JP5208076B2 - System and method for detecting detachment of remote control device existing around operation target device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for operating an operation target device from a remote operation device such as a remote controller device.

  The remote control device can operate an AV (Audio Visual) device (for example, a television device) or an electrical device (for example, a lighting device) from a remote position. The remote control device is generally a wireless type, and in particular, an infrared method or a radio wave method is used (in addition, there are an ultrasonic method and a visible light method). For example, an infrared system is generally used for a remote control device for operating a television device. The remote control device has an infrared light emitting unit, and the television device has an infrared light receiving unit.

  Infrared radiation has a wavelength between about 750 and 1,000 nm. In order to distinguish between infrared rays emitted from nature and infrared rays emitted from the remote control device, the remote control device transmits infrared rays modulated by the carrier frequency. The carrier frequency is generally about 38 to 40 kHz.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram in the prior art.

  According to FIG. 1, the remote operation device transmits an infrared operation signal and operates the operation target device. A remote control device is represented as a remote operation device, and a television device and a lighting device are represented as operation target devices. The remote control device A and the remote control device B are in positions where the television device 3 can be operated. In addition, the remote control device B and the remote control device C are in positions where the lighting device 3 can be operated.

  The remote control device A transmits, for example, an infrared operation signal for channel switching (or power on / off) to the television device 3. Similarly, the remote control device B also transmits an infrared operation signal to the television device 3. Further, the remote control device B transmits, for example, an infrared operation signal for brightness adjustment (or power on / off) to the lighting device 3. Similarly, the remote control device C also transmits an infrared operation signal to the illumination device 3.

  Here, the television device 3 receives the infrared operation signal from the remote control device 5, but cannot distinguish the remote control device that has transmitted the infrared operation signal. For example, the television device 3 cannot specify a remote control device within the viewable range. Specifically, according to FIG. 1, even if the user B who owns the remote control device B leaves the viewable range of the television device 3, the television device 3 cannot recognize the absence of the user B.

  On the other hand, there is a technique in which a remote control device transmits personal information of a user who operates the remote control and an identification number assigned for each operation to the television device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The television device transmits the status information of the television device to the server together with the received personal information and identification number. The server registers the received personal information, identification number, and status information in the database as an operation history. Thus, the television apparatus can recognize the remote control apparatus that has transmitted the operation signal using the database of the server, and can also grasp the viewing history.

  There is also a technique for recognizing a user's face by photographing a room with a camera attached in front of the television device (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to this technology, by identifying a user within the viewable range of the television apparatus and recognizing who is viewing the current program, the remote control apparatus existing at a position where the operation signal can be transmitted is recognized. Can do.

JP 2005-151098 A JP-A-9-035067

  However, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the television apparatus can distinguish the remote control device that has transmitted the operation signal, but cannot recognize other remote control devices existing in the vicinity thereof. This is because the operation history is acquired only by transmitting an operation signal from the remote control device to the television device. Accordingly, the television apparatus cannot recognize a remote control apparatus that is present at a position where the operation signal can be transmitted but has not transmitted the operation signal. Similarly, the television device cannot recognize a remote control device that has left a position where an operation signal can be transmitted.

  A remote control device having an infrared communication function generally transmits a 32-bit infrared signal. The 32-bit infrared signal is composed of a 16-bit custom code representing the manufacturer and a 16-bit data code representing the operation content. Here, when information such as the user's personal information, operation identification number, and television apparatus status information is further included in the infrared signal, the remote control apparatus and the television apparatus must each implement a unique infrared standard. Therefore, grasping the operation history by infrared communication causes problems such as an increase in development cost and a decrease in versatility.

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to install a camera for recognizing a face image on the television device. Improvement of the recognition accuracy of the face image causes a problem of an increase in development cost.

  Therefore, the present invention recognizes a remote control device existing in a viewable range (a range in which an operation signal can be transmitted) of the operation target device without extending the function of the existing infrared communication itself, and the viewable range thereof. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for recognizing a remote control device that is detached from a computer.

