U.S. patent application number 13/553601 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-08 for remote operation system and remote controller.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kouichi MATSUMURA, Tetsuya SATO, Junji YOSHIDA.
Application Number | 20120280802 13/553601 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46929968 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120280802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOSHIDA; Junji ; et
al. |
November 8, 2012 |
REMOTE OPERATION SYSTEM AND REMOTE CONTROLLER
Abstract
In one aspect, when a user directs a remote controller (13)
toward a television set (11), causing the remote controller (13)
and the television set (11) to enter the wireless communication
region of each other, the remote controller (13) and the television
set (11) establish a wireless link to each other. When the user
directs the remote controller (13) toward an air conditioner (12),
causing the remote controller (13) and the air conditioner (12) to
enter the wireless communication region of each other, the remote
controller (13) and the air conditioner (12) establish a wireless
link to each other. The remote controller (13) and the television
set (11) are out of the wireless communication region of each other
at this point, and the wireless link between the two is thus
disconnected.
Inventors: |
YOSHIDA; Junji; (Osaka,
JP) ; SATO; Tetsuya; (Osaka, JP) ; MATSUMURA;
Kouichi; (Osaka, JP) |
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
46929968 |
Appl. No.: |
13/553601 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2012/000372 |
Jan 23, 2012 |
|
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13553601 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/12.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20130101;
G08C 2201/71 20130101; G08C 2201/20 20130101; G08C 2201/30
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/12.5 |
International
Class: |
G05B 11/01 20060101
G05B011/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2011 |
JP |
2011-072680 |
Claims
1. A remote operation system for remotely operating an appliance to
be controlled by a controller through use of wireless communication
capable of interactive communication and having directivity, the
controller comprising a directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, wherein, when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication to/from the controller, the remote operation system
executes the following operations: (a-i) the controller and the
appliance to be controlled establish a wireless link to each other;
(a-ii) the appliance to be controlled transmits, by the wireless
communication, to the controller, data for remotely operating the
appliance to be controlled by the controller; and (a-iii) based on
the data received from the appliance to be controlled, the
controller sets a user interface for remotely operating the
appliance to be controlled.
2. The remote operation system according to claim 1, wherein, when
the controller is operated by a user, the remote operation system
executes the following operations: (b-i) the controller transmits,
by the wireless communication, to the appliance to be controlled, a
command that indicates an instruction input by the user; and (b-ii)
the appliance to be controlled executes an operation based on the
received command.
3. The remote operation system according to claim 1, wherein, when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to exit the region of wireless
communication to/from the controller, the wireless link is
disconnected automatically.
4. The remote operation system according to claim 3, wherein when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes
another appliance to be controlled, which is different from the
appliance to be controlled from which the wireless link has been
disconnected, to enter the region of wireless communication to/from
the controller, the operations (a-i) to (a-iii) are executed
between the controller and the another appliance to be
controlled.
5. The remote operation system according to claim 1, wherein the
controller further comprises a display section, and wherein, based
on the data received from the appliance to be controlled, the
controller builds a user interface screen on the display
section.
6. The remote operation system according to claim 5, wherein the
data comprises application software for operating the appliance to
be controlled, and wherein the controller builds the user interface
screen on the display section by executing the application software
for operating the appliance to be controlled.
7. The remote operation system according to claim 5, wherein the
controller includes, in advance, a piece of user interface screen
information in association with each type of appliance to be
controlled, wherein the data comprises identification information
for discriminating one appliance to be controlled from another
appliance to be controlled, and wherein the controller builds on
the display section the user interface screen associated with the
appliance to be controlled that has been identified from the
identification information.
8. A controller for remotely operating an appliance to be
controlled by a controller through use of wireless communication
capable of interactive communication and having directivity, the
controller comprising a directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, wherein, when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of communication
to/from the controller, the controller is configured to execute the
following operations of: (a-i) establishing a wireless link to/from
the appliance to be controlled; (a-ii) receiving, by the wireless
communication, from the appliance to be controlled, data for
remotely operating the appliance to be controlled; and (a-iii)
based on the data received from the appliance to be controlled,
setting a user interface for remotely operating the appliance to be
controlled.
9. A program for causing a controller to execute remote operation
with respect to an appliance to be controlled, which uses wireless
communication capable of interactive communication and having
directivity, the controller comprising a directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, wherein, when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication to/from the controller, the program controlling the
controller to execute the steps of: (a-i) establishing a wireless
link to/from the appliance to be controlled; (a-ii) receiving, by
the wireless communication, from the appliance to be controlled,
data for remotely operating the appliance to be controlled; and
(a-iii) based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, setting a user interface for remotely operating the
appliance to be controlled.
10. A remote operation system for remotely operating an appliance
to be controlled by a controller through use of wireless
communication capable of interactive communication and having
directivity, the controller comprising: a plurality of directional
antennas which are directional in directions different from one
another; an antenna switching section for switching among the
plurality of directional antennas to be used; and a lock section
for selecting between a locked state and an unlocked state of the
controller, wherein the remote operation system executes the
following operations: (c-i) when the controller is in the unlocked
state, the antenna switching section selects a specific directional
antenna from among the plurality of directional antennas; (c-ii)
when the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes
the appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication which uses the specific directional antenna, the lock
section switches the controller from the unlocked state to the
locked state, and the controller and the appliance to be controlled
establish a wireless link to each other; (c-iii) during the locked
state, the antenna switching section sequentially switches among
the plurality of directional antennas to be used, as the appliance
to be controlled to/from which the wireless link has been
established exits a wireless communication region of one
directional antenna and enters a wireless communication region of
another directional antenna; (c-iv) the appliance to be controlled
transmits, by the wireless communication, to the controller, data
for remotely operating the appliance to be controlled by the
controller; (c-v) based on the data received from the appliance to
be controlled, the controller sets a user interface for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled; and (c-vi) when switched
from the locked state to the unlocked state, the controller
disconnects the established wireless link.
