Patent Publication Number: US-2015070142-A1

Title: Remote control system, method for configuring remote control system, communication terminal device, electronic device, and server device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to (i) a remote control system in which an operation of an electronic device is remotely controlled by use of a communication terminal device, (ii) a method of configuring the remote control system, and (iii) the communication terminal device, the electronic device, and a server device which are used in the remote control system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A technique for controlling operations of various electronic devices via a communications network by use of a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone has been conventionally known. 
     For example, Patent Literature 1 describes that (i) an owner of a robot to be controlled carries out an owner registration on a server by use of a communication terminal device so as to obtain, from the server, data for a right to access the robot, (ii) the owner transfers the data to a communication terminal device of another person (guest), and (iii) the another person requests the server to authorize the another person to access the robot. Patent Literature 1 also describes that, in a case where the another person requests the server to authorize the another person to access the robot, the server notifies the communication terminal device of the owner that the another person has requested the server to authorize the another person to access the robot so that the server finds whether or not the another person is authorized to access the robot. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1 
         Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2005-184304 (Publication Date: Jul. 7, 2005) 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, according to the technique of Patent Literature 1, for example, in a case where information (e.g., ID) necessary for an owner registration is leaked, there is a possibility that a third person carries out an unauthorized owner registration to carry out an unauthorized operation of a robot to be controlled. 
     The present invention was made in view of the problem, and an object of the present invention is to improve security of a remote control system in which an operation of an electronic device is controlled by use of a communication terminal device. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A remote control system of the present invention is configured to be a remote control system that includes: a communication terminal device; an electronic device; and a server device, the communication terminal device and the electronic device communicating with each other according to a first communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, the server device communicating with the communication terminal device and the electronic device according to a second communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication via a communications network between a device and another device that exists in a remote place, in a case where a registration process is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device to control an operation of the electronic device via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the second communication method, the communication terminal device transmitting, to the electronic device, according to the first communication method, an access instruction which instructs the electronic device to access the server device, in response to the access instruction, the electronic device accessing the server device according to the second communication method, and in response to the accessing from the electronic device, the server device registering the electronic device and the communication terminal device associated with each other as a combination of the communication terminal device and the electronic device which combination allows the operation of the electronic device to be controlled. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the remote control system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a risk that a third person carries out an unauthorized registration process of registering the second mode, thereby improving security. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory view schematically illustrating a configuration of a remote control system of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an electronic device (self-propelled vacuum cleaner) included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a plain view illustrating a configuration of a bottom surface of the electronic device (self-propelled vacuum cleaner) illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes for registering a second mode which are carried out by a communication terminal device included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes for registering the second mode which are carried out by the electronic device included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes for registering the second mode which are carried out by a server device included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of registration information of a first mode and the second mode which registration information is stored in a storage section of the communication terminal device included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of registration information of the first mode and the second mode which registration information is stored in a storage section of the electronic device included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of registration information of the second mode which registration information is stored in a storage section of the server device included in the remote control system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description will discuss an embodiment of the present invention. 
     (1-1. Outline of Remote Control System  100 ) 
       FIG. 1  is an explanatory view schematically illustrating a configuration of a remote control system  100  (electronic device controlling system) of the present embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the remote control system  100  includes a communication terminal device  10 , an electronic device  20 , and a server device  50 . The communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50  are connected so as to communicate with one another via a communications network  60 . The communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  are further configured to be communicable with each other without the communications network  60 . Note that the number of electronic devices  20  included in the remote control system  100  is not limited to one. The remote control system  100  may include a plurality of electronic devices  20 . Similarly, the number of communication terminal devices  10  included in the remote control system  100  is neither limited to one. The remote control system  100  may include a plurality of communication terminal devices  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the communication terminal device  10  includes a control section  11 , a first communication section  12 , a second communication section  13 , a display section  14 , an operation section  15 , and a storage section  16 . Note that the communication terminal device  10  is not limited to a specific one provided that it includes the first communication section  12  and the second communication section  13  (later described). Examples of the communication terminal device  10  include a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a laptop personal computer, and a mobile video game machine. 
     The control section  11  is control means, of the communication terminal device  10 , for controlling an operation of each of the sections of the communication terminal device  10 . The control section  11  is constituted by a computer device that includes, for example, (i) a computation section such as a CPU or a dedicated-purpose processor and (ii) a storage section such as a RAM, a ROM or an HDD (none of which is illustrated). The control section  11  controls the operation of each of the sections of the communication terminal device  10  by (i) reading, from the storage section, various pieces of information and programs for executing various controls and (ii) executing the programs. 
     The first communication section  12  is communication means (short-distance communication means) for establishing a communication according to a communication method (first communication method) for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range (communicable range). The first communication section establishes a mutual communication between the communication terminal device  10  and another device such as the electronic device  20  which is arranged within the predetermined range. Assume that the first communication section  12  of the present embodiment is a WiFi (Registered Trademark) device which mutually connects wireless devices to each other on the basis of a wireless LAN standard, i.e., IEEE802.11 (IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11b). Note, however, that a configuration of the first communication section  12  is not limited to this. For example, the first communication section  12  may establish a communication based on another wireless LAN standard, other than IEEE802.11, such as a short-distance wireless communication standard (e.g., Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) or ZigBee (Registered Trademark)). Alternatively, the first communication section  12  may establish a communication by means of infrared radiation. 
