JPH11168471A - System and method for processing information and transmission medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate various kinds of equipment with one terminal having a radio communication function at any arbitrary position in the home. SOLUTION: According to request information from a terminal 44, a server 41 outputs instruction information through a backbone 51 to equipment connected through the backbone 51, activates this equipment and provides information through a base unit 43 to the terminal 44 by radio. Beside, according to the request information from the terminal 44, the server 41 outputs instruction information through a lighting wire 12 to equipment connected through the lighting wire 12, activates this equipment and provides information through the base unit 43 to the terminal 44 by radio.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system and method, and a transmission medium, and more particularly, to a server in which a power line, a master unit having a wireless communication function, and a backbone extending over a room are controlled indoors. By transmitting various data in the various devices connected to these,
The present invention relates to an information processing system and method that can be operated by one terminal having a wireless communication function, and a transmission medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When remotely controlling various devices at home,
As a means therefor, a method using a remote commander (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) is known. A remote control system employing this method will be described with reference to FIG.

[0003] A television (TV) receiver 1, a VCR (Video
Cassette Recorder 2, air conditioner 3, refrigerator 4, washing machine 5, water heater 6, intercom 7, CD player 8, CD player 9, and amplifier 10 are connected to a power line 12, respectively. It is arranged at a predetermined position. The speakers 11-1 and 11-2 are connected to the amplifier 10. Amplifier 10 outputs an audio signal to speakers 11-1 and 11-2. Speaker 11
-1, 11-2 convert the audio signal input from the amplifier 10 into audio and output it to the outside. In addition, the frame divided by the dotted line represents each room.

[0004] The TV receiver 1 can be operated by infrared rays using a dedicated remote controller 21. Similarly,
The VCR 2 is controlled by the remote control 22, the air conditioner 3 is controlled by the remote control 23, and the refrigerator 4 is controlled by the remote control 24.
The washing machine 5 is controlled by the remote control 25, the water heater 6 is controlled by the remote control 26, and the intercom 7 is controlled by the remote control 27.
The CD player 8 is controlled by the remote controller 29, the CD player 9 is controlled by the remote controller 29, and the amplifier 10 is controlled by the remote controller 30.
Each can be operated with infrared.

[0005]

In the remote control system shown in FIG. 14, each of the remote controllers 21 to 30 can operate the corresponding dedicated device in each room by infrared rays. However, there is a problem that it is difficult for the remote controllers 21 to 30 to operate devices other than the dedicated devices. For example, the remote control 21
The receiver 1 can be operated, but the water heater 6 and the CD
The player 8 cannot be operated. Therefore, the user has to prepare a separate remote controller for each device and, when using the remote controller, appropriately select the remote controller according to the application, which is inconvenient.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and, for example, allows one terminal having a wireless communication function to operate various devices from an arbitrary position indoors. .

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising: a first transmission means for transmitting control data to a connected device; and a second transmission means for transmitting information wirelessly. The apparatus is characterized by including a third transmission unit for transmitting various information to a connected device, and a control unit for controlling the first to third transmission units.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: a first transmission step of transmitting control data to a connected device; a second transmission step of transmitting information wirelessly;
It is characterized by comprising a third transmission step of transmitting various information to a connected device, and a control step of controlling the first to third transmission steps.

[0009] The transmission medium according to claim 4 includes a first transmission step of transmitting control data to a connected device;
Computer program comprising: a second transmission step of transmitting information wirelessly; a third transmission step of transmitting various types of information to a connected device; and a control step of controlling the first to third transmission steps. Is transmitted.

[0010] In the information processing system according to the first aspect, the information processing method according to the third aspect, and the transmission medium according to the fourth aspect, control data, audio data, and various types of information of connected devices are provided. Is controlled and transmitted through a predetermined path.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described.