According to the present invention, a remote operation device that transmits an operation signal via a first wireless link, and an operation target that receives the operation signal via the first wireless link and whose operation is controlled according to the contents of the operation signal. A system for detecting the disengagement of a remote control device,
Remote control device
First wireless communication means for establishing a first wireless link;
A second wireless communication means for periodically establishing a second wireless link;
An operation signal transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal to the operation target device via the first wireless communication means;
Identifier storage means for storing the identifier;
An identifier transmitting / receiving means for transmitting the identifier to the other remote control device and receiving the identifier from the other remote control device via the second wireless communication means;
An activation state log recording means for recording the device identifier received from another remote control device and its reception time as an activation state log;
An acceleration sensor for deriving the moving distance per unit time;
When the identifier cannot be exchanged via the second wireless link, when the acceleration sensor does not detect movement exceeding the predetermined threshold, it recognizes that another remote control device has moved, and the acceleration sensor causes movement beyond the predetermined threshold. When detected, the remote control device has separation detecting means for recognizing that the remote control device itself has moved.

According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention,
The first wireless communication means of the remote control device is a directional infrared communication means,
It is also preferable that the second wireless communication unit of the remote control device is a short-distance wireless communication unit having no directivity.

According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention,
The near field communication means is a Bluetooth communication means,
The identifier transmitting / receiving means of the remote control device preferably transmits / receives the device identifier by periodically executing a page sequence with other remote control devices.

According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention,
The near field communication means is a wireless LAN communication means,
It is also preferable that the identifier transmission / reception means of the remote control device periodically transmits / receives the device identifier to / from other remote control devices.

According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention,
The system further includes a history storage device connected via a network from the remote control device,
About remote control device
An activation state log transmitting means for transmitting an activation state log associated with the device identifier of the remote control device to the history storage device;
When the activation state log transmission means recognizes that the other remote operation device has moved, the activation state log transmission means transmits an activation state log indicating the detachment of the other remote operation device to the history storage device,
The history storage device
Log accumulation means for accumulating startup status logs;
It is also preferable to have an activation state log providing unit that transmits an activation state log accumulated in the log accumulation unit in response to a request from the operation target device or another device.

  According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention, it is preferable that the activation state log recording unit further transmits the activation state log in association with the identifier of the operation target device.

According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention,
The network is the Internet
The history storage device is a history server connected to the Internet,
The remote control device is a mobile phone, and can be connected to the Internet via a mobile phone network.
The remote control device preferably uses an infrared light emitting unit and a short-range wireless communication unit mounted on the mobile phone.

According to another embodiment of the system of the present invention,
The network is a home network
The history storage device is built into a set-top box or router connected to the home network, or an operation target device,
The remote control device is a mobile phone, and can be connected to the home network via radio,
The remote control device preferably uses an infrared light emitting unit and a short-range wireless communication unit mounted on the mobile phone.

According to the present invention, a remote operation device that transmits an operation signal via a first wireless link, and an operation target that receives the operation signal via the first wireless link and whose operation is controlled according to the contents of the operation signal. A method for detecting the detachment of a remote control device in a system having a device,
Each of the remote operation device and the operation target device has an identifier,
The remote control device includes a wireless communication unit of the second wireless link and an acceleration sensor for deriving a moving distance per unit time,
A second wireless link is periodically established between the first remote control device and the second remote control device, and the first remote control device receives a second identifier from the second remote control device. And a first step of recording the second identifier and its reception time as an activation state log;
When the identifier cannot be exchanged via the second wireless link, when the acceleration sensor does not detect movement exceeding the predetermined threshold, it recognizes that another remote control device has moved, and the acceleration sensor causes movement beyond the predetermined threshold. And a second step of recognizing that the remote control device itself has moved when detected.

  According to the system and method of the present invention, by acquiring the activation state log transmitted from the remote operation device, the viewable range (operation signal of the operation target device can be obtained without expanding the function of the existing infrared communication itself. It is possible to recognize a remote control device existing in the transmission range. In particular, by using an acceleration sensor, it is possible to recognize a remote control device that has left the viewable range.

It is a system block diagram in a prior art. It is a basic system block diagram in this invention. It is the 1st system configuration figure for starting state detection. It is a 2nd system block diagram for detection of a starting state. It is a 3rd system block diagram for starting state detection. It is a functional block diagram of each apparatus in this invention. It is a sequence diagram in which remote control devices notify each other of their existence.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a basic system configuration diagram in the present invention.

  According to FIG. 2, the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B are represented as remote operation devices, and the television device a is represented as an operation target device. In the following description, the remote operation device will be described as a typical mobile phone, but may of course be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a mobile terminal. In addition, the operation target device may be an AV device or an electrical device other than the television device.

