller. The controller 1001 stores the program reservation information 13
05 is received and stored in the program reservation information storage unit 1601, and a list of reserved programs is displayed on the display device 1005. The user checks the display contents and sets the controller to VCR.
When a reservation confirmation operation is performed toward 1301, the program reservation information 1301 stored in the program reservation information storage unit 1601 is read.
5 is transmitted to the VCR 1301. VCR13
In 01, the program reservation information 1305 is received and a reservation is made. When the designated time comes, the reserved program is received and reproduced by the set-top box 1007, and is simultaneously recorded by the VCR 1301.

Note that the display for confirmation on the controller side is not necessarily required, and the display may be relayed and transferred to the VCR without confirmation.

(Eighth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a bidirectional remote controller, a bidirectional remote controller controlled device, and a bidirectional remote control system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain it.

FIG. 18 shows the configuration of a bidirectional remote control system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1801 denotes a program recording / playback apparatus;
802 is a program search device, 1803 is a central processing unit, 18
04 is a program information storage device.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a control system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1901 denotes a recording medium, and 1902 denotes a DVD recording / reproducing device.

The operation of the thus configured bidirectional remote control system will be described below.

In the present embodiment, as in the sixth and seventh embodiments, the program reservation information 1305 for the VCR 1301 includes a program genre, a program name, and other information for searching for a program. At the time of recording, the program recording position is stored in the program information storage device 1804 together with the program information.

In this embodiment, when viewing a program,
1301 to the controller 1001 to send program information 1011 such as the name of the recorded program to the two-way communication device 1
006, and an operation screen for program selection is assembled and displayed on the controller side. At this time, based on search conditions such as a program genre and a program name designated by the user, the program search device filters only information of some programs and sends the filtered information to the controller. When the user selects, the program selection information 1014 is returned to the VCR, and the central processing unit 1803 refers to the recording position of the program stored in the program information storage device 1804 and immediately reproduces the program.
Realizes playback of a recorded program by direct designation. For example, in FIG. 19, news is specified as a program genre, program information of three programs (news at 7:00, news at 9:00, news at 12:00) is taken into the controller side, and a menu of programs is displayed.

Here, the VCR has been described as an example of the controller controlled device, but as shown in FIG.
Any device such as a DVD recording / reproducing device 1902 and a hard disk device can be used as long as it can record a program. Also,
The program reservation information is transferred to the VCR via the controller, and the program information is recorded together with the program.
It may be obtained directly from a program supply network such as a cable television. Also, such as a DVD-ROM, these pieces of program information are stored in advance according to a predetermined format.
A recording medium 1901 recorded with the program may be used.

