Remote control system and remote control method, device for performing remote control operation and control method therefor, device operable by remote control operation and control method therefor, and storage medium

• US 20050120096A1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Oba, Haruo, Rekimoto, Junichi, Ayatsuka, Yuji, Matsushita, Nobuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,190,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/04 Arrangements for synchronous operation

Abstract

A portable information terminal is placed in proximity with an ID recognition unit of a notebook PC. By reading ID from the portable information terminal, the notebook PC is able to identify a network address of the portable information terminal so as to establish a network connection with the portable information terminal. The notebook PC then sends suitable operation information to the portable information terminal via a network. For example, if presentation is running on the notebook PC, screen information for operating the presentation is transferred to the portable information terminal. Accordingly, by using one device connected to the other device by a wired or wireless network, the operation of the other device can be controlled.

Claims

1-74. -74. (canceled)

75. A remote control system that allows a first device to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

ID information including a network address of the first device;

an ID recognition unit for obtaining the network address allowing the first device to be accessed by reading the ID information;

network connection means for establishing network connection between the devices;

operation information providing means for transferring operation information for remotely controlling the second device to the first device by using the obtained network address; and

remote control means for allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

81. A remote control system according to any one of claims 75 to 80, wherein the operation information is user interface information indicating an operation screen or an operation method suitable for operating the second device by the first device.

82. A remote control system according to any one of claims 75 to 80, wherein the first device is a portable information terminal including a cellular telephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by a user.

83. A remote control system according to any one of claims 75 to 80, wherein the second device is a relatively large device used in an environment in which the device is installed, including a notebook computer, a desk-top computer, a liquid crystal projector, or a television receiver.

84. A remote control system according to any one of claims 75 to 80, wherein the ID information or the ID recognition unit is installed in a place which is associated with a function implemented by the second device to be remotely controlled by the first device.

85. A remote control system according to any one of claims 75 to 80, wherein the ID information or the ID recognition unit is provided in a peripheral device connected to the second device to be remotely controlled by the first device.

76. A remote control system that allows a first device to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

ID information including a network address of the second device;

an ID recognition unit for obtaining the network address allowing the second device to be accessed by reading the ID information;

network connection means for establishing network connection between the devices;

operation information providing means for supplying operation information for remotely controlling the second device in response to an access request made by using the obtained network address; and

remote control means for allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

77. A remote control system that allows a first device to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device;

an ID recognition unit for obtaining the method for accessing the information storage location by reading the ID information;

network connection means for establishing network connection between the devices;

operation information providing means for providing the operation information for remotely controlling the second device via the information storage location by using the obtained method; and

remote control means for allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information obtained by accessing the information storage location.

78. A remote control system that allows a first device to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device;

an ID recognition unit for obtaining the method for accessing the information storage location by reading the ID information;

network connection means for establishing network connection between the devices;

operation information providing means for providing a method for accessing the operation information for remotely controlling the second device via the information storage location by using the obtained method; and

remote control means for allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information obtained by accessing the information storage location.

79. A remote control system that allows a first device to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information;

an ID recognition unit for reading the ID information according to any one of formats including an RF-ID, touch net, a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a cybercode, infrared communication, and Bluetooth communication in an extremely low power mode;

network connection means for establishing network connection between the devices;

operation information providing means for providing operation information for remotely controlling the second device to the first device according to the access method identified by the ID recognition unit; and

remote control means for allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

80. A remote control system that allows a first device to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information;

an ID recognition unit for identifying the access method by reading the ID information;

network connection means for establishing network connection between the devices according to at least one of a wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth communication, a telephone network, and the Internet;

operation information providing means for providing operation information for remotely controlling the second device to the first device according to the access method identified by the ID recognition unit; and

remote control means for allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

86. A remote control method that allows a first device connected to a network to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information including a network address of the first device so as to obtain the network address allowing the first device to be accessed;

a network connection step of establishing network connection between the devices;

an operation information providing step of transferring operation information for remotely controlling the second device to the first device by using the network address obtained by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

92. A remote control method according to any one of claims 86 to 91, wherein the operation information is user interface information indicating an operation screen or an operation method suitable for operating the second device by the first device.

93. A remote control method according to any one of claims 86 to 91, wherein the first device is a portable information terminal including a cellular telephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by a user.

94. A remote control method according to any one of claims 86 to 91, wherein the second device is a relatively large device used in an environment in which the device is installed, including a notebook computer, a desk-top computer, a liquid crystal projector, or a television receiver.

