Abstract:
Provided is a remote control command setting device capable of regulating some operations while being easy to handle for children. The device reconfigures a correspondence between an operation for an operation area having multiple operation buttons arranged therein and a control command for an electric device. The device includes an operation history holding unit ( 180 ) for accumulating operation history for the operation area, a control command setting unit ( 200 ) for reconfiguring an available control command on the basis of the operation history, and an operation area setting unit ( 210 ) for reconfiguring a sub-area in the operation area on the basis of the operation history and the available control command.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a remote control command setting apparatus and a remote control command setting method capable of resetting a correspondence between an operation in an operation region where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed and a control command for electrical equipment. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as “remote control” as appropriate) is often used to operate AV equipment such as a television set or a recorder. In a residence, there are many cases where a child performs a remote control operation or an infant plays at imitating a remote control operation. 
     Meanwhile, if an infant or child (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a “child”) is allowed to freely handle a remote control, there is concern that a control command that an adult does not want the infant or child to enter, such as deletion of a file, is input to AV equipment. 
     In this respect, for example, PTL 1 to PTL 3 disclose a technique for resetting a correspondence between an operation in an operation region where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed and a control command for electrical equipment. 
     In techniques disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2, some of a plurality of control commands associated with the respective operation buttons in a one-to-one relationship are disabled. In a technique disclosed in PTL 3, in a remote control having a liquid crystal touch panel as an operation region, operation buttons displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel are changed depending on the age of the user. 
     According to the related art, it is possible to prevent a control command that an adult does not want a child to enter from being input to AV equipment by an operation of a child. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         PTL 1 
         Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-38041 
         PTL 2 
         Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-13946 
         PTL 3 
         International Publication No. WO 2002/021877 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, there is a problem in that it is difficult for a child to use a remote control to which the above-described related art is applied. 
     The reason for the difficulty is as follows. A child&#39;s hand is small in the first place, so that there are not many operation buttons where the fingers of a child can reach or operation buttons easily pushed by fingers of a child. In addition, a region of easily operable operation buttons is different for each child and even changes with the growth of the child. However, in the techniques disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2, it is difficult to reflect characteristics of an individual hand in an operation button to be disabled or in a displayed operation button. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control command setting apparatus and a remote control command setting method capable of realizing a remote control which is easily used by a child, while limiting some operation of the remote control. 
     A remote control command setting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an apparatus configured to reset a correspondence between an operation in an operation region where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed and a control command for electrical equipment, the remote control command setting apparatus including: an operation history holding section that accumulates an operation history in the operation region; a control command setting section that resets, based on the operation history, the control command which is available, by being triggered by an acquired limitation mode; an operation region setting section that obtains a number of divisions of the operation region based on the operation history and the available control command and updates a correspondence between an operation of the operation button in a division of the operation region and a control command for the electrical equipment, the division having been reset; an operation analysis section that extracts a control command based on the correspondence, for an acquired new operation of the operation button; and an equipment control section that sequentially issues, each time newly receiving the control command, an instruction to reproduce a content corresponding to the control command from a content table which is created in advance in association with the division and in which a reproducible content is described. 
     A remote control command setting method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method of resetting a correspondence between an operation in an operation region where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed and a control command for electrical equipment, the remote control command setting method including: determining whether or not a timing for resetting the control command which is available has come based on operation history in the operation region; resetting the available control command when the timing has come; resetting a division of the operation region based on the operation history and the available control command when the available control command is reset; obtaining a number of divisions of the operation region based on the operation history and the available control command and updating a correspondence between an operation of the operation button in a division of the operation region and a control command for the electrical equipment, the division having been reset; extracting a control command based on the correspondence for an acquired new operation of the operation button; and sequentially issuing, each time newly receiving the control command, an instruction to reproduce a content corresponding to the control command from a content table which is created in advance in association with the division and in which a reproducible content is described. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote control which is easily used by a child, while limiting some operation of the remote control. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an AV system in which a remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is used; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating an example of an exterior of a remote control according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a normal table according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a limitation table according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A to 7C  are diagrams illustrating an example of details of a children&#39;s content table according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of operation history according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a limitation setting rule according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a frequently-used region and a division position of an operation region according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a content list according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a content table according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17A  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a content table according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and  FIG. 17B  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of a content table according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the remote control command setting apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     Embodiment 1 
     Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an example of a basic aspect of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 1 , remote control command setting apparatus  100  is an apparatus which resets a correspondence between an operation (that is, a remote control signal corresponding to each operation button) in an operation region where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed and a control command for electrical equipment (the term “reset” means “to update or to set again” in this description). In other words, remote control command setting apparatus  100  resets a correspondence (hereinafter, referred to as a “button correspondence”) between a remote control signal corresponding to each operation button and a control command for electrical equipment. Specifically, the resetting of the button correspondence is to output the same control command even if any operation button is pushed except for a power button. Remote control command setting apparatus  100  includes remote control reception section  140 , operation analysis section  150 , equipment control section  160 , operation history holding section  180 , control command setting section  200 , and operation region setting section  210 . 
     Remote control reception section  140  receives a signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “remote control signal”) indicating an operation in the operation region from the remote control having the above-described operation region. 
     Operation analysis section  150  outputs a control command corresponding to an operation indicated by a remote control signal to an equipment control section of electrical equipment, based on a reset button correspondence each time remote control reception section  140  receives the remote control signal. 
     Equipment control section  160  performs an operation corresponding to an input control command. 
     Operation history holding section  180  accumulates operation history in the above-described operation region. In other words, operation history holding section  180  acquires an operation indicated by each remote control signal which is received by remote control reception section  140 , and maintains the operation. 
     Control command setting section  200  resets an available control command on the basis of the operation history. In addition, the available control command is a control command which is allowed to be input to equipment control section  160  among control commands received by the equipment control section  160 . 