That is, in the information processing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first information transmission system transmits control data to a connected device.
(For example, the power line 12 in FIG. 1), a second transmission means (for example, the master unit 43 in FIG. 1) for wirelessly transmitting information, and various types of information to the connected devices. A third transmission means (for example, the backbone 51 of FIG. 1);
Control means for controlling the first to third transmission means (for example,
4 is provided.

An information processing system according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a fourth transmission means for transmitting control data, audio data, and computer data to connected devices in the same room (for example, the audio transmission system shown in FIG. 1). Bus 52), and control data, audio data,
Fifth transmitting computer data and video data
(For example, the high-speed serial bus 53 of FIG. 1).

Hereinafter, an information processing system to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the present specification, the term “system” means an entire device including a plurality of devices and units.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied. In this information processing system, a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) master unit 43 is provided at home. Therefore, the terminal 44 having the function as a PHS can be connected to the base unit 4 from any position in the home.
3 can be communicated wirelessly.
The master unit 43 is also connected to the power line 12 or the backbone 51.
Exchanges data with the server 41 having the storage 42 via the.

The power line 12 is connected to sensors 40-1 to 40-7, an air conditioner 3, a refrigerator 4, a washing machine 5, a water heater 6, an intercom 7, a server 41, and a master unit 43 arranged in each room. It transmits various data.

The backbone 51 is connected to the TV receiver 1, the amplifier 10, the server 41, and the master unit 43,
Transmit various data.

The audio bus 52 includes a CD player 8,
It is connected to the CD player 9 and the amplifier 10 and transmits various data. The amplifier 10 outputs an audio signal to the speakers 11-1 and 11-2. The high-speed serial bus 53 connects the TV receiver 1 and the
It is connected to VCR2 and transmits various data.

The server 41 provides services to the terminal 44 by controlling various devices. The server 41 also searches the storage 42 for various data. The server 41 also communicates with the outside via the telephone line 50.

FIG. 2 shows a sensor 40-1 (sensor 40-2).
To 40-7 have the same shape). As shown in FIG.
Has electrodes 70-1 and 70-2, and electrodes 70-1 and 70-2.
By plugging 0-2 into an indoor outlet, power is supplied from the power line 12, and signals can be exchanged with the master unit 43 via the power line 12.

Since the sensor 40-1 has the shape of a table tap as a whole, it does not occupy the outlet of the indoor wiring, and the installation place does not require a large space. Further, for example, when the sensor 40-1 is installed at a location away from the outlet, an extension cord may be used from the wall to the installation location.

The sensor 40-1 has two antennas 71-1 and 71-2, and can receive the radio waves of the terminal 44 in a diversity manner. PHS
It is known that when receiving the radio wave of the above, the polarization characteristics of the antenna surface vary greatly. Therefore, in order to minimize the effect, the antennas 71-1 and 71-2 are
It is a helical antenna that is a receiving means that is relatively resistant to polarization.

Next, the internal configuration of the sensor 40-1 (the sensors 40-2 to 40-7 are configured similarly to the sensor 40-1) will be described with reference to FIG.

The two antennas 71-1 and 71-2 receive radio waves from the terminal 44 and output received signals to the corresponding receiving sensitivity measuring devices 90-1 and 90-2, respectively. ing. Receiving sensitivity measuring device 90-
1, 90-2 measures the receiving sensitivity and compares the measurement result with the comparator 9
Output to 1. The comparator 91 compares the levels of these signals and selects the higher value. CPU92
Executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 95. The RAM 94 stores programs and data required when the CPU 92 performs various processes. The communication device 93 is connected to the server 41 via the power line 12.
Communicates with The clock generation circuit 96 generates a clock and outputs it to each unit.

Next, the internal configurations of the master unit 43 and the server 41 will be described with reference to FIG.

The PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43 performs wireless communication with the terminal 44 via the antenna 111 by radio waves. The PHS control unit 110 also controls the device control unit 113 of the server 41 via the backbone 51.
Exchanges various data and programs relating to the terminal 44 that is currently communicating. The memory 118 stores call information as appropriate.

