Control apparatus, controlled apparatus, and remote control system and remote control method using these apparatuses

• US 20040224676A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujisoft ABC Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fujisoft ABC Incorporated
• Inventors: Iseki, Takanobu
• Granted Patent: US 7,170,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/04 Arrangements for synchronous operation

Abstract

In one aspect of this invention, a control unit generates a frame having control data, and transmits it to a controlled apparatus via a transmission/reception unit or the like at a predetermined priority. In the controlled apparatus, a transmission/reception unit receives the frame, and a control unit analyzes it to generate a predetermined signal on the basis of the analysis result. The signal is output to a driving system or the like via an external I/O or the like. The controlled apparatus generates a response frame and transmits it to the control apparatus. In the control apparatus, the control unit analyzes the contents of the response frame, and a predetermined display is provided on the LED of an output unit on the basis of the analysis result.

Claims

1. A remote control system, which allows radio communication in a situation, comprising:

a plurality of pairs of control apparatuses; and

controlled apparatuses;

that are respectively made to correspond to each other in advance simultaneously use a same frequency;

each of set control apparatus including;

first input/output means for external connection,

first control means for controlling to transmit a first frame to the controlled apparatus on the basis of a predetermined priority by generating the first frame having at least one of information obtained via the first input/output means and information on the controlled apparatus corresponding to the control apparatus, and controlling to externally output a first signal via the first input/output means by analyzing a second frame from the controlled apparatus, and

first transmission/reception means for transmitting the first frame generated by the first control means to the controlled apparatus on the basis of the predetermined priority, and receiving the second frame from the controlled apparatus, and

each of set controlled apparatus including;

second transmission/reception means for receiving the first frame from the control apparatus, and transmitting the second frame to the control apparatus,

second input/output means for external connection, and

second control means for analyzing the first frame to externally output a second signal via the second input/output means, and generating the second frame having at least one of information obtained via the second input/output means and information on the control apparatus corresponding to the controlled apparatus.

2. A remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a priority controller to set a predetermined priority associated with transmission by the control apparatus,

when the priority controller sets the predetermined priority associated with transmission by the control apparatus, the first control means of the control apparatus controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus on the basis of the priority.

3. A remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a priority controller which originates first information for specifying a control apparatus whose communication is given priority,

when the first information specifies the self control apparatus, the first control means of the self control apparatus determining that the self control apparatus has first priority, and controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the first priority.

4. A remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a priority controller which originates second information for specifying the priority controller and third information unique to a use opportunity,

the control apparatus further comprising storage means for storing at least fourth information for specifying the priority controller and fifth information unique to a use opportunity, and

when the second information and the third information which are originated by the priority controller coincide with the fourth information and the fifth information which are stored in the storage means, the first control means of the self control apparatus determining that the self control apparatus has second priority, and controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the second priority.

5. A remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a priority controller which originates first information for specifying a control apparatus whose communication is given priority, second information for specifying the priority controller, and third information unique to a use opportunity,

the control apparatus further comprising storage means for storing at least fourth information for specifying the priority controller and fifth information unique to a use opportunity, and

the first control means of the self control apparatus determining, when the first information specifies the self control apparatus, that the self control apparatus has first priority, and controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the first priority,

when the first information does not specify the self control apparatus, and the second information and the third information which are originated by the priority controller coincide with the fourth information and the fifth information which are stored in the storage means, determining that the self control apparatus has second priority, and controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the second priority, and

when the first information does not specify the self control apparatus, and at least one of the second information and the third information which are originated by the priority controller does not coincide with the fourth information and the fifth information which are stored in the storage means, determining that the self control apparatus has third priority, and controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the third priority.