     Operation region setting section  210  resets a division of the operation region on the basis of the operation history and the available control command. In addition, the division of the operation region refers to grouping the operation buttons on the operation region. 
     Remote control command setting apparatus  100  has a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage medium such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM). In this case, the above-described respective function sections are implemented by the CPU executing a control program. 
     This remote control command setting apparatus  100  performs resetting (hereinafter, referred to as “button resetting”) of the available control command and the division of the operation region on the basis of the operation history. Accordingly, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can perform button resetting based on an actual operation by a child&#39;s hand, and thus it is possible to implement a remote control which is easily used by a child, while limiting some operation of the remote control. 
     In addition,  FIG. 1  assumes a case where the remote control command setting apparatus according to the present invention is disposed on an electrical equipment side, but an application of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in a case where the remote control command setting apparatus according to the present invention is disposed on a remote control side, remote control reception section  140  and equipment control section  160  are not necessary. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Embodiment 2 of the present invention is an example in which a remote control operation mode changes between a normal mode and a limitation mode, and button resetting is performed on the limitation mode according to operation history in the limitation mode. 
     First, a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. 
       FIG. 2  is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an AV system in which the remote control command setting apparatus according to the present embodiment is used. 
     In  FIG. 2 , AV system  300  includes television set  400  having remote control command setting apparatus  100 , and remote control  500  operating television set  400 . 
     Television set  400  is an electrical apparatus of which an operation is controlled by remote control command setting apparatus  100  described later. A program which is received as a display target by television set  400  is hereinafter referred to as “content”. 
     Remote control  500  is an apparatus operating television set  400 , and is annexed to television set  400  or is available on the market. Remote control  500  has virtual operation region  510  where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating an example of an exterior of remote control  500 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , remote control  500  virtually has operation region  510  which includes a plurality of operation buttons  520  which are key switches on a surface thereof. More specifically, operation region  510  is formed by a plurality of sub-regions  511  to  516  which are vertically divided. In addition, sub-regions  511  to  516  respectively include a plurality of operation buttons  520  disposed in a matrix. 
     Remote control  500  transmits a remote control signal indicating an operation, for example, using an infrared signal each time the operation is performed in operation region  510 . Specifically, remote control  500  stores an identifier (hereinafter, referred to as a “function code”) assigned to each of operation buttons  520  in advance, and transmits a function code of operation button  520 , which is included in a remote control signal, each time operation button  520  is pushed. In addition, the remote control signal employs a unified format based on, for example, a Household Electric Appliance Association format. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of remote control command setting apparatus  100  included in television set  400 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , remote control command setting apparatus  100  is an apparatus which resets the above-described button correspondence. Remote control command setting apparatus  100  includes mode setting section  110 , normal table storage section  120 , limitation table storage section  130 , remote control reception section  140 , operation analysis section  150 , equipment control section  160 , content specifying section  170 , operation history holding section  180 , limitation setting rule storage section  190 , control command setting section  200 , and operation region setting section  210 . 
     Mode setting section  110  switches between a normal mode and a limitation mode and sets one of the mode. The limitation mode is a mode for a user whose use of a control command is to be limited (a child in the present embodiment). 
     Specifically, a change between the normal mode and the limitation mode is detected based on an operation of a button of a body of television set  400  or a remote control signal, and operation analysis section  150  is notified of the detection result. 
     In addition, equipment control section  160  is assumed to accept an available control command (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a “limitation command”) which is used only in the limitation mode in addition to an available control command (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a “normal command”) in the normal mode. The limitation command includes a control command different from an available control command (normal command) in the normal mode. For example, a control code of the normal command is expressed by a combination of figures “xxx,” and a control code of the limitation command is expressed by a combination of figures “yyy.” 
     In addition, hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the power button is treated differently from operation buttons  520 , and operation buttons  520  include only four operation buttons  520  having function codes of 60 to 63. In addition, the power button may be treated as one of operation buttons  520 , and the number of operation buttons and a function code are not limited to the above-described example. 
     Normal table storage section  120  stores a normal table which describes a correspondence (a button correspondence) between an available control command in the normal mode and the operation button. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of the normal table. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , normal table  610  describes all function codes  611  transmitted by the remote control  500  and identifiers (control codes)  612  of the normal commands in association with each other. In addition, in normal table  610 , function codes  611  and control codes  612  are associated with each other in a one-to-one relationship. 
     Limitation table storage section  130  of  FIG. 4  stores a limitation table which describes a correspondence (a button correspondence) between an available control command in the limitation mode and the operation button. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of the limitation table. Here, an initial state of the limitation table is illustrated. The initial state of the limitation table is a state in which resetting has never been performed, and is a state in which the same control command is assigned to all the operation buttons except for some functions such as power supply. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , limitation table  620  describes all function codes  621  transmitted by remote control  500  and identifiers (control codes)  622  of the normal commands and the limitation commands in association with each other. 
     Here, a control code “yyy 1 ” is assumed as a control code which is recognized as, for example, a content sending operation limited to children&#39;s content in equipment control section  160 . In other words, the limitation command is assumed to include a new control command (control code) of a reproduction changing operation or the like limited to children&#39;s content. 
     Upon comparison between normal table  610  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) and limitation table  620 , it can be seen that there is a difference in control codes  622 . In limitation table  620 , control code  622  of “yyy 1 ” of not the normal command but the identical limitation command is associated with a plurality of function codes  611  and  621  of “60” to “63.” In other words, in limitation table  620 , instead of the normal command, the limitation command is associated with operation buttons  520  of the remote control. In addition, accordingly, in limitation table  620 , the same limitation command is associated with a plurality of operation buttons  520 . Details of limitation table  620  are updated by control command setting section  200  and operation region setting section  210  described later. 
