JPH1040057A - Equipment operating method using browser for computer network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change the control contents of equipment connected to a terminal without changing the control software of the terminal at all in a system in which data are received from any server or other terminal on the network and the equipment connected to the present terminal is controlled based on these data. SOLUTION: At an operating terminal 1 on an internet 7, a server 8 for program data or the like on the internet 7 is accessed by operating a browser 15. Then, the data from the server 8 for program data or the like are downloaded and displayed on the screen of a display and this displayed picture is operated by a keyboard 11 or a mouse 12. Corresponding to this operation, the data are sent from the operating terminal 1 to a video tape recorder 2 or a television 3 and the equipment is controlled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for connecting to a terminal on a computer network by operating a screen display of a viewing software operating on the terminal with an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The present invention relates to a system for operating a device incorporating the terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A system for operating devices connected to a computer on a screen of the computer has been conventionally known. However, in this system, since the data sent to the device connected to the computer is previously input to the computer, the operation of the device is limited to the range of the data.

Further, there is also known a system in which a terminal on a computer network receives data from a server or another terminal on the network, and controls a device connected to the terminal based on the data. Since these systems perform only a series of predetermined controls using dedicated control software, it is necessary to change the control software of the terminal when changing the contents of the control.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a terminal on a computer network receives data from a server or another terminal on the network, and controls a device connected thereto based on the data. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to change the control content of a device connected to a terminal without changing the control software of the terminal at all.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for operating a device connected to a terminal on a computer network or a device incorporating the terminal, wherein data transmitted from a server on the network is transmitted. Displaying the screen on the terminal using browsing software, operating the display on the screen with an input device, sending data corresponding to the operation to a device connected to the terminal, and operating the device. It is a feature.

According to the present invention, a terminal on a network operates browsing software to access a server on the network. Then, data from the server is downloaded and displayed, and this display screen is operated with an input device. Data corresponding to this operation is sent to a device connected to the terminal or a device incorporating the terminal, and the device is controlled.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a channel selection / reservation system to which the present invention is applied. This tuning /
The reservation system includes an operation terminal 1, a video tape recorder (hereinafter, referred to as VTR) 2, and a television receiver (hereinafter, referred to as television) 3. The operation terminal 1 is connected to the modem 5 of the provider 6 by a modem 14 and a wired or wireless telephone line 4. A server 8 for program data, a broadcast station server 9, and other servers 10 are connected to the Internet 7. In addition,
A medium other than the telephone line (eg, a cable television network, a wireless communication line) may be provided between the operation terminal 1 and the provider 6.

The operation terminal 1 is composed of, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer), and is connected to a keyboard 11, a mouse 12, an infrared light emitting unit 13, and a modem 14. In addition, WWW (Wo
browsing software 1 such as ld Wide Web) browser
5 is provided.

The keyboard 11 and the mouse 12 are used by a user to input various commands. Infrared light emitting unit 1
3 transmits an infrared signal for the operation terminal 1 to control the VTR 2 and the television 3. The modem 14 modulates and transmits data created by the operation terminal 1 and receives and demodulates data transmitted via the telephone line 4. Here, instead of the infrared light emitting unit 13, the operation terminal 1 may be connected to the VTR 2 and the television 3 by a cable, a radio wave, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation terminal 1 when selecting / reserving a channel using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a display on the display (not shown) of the operation terminal 1 at that time. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of an image to be displayed. The operation for selecting / reserving a channel will be described below.

First, when the user performs a predetermined operation using the keypad 11 and the mouse 12, the operation terminal 1 creates a command for accessing the homepage of the server 8 of the program data connected to the Internet 7,
The data is transmitted via the modem 14 (step S1). This command is sent to the provider 6 via the telephone line 4 and the modem 5, and then sent to the program data server 8 connected to the Internet 7.

When receiving the command, the program data server 8 sends the program data to the operation terminal 1 via the Internet 7. This program data is received and demodulated by the modem 14 and taken into the operation terminal 1. The operation terminal 1 downloads the program data and displays a program table and various buttons on a display (step S2).

The image displayed on the display is, for example, the one shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, a detail button, a notice button, a reservation / selection button, and a link button are displayed on the program guide display screen. The user can select a program by looking at the program table and press a desired button. The operation terminal 1 performs a process described below according to the button pressed by the user.