  In addition, each mobile phone has a device identifier and / or a user identifier (hereinafter referred to as “identifier”), and a television device also has a device identifier. The device identifier is a unique device identifier of the mobile phone or the television device, and the user identifier is an identifier unique to the user who operates the mobile phone.

  A mobile phone generally has an infrared light emitting unit conforming to an infrared communication standard IrDA (Infrared Data Association). The IrDA specification is different from the infrared communication specification used in general remote control devices. The mobile phone functions as a remote control device by emulating a remote control operation signal for an IrDA-compliant infrared light emitting unit by activating a remote control application.

  According to the system of FIG. 2, as in FIG. 1, the mobile phone A transmits an infrared operation signal for channel switching (or power on / off), for example, via an infrared communication link (first wireless link). The television apparatus a is operated. Since the infrared communication link is directional, an infrared operation signal can be transmitted by directing the infrared output port of the mobile phone to the television apparatus a. At this time, the cellular phone B also activates the remote control application at a position where the television device a can be operated.

  The cellular phone 1 of the present invention further includes a short-range wireless communication unit and an acceleration sensor.

  The short-range wireless link (second wireless link) may be Bluetooth or a wireless local area network (LAN) such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). Short-distance wireless links having no directivity can communicate with each other without being affected by the orientation of the mobile phone. One mobile phone transmits an inquiry request to the surrounding area, and the other mobile phone A responds to the inquiry request, thereby establishing a short-distance wireless link. Both mobile phones recognize that there are other mobile phones in the vicinity.

  It is assumed that the range in which the mobile phone A can operate the television device a matches the range in which the user who owns the mobile phone A can view the television device a. In addition, when the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B can communicate via the short-range wireless link, the mobile phone B is also located in the operable range of the television device a. That is, it is assumed that the user who has the mobile phone B can also view the television apparatus a.

  The acceleration sensor measures acceleration by deriving a moving distance per unit time. Many acceleration sensors are mounted on pedometers and mobile phones. The acceleration sensor mounted on the mobile phone is used, for example, for determining a moving distance and for determining a vertical direction of a display. A three-axis type acceleration sensor can detect an angle and a moving distance with respect to the direction of gravity by aligning one axis with the direction of gravity of the earth.

  Many semiconductor acceleration sensors mounted on mobile phones are piezoresistive sensors. In this acceleration sensor, the weight at the center is supported by an annular thin surface diaphragm. A change in the position of the diaphragm is detected by a piezoresistive element. The change in the resistance value is output from the acceleration sensor as, for example, a change in DC voltage or frequency.

  According to FIG. 2, the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B are present in the viewable range of the television device a, and the mobile phone A operates the television device a. In addition, a short-range wireless link can be established between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B. The cellular phone A and the cellular phone B regularly exchange identifiers with each other via a short-range wireless link.

  According to FIG. 2A, it is assumed that the user carrying the mobile phone B has left the viewable range of the television device a. For the mobile phone A, the short-range wireless communication unit cannot exchange an identifier with the mobile phone B, and the acceleration sensor does not detect a moving distance greater than a predetermined threshold. At this time, the mobile phone A recognizes that the mobile phone B has left the position where the television device a can be operated by movement. On the other hand, for the mobile phone B, the short-range wireless communication unit cannot exchange an identifier with the mobile phone A, and the acceleration sensor detects a moving distance of a predetermined threshold or more. At this time, the mobile phone B recognizes that the position where the television apparatus a can be operated has been released by its movement.

  According to FIG. 2B, it is assumed that the user carrying the mobile phone A has left the viewable range of the television apparatus a. For the mobile phone A, the short-range wireless communication unit cannot exchange an identifier with the mobile phone B, and the acceleration sensor detects a moving distance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. At this time, the mobile phone A recognizes that the position where the television device a can be operated has left due to its movement. On the other hand, for the mobile phone B, the short-range wireless communication unit cannot exchange an identifier with the mobile phone A, and the acceleration sensor does not detect a moving distance greater than a predetermined threshold. At this time, the mobile phone B recognizes that the mobile phone A has left the position where the television device a can be operated by movement. Thereafter, the cellular phone B can operate the television apparatus a via the infrared communication link.

  FIG. 3 is a first system configuration diagram for detecting the activation state.

  According to FIG. 3, the mobile phone 1 can be connected to the Internet via a mobile phone network. A history storage device 2 as a server is also connected to the Internet. The history storage device 2 records and stores a mobile phone (remote operation device) that exists in the viewable range of the television device (operation target device) as an “activation state log”.