     The second communication section  13  is communication means for establishing a communication according to a communication method (second communication method) for establishing a communication via the communications network  60  between a device and another device that exits in a remote place. The second communication section  13  establishes a communication between the communication terminal device  10  and another device such as the server device  50  which is connected so as to communicate with the communication terminal device  10  via the communications network  60 . The communications network  60  is not limited to a specific one provided that it provides a communicable range wider than that by the communication method for use in the first communication section  12 . Examples of the communications network  60  include the Internet, telephone line network, mobile communications network, CATV communications network, and satellite communications network. Assume that the second communication section  13  of the present embodiment communicates with another device via the Internet. Moreover, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer) is used to establish a communication of the second communication section  13  of the present embodiment according to the second communication method. 
     The display section  14  displays various pieces of information for a user in accordance with an instruction of the control section  11 . A configuration of the display section  14  is not limited to a specific one. Examples of the display section  14  include a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL panel, and a plasma display panel. 
     The operation section  15  receives an operation input from a user, and notifies the control section  11  of the operation input. A configuration of the operation section  15  is not limited to a specific one. For example, the operation section  15  may include key operation buttons, or may be a touch panel or a combination of the key operation buttons and the touch panel. 
     The storage section  16  is storage means for storing various pieces of information used in the communication terminal device  10 . A configuration of the storage section  16  is not limited to a specific one. A conventionally publicly-known storage medium can be used as the storage section  16 . 
     The electronic device  20  functions to operate in accordance with a control instruction from the communication terminal device  10 . The present embodiment will mainly describe a case where the electronic device  20  is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner. A configuration of the electronic device  20  is not limited to this provided that the electronic device  20  functions to operate in accordance with a control instruction from the communication terminal device  10 . Examples of the electronic device  20  include an air cleaning device, a water heater, an air conditioning device, an image shooting device, various pieces of audio-visual equipment, and various robots (such as a housework assistance robot and an animal-shaped robot). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  20  includes a control section  21 , a first communication section  22 , a second communication section  23 , an operation section  24 , a storage section  25 , and a device function section  26 . 
     The control section  21  is control means, of the electronic device  20 , for controlling an operation of each of the sections of the electronic device  20 . The control section  21  is constituted by a computer device that includes, for example, (i) a computation section such as a CPU or a dedicated-purpose processor and (ii) a storage section such as a RAM, a ROM or an HDD (none of which is illustrated). The control section  21  controls the operation of each of the sections of the electronic device  20  by (i) reading, from the storage section, various pieces of information and programs for executing various controls and (ii) executing the programs. 
     The first communication section  22  (first communication means) is communication means (short-distance communication means) for establishing a communication according to a communication method (first communication method) for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range (communicable range). The first communication section  22  establishes a mutual communication between the electronic device  20  and another device such as the communication terminal device  10  which is arranged within the predetermined range. The first communication section  22  can be configured in the same manner as the configuration of the first communication section  12  included in the communication terminal device  10 . 
     The second communication section  23  (second communication means) is communication means for communicating via the communications network  60  with another device such as the server device  50 . Any of the above-described configurations can be employed as the communications network  60 . 
     The operation section  24  receives an instruction input from a user, and notifies the control section  21  of the instruction input. A configuration of the operation section  24  is not limited to a specific one. For examples, the operation section  24  may include key operation buttons, or may be a touch panel or a combination of the key operation buttons and the touch panel. 
     The storage section  25  is storage means for storing various pieces of information used in the electronic device  20 . A configuration of the storage section  25  is not limited to a specific one. Examples of the storage section  25  include various RAMs, ROMs, and HDDs. 
     The device function section  26  carries out a device function of the electronic device  20  in accordance with an instruction of the control section  21 . For example, in a case where the electronic device  20  is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner, the device function section  26  carries out functions such as a running function and a cleaning function (dust collecting function). Alternatively, in a case where the electronic device  20  is a device such as an air clearing device, a water heater, an air conditioning device, an image shooting device, various pieces of audio-visual equipment, or various robots, the device function section  26  carries out a corresponding device function (e.g., an air cleaning function, a hot water supply function, an air conditioning function, an image shooting function, or a moving function) of the device. 
     Since the electronic device  20  of the present embodiment is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner, the device function section  26  includes a movement driving section  31 , a brush driving section  32 , a fan driving section  33 , an image capturing section  34 , driving wheels  35 , a rotational brush  36 , side brushes  37 , and a suction fan  38  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic device  20  (self-propelled vacuum cleaner) of the present embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a plain view of a bottom surface (a surface which faces a floor) of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the self-propelled vacuum cleaner (electronic device  20 ) of the present embodiment includes a substantially disk-shaped housing  30 , the operation section  24 , and a lid part  40 . The operation section  24  and the lid part  40  are provided in an upper part of the housing  30 . The lid part  40  is openable and closable about the housing  30 . By opening the lid part  40 , it is possible to detach a dust collecting container (not illustrated) from the housing  30 , so that dust in the dust collecting container can be discarded. 