When the user presses the reservation / selection button (YES in step S3, reservation / selection in S4), if the selected program is currently being broadcast, the program is selected on the television 3, and before the broadcast, If there is, make a recording reservation on the VTR 2 (step S
5). In this process, a tuning command (control signal specifying a channel) is given to the tuner of the television 3 via the infrared light emitting unit 13 or a recording reservation command (control signal including a recording start time, an end time, and a channel) is sent to the VTR 2. It is realized by giving. For a program whose broadcast time is likely to be changed (for example, a broadcast time extension of a professional baseball broadcast and a broadcast time reduction of a subsequent program), the program data is provided with its identification information, The recording end time can be changed automatically when the recording reservation is made or by the user's specification.

When the user presses the notice button or the detail button (YES in step S3, notice or details in S4), the server 8 of the program data requests the notice data or detailed data (step S6). ). The program data server 8 sends the preview data or detailed data to the operation terminal 1 in response to the request. The operation terminal 1 downloads and displays the notice data or detailed data (step S7).

A reservation / selection button, a program guide button, and an end button are displayed on a part of the image (not shown) displayed at this time. When the user presses the reservation / selection button (YES in step S8, reservation / selection in S9), the selected program is currently being broadcast and the television 3 is selected, and if not, the VTR 2 is selected. To make a recording reservation (step S5). When the program guide button is pressed, the display returns to the program guide display screen (YES in step S8, program guide in S9). If the end button is pressed (YES in step S8, end in S9), the process ends.

Further, when the user presses the link button, the user accesses the server of the related data (step S10). As a result, the related data is downloaded and displayed (step S11).

FIGS. 3 (2) to 3 (5) show examples of related data. (2) is the homepage of the television station, (3) is the homepage of the sponsor, (4) is the homepage of the publisher of the original drama, and (5) is the homepage of the talent office.

On the homepage of the television station, a program guide (detailed contents of the program, etc.) and a reservation / selection button are displayed. On the sponsor's home page, a list of programs provided by the sponsor including the program selected in the program guide and a reservation / tuning button are displayed. On the publisher's home page, an introduction screen of the original drama and a reservation / selection button are displayed. On the homepage of the talent office, a list of appearance programs of this talent including the program selected in the program guide and a reservation / selection button are displayed. Here, a channel selection button may be displayed when the program selected by the user is currently being broadcast, and a reservation button may be displayed when the program has not been broadcast. Although not shown here, a program guide button and an end button are also displayed.

Then, when the user views the homepage of the broadcasting station and presses the reservation / selection button (Y in step S12)
(ES / S13 reservation / selection), if the selected program is currently being broadcast, the TV 3 is selected, and if not, the VTR 2
To make a recording reservation (step S5). If you press the reservation / selection button on the publisher's homepage and select a program from the list of offered programs on the sponsor's homepage and press the reservation / selection button, the homepage of the talent office will be displayed. The same applies to the case where the user selects a program from the list of programs performed by the talent and presses a reservation / selection button.

When the program guide button is pressed (YES in step S12, program guide in S13), the display returns to the program guide display screen, and when the end button is pressed (step S1).
(2, YES, end at S13), end the process.

As described above, according to the channel selection / reservation system to which the present invention is applied, data related to the program can be immediately accessed by using the Internet. In addition, by viewing detailed data and related data, it is possible to select an actual broadcast or make a recording reservation on the spot, so that an increase in audience rating can be expected. Further, it is possible to easily and carefully select a program to be watched or a program to be reserved for recording from among multi-channel broadcast programs.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a route search / setting system to which the present invention is applied. Here, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers as those in FIG. As is clear from the comparison with FIG. 1, in this route search / setting system, the navigation system is connected to the operation terminal 1 and the server 22 for the amusement park, sightseeing value, and famous place data is accessed. The main feature.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation terminal 1 when a route search / setting is performed using the system of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 shows one of the images displayed on the display of the operation terminal 1 at that time. It is a figure which shows a part. Hereinafter, an operation at the time of performing a route search / setting will be described. Note that this operation is basically the same as the channel selection / reservation operation described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and therefore, the description will focus on operations specific to route search / setting.

First, the operation terminal 1 accesses a homepage of the server 22 for data of sightseeing spots, amusement parks and famous places connected to the Internet 7 (step S2).
1). Next, the operation terminal 1 downloads the data transmitted from the sightseeing spot, amusement park, and famous place data server 22, and displays a data list and buttons on the display (step S22).

The image displayed on the display is, for example, the one shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, a detail button, a route search / setting button, and a link button are displayed on a display screen of a list of sightseeing spots, amusement parks, and famous places. The user can select a location in this list and press the desired button.