  The cellular phone A recognizes that the cellular phone B exists in the vicinity of the cellular phone A by periodically establishing a short-range wireless link and receiving the device identifier ID-B. That is, it plays the role of an active signal (or alive signal). On the other hand, when the mobile phone A cannot receive the device identifier ID-B and the acceleration sensor does not detect a moving distance greater than a predetermined threshold, the mobile phone B does not exist around the mobile phone A due to movement. Recognize that.

  At this time, the cellular phone A records an “activation state log” including the device identifier ID-B received from the cellular phone B and the reception time. The mobile phone A associates the device identifier ID-A of the mobile phone A with the activation state log and transmits the log to the history storage device 2.

  Here, it is also preferable that the mobile phone A further associates the device identifier ID-a of the television device (operation target device) when transmitting the activation state log. As a result, it is recognized that “the mobile phone with the device identifier ID-B exists in the vicinity of the mobile phone (remote control device) with the device identifier ID-A operating the television device with the device identifier ID-a”. Is done.

  Note that not only the cellular phone A but also the cellular phone B records the “activation state log”, and associates the device identifier ID-B of the cellular phone B with the recorded “activation state log” to record the history storage device. 2 may be transmitted.

  In addition, the transmission timing of the activation state log is set according to usage. When the real-time property is required, the log is transmitted, for example, when an application for remote control of a mobile phone is started, when an infrared operation signal is transmitted, or when an identifier is exchanged with another mobile phone. On the contrary, when real time property is not required, the log is transmitted once a day, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a second system configuration diagram for detecting the activation state.

  4 is different from FIG. 3 in that the mobile phone A that originally transmitted the operation signal to the television device a, not the mobile phone B, has left the viewable range of the television device a. Is different.

  The mobile phone A cannot receive the device identifier ID-B of the mobile phone B, and when the acceleration sensor detects a moving distance greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the mobile phone A moves and exists around the mobile phone B Recognize that it has stopped. At this time, the mobile phone A recognizes that it has left the viewable range of the television apparatus a.

  On the other hand, when the mobile phone B cannot receive the device identifier ID-A of the mobile phone A and the acceleration sensor does not detect a moving distance greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the mobile phone A moves around the mobile phone B due to the movement. Recognize that it no longer exists. At this time, the mobile phone B transmits an “activation state log” indicating that no other remote control device exists in the viewable range of the television device to the history storage device 2.

  FIG. 5 is a third system configuration diagram for detecting the activation state.

  FIG. 5 is different from FIG. 3 in that the function of the history storage device 2 is built in a set-top box (or router) 4 connected to the home network. The set top box of FIG. 5 includes a storage unit such as a hard disk and a processor for processing an activation state log. Of course, the history storage function may be built in the operation target device itself (for example, the television device itself).

  The mobile phone 1 as a remote control device and the set top box 4 may be connected via a short-range wireless link. The short-range wireless link may be Bluetooth or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). Alternatively, the set top box 4 may be an access point for femtocells, and the mobile phone 1 may be connected to the set top box 4 via a wireless link for mobile phones.

  FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of each device in the present invention.

  According to FIG. 6, the remote control device 1 is a mobile phone, for example, and includes an input interface unit 100, an infrared output port 101, an operation signal transmission unit 102, a short-range wireless communication unit 103, and an identifier transmission / reception unit 104. An identifier storage unit 105, a communication interface unit 106, an activation state log recording unit 107, an activation state log transmission unit 108, an acceleration sensor 109, and a departure detection unit 110.

  The input interface unit 100 is a keyboard on which an operation content for the operation target device 3 is to be input by a user and a display on which content that can be operated by the user is to be displayed. The operation content operated by the user is output to the operation signal transmission unit 102.

  The operation signal transmission unit 102 inputs the operation content from the input interface unit 100 and outputs the operation content to the infrared output port 101 as an operation signal. Specifically, in the case of a mobile phone, a remote control operation signal is emulated to the IrDA-compliant infrared output port 101 by activating a remote control application. Further, the operation signal transmission unit 102 outputs the device identifier of the operation target device 3 to the identifier transmission / reception unit 104. Thereby, the device identifier of the operation target device 3 can be associated with the “startup state log”.