     Remote control reception section  140  of  FIG. 4  receives a remote control signal from remote control  500 . 
     Specifically, each time a remote control signal is transmitted from remote control  500 , remote control reception section  140  receives the remote control signal, extracts a function code from the remote control signal, and outputs the function code to operation analysis section  150 . 
     Each time remote control reception section  140  receives a remote control signal, operation analysis section  150  outputs a control command corresponding to an operation (a function code included in the remote control signal) indicated by the remote control signal to equipment control section  160  described later. 
     Specifically, each time operation button  520  is operated, operation analysis section  150  refers to the normal table  610  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) and outputs a control command corresponding to an operation thereof in the normal mode. In other words, each time a function code is input during the normal mode, operation analysis section  150  extracts a corresponding control command from normal table  610  and outputs the control command to equipment control section  160 . 
     In addition, in the limitation mode, each time operation button  520  is operated, operation analysis section  150  refers to limitation table  620  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and outputs a control command corresponding to an operation thereof. In other words, each time a function code is input during the control mode, operation analysis section  150  extracts a corresponding control code from limitation table  620 , and outputs the control code to equipment control section  160 . That is, in the initial state (a state of limitation table  620  illustrated in  FIG. 6 ), an operator (child) can only perform power turning on and off operations and a content sending operation of a program for children in the limitation mode. 
     Further, in the limitation mode, each time a function code is input, operation analysis section  150  outputs the input function code to operation history holding section  180 . In addition, in the limitation mode, each time power turning on and off operations are performed, operation analysis section  150  outputs information indicating the operations to operation history holding section  180 . 
     Equipment control section  160  performs an operation corresponding to an input control command. 
     Specifically, each time a control code is input, equipment control section  160  performs an operation associated with the control code in advance, such as content changing or volume changing. As described above, equipment control section  160  also receives a control code of the limitation command in addition to a control code of the normal command. 
     For example, in a case where a control code “yyy 1 ” is input, equipment control section  160  performs changing to display of the first content among children&#39;s contents associated with the control code “yyy 1 .” In addition, if the control code “yyy 1 ” is continuously input, equipment control section  160  sequentially changes and displays children&#39;s contents of which broadcast is in progress, in a predefined order for each input thereof. In a case where there is no children&#39;s content of which broadcast is in progress, equipment control section  160  reproduces, for example, recorded content for children. 
     In addition, it is assumed that equipment control section  160  stores in advance a plurality of children&#39;s content tables which list children&#39;s contents for each genre. Further, it is assumed that equipment control section  160  sets a target of a control command in the unit of the children&#39;s content table. Specifically, equipment control section  160  appropriately groups genres (that is, lists of children&#39;s contents) and sets a correspondence between a control command and a children&#39;s content table, on the basis of operation history accumulated by operation history holding section  180  described later. 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  are diagrams illustrating an example of details of the children&#39;s content table. 
     Equipment control section  160  includes, for example, first to third children&#39;s content tables  625 - 1  to  625 - 3  illustrated in  FIGS. 7A to 7C . Each of first to third children&#39;s content tables  625 - 1  to  625 - 3  describes information (for example, the program name of content) indicating children&#39;s content in association with order  626 . First children&#39;s content table  625 - 1  describes children&#39;s content in an education genre. Second children&#39;s content table  625 - 2  describes children&#39;s content in a natural science genre. Third children&#39;s content table  625 - 3  describes animation content for children. 
     For example, it is assumed that control codes “yyy 5 ” and “yyy 6 ” are control codes which are simultaneously set at a certain button resetting timing, and are set to be associated with operations of sending contents in different genres. 
     Equipment control section  160 , for example, periodically refers to the operation history. In addition, equipment control section  160  assigns children&#39;s content in a genre with a high operation frequency to an operation button different from children&#39;s content in other genres if at all possible. In other words, equipment control section  160  associates children&#39;s content table  625  with each of “yyy 5 ” and “yyy 6 .” 
     For example, it is assumed that a viewing frequency of children&#39;s content in an education genre is very high. In this case, equipment control section  160  assigns the control code “yyy 5 ” to first children&#39;s content table  625 - 1 , and assigns the control code “yyy 6 ” to second and third children&#39;s content tables  625 - 2  and  625 - 3 . 
     In addition, for example, it is assumed that viewing frequencies of children&#39;s content in a natural science genre and animation content for children are very high. In this case, equipment control section  160  assigns the control code “yyy 5 ” to second children&#39;s content table  625 - 2 , and assigns the control code “yyy 6 ” to first and third children&#39;s content tables  625 - 1  and  625 - 3 . 
     In addition, each time the control code “yyy 5 ” or “yyy 6 ” is input, equipment control section  160  sequentially changes display of children&#39;s content according to order  626  of corresponding children&#39;s content tables  625 . In a case where control codes are assigned to a plurality of children&#39;s content tables  625 , each time a corresponding control code is input, equipment control section  160  changes display of content according to order  626  of respective children&#39;s content tables  625 . 
     Further, equipment control section  160  may specify children&#39;s content of which broadcast is in progress, and may successively generate a children&#39;s content table which lists only children&#39;s contents of which broadcast is in progress. Determination on children&#39;s content is performed using information given to a program guide or information regarding data broadcast. In addition, sequentially changed children&#39;s content has been content of which broadcast is in progress, but may be content of which broadcast is in progress or accumulated content. 
     When equipment control section  160  displays content, content specifying section  170  specifies the content and a genre of the content, and outputs the specified content and the genre to operation history holding section  180 . For example, in a case where content is provided using a terrestrial digital broadcast, content specifying section  170  specifies the content and a genre thereof from data broadcast or program information included in received data of the terrestrial digital broadcast. 
     Operation history holding section  180  accumulates operation history in the above-described operation region during the limitation mode. 