If the user selects a place and presses the route search / setting button (YES in step S23,
(S24: route search / setting), data of the selected location is transferred to the navigation system 21, and a route to that location is searched and set (step S25).

If the user presses the details button (YES in step S23, details in S24), the server 22 requests detailed data from the amusement park, sightseeing spot, and famous spot data server 22 (step S26). Sightseeing spots, amusement parks,
The sights data server 22 sends detailed data to the operation terminal 1 in response to the request. The operation terminal 1 downloads and displays the detailed data (step S27).

A part of the displayed image (not shown) includes a route search / setting button, a list button, and an end button. If the user presses the route search / setting button (YES in step S28, S2
9, the data of the place selected in the list is transferred to the navigation system 21, and the route to the place is searched and set (step S25).
When the list button is pressed, the display returns to the list display screen (YES in step S28, list in S29). When the end button is pressed (YES in step S28, end in S29), the process ends.

When the user presses the link button, the user accesses the home page of the server of the related data (step S30). As a result, related data is downloaded and displayed (step S3).
1).

FIGS. 6 (2) to 6 (4) show examples of related data. (2) is the homepage of the XX amusement park, (3) is the homepage of the XX village, and (4) is the homepage of the XX golf course. A route search / setting button is displayed on each homepage. Although not shown here, a list button and an end button are also displayed.

When the user views these homepages and presses the route search / setting button (step S3)
2; YES, route search / setting in S33), the data of the selected location is transferred to the navigation system 21,
The route to the place is searched and set (step S
25). When the list button is pressed (step S
(YES at 32, list at S33) returns to the list display screen. When the end button is pressed (YES in step S32, end in S33), the process ends.

As described above, according to the route search / setting system to which the present invention is applied, data relating to the place can be immediately accessed by using the Internet. In addition, by looking at detailed data and related data, a route to the destination can be searched and set on the spot.

In the above-described embodiment, the image by the viewing software is displayed on the display of the operation terminal, and the input operation for operating the television, the VTR, or the navigation system is performed on the screen. The operation terminal may not be provided with a display, and an image based on the viewing software may be displayed on a screen of a television or a display of a navigation system. Further, the operation terminal may be provided inside a television, a VTR, or a navigation system. Further, the operation terminal may automatically download data from each server at all times, and accumulate the data in the operation terminal or in a memory connected to the operation terminal. In this case, since the stored data is read out instead of accessing the server by a user operation, the display speed is improved.

[0035]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, by operating on the screen of a terminal connected to a computer network, the latest data sent via the network is used to operate the device. Control can be performed.

Since the terminal screen display uses browsing software such as WWW, the screen display and the operation data of the device can be updated at any time by changing the transmission data of the server on the network. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the operability or the function of the device according to the situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuning / reservation system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of an operation terminal when selecting / reserving a channel using the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of an image displayed on an operation terminal when selecting / reserving a channel using the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a route search / setting system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the operation terminal when performing a route search / setting using the system of FIG. 4;

6 is a diagram showing a part of an image displayed on an operation terminal when performing a route search / setting using the system of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation terminal, 2 ... VTR, 3 ... TV, 7 ... Internet, 8 ... Server of program data, 11 ... Keyboard, 12 ... Mouse, 21 ... Navigation system, 2
2. Sightseeing spot, amusement park, server of famous place data

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method of operating a device connected to a terminal on a computer network or a device incorporating the terminal, wherein the terminal sends data sent from a server on the network using browsing software. A device using browsing software for a computer network, wherein the device displays data on the screen by operating an input device and sends data corresponding to the operation to the device to operate the device. Method of operation. 2. The apparatus operation method according to claim 1, wherein the computer network is the Internet. 3. The apparatus is a video signal recording apparatus, which displays program data transmitted from a server for program data, and displays a display screen of the program data on a display screen or other data related to the display screen. 2. The device operation method using the computer network browsing software according to claim 1, wherein the program recording reservation is performed on the program. 4. The device is a television tuner or a television receiver, displays program data transmitted from a server of program data, and displays a display screen of the program data or other data related to the display screen. The method of operating a device using browsing software for a computer network according to claim 1, wherein a channel is selected on a display screen. 5. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a navigation system, which displays data transmitted from a server for data such as sightseeing spots, amusement parks, and famous places, and displays the display screen or other data related to the display screen. 2. The device operation method using the computer network browsing software according to claim 1, wherein a route search and setting are performed on a screen.