  The infrared output port 101 transmits the operation signal output from the operation signal transmission unit 102 to the operation target device 3 using directional infrared rays. The infrared output port 101 is, for example, compliant with IrDA.

  The near field communication unit 103 establishes a near field wireless link such as Bluetooth or wireless LAN. A short-range wireless link having no directivity can communicate with other remote control devices without being affected by the orientation of the remote control device.

  The identifier storage unit 105 stores the device identifier and / or user identifier of the remote control device, and outputs this identifier to the identifier transmission / reception unit 104. The device identifier may be, for example, a device ID of a Bluetooth wireless module or an identification number of a SIM card mounted on a mobile phone. Further, the user identifier may be a telephone number of a mobile phone or an identifier that can be used only within the home network.

  The identifier transmission / reception unit 104 transmits the identifier output from the identifier storage unit 105 to another remote control device via the short-range wireless communication unit 103. Further, the identifier transmission / reception unit 104 receives from another remote control device via the short-range wireless communication unit 103. The received identifier is output to the activation state log recording unit 107. The identifier transmission / reception unit 104 periodically exchanges identifiers via the short-range wireless link, and when the short-range wireless link cannot be established and the identifier cannot be exchanged, the identifier transmission / reception unit 104 notifies the departure detection unit 110 to that effect.

  Here, the identifier transmission / reception unit 104 may periodically execute a calling (Page) sequence when the short-range wireless communication unit 103 is Bluetooth. Device IDs can be exchanged in the calling sequence. Further, after establishing a wireless link by a call (Page) sequence, data packets including an identifier may be exchanged. Further, the identifier transmission / reception unit 104 may periodically exchange data packets including the identifier when the short-range wireless communication unit 103 is a wireless LAN.

  Note that the identifier transmission / reception unit 104 operates to retransmit the identifier to another mobile phone after waiting for a certain time when a transmission error occurs due to contention in the short-range wireless link.

  The communication interface unit 106 is an interface connected to the history storage device 2. When the history storage device 2 is a server connected to the Internet, the communication interface unit 106 may be an interface for a mobile phone network. When the history storage device 2 is a set-top box connected to a home network, the communication interface unit 106 may be an interface for Bluetooth, wireless LAN, or femtocell.

  The activation state log recording unit 107 records the received identifier (for example, the identifier ID-B of the mobile phone B) and the reception time (for example, 22:00) as the “activation state log”. The activation state log recording unit 107 outputs the “activation state log” to the activation state log transmission unit 108. In addition, the activation state log recording unit 107 outputs the device identifier of the operation target device 3 to the activation state log transmission unit 108.

  The acceleration sensor 109 detects a moving distance per unit time. The acceleration sensor 109 outputs the detected movement distance to the separation detection unit 110.

  The separation detection unit 110 recognizes that the remote control device itself has moved when the movement distance input from the acceleration sensor 109 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. On the other hand, if the movement distance is less than the predetermined threshold, the separation detection unit 110 recognizes that another remote control device has moved. The departure detection unit 110 outputs the recognition result to the activation state log transmission unit 108.

  The activation state log transmission unit 108 transmits an “activation state log” associated with the device identifier of the remote control device itself to the history storage device 2. Here, also when the separation detecting unit 110 recognizes that another remote control device has moved, the “activation state log” is transmitted. At this time, the activation state log means the disconnection of another remote control device. The activation state log transmission unit 108 further transmits the device identifier of the operation target device 3 to the history storage device 2 in association with the “activation state log”. The activation state log transmission unit 108 may transmit the activation state log by a short message (for example, C mail) or an e-mail via the communication interface unit 106.

  According to FIG. 6, the history storage device 2 includes a communication interface unit 21, a log storage unit 22, and an activation state log providing unit 23.

  The communication interface unit 21 is an interface connected from the remote operation device 1. The communication interface unit 21 connects to the Internet, which is an IP network.

  The log storage unit 22 stores the activation state log received from the remote operation device 1 via the communication interface unit 21.

  The activation state log providing unit 23 transmits the activation state log accumulated in the log accumulation unit 22 in response to a request from the operation target device or another device.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram in which the remote control devices notify the existence of each other.

  According to FIG. 7, the remote control device (mobile phone) 3 has a protocol configuration based on Bluetooth. Of course, the activation state detection device (set top box) 1 may also have a similar protocol configuration in order to communicate with the remote control device 3. Among the protocols, LMP (Link Management Protocol) realizes connection establishment, connection control and security in a wireless link. In establishing an LMP connection, an inquiry (Inquiry) state and a call (Page) state in Bluetooth are executed.