     The housing  30  has a side surface on which a bumper  41  is provided so as to alleviate an impact made on the housing  30  when the housing  30  collides with a wall etc. The bumper  41  has a hole part where the image capturing section  34  is provided. 
     The image capturing section  34  shoots a moving image and/or a static image in accordance with an instruction of the control section  21 . A configuration of the image capturing section  34  is not limited to a specific one. Conventionally publicly-known image capturing means can be employed as the image capturing section  34 . For example, image capturing means which includes, e.g., an optical lens, a color filter, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that is a light receiving element can be employed as the image capturing section  34 . Note that, in addition to or instead of the image capturing section  34 , the electronic device may include an audio acquiring section (not illustrated) for acquiring audio around the electronic device  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the housing  30  has a bottom surface where the driving wheels  35 , a front wheel  42 , a rear wheel  43 , the rotational brush  36 , the side brushes  37 , and a suction port  44  are provided. 
     The driving wheels  35  are provided on respective opposite end sides of a center line  35   a  on the bottom surface of the housing  30  which bottom surface is circular. These driving wheels  35  are provided so as to partially protrude from the bottom surface of the housing  30  and so as to rotate around respective rotation shafts (not illustrated) parallel to the center line  35   a . These rotation shafts are driven to rotate by the movement driving section  31  constituted by, e.g., a motor or a gear (not illustrated). This causes the driving wheels  35  to rotate. That is, the movement driving section  31  drives the rotation shifts to rotate by using electric power supplied from a battery (not illustrated) in response to an instruction of the control section  21 . This causes the driving wheels  35  to rotate, thereby allowing the electronic device  20  (self-propelled vacuum cleaner) to carry out self-propulsion on a floor surface. Note that the driving wheels  35  are configured to be individually driven to rotate. In a case where these driving wheels  35  are driven to rotate in a same direction, the electronic device  20  moves forward or backward in a rotational direction of the driving wheels  35 . In contrast, in a case where these driving wheels  35  are driven to rotate in respective opposite directions, the electronic device  20  rotates on the spot in parallel with the bottom surface in accordance with each rotational direction of the driving wheels  35 . This configuration allows the electronic device  20  to clean while changing a movement direction, avoiding an obstacle, and uniformly moving within a predetermined cleaning region. Note that the electronic device  20  (self-propelled vacuum cleaner) may be configured to include a sensor (not illustrated) for sensing that the bumper  41  has collided with a wall etc. as a result of a movement of the electronic device  20 . With this configuration, when the sensor senses that the bumper  41  has collided with a wall etc., the control section  21  controls the electronic device  20  to change the movement direction so that the electronic device  20  can keep moving. Alternatively, the electronic device  20  may be configured to detect an obstacle such as a wall on the basis of an image-capturing result brought by the image capturing section  34  so that the electronic device  20  can move while avoiding the obstacle. 
     The suction port  44  is a rectangular concave part which is dent from the bottom surface of the housing  30  toward an inner part of the housing  30 . In the concave part of the suction port  44  provided is the rotational brush  36  which rotates around a rotation shaft parallel to the bottom surface of the housing  30 . The side brushes  37  are provided in the vicinity of respective opposite end sides of the suction port  44  in a long-side direction of the suction port  44 . The side brushes  37  rotate around respective rotation shafts perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing  30 . The brush driving section  32  drives the rotation shafts of the rotational brush  36  and the side brushes  37  to rotate, by using electric power supplied from a battery (secondary battery) (not illustrated) in response to an instruction of the control section  21 . This causes the rotational brush  36  and the side brushes  37  to rotate. In other words, the brush driving section  32  drives the rotational brush  36  and the side brushes  37  to rotate. Moreover, the fan driving section  33  drives the suction fan  38 . This causes dust around the brushes to be sucked into the suction port  44 . The concave part of the suction port  44  is partially communicated with the dust collecting container in a dust collecting section  45 . Dust etc. sucked into the suction port  44  is collected in the dust collecting container. 
     The front wheel  42 , having a roller shape, is provided on one end side in a direction perpendicular to the center line  35   a  on the bottom surface of the housing  30  so as to rotate in a rotational direction identical to those of the driving wheels  35 . The rear wheel  43  is provided on the other end side in the direction perpendicular to the center line  35   a  on the bottom surface of the housing  30  so that a direction of a rotation shaft of the rear wheel  43  is flexibly changeable in parallel with the bottom surface of the housing  30 . The front wheel  42  is configured so that, in a case where the housing  30  is arranged on a flat floor, the front wheel  42  is away from the floor while the driving wheels  35 , the rear wheel  43 , the rotational brush  36 , and the side brushes  37  are in contact with the floor. With this configuration, it is possible to suck, into the suction port  44 , dust ahead of and in the movement direction of the electronic device  20  without the front wheel  42  disturbing the suction of the dust into the suction port  44 . Moreover, the electronic device  20  (self-propelled vacuum cleaner) can easily get over a step in the movement direction, by the front wheel  42  coming into contact with the step. 