6. A control apparatus used in a remote control system which allows radio communication in a situation in which a plurality of pairs of control apparatuses and controlled apparatuses that are respectively made to correspond to each other in advance simultaneously use a same frequency, comprising:

input/output means for external connection;

control means for controlling to transmit a first frame to the controlled apparatus on the basis of a predetermined priority by generating the first frame having at least one of information obtained via the input/output means and information on the controlled apparatus corresponding to the control apparatus, and controlling to externally output a predetermined signal via the input/output means by analyzing a second frame from the controlled apparatus; and

transmission/reception means for transmitting the first frame generated by the control means to the controlled apparatus on the basis of the predetermined priority, and receiving the second frame from the controlled apparatus.

7. A controlled apparatus used in a remote control system which allows radio communication in a situation in which a plurality of pairs of control apparatuses and controlled apparatuses that are respectively made to correspond to each other in advance simultaneously use a same frequency, comprising:

transmission/reception means for receiving a first frame transmitted from the control apparatus on the basis of a predetermined priority, and transmitting a second frame to the control apparatus;

input/output means for external connection; and

control means for analyzing the first frame to externally output a predetermined signal via the input/output means, and generating the second frame having at least one of information obtained via the input/output means and information on the control apparatus corresponding to the controlled apparatus.

8. A remote control method of allowing radio communication in a situation in which a plurality of pairs of control apparatuses and controlled apparatuses that are respectively made to correspond to each other in advance simultaneously use a same frequency, comprising:

a step of causing each control apparatus to generate by first control means a first frame having at least one of information obtained via first input/output means and information on a controlled apparatus corresponding to each control apparatus, and transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus via first transmission/reception means on the basis of a predetermined priority;

a step of causing the controlled apparatus to receive the first frame via second transmission/reception means, analyze the first frame by second control means, and externally output a second signal via second input/output means;

a step of causing the controlled apparatus to generate by the second control means a second frame having at least one of information obtained via the second input/output means and information on the control apparatus corresponding to the controlled apparatus, and transmit the second frame to the control apparatus via the second transmission/reception means; and

a step of causing the control apparatus to receive the second frame from the controlled apparatus via the first transmission/reception means, analyze the second frame by the first control means, and externally output a first signal via the first input/output means.

9. A remote control method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of causing a priority controller to set a predetermined priority associated with transmission by the control apparatus,

when the priority controller sets the predetermined priority associated with transmission by the control apparatus, the first control means of the control apparatus controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus on the basis of the priority.

10. A remote control method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of causing a priority controller to originate first information for specifying a control apparatus whose communication is given priority,

when the first information specifies the self control apparatus, the first control means of the self control apparatus determining that the self control apparatus has first priority, and controlling to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the first priority.

11. A remote control method according to claim 8, further comprising:

a step of causing a priority controller to originate second information for specifying the priority controller and third information unique to a use opportunity;

a step of causing storage means of the control apparatus to store at least fourth information for specifying the priority controller and fifth information unique to a use opportunity; and

a step of causing the first control means of the control apparatus to, when the second information and the third information which are originated by the priority controller coincide with the fourth information and the fifth information which are stored in the storage means, determine that the self control apparatus has second priority, and control to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the second priority.

12. A remote control method according to claim 8, further comprising:

a step of causing a priority controller to originate first information for specifying a control apparatus whose communication is given priority, second information for specifying the priority controller, and third information unique to a use opportunity;

a step of causing storage means of the control apparatus to store at least fourth information for specifying the priority controller and fifth information unique to a use opportunity;

a step of causing the first control means of the control apparatus to, when the first information specifies the control apparatus, determine that the control apparatus has first priority, and control to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the first priority;

a step of causing the first control means of the self control apparatus to, when the first information does not specify the self control apparatus, and the second information and the third information which are originated by the priority controller coincide with the fourth information and the fifth information which are stored in the storage means, determine that the self control apparatus has second priority, and control to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the second priority; and

a step of causing the first control means of the control apparatus to, when the first information does not specify the self control apparatus, and at least one of the second information and the third information which are originated by the priority controller does not coincide with the fourth information and the fifth information which are stored in the storage means, determine that the self control apparatus has third priority, and control to transmit the first frame to the controlled apparatus at a timing determined on the basis of the third priority.