WO2014088037A1

WO2014088037A1 - Electronic device, method for controlling same and program

Info

Publication number: WO2014088037A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/082611
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勇次古田
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2012-12-05
Filing date: 2013-12-04
Publication date: 2014-06-12

Abstract

A user not subject to parental control may wish to skip the password input step when using an electronic device. Therefore, the present invention provides an electronic device that does not request a password to be inputted when a user not subject to parental control uses the electronic device. The electronic device is provided with a storage unit, a communication unit, an identification information registration unit, and a state transition management unit. The communication unit is capable of communicating with a mobile electronic device. The identification information registration unit registers in the storage unit the identification information of a mobile electronic device specified in advance by the user. The state transition management unit manages operation modes including a first operation mode permitting the operation by an unauthorized user and a second operation mode permitting the operation of an authorized user. In a case where first data transmitted from the mobile electronic device matching the identification information registered in the storage unit is identified, the state transition management unit sets the operation mode to the second operation mode.

Description

Electronic device, control method thereof, and program

(Description of related applications)
The present invention is based on the priority claim of Japanese patent application: Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-266433 (filed on Dec. 5, 2012), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Shall.
The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic device that performs parental control, a control method thereof, and a program.

In recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet terminals that include a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation device such as a touch panel have become widespread. Such portable electronic devices can realize various functions by installing various applications. For example, a portable electronic device can be used as a remote controller for remotely operating a television device (TV) or the like.

Also, STB (Set Top Box) connected to TV etc. is popular. The STB includes, for example, a cable TV tuner, a terrestrial digital TV, a LAN (Local Area Network) port, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like. The STB and the TV are connected using a predetermined interface (for example, HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface)).

STB can be assumed that each individual in the home uses an STB owned by the individual, but it is thought that the entire family often shares it. In other words, parents and children often share STBs and watch TV programs or browse WEB (web) pages. For this reason, it is necessary to limit the use of content (such as TV programs and WEB pages) that may adversely affect the growth of children. That is, the STB needs a function called parental control. On the other hand, parental controls are not necessary for adult parents.

Here, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device that cancels access restrictions on content by entering a password on a screen accessible to the whole family.

Also, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital television whose menu can be customized for each user, in which the menu is changed according to information received from a remote control given to each user.

JP 2005-117185 A

It should be noted that the disclosures of the above prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis was made by the present inventors.

As mentioned above, parents are excluded from parental control. It is natural that a user who is not subject to such parental control wants to omit the password input required by the electronic device disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 when using the STB. Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that does not require input of a password when used by a user who is not subject to parental control, and a control method therefor And providing a program.

In addition, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not assume the existence of parental control, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to an electronic device that performs parental control. This is because Patent Document 1 does not consider state transition between an operation mode commonly used by a plurality of users and an operation mode that can be used by authorized users.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a storage unit, a communication unit capable of communicating with a portable electronic device, an identification information registration unit that registers identification information of a portable electronic device predetermined by a user in the storage unit, and an authority A state transition management unit that manages an operation mode including a first operation mode that permits an operation of a user who does not have a second operation mode that permits an operation of an authorized user, and the state transition Provided by an electronic device that sets an operation mode to the second operation mode when the management unit recognizes first data transmitted from a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit Is done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an electronic device comprising a storage unit and a communication unit capable of communicating with a portable electronic device, wherein the identification information of the portable electronic device predetermined by a user is stored in the storage device. A first operation for permitting an unauthorized user operation when recognizing first data transmitted from a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit There is provided an electronic device control method including a step of setting an operation mode to a second operation mode that permits an authorized user's operation without going through the mode.
In addition, this method is tied to the specific machine called an electronic device provided with a memory | storage part and a communication part.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that is executed by a computer that controls an electronic device including a storage unit and a communication unit that can communicate with the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device predetermined by the user. The process of registering the identification information in the storage unit and the operation of an unauthorized user is permitted when the first data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit is recognized. There is provided a program that executes a process of setting an operation mode to a second operation mode that permits an authorized user's operation without going through the first operation mode.
This program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium may be non-transient such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or the like. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product.

According to each aspect of the present invention, an electronic device that does not require input of a password when used by a user who is not subject to parental control, a control method therefor, and a program are provided.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure containing STB10. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of STB10. It is a figure which shows an example of the state transition of STB10. It is a figure which shows an example of the image which STB10 outputs at the time of shared mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the image which STB10 outputs at the time of non-restriction mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen which performs the setting regarding parental control. It is a figure which shows an example of the state transition of STB10. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of STB20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the parental control setting screen which STB20 displays. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of STB20. It is a figure which shows an example of a state transition in case the internal state of STB20 is a standby state. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of STB20. It is a figure which shows an example of a state transition in case the internal state of STB20 is an operation state and an operation mode is a shared mode. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of STB20. It is a figure which shows an example of a state transition in case the internal state of STB20 is an operation state and an operation mode is an unrestricted mode.