95. A remote control method according to any one of claims 86 to 91, wherein the ID information is provided in a place which is associated with a function implemented by the second device to be remotely controlled by the first device.

96. A remote control method according to any one of claims 86 to 91, wherein the ID information is provided in a peripheral device connected to the second device to be remotely controlled by the first device.

87. A remote control method that allows a first device connected to a network to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information including a network address of the second device so as to obtain the network address allowing the second device to be accessed;

a network connection step of establishing network connection between the devices;

an operation information providing step of supplying operation information for remotely controlling the second device in response to an access request made by using the network address obtained by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

88. A remote control method that allows a first device connected to a network to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device so as to obtain the method for accessing the information storage location;

a network connection step of establishing network connection between the devices;

an operation information providing step of providing the operation information for remotely controlling the second device via the information storage location by using the method obtained by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

89. A remote control method that allows a first device connected to a network to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device so as to obtain the method for accessing the information storage location;

a network connection step of establishing network connection between the devices;

an operation information providing step of providing a method for accessing the operation information for remotely controlling the second device via the information storage location by using the method obtained by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information obtained by accessing the information storage location.

90. A remote control method that allows a first device connected to a network to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information according to any one of formats including an RF-ID, touch net, a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a cybercode, infrared communication, and Bluetooth communication in an extremely low power mode;

a network connection step of establishing network connection between the devices;

an operation information providing step of providing operation information for remotely controlling the second device to the first device according to the access method identified by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

91. A remote control method that allows a first device connected to a network to control an operation of a second device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information so as to identify the access method;

a network connection step of establishing network connection between the devices according to at least one of a wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth communication, a telephone network, and the Internet;

an operation information providing step of providing operation information for remotely controlling the second device to the first device according to the access method identified by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of allowing the first device to remotely control the second device by using the operation information.

97. A device for remotely controlling a first device, comprising:

ID information including a network address of the device;

network connection means for establishing network connection;

operation information obtaining means for receiving operation information, sent to the network address, for remotely controlling the first device; and

remote control means for remotely controlling the first device via a network by using the obtained operation information.

99. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 97 or 98, wherein the operation information is user interface information indicating an operation screen or an operation method suitable for operating the first device by the device.

100. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 97 or 98, wherein the device is a portable information terminal including a cellular telephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by a user.

103. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 97, wherein:

the ID information includes a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the device; and

the operation information obtaining means obtains the operation information, written into the information storage location, for remotely controlling the first device.

104. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 97, wherein:

the ID information includes a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the device; and

the operation information obtaining means obtains the operation information for remotely controlling the first device by using the method written into the information storage location.

105. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 97 or 98, wherein the ID information is represented by any one of formats including RF-ID, touch net, barcode, two-dimensional barcode, cybercode, infrared communication and Bluetooth communication in an extremely low power mode.

98. A device for remotely controlling a first device, comprising:

ID recognition means for reading ID information including a network address of the first device;

network connection means for establishing network connection;

operation information obtaining means for obtaining operation information for remotely controlling the first device by using the network address read by the ID recognition means; and

remote control means for remotely controlling the first device via a network by using the obtained operation information.

101. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 98, wherein the ID information is provided in a place which is associated with a function implemented by the first device to be remotely controlled.

102. A device for remotely controlling a first device according to claim 98, wherein the ID information is provided in a peripheral device connected to the first device to be remotely controlled.

106. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device, comprising:

a step of allowing the first device to read ID information including a network address of the device;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information obtaining step of receiving operation information, sent to the network address, for remotely controlling the first device; and

a remote control step of remotely controlling the first device via a network by using the obtained operation information.

108. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 106 or 107, wherein the operation information is user interface information indicating an operation screen or an operation method suitable for operating the first device by the device.

109. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 106 or 107, wherein the device which is connectable to a network is a portable information terminal including a cellular telephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by a user.

112. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 106, wherein:

the ID information includes a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the device; and

the operation information obtaining step obtains the operation information, written into the information storage location, for remotely controlling the first device.

113. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 106, wherein:

the ID information includes a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the device; and

the operation information obtaining step obtains the operation information for remotely controlling the first device by using the method written into the information storage location.

114. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 106 or 107, wherein the ID information is represented by any one of formats including an RF-ID, touch net, a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a cybercode, infrared communication, and Bluetooth communication in an extremely low power mode.

107. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information including a network address of the first device;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information obtaining step of obtaining operation information for remotely controlling the first device by using the network address read by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of remotely controlling the first device via a network by using the obtained operation information.

110. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 107, wherein the ID information is provided in a place which is associated with a function implemented by the first device to be remotely controlled.

111. A control method for a device remotely controlling a first device according to claim 107, wherein the ID information is provided in a peripheral device connected to the first device to be remotely controlled.

115. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

ID recognition means for reading ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device for remotely controlling the device;

network connection means for establishing network connection;

operation information providing means for writing operation information concerning the device into the information storage location by using the access method read by the ID recognition means; and

operation means for being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

119. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein the operation information is user interface information indicating an operation screen or an operation method suitable for operating the device by the first device.

120. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein the first device is a portable information terminal including a cellular telephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by a user.

121. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein the device is a relatively large device used in an environment in which the device is installed, including a notebook computer, a desk-top computer, a liquid crystal projector, or a television receiver.

122. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein the ID information is represented by any one of formats including an RF-ID, touch net, a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a cybercode, infrared communication, and Bluetooth communication in an extremely low power mode.

116. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

ID recognition means for reading ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device for remotely controlling the device;

network connection means for establishing network connection;

operation information providing means for writing a method for accessing operation information concerning the device into the information storage location by using the access method read by the ID recognition means; and

operation means for being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

117. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information and provided in a place which is associated with a function implemented by the device;

network connection means for establishing network connection;

operation information providing means for providing operation information for remotely controlling the device to the first device; and

operation means for being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

118. A device for being remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information and provided in a peripheral device connected to the device;

network connection means for establishing network connection;

operation information providing means for providing operation information for remotely controlling the device to the first device; and

operation means for being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

123. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device for remotely controlling the device;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information providing step of writing operation information concerning the device into the information storage location by using the access method read by the ID recognition step; and

an operation step of being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

127. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 123 to 126, wherein the operation information is user interface information indicating an operation screen or an operation method suitable for operating the device by the first device.

128. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 123 to 126, wherein the first device is a portable information terminal including a cellular telephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by a user.

129. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 123 to 126, wherein the device is a relatively large device used in an environment in which the device is installed, including a notebook computer, a desk-top computer, a liquid crystal projector, or a television receiver.

130. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device according to any one of claims 123 to 126, wherein the ID information is represented by any one of formats including an RF-ID, touch net, a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a cybercode, infrared communication, and Bluetooth communication in an extremely low power mode.

124. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating a method for accessing an information storage location specially provided for the first device for remotely controlling the device;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information providing step of writing a method for accessing operation information concerning the device into the information storage location by using the access method read by the ID recognition step; and

an operation step of being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

125. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

a step of allowing the first device to read ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information from an installation place which is associated with a function implemented by the device;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information providing step of providing operation information for remotely controlling the device to the first device; and

an operation step of being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

126. A control method for a device to be remotely controlled by a first device, comprising:

a step of allowing the first device to read ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information from a peripheral device connected to the device;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information providing step of providing operation information for remotely controlling the device to the first device; and

an operation step of being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

131. A storage medium in which computer software for allowing a device for remotely controlling a first device to be controlled in a computer system is physically stored in a computer readable format, said computer software comprising:

a step of allowing the first device to read ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information obtaining step of obtaining operation information for remotely controlling the first device by using the access method; and

a remote control step of remotely controlling the first device via a network by using the obtained operation information.

132. A storage medium in which computer software for allowing a device for remotely controlling a first device to be controlled in a computer system is physically stored in a computer readable format, said computer software comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information obtaining step of obtaining operation information for remotely controlling the first device by using the access method read by the ID recognition step; and

a remote control step of remotely controlling the first device via a network by using the obtained operation information.

133. A storage medium in which computer software for allowing a device for being remotely controlled by a first device to be controlled in a computer system is physically stored in a computer readable format, said computer software comprising:

an ID recognition step of reading ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information providing step of providing operation information for remotely controlling the device to the first device by using the access method read by the ID recognition step; and

an operation step of being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.

134. A storage medium in which computer software for allowing a device for being remotely controlled by a first device to be controlled in a computer system is physically stored in a computer readable formate, said computer software comprising:

a step of allowing the first device to read ID information indicating an access method for exchanging information;

a network connection step of establishing network connection;

an operation information providing step of providing operation information for remotely controlling the device to the first device; and

an operation step of being operated by being remotely controlled by the first device.