REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS AND REMOTE CONTROL METHOD

• US 20090051823A1
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: TSURUMOTO, Takashi, SHIMIZU, Taketoshi
• Application Number:
  US12/034,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20090051823A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811

Abstract

A remote control apparatus for a remote control system using a wireless communication is disclosed. A second designation section designates a category of an electronic device as a pairing target. A transmission section broadcasts a signal which contains information representing the pairing and the category designated by the first designation section and the second designation section. A reception section receives a reply from an electronic device whose category is identical to the category represented by the information contained in the signal, the reply containing identification information of the electronic device and information which represents an electric field intensity of the signal received by the electronic device. A control section decides an electronic device which has transmitted a reply containing information which represents a maximum electric field intensity when a plurality of replies have been received.

Claims

1. A remote control apparatus for a remote control system using a wireless communication, comprising:

first designation means for designating pairing;

second designation means for designating a category of an electronic device as a pairing target;

transmission means for broadcasting a signal which contains information representing the pairing and the category designated by the first designation means and the second designation means;

reception means for receiving a reply from an electronic device whose category is identical to the category represented by the information contained in the signal, the reply containing identification information of the electronic device and information which represents an electric field intensity of the signal received by the electronic device; and

control means for deciding an electronic device which has transmitted a reply containing information which represents a maximum electric field intensity when a plurality of replies have been received.

2. The remote control apparatus as set forth in claim 1,

wherein after the pairing is designated by the first designation means, the category is designated by the second designation means.

3. The remote control apparatus as set forth in claim 1,

wherein after the category is designated by the second designation means, the pairing is designated by the first designation means.

4. The remote control apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

indication means for indicating the category designated by the second designation means.

5. A remote control method for a remote control system using a wireless communication, comprising the steps of:

designating pairing;

designating a category of an electronic device as a pairing target;

broadcasting a signal which contains information representing the pairing and the category that have been designated;

receiving a reply from an electronic device whose category is identical to the category represented by the information contained in the signal, the reply containing identification information of the electronic device and information which represents an electric field intensity of the signal received by the electronic device; and

deciding an electronic device which has transmitted a reply containing information which represents a maximum electric field intensity when a plurality of replies have been received.

7. The remote control method as set forth in claim 5 or claim 6,

wherein after the category designating step, an indication which identifies the designated category is performed.

6. A remote control method for a remote control system using a wireless communication, comprising the steps of:

designating a category of an electronic device as a pairing target;

designating pairing;

broadcasting a signal which contains information representing the category and the pairing that have been designated;

receiving a reply from an electronic device whose category is identical to the category represented by the information contained in the signal, the reply containing identification information of the electronic device and information which represents an electric field intensity of the signal received by the electronic device; and

deciding an electronic device which has transmitted a reply containing information which represents a maximum electric field intensity when a plurality of replies have been received.

8. A remote control apparatus for a remote control system using a wireless communication, comprising:

a first designation section which designates pairing;

a second designation section which designates a category of an electronic device as a pairing target;

a transmission section which broadcasts a signal which contains information representing the pairing and the category designated by the first designation section and the second designation section;

a reception section which receives a reply from an electronic device whose category is identical to the category represented by the information contained in the signal, the reply containing identification information of the electronic device and information which represents an electric field intensity of the signal received by the electronic device; and

a control section which decides an electronic device which has transmitted a reply containing information which represents a maximum electric field intensity when a plurality of replies have been received.