First, an outline of an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the reference numerals of the drawings attached to the outline are attached to the respective elements for convenience as an example for facilitating understanding, and the description of the outline is not intended to be any limitation.

As mentioned above, users who are not eligible for parental control want to omit operations such as password entry when they want to use an electronic device. Therefore, an electronic device that does not require the input of a password when used by a user who is not subject to parental control is required.

Therefore, an electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided as an example. The electronic device 1 includes a storage unit 401, a communication unit 402 that can communicate with the portable electronic device, an identification information registration unit 403 that registers identification information of the portable electronic device predetermined by the user in the storage unit 401, and an unauthorized user A state transition management unit 404 that manages an operation mode including a first operation mode that permits an operation of the user and a second operation mode that permits an operation of an authorized user. When the state transition management unit 404 recognizes the first data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit 401, the state transition management unit 404 sets the operation mode to the second operation mode.

The electronic device 1 registers, in the storage unit 401, information for identifying a portable electronic device (for example, a smartphone) owned by a user who has the right to use the second operation mode with no function restrictions. Further, when the portable electronic device corresponding to the registered identification information is used as a remote controller for the electronic device 1, the electronic device 1 receives the first data (for example, a remote control application) transmitted from the portable electronic device. When the data for notifying activation is recognized, the operation mode is set to the second operation mode. In other words, the electronic device 1 requests the authorized user to input a password in response to the transmission of the first data from the portable electronic device owned by the authorized user who uses the second operation mode. Without transition to the second operation mode. As a result, it is possible to provide the electronic device 1 that does not require input of a password when used by a user who is not subject to parental control.

Subsequently, prior to the description of a specific embodiment, the configuration and operation of an electronic device that performs parental control will be described.

In addition, although it demonstrates using STB as an example of the electronic device which performs parental control, it is not the meaning which limits the electronic device which performs parental control to STB. For example, the electronic device may be a television device incorporating a STB function for performing parental control, or may be a personal computer. Further, in the following description including the embodiment, a description will be given by taking a smartphone as an example of the portable electronic device used when operating the electronic device. However, the portable electronic device is not limited to the smartphone. Any portable electronic device may be used as long as a remote control application that allows the portable electronic device to function as an STB remote control is installed (or installable). For example, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or the like can be used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration including an STB.

The system shown in FIG. 2 includes an STB 10, a TV 11, a smartphone 12, and a wireless LAN access point 13.

STB 10 and TV 11 are connected using an HDMI cable or the like. The TV 11 receives the video signal output from the STB 10 and provides the user with an image corresponding to the video signal. The user of the STB 10 uses the smartphone 12 as a remote control for the STB 10. More specifically, a remote control application installed on the smartphone 12 is activated, and the STB 10 is operated using the activated remote control application. Information necessary for the operation is displayed on the TV 11.

The smartphone 12 and the STB 10 communicate with each other via the wireless LAN access point 13. In FIG. 2, a form in which mutual communication between the STB 10 and the smartphone 12 is realized by the wireless LAN access point 13 is illustrated, but the communication form is not limited to wireless communication using the access point. For example, the STB 10 and the wireless LAN access point 13 may be wired, or the STB 10 may include the function of the wireless LAN access point so that the STB 10 and the smartphone 12 communicate with each other.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the STB 10.

The STB 10 includes a video output unit 101, a communication unit 102, a storage unit 103, and a control unit 104. In FIG. 3, for simplicity, only the modules related to the implementation of the STB 10 are described.

The video output unit 101 outputs a video signal corresponding to an image displayed on the TV 11. More specifically, the data generated by the control unit 104 is changed to a format (video signal) that can be displayed by the TV 11 and is output to the TV 11 through an HDMI cable or the like.

The communication unit 102 realizes wireless communication between the STB 10 and the smartphone 12. The communication unit 102 is also used when the STB 10 accesses a WEB server on the Internet. At that time, the control unit 104 creates data including information such as a URL, transmits data (packets) from the communication unit 102 to a broadband router (not shown), and accesses a WEB server on the Internet. The communication unit 102 receives data transmitted from a WEB server or the like and stores the data in the storage unit 103. The control unit 104 generates an image corresponding to the received data, and outputs a video signal from the video output unit 101.

The storage unit 103 stores information necessary for the operation of the STB 10 temporarily or permanently.

