JP2000030423A - Remote controller and remote control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remote-control an equipment for switching an operation mode to a power conservation mode after the passage of specified time by a controller such as a personal computer or the like, for example when a portable magneto- optical disk device is the controller by the personal computer, regarding a remote controller and a remote control method. SOLUTION: A trigger is provided to a terminal C for switching a power conservation mode to a normal operation mode by connection, and after the connection, the switching from the power conservation mode to the operation mode is prevented by data exchanging. Also, after the trigger is provided to the terminal for switching the power conservation mode to the normal operation mode and an equipment 1 to be controlled is started at the normal operation mode, control data is sent out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device and a remote control method, and can be applied, for example, when a portable magneto-optical disk device is controlled by a personal computer. The present invention provides a power saving mode by giving a trigger to a terminal for switching a power saving mode to a normal operation mode, and by not switching the operation mode to the power saving mode by data exchange after connection. A device that switches the operation mode to the power saving mode after a certain period of time by sending a control data after giving a trigger to the terminal that switches the device to the normal operation mode and starting up the device to be controlled to the normal operation mode Can be remotely controlled by a control device such as a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magneto-optical disk drive or the like, which is a portable audio device, is operated with a dry cell, and when left for a predetermined time, the operation of some circuit blocks is stopped to save power. By switching the operation mode to the power mode, the consumption of the dry battery is reduced.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a portable magneto-optical disk drive 1 together with its remote commander 2. In the magneto-optical disk device 1, a remote commander 2 is connected to a power supply line VCC, a data line D, a control line C, and an earth line E via predetermined connectors. Here, the power supply line VCC is a line for supplying power from the magneto-optical disk device 1 to the remote commander 2, and the data line D is a line used for data exchange between the magneto-optical disk device 1 and the remote commander 2. It is. The control line C is a line for trigger output for starting the magneto-optical disk device 1 from the power saving mode, and a line for notifying the control of the remote commander 2.

In the magneto-optical disk drive 1, each circuit block operates by receiving power supply from a power supply 3 using dry batteries, and outputs this power supply to a remote commander 2 via a power supply line VCC.

[0005] The microcomputer 4, which is one of the circuit blocks operated by the power source 3 of the dry battery, is a computer that controls the operation of the entire magneto-optical disk drive 1. The clock generation circuit operates by generating a clock. This microcomputer 4
The input end of the control line C is grounded via a resistor 7, and in the magneto-optical disk drive 1, the ground line E is connected via a switch 8 to the microcomputer 4, the power supply 3, and the ground line of the resistor 7. I have.

The microcomputer 4 controls the operation of the entire magneto-optical disk drive 1 in accordance with the potential of the control line C which is displaced under the control of the remote commander 2 while the switch 8 is kept in the ON state. The operation information is notified to the remote commander 2 via. Further, the microcomputer 4 switches the entire operation mode to the power saving mode when the potential of the control line C detected in this way does not change for a predetermined time or more. That is, the microcomputer 4 stops the power supply to the remote commander 2 by switching the switch 8 to the off state, and also includes a built-in clock generation circuit and a data line D.
Power supply to the input / output interface and the like is stopped, thereby reducing the consumption of dry batteries.

When the potential of the control line C rises to a predetermined potential in a state in which the control line C also serves as an interrupt port and the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode in this manner, the microcomputer 4 operates normally in the power saving mode. Operation mode. That is, in this case, the microcomputer 4 switches the switch 8 to the ON state to start supplying power to the remote commander 2, and starts the operation of the clock generation circuit and the like.

In the remote commander 2, the display device 9
Is a liquid crystal display device operated by a power supply supplied from the magneto-optical disk drive 1 via a power supply line VCC,
The operation information and the like of the magneto-optical disk device 1 are displayed under the control of the controller 10. The controller 10 is similarly constituted by a microcomputer which is operated by a power supply supplied from the magneto-optical disk drive 1 via the power supply line VCC, and is operated by a clock generated by using the crystal oscillator 11. The controller 10 obtains operation information and the like of the magneto-optical disk device 1 through data exchange with the magneto-optical disk device 1 using the data line D, and
Drive.

The switches 12A to 12C have one contact commonly connected to the power supply line VCC, and the other contact is sequentially connected to the control line C via resistors 13A to 13C, respectively. Are turned on by the pressing operation of the operating element arranged at the position. With this, in the remote commander 2, when the switch 8 of the magneto-optical disk device 1 is held in the off state in the power saving mode, the operator is operated to switch any of the switches 12A to 12C to the on state. Then, the potential of the control line C is raised from the 0 level to a voltage determined by the resistors 13A to 13C and 7, and the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 1 is raised from the power saving mode. After the operation mode is started from the power saving mode in this manner, the control line C is operated by operating the switches 12A to 12C.
Is switched to switch the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 1.