The communication circuit 112 of the server 41
2 and the various devices connected thereto via the backbone 51. The communication circuit 112 also communicates with the outside via the telephone line 50. Communication circuit 11
2 also performs appropriate conversion of the communication protocol when performing communication.

User data management unit 1 of device control unit 113
The storage 14 stores information of the terminal 44 in the storage 42. The measurement result processing unit 115 includes the sensors 40-1 to 40
The measurement result output from -7 is processed. When requested from the terminal 44, the individual service construction unit 116 outputs a command to a predetermined device, and supplies the information to the terminal 44 in accordance with the information managed by the user data management unit 114. The timing control unit 117 outputs a pulse to the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 to control the timing of measurement by the sensors 40-1 to 40-4.

Next, the internal configuration of the terminal 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

The communication section 202 performs wireless communication with the master unit 43 via the antenna 201. The speaker 203 converts a signal input from the communication unit 202 into a sound and outputs the sound to the outside. Microphone 20
4 converts the voice input from the outside into a signal and outputs it to the communication unit 202.

The CPU 205 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 206. RAM207
The data necessary for the CPU 205 to execute various types of processing is stored in the memory as needed. Interface 208
Executes interface processing between the LCD 209 and the input unit 210 and the CPU 205. The LCD 209 is configured to display predetermined characters, figures, or images.
The input unit 210 is appropriately operated by the user when inputting a predetermined command to the CPU 205.

Next, referring to the control sequence of FIG.
The operation of the information processing system relating to position acquisition will be described. First, in step S1, the timing control unit 117 of the server 41 outputs a signal for requesting the terminal 44 to transmit a control signal. This request signal is transmitted to the PHS control unit 110 of the parent device 43 via the backbone 51. At this time, the PHS control unit 110 determines in step S2
Then, the terminal 44 is requested to transmit a control signal wirelessly via the antenna 111. Upon receiving this signal via the antenna 201, the communication unit 202 of the terminal 44 converts the received signal into a CP.
Output to U205. At this time, the CPU 205
In step 3, the communication unit 202 is controlled to output a response signal wirelessly via the antenna 201.

When receiving the response signal via the antenna 111, the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43 transmits the received signal from the backbone 51 to the timing control unit via the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 in step S4. 117
Output to At this time, in step S5, the timing control section 117 transmits a reception sensitivity measurement command of a control signal transmitted from the terminal 44 to each of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7. This command is supplied from the communication circuit 112 to each of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 via the power line 12. This measurement command is received by the communication device 93 of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7. When receiving the reception signal of the measurement command from the communication device 93, the CPU 92
And the receiving sensitivity measuring devices 90-1 and 90-2,
Prepare for measurement.

In step S6, the CPU 205 of the terminal 44 controls the communication unit 202, and wirelessly transmits the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 and the base unit 4 via the antenna 201.
3 to transmit a control signal. The PHS control unit 110 of the parent device 43 receives this control signal via the antenna 111, and outputs this control signal to the timing control unit 117 of the server 41 in step S7. When receiving this control signal, the timing control unit 117 of the server 41 outputs a measurement pulse as shown in FIG. 7 to each of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 via the power line 12 in step S8. This measurement pulse is output during a period when the terminal 44 outputs the control signal.

CPU 92 of each sensor 40-1 to 40-7
Are measured pulses 131-1 to 131-1 in step S9.
The comparator 91 and the reception sensitivity measurement devices 90-1 and 90-2 execute measurement at each timing when −x arrives.
In the case of PHS, it is known that the burst signal reception sensitivity varies depending on the timing. Therefore, in this system, measurement is performed x times in each cycle y.

CPU 92 of each sensor 40-1 to 40-7
Calculates the average value of the measurement results of x times, and calculates the calculation result from the communication device 93 to the power line 1 in steps S10 to S16.
2 to the communication circuit 112 of the server 41. In the case of the example of FIG. 6, the sensors 40-4, 40-6, 40-2,
The measurement results are notified in the order of 40-3, 40-1, 40-7, and 40-5. This order is set by the timing control unit 117 of the server 41 and is stored in the RAM 94 of each of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 in advance. Server 41
The measurement result processing unit 115 detects the largest one of the outputs of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 in step S17.