11. The remote operation system according to claim 10, wherein,
when the controller is operated by a user, the remote operation
system executes the following operations: (d-i) the controller
transmits, by the wireless communication, to the appliance to be
controlled, a command that indicates an instruction input by the
user; and (d-ii) the appliance to be controlled executes an
operation based on the received command.
12. The remote operation system according to claim 10, wherein,
when the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes
the appliance to be controlled to exit regions of wireless
communication to/from all of the plurality of directional antennas,
the wireless link is disconnected automatically.
13. The remote operation system according to claim 10, wherein,
during the unlocked state, when the controller is changed in
direction in a manner that causes another appliance to be
controlled, which is different from the appliance to be controlled
from which the wireless link has been disconnected, to enter the
region of wireless communication which uses the specific
directional antenna, the operations (c-ii) to (c-vi) are executed
between the controller and the another appliance to be
controlled.
14. The remote operation system according to claim 10, wherein the
controller further comprises a display section, and wherein, based
on the data received from the appliance to be controlled, the
controller builds a user interface screen on the display
section.
15. The remote operation system according to claim 14, wherein the
data comprises application software for operating the appliance to
be controlled, and wherein the controller builds the user interface
screen on the display section by executing the application software
for operating the appliance to be controlled.
16. The remote operation system according to claim 14, wherein the
controller includes, in advance, a piece of user interface screen
information in association with each type of appliance to be
controlled, wherein the data comprises identification information
for discriminating one appliance to be controlled from another
appliance to be controlled, and wherein the controller builds on
the display section the user interface screen associated with the
appliance to be controlled that has been identified from the
identification information.
17. The remote operation system according to claim 10, comprising a
directional antenna that is capable of changing an electric wave
transmission direction, instead of the plurality of directional
antennas and the antenna switching section, wherein, when the
controller is in the unlocked state, the electric wave transmission
direction of the directional antenna is fixed, and wherein, when
the controller is in the locked state, the directional antenna
changes the electric wave transmission direction as needed in a
manner that causes the appliance to be controlled to/from which the
wireless link has been established to enter a wireless
communication region.
18. A controller for remotely operating an appliance to be
controlled by a controller through use of wireless communication
capable of interactive communication and having directivity, the
controller comprising: a plurality of directional antennas which
are directional in directions different from one another; an
antenna switching section for switching among the plurality of
directional antennas to be used; and a lock section for selecting
between a locked state and an unlocked state of the controller,
wherein the controller is configured to execute the following
operations of: (c-i) selecting, by the antenna switching section,
when the controller is in the unlocked state, a specific
directional antenna from among the plurality of directional
antennas; (c-ii) switching, by the lock section, when the
controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication which uses the specific directional antenna, the
controller from the unlocked state to the locked state, and
establishing a wireless link between the controller and the
appliance to be controlled; (c-iii) sequentially switching, by the
antenna switching section, during the locked state, among the
plurality of directional antennas to be used, as the appliance to
be controlled to/from which the wireless link has been established
exits a wireless communication region of one directional antenna
and enters a wireless communication region of another directional
antenna; (c-iv) receiving, by the wireless communication, from the
appliance to be controlled, data for remotely operating the
appliance to be controlled; (c-v) setting, based on the data
received from the appliance to be controlled, a user interface for
remotely operating the appliance to be controlled; and (c-vi)
disconnecting, by the controller, the established wireless link
when the controller is switched from the locked state to the
unlocked state.
19. A program for causing a controller to execute remote operation
with respect to an appliance to be controlled, which uses wireless
communication capable of interactive communication and having
directivity, the controller comprising a plurality of directional
antennas which are directional in directions different from one
another, the program controlling the controller to execute the
steps of: (c-i) when the controller is in an unlocked state,
selecting a specific directional antenna from among the plurality
of directional antennas; (c-ii) when the controller is changed in
direction in a manner that causes the appliance to be controlled to
enter a region of wireless communication which uses the specific
directional antenna, switching the controller from the unlocked
state to a locked state, and establishing a wireless link between
the controller and the appliance to be controlled; (c-iii) during
the locked state, sequentially switching among the plurality of
directional antennas to be used, as the appliance to be controlled
to/from which the wireless link has been established exits a
wireless communication region of one directional antenna and enters
a wireless communication region of another directional antenna;
(c-iv) receiving, by the wireless communication, from the appliance
to be controlled, data for remotely operating the appliance to be
controlled; (c-v) based on the data received from the appliance to
be controlled, setting a user interface for remotely operating the
appliance to be controlled; and (c-vi) when the controller is
switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, disconnecting
the established wireless link.
20. An electrical appliance to be remotely operated by a controller
through wireless communication capable of interactive communication
and having directivity, the electrical appliance comprising a
directional antenna for transmitting/receiving directional wireless
signals, wherein, when the controller is changed in direction in a
manner that causes the electrical appliance to enter a region of
wireless communication to/from the controller, the electrical
appliance executes the following operations: (a-i) the electrical
appliance establishes a wireless link to/from the controller;
(a-ii) the electrical appliance transmits, by the wireless
communication, to the controller, data for remotely operating the
electrical appliance by the controller; and (a-iii) the electrical
appliance receives, from the controller, a command indicating an
instruction of a user and executes an operation based on the
command.
21. The electrical appliance according to claim 20, further
comprising an alert section for informing the user of a fact that
the wireless link has been established, wherein, when the wireless
link is established, the alert section outputs at least one of
light and sound to inform the user to the establishment of the
wireless link.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No.
PCT/JP2012/000372, with an international filing date of Jan. 23,
2012, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-072680, filed on Mar. 29, 2011, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a remote operation system
that uses a remote controller to remotely operate a television set
or a similar appliance, and a remote controller for use in such a
remote operation system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Today, various appliances from AV equipment such as
television sets and digital versatile disc (DVD) players to air
conditioners and lighting fixtures can be operated remotely by a
remote controller. Infrared communication is generally used for
communication between a remote controller and a household appliance
operated by the remote controller.
