WO2005062662A1

WO2005062662A1 - Web remote controller and two-way communication method

Info

Publication number: WO2005062662A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/019471
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kiminori Araki
Original assignee: Kiminori Araki
Priority date: 2003-12-22
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2005-07-07
Also published as: JP2007074008A

Abstract

Electronic devices, electric home appliances or the like can be easily remote controlled only by connecting, to the Internet, a terminal device to which a controller has been attached or a dedicated terminal device having a controller function. There is provided a communication method in which remote controls of electronic devices, electric home appliances or the like are added to two-way communications of audio, video and characters performed between terminal apparatuses via the Internet in real time. A remote controller produces, based on remote control information received via the Internet, an operation signal to remote control the electronic devices, electric home appliances or the like. Moreover, a method for performing two-way communications between the terminal apparatuses via the Internet comprises the steps of displaying, on the same screen of each terminal apparatus, both a two-way communication image of audio, video and characters and a controller image; allowing a remote operator to operate the controller image and transmit remote control information; and producing, based on the received remote control information, an operation signal to remote control the electronic devices, electric home appliances or the like.

Description

Specification

Web remote controller and two-way communication method

The present invention relates to a WEB remote controller used for remote control of electronic devices or home electric appliances via the Internet, and bidirectional transmission of audio / image / character information between terminal devices via the Internet using the controller. It relates to a communication method in which a remote control function is added to communication. Background art

In recent years, there have been remarkable technological advances in remote control of electronic devices or home appliances, and it is generally known that remote control of electronic devices or home appliances is performed via a telephone communication line. I have.

On the other hand, with the spread of devices that can be connected to the Internet, the Internet itself is becoming widespread as infrastructure. In particular, those that are developing as Internet applications include browsing the World Wide Web (WWW) and sending and receiving e-mail. Applications used to send and receive information over the Internet are widely used WEB browsers for browsing the WWW or mailers that send and receive e-mail. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-224224 discloses an operation of various control devices such as AV devices by e-mail in which operation commands are described in a predetermined format. Is disclosed.

However, when remote control of an electronic device or a home appliance is performed via a telephone communication line, there is a problem that a telephone charge is generated and communication costs are increased.

Further, when the AV device is controlled by receiving an operation command by e-mail as in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-224224, a mail server, an agent server, It is necessary to build a large-scale control system such as a database. Also, due to the characteristics of e-mail, it may take some time before the e-mail reaches the destination, and there is no guarantee that the e-mail will arrive.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a web remote controller capable of easily performing remote control of electronic devices or home electric appliances via the Internet. To provide a communication method in which remote control of electronic devices or home electric appliances is added to two-way voice / image / character communication between terminal devices via the Internet in real time. . Disclosure of the invention

The controller according to the present invention used for remote control of an electronic device or a home appliance via the Internet includes: a connection unit which has a computer function and is connected to a terminal device equipped with driver software for the controller; An operation unit for remotely controlling an electronic device, a transmitting unit for transmitting a remote operation signal to a receiving unit of a wireless receiver provided in an electronic device or a home appliance, and an electronic device or a home appliance. A wired connection unit connected to the receiving unit of the equipped wired receiver, and a rechargeable battery are provided, and an operator at a remote place connects an operation terminal device to the terminal device via the Internet to perform the operation. By operating a controller screen displayed on the terminal device for remote control, remote operation information is transmitted to the terminal device, and the controller generates an operation signal based on the remote operation information to display an electronic device or a home appliance. It adopted a configuration that allowed remote operation.