The individual service construction unit 116 of the server 41
It is assumed that the terminal 44 is located in the room where the sensor that has detected the maximum sensitivity exists, and in step S18,
Provide information. For example, when a call is received from the outside to the terminal 44, a message indicating the call is transmitted via the backbone 51 to the TV receiver 1, which is a predetermined device in the same room as the terminal 44, and displayed. Is done.

Next, the operation of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S31, the CPU 9
2 performs initialization to perform the measurement process in synchronization with the measurement pulse from the timing control unit 117, and performs step S
At 32, it is determined whether a measurement pulse has been received. If it is determined that the measurement pulse has been received, the CPU 9
2 causes the comparator 91 and the receiving sensitivity measuring devices 90-1 and 90-2 to measure the radio waves from the terminal 44 in step S33.

After performing the measurement in step S33 in synchronization with the measurement pulse from the timing controller 117 of the server 41, or when determining in step S32 that no measurement pulse has been detected, the CPU 92 proceeds to step S33. Proceeding to S34, it is determined whether the measurement has been completed (whether the measurement has been performed x times). If it is determined that the measurement has not been completed (the measurement has not been performed x times), step S
32, the same processing is repeatedly executed. When it is determined in step S34 that the measurement has been completed (the measurement has been performed x times), the CPU 92 proceeds to step S35,
Terminate the measurement. All measurement results are stored in RAM 9
4 is individually stored in a predetermined area.

When x measurements have been completed in this way, the CPU 92 removes an extreme value from the measured value, taking into account the variation in the receiving sensitivity of the control signal supplied as a burst signal from the terminal 44. In step S36, an average value is calculated. Specifically, we remove the maximum and minimum from all (x) measurements, add the rest,
Divide by (x-2). The CPU 92 determines in step S37
Then, the communication result is notified from the communication device 93 to the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 as a measured value.

At this time, the communication device 93 calculates the measurement result and
It outputs a control signal including its own ID of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 and the ID of the terminal 44 that has emitted a radio wave. In addition,
For example, when a fixed address in the communication circuit 112 that is different for each of the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 is stored in advance in the ROM 95, and a signal is output to that address, the sensor 40-1 is read from the address. To 40-7 can be specified, so that the sensors 40-1 to 40-7
Each ID is not required.

As described above, the sensors 40-1 to 40-4
By 0-7, the reception sensitivity of the radio wave of the terminal 44 is measured,
The server 41 is notified.

Next, the details of the operations performed by the server 41 (operations corresponding to steps S1, S5, S8, S17 and S18 in FIG. 6) will be further described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, step S50 (step S50 in FIG. 6)
(Corresponding to 1), the timing control unit 117 of the server 41
After requesting the transmission of the control signal, in step S51 (corresponding to step S5 in FIG. 6), the sensors 40-1 to 40- via the communication circuit 112 and the power line 25 are used.
The measurement command is transmitted to the communication device 93 of No. 7. Further, step S52 (corresponding to step S8 in FIG. 6)
Then, the timing control section 117 outputs the measurement pulse shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process waits in step S53 until there is an answer from the sensors 40-1 to 40-7. When it is determined that there is an answer, the process proceeds to step S54, and the communication circuit 112 performs the process in step S37 in FIG. 8 (step S1 in FIG. 6).
0 to S16) for each sensor 40-1 to 40
The measurement results sequentially output from -7 are received.

The measurement result processing unit 115 includes a communication circuit 112
Then, upon receiving the supply of the measurement result, an error is detected in step S55. Then, in step S56,
It is determined whether there is an error in the measurement result. If it is determined that there is an error, the process proceeds to step S57, where the information containing the error is detected, and the error is corrected in step S58. Thereafter, the process returns to step S55, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed until it is determined that there is no error.