     Specifically, each time a function code and information regarding turning on and off of power are input from operation analysis section  150 , operation history holding section  180  assembles content and a genre input from content specifying section  170 , and an input time thereof, and holds a result of the assembly. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of operation history. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , operation history  630  describes function code  631 , content  632 , genre  633 , operation time  634 , and viewing time  635  in association with each other. 
     Function code  631  is information (operation details) input from operation analysis section  150 , and describes a function code and information regarding turning on and off of power. Content  632  and genre  633  are information regarding content which is input from content specifying section  170  immediately after information described in function code  631  is input. In other words, content  632  and genre  633  are information indicating content which is an operation target and a genre thereof. Operation time  634  is a time point when information described in function code  631  is input. Viewing time  635  is time until an operation of the next content is performed. 
     Limitation setting rule storage section  190  of  FIG. 4  stores a limitation setting rule which describes control codes which are available in the limitation mode along with a resetting condition. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of details of the limitation setting rule. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , limitation setting rule  640  describes resetting condition  642  and one or a plurality of control codes  643  in association with order  641 . 
     Order  641  indicates order used to determine a timing (hereinafter, referred to as a “resetting timing”) of resetting an available control command. Resetting condition  642  is a condition regarding information which can be extracted from operation history  630  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) stored in operation history holding section  180 . Control code  643  is a control code of a control command to be allowed. 
     Resetting condition  642  is that, for example, the number of accumulated operations in operation region  510  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) is larger than a first threshold, and an operation time required in operations from changing selection of a content to finalizing the selection of the content is smaller than a second threshold. In addition, the next resetting condition  642  is that the number of finalized selection of contents is larger than a third threshold, and the number of genres of finalized selection of contents is larger than a fourth threshold. 
     Typically, in relation to an operation performance of a child, as the number of accumulated operations becomes larger, a performance of the child pushing the operation buttons  520  is improved. In addition, in relation to an operation performance of a child, an operation time is shortened if the child performs an operation for a specific purpose. If the child is interested in more information, the child views more content. Therefore, resetting condition  642  is a condition corresponding to a development level of a child. In addition, corresponding control code  643  is a control code of a control command which is to be allowed for a child with the same development level. 
     For example, a control code “yyy 2 ” is assumed as a control code which is recognized as a content return operation limited to, for example, children&#39;s content in equipment control section  160 . In addition, a control code “xxx 1 ” is one of normal commands, and is assumed as a control code which is recognized as a volume increase operation in equipment control section  160 . A control code “xxx 2 ” is one of normal commands, and is assumed as a control code which is recognized as a volume decrease operation in equipment control section  160 . 
     Further, a limitation command may be used for a content sending or content return operation for each genre, or may be used for a channel sending or channel return operation. Furthermore, the limitation command may be used for a content operation, a channel operation, and a genre operation together. Moreover, target content may include content of which broadcast is in progress as well as accumulated content. 
     In this case, a child only can perform a content sending operation of children&#39;s content at first due to remote control resetting, but, finally, can perform a content return operation, and, further can also perform a volume operation. 
     Control command setting section  200  of  FIG. 4  resets an available control command on the basis of operation history  630  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). 
     Specifically, control command setting section  200  periodically extracts information for determining whether or not resetting condition  642  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) of limitation setting rule  640  is satisfied, from operation history  630 . In the above-described example, control command setting section  200  extracts, for example, the number of accumulated operations, an operation time, the number of contents, and the number of genres. 
     In addition, control command setting section  200  determines whether or not the extracted information satisfies a resetting condition in the current order. In other words, control command setting section  200  determines whether or not the resetting condition in the order of “1” is satisfied in the initial state. Further, in a case where it is determined that any resetting condition in the past is satisfied, control command setting section  200  selects a resetting condition in the next order of the resetting condition which is determined last as such. Furthermore, control command setting section  200  determines whether or not the selected resetting condition is satisfied. 
     In a case where the extracted information satisfies the resetting condition, control command setting section  200  determines that a resetting timing has come and thus extracts all corresponding control codes. In addition, control command setting section  200  outputs a bundle of extracted control codes to operation region setting section  210 . 
     Operation region setting section  210  resets a division of operation region  510  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) on the basis of operation history  630  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) and the available control command. 
     Specifically, operation region setting section  210  stores in advance information regarding an arrangement of operation buttons  520  in operation region  510  of remote control  500 . In addition, each time a bundle of control codes are input, operation region setting section  210  divides the operation region (refer to  FIG. 8 ) into the same number as the number of the input control codes (in other words, the number of control commands; hereinafter, referred to as a “number of control commands”). 
     At this time, operation region setting section  210  refers to operation history  630  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) and specifies a region which is highly frequently used (hereinafter, referred to as a “frequently-used region”) in operation region  510 . The frequently-used region is, for example, a region where operation buttons of which an accumulated value of the number of times of pushing exceeds an average value are distributed. In addition, operation region setting section  210  divides the frequently-used region. Further, the division of operation region  510  refers to grouping the operation buttons on operation region  510 . 
     In addition, operation region setting section  210  associates the divided regions with input control codes in an one-to-one relationship, and updates details of limitation table  620  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) in the button correspondence. As a result, available control commands are changed depending on changes in operation details during the limitation mode. Further, grouping of operation buttons for each control command is performed in order to perform a plurality of operations in a region which is easily used by a child on the basis of operation details during the limitation mode. 
     In addition, operation region setting section  210  may set in advance a priority in a division direction, the number of operation buttons included in a single group, a dividing position, and the like, and may determine a dividing position from the priority and a use frequency. For example, operation region setting section  210  preferentially determines the boundaries of sub-regions  511  to  516  (refer to  FIG. 3 ), or a boundary extending horizontally, as a dividing position. 