[0006] Remote controllers that use infrared communication can be
implemented at low cost but are marked by slow transmission rate.
For that reason, it is common to limit the use of an infrared
remote controller to the transmission of simple instructions such
as "power on/off" and "start play" to an appliance.
[0007] Usually, only one type of appliance can be operated by one
remote controller. Some remote controllers, however, have operation
buttons for a television set and operation buttons for a DVD
player, and can operate the television set and the DVD player.
[0008] Remote controllers that use, instead of infrared
communication, high-transmission rate wireless communication such
as wireless local area network (LAN) and Bluetooth (trademark) are
lately being put into practice. This type is not limited to a
dedicated remote controller and can be a general-purpose terminal
such as a smartphone used as a remote controller. For example,
Non-patent Document No. 1 (Beetle, [online], [retrieved on Mar. 9,
2011], Internet <URL: http://www.bee-u.com/app/beetle>)
discloses a technology in which a dedicated application is
installed in a smartphone to operate a recorder.
[0009] With those technologies, a user can use a general-purpose
terminal as a remote controller capable of operating a plurality of
appliances by switching applications for appliances to be
operated.
[0010] Patent Document No. 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2002-199475) discloses a technology for downloading
remote operation data from a television set or a similar appliance
by wireless communication such as Bluetooth. Bluetooth is
non-directional wireless communication, which allows an appliance
and a remote controller to hold wireless communication irrespective
of their directions. If remote operation data is downloaded and an
operating application is installed in a remote controller in
advance, a user only needs to select an appliance to be operated on
a screen of the remote controller in order to use this remote
controller as a remote controller capable of operating the
appliance chosen by the user.
SUMMARY
[0011] When non-directional wireless communication such as wireless
LAN or Bluetooth is used, a plurality of appliances often exist
within the same room or the wireless communication region of a
remote controller. In such a situation, the remote controller of
Patent Document No. 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2002-199475) can hold wireless communication
to/from all of the appliances and the user is therefore required
each time to manually select an appliance to be operated from a
list of appliances within the communication region which is
displayed on the screen of the remote controller. This is
particularly problematic when a plurality of appliances of the same
kind exist within the communication region, which makes it
difficult for a user to identify which one is the appliance that
the user wishes to operate.
[0012] The present disclosure provides a remote controller that
allows a user to select an appliance to be operated and operate the
selected appliance by the remote controller simply by directing the
remote controller toward the appliance, and a remote operation
system that uses such a remote controller.
[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a remote operation system for remotely operating an
appliance to be controlled by a controller through use of wireless
communication capable of interactive communication and having
directivity, the controller including a directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, in which, when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication to/from the controller, the remote operation system
executes the following operations: [0014] (a-i) the controller and
the appliance to be controlled establish a wireless link to each
other; [0015] (a-ii) the appliance to be controlled transmits, by
the wireless communication, to the controller, data for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled by the controller; and
[0016] (a-iii) based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, the controller sets a user interface for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled.
[0017] In an embodiment, when the controller is operated by a user,
the remote operation system executes the following operations:
[0018] (b-i) the controller transmits, by the wireless
communication, to the appliance to be controlled, a command that
indicates an instruction input by the user; and [0019] (b-ii) the
appliance to be controlled executes an operation based on the
received command.
[0020] In an embodiment, when the controller is changed in
direction in a manner that causes the appliance to be controlled to
exit the region of wireless communication to/from the controller,
the wireless link is disconnected automatically.
[0021] In an embodiment, when the controller is changed in
direction in a manner that causes another appliance to be
controlled, which is different from the appliance to be controlled
from which the wireless link has been disconnected, to enter the
region of wireless communication to/from the controller, the
operations (a-i) to (a-iii) are executed between the controller and
the another appliance to be controlled.
[0022] In an embodiment, the controller further includes a display
section, and based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, the controller builds a user interface screen on the
display section.
[0023] In an embodiment, the data is application software for
operating the appliance to be controlled, and the controller builds
the user interface screen on the display section by executing the
application software for operating the appliance to be
controlled.
[0024] In an embodiment, the controller includes, in advance, a
piece of user interface screen information in association with each
type of appliance to be controlled, the data is identification
information for discriminating one appliance to be controlled from
another appliance to be controlled, and the controller builds on
the display section the user interface screen associated with the
appliance to be controlled that has been identified from the
identification information.
[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a controller for remotely operating an appliance to be
controlled by a controller through use of wireless communication
capable of interactive communication and having directivity, the
controller including a directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, in which, when
the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of communication
to/from the controller, the controller is configured to execute the
following operations of: [0026] (a-i) establishing a wireless link
to/from the appliance to be controlled; [0027] (a-ii) receiving, by
the wireless communication, from the appliance to be controlled,
data for remotely operating the appliance to be controlled; and
[0028] (a-iii) based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, setting a user interface for remotely operating the
appliance to be controlled.
[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a program for causing a controller to execute remote
operation with respect to an appliance to be controlled, which uses
wireless communication capable of interactive communication and
having directivity, the controller including a directional antenna
for transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, in which,
when the controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes
the appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication to/from the controller, the program controlling the
controller to execute the steps of: [0030] (a-i) establishing a
wireless link to/from the appliance to be controlled; [0031] (a-ii)
receiving, by the wireless communication, from the appliance to be
controlled, data for remotely operating the appliance to be
controlled; and [0032] (a-iii) based on the data received from the
appliance to be controlled, setting a user interface for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled.