For example, as the error content, the sensor 40-
It is assumed that it is determined that two different sensors among 1 to 40-7 are reporting equal measurement values. In this case, the measurement result processing unit 115 transfers the ID of the terminal 44 that has emitted the radio wave to the user data management unit 114 and causes the movement history to be searched. Then, the terminal 44 detects the previous position only for a short time (for example, 5 seconds) so that the position cannot be changed. For example, suppose that it is determined that the past position is close to one of the positions of the two sensors that output the same measurement value, but is far from the other. At this time, the measurement result processing unit 115
The output of the sensor determined to be close to the past position is left, and the other is discarded.

If it is determined in step S56 that there is no error, the process proceeds to step S59, where the measurement result processing unit 115 stores the measurement result. Further, in step S60, the measurement result processing unit 115 detects one maximum from the error-corrected measurement results,
All other measurement results are discarded in step S61. As a result, of the measurement results from the sensors 40-1 to 40-7, only the measurement result of the maximum reception sensitivity is left.

In the next step S62, the measurement result processing unit 115 determines the ID of the terminal 44 that has emitted the radio wave and the sensors 40-1 to 40-4 adopted in step S60.
A control signal including the ID of the sensor whose maximum reception sensitivity is measured among 0-7 is output. This control signal is supplied to the user data management unit 114 and is stored in the storage 42 as a history.
And is supplied to the individual service construction unit 116.

Next, the operation of the server 41 for providing information to the terminal 44 (corresponding to step S18 in FIG. 6) will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, the control signal output by the measurement result processing unit 115 in step S62 of FIG.
Is supplied to the user data management unit 114 and stored in the storage 42 as a history in step S82.
This control signal is also supplied to the individual service construction unit 116. The individual service construction unit 116 determines in step S8
In step 3, the ID of the terminal 44 and the ID of the sensor having the maximum reception sensitivity are detected from this signal. In step S84, the individual service construction unit 116 detects the ID of a predetermined device (in this case, the TV receiver 41) installed in the same room as the sensor of this ID.

The individual service construction unit 116
Is located in the room where the sensor that has detected the maximum sensitivity exists, and is determined in step S85 (step S18 in FIG. 6).
), Information corresponding to the position is provided.

For example, when a call is received from the outside to the terminal 44, a message indicating this is sent to the terminal 44 in the room where the terminal 44 is located at that time. The data is transmitted from the communication circuit 112 to the device (for example, the TV receiver 1) via the backbone 51 and displayed. The individual service construction unit 116 also controls the PHS control unit 110 to call the terminal 44 wirelessly via the antenna 111. When receiving the calling signal via the antenna 201, the communication unit 202 of the terminal 44 outputs the calling signal from the speaker 203. At this time, the CPU 205 controls the interface 208 to
A message is displayed on the CD 209.

The user of the terminal 44 cannot recognize the ringing sound from the speaker 203 when listening to audio with headphones, for example, but can confirm from the message of the TV receiver 1 that a call has been received.

Next, the operation of the terminal 44 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S101, the CPU 205 waits until the communication unit 202 receives a control signal transmission request signal from the timing control unit 117 of the server 41 via the antenna 201. If it is determined that the transmission request has been received, the CPU 205 controls the communication unit 202 in step S102 (corresponding to step S3 in FIG. 6) to output a response signal wirelessly via the antenna 201. And
The CPU 205 determines in step S103 (step S6 in FIG. 6)
The communication unit 202 is controlled to output a control signal to the master unit 43 via the antenna 201.

In step S104, the CPU 205 determines in step S85 in FIG.
6 waits until the information generated by the communication unit 6 is received via the antenna 201 and the communication unit 202. If it is determined that the information has been received, in step S105, the interface 208 receives the supply of information from the CPU 205,
Let 9 display it.

As described above, by carrying the terminal 44, the user can enjoy information according to the position in any room in the home where the user is.