     Remote control command setting apparatus  100  has, for example, a CPU, and a storage medium such as a RAM. In this case, the above-described respective function sections are implemented by the CPU executing a control program. 
     Remote control command setting apparatus  100  with this configuration can limit a command which can be used in the limitation mode. In addition, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can accumulate operation history  630  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) indicating which button is actually used to perform an operation on which content. 
     In addition, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can determine update timings of limitation table  620  and update details thereof on the basis of the limitation setting rule  640  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) corresponding to a development level of a child. In relation to limitation of an operation, the number of allowable operations can be increased, that is, for example, only a content sending operation can be performed at first, but, if the number of operations exceeds  500 , a content sending operation and a content return operation can be performed. Further, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can divide operation region  510  so that a child can perform a plurality of operations in a region which is actually easily operated by the child. 
     In addition, remote control command setting apparatus  100  sets association between a control code and a children&#39;s content table for each genre, and thus operation region  510  can be divided depending on genres. Further, remote control command setting apparatus  100  performs this setting on the basis of operation history and thus can provide an easier operation. 
     In other words, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can implement a remote control which is easily used by a child, while limiting some operation of the remote control. 
     The above description relates to a configuration of remote control command setting apparatus  100 . 
     Next, an operation of remote control command setting apparatus  100  will be described. 
       FIG. 10  a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of remote control command setting apparatus  100 . In addition, it is assumed that, during the operation illustrated in  FIG. 10 , remote control reception section  140  outputs a remote control signal to operation analysis section  150  each time the remote control signal is received. Further, it is assumed that, each time mode changing is instructed through a user&#39;s operation or the like, mode setting section  110  notifies operation analysis section  150  of the mode changing. Furthermore, it is assumed that equipment control section  160  successively sets association between a control code and a children&#39;s content table based on operation history. 
     First, in step S 1100 , operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not a new operation is performed in remote control  500 . In other words, operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not a remote control signal is input. Operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1200  if there is no operation (S 1100 : NO). In addition, operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1300  if there is an operation (S 1100 : YES). 
     In step S 1300 , operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not a limitation mode occurs. If the limitation mode does not occur (S 1300 : NO), operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1400 . In addition, if the limitation mode occurs (S 1300 : YES), operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1500 . 
     In step S 1400 , operation analysis section  150  refers to normal table  610  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) in order to acquire a control code corresponding to a function code indicated by the remote control signal, and proceeds to step S 2200  described later. 
     On the other hand, in step S 1500 , operation analysis section  150  refers to limitation table  620  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) in order to acquire a control code corresponding to a function code indicated by the remote control signal. 
     In addition, in step S 1600 , content specifying section  170  acquires content which is an operation target and a genre thereof. 
     In addition, in step S 1700 , operation history holding section  180  adds the operation details, the genre, and the operation time to operation history  630  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) as a set. 
     Further, in step S 1800 , control command setting section  200  refers to operation history  630  in order to determine whether or not resetting condition  642  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) of limitation setting rule  640  is satisfied. If resetting condition  642  is not satisfied (S 1800 : NO), control command setting section  200  proceeds to step S 2200 . In addition, if resetting condition  642  is satisfied, that is, a resetting timing has come (S 1800 : YES), control command setting section  200  proceeds to step S 1900 . 
     In step S 1900 , control command setting section  200  acquires a bundle of control codes  643  corresponding to the satisfied resetting condition from limitation setting rule  640 . 
     In addition, in step S 2000 , operation region setting section  210  divides operation region  510  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) so that the number of divided regions matches the number of control commands and in order to be divided in a frequently-used region. Further, the number of divided regions indicates the number of groups of grouped operation buttons. 
     In addition, operation region setting section  210  may monitor operation history  630  regardless of the presence or absence of inputting of a control command from control command setting section  200 , and may reset a division of the operation region in a case where a frequently-used region changes. 
     Further, operation region setting section  210  may hold a division of operation region  510  and may update only association with a control code in a case where a control command is input from control command setting section  200  but the number of control commands does not change. 
     In addition, in step S 2100 , operation region setting section  210  associates each region of divided operation regions  510  with a corresponding control code in order to reset limitation table  620  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and proceeds to step S 1200 . 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a frequently-used region and the position of divisions of the operation region. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , it is assumed that frequently-used region  530  is a central part of operation region  510  and can be divided inside thereof. In this case, operation region setting section  210  divides operation region  510  inside frequently-used region  530 . In addition, operation region setting section  210  assigns different operations to upper region  541  including frequently-used region  530  and lower region  542  including frequently-used region  530 . 
     Operation buttons  520  of frequently-used region  530  are operation buttons which are easily pushed by a child. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the number of control commands increases, frequently-used region  530  is divided in this way, and thus easiness of an operation is maintained. 
     In addition, in step S 2200  of  FIG. 10 , equipment control section  160  performs an equipment operation corresponding to a control code and proceeds to step S 1200 . 
     In step S 1200 , operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not there is an instruction for finishing the processes such as turning off power of television set  400  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). Operation analysis section  150  returns to step S 1100  if there is no finish instruction (S 1200 : NO). In addition, operation analysis section  150  finishes a series of processes if there is a finish instruction (S 1200 : YES). 
     Further, remote control command setting apparatus  100  preferably performs the respective determination processes in steps S 1100 , S 1200  and S 1800  at a predetermined cycle. 
     Due to this operation, remote control command setting apparatus  100  performs button resetting of remote control  500  according to actual operation history of a child. 
     The above description relates to an operation of remote control command setting apparatus  100 . 
     As above, remote control command setting apparatus  100  according to the present embodiment accumulates operation history in operation region  510 , and resets an available control command and a division of operation region  510  on the basis of the operation history. Accordingly, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can perform button resetting according to the actual operation history of a child, and thus can implement a remote control which is easily used by a child, while limiting some operation of the remote control. 