     The server device  50  includes a control section  51 , a communication section  52 , a display section  53 , an operation section  54 , and a storage section  55  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The control section  51  is control means, of the server device  50 , for controlling an operation of each of the sections of the server device  50 . The control section  51  is constituted by a computer device that includes, for example, (i) a computation section such as a CPU or a dedicated-purpose processor and (ii) a storage section such as a RAM, a ROM or an HDD (none of which is illustrated). The control section  51  controls the operation of each of the sections of the server device  50  by (i) reading, from the storage section, various pieces of information and programs for executing various controls and (ii) executing the programs. 
     The communication section  52  (second communication means) is communication means for communicating via the communications network  60  with another device. Any of the above-described configurations can be employed as the communications network  60 . 
     The display section  53  displays various pieces of information for a manager of the server device  50  in accordance with an instruction of the control section  51 . A configuration of the display section  53  is not limited to a specific one. Examples of the display section  53  include a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL panel, and a plasma display panel. 
     The operation section  54  receives an operation input from the manager of the server device  50 , and notifies the control section  51  of the operation input. A configuration of the operation section  54  is not limited to a specific one. For example, the operation section  54  may include key operation buttons, or may be a touch panel or a combination of the key operation buttons and the touch panel. 
     The storage section  55  is storage means for storing various pieces of information used in the remote control system  100 . A configuration of the storage section  55  is not limited to a specific one. Examples of the storage section  55  include various RAMs, ROMs, and HDDs. 
     Note that the remote control system  100  of the present embodiment has (i) a first mode (at-home mode, indoor mode) and (ii) a second mode (out-of-home mode, outdoor mode). In the first mode, the first communication section  12  transmits a control command to the electronic device  20  according to the first communication method, the control command corresponding to an instruction input which a user of the communication terminal device  10  has entered via the operation section  15 , so that an operation of the electronic device  20  is controlled in accordance with the control command. In the second mode, the second communication section  13  transmits a control command to the server device  50  via the communications network  60  according to the second communication method, the control command corresponding to an instruction input which a user of the communication terminal device  10  has entered via the operation section  15 , and then the server device  50  transfers the control command to the electronic device  20  via the communications network  60  according the second communication method, so that the operation of the electronic device  20  is controlled in accordance with the control command. 
     According to the present embodiment, in order to cause the electronic device  20  to operate in the first mode, it is necessary to carry out in advance a registration process of registering the first mode on the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20 , i.e., a (pairing) process of storing (registering), in the storage section  16  of the communication terminal device  10  and in the storage section  25  of the electronic device  20 , a combination (pair) of the electronic device  20  and the communication terminal device  10  which are associated with each other, the combination allowing an operation control to be carried out in the first mode. 
     Further, according to the present embodiment, the registration process of registering the first mode on the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  includes a process of operating at least one of a predetermined operation button of the operation section  15  of the communication terminal device  10  and a predetermined operation button of the operation section  24  of the electronic device  20  while a communication is being established according to the first communication method between the first communication section  12  of the communication terminal device  10  and the first communication section  22  of the electronic device  20 . In order to carry out the registration process of registering the first mode, a person who has the communication terminal device  10  needs to carry out the registration process in the vicinity of the electronic device  20  (in a place where the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  are communicable with each other according to the first communication method). It is therefore possible to prevent or constrain a third person who is not authorized to control the operation of the electronic device  20  from carrying out an unauthorized registration process of registering the first mode. 
     The registration process of registering the first mode on the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  may include a process of simultaneously operating a predetermined operation button of the operation section  15  of the communication terminal device  10  and a predetermined operation button of the operation section  24  of the electronic device  20  while a communication is being established according to the first communication method between the first communication section  12  of the communication terminal device  10  and the first communication section  22  of the electronic device  20 . In this case, in order to carry out the registration process of registering the first mode, a person who has the communication terminal device  10  needs to carry out the registration process in a place close to the electronic device  20  in which place (i) the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  are communicable with each other according to the first communication method and (ii) the person can simultaneously operate the operation section  15  of the communication terminal device  10  and the operation section  24  of the electronic device  20 . It is therefore possible to more surely prevent or constrain a third person who is not authorized to control the operation of the electronic device  20  from carrying out an unauthorized registration process of registering the first mode. 
     In order to cause the electronic device  20  to operate in the second mode, it is necessary to carry out a registration process of registering the second mode on the server device  50 , the communication terminal device  10 , and the electronic device  20 . That is, it is necessary to carry out in advance a process of storing (registering), in the storage section  55  of the server device  50 , in the storage section  16  of the communication terminal device  10 , and in the storage section  25  of the electronic device  20 , a combination (pair) of the electronic device  20  and the communication terminal device  10 , the combination allowing an operation control to be carried out in the second mode. 
     According to the present embodiment, the registration process of registering the second mode can be carried out only for a combination of the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  with respect to which combination the registration process of registering the first mode has been already carried out. Further, the registration process of registering the second mode on the server device  50 , the communication terminal device  10 , and the electronic device  20  includes carrying out a predetermined operation on the operation section  15  of the communication terminal device  10  while (i) a communication is being established according the first communication method between the first communication section  12  of the communication terminal device  10  and the first communication section  22  of the electronic device  20 , (ii) a communication is being established according to the second communication method via the communications network  60  between the second communication section  13  of the communication terminal device  10  and the communication section  52  of the server device  50 , and (iii) a communication is being established according to the second communication method via the communications network  60  between the second communication section  23  of the electronic device  20  and the server device  50 . The registration process of registering the second mode will be later described in detail. 