In a portable audio device, in addition to the method of starting up the microcomputer of the main body using a wired remote commander as described above, an external timer is provided at regular intervals by using a timer arranged in the microcomputer of the main body. A method of monitoring the state and releasing the power saving mode based on the monitoring result is also adopted.

[0011]

By the way, if such an audio device can be controlled by a personal computer to form an audio system, it is considered that the usability of this type of audio device can be further improved.

In this case, it is conceivable to control the magneto-optical disk drive 1 with a personal computer by exchanging data with a personal computer using the data line D of the microcomputer 4. Magneto-optical disk drive 1
It is necessary to exchange data in a controllable format, and for example, it is conceivable to connect the personal computer 20 and the magneto-optical disk device 1 by the protocol converter 21 as shown in FIG.

That is, between the protocol converter 21 and the personal computer 20, for example, RS which is a standard protocol in the personal computer is used.
Data is exchanged by -232C. A data line D is provided between the protocol converter 21 and the magneto-optical disk device 1.
, Data is exchanged in a format unique to the magneto-optical disk device 1. The protocol converter 21 uses the protocol conversion microcomputer 22 to convert between a protocol for exchanging data with the personal computer 20 and a protocol for exchanging data with the magneto-optical disk device 1.

However, even when the magneto-optical disk drive 1 is controlled by the personal computer 20 as described above, the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk drive 1 is switched to the power saving mode if the apparatus is left for a predetermined time or more. As a result, when the device that switches the operation mode to the power saving mode using the connection with the remote commander 2 is controlled by the external device in this manner, the control is performed by the external device when the device is left for a certain period of time or the like. There is a problem that becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and can control an audio device or the like which switches an operation mode to a power saving mode after a certain period of time by a control device such as a personal computer. It is intended to propose a remote control device and a remote control method that can be performed.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a power saving mode is applied to a remote control device and a remote control method when connected to a device via a predetermined connector. A trigger is applied to a terminal for switching to a normal operation mode, and after being connected to the device via this connector, switching of the operation mode of the device to the power saving mode by data exchange with the device is prohibited.

The present invention is applied to a remote control device and a remote control method. After a trigger is applied to a terminal for switching a power saving mode to a normal operation mode, the operation of the device is controlled.

If a trigger is applied to a terminal for switching the power saving mode to the normal operation mode when connected to the device via a predetermined connector, the device in the power saving mode is switched to the normal operation mode at the time of connection. Can be launched. After connection to the device via this connector, if the switching of the operation mode of the device to the power saving mode is prohibited by exchanging data with the device, the normal operation mode after the connection is established. And control can be performed.

Further, if the operation of the device is controlled after giving a trigger to the terminal for switching the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, even an audio device or the like which switches the operation mode to the power saving mode after a certain time elapses. Thus, it is possible to perform the control in a state where the operation has been started in the normal operation mode.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an audio system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The audio system 30 controls the magneto-optical disk drive 1 via the protocol converter 31 by the personal computer 20. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the same components as those described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In the audio system 30, the protocol converter 31 operates by receiving power from the magneto-optical disk drive 1, and exchanges data with the personal computer 20 according to the RS-232C protocol. Data is exchanged with the magneto-optical disk device 1 via the line D.

In the protocol converter 31, the transistor 32 has a collector and an emitter connected to the power supply line V.
The base is grounded and connected to the power supply line VCC via the base resistor 33. As a result, when the protocol converter 31 is connected to the magneto-optical disk device 1, the potential of the control line C is raised, so that when the protocol converter 31 is connected to the magneto-optical disk device 1 in the power saving mode, The magneto-optical disk device 1 is started up in a normal operation mode.

The protocol conversion microcomputer 38 is constituted by a microcomputer which operates with a clock by a crystal oscillator 39, and converts the format of input / output data according to the protocol of the personal computer 20 and input / output data according to the protocol of the magneto-optical disk device 1. .

Further, the protocol conversion microcomputer 38 monitors the potential of the control line C via the resistor 34, and the protocol converter 31 is connected to the magneto-optical disk device 1 so that the potential of the control line C is maintained at a predetermined potential. In this case, the switching of the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 1 to the power saving mode is prohibited by data exchange at a constant cycle via the data line D.