     In addition, since remote control command setting apparatus  100  does not disable any operation button, if any operation button is pushed, a response of electrical equipment is obtained without fail, and thus a child is highly satisfied. Further, a child can easily perform an operation with his/her hand without relying on an adult. On the other hand, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can prevent misoperations of a child such as recording of undesirable content, canceling of recording reservation, and failure or deletion of recorded content, for example, in television set  400  having a content recording function. In other words, remote control command setting apparatus  100  can provide operation circumstances which satisfy both a child and an adult. 
     Embodiment 3 
     Embodiment 3 of the present invention is an example in which a child is notified of a resetting timing of a button correspondence. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to  FIG. 4  of Embodiment 2. The same part as in  FIG. 4  is given the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     In  FIG. 12 , remote control command setting apparatus  100   a  has resetting timing notification section  220   a  in addition to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that, each time an available control command changes, control command setting section  200  notifies (feeds back) resetting timing notification section  220   a  of the change. Further, it is assumed that, each time resetting of the limitation table is performed, operation region setting section  210  notifies resetting timing notification section  220   a  of the resetting. 
     Each time at least one of available control command and a division of operation region  510  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) is reset, resetting timing notification section  220   a  indicates the resetting, for example, using sound. In addition, resetting timing notification section  220   a  may perform a notification each time a button is operated, for example, for a prescribed number of times or a prescribed time after resetting is performed. 
     Specifically, resetting timing notification section  220   a  outputs a predefined sound each time a notification indicating that an available control command changes is received, and each time a notification indicating that the limitation table is reset is received. The predefined sound is, for example, animal cries or musical sounds. Outputting of the sounds is performed, for example, using a speaker of television set  400  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     In addition, resetting timing notification section  220   a  may output different kinds of sounds according to details of a control command to be reset, the number of notifications, or the like. Further, resetting timing notification section  220   a  may display an image or the like indicating the number of divisions of the operation region or a division of the operation region by using a screen of television set  400  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), along with the sound output. 
     Each time button resetting is performed, remote control command setting apparatus  100   a  notifies a child of the button resetting, and thus it is possible to prevent the child from being perplexed due to changing in a button correspondence without being noticed. In other words, remote control command setting apparatus  100   a  encourages a child to instantly learn the new button correspondence, and thus can implement a remote control which is easily used by the child. 
     Embodiment 4 
     Embodiment 4 of the present invention is an example in which a child is notified of details of resetting a correspondence of a button. 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control command setting apparatus according to the present embodiment and corresponds to  FIG. 4  of Embodiment 2. The same part as in  FIG. 4  is given the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     In  FIG. 13 , remote control command setting apparatus  100   b  has reset detail notification section  230   b  in addition to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that operation analysis section  150  also outputs a control code corresponding to a remote control signal to reset detail notification section  230   b  in the limitation mode. 
     Reset detail notification section  230   b  indicates a division of the operation region by using at least one of a difference between sounds output when the operation buttons are operated and a difference between exteriors of the operation buttons. 
     Specifically, in the present embodiment, reset detail notification section  230   b  outputs a sound predefined for each control code, such as animal cries, musical sounds, or the like, each time the control code is input. Outputting of the sounds is performed, for example, using a speaker of television set  400  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     In addition, reset detail notification section  230   b  may output a sound or a synthetic sound indicative of details of a control command corresponding to the control code or a genre of content which is an operation target. 
     This remote control command setting apparatus  100   b  enables a group of operation buttons  520  or corresponding operation details to be understood by using sounds in addition to an inherent response of television set  400  such as sending of content. In other words, remote control command setting apparatus  100   b  encourages a child to instantly learn a role of each operation button  520 , and thus can implement a remote control which is easily used by a child. 
     In addition, in a case where remote control  500  can change an exterior for each operation button  520 , reset detail notification section  230   b  may transmit a control signal for controlling the exterior of each operation button  520  to remote control  500  on the basis of details of the limitation table. In this case, for example, reset detail notification section  230   b  transmits exterior designation information predefined for each control code to remote control  500  in association with a function code each time the limitation table is reset. 
     The operation button  520  of which an exterior can be changed is a key switch having a function of emitting light while changing a plurality of colors, or a button image of a so-called smart remote control which has a liquid crystal touch panel as an operation region. 
     Embodiment 5 
     Embodiment 5 of the present invention is an example in which channels are not changed but contents are sequentially changed when an operation is performed in the limitation mode of a remote control operation. A remote control command setting apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of creating content tables according to the number of divisions of the operation region of the remote control. 
     &lt;Configuration of Remote Control Command Setting Apparatus  100   c&gt;   
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of remote control command setting apparatus  100   c  according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to  FIG. 4  of Embodiment 2. The same part as in  FIG. 4  is given the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     In  FIG. 14 , equipment control section  160  is formed by instruction section  162 , content table creation section  164 , and content table  166 . 
     Content table creation section  164  creates content table  166  corresponding to each control code (operation region) according to the number of control codes corresponding to the operation region (hereinafter, referred to as an “number of operation region divisions”). 
     Specifically, first, content table creation section  164  acquires content list  650  which is a list of contents stored in control target equipment  700 . Control target equipment  700  is, for example, television set  400  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Content list  650  will be described later. 
     In addition, content table creation section  164  acquires the number of operation regions from operation analysis section  150 . Further, content table creation section  164  creates content table  166  based on the acquired number of operation region divisions and based on classification information included in acquired content list  650 . Content table  166  will be described later. 
     Instruction section  162  performs an instruction corresponding to an input control command on control target equipment  700 . 