In addition, the first controller used for remote operation of an electronic device or a home appliance via the Internet according to the present invention is connected via a first control key to a terminal device having a built-in computer function and equipped with controller driver software. A connection unit for remotely controlling an electronic device or a home appliance, and a transmitting unit for transmitting a remote control signal to a receiving unit of a wireless receiver provided in the electronic device or a home appliance. The power supply unit includes a wired connection unit that connects to a receiving unit of a wired receiver provided in an electronic device or a home appliance, and an operator at a remote location sends an operation terminal device to the terminal device via the Internet. To operate the first controller screen displayed on the operation terminal device or to connect to the operation terminal device via the second control key. By operating the connected second controller, remote operation information is transmitted to the terminal device, and the first controller generates an operation signal based on the remote operation information, and controls the electronic device or the home electric appliance. It adopted a configuration that allowed remote operation. The operation unit includes an ON / OFF switch having an LED that is lit when the power is ON, a wireless Z wired switch, an operation direction control switch, an operation speed adjustment switch, and an operation speed adjustment step. LED lights And a level display section for displaying. Further, on the controller screen of the operation terminal device, each switch of the operation unit and each operation button corresponding to the level display unit and a level display are displayed.

In addition, the controller according to the present invention used for remote operation of electronic devices or home appliances via the Internet can employ a dedicated terminal device having a built-in computer function.

As a result, remote operation information is transmitted from the operation terminal device connected via the Internet to a terminal device equipped with a controller or a dedicated terminal device having a controller function, and the controller or controller function receiving the remote operation information is transmitted. both between dedicated since the operation signal by the terminal apparatus is generated, also _c can remotely operate the electronic equipment or appliances such as via the I Internet, each of the terminal devices via the Internet according to the present invention having the The communication method is to connect the operation terminal device to the terminal device equipped with the controller or the dedicated terminal device having a controller function via a web server, and to operate the operation terminal device and the terminal device or The screen for two-way communication of voice, image and text and the controller screen are the same on the dedicated terminal device. A step of displaying on a screen, and a step of transmitting a remote operation information to the terminal device or the dedicated terminal device by operating the controller screen displayed on the operation terminal device by a remote operator. A step in which the controller or the dedicated terminal device having a controller function generates an operation signal based on the remote operation information to remotely operate an electronic device or a home appliance. In addition, remote operations When a user connects via the Internet to the terminal device or the dedicated terminal device in which a plurality of the operating terminal devices are installed, the terminal device or the dedicated terminal device set by the WEB server is recognized. By selecting a code, the operation terminal device is connected to the selected one of the terminal devices or the dedicated terminal device.

Further, in the two-way communication method between each terminal device via the Internet according to the present invention, the operation terminal device is connected to the terminal device equipped with the first controller via a web server, Displaying a screen for two-way communication of voice / image / character and the first controller screen on the same screen on the operation terminal device and the terminal device, wherein an operator at a remote location is connected to the operation terminal device; Transmitting remote operation information to the terminal device by operating the displayed first controller screen or operating a second controller connected to the operation terminal device via a second control key. And a step of the first controller generating an operation signal based on the remote operation information to remotely operate an electronic device or a home electric appliance.

This makes it possible to add a remote control function to the real-time two-way communication of voice, image, and character information between terminal devices via the Internet.

As described above, according to the controller according to the present invention used for remote control of electronic devices or home electric appliances via the Internet, communication costs can be reduced because the device is connected via the Internet, and the controller is mounted. Just connect a terminal device or a dedicated terminal device with a controller function to the Internet. Since remote control of electronic devices or home appliances is possible, there is no need to construct a large-scale control system.

Further, according to the two-way communication method between terminal devices via the Internet according to the present invention, it is possible to perform multi-communication in which a remote control function is added to the two-way communication of voice, image, and text information via the Internet. Therefore, it is possible to remotely control electronic devices or home appliances while communicating in real time. Therefore, it can be used for remote control of not only household appliances but also various devices or products such as medical devices and nursing care devices. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a remote control controller via the Internet according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a remote control controller. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a display screen of a personal computer. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an implementation procedure on the operation personal computer side. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an execution procedure on the personal computer side equipped with the remote control controller. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an implementation procedure on the WEB server side. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a WEB remote controller via the Internet according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, 10 is the Internet, 11 is the ^ £ 8 server, 20 is the operation personal computer, 30 is the personal computer (equipped with a remote operation controller), and the operation personal computer 20 and the personal computer ( The remote controller is installed.) 30 is connected via the EB server 11. In the present embodiment, an operation key. Real-time bi-directional communication of voice, image, and text information acquired between the computer 20 and the PC (with remote control controller ヲ) 30 via the Internet 10 and the WEB server 11 via the Internet 10. A communication environment that enables communication (high-speed broadband communication) has been established. In the present embodiment, the case where the terminal device is a personal computer will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet can be adopted as the operation terminal device. . When a dedicated terminal device with a built-in computer function is used in the remote control controller itself, as shown in this embodiment, a personal computer (with a remote control controller) 30 and a remote control controller 40 are connected. There is no need for a separate installation.