In the above configuration, in the audio system 30, the RS-232 is executed by executing the application program of the personal computer 20.
A data exchange process is performed between the protocol converter 31 and the personal computer 20 according to the protocol of C, and the data resulting from this process is format-converted by the protocol conversion microcomputer 38 in accordance with the protocol of the magneto-optical disk device 1 and is converted to Data is exchanged with the device 1.

Thus, in the audio system 30, the operation of the magneto-optical disk drive 1 can be controlled by the personal computer 20.

When the protocol converter 31 is connected and controlled as described above, if the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 1 has already been switched to the power saving mode before the connection of the protocol converter 31, Protocol converter 31
, The potential of the control line C rises, thereby giving a trigger to the microcomputer 4 of the magneto-optical disk device 1. Thereby, the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 1 is switched from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, and the control of the magneto-optical disk device 1 by the protocol converter 31 becomes possible.

After the connection, the potential of the control line C is monitored by the protocol conversion microcomputer 38 to monitor that the magneto-optical disk drive 1 is connected. The switching of the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 1 to the power saving mode is prohibited by data exchange. As a result, the magneto-optical disk drive 1 that switches the operation mode to the power saving mode can be controlled by an external device that is the personal computer 20.

According to the above configuration, the terminals of the microcomputer 4 for switching the power saving mode to the normal operation mode are
At the time of connection, a trigger is given from the protocol converter 31, and after switching, the switching to the power saving mode is prohibited, so that the personal computer 20 also switches the operation mode to the power saving mode. It can be controlled by an external device.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 2 showing a reference numeral corresponding to the same configuration in comparison with FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an audio system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. In this audio system 40, the switch 8 (FIG. 6) is omitted from the magneto-optical disk device 41, so that even when the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode, the remote commander 42 is not used.
The power supply can be continued.

In response to the configuration of the magneto-optical disk device 41, the remote commander 42
The power supply is supplied via the power supply line VCC, and the power supply operates. Like the remote commander 2 (FIG. 6), the remote commander 42 switches the operation of the magneto-optical disk device 41 via the control line C, and returns from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode.

FIG. 3 shows an audio system in which the magneto-optical disk device 41 is controlled by the personal computer 20. In this embodiment, a protocol converter 43 is connected to the magneto-optical disk device 41 instead of the remote commander 42. I do.

In the protocol converter 43, the transistor 52 is arranged between the power supply line VCC and the control line C via the collector resistor 53, and turns on and off according to the base potential. The following transistor 54 includes a resistor 55
, The collector is connected to the base of the transistor 52, the emitter is grounded via the resistor 56, and the emitter is connected to the base. The base of the transistor 54 is connected to the control terminal of the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 via the base resistor 57.

Thus, the protocol converter 43 switches the potential of the control terminal of the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 so that the transistor 52 can be turned on and off. When the transistor 52 is turned on, the voltage of the power supply line VCC is reduced. The resistance is divided by 7 and 53 and applied to the control line C.

The protocol conversion microcomputer 58 is constituted by a microcomputer which operates with a clock by the crystal oscillator 59 and converts the format of input / output data according to the protocol of the personal computer 20 and input / output data according to the protocol of the magneto-optical disk device 41. .

In this data exchange, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 executes the processing procedure shown in FIG.
Thus, if necessary, the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 41 is activated from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode to exchange data.

That is, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58
The process proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2, and receives a data communication request from the personal computer 20. Subsequently, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 proceeds to step SP3, issues a predetermined command to the magneto-optical disk device 41, receives a response, and determines whether data exchange with the magneto-optical disk device 41 is possible.

Here, when the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 41 is switched to the power saving mode, no response is obtained from the magneto-optical disk device 41.
The process proceeds to P4, where the control terminal is raised to the H level, thereby raising the potential of the control line C.

Subsequently, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 proceeds to step SP5 and sets the control terminal to H by the built-in timer.
After starting up to the level, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If a negative result is obtained here, step SP5 is repeated. Here, the determination time in step SP5 is a time sufficient for the potential of the control line C to rise and the microcomputer 4 to rise from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode.

After a predetermined time has elapsed after the control terminal has been raised to the H level, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 proceeds from step SP5 to step SP6, drops the control terminal to the L level, and returns to step SP3. As a result, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 switches the operation mode of the magneto-optical disk device 41 to the power saving mode, and when data exchange with the magneto-optical disk device 41 is not possible, the microcomputer 4 switches the power saving mode to the normal operation mode. A trigger is applied to the terminal.