[0033] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a remote operation system for remotely operating an
appliance to be controlled by a controller through use of wireless
communication capable of interactive communication and having
directivity, the controller including: a plurality of directional
antennas which are directional in directions different from one
another; an antenna switching section for switching among the
plurality of directional antennas to be used; and a lock section
for selecting between a locked state and an unlocked state of the
controller, in which the remote operation system executes the
following operations: [0034] (c-i) when the controller is in the
unlocked state, the antenna switching section selects a specific
directional antenna from among the plurality of directional
antennas; [0035] (c-ii) when the controller is changed in direction
in a manner that causes the appliance to be controlled to enter a
region of wireless communication which uses the specific
directional antenna, the lock section switches the controller from
the unlocked state to the locked state, and the controller and the
appliance to be controlled establish a wireless link to each other;
[0036] (c-iii) during the locked state, the antenna switching
section sequentially switches among the plurality of directional
antennas to be used, as the appliance to be controlled to/from
which the wireless link has been established exits a wireless
communication region of one directional antenna and enters a
wireless communication region of another directional antenna;
[0037] (c-iv) the appliance to be controlled transmits, by the
wireless communication, to the controller, data for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled by the controller; [0038]
(c-v) based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, the controller sets a user interface for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled; and [0039] (c-vi) when
switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the
controller disconnects the established wireless link.
[0040] In an embodiment, when the controller is operated by a user,
the remote operation system executes the following operations:
[0041] (d-i) the controller transmits, by the wireless
communication, to the appliance to be controlled, a command that
indicates an instruction input by the user; and [0042] (d-ii) the
appliance to be controlled executes an operation based on the
received command.
[0043] In an embodiment, when the controller is changed in
direction in a manner that causes the appliance to be controlled to
exit regions of wireless communication to/from all of the plurality
of directional antennas, the wireless link is disconnected
automatically.
[0044] In an embodiment, during the unlocked state, when the
controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes another
appliance to be controlled, which is different from the appliance
to be controlled from which the wireless link has been
disconnected, to enter the region of wireless communication which
uses the specific directional antenna, the operations (c-ii) to
(c-vi) are executed between the controller and the another
appliance to be controlled.
[0045] In an embodiment, the controller further includes a display
section, and based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, the controller builds a user interface screen on the
display section.
[0046] In an embodiment, the data is application software for
operating the appliance to be controlled, and the controller builds
the user interface screen on the display section by executing the
application software for operating the appliance to be
controlled.
[0047] In an embodiment, the controller includes, in advance, a
piece of user interface screen information in association with each
type of appliance to be controlled, the data is identification
information for discriminating one appliance to be controlled from
another appliance to be controlled, and the controller builds on
the display section the user interface screen associated with the
appliance to be controlled that has been identified from the
identification information.
[0048] In an embodiment, the remote operation system includes a
directional antenna that is capable of changing an electric wave
transmission direction, instead of the plurality of directional
antennas and the antenna switching section, in which, when the
controller is in the unlocked state, the electric wave transmission
direction of the directional antenna is fixed, and when the
controller is in the locked state, the directional antenna changes
the electric wave transmission direction as needed in a manner that
causes the appliance to be controlled to/from which the wireless
link has been established to enter a wireless communication
region.
[0049] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a controller for remotely operating an appliance to be
controlled by a controller through use of wireless communication
capable of interactive communication and having directivity, the
controller including: a plurality of directional antennas which are
directional in directions different from one another; an antenna
switching section for switching among the plurality of directional
antennas to be used; and a lock section for selecting between a
locked state and an unlocked state of the controller, in which the
controller is configured to execute the following operations of:
[0050] (c-i) selecting, by the antenna switching section, when the
controller is in the unlocked state, a specific directional antenna
from among the plurality of directional antennas; [0051] (c-ii)
switching, by the lock section, when the controller is changed in
direction in a manner that causes the appliance to be controlled to
enter a region of wireless communication which uses the specific
directional antenna, the controller from the unlocked state to the
locked state, and establishing a wireless link between the
controller and the appliance to be controlled; [0052] (c-iii)
sequentially switching, by the antenna switching section, during
the locked state, among the plurality of directional antennas to be
used, as the appliance to be controlled to/from which the wireless
link has been established exits a wireless communication region of
one directional antenna and enters a wireless communication region
of another directional antenna; [0053] (c-iv) receiving, by the
wireless communication, from the appliance to be controlled, data
for remotely operating the appliance to be controlled; [0054] (c-v)
setting, based on the data received from the appliance to be
controlled, a user interface for remotely operating the appliance
to be controlled; and [0055] (c-vi) disconnecting, by the
controller, the established wireless link when the controller is
switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.
[0056] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a program for causing a controller to execute remote
operation with respect to an appliance to be controlled, which uses
wireless communication capable of interactive communication and
having directivity, the controller including a plurality of
directional antennas which are directional in directions different
from one another, the program controlling the controller to execute
the steps of: [0057] (c-i) when the controller is in an unlocked
state, selecting a specific directional antenna from among the
plurality of directional antennas; [0058] (c-ii) when the
controller is changed in direction in a manner that causes the
appliance to be controlled to enter a region of wireless
communication which uses the specific directional antenna,
switching the controller from the unlocked state to a locked state,
and establishing a wireless link between the controller and the
appliance to be controlled; [0059] (c-iii) during the locked state,
sequentially switching among the plurality of directional antennas
to be used, as the appliance to be controlled to/from which the
wireless link has been established exits a wireless communication
region of one directional antenna and enters a wireless
communication region of another directional antenna; [0060] (c-iv)
receiving, by the wireless communication, from the appliance to be
controlled, data for remotely operating the appliance to be
controlled; [0061] (c-v) based on the data received from the
appliance to be controlled, setting a user interface for remotely
operating the appliance to be controlled; and [0062] (c-vi) when
the controller is switched from the locked state to the unlocked
state, disconnecting the established wireless link.
[0063] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an electrical appliance to be remotely operated through
wireless communication capable of interactive communication and
having directivity, the electrical appliance including a
directional antenna for transmitting/receiving directional wireless
signals, in which, when the controller is changed in direction in a
manner that causes the electrical appliance to enter a region of
wireless communication to/from the controller, the electrical
appliance executes the following operations: [0064] (a-i) the
electrical appliance establishes a wireless link to/from the
controller; [0065] (a-ii) the electrical appliance transmits, by
the wireless communication, to the controller, data for remotely
operating the electrical appliance by the controller; and [0066]
(a-iii) the electrical appliance receives, from the controller, a
command indicating an instruction of a user and executes an
operation based on the command.