     When a predetermined operation region is operated, content table  166  prescribes a reproduction order of contents which are linked to a control code corresponding to the operation and are changed for each operation. In other words, content table  166  describes contents which are sequentially reproduced for each operation region when each operation region is operated. For example, content table  166  sequentially describes n contents in order from a content of which the recording date and time is the latest. 
     The configuration of remote control command setting apparatus  100   c  has been described thus far. 
     &lt;Configuration of Content List  650 &gt; 
     Next, an example of content list  650  will be described.  FIG. 15  illustrates an example of content list  650  stored in control target equipment  700 . 
     In  FIG. 15 , content list  650  includes No (identification number)  651 , content ID  652 , title  653 , genre  654 , recording date  655 , start time  656 , and duration  657 . Content ID  652  is identification information which is given for specifying a content. Classification information for classifying contents includes title  653 , genre  654 , recording date  655 , start time  656 , and duration  657 . 
     Content list  650  is updated by a content recording instruction or a content deletion instruction from a user. 
     Content table creation section  164  acquires content list  650  from control target equipment  700 . In addition, content table creation section  164  creates content table  166  on the basis of the classification information included in content list  650 . Content table creation section  164  may arrange contents in order from a content of which the recording date and time is the latest on the basis of, for example, recording date  655  and start time  656 , and may describe content ID  652  and title  653  in the arranged order. Further, content table creation section  164  may divide and describe contents in different tables on the basis of, for example, genre  654 . Furthermore, content table creation section  164  may arrange contents according to duration  657 , and may divide and describe the contents into contents with the short duration and contents with the long duration in different tables. 
     &lt;Description of Content Table  166 &gt; 
     Next, each example of content table  166  will be described. Hereinafter, descriptions will be respectively made of content table  660  when the number of operation region divisions is 1 and content tables  661  and  662  when the number of operation region divisions is 2, as an example of content table  166 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an example of content table  660  created when the number of operation region divisions is 1. Content table creation section  164  creates single content table  660  when the number of operation region divisions input from operation analysis section  150  is 1. 
     In  FIG. 16 , content table  660  includes No (identification number)  661 , content ID  662 , and title  663 . Content table  660  describes, for example, twelve content IDs  662  and twelve titles  663  in order in which the recording date of a content is the latest from the top. As described above, the order in which the recording date and time of a content is the latest is specified by content table creation section  164  on the basis of recording date  655  and start time  656  which are classification information. In addition, the number of contents which can be described in content table  660  is not limited to twelve illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  respectively illustrate an example of content tables  661  and  662  created when the number of operation region divisions is 2. Content table creation section  164  creates content table  661  and content table  662  when the number of operation region divisions input from operation analysis section  150  is 2. 
     In  FIGS. 17A and 17B , each of content tables  661  and  662  includes No (identification number)  661 , content ID  662 , and title  663 . Here, in content tables  661  and  662 , as an example, contents in the same genre are described in the same table, and the number of contents described in content tables  661  and  662  is the same as each other. Content table  661  sequentially describes six contents in music and animation genres from a content of which the recording date and time is the latest. On the other hand, content table  662  sequentially describes six contents in animal and education genres from a content of which the recording date and time is the latest. 
     In addition, content table creation section  164  may respectively create content tables  661  and  662  so that genres do not overlap each other, or some of genres overlap each other. 
     Also in a case where the number of operation region divisions is 3 or more, content table creation section  164  divides the contents described in content list  650  on the basis of, for example, genre  654  which is classification information, in order to generate content tables. In addition, in the above description, contents are divided based on genre  654  of content list  650 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the contents described in content tables  660 ,  661  and  662  are assumed to be sequentially reproduced in order from the top (in order in which No  661  is smaller), respectively. 
     &lt;Operation of Remote Control Command Setting Apparatus  100   c&gt;   
     Next, an operation of remote control command setting apparatus  100   c  will be described. 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of remote control command setting apparatus  100   c . The flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 18  includes S 1450  and S 2150  as content table creation steps in addition to the flowchart of  FIG. 10 . In addition, hereinafter, a step having the same function as in  FIG. 10  is given the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     First, in step S 1100 , operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not a new operation is performed in remote control  500 . In other words, operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not a remote control signal is input. Operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1200  if there is no operation (S 1100 : NO). In addition, operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1300  if there is an operation (S 1100 : YES). 
     In step S 1300 , operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not a limitation mode occurs. If the limitation mode does not occur (S 1300 : NO), operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1400 . In addition, if the limitation mode occurs (S 1300 : YES), operation analysis section  150  proceeds to step S 1450 . 
     In step S 1450 , content table creation section  164  refers to content list  650  and the current number of operation region divisions (an initial value is 1) in order to create a content table on the basis of classification information, and proceeds to step S 1500 . Here, as an example, content table creation section  164  selects twelve contents in order in which the recording date and time of a content is the latest on the basis of recording date  655  and start time  656  of content list  650  in order to create content table  660  illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
     Steps S 1500  to S 2100  have been described with reference to  FIG. 10  in Embodiment 2, and thus description thereof will be omitted. 
     In step S 2100 , operation region setting section  210  associates each region of divided operation regions  510  with a corresponding control code in order to reset limitation table  620  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). Operation region setting section  210  proceeds to step S 2150  in a case where the number of region divisions increases, and an increased control code is assigned to an increase in a content table. 
     In step S 2150 , content table creation section  164  refers to content list  650  and the current number of operation region divisions in order to create a content table on the basis of classification information. Here, an example in which the number of operation region divisions is 2 will be described. In other words, in a case where the number of operation region divisions is 2, content table creation section  164  creates two content tables on the basis of content list  650 . Content table creation section  164  counts the number of contents, for example, for each genre  654  of content list  650 , and assigns the contents of content list  650  to two content tables so that the number of contents is equalized. As a result, the number of contents assigned to each content table is, for example, six as illustrated in  FIGS. 17A and 17B . In addition, content table creation section  164  arranges the contents assigned to each content table in order in which the recording date and time is the latest on the basis of recording date  655  and start time  656  of content list  650 . Further, content table creation section  164  generates content table  661  and content table  662 . 
