JP2001268668A - Remote control system and its setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A controlled device 1 is provided on a controlled device 10 side.
When a data link is established between the controlled device 10 and the remote controller 20, the remote control program 17 is downloaded from the controlled device 10 to the remote controller 20. Is done. [Effect] A remote control program 17 is provided to the remote controller 20 in advance for control of the controlled device 10 from a dedicated floppy disk or CD-ROM.
Need not be set up.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control system and a setting method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many home appliances, office automation devices, and other devices employ a remote control system. For example, a large-scale system in which several large-sized liquid crystal projectors used for a plant monitor and a television conference system are controlled by one remote controller has been developed (Japanese Patent No. 2953824).

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved. For example, in the case of home televisions and VTRs, the remote control system has been standardized, and products of different manufacturers can be controlled using a single remote controller. However,
Since the remote controller of the air conditioner and the remote controller of the television have completely different control contents, they must be used separately. As various devices in the home become more automated and higher-tech, more and more remote controllers are required. The same applies to office automation. This complicates storage and management of the remote controller.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, there is also known a technique in which a remote control program is installed in a portable personal computer to enable remote control of various devices with one personal computer. At this time, as described in Japanese Patent No. 2953824, a cordless remote controller using infrared rays or the like is more convenient for the user than a device in which a device to be controlled and a personal computer are connected by a cable. Furthermore, if a notebook computer or mobile computer is used instead of a personal computer, cordless remote control of almost all desired devices becomes possible with one small remote controller.

However, in such a case, it is necessary to previously install a remote control program for each controlled device to be controlled on the computer side. Devices without a remote control program installed cannot be controlled. Therefore, for example, for remote control of several large-sized liquid crystal projectors, it is necessary to install a program for remote control of each projector in advance.

[0006] In addition, if a new projector is purchased, or if it is desired to add a control function for another device, it is necessary to further install respective remote control programs. Such work is complicated, and there is also a problem that a user may select a remote control program by mistake and hinder the operation.

[0007]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems.

<Configuration 1> A remote control program having a function of remotely controlling the controlled device is stored in the controlled device, and when a data link between the controlled device and the remote controller is established, the controlled device is controlled. A method for setting a remote control system, wherein the remote control program is downloaded from the side to the remote controller side.

[0009] The controlled device is any device to be remote controlled. This system is characterized in that a remote control program is stored in a controlled device and downloaded directly to a remote controller. The remote controller establishes a data link with the controlled device, and receives a download of the remote control program by data communication. The connection between the controlled device and the remote controller may be a cable connection type or a cordless type. If the remote control program is stored in the controlled device, it is not necessary to set up the remote control program from a dedicated floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD-ROM in the remote controller in advance for controlling the device. . The downloaded program may be deleted after use, or may be used repeatedly thereafter.

<Configuration 2> In the setting method of the remote control system described in Configuration 1, when a data link between the controlled device and the remote controller is established,
A setting method of a remote control system, wherein a download program having a function of requesting the controlled device to download the remote control program is transferred from the remote controller.

A download program having a function of requesting a controlled device to download a remote control program from a remote controller is provided by:
If the controlled device transfers the data to the remote controller, the remote control program stored in a predetermined location of the controlled device can be automatically downloaded. That is, there is an effect that the remote controller only needs to hold information for establishing a data link with the controlled device. The download program may be composed of, for example, only one command, or may include a complicated description.

<Structure 3> The method of setting a remote control system according to Structure 2, wherein the download program comprises web data controlled by a general-purpose browser.

[0013] Web data controlled by a general-purpose browser can be transmitted and received regardless of the type of personal computer. In addition, the protocol is established, and it is suitable for downloading a program of an unspecified arbitrary device.
In the web data, a download program is described in a general-purpose language. Further, a description having a function of downloading a program may be included in the data added to the web data.

<Structure 4> The method for setting a remote control system according to Structure 3, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller is started by a general-purpose browser.

[0015] Even if the remote control program is downloaded to the remote controller, it is necessary to start the remote control program and perform a setup process. If the remote control program is started by a general-purpose browser, it is automatically started after downloading, and the remote controller can be used.