[0067] In an embodiment, the electrical appliance further includes
an alert section for informing the user of a fact that the wireless
link has been established, in which, when the wireless link is
established, the alert section outputs at least one of light and
sound to alert the user to the establishment of the wireless
link.
[0068] According to one aspect of the present invention, the remote
controller includes the directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals, and the remote
controller and the appliance to be controlled establish the
wireless link to each other when the appliance to be controlled
enters the region of wireless communication to/from the remote
controller as a result of changing the direction of the remote
controller. The appliance to be controlled transmits, to the remote
controller, by wireless communication, data that enables the remote
controller to remotely operate the appliance to be controlled.
Based on the data received from the appliance to be controlled, the
remote controller sets the user interface for remotely operating
the appliance to be controlled. It is therefore possible to allow
the user to select the appliance to be operated and operate the
selected appliance by the remote controller simply by directing the
remote controller toward the appliance.
[0069] These general and specific aspects may be implemented using
a system, a method, and a computer program, and any combination of
systems, methods, and computer programs.
[0070] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed
embodiments will be apparent from the specification and Figures.
The benefits and/or advantages may be individually provided by the
various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings
disclosure, and need not all be provided in order to obtain one or
more of the same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0071] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a remote operation system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a remote controller
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the
remote controller according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0074] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of remote
operation in the remote operation system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of remote
operation in the remote operation system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the
remote controller according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0077] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a remote operation system
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a remote controller
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the
remote controller according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0080] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of remote
operation in the remote operation system according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0081] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the
remote controller according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0082] Remote operation systems and remote controllers according to
embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below
with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
[0083] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a remote operation system
according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating
details of a remote controller 13 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flow chart
illustrating the operation of the remote controller 13. FIG. 4 is a
diagram illustrating an example of remote operation in the remote
operation system according to the first embodiment.
[0084] In the example of FIG. 1, the remote operation system
includes a television set 11, an air conditioner 12, and the remote
controller 13. The remote controller 13 holds interactive
communication to/from the television set 11 and to/from the air
conditioner 12. Although the television set 11 and the air
conditioner 12 are given here as an example of appliances to be
controlled operated by the remote controller 13, the present
invention is not limited thereto. Examples of appliances to be
controlled include appliances that can be operated remotely by a
remote controller, such as video recording devices, video players,
audio equipment, lighting fixtures, and various other household
appliances. The remote controller 13 functions as a controller for
remotely operating an appliance to be controlled.
<Configuration and Operation of the Remote Controller 13>
[0085] The configuration of the remote controller 13 is described
first with reference to FIG. 2.
[0086] A radio section 22 transmits/receives wireless signals with
the use of a directional antenna 21, to thereby hold wireless
communication to/from the television set 11 and the air conditioner
12. The wireless communication uses so-called directional wireless
communication in which the electric wave transmission direction is
limited to a fixed region. The directional wireless communication
used in this example is WiGig. Whereas Bluetooth described above is
non-directional wireless communication, WiGig electric waves and
other electric waves in the 60 GHz band are highly directional. The
remote controller 13 can therefore be used for, for example,
wireless communication to/from only an appliance toward which the
remote controller 13 is directed.
[0087] The radio section 22 establishes/disconnects a wireless link
to/from the television set 11 or the air conditioner 12, obtains an
operating application from the television set 11 or the air
conditioner 12, and transmits an operation command to the
television set 11 or the air conditioner 12.
[0088] A data storage section 24 saves an operating application
received from the television set 11 or the air conditioner 12.
[0089] A display section 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal
display or an organic EL display, and displays a user interface
screen for operating the television set 11 or the air conditioner
12. The user interface screen is generated by executing an
operating application that has been received from the appliance in
question.
[0090] An input section 26 is, for example, a touch panel disposed
on a display surface of the display section 25 and is operated by a
user to receive an input (e.g., the specification of a channel of
the television set 11) that is made via a user interface screen
displayed on the display section 25.
[0091] A control section 23 saves an operating application received
by the radio section 22 in the data storage section 24 and executes
the operating application. By executing the operating application,
the control section 23 generates a user interface screen and
displays the user interface screen on the display screen 25. The
control section 23 also determines the specifics of an operation
based on an input from the user which is received by the input
section 26 and the generated user interface screen, and transmits
to the radio section 22 an operation command which indicates the
specifics of the operation.
[0092] A more detailed description is given next with reference to
FIG. 3 of the operation of the remote controller 13. The operation
of the remote controller 13 is executed by the control section 23
by controlling the operation of the respective components.
[0093] For example, the remote controller 13 starts operating when
the user takes the remote controller 13 in his/her hand (Step
S301). In Step S302, whether or not an appliance to be controlled
(e.g., the television set 11 or the air conditioner 12) exists in
the wireless communication region is checked. When there is no
appliance to be controlled in the region of wireless communication
to/from the remote controller 13 and then the user changes the
direction of the remote controller 13, causing an appliance to be
controlled to enter the wireless communication region, the remote
controller 13 detects the appliance to be controlled and proceeds
to Step S303. In the case where no appliance to be controlled is
detected, the operation of Step S302 is repeated until detection is
made. Here, the television set is detected, in which case the
following operation is executed.
[0094] When detecting the television set 11, the remote controller
13 establishes a wireless link to/from the television set 11
(appliance to be operated) (Step S303), and obtains in Step S304 an
operating application from the television set 11 via wireless
communication.
[0095] In Step S305, the remote controller 13 executes the
operating application and displays a user interface screen for
operation on the display section.
[0096] In Step S306, the user inputs through the user interface
screen an appliance operating instruction such as the specification
of a channel or a volume adjustment. In Step S307, the remote
controller 13 transmits to the television set 11 (appliance to be
operated) an operation command that reflects the specifics of the
input appliance operating instruction.