     In step S 2200 , equipment control section  160  performs an equipment operation instruction corresponding to a control code and proceeds to step S 1200 . 
     In step S 1200 , operation analysis section  150  determines whether or not there is an instruction for finishing the processes such as turning off power of control target equipment  700 . Operation analysis section  150  returns to step S 1100  if there is no finish instruction (S 1200 : NO). In addition, operation analysis section  150  finishes a series of processes if there is a finish instruction (S 1200 : YES). 
     As above, in remote control command setting apparatus  100   c , if a button of which a region is divided is pushed, channels are not changed but “contents are sequentially changed”, and thus it is possible to implement a remote control which enables a content to be easily selected and is easily used by a child. In addition, in the remote control command setting apparatus, each time a button is reset, a content table linked to a region is created and updated. 
     In addition, although, in the present embodiment, in creating a content table, contents are registered in order in which the recording date and time thereof is the latest, the present invention is not limited thereto. When content table  166  is created, contents may be registered in order in which a viewing frequency thereof is higher using operation history, or contents may be registered in order in which the most recent reproduction date and time is the latest. 
     In addition, although content table creation section  164  starts for each operation when the limitation mode is set, the content table creation section may be configured to start only when content list  650  is updated and when the number of operation region divisions increases. 
     In addition, although, in the above-described respective embodiments, a case where the operation button of the remote control is a key switch has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is applicable to the above-described start remote control. In this case, the operation region setting section may reset regions into which a screen is divided as button image regions corresponding to control commands, and may transmit a control signal for changing details displayed on the screen to the smart remote control. 
     In addition, although, in the above-described respective embodiments, a case where an available control command is defined by a control code has been described, an application of the present invention is not limited thereto. An available control command may be defined by an operation target (that is, content, a genre of content, or the like). 
     In this case, the limitation table may describe information (for example, a list of children&#39;s programs) indicating an available operation target. In addition, the operation analysis section may perform limitation of an operation target using content in addition to button resetting based on a control code. 
     In addition, the operation analysis section may further perform operation control such as more limitation of an operation or forced termination of content display on the basis of other information such as continuous viewing time. 
     In addition, the equipment control section may set association between a control code and a children&#39;s content table not based on an operation frequency but based on other information such as similarity of genres. For example, the equipment control section may set association so that, as similarity of two genres is lower (as a distance between the genres is longer), two divided regions which are more separated from each other or two divided regions which are closer to each other are assigned to the genres. 
     In addition, the remote control command setting apparatus is disposed on the electrical equipment side in the above-described respective embodiments, but is not limited thereto. The remote control command setting apparatus may be disposed on, for example, the remote control side. In this case, the remote control command setting apparatus is required to have an operation region, an operation analysis section, and a remote control command transmission section which transmits a signal indicating a control command to electrical equipment each time the control command is output from the operation analysis section. Further, the remote control command setting apparatus may be disposed in an external apparatus of electrical equipment such as a set top box (STB) of the electrical equipment. 
     In addition, timings and details of resetting are not limited to the above-described example. For example, the remote control command setting apparatus may determine timings of resetting and control codes to be set on the basis of other information such as an age (age in months) of a child, or may perform forced resetting on the basis of an operation by a user such as a parent. 
     In addition, the target of the operation limitation in the above-described respective embodiments is a child but is not limited thereto. For example, in a case of an elderly person, it may be difficult to finely operate an operation button. This difficulty in fine operation is different for each elderly person, and further varies with an age. Therefore, the present invention is applied to a remote control for old people, and thus it is possible to implement a remote control which is easily used by old people. Further, in this case, a resetting condition and order thereof are preferably set according to details corresponding to a level of operation difficulty of an elderly person. 
     As described above, a remote control command setting apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention is an apparatus configured to reset a correspondence between an operation in an operation region where a plurality of operation buttons are disposed and a control command for electrical equipment, the remote control command setting apparatus including: an operation history holding section that accumulates an operation history in the operation region; a control command setting section that resets, based on the operation history, the control command which is available, by being triggered by an acquired limitation mode; an operation region setting section that obtains a number of divisions of the operation region based on the operation history and the available control command and updates a correspondence between an operation of the operation button in a division of the operation region and a control command for the electrical equipment, the division having been reset; an operation analysis section that extracts a control command based on the correspondence, for an acquired new operation of the operation button; and an equipment control section that sequentially issues, each time newly receiving the control command, an instruction to reproduce a content corresponding to the control command from a content table which is created in advance in association with the division and in which a reproducible content is described. 
     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-145617, filed on Jun. 30, 2011, including the specification, drawings, and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The remote control command setting apparatus and the remote control command setting method according to the present invention are useful as a remote control command setting apparatus and a remote control command setting apparatus capable of realizing a remote control which is easily used by a child, while limiting some operation of the remote control. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           100 ,  100   a ,  100   b , and  100   c  Remote control command setting apparatus 
           110  Mode setting section 
           120  Normal table storage section 
           130  Limitation table storage section 
           140  Remote control reception section 
           150  Operation analysis section 
           160  Equipment control section 
           162  Instruction section 
           164  Content table creation section 
           166  Content table 
           170  Content specifying section 
           180  Operation history holding section 
           190  Limitation setting rule storage section 
           200  Control command setting section 
           210  Operation region setting section 
           220   a  Resetting timing notification section 
           230   b  Reset detail notification section 
           300  AV system 
           400  Television set 
           500  Remote control 
           510  Operation region 
           520  Operation button 
           700  Control target equipment