REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM AND REMOTE CONTROL METHOD

• US 20070293190A1
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Ota, Yuya
• Granted Patent: US 8,547,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• 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 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen

Abstract

There is provided a remote control system which changes the functions corresponding to a specific operation unit provided for a controlling apparatus in accordance with distance, thereby improving the convenience for a user. The remote control system includes a controlled apparatus such as a TV set and a controlling apparatus such as a remote controller which remotely controls the controlled apparatus. A measuring unit measures the distance between the controlled apparatus and the controlling apparatus. A changing unit changes the functions to be executed when a specific one of a plurality of operation units provided for the controlling apparatus is operated, in accordance with the measured distance.

Claims

1. A remote control system, including a controlled apparatus and a controlling apparatus, which remotely controls functions of the controlled apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a measuring unit which measures a distance between the controlled apparatus and the controlling apparatus; and

a changing unit which changes functions to be executed in the controlled apparatus when a specific one of a plurality of operation units provided for the controlling apparatus is operated, in accordance with the measured distance.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said changing unit includes

a determination unit which determines whether the measured distance satisfies any one of not less than three distance conditions, and

a control unit which restricts the functions of executable control in accordance with a satisfied distance condition among the not less than three distance conditions.

3. The system according to claim 2, further including a management unit which manages each of functions of executable control by the operation unit in accordance with the corresponding distance conditions.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a setting unit which sets a relationship between the distance condition and the functions of control with respect to the specific operation unit.

5. The system according to claim 1, further including an output unit which outputs information concerning an operation result when the specific operation unit is operated.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said output unit includes an alerting unit which outputs an alert when execution of control designated through the operation unit is restricted by the distance condition.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein said output unit further includes an indication unit which indicates a cancel condition required to cancel a restriction with respect to functions of control upon which a restriction is imposed with respect to the specific operation unit.

8. A controlling apparatus which remotely controls a controlled apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an acquisition unit which acquires information concerning a distance between the controlled apparatus and the controlling apparatus; and

a changing unit which changes functions of control to be executed in the controlled apparatus when a specific operation unit of a plurality of operation units provided for the controlling apparatus is operated, in accordance with information concerning the distance.

9. A controlled apparatus of which functions are remotely controlled by a controlling apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an acquisition unit which acquires information concerning a distance between the controlled apparatus and the controlling apparatus; and

a changing unit which changes functions to be executed in the controlled apparatus when a specific operation unit of a plurality of operation units provided for the controlling apparatus is operated, in accordance with information concerning the distance.

10. A remote control method which remotely controls functions of a controlled apparatus by using a controlling apparatus, the method comprising:

an acquisition step of acquiring information concerning a distance between the controlled apparatus and the controlling apparatus; and

a changing step of changing functions to be executed in the controlled apparatus when a specific operation unit of a plurality of operation units provided for the controlling apparatus is operated, in accordance with information concerning the distance.