     (1-2. Registration Process of Registering Second Mode) 
     The following description will discuss a registration process of registering the second mode, with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 9 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating processes for registering the second mode which are carried out by the communication terminal device  10 .  FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating processes for registering the second mode which are carried out by the electronic device  20 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating processes for registering the second mode which are carried out by the server device  50 .  FIG. 7  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of registration information of the first mode and the second mode which registration information is stored in the storage section  16  of the communication terminal device  10 .  FIG. 8  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of registration information of the first mode and the second mode which registration information is stored in the storage section  25  of the electronic device  20 .  FIG. 9  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of registration information of the second mode which registration information is stored in the storage section  55  of the server device  50 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7 , electronic devices A through D are registered on the communication terminal device  10  as an electronic device whose operation is controllable in the first mode by use of the communication terminal device  10 . The electronic devices A and B are further registered as an electronic device whose operation is controllable in the second mode. The electronic devices A through D registered as the electronic device whose operation is controllable in the first mode have respective pieces of address information (such as MAC address (Media Access Control address)) based on each of which the communication terminal device  10  communicates with a corresponding one of the electronic devices A through D according to the first communication method. The pieces of address information are registered so as to be associated with the respective electronic devices A through D. Each of the electronic devices A and B registered as the electronic device whose operation is controllable in the second mode has its electronic device ID given by the server device  50 . Registered are (i) the electronic device ID, (ii) address information of the server device  50  to which the second communication section  13  transmits, via the communications network  60 , according to the second communication method, a control command for controlling an operation of the each of the electronic devices A and B, and (iii) an terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  which terminal ID is given by the server device  50 , the electronic device ID, the address information, and the terminal ID being associated with the each of the electronic devices A and B. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , communication terminal devices a through c are registered on the electronic device  20  as a communication terminal device which receives a control command in the first mode. The communication terminal devices a and b are further registered on the electronic device  20  as a communication terminal device which receives a control command in the second mode. The communication terminal devices a through c registered as the communication terminal device which receives a control command in the first mode have respective pieces of address information (such as MAC address) based on each of which the first communication section  22  establishes a communication between the electronic device  20  and a corresponding one of the communication terminal devices a through c. The pieces of address information are registered so as to be associated with the respective communication terminal devices a through c. Each of the communication terminal devices a and b registered as the communication terminal device which receives a control command in the second mode has its terminal ID given by the server device  50 . Registered are (i) the terminal ID, (ii) the address information of the server device  50  which the second communication section  23  accesses via the communications network  60  according to the second communication method so as to receive a control command from the each of the communication terminal devices a and b, and (iii) an electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  which electronic device ID is given by the server device  50 , the terminal ID, the address information, and the electronic device ID being associated with the each of the communication terminal devices a and b. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 9 , (i) a pair of the communication terminal device a (terminal ID: aaaa) and the electronic device A (electronic device ID: AAAA), (ii) a pair of the communication terminal device a (terminal ID: aaaa) and the electronic device B (electronic device ID: BBBB), (iii) a pair of the communication terminal device b (terminal ID: bbbb) and the electronic device A (electronic device ID: AAAA), and (iv) a pair of the communication terminal device c (terminal ID: cccc) and the electronic device B (electronic device ID: BBBB) are registered on the server device  50  as a combination (pair) of a communication terminal device and an electronic device which combination allows an operation control to be carried out in the second mode. The communication terminal device and the electronic device of which the combination is registered have respective pieces of address information based on which the communication section  52  communicates via the communications network  60  according to the second communication method with the communication terminal device and the electronic device. The respective pieces of address information are registered. For each of the pairs is registered use permission version information indicative of a version (old or new) of a permission of a use of a corresponding one of the electronic devices A and B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  determines whether or not a predetermined operation for starting a registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out (for example, whether a predetermined button (e.g., “out-of-home mode button”) for starting the registration process of registering the second mode has been pressed (S 1 ). 
     In a case where the control section  11  determines in S 1  that the predetermined operation has not been carried out, the control section  11  keeps monitoring whether or not the predetermined operation is carried out. In contrast, in a case where the control section  11  determines in S 1  that the predetermined operation has been carried out, the control section  11  determines whether or not a terminal ID (identification information) of the communication terminal device  10  which terminal ID is given by the server device  50  is stored in the storage section  16  (S 2 ). 
     In a case where the control section  11  determines in S 2  that the terminal ID is not stored in the storage section  16 , the control section  11  controls the second communication section  13  to transmit a registration process start request to the server device  50  via the communications network  60  (S 3 ). 
     In contrast, in a case where the control section  11  determines in S 2  that the terminal ID is stored in the storage section  16 , the control section  11  controls the second communication section  13  to transmit a registration process start request and the terminal ID (the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  which terminal ID is given by the server device  50 ) to the server device  50  via the communications network  60  (S 4 ). 
     Note that the communication terminal device  10  is configured such that information (e.g., URL) of a device to which the registration process start request is transmitted in response to the predetermined operation is stored in advance in the storage section  16 . In response to the predetermined operation, the control section  11  starts up a browser module (not illustrated) included in the communication terminal device  10 , and controls the second communication section  13  to transmit the registration process start request to the server device  50  on the basis of the information of the device. 