As in the present embodiment, when an operator at a remote location connects to a personal computer (installed with a remote control controller) 30 with a plurality of operating personal computers 20 via the Internet, a web server is used. 1 PC set with 1 (with remote control controller) 30 Select the PC's recognition code to connect operation PC 20 to one selected PC (with remote control controller) 30 can do. If you connect the remote PC (with a remote control controller) to the 30 PCs, the connection between the PCs will be one-to-one. of The setting can be omitted.

Both the personal computer 20 and the personal computer 30 for the operator at a remote location have a browsing function, and each is equipped with a web camera 21 and a headphone 22 with a microphone. ing. Note that the camera device, the microphone device, and the speaker device are not limited to these, and for example, a microphone with a built-in web camera, a speaker with a personal computer, or the like may be used.

A controller driver software (not shown) is mounted on the personal computer 30. As shown in FIG. 1, a remote control controller 40 is connected using a USB cable 46a. As described later, the operator operates the operation personal computer 20 via the Internet 10 and controls the remote operation controller 40 via the personal computer 30 so that the electronic device or home electric appliance 50 5 and 1 are operated remotely. Here, the “electronic device or home appliance” includes, for example, various devices or products such as a television, a video deck, various audio devices, an air conditioner, and an electric massage device, as well as medical devices and nursing devices.

The electronic device or home appliance 50 shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with a receiving unit (not shown) of a wired receiver, and is connected to the remote control controller 40 by using a connection cable 47a. On the other hand, the electronic device or home electric appliance 51 is equipped with a receiving section (not shown) of a wireless receiver, and receives a remote operation signal transmitted from the remote operation controller 40.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a remote control controller. As shown in Fig. 2, the remote control controller 40 has a connection section 46 for connecting to a personal computer 30 using a USB cable 46a, and an electronic device or home appliance. An operation unit that remotely controls 50, 51, a transmitter 48 that sends a remote control signal to the receiver of the wireless receiver provided in the electronic device or home appliance 51, and a transmitter that is installed in the electronic device or home appliance 50 And a rechargeable battery (not shown) for connecting to the receiving section of the wired receiver using the connection cable 47a.

The remote control controller 40 has a remote control function for executing a control program for remotely controlling electronic devices or home appliances 50, 51, and is transmitted from the operation personal computer 20 via the Internet 10. The received remote operation information is received via the personal computer 30 and the control specifications (“power ON”, “power OF”) of electronic devices or home appliances 50, 51 set in advance based on the remote operation information are received. , And the control program is executed by generating an operation signal corresponding to each channel (switch AJ, switch B, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit of the remote control controller 40 includes an ONZO FF switch 41, an operation direction control switch 42, an operation speed adjustment switch 43 (43a is high speed, 43b is low speed), It comprises a level display section 44 and a wireless / wired switch 45. The ONZO FF switch 41 and the level display section 44 have LEDs respectively.When the power is on, the LEDs of the ΟΝ and Ο FF switches 41 are turned on, and the LED of the level display section 44 is used to adjust the operation speed. It can be lit and displayed step by step. These switches and the like are determined by the above-described control specifications, and can be changed as appropriate.

The operation personal computer 20 remotely controls electronic devices or home appliances 50 and 51. A program for inputting and transmitting remote operation information corresponding to the control specifications is provided. When the remote operation information input mode is set, the controller screen 70 is displayed on the screen 23 (see Fig. 3). At this time, the switches etc. (41, 42, 43, 4) of the operation unit of the remote operation controller 40 are displayed on the controller screen 70.