[0097] After transmitting the operation command, the remote
controller 13 returns to Step S306 and stands by until an input
from the user is received.
[0098] In the case where the remote controller 13 moves out of the
mutual communication region while the wireless link to/from the
television set 11 is established, the remote controller 13
automatically disconnects the wireless link and returns to Step
S302.
<Operation of the Remote Operation System>
[0099] An example of the operation flow of the remote operation
system illustrated in FIG. 1 is described with reference to FIG.
4.
[0100] The television set 11 includes a directional antenna for
transmitting/receiving directional wireless signals. When the user
directs the remote controller 13 toward the television set 11 (more
specifically, when the user directs the directional antenna 21
toward the television set 11), the remote controller 13 and the
television set 11 enter the wireless communication region of each
other and establish a wireless link between the remote controller
13 and the television set 11.
[0101] The television set 11 also includes an alert section 15
which informs the user of the fact that a wireless link has been
established. When a wireless link is established, the alert section
15 alerts the user by outputting at least one of light and sound.
The user can thus recognize the fact of the establishment of a
wireless link. The alert section 15 may be a built-in speaker of
the television set 11. A message or the like for alerting to the
establishment of a wireless link may also be displayed in a part of
the television screen.
[0102] The remote controller 13 next obtains an operating
application for remotely operating the television set 11 from the
television set 11, and activates the operating application. This
generates a user interface for remotely operating the television
set 11 (a television operating screen 13a) on the remote controller
13 and enables the user to remotely operate the television set 11.
When the user inputs an appliance operating instruction such as the
specification of a channel or a volume adjustment, the remote
controller 13 transmits an operation command that reflects the
specifics of the operating instruction to the television set 11.
The television set 11 executes an operation dictated by the
operation command.
[0103] The user next directs the remote controller 13 toward the
air conditioner 12, causing the remote controller and the
television set 11 to exit the wireless communication region of each
other. Then, the remote controller 13 automatically disconnects the
wireless link to/from the television set 11. The re-directing also
causes the remote controller 13 and the air conditioner 12 to enter
the wireless communication region of each other, and a wireless
link is established between the remote controller 13 and the air
conditioner 12.
[0104] The remote controller 13 obtains an operating application
for remotely operating the air conditioner 12 from the air
conditioner 12, and activates the operating application. This
generates a user interface for remotely operating the air
conditioner 12 (an air conditioner operating screen 13b) on the
remote controller 13 and enables the user to remotely operate the
air conditioner 12 by the remote controller 13. When the user
inputs an appliance operating instruction such as a temperature
adjustment or an air flow adjustment, the remote controller 13
transmits an operation command that reflects the specifics of the
operating instruction to the air conditioner 12. The air
conditioner 12 executes an operation dictated by the operation
command.
[0105] When the user directs the remote controller 13 in another
direction, causing the remote controller 13 and the air conditioner
12 to move out of the wireless communication region of each other,
the remote controller 13 automatically disconnects the wireless
link to/from the air conditioner 12.
[0106] With the remote controller 13 operating as described above,
the user can select an appliance to be operated simply by directing
the remote controller 13 toward the appliance, and can use the
remote controller 13 as a remote controller for remotely operating
the appliance.
[0107] An example of the operation flow for establishing a wireless
link is further described with reference to FIG. 5. The antenna 14
of the television set 11 periodically transmits a beacon signal.
When the user directs the remote controller 13 toward the
television set 11, causing the remote controller 13 and the
television set 11 to enter the wireless communication region of
each other, the remote controller 13 detects the beacon signal.
When detecting the beacon signal, the remote controller 13 notifies
unique information of the remote controller 13 to the television
set 11, which in turn notifies unique information of the television
set 11 to the remote controller 13. Unique information is, for
example, a media access control address (MAC address).
[0108] The remote controller 13 next checks whether the television
set 11 is an appliance that can be controlled by the remote
controller 13 (M-SEARCH). When the television set is an appliance
that can be controlled by the remote controller 13, the remote
controller 13 inquires and obtains appliance information of the
television set 11 to recognize the party to/from which the remote
controller 13 is communicating as the television set 11. This
establishes a wireless link.
[0109] The remote controller 13 next requests and obtains an
operating application from the television set 11. The operating
application obtained by the remote controller 13 is activated to
generate a user interface for remotely operating the television set
11 on the remote controller 13. When the user inputs an appliance
operating instruction such as the specification of a channel or a
volume adjustment, the remote controller 13 transmits an operation
command that reflects the specifics of the operating instruction to
the television set 11. The television set 11 executes an operation
dictated by the operation command.
[0110] The remote controller 13 may be a terminal dedicated as a
remote controller or may be a general-purpose mobile terminal such
as a smartphone or a notebook computer. When the remote controller
13 is a general-purpose mobile terminal, the operation described
above can be executed by installing in the mobile terminal a
computer program that controls the mobile terminal to execute the
above-mentioned remote operation for an appliance to be controlled.
The computer program may be installed from a recording medium
(optical disc, a semiconductor memory, or the like) having the
computer program recorded thereon, or may be downloaded via the
Internet or other telecommunication lines.
[0111] The input section 26 through which the user inputs an
operating instruction may be buttons or a keyboard instead of a
touch panel. FIG. 6 illustrates as another example of the remote
controller 13 a remote controller whose input section 26 is buttons
or a keyboard. Through execution of the operating application, each
of the buttons serving as the input section 26, or each key of the
keyboard serving as the input section 26, is allocated an operation
command (is set a user interface) for each appliance. The user
presses one of the buttons or one of the keys of the keyboard, to
thereby transmit an operation command that is associated with the
button or the key to the relevant appliance to be controlled.
[0112] The remote controller 13, which obtains operating
applications from the television set 11 and the air conditioner 12
here, may hold in advance operating applications for remotely
operating the television set 11 and the air conditioner 12 and
execute one of the operating applications that is associated with
identification information received from the television set 11 or
the air conditioner 12 as information for identifying the appliance
type.