<Configuration 5> A remote control program having a function of remotely controlling the controlled device is stored in the controlled device, comprising a controlled device and a remote controller for remotely controlling the controlled device. A storage unit, a server function unit having a function of downloading the remote control program to the remote controller, and a communication interface for establishing a data link between the remote controller and the remote controller; A communication interface for establishing a data link with the device;
A remote control system, comprising: a client function unit that receives a download of the remote control program from the controlled device; and a storage unit that stores the downloaded remote control program.

This is an apparatus for realizing the invention of Configuration 1. Since the controlled device has a server function unit and the remote controller has a client function unit, it is possible to download a remote control program using web data.

<Structure 6> In the remote control system according to Structure 5, the server function unit of the controlled device, when a data link between the controlled device and the remote controller is established by the communication interface, the controlled device. A remote control system, wherein a download program having a function of requesting download of the remote control program is transferred from a device to the remote controller.

This is a system for implementing the invention of Configuration 2.

<Structure 7> In the remote control system according to Structure 5, the client function unit of the remote controller transmits a URL to the controlled device.
And the server function unit of the controlled device transmits web data having a program download function to the remote controller.

The URL (uniform resource locator) is
Web (WWW) managed by the server function unit of the controlled device
Specify the address of the data. As a result, the remote controller receives and displays the web data having the download function of the remote control program on its own browser. Address (UR) for storing web data
It is preferable that only L) be stored in the remote controller in advance. Even if the remote control program is stored in the storage unit of the controlled device, the process of directly extracting the remote control program and downloading it to the remote controller requires control of an operating system or the like, and generally requires a complicated procedure. When a large number of controlled devices are remotely controlled by one remote controller, it is not easy to set such a procedure for each controlled device. In addition, this has the same disadvantage as installing a remote control program for each controlled device in advance. On the other hand, in the present invention, it is only necessary to store one URL for each controlled device. The amount of data stored on the remote controller is also small. In addition, it is not burdensome to directly input a URL from the keyboard when control is required. Therefore, the procedure for downloading the program is simplified.

<Structure 8> The remote control system according to Structure 7, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller is started by a general-purpose browser.

This is a system for implementing the invention of Configuration 4.

<Configuration 9> The remote control system according to any one of Configurations 7 and 8, wherein the data link is through short-range wireless data communication.

As a cordless data link, an infrared communication system (Ir) is well known. However, higher operability can be ensured by employing short-distance wireless data communication with no directivity and a high transmission speed.

<Structure 10> Data transmitted from the controlled device to the remote controller, which is controlled by a general-purpose browser and stored in a predetermined location of the controlled device, is transmitted to the remote controller side. A computer-readable recording medium in which a download program composed of web data having a download function is recorded.

This is an invention relating to a data structure transmitted from the server side to the remote controller side in order to carry out the invention of Configuration 2. If this data is stored in a controlled device having a server function unit, a general arbitrary personal computer or the like can be changed to a remote controller.

<Structure 11> A computer-readable recording medium according to Structure 10, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller is started by a general-purpose browser.

This is an invention relating to a data structure transmitted from the server to the remote controller in order to implement the invention of the fourth aspect.

<Structure 12> A storage device which is a controlled device controlled by a remote controller and stores a remote control program for remote control of the controlled device itself, and downloads the remote control program to the remote controller. And a communication interface for establishing a data link between the remote controller and the remote controller. When the data link with the remote controller is established by the communication interface, the server A controlled device for transferring a download program for requesting download of the remote control program.

If the controlled device is provided with these functions, a general arbitrary personal computer or the like can be changed to a remote controller.

<Configuration 13> In the controlled device according to Configuration 12, upon receiving the URL from the remote controller, the server function unit transmits web data to which the download program is added to the remote controller. A controlled device characterized by the above-mentioned.

Thus, the remote control program can be downloaded to any personal computer or the like by the URL.

<Configuration 14> In the remote control system according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller transmits coordinate data input by the remote controller to the controlled device, and A remote control system, wherein the control device displays a figure based on the coordinate data received from the remote controller.

The coordinate data may be input by any device. A device that displays a graphic on the controlled device is also arbitrary. If the remote control program directly controls the controlled device, not only commands but also such data transfer and processing become possible.

<Structure 15> The remote control system according to Structure 14, wherein the controlled device is a projector, and the coordinate data input from the remote controller is drawn on a screen.