(S71) When the mobile phone B activates the remote control application, it broadcasts an inquiry request (Inquiry) message to the Bluetooth wireless link. The mobile phone A that exists in a range in which Bluetooth radio waves can be received receives this inquiry request (Inquiry) message. In response to this, the mobile phone A returns an FHS response message. The FHS packet includes information such as Bluetooth class, device ID (identifier), and clock. Thereby, the mobile phone B recognizes the presence of the mobile phone A.

(S72) Thereafter, an identifier notification sequence is periodically executed between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B. The identifier notification sequence can execute, for example, a page (Page) state sequence, whereby the cellular phone A and the cellular phone B can exchange identifiers (for example, device IDs) with each other.

(S721) The mobile phone B transmits a page (Page) request message to the mobile phone A. On the other hand, the mobile phone A returns a reception response message to the mobile phone B.
(S722) Next, the cellular phone B transmits an FHS request message to the cellular phone A. The FHS packet includes information such as Bluetooth class, device ID (identifier), and clock. Thereby, the mobile phone B can recognize the presence of the mobile phone A. Then, the mobile phone B returns a reception response message to the mobile phone A.
(S723) The mobile phone B immediately transmits a connection release request to the mobile phone A. The mobile phone A and the mobile phone B need only be able to exchange identifiers using a Bluetooth wireless link. That is, it is not necessary to maintain a Bluetooth wireless link. The mobile phone A that has received the connection release request returns a reception response message to the mobile phone B.

  In addition, after establishing a wireless link by S721 and S722, you may transmit the data packet containing an identifier. The mobile phone 1 transmits the data packet to the activation state detection device 2 and then releases the connection in S723.

  Here, according to the present invention, the connection release request is transferred between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B immediately by S723. The reason for this is that Bluetooth is usually based on one-to-one communication and tends to be unstable in the case of one-to-many communication where the processing load increases. For this reason, according to the present invention, connection between a plurality of mobile phones can be established by repeatedly connecting / disconnecting Bluetooth wireless links.

(S73) The identifier notification sequence executed in S72 is periodically executed. Each time the identifier notification sequence is executed, the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B recognize each other.

(S74) Here, it is assumed that the mobile phone B is detached from the periphery of the mobile phone A. In this case, the identifier notification sequence between the mobile phones A and B is not executed. At this time, the mobile phone A recognizes that the mobile phone B does not exist around the mobile phone A.

  The data structure of the FHS request message transmitted and received between the mobile phone A and the mobile phone B is a general data structure of Bluetooth. The general data structure of Bluetooth consists of an access code part, a header part, and a payload part. The access code part includes a preamble and the like. The header part includes a Bluetooth address, type code (control / voice / data), flow control, ARQN, sequence number, and checksum. Here, the payload portion includes the contents of the FHS. The FHS mainly includes a Bluetooth class, a device ID (device identifier), a clock, and the like. With this device ID, one mobile phone can recognize the other mobile phone.

  As described above in detail, according to the system and method of the present invention, by acquiring the activation state log transmitted from the remote operation device, it is possible to operate without expanding the function of the existing infrared communication itself. It is possible to recognize a remote control device that exists in a viewable range (a range in which an operation signal can be transmitted) of the device. In particular, by using an acceleration sensor, it is possible to recognize a remote control device that has left the viewable range.

  The activation state log stored in the history storage device can be used for, for example, the activation status of the remote control application, the activation time, and the audience rating survey on the display channel of the target device. For example, it is possible to recognize who was watching which program at a position where the operation target device (for example, a television device) can be operated. According to the present invention, viewing histories can also be acquired for a plurality of users who are viewing the television apparatus, particularly users who have not transmitted operation signals. Such viewing history is used for a recommendation function for recommending content or programs to the user.

  In addition, a photographic image or avatar image associated with an identifier of a user who owns a remote control device (for example, a mobile phone) existing in the vicinity can be displayed on the screen of the television device.

  As a simple technique, both the operation signal and the identifier can be transmitted only by short-range wireless communication. However, in the case of short-range wireless communication, the delay is larger than that of infrared communication, and user operability is inferior. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the user's operability can be maintained by using the existing low-delay infrared communication for the operation signal. In addition, short-range wireless communication is used for exchanging identifiers that do not require real-time characteristics.