It is preferable to display each button (71, 72, 73, 75) corresponding to 5). As a result, when each button displayed on the controller screen 70 is pressed, remote operation information associated with the position of the button is input and transmitted, and based on the remote operation information received via the PC 30 via the Internet. Thus, the remote control controller 40 can generate an operation signal to remotely control the electronic device or the home electric appliances 50 and 51.

Next, a communication method according to the present invention in which bidirectional communication between terminal devices via the Internet and remote control of electronic devices or home appliances are added will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 4 shows the implementation procedure on the operation personal computer side, Fig. 5 shows the implementation procedure on the remote control-equipped controller, and Fig. 6 shows the implementation procedure on the web server side.

The operator at a remote place activates the browser of the operation computer 20 and connects to the web server 11 (S10). At this time, the connection information is transmitted from the operation personal computer 20 via the Internet 10 (the symbol shown in FIGS. 4 and 6).

A l).

On the other hand, the browser of the personal computer to be remotely controlled (with a remote control controller) 30 is started and connected to the web server 11 (S20). At this time, The connection information is transmitted from the computer (with a remote control controller) 30 via the Internet 10 (symbol A 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

As shown in Fig. 1, when an operator connects to a personal computer (a remote control controller is installed) 30 with a plurality of operating personal computers 20 via the Internet, the personal computer set by the web server 11 ( Select 30 recognition codes (S ll). At this time, the selection information is transmitted from the operation personal computer 20 via the Internet 10 (symbol B shown in FIGS. 4 and 6).

The WEB server 11 communicates the operation personal computer 20 with the personal computer (remote) based on the connection information and selection information transmitted from the operation personal computer 20 and the connection information transmitted from the personal computer (remote operation controller mounted) 30. Permits connection with the operation controller (30) (S30, symbol C shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6). As a result, connection between the personal computers is started (S12, S21). In this state where the personal computers are connected, voice 'image' text information can be transmitted and received (S13, S22, Symbol D) shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. This real-time two-way communication is performed through the two-way communication screen 60 displayed on the screens 23 and 33 of each personal computer as shown in an example of the display screen in FIG. Here, the two-way communication screen 60 includes a partner video screen 61, a self video screen 62, and a character display screen 63, a connection button, a zoom button for the other party's video screen, a microphone output ON / OFF button, The ONZOFF button of the speaker and the ON / OF F button for self-video distribution are arranged, and two-way communication of audio / image / text information is performed in real time. Then, when the operator remotely controls the electronic device or home appliance 50, 51, as shown in an example of the display screen of FIG. 3, both of the two displayed on the screens 23, 33 of each personal computer are displayed. The remote control information is transmitted through the controller screen 70 displayed on the same screen as the bidirectional communication screen 60 (S14, symbol E shown in FIG. 4). On the other hand, the personal computer (with a remote control controller) 30 receives the remote control information (S23, symbol E in FIG. 5), and the remote control controller 40 sends an operation signal based on the remote control information. It is generated and transmitted to the receiving unit of the wireless receiver or the receiving unit of the wired receiver provided in the electronic device or home appliance 50, 51, and the remote operation is executed (S24). At this time, since the two-way communication of voice-image / text information is performed in real time between the personal computers, the operator checks the control status of the remotely operated electronic device or home appliance 50, 51 in real time. can do.

Finally, when terminating the connection between the personal computers, information on the termination of the connection is transmitted from either the operation personal computer 20 or the personal computer (with remote control controller) 30 (S15, S2). 5, processing for terminating the connection is performed in the WEB server 11 (Symbols F1, F2) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (S31).