The control unit 104 controls the entire STB 10 as well as the control of each unit shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 104 includes a state transition management unit 201 that manages and controls the internal state and operation mode of the STB 10.

Next, the internal state of the STB 10 managed by the state transition management unit 201 will be described.

The internal state of the STB 10 includes two states, a standby state and an operating state.

The standby state is a state in which some of the functions of the STB 10 are suspended, and is a state of low power consumption. For example, in the standby state, by cutting off the power supplied to the video output unit 101, the video output function is deactivated and the power consumption is reduced.

The operating state is a state in which the function of the STB 10 is realized according to the user's operation. More specifically, a state in which a WEB server on the Internet is accessed according to a user operation and the acquired content is displayed on the TV 11, and a state in which the STB 10 is normally operating is an operating state.

The STB 10 transitions between two internal states triggered by a user operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of state transition of the STB 10.

The internal state of the STB 10 immediately after energization is a standby state. When data (remote control code) assigned to power-on is transmitted to the STB 10 in the standby state, the STB 10 transitions to the operating state. At that time, the state transition management unit 201 sets the internal state of the STB 10 to the operating state. When the internal state of the STB 10 becomes the operating state, the control unit 104 activates each unit that has been suspended. For example, the control unit 104 causes a power generation unit (not shown) to supply power to the video output unit 101 and the communication unit 102 so that the Internet connection and video signal output are possible.

On the other hand, when the data assigned to the power-off is transmitted to the STB 10 in the operating state, the STB 10 transits to the standby state. At that time, the state transition management unit 201 sets the internal state of the STB 10 to the standby state.

Here, when the STB 10 and the TV 11 are connected by an HDMI cable or the like, and both the STB 10 and the TV 11 are compatible with the HDMI-CEC (HDMI-Consumer Electronics Control) standard, the power source of the TV 11 may be controlled from the STB 10. Is possible. That is, when the STB 10 is in a standby state and the TV 11 is turned off, the TV 11 can be turned on in accordance with the state transition of the STB 10 (transition from the standby state to the operating state). Similarly, when the STB 10 is in an operating state and the TV 11 is turned on, the TV 11 can be turned off in accordance with the state transition of the STB 10.

Subsequently, the operation mode in the operating state of the STB 10 will be described.

As mentioned above, when sharing the STB 10 with a family, it is necessary to implement parental control. Therefore, the STB 10 defines two operation modes as operation modes in the operating state.

The first operation mode is a shared mode. The shared mode is an operation mode in which parental control is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output by the STB 10 in the shared mode.

The STB 10 provides the shared screen shown in FIG. 5 to the user via the TV 11 in the shared mode. A user in contact with the shared screen in FIG. 5 activates a desired application and browses a WEB page. In the shared mode, parental control is performed, so that a WEB site that can be accessed and an application that can be started are limited. More specifically, in the shared mode, the WEB site permitting access and the application permitting activation change according to a parental level designated in advance.

The second operation mode in the STB 10 is an unrestricted mode. The non-restricted mode is an operation mode that can be operated by a previously authorized user. In the non-restricted mode, there are no restrictions on the functions of the STB 10 that can be used by the user. In other words, there are no restrictions on the WEB sites that can be accessed and the applications that can be activated. Thus, the non-restricted mode is an operation mode that can be used by an authorized user. On the other hand, the shared mode is an operation mode used by a user who is not authorized to use the unrestricted mode. In the non-restricted mode, it is possible to set and register a password for using the non-restricted mode and change the parental level in the shared mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output by the STB 10 in the non-restricted mode.

The STB 10 provides the screen shown in FIG. 6 to the user via the TV 11 in the non-restricted mode. A user in contact with the screen shown in FIG. 6 starts a desired application and browses a WEB page. In addition, by pressing a button 301 shown in FIG. 6, a menu screen for performing various settings related to parental control can be called.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen for performing settings related to parental control.

The parental control setting screen provides the user with an interface for setting / changing the password and changing the parental level. Here, in the non-restricted mode, an operation by a user who is an adult (for example, a guardian) is mainly scheduled. The determination as to whether or not the user is permitted in advance is realized by requiring a person who desires to use the non-restricted mode to input a password. More specifically, the operation mode switching (mode transition) from the shared mode to the unrestricted mode is permitted by inputting a password in the input area 302 shown on the shared screen shown in FIG. That is, a person who knows the password can perform an operation in the non-restricted mode.

Also, no password is set for the STB 10 immediately after purchase, and the STB purchaser does not need to enter the password, and can operate in the unrestricted mode. Alternatively, a password such as “0000” is temporarily set and specified in the instruction manual, and the purchaser of the STB 10 can operate in the unrestricted mode by referring to the instruction manual. The purchaser of the STB 10 sets a password for using the non-restricted mode in the non-restricted mode. After the password is set, you cannot operate in unrestricted mode without entering the password. In addition, since an operation in the unrestricted mode cannot be performed without inputting a password, a person who knows the password (for example, a guardian who is a purchaser of the STB 10) can change the parental level.