  Various changes, modifications, and omissions of the above-described various embodiments of the present invention can be easily made by those skilled in the art. The above description is merely an example, and is not intended to be restrictive. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote operation apparatus, mobile telephone 100 Input interface part 101 Infrared output port 102 Operation signal transmission part 103 Near field communication part 104 Identifier transmission / reception part 105 Identifier memory | storage part 106 Communication interface part 107 Activation state log recording part 108 Activation state log transmission part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 109 Acceleration sensor 110 Detachment detection part 2 History storage device 21 Communication interface part 22 Log storage part 23 Start-up state log provision part 3 Operation object apparatus, television apparatus 4 Set top box 5 Remote control apparatus

Claims (9)

A remote operation device that transmits an operation signal via a first wireless link; and an operation target device that receives the operation signal via the first wireless link and whose operation is controlled according to the contents of the operation signal. A system for detecting the separation of a remote control device,
The remote control device is:
First wireless communication means for establishing a first wireless link;
A second wireless communication means for periodically establishing a second wireless link;
An operation signal transmitting means for transmitting an operation signal to the operation target device via a first wireless communication means;
Identifier storage means for storing the identifier;
Identifier transmitting and receiving means for transmitting the identifier to another remote control device and receiving the identifier from the other remote control device via a second wireless communication means;
An activation state log recording means for recording the device identifier received from another remote control device and its reception time as an activation state log;
An acceleration sensor for deriving the moving distance per unit time;
When the identifier cannot be exchanged via the second wireless link, when the movement beyond the predetermined threshold is not detected by the acceleration sensor, it recognizes that another remote control device has moved, and the acceleration sensor detects the movement beyond the predetermined threshold. A system comprising: a detachment detecting means for recognizing that the remote control device itself has moved when movement is detected. The first wireless communication means of the remote control device is a directional infrared communication means,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication unit of the remote control device is a short-distance wireless communication unit without directivity. The short-range wireless communication means is a Bluetooth communication means,
The identifier transmission / reception unit of the remote control device transmits / receives the device identifier by periodically executing a page sequence with another remote control device. System. The short-range wireless communication means is a wireless LAN communication means,
The system according to claim 2, wherein the identifier transmitting / receiving unit of the remote control device periodically transmits and receives the device identifier to and from other remote control devices. The system further includes a history storage device connected from the remote control device via a network,
About the remote control device,
An activation state log transmitting means for transmitting the activation state log associated with the device identifier of the remote control device to the history storage device;
When the activation state log transmission means recognizes that another remote operation device has moved, the activation state log transmission means transmits an activation state log indicating the detachment of the other remote operation device to the history storage device,
The history storage device includes:
Log storage means for storing the startup state log;
5. An activation state log providing unit that transmits the activation state log accumulated in the log accumulation unit in response to a request from the operation target device or another device. 5. The system according to claim 1.   The system according to claim 5, wherein the activation state log recording unit further transmits an identifier of the operation target device in association with the activation state log. The network is the Internet;
The history storage device is a history server connected to the Internet;
The remote control device is a mobile phone, and can be connected to the Internet via a mobile phone network;
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the remote control device uses an infrared light emitting unit and a short-range wireless communication unit mounted on the mobile phone. The network is a home network;
The history storage device is incorporated in a set-top box or router connected to the home network, or the operation target device,
The remote control device is a mobile phone, and can be connected to the home network via radio,
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the remote control device uses an infrared light emitting unit and a short-range wireless communication unit mounted on the mobile phone. A system comprising: a remote operation device that transmits an operation signal via a first wireless link; and an operation target device that receives the operation signal via the first wireless link and whose operation is controlled according to the content of the operation signal. A method for detecting the disengagement of a remote control device in
The remote control device and the operation target device each have an identifier,
The remote control device includes a wireless communication unit of a second wireless link, and an acceleration sensor for deriving a moving distance per unit time,
A second wireless link is periodically established between the first remote control device and the second remote control device, and the first remote control device receives a second identifier from the second remote control device. And a first step of recording the second identifier and its reception time as an activation state log;
When the identifier cannot be exchanged via the second wireless link, when the movement beyond the predetermined threshold is not detected by the acceleration sensor, it recognizes that another remote control device has moved, and the acceleration sensor detects the movement beyond the predetermined threshold. And a second step of recognizing that the remote control device itself has moved when movement is detected.

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