[0126]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, device information such as device setting information is stored by the bidirectional remote controller, and the bidirectional remote controller controlled device stores By uploading the device information stored in the bidirectional remote controller,
It is possible to solve the problem of volatility of device information, portability of device information, and exchange of information between controlled devices of the bidirectional remote controller.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, device information such as device setting information is stored by the bidirectional remote controller, and the stored device information is stored at a designated time by a timer provided in the bidirectional remote controller. A timer reservation function by a bidirectional remote controller in a bidirectional remote controller controlled device that does not have a timer reservation function by transmitting to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device and setting device information in the bidirectional remote controller controlled device Can be realized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the bidirectional remote controller stores device information such as device setting information, edits the device information on the bidirectional remote controller side, and transmits the edited device information to both sides. By transmitting the setting to the remote controller controlled device and changing the setting of the bidirectional remote controller controlled device, it is possible to perform a plurality of setting change processing, such as batch setting of reservation recording of a plurality of programs, offline.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a two-way remote control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of device setting information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of device setting information according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of route setting information.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation environment example according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a conventional two-way remote control system.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a bidirectional remote control system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of program information and program selection information according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a bidirectional remote control system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of program reservation information according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a control system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 bidirectional remote controller 111 selection device 112 device information storage device 113 central processing unit 114 bidirectional communication device 12 bidirectional remote controller controlled device 121 bidirectional communication device 122 device information storage device 123 controlled device main body 21 television setting information Table 31 Two-way remote controller 311 Selection device 312 Device information storage device 313 Central processing unit 314 Two-way communication device 32 Television 312 Two-way communication device 322 Television main unit 33 Microwave oven 331 Two-way communication device 332 Microwave main unit 41 Microwave oven Setting information 51 Indoor car navigator 52 Key type bidirectional remote controller 53 In-vehicle car navigator 61 Route setting information 71 Bidirectional remote controller 711 Selection device 712 Display device 713 Information storage device 714 Central processing unit 715 Timer device 716 Bidirectional communication device 72 Bidirectional remote controller controlled device 721 Bidirectional communication device 722 Controlled device main body 81 Normal operating environment example 82 Reserved operating environment example 91 Both Remote controller 911 Selection device 912 Display device 913 Central processing device 914 Bidirectional communication device 92 Bidirectional remote controller controlled device 921 Bidirectional communication device 922 Controlled device main body 1001 Controller 1002 Input device 1003 Central processing device 1004 Program information storage Device 1005 Display device 1006 Two-way communication device 1007 Set-top box 1008 Central processing unit 1009 Program information storage device 1010 Program receiving device 1011 Program information 1012 Program information 1013 Program 014 program selection information 1101 program supply network 1102 controller operation screen 1103 recording medium 1104 television 1105 non-program supply network 1106 personal computer 1201 program information format 1202 program selection information format 1203 program ID 1204 program name 1205 program genre 1206 program description 1207 start time 1208 End time 1301 VCR 1302 Receiving device 1303 Central processing unit 1304 Program reservation information storage device 1305 Program reservation information 1306 Program recording device 1307 Playback program 1501 Program reservation information format 1601 Program reservation information storage device 1602 Pointing information 1603 Program operation screen 1801 Program recording / playback Device 1802 Program search device 1803 Central processing unit 804 program information storage unit 1901 the recording medium 1902 DVD recording and reproducing apparatus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiko Kurosaki 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A bidirectional remote controller controlled device and a bidirectional remote controller, wherein the bidirectional remote controller controlled device transmits device information to the bidirectional remote controller, and transmits the device information to the bidirectional remote controller. After receiving the device information, the bidirectional remote controller stores the device information after receiving the device information from the bidirectional remote controlled device, and stores the stored device information in the bidirectional remote control device. A two-way remote control system characterized by transmitting data to a control device. 2. A bidirectional remote controller controlled device, wherein device information is transmitted to a bidirectional remote controller, and the device information from the bidirectional remote controller is received and stored. 3. A two-way communication device and a device information storage device, wherein the two-way communication device transmits the device information from the device information storage device to a two-way remote controller when device information is downloaded, Upon uploading the device information, the device information is received from the bidirectional remote controller, and the device information is output to the device information storage device.The device information storage device stores the device information when downloading the device information. A two-way remote controller controlled device that outputs device information to the two-way communication device and stores the device information from the two-way communication device when the device information is uploaded. 4. A two-way communication device, a device information storage device, and a controlled device main body, wherein the two-way communication device transmits the device information from the device information storage device in a two-way manner when downloading device information. Transmitted to a remote controller, upon uploading the device information, receiving the device information from the bidirectional remote controller, outputting the device information to the device information storage device, receiving an operation request signal from the bidirectional remote controller At the time of outputting the operation request signal to the controlled device main body, the device information storage device outputs the stored device information to the two-way communication device at the time of downloading the device information, At the time of uploading, the device information from the two-way communication device is stored, and the controlled device main body unit stores the two-way communication device. Receiving the operation request signals from the bidirectional remote controller a controlled device and performs an operation corresponding to the operation request signal. 5. A two-way communication device and a device information storage device, wherein the two-way communication device receives the device information from a controlled device of a two-way remote controller when downloading device information, and stores the device information in the device. Output to the device information storage device, at the time of the device information upload, the device information from the device information storage device, to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device, the device information storage device, at the time of the device information download Storing the device information from the two-way communication device,