Although examples of the user interface of the STB 10 have been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, these are merely examples and do not limit the user interface of the STB 10. It is only necessary that an authorized user can use the non-restricted mode and can perform settings such as password registration and parent control in the non-restricted mode.

As described above, the STB 10 transitions from the standby state to the operating state in response to an external start instruction (power-on operation by the smartphone 12). Immediately after the STB 10 transitions to the operating state, it operates in the shared mode. In this shared mode, the person who entered the password can perform operations in the unrestricted mode. FIG. 8 summarizes such state transitions of the STB 10. In the shared mode and the non-restricted mode, when receiving a power-off instruction from the smartphone 12, the STB 10 transitions to a standby state. In addition, since the non-restricted mode includes functions in the shared mode, it is not necessary to make a transition from the non-restricted mode to the shared mode. You may make a transition from the restricted mode to the shared mode.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Next, the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the electronic device that performs parental control is an STB, but the electronic device is not limited to an STB.

As described above, the STB 10 transitions to the shared mode immediately after transitioning to the operating state. In other words, a user who wants to operate the STB 10 in the non-restricted mode cannot operate in the non-restricted mode without going through the shared mode. However, the user usually wants to use the unrestricted mode without entering a password. If the user is permitted to use the unrestricted mode, the user is not required to enter the password. An STB that can use the mode is required. The STB 20 according to the present embodiment realizes such a demand.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the STB 20 according to the present embodiment. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

The STB 20 includes an identification information registration unit 202 in the control unit 104. Note that the state transition management unit 201 and the identification information registration unit 202 included in the control unit 104 are realized by a computer program that causes a computer mounted on the STB 20 to execute each process described in detail later using the hardware. You can also.

STB10 and STB20 are functionally different in the following points.

First, the difference is that the smartphone 12 owned by the user permitted to use in the non-restricted mode is registered in the STB 20.

Secondly, when the registered smartphone 12 is used as a remote control of the STB 20, it is different in that it shifts to an unrestricted mode without going through the shared mode.

First, registration of the smartphone 12 will be described.

In recent years, portable electronic devices such as smartphones and mobile phones have become widespread, and each individual owns a dedicated device. Therefore, it can be considered that a specific portable electronic device is used only by the owner. Moreover, it is normal that the manufacturing number is attached | subjected to the smart phone for every individual | organism | solid, and each individual can be specified and identified by this manufacturing number. Although a telephone number, an e-mail address, etc. can also be used for the identification information for specifying a smart phone, since these information can be changed by the user, there are some aspects in which the identification information is unsuitable. On the other hand, the serial number described above is information that cannot be changed by the user, and is therefore suitable for information for uniquely identifying a smartphone.

The STB 20 provides the user with an interface for registering the identification information of the smartphone 12 in the non-restricted mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a parental control setting screen displayed by the STB 20. FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 displayed by the STB 10, and an interface for registering the smartphone 12 is added to the display element shown in FIG.

The smartphone 12 can be registered only by users who are permitted to operate in the non-restricted mode. That is, except for the state immediately after purchasing the STB 20, a user who knows the password set in the STB 20 can register the smartphone 12. In other words, a user who cannot know the registered password (for example, a child) cannot register his / her smartphone.

Various methods can be considered as a method for registering the smartphone 12. For example, it is conceivable to provide an identification information registration menu as one of the menus of the remote control application installed in the smartphone 12. The smartphone 12 that has received the registration operation from the user reads the internal identification information and transmits it to the STB 20. The identification information registration unit 202 included in the control unit 104 stores the received identification information in the storage unit 103 if the registration of identification information of the smartphone 12 is permitted. In this case, “smartphone registration” illustrated in FIG. 10 functions as a menu for causing the STB 20 to transition to a state in which identification information from the smartphone 12 is received.

Alternatively, a menu for registering the identification information of the smartphone 12 may be provided on the STB 20 side, and the owner of the smartphone 12 may input the identification information. For example, such an interface is suitable when the telephone number of the smartphone 12 is used as identification information. In that case, “smartphone registration” shown in FIG. 10 functions as a menu for inputting identification information. In addition, the method of registering the smartphone 12 is not limited to the above content, and any method may be used as long as the identification information of the smartphone 12 can be stored in the storage unit 103 of the STB 20.

Next, the operation of the STB 20 will be described.