Next, the terminal 44 of this information processing system
In response to the request, the operation of the server 41 under the control of the service via the parent device 43 and the backbone 51 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S201, the user inputs, from the input unit 210 of the terminal 44, specific request information for receiving a service. For example, when a call is received from outside, a predetermined operation is performed to notify the incoming call to the user via the TV receiver 1. CPU 20
5 receives the request information via the interface 208, and controls the communication unit 202 to execute step S202.
Causes the antenna 201 to wirelessly output a signal corresponding to the request. The PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43
When the request information is received through Step S1, Step S203
Then, the request information is transmitted to the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 via the backbone 51. Communication circuit 11 of server 41
2 receives the request information and sends it to the user data management unit 114 in step S204. User data management unit 1
14 stores the notified request information in the storage 42 in step S205.

At step S206, an incoming call is received from outside, and the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43, which has sensed this, notifies the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 via the backbone 51 of the incoming call at step S207. Communication circuit 11
2 notifies the individual service construction unit 116 of the incoming call in step S208. Individual service construction unit 116
Makes an inquiry to the user data management unit 114 for user information in step S209. User data management unit 114
Detects the information stored in the storage 42 in step S205 and responds to the inquiry in step S210.

For example, when the corresponding user is currently in a predetermined room (this determination can be made by the operation of the information providing system in steps S1 to S17 in FIG. 6), the incoming call is notified by the TV receiver 1. The user is notified that the settings have already been made.

Therefore, the individual service construction unit 116 of the server 41 first sends the command information for displaying the incoming call notification on the screen to the TV receiver 1 installed in another room,
12 is transmitted in step S211. Communication circuit 112
Via the backbone 51 in step S212 (FIG. 6)
The command information is transmitted to the TV receiver 1 in step S18). The TV receiver 1 receives the instruction information and displays an incoming call notification on the screen in step S213.

The individual service construction unit 116 of the server 41 also sends an incoming call notification message to the communication circuit 112 in step S214 to the terminal 44 at hand of the user in order to assist the input to the terminal 44 of the user. I do. The communication circuit 112 transmits the received incoming message to the
At 15, the backbone 5 is sent to the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43.
1 via The PHS control unit 110 of the base unit 43
When the incoming message is received, it is transmitted wirelessly via the antenna 111 in step S216, so that the terminal 4
Call 4

The communication section 202 of the terminal 44
When this call signal is received through the speaker 1, the speaker 2
Output from 03. At this time, the CPU 205 controls the interface 208 in step S217 to
A message (input guide for incoming call notification and response) is displayed on D209.

The user of the terminal 44 cannot recognize the ringing sound from the speaker 203 when listening to audio with headphones, for example, but can confirm from the message of the TV receiver 1 that a call has been received.

The user who notices the display of the TV receiver 1 gives his / her own intention, for example, an answering machine of the answering machine, in accordance with the guide displayed on the terminal 44 at hand, in step S.
At 218, the information is input from the input unit 210 as request information.
The CPU 205 receives the request information via the interface 208, controls the communication unit 202, and
At 219, the signal is output wirelessly from the antenna 201. Base unit 4
Upon receiving the request information via the antenna 111, the PHS control unit 110 sends the request information to the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 via the backbone 51 in step S220.

The communication circuit 112 of the server 41 sends the received request information to the individual service construction unit 116 in step S221. The individual service construction unit 116 transmits the command information (in this case, the command of answering machine response) based on the received request information to the communication circuit 1 in step S222.
12 is sent. The communication circuit 112 transmits the received command information to the PHS control unit 11 of the base unit 43 in step S223.
0 via the backbone 51.

Upon receiving the command information, the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43 reads out the answering machine response message stored in the memory 118 in advance in step S224, and responds to the calling party using this message. From the individual service construction unit 116 of the server 41, in order to end the screen display of the TV receiver 1 which has issued the instruction to display the incoming call, step S225.
Then, a display end command is sent to the communication circuit 112. The communication circuit 112 determines in step S226 that the backbone 51
The display end command is sent to the TV receiver 1 via the. TV
Upon receiving this, the receiver 1 ends the display in step S227.