[0113] The wireless communication used in this embodiment is WiGig,
but the present invention is not limited thereto and other
directional wireless communication methods may be employed.
Second Embodiment
[0114] A remote operation system according to a second embodiment
which is illustrated in FIG. 7 includes the television set 11 and a
remote controller 53. As in the first embodiment, appliances to be
controlled in the present invention are not limited to the
television set 11.
<Configuration and Operation of the Remote Controller 53>
[0115] The configuration of the remote controller 53 is described
first with reference to FIG. 8.
[0116] The remote controller 53 includes a plurality of directional
antennas 21a, 21b, and 21c which are directional in directions
different from one another. Compared to the remote controller 13,
the remote controller 53 further includes an antenna switching
section 61 for switching among the directional antennas to be used
and a lock section 62 for selecting between a locked state and an
unlocked state of the remote controller 53.
[0117] The directional antenna 21a, the directional antenna 21b,
and the directional antenna 21c are arranged so that directional
electric waves from the directional antennas 21a, 21b, and 21c are
transmitted in directions different from one another. The
transmission directions of the directional electric waves may
differ from one another with respect to a direction parallel to the
plane of the display section 25, or a direction perpendicular to
the plane of the display section 25. Wireless communication used in
this embodiment is directional wireless communication as in the
first embodiment. The directional wireless communication used here
is WiGig.
[0118] The lock section 62 switches the state of the remote
controller 53 to one of the "locked state" and the "unlocked state"
upon receiving settings from the user, or automatically. The
"locked state" refers to an operation state in which, in order to
maintain wireless communication to/from an appliance to be
controlled for which a link has been established, the directional
antenna used is switched sequentially as the appliance to be
controlled exits the wireless communication region of one
directional antenna and enters the wireless communication region of
another directional antenna. The "unlocked state" refers to an
operation state in which directional electric waves are transmitted
from only a specific directional antenna out of the plurality of
directional antennas (for example, the antenna 21a).
[0119] The antenna switching section 61 selects one of the
directional antenna 21a, the directional antenna 21b, and the
directional antenna 21c as the directional antenna used for
wireless communication. When the remote controller 53 is in the
"unlocked state", the directional antenna 21a is used all the time.
When the remote controller 53 is in the "locked state", the
directional antenna that can hold wireless communication to/from a
specified appliance at the time is selected and used.
[0120] The radio section 22 communicates to/from the television set
11 by transmitting/receiving wireless signals via one of the
directional antennas, which is selected by the antenna switching
section 61. The radio section 22 establishes/disconnects a wireless
link to/from the television set 11, obtains an operating
application from the television set 11, and transmits an operation
command to the television set 11.
[0121] The data storage section 24 saves an operating application
received from the television set 11.
[0122] The display section 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal
display or an organic EL display, and displays a user interface
screen for operating the television set 11. The user interface
screen is generated by executing an operating application that has
been received from the appliance in question.
[0123] The input section 26 is, for example, a touch panel disposed
on the display surface of the display section 25 and is operated by
a user to receive an input (e.g., the specification of a channel of
the television set 11) that is made via a user interface screen
displayed on the display section 25.
[0124] The control section 23 saves an operating application
received by the radio section 22 in the data storage section 24 and
executes the operating application. By executing the operating
application, the control section 23 generates a user interface
screen and displays the user interface screen on the display screen
25. The control section 23 also determines the specifics of an
operation based on an input from the user which is received by the
input section 26 and the generated user interface screen, and
transmits to the radio section 22 an operation command which
indicates the specifics of the operation.
[0125] A more detailed description is given next with reference to
FIG. 9 of the operation of the remote controller 53.
[0126] For example, the remote controller 53 starts operating when
the user takes the remote controller 53 in his/her hand (Step
S801). The remote controller 53 in this case is in the "unlocked
state".
[0127] In Step S802, whether or not an appliance to be controlled
(the television set 11) exists in the wireless communication region
is checked. When there is no appliance to be controlled in the
region of wireless communication to/from the remote controller 53
and then the user changes the direction of the remote controller
53, causing an appliance to be controlled to enter the wireless
communication region, the remote controller 53 detects the
appliance to be controlled and proceeds to Step S803. In the case
where no appliance to be controlled is detected, the operation of
Step S802 is repeated until detection is made. Here, the television
set 11 is detected, in which case the following operation is
executed.
[0128] When the user locks the remote controller 53 while the
television set 11 is detected, the remote controller 53 enters the
"locked state" and simultaneously establishes a wireless link
to/from the detected television set 11 (Steps S803 and S804). In
the case where the remote controller 53 is not to be locked, the
remote controller 53 returns to Step S802. In the case where the
remote controller 53 is automatically put into the locked state,
the order of the operation is irrelevant and the remote controller
53 may enter the locked state after the link is established.
[0129] When a wireless link to/from the television set 11 is
established in Step S804, the remote controller 53 obtains in Step
S805 an operating application from the television set 11 via
wireless communication.
[0130] In Step S806, the remote controller 53 executes the
operating application and displays a user interface screen for
operation on the display section.
[0131] The user unlocks the remote controller 53 in Step S807,
causing the remote controller 53 to enter the "unlocked state" and
to disconnect the wireless link to/from the television set 11
simultaneously. The remote controller 53 then returns to Step
S802.
[0132] In Step S808, the user inputs through the user interface
screen an appliance operating instruction such as the specification
of a channel or a volume adjustment. In Step S809, the remote
controller 13 transmits to the television set 11 an operation
command that reflects the specifics of the input appliance
operating instruction.
[0133] After transmitting the operation command, the remote
controller 53 returns to Step S807 and stands by until an appliance
operating instruction or an operation of unlocking the remote
controller 53 is received from the user.