There are the following three combinations of STB internal states and operation modes.
First, the internal state is a standby state.
Second, the internal state is the operating state and the operation mode is the restricted mode.
Third, the internal state is an operating state and the operation mode is a non-restricted mode.
In each case, an operation when a remote control application installed in the smartphone 12 is started will be described.

First, a case where the internal state of the STB 20 is a standby state will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the STB 20.

The smartphone 12 transmits data previously determined with the STB 20 to the STB 20 when starting the installed remote control application. The data corresponds to the first data described above. Note that any data format may be defined between the smartphone 12 and the STB 20. It suffices that the STB 20 can recognize the activation of the remote control application installed in the smartphone 12 based on the data.

In step S01, the state transition management unit 201 receives data transmitted from the smartphone 12 to recognize the activation of the remote control application.

In step S02, the state transition management unit 201 sets the internal state of the STB 20 to the operating state. Since the internal state of the STB 20 transitions to the operating state, power is supplied to each part of the STB 20 and the power source of the STB 20 is turned on.

In step S03, the state transition management unit 201 determines whether the smartphone that has activated the remote control application is a smartphone that has been registered in advance. If the smartphone 12 is registered in advance (step S03, Yes branch), the state transition management unit 201 sets the operation mode of the STB 20 to an unrestricted mode (step S04). That is, the operation mode of the STB 20 transitions to the non-restricted mode without going through the shared mode.

On the other hand, if it is not the registered smartphone 12 (step S03, No branch), the process proceeds to step S05.

After the state transition management unit 201 sets the operation mode of the STB 20 to the non-restricted mode, the operation in the non-restricted mode by the user who owns the registered smartphone 12 is permitted similarly to the STB 10.

In step S05, the state transition management unit 201 detects the end of the remote control application in the smartphone 12. When the remote control application on the smartphone 12 is terminated (step S05, Yes branch), the state transition management unit 201 sets the internal state of the STB 20 to the standby state (step S06), and the process is terminated. Note that the smartphone 12 transmits data determined in advance with the STB 20 to the STB 20 when ending the remote control application being executed. The data corresponds to second data described later. Data to be transmitted when the remote control application is terminated may be in any format.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of state transition when the internal state of the STB 20 is a standby state.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the STB 20 detects the activation of the remote control application in the registered smartphone 12 when the internal state of the STB 20 is a standby state, the STB 20 transits to the non-restricted mode without going through the shared mode.

Next, the case where the internal state of the STB 20 is in the operating state and the operation mode is the shared mode will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the STB 20.

In step S11, the state transition management unit 201 recognizes the activation of the remote control application from the data transmitted from the smartphone 12.

In step S12, the state transition management unit 201 determines whether the smartphone that has activated the remote control application is the smartphone 12 registered in advance. If the smartphone 12 is registered in advance (step S12, Yes branch), the state transition management unit 201 sets the operation mode of the STB 20 to an unrestricted mode (step S13). That is, the operation mode of the STB 20 transitions to an unrestricted mode without entering a password.

On the other hand, if it is not the registered smartphone 12 (step S12, No branch), the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the state transition management unit 201 detects the end of the remote control application in the smartphone 12. When the remote control application in the smartphone 12 is terminated (step S14, Yes branch), the state transition management unit 201 sets the operation mode of the STB 20 to the shared mode (step S15), and the process is terminated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of state transition when the internal state of the STB 20 is the operating state and the operation mode is the shared mode.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the STB 20 detects the activation of the remote control application in the registered smartphone 12 when the operation mode of the STB 20 is the shared mode, the STB 20 enters the non-restricted mode without requiring the user to input a password. Transition.

Next, the case where the internal state of the STB 20 is in the operating state and the operation mode is the unrestricted mode will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the STB 20.

In step S21, the state transition management unit 201 recognizes the activation of the remote control application from the data transmitted from the smartphone 12. In this case, the state transition management unit 201 does not change the internal state and operation mode of the STB 20.

In step S22, the state transition management unit 201 detects the end of the remote control application in the smartphone 12. When the remote control application in the smartphone 12 is terminated (step S22, Yes branch), the state transition management unit 201 sets the operation mode of the STB 20 to the shared mode (step S23), and the process is terminated.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of state transition when the internal state of the STB 20 is in the operating state and the operation mode is the non-restricted mode.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the operation mode of the STB 20 is the non-restricted mode, the STB 20 does not change the internal state and the operation mode even if the activation of the registered remote control application of the smartphone 12 is detected.

In addition, when the remote control application is terminated, the state transition management unit 201 sets the operation state of the STB 20 from the non-restricted mode to the shared mode.