The individual service constructing section 116 of the server 41 also terminates the display on the terminal 44 in step S2.
At 28, a display end command is sent to the communication circuit 112. The communication circuit 112 transmits the display end command to the display in step S229.
Then, the data is transmitted to the PHS control unit 110 of the parent device 43 via the backbone 51. Upon receiving the display end command, the PHS control unit 110 of the base unit 43 receives the antenna 111 at step S230.
The call is transmitted wirelessly via. The CPU 205 of the terminal 44
When a termination command is received via the antenna 201 and the communication unit 202, in step S231, the interface 20
8 to end the display on the LCD 209.

As described above, the server 41 provides information to the terminal 44 wirelessly via the master unit 43 and issues commands to the master unit 43 and the TV receiver 1 via the backbone 51. , A service is provided to the user. This embodiment is also applicable to other devices connected via the backbone 51 (including those indirectly connected via the audio bus 52 and the high-speed serial bus 53).

Next, when the information processing system of the present invention is applied to bathing preparation, a service performed via the base unit 43 and the power line 12 under the control of the server 41 in response to a request from the terminal 44. FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As a premise, when the terminal 44 enters the room where the water heater 6 is located, the operations of steps S7 to S18 in FIG. 6 are performed, and input guide information for the user to operate the water heater 6 is displayed on the LCD 209 of the terminal 44. Is provided and displayed from the server 41 via the parent device 43.

At step S301, the user sets the terminal 44
The user inputs specific request information for receiving the service to the input unit 210 of the service. For example, the operation stop temperature of the water heater 6 for boiling the hot water supplied to the bath tub and the start of the operation are input. Is set in advance. The CPU 205
When the request information is received via the interface 208, the communication unit 202 is controlled to output the request information wirelessly from the antenna 201 in step S302.

Upon receiving the request information via the antenna 111, the PHS control section 110 of the master unit 43 executes step S30.
At 3, the request information is transmitted to the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 via the power line 12. Upon receiving the request information, the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 transfers the request information to the user data management unit 114 in step S304. User data management unit 114
Causes the storage 42 to store the notified request information in step S305.

Further, the communication circuit 112 of the server 41 sends the received request information to the individual service construction unit 116 in step S306. Individual service construction unit 116
When the request information is received, the command information based on the received information (in this case, an instruction to boil the hot water in the bathtub and stop when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature) is sent to the step S307.
To the communication circuit 112. The communication circuit 112 transmits the received command information to the water heater 6 in step S308.
And output via the power line 12.

Upon receiving the command information, water heater 6 starts the commanded operation (boiling the water in the bathtub) in step S309. The individual service construction unit 116 of the server 41 also sends a message indicating that the water heater 6 is operating to the communication circuit 112 in step S310 to cause the terminal 44 to display a confirmation message. The communication circuit 112 transmits this information to step S311.
Is transmitted to the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43 via the power line 12. Upon receiving the information, the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43 transmits the information wirelessly via the antenna 111 in step S312. The CPU 205 of the terminal 44
When the information is received through the communication unit 202 and the communication unit 202, in step S313, the LCD 20 is transmitted through the interface 208.
9 to display a message.

When the temperature of the hot water reaches the temperature set by the instruction from the individual service construction unit 116, the process proceeds to step S31.
At 4, the water heater 6 automatically stops. Step S315
Then, from the water heater 6 via the power line 12, the server 41
Is notified that the processing has been completed. In step S316, the communication circuit 112 sends the received notification information to the individual service construction unit 116.