The present invention functions particularly effectively for a presentation using a projector.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the remote control system of the present invention. In the system of the apparatus, a controlled device 10 and a remote controller 20 are connected by a data link 30. The controlled device 10 is any device to be remote-controlled. The remote controller 20 is, for example, a computer such as a notebook personal computer or an HPC (Handheld Personal Computer). The data link 30 is, for example, an infrared communication system (Ir) or a short-range wireless data communication (B
a data link of a cordless type (e.g., Bluetooth). Although a data link using a cable may be used, an example in which a cord is used in consideration of operability will be described. In addition, short-range wireless data communication is most suitable for this type of remote control because it has no directivity and a high transmission speed.

The controlled device 10 is provided with a storage unit 12, a server function unit 13, and a communication interface 14. The storage unit 12 stores the in-device control program 11, the web data 15, and the remote control program 1.
7 are stored. The in-device control program 11
This is a program having a function of directly controlling the internal mechanism of the controlled device 10, and is controlled by a remote control program started on the remote controller 20.

The web data 15 is an HTML (Hypertex
t Markup Language) format data. This web page 15 has a function as a download program. That is, the web page 15 is described so as to execute an operation of downloading the remote control program 17 from the controlled device to the remote controller. Remote control program 17
For example, the well-known JAVA (Sun Microsystems
It is preferable to be described in a general-purpose language such as OCX (OLE Custom Control) or OCX (OLE Custom Control). that way,
Any computer can be a remote controller.

The server function unit 13 communicates with the client function unit 2 of the remote controller 20 via the communication interface 14 of the controlled device 10, the data link 30, and the communication interface 21 of the remote controller 20.
2 is connected. When a data link between the controlled device 10 and the remote controller 20 is established by the communication interfaces 14 and 21, the server function unit 13 transmits the web page from the controlled device 10 to the remote controller 20 according to a request from the client function unit 22. Data 15
With the ability to transfer.

The remote controller 20 is provided with a client function unit 22, a browser 23, and a storage unit 24 in addition to a communication interface 21 for establishing a data link with the controlled device 10. These are functions that are generally provided in general known personal computers. That is, the remote controller 20 does not require a special function. Existing one may be used. The client function unit 22 transmits the web data 15 from the controlled device 10.
It has a function to receive downloads. Browser 23
It has a function of displaying the web data 15 received from the controlled device 10 and interpreting and executing a program incorporated therein. Further, it has a function of activating the downloaded remote control program 17. The storage unit 24 stores the web data 1 received from the controlled device 10.
5 and a remote control program 17.

In FIG. 1, the display of the web data 15 and the remote control program 17 by a broken-line frame indicates that these are not stored in the storage unit 24 before receiving the transfer from the controlled device 10. That's why. According to the present invention, the remote control program 17 is stored in the controlled device 10, and when control is required, the data link 30 is established and the remote control program 17 is downloaded and used. Therefore,
It is not necessary to download the remote control program to the remote controller 20 using a dedicated floppy disk or CD-ROM in advance for controlling the device.

When the data link between the controlled device 10 and the remote controller 20 is established, a URL is transmitted from the remote controller 20 to the controlled device 10. As a result, the corresponding web data 15 is transferred from the controlled device 10 to the remote controller 20. The browser 23 of the remote controller 20 interprets the web data 15 and executes a program included therein. With this program, the remote control program 17 is downloaded from the controlled device 10 to the remote controller 20. Even if the remote control program 17 is compressed, the browser 23 has a function of analyzing the data, automatically decompressing the data, storing it in a predetermined folder, and activating it. This allows
The remote control program 17 is immediately ready for use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the system shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the controlled device 10
For example, it is composed of a video projector that projects an image on the screen 35. The remote controller 20 is an HPC
First, the user establishes a data link between the remote controller 20 and the controlled device 10. After that,
The browser 23 (FIG. 1) of the remote controller 20 almost automatically controls the remote control program 1
7 is downloaded to the remote controller 20 and activated. When the remote control program 17 starts, a control screen 36 is displayed on the remote controller 20. On the control screen 36 shown in the example of this figure, the input source selection processing of the video projector 10 can be executed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the functions of the controlled device 10 and the remote controller 20 more specifically. The controlled device 10 includes a wireless LAN 41, E
thethernet (trademark of Xerox Corporation) 42, BlueTooth43, IP44, TCP
45, OS46, HTTPD47, ISAPI48, O
CX49 is provided. Wireless LAN 41, Eth
ernet42 and BlueTooth43 are well-known data link means. Here, any one of the means may be used.