When a trigger is given in this way, the magneto-optical disk device 41 returns to the normal operation mode, and the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 obtains a positive result in step SP3, and returns to step SP7.
Move on to Here, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 inputs the data according to the request from the personal computer 20, converts the format, and sends the format-converted data to the magneto-optical disk device 41. If necessary, the data returned from the magneto-optical disk device 41 is format-converted and notified to the personal computer 20. When the data communication processing is completed in this way, the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 proceeds to step S
The process moves to P8 and the processing procedure ends.

In the above-described configuration, in this audio system, the data exchange process is executed with the protocol converter 43 by the RS-232C protocol by executing the application program of the personal computer 20. The data is format-converted by the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 according to the protocol of the magneto-optical disk device 41, and data is exchanged with the magneto-optical disk device 41.

As a result, in the audio system 40, the operation of the magneto-optical disk device 41 can be controlled by the personal computer 20.

When the control is performed in this way, if the microcomputer 4 is left for a certain period of time, the microcomputer 4 of the magneto-optical disk device 41 detects the lapse of this time, and the magneto-optical disk device 41
Is switched to the power saving mode. In this power saving mode, the microcomputer 4 has difficulty in exchanging data with the protocol converter 43 because the clock generation circuit, the input / output interface of the data line D, and the like stop operating.

In the audio system, when there is a request for data communication from the personal computer 20, data communication with the magneto-optical disk device 41 is attempted by the protocol conversion microcomputer 58. , A state in which data exchange is difficult due to switching of the operation to the power saving mode is detected.

Further, when the data exchange is difficult as described above, the control terminal of the protocol conversion microcomputer 58 is raised to the H level for a predetermined time, and during this time, the transistor 52 is kept on and the potential of the control line C is raised. .
As a result, a start trigger is input to the microcomputer 4, and the magneto-optical disk device 41 returns to the normal operation mode.

Thus, in this audio system,
The magneto-optical disk device 41 that switches the operation mode to the power saving mode can also be controlled by an external device that is the personal computer 20.

According to the above configuration, the trigger is applied from the protocol converter 43 to the terminal of the microcomputer 4 for switching the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, and then the operation of the magneto-optical disk device 41 is controlled, thereby saving power. The magneto-optical disk device 41 that switches the operation mode to the power mode can also be controlled by an external device that is the personal computer 20.

At this time, by raising the potential of the control line C used in the control by the remote commander 42 to restore the operation mode, and by exchanging data through the same data line D, any device such as a personal computer can be used. Can be controlled by an external device such as a personal computer.

(3) Third Embodiment FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a protocol conversion microcomputer applied to an audio system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This protocol conversion microcomputer raises the potential of the control line C every time data is exchanged, and gives a trigger to the microcomputer of the magneto-optical disk device.

Thus, in this embodiment, even when the power of the input / output interface is not turned off in the power saving mode on the magneto-optical disk device side, the magneto-optical disk device switching the operation mode to the power saving mode is also possible. Even when a protocol converter is connected, the magneto-optical disk drive can be controlled by a personal computer.

That is, when the protocol conversion microcomputer receives a data communication request from the personal computer 20, it proceeds from step SP10 to step SP11.
Then, an initial setting process is executed by data exchange with the personal computer 20. Subsequently, the protocol conversion microcomputer proceeds to step SP12, raises the control terminal to the H level, and gives a trigger to the microcomputer of the magneto-optical disk device.

Subsequently, the protocol conversion microcomputer proceeds to step SP13, raises the control terminal to H level by a built-in timer, and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed.
Here, if a negative result is obtained, step SP13 is repeated. Furthermore, the protocol conversion microcomputer sets the control terminal to H
When a predetermined time elapses after the rise to the level, the process proceeds from step SP13 to step SP14, and the control terminal falls to the L level.