The two-way remote controller outputs the stored device information to the two-way communication device when the device information is uploaded. 6. A selection device, a central processing unit, a two-way communication device, a device information storage device, and a display device, wherein the selection device allows an operator to select a bidirectional remote controller controlled device to be operated and an operation. The selecting device outputs a signal specifying the bidirectional remote controller controlled device and an operation request signal to the central processing unit, and the central processing device controls the bidirectional remote controller controlled device from the selecting device. When receiving the signal to specify and the operation request signal,
Outputting to the two-way communication device; outputting operation information to the device information storage device when receiving operation information of the two-way remote controller controlled device from the two-way communication device; Receiving the device information from the device information storage device, outputting the device information to the device information storage device, and transmitting the device information from the device information storage device to the two-way communication device when the device information is uploaded. The storage device, when receiving operation information of the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller from the central processing unit, stores operation information of the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller, and when downloading the device information, the central processing device The device information is stored in the central processing unit when the device information is uploaded. Outputting the two-way communication device, when receiving a signal specifying the two-way remote controller controlled device from the central processing unit and the operation request signal, the corresponding two-way remote controller controlled device Transmitting an operation request signal; outputting the operation information to the central processing unit when receiving the operation information from the bidirectional remote controller controlled device; and outputting the device information from the bidirectional remote controller controlled device when the device information is downloaded. And outputs the device information to the central processing unit.When the device information is uploaded, the device information from the central processing unit is transmitted to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device. The operation information of the plurality of bidirectional remote controller controlled devices from the device information storage device Receiving a bidirectional remote controller, wherein displaying an operation environment of the bidirectional remote controller the controlled device. 7. The bidirectional remote controller according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of bidirectional remote controller controlled devices, and the bidirectional remote controller stores device information of the plurality of bidirectional remote controller controlled devices. Remote control system. 8. The two-way remote control according to claim 1, wherein the two-way remote controller has a timer, and transmits device information to the controlled device at a time set by the operator. system. 9. Receiving device information from the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller, storing the device information, and transmitting the stored device information to the controlled device of the bidirectional remote controller at a time set by an operator. A two-way remote controller. 10. A two-way communication device, a timer device, and a device information storage device, wherein the two-way communication device receives device information from a controlled device of a two-way remote controller, and stores the device information in the device information storage device. Output to the device, transmit the device information output from the device information storage device to the bidirectional remote controller controlled device, the timer device outputs to the device information storage device at a time set by an operator The device information storage device stores the device information from the two-way communication device, and upon receiving an instruction from the timer device, outputs the stored device information to the two-way communication device. A two-way remote controller. 11. A timer device, an operator sets a time, the timer device stores the set time, and outputs device information to the controlled device at the set time. The two-way remote controller according to claim 6, wherein: 12. A two-way remote controller controlled device and a two-way remote controller, wherein the two-way remote controller controlled device transmits device information to the two-way remote controller. After receiving the information,
After storing the device information from the bidirectional remote controller controlled device, storing and editing the stored device information in response to a controller operation input, and storing the device information. A two-way remote control system reconfigured and transmitted to the two-way remote controller controlled device. 13. Receiving device information from a controlled device of a two-way remote controller, storing the device information, editing the stored device information in response to a controller operation input, and reconfiguring the device information. A bidirectional remote controller for transmitting to a controller controlled device. 14. The bidirectional remote controller controlled device is a program supply device, and device information transmitted from the bidirectional remote controller controlled device is program guide information, which is reconfigured and transmitted by the bidirectional remote controller. 14. The two-way remote controller according to claim 13, wherein the device information is program selection information or program reservation information. 15. A controlled device comprising a first bidirectional remote controller controlled device, a second bidirectional remote controller controlled device and a bidirectional remote controller, wherein the first bidirectional remote controller controlled device comprises:
Transmitting device information about the second bidirectional remote controller controlled device to the bidirectional remote controller, receiving device information from the bidirectional remote controller, and storing the device information; After receiving the device information from the controlled device of the two-way remote controller, store and edit the stored device information in response to a controller operation input to reconfigure device information,
A two-way remote control system for transmitting data to the second two-way remote controller controlled device. 16. The bidirectional remote controller according to claim 15, wherein the first bidirectional remote controller controlled device is a recording medium or a network interface device. 17. The first bidirectional remote controller controlled device is a program supply device, the second bidirectional remote controller controlled device is a program recording device, and the first bidirectional remote controller controlled device is a program recording device. 16. The two-way remote control system according to claim 15, wherein the device information transmitted from the device is program guide information, and the device information reconfigured and transmitted by the two-way remote controller is program reservation information.