IP (Internet Protocol) 44, TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol) 45, OS (Operating System) 46, HTTPD (HyperText)
Transfer Protocol Deamon) 47, ISAPI (Intern
et Server Application Program Interface) 48
This is general-purpose software installed in the server function unit 13 (FIG. 1). The ISAPI 48 directly controls the inside of the controlled device. This corresponds to the in-device control program 11 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of this device will be described in order.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the remote controller 20 of the system shown in FIGS.
First, in step S1, the switches of the controlled device 10 and the remote controller 20 are turned on. Next, step S2
Then, the communication software of the remote controller 20 is started to establish a data link with the controlled device 10. In step S3, the browser of the remote controller 20 is started, and the controlled device 10 registered in advance is registered.
Is transmitted. The command transmitted at that time is (ex.http: //xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/remote.html), for example. ex.http: //xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the address of the controlled device 10 on the Internet, and remote.html is the file name of the web data 15 of the controlled device.

The web data 15 of the controlled device 10 is read out from the URL, and the remote controller 20 receives the web data 15 in step S4.
For example, when an installation start button (not shown) on a web page displayed on the remote controller 20 is clicked, a program having a download function is started,
In step S5, a download request is transmitted to the controlled device 10. Note that a program having a download function may be automatically started regardless of the installation start button.

The content of this command is, for example, (ex.http: // x
xx.xxx.xxx.xxx/remote.OCX). remote.OCX is the file name of the remote control program 17.
There may be a plurality of remote control programs 17. In step S6, the remote controller 20
Receives the remote control program 17.
When receiving the compressed remote control program 17, the general-purpose browser 23 decompresses the remote control program 17 and stores it in a predetermined folder. In step S7, the browser 2
3 starts the remote control program 17. Note that activation means that a remote control program can be operated. The user is now ready to use the remote controller without having to go through a particularly complicated procedure.

As a result, a control screen 36 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. In this example, the input operation of the video projector can be selected. For example, in step S8 in FIG. 4, when the button "Video" on the control screen 36 is clicked, the corresponding command is displayed on the controlled device 10
Sent to. This command is for example (ex.http: //xxx.x
xx.xxx.xxx/selectVTR.exe). This is an instruction to execute a program called selectVTR.exe in the controlled device 10. For example, when the user wants to temporarily stop the moving image being displayed, another window for controlling the screen is opened, and a button (not shown) indicating “freeze” is clicked. The command sent at that time is, for example, (ex.htt
p: //xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/freeze.exe).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing operation inside the controlled device. The remote control command 50 transmitted from the remote controller 20 in step S8 is
The information is transmitted to the HTTPD 47 through the OS 46 of the controlled device 10 (step S9). HTTPD4 of controlled device
7 transfers an execution request of, for example, selectVTR.exe to the ISAPI 48 (step S10). ISAPI4
8 sets the internal code 51 corresponding to the request (step S11). This controls the internal mechanism of the projector. Further, the ISAPI 48 returns a response to the effect that the request has been received to the HTTPD 47 (step S12).

As described above, the controlled device 10 is controlled by the remote controller 20. Therefore, a user who operates the remote controller 10 prepares a general-purpose personal computer or the like and establishes a data link with any controlled device, and automatically performs remote control control of the device without any preparation. Will be possible. Therefore, it is possible to easily control various types of devices using one personal computer or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the remote control program 17 described in OCX is not necessarily TCP / IP, HTTPD, IS
There is no need to control the controlled device via the API. The remote control program 17 can also directly send the internal code to the controlled device and control it without going through the ISAPI.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a control method of the system of the present invention. As described above, since the remote control program 17 can directly control the controlled device 10, very free control is possible. For example, a tablet (not shown) can be connected to the remote controller 20 and coordinate data can be sent to the controlled device 10. In the example of the figure, an example will be described in which a tablet image 62 (virtual tablet) is displayed on the display 61 of the remote controller 20 for control.

