Information processing apparatus and electronic appliance controlling system

• US 20020080937A1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Kawamura, Masakazu
• Application Number:
  US10/015,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080937A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/102.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24

Abstract

A portable telephone 14 is connected to wire network 11 via a base station 13. To wire network 11 information server 12 for providing various information such as telecast programs and so on is connected. For example, data showing telecast programs are downloaded to portable telephone 14, and the G-code of any telecast program desired to record is extracted and transmitted to video tape recorder 17₁. There is no need to limit to a case wherein controlling information is transmitted in response to a request from the side of portable telephone 14 to various kinds of information servers 12, and it is possible for the side of information server 12 to appropriately supply the portable telephone with controlling information when any change is made to the controlling information to thereby control a relevant electronic appliance.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a controlling information receiving means for receiving controlling information for controlling a predetermined specified type of electronic appliance from a communication network;

a data format converting means for converting the controlling information received by the controlling information receiving means into a data format capable of being read by a concretely specified electronic appliance as a controlled object; and

a transmitting means for transmitting the controlling information after conversion by the data format converting means to a relevant electronic appliance.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information processing means comprises a portable telephone, and wherein said transmitting means comprises a communicating means employing infrared-rays.

2. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a controlling information receiving means for receiving controlling information for controlling a predetermined specified type of electronic appliance from a communication network;

a controlling information selecting means for selecting necessary controlling information from the controlling information received by the controlling information receiving means;

a data extracting means for extracting data to be read by a concretely specified electronic appliance that is a controlled object, from the data controlling information selected by the controlling information selecting means;

a format converting means for converting the data extracted by the data extracting means into a signal format capable of being eceived by said concretely specified electronic appliance; and

a transmitting means for transmitting the controlling information converted by the format converting means to said concretely specified electronic appliance.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said information processing means comprises a portable telephone, and wherein said transmitting means comprises a communicating means employing infrared-rays.

5. An electronic appliance controlling system comprising:

an information server for transmitting controlling information for controlling a predetermined specified type of electronic appliance; and

an information processing apparatus provided with;

a controlling information receiving means for receiving said controlling information transmitted by the information server;

a format converting means for converting the controlling information received by the controlling information receiving means into a signal format capable of being received by a concretely specified electronic appliance;

a transmitting means for transmitting the controlling information converted by the format converting means to said concretely specified electronic appliance.

6. The electronic appliance controlling system according to claim 5, wherein said information server transmits said controlling information upon request for acquirement of said controlling information from the information processing apparatus.

7. The electronic appliance controlling system according to claim 5, wherein said information server automatically supplies to a specified information processing apparatus with said controlling information irrespective of a request from said apparatus.