     When the communication section  52  receives the registration process start request from the communication terminal device  10  (S 61 ), the control section  51  of the server device  50  determines whether or not the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  is registered (S 62 ). For example, in a case where data transmitted from the communication terminal device  10  to the server device  50  contains a terminal ID, the control section  51  determines whether or not the terminal ID is stored in the storage section  55  of the server device  50 . In a case where the control section  51  determines that the terminal ID is stored in the storage section  55  of the server device  50 , the control section  51  determines that the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  is registered. In contrast, in a case where (i) the data contains no terminal ID and (ii) a terminal ID received from the communication terminal device  10  is not stored in the storage section  55 , the control section  51  determines that the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  is not registered. 
     In a case where the control section  51  determines in S 62  that the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  is registered, the control section  51  creates a session ID (identification information) for this registration process of registering the second mode, and controls the storage section  55  to store the session ID (S 63 ). Note that the session ID is a one-time ID which is applied to only a series of communication processes for this registration process of registering the second mode. 
     In contrast, in a case where the control section  51  determines in S 62  that the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  is not registered, the control section  51  creates (i) the session ID (identification information) for this registration process of registering the second mode and (ii) the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10 , and controls the storage section  55  to store the session ID and the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  (S 64 ). 
     The control section  51  then controls the communication section  52  to transmit, via the communications network  60 , to the communication terminal device  10 , (i) the session ID for this registration process of registering the second mode, (ii) the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10 , and (iii) page data of a use permission page (S 65 ). 
     When the communication terminal device  10  receives, from the server device  50 , the session ID, the terminal ID, and the page data of the use permission page (S 5 ), the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  controls the storage section  16  to store the terminal ID and the session ID (S 6 ). Note that it is preferable to cause the storage section  16  to store these IDs in such a manner that security which prevents these IDs from being leaked is secured. In order to secure the security, it is possible to cause the storage section  16  to store these IDs, for example, by use of SecureCookie. 
     The control section  11  also controls the display section  14  to display the use permission page based on the page data of the use permission page (S 7 ). 
     The control section  11  then determines whether to permit use of the second mode, in accordance with an instruction entered via the operation section  15  by a user (in accordance with an input instruction concerning whether to permit a registration of the electronic device  20  as an electronic device whose operation is controlled in the second mode) (S 8 ). Alternatively, the control section  51  of the server device  50  or the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  may determine, on the basis of a result of a user identification process, whether to permit the use of the second mode. 
     In a case where the control section  11  determines in S 8  not to permit the use of the second mode, the control section  11  ceases and terminates the registration process of registering the second mode. 
     In contrast, in a case where the control section  11  determines in S 8  to permit the use of the second mode, the control section  11  determines whether or not there is any electronic device with respect to which a registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out, that is, whether or not there is an electronic device whose operation is controllable in the first mode which electronic device is stored (registered) in advance in the storage section  16  (S 9 ). 
     In a case where the control section  11  determines in S 9  that there is no electronic device with respect to which a registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out, the control section  11  controls the display section  14  to display a registration request screen which requests a registration of the first mode (e.g., a screen including a message that it is necessary to carry out the registration process of registering the first mode before the registration process of registering the second mode) (S 20 ), and then terminates the registration process of registering the second mode. That is, according to the present embodiment, as has been described, the registration process of registering the second mode can be carried out with respect to only a combination (pair) of a communication terminal device and an electronic device with respect to which combination the registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out. Therefore, in a case where there is no such combination, the control section ceases the registration process of registering the second mode, controls the display section  14  to display the registration request screen, and terminates the registration process of registering the second mode. Note that it may be configured so that the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  (i) notifies the server device  50  that there is no electronic device with respect to which a registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out and (ii) controls the display section  14  to display a registration request screen based on screen data of the registration request screen which requests a registration of the first mode which screen data is transmitted from the server device  50  in response to the notification. 
     In contrast, in a case where the control section  11  determines in S 9  that there is an electronic device(s) with respect to which a registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out, the control section  11  obtains a list of the electronic device(s) with respect to which the registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out (S 10 ). For example, the control section  11  may obtain the list by reading a list of an electronic device(s) whose operation(s) is/are controllable in the first mode which list is stored (registered) in the storage section  16 . Alternatively, the control section  11  may (i) read information indicative of an electronic device whose operation is controllable in the first mode which information is stored (registered) in the storage section  16  and (ii) create, on the basis of the information, a list of an electronic device(s) with respect to which a registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out. Alternatively, the control section  11  may obtain the list of the electronic device(s) with respect to which the registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out, by starting up and executing a program (list request I/F) for obtaining the list of the electronic device(s) with respect to which the registration process of registering first mode has been carried out which program is created by use of, e.g., JavaScript (Registered Trademark). 
     The control section  11  then controls the second communication section  13  to transmit, via the communications network  60 , to the server device  50 , (i) the list of the electronic device(s) with respect to which the registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out and (ii) the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  (S 11 ). 