The individual service construction unit 116 of the server 41
Sends a display command to the communication circuit 112 in step S317 to cause the terminal 44 to display the end of the operation of the water heater 6. The communication circuit 112 sends this display command to the PHS control unit 110 of the base unit 43 in step S318.
2 via Upon receiving the display command, the PHS control unit 110 of the master unit 43 receives the display command at step S319.
The call is transmitted wirelessly via 1. CPU 205 of terminal 44
When the display command is received via the antenna 201 and the communication unit 202, the LCD 209 displays the end of the operation of the water heater 6 via the interface 208 in step S320. Thus, the user can know that the bath preparation is completed.

As described above, the server 41 is
3 to wirelessly provide information to the terminal 44,
Since the water heater 6 is instructed via the power line 12, the service is provided to the user. In this embodiment,
The present invention is not limited to the water heater 6, and can be applied to other devices connected to the power line 12 (including those indirectly connected via the audio bus 52 and the high-speed serial bus 53).

Note that the above embodiments can be used in combination.

The transmission medium for transmitting the computer program for performing the above processing to the user includes:
In addition to recording media such as magnetic disks, CD-ROMs, and solid-state memories, communication media such as networks and satellites can be used.

[0081]

As described above, according to the information processing system according to the first aspect, the information processing method according to the third aspect, and the transmission medium according to the fourth aspect, the device is transmitted through three types of transmission paths. Is connected, the user can operate various devices with one terminal having a wireless communication function and enjoy services at an arbitrary position in the home.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a sensor 40-1 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a sensor 40-1 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a parent device 43 and a server 41 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a terminal 44 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the information processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing timing of pulse measurement by the sensors 40-1 to 40-7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of sensors 40-1 to 40-7 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of detecting the position of the terminal 44 in FIG.

10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing information to a terminal 44 in FIG.

11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the terminal 44 in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another operation of the information processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating still another operation of the information processing system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional remote operation system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 TV receiver, 2 VCR, 3 air conditioner, 4 refrigerator, 5 washing machine, 6 water heater,
7 interphone, 8, 9 CD player, 10 amplifier, 11-1, 11-2 speaker, 12 power line, 21 to 30 remote controller, 40-1 to 40-
7 sensors, 41 servers, 42 storages, 4
3 base unit, 44 terminals, 50 telephone lines, 51
Backbone, 52 audio bus, 53 high-speed serial bus, 70-1, 70-2 electrodes, 71
-1, 71-2 antenna, 90-1, 90-2 reception sensitivity measuring device, 91 comparator, 92 CPU, 93
Communication device, 94 RAM, 95 ROM, 96 clock generation circuit, 110 PHS control unit, 111 antenna, 112 communication circuit, 113 device control unit, 11
4 User data management unit, 115 measurement result processing unit,
116 individual service construction unit, 117 timing control unit, 118 memory, 131-1 to 131-x
Measurement pulse, 201 antenna, 202 communication unit, 203 speaker, 204 microphone, 2
05 CPU, 206 ROM, 207 RAM, 208 interface, 209 LCD, 210 input unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] In an information processing system for providing a predetermined service to a terminal having a wireless communication function, a first transmission unit for transmitting control data to a connected device, and a second transmission unit for transmitting information wirelessly. An information processing system comprising: a second transmission unit; a third transmission unit that transmits various types of information to a connected device; and a control unit that controls the first to third transmission units. . 2. Fourth transmission means for transmitting control data, audio data, and computer data to connected devices in the same room, and control data and audio to connected devices in the same room. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a fifth transmission unit that transmits data, computer data, and video data. 3. An information processing method for an information processing system for providing a predetermined service to a terminal having a wireless communication function, comprising: a first transmission step of transmitting control data to a connected device; A third transmission step of transmitting various types of information to connected devices; and a control step of controlling the first to third transmission steps. Information processing method. 4. A computer program used for an information processing system for providing a predetermined service to a terminal having a wireless communication function, the computer program comprising: a first transmission step of transmitting control data to a connected device; A computer comprising: a second transmission step of transmitting information wirelessly; a third transmission step of transmitting various types of information to a connected device; and a control step of controlling the first to third transmission steps. A transmission medium for transmitting a program.