In addition, when the user detects the end of the registered remote control application of the smartphone 12 after changing the operation mode of the STB 20 from the non-restricted mode to the shared mode, it is preferable to maintain the shared mode. In this case, it is considered that the user (for example, a guardian) who has operated the STB 20 in the non-restricted mode has finished his / her operation and switched the operation mode for use by another user (for example, a child). This is because it is appropriate.

In the description of each operation using FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the control of the power source of the TV 11 is not mentioned, but when the STB 20 and the TV 11 are compatible with the HDMI-CEC standard, the power source of the TV 11 is switched from the STB 20. Can be controlled. More specifically, the TV 11 may be turned on when the internal state of the STB 20 transitions from the standby state to the operating state.

Alternatively, when the internal state of the STB 20 transitions from the operating state to the standby state, the TV 11 may be turned off. When the internal state of the STB 20 is in the standby state and the TV 11 is turned on, it is preferable that the TV 11 is not turned off even if the internal state of the STB 20 is changed to the standby state. This is because, when the power source of the TV 11 is on from the beginning, it is considered that the operation expected by the user is not to turn off the power source of the TV 11 even if the power source of the STB 20 is turned off. Thus, the convenience of the user can be further improved by controlling the power supply of the TV 11 as well.

When a remote control application is activated on a plurality of smartphones, STB 20 determines that the user desires an operation with the smartphone that last activated the remote control application. That is, in the STB 20, when a remote control application is activated in a plurality of smartphones, a so-called “post-win” method is adopted, and an operation corresponding to the smartphone for which the remote control application is activated later is performed. The specific correspondence at that time is the same as the operation described in the case of the three combinations of the internal state and the operation mode. For example, when the activation of the remote control application in the smartphone B2 is detected during the operation in the shared mode using the smartphone B1, the smartphone B2 transitions to the non-restricted mode if the smartphone B2 is registered. If the smartphone B2 is not a registered smartphone, the shared mode is maintained as it is. Alternatively, if the smartphone C1 that has activated the remote control application first is registered and the remote control application is activated in the unregistered smartphone C2 during the operation in the unrestricted mode, Transition to shared mode. Furthermore, when a remote control application is activated in a plurality of smartphones, it is desirable to prohibit operations from the smartphone from which the remote control application has been activated first.

In addition, the information registered in the identification information registration unit 202 of the STB 20 according to the present embodiment has been described as identification information related to the smartphone 12 owned by a user permitted to use in the non-restricted mode. However, the information registered in the identification information registration unit 202 can also include information related to a smartphone that can be used as the remote control of the STB 20. For example, it is assumed that a remote control application is installed on all three smartphones D1 to D3. Under such a premise, identification information relating to the smartphones D1 and D2 is registered in the registration information registration unit 202 as a smartphone that can be used as the remote control of the STB 20. In this case, the operation in the shared mode by the smartphones D1 and D2 becomes possible. However, regarding the smartphone D3, since the identification information is not registered in the registration information registration unit 202, the STB 20 cannot be operated using the smartphone D3 (cannot be operated in the shared mode). Furthermore, if the smartphone D1 is registered as a smartphone that is permitted to be used in the unrestricted mode, an operation in the unrestricted mode that does not go through the shared mode is enabled by starting the remote control application of the smartphone D1. On the other hand, since the smartphone D2 is not registered as a smartphone that is permitted to be used in the non-restricted mode, the smartphone D2 cannot transition to the non-restricted mode simply by starting the remote control application of the smartphone D2.

Furthermore, although the smartphone 12 and the STB 20 have been described on the assumption that they can communicate with each other by using a wireless LAN, bidirectional communication is not necessarily required. One-way communication from the smartphone 12 to the STB 20 may be used like a remote control device using infrared rays.

As described above, the electronic device according to the present embodiment pre-registers portable electronic devices owned by users who are excluded from the parental control target. When the activation of the remote control application in the mobile electronic device registered in advance is detected, the operation mode is set to a non-restricted mode that is not restricted by the functions of the electronic device. As a result, it is not necessary to input a password that was necessary to perform an operation in the unrestricted mode. That is, the convenience of the user is further improved by providing an electronic device that does not require the input of a password when a user who is not subject to parental control operates.

[Modification 1]
Here, the number of smartphones that can be registered in the STB 20 is not limited to one. That is, a plurality of smartphones can be registered in the STB 20. The convenience of STB20 can be improved by registering a some smart phone in STB20 and using the identification information of the registered smart phone.

For example, it is possible to change the initial activation in the non-restricted mode according to the smartphone that activated the remote control application. More specifically, when a smartphone owned by the user A1 is registered and the smartphone transits to the non-restricted mode, it is conceivable that the WEB page frequently browsed by the user A1 can be browsed.