An arbitrary figure 65 is drawn by moving a cursor 63 on the tablet image 62. The remote control program 17 transmits the coordinate data of the figure 65 to the controlled device 10. When the controlled device 10 is, for example, a liquid crystal projector, the same figure 68 is displayed on the screen 64 thereof. Also,
For convenience of the graphic drawing process, a menu bar 66 displayed on the display 61 of the remote controller has
A display such as "free curve", "rectangle" or "circle" may be displayed. By clicking the menu bar 66, the corresponding figure can be easily drawn on the tablet image 62. This is the same method as the known graphic drawing application. The coordinate data of this figure is stored in the controlled device 10.
, Various figures can be easily drawn on the screen 64 easily. Therefore, a presentation or the like using the liquid crystal projector can be performed very comfortably.

Instead of the selection using the menu bar, a function key of a remote controller may be used. A personal computer has several function keys. Not only drawing,
By operating this, various commands can be transmitted to the controlled device. Furthermore, characters entered on the remote controller keyboard can be sent directly to the controlled device,
You may make it project on the screen.

Each functional block shown in the specific example of FIG. 1 may be constituted by a separate program module, or may be constituted by an integrated program module. Further, all or a part of these functional blocks may be configured by hardware using a logic circuit. Further, each program module may be operated by being incorporated in an existing application program, or may be operated as an independent program. Also,
The web data and other programs stored in the storage unit of the controlled device can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, installed, and used. It can also be downloaded and used in the memory of a computer via a network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a remote control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for more specifically explaining functions of a controlled device 10 and a remote controller 20.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the remote controller 20 of the system shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing operation inside a controlled device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a control method of the system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Controlled apparatus 12 Storage part 13 Server function part 15 Web data 16 Download program 17 Remote control program 20 Remote controller 22 Client function part 23 Browser

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A remote control program having a function of remotely controlling the controlled device is stored in the controlled device, and when a data link between the controlled device and a remote controller is established, the controlled device receives the remote control program from the controlled device. A method for setting a remote control system, wherein the remote control program is downloaded to the remote controller. 2. The setting method of the remote control system according to claim 1, wherein when a data link between the controlled device and a remote controller is established, the remote controller transmits the remote control program to the controlled device. A setting method of a remote control system, wherein a download program having a function of requesting download is transferred. 3. The setting method of the remote control system according to claim 2, wherein the download program comprises web data controlled by a general-purpose browser. 4. The method of setting a remote control system according to claim 3, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller is started by a general-purpose browser. 5. A storage unit comprising a controlled device and a remote controller for remotely controlling the controlled device, wherein the controlled device stores a remote control program having a function of remotely controlling the controlled device. A server function unit having a function of downloading the remote control program to the remote controller, and a communication interface for establishing a data link between the remote controller and the remote controller. A communication interface that establishes a data link between the remote control program, a client function unit that receives the download of the remote control program from the controlled device, and a storage unit that stores the downloaded remote control program. Remote control system, characterized in that. 6. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the server function unit of the controlled device, when a data link between the controlled device and a remote controller is established by the communication interface, the controlled device. A download program having a function of making a request to download the remote control program from the remote control system to the remote controller. 7. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the client function unit of the remote controller transmits a URL to the controlled device, and the server function unit of the controlled device includes the remote controller. A remote control system for transmitting web data having a program download function to a remote control system. 8. The remote control system according to claim 7, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller is started by a general-purpose browser. 9. The remote control system according to claim 7, wherein the data link is a short-range wireless data communication. 10. A remote control program transmitted from a controlled device to a remote controller, which is controlled by a general-purpose browser and stored in a predetermined location of the controlled device, is downloaded to the remote controller side. Computer-readable recording medium in which a download program composed of web data having a function for recording is recorded. 11. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller is started by a general-purpose browser. 12. A controlled device controlled by a remote controller, a storage unit storing a remote control program for remote control of the controlled device itself, and a function of downloading the remote control program to the remote controller. A server function unit having a communication interface for establishing a data link with a remote controller, wherein the server function unit, when a data link with a remote controller is established by the communication interface, A controlled device for transferring a download program for requesting a download of the remote control program. 13. The controlled device according to claim 12, wherein the server function unit, when receiving a URL from the remote controller, transmits web data to which a download program is added to the remote controller. A controlled device characterized by the following. 14. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the remote control program downloaded to the remote controller transmits coordinate data input by the remote controller to the controlled device, and controls the controlled device. A remote control system, wherein the device displays a figure based on the coordinate data received from the remote controller. 15. The remote control system according to claim 14, wherein the controlled device is a projector, and the coordinate data input from the remote controller is drawn on a screen.