The remote control controller 40 described in the above embodiment is connected to the personal computer 30 using the USB cable 46a and enables remote control in only one direction. The remote control controller 40 can be used not only for remote control of electronic devices or home electric appliances, but also for transmitting remote control information to each other. Another embodiment having a function that can be provided will be described. In such another embodiment, for example, when constructing a remote control system between two personal computers A and B, both of which are operating terminal devices, the personal computer A and personal computer B have driver software for the controller. Control keys A and B are connected via USB, respectively, and each control key is wirelessly connected to a remote control controller A and a remote control controller B located on each operator side. Is done. The feature of the system is that it is connected to each remote control controller via each control key in this way. For this reason, each operator (A, B) selects from the preset programs for the functions of the remote control controller A and the remote control controller B on the operation terminal devices (PC A, PC B). In this way, it is possible to determine the function of the controller that performs remote control according to the situation. That is, the controller A for remote operation is used for 1) functioning as a controller used for remote control of the electronic device or home electric appliance of the operator A side, or 2) used for remote control of the electronic device or home electric appliance of the operator B side. The remote control controller B, which works in conjunction with the controller, 3) functions as a controller used for remote control of the electronic equipment on the operator B side or home appliances, or 4) the electronic equipment on the operator A side. Alternatively, the function of interlocking with a controller used for remote control of home electric appliances or the like can be selected according to the situation. This makes it possible not only to use each remote control controller for remote control of electronic devices or home appliances, but also to provide a function that allows remote control information to be transmitted to each other. Remote control can be easily performed. Next, an example of a procedure of a communication method in which remote control of an electronic device, a home appliance, or the like is added to two-way communication between terminal devices via the Internet according to another embodiment described above will be described.

(1) Connect to the DB server via the Internet from PC A or PC B where the controller driver software has been installed and initialized, and connect to the pre-assigned individual serial (same serial, but PC A and PC B) When the user registration and password registration are performed based on the ID, the ID is distributed to each from the DB server. As a result, the same serial is registered at the time of initial setting, so that the connection partner can be limited.

(2) When two-way communication is performed between personal computer A and personal computer B, when the software is started, the installation of the control key is confirmed, and then the ID and password authentication screen is displayed. When the ID and password are authenticated by the DB server and the connection is permitted, the controller screen of the other party of the same serial is displayed and the selection screen of image software is displayed. In this state, remote operation information, voice, image, and text information can be transmitted and received between PC A and PC B.

(3) Remote control controller A, 1) functioning as a controller for remote control of electronic equipment or home appliances, etc. on operator A side, or 2) remote control of electronic equipment or home appliances, etc. on operator B side The remote control controller B, which functions so as to be linked to the controller used for 3), functions as a controller used for 3) remote control of electronic equipment or home electric appliances, etc. on the operator B side, or 4) the operator A side. Linked to the controller used for remote control of electronic devices or home appliances And remote control in both directions, as needed. If you choose to have your remote control controller work in conjunction with the remote control of the other party, you can use your remote control instead of operating the control screen displayed on your computer. By operating the controller, the remote controller of the other party can be activated. Industrial availability

As described above, according to the two-way communication method between terminal devices via the Internet according to the present invention, multi-communication in which a remote operation function is added to the two-way communication of voice, image, and text information via the Internet is provided. This makes it possible to remotely control electronic devices or home appliances while communicating in real time. For this reason, the present invention is suitable for remotely controlling not only home appliances but also various devices or products such as medical devices and nursing devices via the Internet. Can be used for

As an example of the application of the present invention, for example, when a caregiver in a remote place cares for a care recipient, an electric care bed or an electric massage device used by the care recipient is set as a target device for remote operation. By doing this, the caregiver and the care recipient need to communicate with each other in real time, while the caregiver can view the video of the care recipient on the two-way communication screen 60 displayed on the operation PC 20. By operating the controller screen 70, an electric nursing bed, an electric massager, and the like can be remotely operated.

Claims

Claims A controller used for remote control of an electronic device or a home appliance includes a connection unit that has a computer function and is connected to a terminal device having driver software for the controller, and an electronic device or a home appliance. An operating unit for remote control, a transmitter for transmitting a remote control signal to a receiver of a wireless receiver mounted on an electronic device or a home appliance, and a reception of a wired receiver mounted on an electronic device or a home appliance The remote terminal includes an operation terminal device connected to the terminal device via the Internet, and is displayed on the operation terminal device. The remote controller transmits remote operation information to the terminal device by operating the controller screen, and the controller generates an operation signal based on the remote operation information, and the electronic device or home appliance WE B remote controller using Hinto the remote control of such electronic equipment or appliances through the I Internet which made it possible to remotely.