     When the server device  50  receives, from the communication terminal device  10 , the list of the electronic device(s) with respect to which the registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out (S 66 ), the control section  51  of the server device  50  (i) creates page data of an electronic device selection page for selecting, from the electronic device(s) on the list, an electronic device with respect to which the registration process of registering the second mode is to be carried out and (ii) controls the communication section  52  to transmit, via the communications network  60 , to the communication terminal device  10 , the page data and access information indicative of where the electronic device  20  accesses so as to request a registration of the second mode (S 67 ). When S 66  is carried out, the control section  51  also hoists a use permission flag stored in the storage section  55 . That is, the control section  51  changes a value of the use permission flag to a value showing that it has been permitted (approved) that a user controls an operation of the electronic device  20  in the second mode by use of the communication terminal device  10 , with respect to each of which the electronic device  20  and the communication terminal device  10  the registration process of registering the second mode is to be carried out. 
     When the communication terminal device  10  receives, from the server device  50 , (i) the page data of the electronic device selection page and (ii) the access information indicative of where the electronic device  20  accesses so as to request the registration of the second mode, the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  controls the storage section  16  to store the page data and the access information (S 12 ). 
     The control section  11  then controls the display section  14  to display the electronic device selection page based on the page data of the electronic device selection page which page data is received from the server device  50  (S 13 ). 
     The control section  11  receives, via the operation section  15 , a user&#39;s instruction which instructs to select an electronic device  20  with respect to which the registration process of registering the second mode is to be carried out (S 14 ). The control section  11  then controls the first communication section  12  to transmit, to the electronic device  20  selected by the user in S 14 , (i) the session ID received from the server device  50  in S 5  and (ii) the access information received from the server device  50  in S 12  (S 15 ). 
     When a first communication section  22  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user receives the session ID and the access information from the communication terminal device  10 , a control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user controls a storage section  25  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user to store the session ID and the access information (S 31 ). 
     The control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user determines whether an electronic device ID which the server device  50  gives to the electronic device  20  selected by the user is stored or not (S 32 ). That is, according to the present embodiment, in a case where a registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out with respect to an electronic device  20 , the server device  50  notifies the electronic device  20  of an electronic device ID which the server device  50  gives to the electronic device  20 . In response to the notification, the electronic device  20  stores the electronic device ID in a storage section  25  of the electronic device  20  (later described). The control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user determines in S 32  whether or the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  selected by the user is stored in advance in the storage section  25  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user, i.e., whether or not a registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out with respect to the electronic device  20  selected by the user. 
     In a case where the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user determines in S 32  that the electronic device ID is not stored, the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user accesses a place indicated by the access information received in S 31  so as to transmit, to the place, a registration request including the session ID (S 33 ). 
     In contrast, in a case where the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user determines in S 32  that the electronic device ID is stored, the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  selected by the user transmits, to the place indicated by the access information received in S 31 , a registration request including the session ID and the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  selected by the user (S 34 ). 
     Note that, in a case where an operation of the electronic device  20  selected by the user is controlled in the second mode, HTTPS may be used to establish a communication between the communication terminal device  10  and the server device  50  and/or a communication between the server device  50  and the electronic device  20  selected by the user. In a case where HTTPS is used, the registration request may be used to carry out a time setting necessary for a communication based on HTTPS. 
     When the server device  50  receives the registration request from the electronic device  20  selected by the user (S 68 ), the control section  51  of the server device  50  determines whether or not a registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out with respect to the electronic device  20  selected by the user (S 69 ). For example, in a case where the registration request received from the electronic device  20  selected by the user includes an electronic device ID, the control section  51  determines whether or not the electronic device ID is stored in the storage section  55  of the server device  50 . In a case where the control section  51  determines that the electronic device ID is stored in the storage section  55  of the server device  50 , the control section  51  determines that the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  selected by the user is registered in the second mode. In contrast, in a case where (i) the registration request received from the electronic device  20  selected by the user includes no electronic device ID and (ii) an electronic device ID received from the electronic device  20  selected by the user is not stored in the storage section  55 , the control section  51  determines that the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  selected by the user is not registered. 
     In a case where the control section  51  determines in S 69  that the electronic device  20  which transmitted the registration request to the server device  50  is not registered, the control section  51  creates the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  (S 70 ). 
     In contrast, in a case where the control section  51  determines in S 69  that the electronic device  20  which transmitted the registration request to the server device  50  is registered, the control section  51  creates, in S 70 , the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20 , and then controls the storage section  55  to store (register) the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  and the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic ID and the terminal ID being associated (paired) with each other (S 71 ). 
     The control section  51  then controls the communication section  52  to transmit, via the communications network  60 , to the electronic device  20  which transmitted the registration request to the server device  50 , the electronic device ID created for (given to) the electronic device  20  (S 72 ). 
     When the electronic device  20  receives, from the server device  50 , the electronic device ID given to the electronic device  20  (S 35 ), the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  controls the storage section  25  to store the electronic device ID (S 36 ). 
     The control section  21  further controls the first communication section  22  to transmit, to the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  and a registration-completed notification (pairing success notification) which notifies the communication terminal device  10  that the registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out with respect to the server device  50  (S 37 ). 