[0134] As long as the remote controller 53 is in the "locked
state", the directional antenna used is kept switched so that the
wireless connection to/from the television set 11 is maintained. If
the television set 11 exits the communication region of every one
of the antennas 21a to 21c as a result of changing the direction of
the remote controller while the wireless link to/from the
television set 11 is established, the remote controller 53
automatically disconnects the wireless link and returns to Step
S802. The remote controller 53 automatically enters the "unlocked
state" at this point.
<Operation of the Remote Operation System>
[0135] An example of the operation flow of the remote operation
system illustrated in FIG. 7 is described with reference to FIG.
10.
[0136] When the user directs the remote controller 53 toward the
television set 11 (more specifically, when the user directs the
specific directional antenna 21a toward the television set 11), the
remote controller 53 and the television set 11 enter the wireless
communication region of each other. When the user locks the remote
controller 53 in this state, a wireless link is established between
the remote controller 53 and the television set 11. Once the
wireless link is established, the alert section 15 outputs at least
one of light and sound to inform the user of the fact of the
establishment of the wireless link.
[0137] The remote controller 53 then obtains an operating
application for remotely operating the television set 11 from the
television set 11, and activates the operating application. This
generates a user interface for remotely operating the television
set 11 (a television set operating screen 53a) on the remote
controller 53 and enables the user to remotely operate the
television set 11 by the remote controller 53. When the user inputs
an appliance operating instruction such as a channel instruction or
a volume adjustment, the remote controller 13 transmits an
operation command that reflects the specifics of the operating
instruction to the television set 11. The television set 11
executes an operation dictated by the operation command.
[0138] When the user directs the remote controller 53 in another
direction while the remote controller 53 is in the "locked state",
causing the television set 11 to exit the wireless communication
region of the directional antenna 21a, the remote controller 53
switches the directional antenna used as an adjustment that ensures
the continued transmission of electric waves to the television set
11. This maintains the wireless link between the remote controller
53 and the television set 11, thus allowing the user to keep
operating the television set 11 remotely.
[0139] When the user unlocks the remote controller 53, the remote
controller 53 automatically disconnects the wireless link to/from
the television set 11. The wireless link is automatically
disconnected also when a given period of time elapses after the
user stops holding the remote controller 53 in his/her hand by, for
example, putting the remote controller 53 on a desk.
[0140] With the remote controller 53 operating as described above,
the user can select an appliance (the television set 11) to be
operated by directing the remote controller 53 toward the appliance
and locking the remote controller 53, and can use the remote
controller 53 as a remote controller for remotely operating the
television set 11. Further, the electric wave transmission
direction is automatically adjusted to a change in the direction of
the remote controller 53, thereby allowing the user to keep
operating the television set 11 remotely.
[0141] The directional antennas 21a, 21b, and 21c may all transmit
electric waves during the locked state and, in this case, the
switching of the directional antennas is unnecessary.
[0142] The television set 11, in addition to the remote controller
53, may have a plurality of directional antennas. When the
directional antenna used in the television set 11 is switched as
well, the wireless link between the remote controller 53 and the
television set 11 is maintained more securely.
[0143] In the case where the direction of the remote controller in
the unlocked state is changed, causing an appliance to be
controlled that is not the television set 11, namely, the air
conditioner 12, to enter the region of wireless communication that
uses the specific directional antenna 21a, an operation similar to
the above-mentioned operation for the television set 11 may be
performed between the remote controller 53 and the air conditioner
12.
[0144] The remote controller 53 may be a terminal dedicated as a
remote controller or may be a general-purpose mobile terminal such
as a smartphone or a notebook computer. When the remote controller
53 is a general-purpose mobile terminal, the operation described
above can be executed by installing in the mobile terminal a
computer program that controls the mobile terminal to execute the
above-mentioned remote operation for an appliance to be controlled.
The computer program may be installed from a recording medium (an
optical disc, a semiconductor memory, or the like) having the
computer program recorded thereon, or may be downloaded via the
Internet or other telecommunication lines.
[0145] Means for inputting an operating instruction by the user may
be buttons or a keyboard instead of a touch panel. FIG. 11
illustrates as another example of the remote controller 53 a remote
controller whose input section 26 is buttons or a keyboard. Through
execution of the operating application, each of the buttons serving
as the input section 26, or each key of the keyboard serving as the
input section 26, is allocated an operation command (is set a user
interface) for each appliance. The user presses one of the buttons
or one of the keys of the keyboard, to thereby transmit an
operation command that is associated with the button or the key to
the relevant appliance to be controlled.
[0146] The remote controller 53, which has three directional
antennas, may instead have two directional antennas or four or more
directional antennas. In addition, while the directional antennas
here respectively transmit electric waves in fixed directions and
the directional antenna used is switched depending on the direction
of the remote controller 53, the present invention is not limited
thereto. A directional antenna capable of changing the direction in
which electric waves are transmitted depending on the direction of
the remote controller 53 may be used instead of the directional
antennas 21a to 21c and the antenna switching section 61.
Alternatively, a plurality of directional antennas capable of
changing the electric wave transmission direction may be used to
change at least one of the electric wave transmission direction and
the directional antenna used depending on the direction of the
remote controller 53. In short, any modifications can be made as
long as the transmission direction of electric waves from the
remote controller 53 is fixed while the remote controller 53 is in
the "unlocked state" and can be changed suitably while the remote
controller 53 is in the "locked state".
[0147] The remote controller 53, which obtains operating
applications from the television set 11 here, may hold in advance
operating applications for remotely operating the television set 11
and execute one of the operating applications that is associated
with identification information received from the television set 11
as information for identifying the appliance type.
[0148] The wireless communication used in this embodiment is WiGig,
but the present invention is not limited thereto and other
directional wireless communication methods may be employed.
Further, interactive communication may be performed through optical
communication using laser light, for example.
[0149] For example, the present invention is applicable to a remote
operation system or other such systems in which various appliances
including AV equipment such as a television set and household
appliances such as an air conditioner are remotely operated by one
remote controller.
[0150] While the present invention has been described with respect
to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in
numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than those
specifically described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the
appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention that
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *
References