The controller used for remote control of an electronic device or a home appliance is a dedicated terminal device having a built-in computer function. A transmitter that transmits a remote control signal to the receiver of the equipped radio receiver, a wired connection that connects to the receiver of a wired receiver provided in electronic equipment or home appliances, and a rechargeable battery An operator at a remote location connects an operation terminal device to the dedicated terminal device via the Internet and operates a controller screen displayed on the operation terminal device to connect to the dedicated terminal device. Far Electronic device via the Internet, which transmits remote operation information and enables the dedicated terminal device to generate an operation signal based on the remote operation information to enable remote control of the electronic device or home electric appliance or the like. Web remote controller used for remote control of home appliances.

The first controller used for remote control of electronic devices or home appliances is a connection unit that connects via a first control key to a terminal device that has a built-in computer function and has driver software for the controller. Or, an operation unit that remotely controls home appliances, a transmission unit that transmits a remote control signal to the reception unit of a wireless receiver provided in electronic devices or home appliances, and a wired unit that is installed in electronic devices or home appliances. It has a wired connection unit connected to the receiving unit of the receiver, and a power supply unit, and an operator who is at a remote place connects the operation terminal device to the terminal device via the Internet and connects to the operation terminal device. By operating the displayed first controller screen or operating the second controller connected to the operation terminal device via the second control key. Remote control information to the terminal device, and the first controller generates an operation signal based on the remote control information to enable remote control of an electronic device or a home appliance. Web remote controller used for remote control of electronic devices or home appliances via the Internet. The operation unit of the controller includes an LED that is turned on when the power is on, and controls an fc ON / OFF switch, a wireless Z wired switch, an operation direction control switch, an operation speed adjustment switch, and an operation speed adjustment. It is characterized by comprising a level / level display section that lights up and displays LEDs in stages. A WEB remote controller used for remote control of an electronic device or a home appliance via the Internet according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

The control screen of the operation terminal device, wherein each switch of the operation unit and each operation button corresponding to the level display unit and a level display are displayed. A WEB remote controller used for remote control of electronic devices or home electric appliances via the Internet according to item 4.

3. A bidirectional communication method between terminal devices via the Internet, wherein the operation terminal device is provided with the terminal device equipped with the controller according to claim 1 or the controller function according to claim 2. Connected to the dedicated terminal device via a web server, and the operation terminal device and the terminal device or the dedicated terminal device have the same voice / image / character bidirectional communication screen and the controller screen. Displaying on a screen, transmitting a remote operation information to the terminal device or the dedicated terminal device by operating a controller screen displayed on the operation terminal device by a remote operator; The controller according to claim 1 or the dedicated terminal device having a controller function described in claim 2 operates based on the remote operation information. A two-way communication method between terminal devices via the Internet, comprising a step of generating an operation signal to remotely control an electronic device or a home appliance.

7. The method for bidirectional communication between terminal devices via the Internet according to claim 6, wherein an operator at a remote location installs a plurality of the operation terminal devices. When connecting to the terminal device or the dedicated terminal device installed via the Internet, by selecting the recognition code of each terminal device or each dedicated terminal device set by the WEB server, A two-way communication method between terminal devices via the Internet, wherein the operation terminal device is connected to a selected one of the terminal devices or the dedicated terminal device.

In a two-way communication method between terminal devices via the Internet, the operation terminal device is connected to the terminal device equipped with the first controller according to claim 3 via a web server, Displaying the screen for two-way communication of voice / image / characters and the screen of the first controller on the same terminal on the operation terminal and the terminal; The terminal device is remotely controlled by operating the first controller screen displayed on the device or by operating the second controller connected to the operation terminal device via a second control key. Transmitting information based on the remote operation information, wherein the first controller generates an operation signal based on the remote operation information to remotely control an electronic device or a home appliance. Bi-directional communication method between the terminal devices through the Internet with.