Subsequently, the protocol conversion microcomputer proceeds to step SP15, converts the format of the data relating to the request input from the personal computer 20,
The format-converted data is sent to the magneto-optical disk device. Further, it converts the format of the data returned from the magneto-optical disk device as needed and notifies the personal computer 20 of the converted format. When the data communication processing is completed in this way, the protocol conversion microcomputer moves to step SP16 and ends this processing procedure.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, a trigger is given to the microcomputer of the magneto-optical disk device every time data is exchanged, so that the power supply of the input / output interface is turned off in the power saving mode on the magneto-optical disk device side. The personal computer can control the magneto-optical disk device even when the protocol converter is connected to the magneto-optical disk device whose operation mode has been switched to the power saving mode.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the potential is raised for a certain period of time based on the time measurement of the timer to give a trigger, but the present invention is not limited to this. May be omitted depending on the time.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the magneto-optical disk device is controlled has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical disk device that switches to the power saving mode after a certain time elapses, The present invention can be widely applied to audio equipment such as a tape recorder and video equipment such as a video camera.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the magneto-optical disk drive is controlled by an external device by a personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the control is performed by a device such as a mixer. Can also be widely applied.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, a trigger is given by connection to the terminal for switching the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, and after the connection, the terminal operates in the power saving mode by data exchange. By not switching the mode, and by giving a trigger to the terminal for switching the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, starting up the device to be controlled to the normal operation mode, and transmitting the control data, A device that switches the operation mode to the power saving mode after a certain period of time can be remotely controlled by a control device such as a personal computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an audio system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an audio system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state in which a personal computer is connected to the magneto-optical disk device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a protocol conversion microcomputer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a protocol conversion microcomputer applied to an audio system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a magneto-optical disk device and a remote commander.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a state in which a personal computer is connected to the magneto-optical disk device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 41 ... magneto-optical disk device, 2 ... remote commander, 3 ... power supply, 4 ... microcomputer, 9 ... liquid crystal display device, 10 ... controller, 20 ... personal computer, 21, 31, 43 ... ... protocol converter, 2
2, 58 ... Protocol converter microcomputer, 30, 40 ...
… Audio system

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device which is connected to a device which stops operation of some circuit blocks after a predetermined time has elapsed and switches an operation mode to a power saving mode, and which remotely controls the device. When connected to the device via the, to give a trigger to the terminal to switch the power saving mode to a normal operation mode, after connected to the device via the connector, data between the device A remote control device for prohibiting switching of the operation mode of the device to the power saving mode by replacement. 2. The device, further comprising: connecting a control device having an operation device to the connector, switching the power saving mode to a normal operation mode in response to an operation of the operation device, and then switching operation. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device is connected to the connector and controls the device instead of the control device. 3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein a format of control data input from an external device is converted and output to said device. 4. The control device switches the potential of a control line in response to an operation of the operation element, acquires operation information of the device by data exchange via a data line, and displays the operation information in a predetermined display. The device switches operation according to the potential of the control line, sends out operation information via the data line, rises from the power saving mode to a normal operation mode according to the potential of the control line, The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the remote control device outputs the trigger on the control line and outputs control data to the device via the data line. 5. A remote control method for remotely controlling a device for switching an operation mode to a power saving mode by stopping operation of some circuit blocks after a predetermined time has passed, wherein the device is connected to the device via a predetermined connector. A trigger is provided to a terminal for switching the power saving mode to a normal operation mode, and after being connected to the device via the connector, the power saving of the device is performed by exchanging data with the device. A remote control method, wherein switching of an operation mode to a power mode is prohibited. 6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: connecting a control device having an operator to the connector, switching the power saving mode to a normal operation mode in response to the operation of the operator, and then switching the operation. The remote control method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The remote control method according to claim 5, wherein a format of control data input from an external device is converted to control the device. 8. A remote control device which is connected to a device which stops operation of some circuit blocks after a predetermined time elapses and switches an operation mode to a power saving mode and remotely controls the device, wherein the power saving mode A remote control device for transmitting control data for controlling the operation of the device, after applying a trigger to a terminal for switching to a normal operation mode. 9. The device, comprising: connecting a control device having an operator to a predetermined connector;
After switching the power saving mode to a normal operation mode in response to the operation of the operation element, the operation is switched, and the remote control device is connected to the connector instead of the control device to control the device. The remote control device according to claim 8, wherein 10. The remote control device according to claim 8, wherein a format of control data input from an external device is converted and output to said device. 11. The control device switches the potential of a control line in response to the operation of the operation element, acquires operation information of the device by data exchange via a data line, and displays the operation information in a predetermined display. The device switches operation according to the potential of the control line, sends out operation information via the data line, rises from the power saving mode to a normal operation mode according to the potential of the control line, The remote control device according to claim 9, wherein the remote control device outputs the trigger on the control line and outputs control data to the device via the data line. 12. A remote control method for remotely controlling a device that switches an operation mode to a power saving mode by stopping operation of some circuit blocks after a predetermined time has elapsed, wherein the power saving mode is switched to a normal operation mode. A remote control method, comprising sending control data for controlling the operation of the device after applying a trigger to a terminal. 13. The device, wherein a control device having an operator is connected to a predetermined connector,
After switching the power saving mode to a normal operation mode in response to the operation of the operation element, switching the operation, wherein the remote control method controls the device via the connector. 13. The remote control method according to claim 12. 14. The remote control method according to claim 12, wherein a format of control data input from an external device is converted and output to said device.