Alternatively, when a smartphone owned by the user A2 is registered and the smartphone transits to the unrestricted mode, it is conceivable that an application that the user A2 frequently starts is started in advance.

Thus, by registering a plurality of smartphones in the STB 20 and identifying each smartphone, it is possible to provide an optimal operating environment for the owner of the smartphone and enhance the convenience of the STB 20.

Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited to the following.

[Form 1]
As in the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect.
[Form 2]
The electronic apparatus according to mode 1, wherein the state transition management unit sets the operation mode to the second operation mode without going through the first operation mode when the first data is recognized.
[Form 3]
The state transition management unit
A first internal state in which some of the functions are inactive;
The electronic device of the form 1 or 2 which manages the internal state containing the 2nd internal state which enables execution of the said 1st and 2nd operation mode.
[Form 4]
The state transition management unit
The electronic device of the form 3 which sets an internal state to a said 1st internal state when the 2nd data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the said identification information registered into the said memory | storage part is recognized.
[Form 5]
The state transition management unit
The electronic device according to any one of modes 1 to 4, wherein when the first data is recognized during the execution of the first operation mode, the operation mode is set to the second operation mode.
[Form 6]
The state transition management unit
The electronic device according to mode 4 or 5, wherein when the second data is recognized during the execution of the second operation mode, the operation mode is set to the first operation mode.
[Form 7]
The first and second data are any one of forms 4 to 6, which are data generated according to the operation of a remote control application installed in a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit The electronic device described in 1.
[Form 8]
The electronic device according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit that allows a restriction on user operations in the first operation mode to be changed in stages in the second operation mode.
[Form 9]
The state transition management unit
The electronic device according to any one of modes 1 to 8, wherein the operation mode is set to the second operation mode in accordance with a password input by an authorized user in the first operation mode.
[Mode 10]
Provided with a video output unit that outputs video signals to the video display device,
The electronic device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the state transition management unit controls a power source of the video display device according to a state transition of an internal state.
[Form 11]
The electronic device control method according to the second aspect is as described above.
[Form 12]
A first internal state in which some of the functions are inactive;
A control method for an electronic device according to mode 11, comprising a step of switching an internal state including a second internal state that enables execution of the first and second operation modes.
[Form 13]
An electronic device according to aspect 12, comprising a step of setting an internal state to the first internal state when recognizing second data transmitted from a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit Control method.
[Form 14]
The method according to any one of Embodiments 11 to 13, including a step of setting the operation mode to the second operation mode when the transmission of the first data is recognized during the execution of the first operation mode. Control method of electronic equipment.
[Form 15]
The method of controlling an electronic device according to

mode

13 or 14, including a step of setting an operation mode to the first operation mode when the transmission of the second data is recognized during execution of the second operation mode.
[Form 16]
The method for controlling an electronic device according to any one of embodiments 11 to 15, further comprising a step of setting the operation mode to the second operation mode in accordance with a password input by an authorized user in the first operation mode. .
[Form 17]
The program is related to the third viewpoint.
[Form 18]
A first internal state in which some of the functions are inactive;
The program of the form 17 which performs the process which switches the internal state containing the 2nd internal state which enables execution of the said 1st and 2nd operation mode.
[Form 19]
The program of the form 18 which performs the process which sets an internal state to a said 1st internal state, when the 2nd data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the said identification information registered into the said memory | storage part is recognized .
[Form 20]
The configuration according to any one of Embodiments 17 to 19, wherein when the transmission of the first data is recognized during the execution of the first operation mode, a process for setting the operation mode to the second operation mode is executed. Program.
[Form 21]
The program of the form 19 or 20 which performs the process which sets an operation mode to the said 1st operation mode, when transmission of the said 2nd data is recognized during execution of the said 2nd operation mode.
[Form 22]
The program according to any one of embodiments 17 to 21, wherein a process for setting an operation mode to the second operation mode is executed in accordance with a password input by an authorized user in the first operation mode.
[Form 23]
Electronic equipment,
A portable electronic device capable of remotely operating the electronic device,
The electronic device is
A storage unit;
A communication unit capable of communicating with the portable electronic device;
An identification information registration unit for registering identification information of the portable electronic device in the storage unit;
Based on the identification information, it is determined whether the portable electronic device that transmits the first data is a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information;
When the portable electronic device that transmits the first data is a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information, a state transition management unit that sets the electronic device to an operation mode that permits an authorized user operation;
With
The portable electronic device transmits the first data in response to activation of an application used when the electronic device is remotely operated.
[Form 24]
The portable electronic device transmits second data in response to termination of an application used when remotely operating the electronic device,
The system according to mode 23, wherein the state transition management unit switches from an operation mode in which an authorized user's operation is permitted to an operation mode in which an unauthorized user's operation is permitted in response to reception of the second data.
[Form 25]
A portable electronic device that transmits first data in response to activation of an application used when remotely operating the electronic device.
[Form 26]
The portable electronic device according to mode 25, wherein the portable electronic device transmits second data in response to termination of an application used when remotely operating the electronic device.

In addition, each disclosure of the above cited patent documents, etc. shall be incorporated by reference into this document. Within the scope of the entire disclosure (including claims) of the present invention, the embodiments and examples can be changed and adjusted based on the basic technical concept. Various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) within the scope of the claims of the present invention, Selection is possible. That is, the present invention of course includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the technical idea. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or small range included in the range should be construed as being specifically described even if there is no specific description.

1 Electronic equipment 10, 20 STB (Set Top Box)
11 Television apparatus 12 Smartphone 13 Wireless LAN access point 101

Video output unit

102, 402

Communication unit

103, 401 Storage unit 104

Control unit

201, 404 State transition management unit 202, 403 Identification information registration unit 301 Button 302 Input area

Claims

A storage unit;
A communication unit capable of communicating with a portable electronic device;
An identification information registration unit for registering identification information of a portable electronic device predetermined by the user in the storage unit;
A state transition management unit that manages an operation mode including a first operation mode that permits an operation of an unauthorized user and a second operation mode that permits an operation of an authorized user;
With
The state transition management unit sets an operation mode to the second operation mode when recognizing first data transmitted from a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit, Electronics.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the state transition management unit sets the operation mode to the second operation mode without going through the first operation mode when the first data is recognized.
The state transition management unit
A first internal state in which some of the functions are inactive;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device manages an internal state including a second internal state that enables execution of the first and second operation modes.
The state transition management unit
The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein when the second data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit is recognized, an internal state is set to the first internal state.
The state transition management unit
5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode is set to the second operation mode when the first data is recognized during the execution of the first operation mode. 6.
The state transition management unit
6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein when the second data is recognized during execution of the second operation mode, the operation mode is set to the first operation mode.
7. The data according to claim 4, wherein the first data and the second data are data generated according to an operation of a remote control application installed in a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit. The electronic device as described in any one.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit that can change a restriction on a user operation in the first operation mode in a stepwise manner in the second operation mode.
The state transition management unit
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode is set to the second operation mode in accordance with a password input by an authorized user in the first operation mode.
Provided with a video output unit that outputs video signals to the video display device,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the state transition management unit controls a power source of the video display device according to a state transition of an internal state.
A storage unit;
A communication unit capable of communicating with a portable electronic device;
An electronic device control method comprising:
Registering identification information of a portable electronic device predetermined by the user in the storage unit;
When recognizing the first data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit, without the first operation mode allowing the operation of the unauthorized user, the authorization Setting an operation mode to a second operation mode that allows a user's operation;
A method for controlling an electronic device.
A first internal state in which some of the functions are inactive;
12. The electronic device control method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of switching an internal state including a second internal state that enables execution of the first and second operation modes.
13. The electronic device according to claim 12, further comprising a step of setting an internal state to the first internal state when recognizing second data transmitted from a portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit. Device control method.
14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: setting the operation mode to the second operation mode when the transmission of the first data is recognized during the execution of the first operation mode. The control method of the electronic device as described.
The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a step of setting an operation mode to the first operation mode when the transmission of the second data is recognized during execution of the second operation mode. .
The electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising a step of setting an operation mode to the second operation mode in accordance with a password input by an authorized user in the first operation mode. Control method.
A storage unit;
A communication unit capable of communicating with a portable electronic device;
A program for causing a computer to control an electronic device comprising:
Processing for registering identification information of a portable electronic device predetermined by the user in the storage unit;
When recognizing the first data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit, without the first operation mode allowing the operation of the unauthorized user, the authorization A process of setting an operation mode to a second operation mode that permits a user's operation;
A program that executes.
A first internal state in which some of the functions are inactive;
The program according to claim 17, wherein the program executes a process of switching an internal state including a second internal state that enables execution of the first and second operation modes.
19. The process of setting an internal state to the first internal state when the second data transmitted from the portable electronic device corresponding to the identification information registered in the storage unit is recognized. program.
The process for setting the operation mode to the second operation mode is executed when transmission of the first data is recognized during the execution of the first operation mode. The program described in.
21. The program according to claim 19 or 20, wherein when the transmission of the second data is recognized during execution of the second operation mode, processing for setting the operation mode to the first operation mode is executed.
The program according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein a process for setting an operation mode to the second operation mode is executed in accordance with a password input by an authorized user in the first operation mode.