     When the first communication section  12  of the communication terminal device  10  receives the registration-completed notification and the electronic device ID from the electronic device  20  (S 16 ), the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  controls the storage section  16  to store the electronic device ID (S 17 ). The control section  11  then controls the first communication section  12  to transmit a polling start request to the electronic device  20  (S 18 ). 
     When the first communication section  22  of the electronic device  20  receives the polling start request from the communication terminal device  10  (S 38 ), the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  controls a second communication section  23  of the electronic device  20  to poll the server device  50  via the communications network  60  (S 39 ). Note that an address of a device to be polled may be an address to which the registration request is transmitted in S 34  or an address different from the address to which the registration request is transmitted. In a case where the address of the device to be polled is the address different from the address to which the registration request is transmitted, for example, the server device  50  transmits the address of the device to be polled to the electronic device  20  together with the electronic device ID in S 72 , and the electronic device  20  stores in the storage section  25  the address of the device to be polled. 
     When the communication section  52  of the server device  50  is polled by the electronic device  20  (S 73 ), the control section  51  of the server device  50  hoists a polling start flag (not illustrated) stored in the storage section  55  (S 74 ). That is, the control section  51  changes a value of the polling start flag to a value showing that the electronic device  20  has started polling. The control section  51  then controls the communication section  52  to transmits, via the communications network  60 , to the electronic device  20 , a response to the polling (S 75 ). 
     When the second communication section  23  of the electronic device  20  receives, from the server device  50 , the response to the polling (S 40 ), the control section  21  of the electronic device  20  controls the first communication section  22  to transmit, to the communication terminal device  10 , a polling success notification which notifies the communication terminal device  10  that the polling has successfully started (S 41 ). 
     When the first communication section  12  of the communication terminal device  10  receives the polling success notification from the electronic device  20  (S 19 ), the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  determines that the registration process of registering the second mode on the electronic device  20  has been normally carried out, and completes the registration process of registering the second mode. 
     (1-3. Controlling Operation of Electronic Device  20  in Second Mode) 
     In a case where an operation of the electronic device  20  is controlled in the second mode by use of the communication terminal device  10  after the registration process of registering the second mode is completed, a user of the communication terminal device  10  operates a predetermined button of the operation section  15  of the communication terminal device  10 . In response to the user&#39;s operation, the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10  controls the second communication section  13  to transmit, via the communications network  60 , to the server device  50 , a second-mode use start request that includes the terminal ID of the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device ID of the electronic device  20  whose operation is to be controlled. 
     When the server device  50  receives the second-mode use start request from the communication terminal device  10 , the control section  51  of the server device  50  determines whether to permit controlling the operation of the electronic device  20  in the second mode by use of the communication terminal device  10 , by (i) finding a use permission flag of the communication terminal device  10  (finding whether or not the user permits controlling the operation of the electronic device  20  in the second mode) and (ii) confirming a use permission version (confirming whether there is a newer use permission or not). 
     In a case where the control section  51  determines to permit the controlling, the control section  51  confirms a status of the electronic device  20  to be controlled (finds whether to transmit a polling start instruction), and controls the communication section  52  to transmit the polling start instruction to the electronic device  20 , if necessary. In accordance with the polling start instruction, the electronic device  20  starts a polling for polling the server device  50  every predetermined time whether or not there is data to be transmitted to the electronic device  20 . 
     The control section  51  further controls the communication section  52  to transmit, via the communications network  60 , to the communication terminal device  10 , operation screen data for operating in the second mode. Upon reception of the operation screen data, the communication terminal device  10  causes the display section  14  to display an operation screen based on the operation screen data. Information indicative of details of a user&#39;s operation on the displayed operation screen is transmitted to the server device  50 . 
     The control section  51  of the server device  50  (i) creates, on the basis of the information received from the communication terminal device  10 , transmission data including a control command for the electronic device  20 , and (ii) controls the storage section  55  to temporarily store the transmission data. In a case where the server device  50  is polled by the electronic device  20  after the transmission data is created, the server device transmits the transmission data to the electronic device  20 . This causes the operation of the electronic device  20  to be controlled via the server device  50  by use of the communication device  10 . 
     (1-4. Effect Brought About by Remote Control System  100 ) 
     As such, the remote control system  100  of the present embodiment is configured as follows: In a case where a registration process of registering the second mode is carried out with respect to a communication terminal device  10  and an electronic device  20 , the communication terminal device  10  transmits, to the electronic device  20 , according to the first communication method (a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range), an access instruction which instructs the electronic device  20  to access the server device  50 . Upon reception of the access instruction, the electronic device  20  accesses the server device  50  according to the second communication method. In response to the access from the electronic device  20 , the server device  50  registers the electronic device  20  and the communication terminal device  10  which are associated with each other as a combination of the electronic device  20  and the communication terminal device  10  which combination allows an operation control to be carried out in the second mode. 
     According to the configuration, in order to carry out the registration process of registering the second mode, it is necessary to establish a communication according to the first communication method between the communication terminal device and the electronic device. Since the first communication method is the communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, a user who has the communication terminal device should carry out, in the vicinity of the electronic device (within the predetermined range), the registration process of registering the second mode so as to establish the communication according to the first communication method between the communication terminal device and the electronic device. It is therefore possible to reduce a risk that a third person carries out an unauthorized registration process of registering the second mode, thereby improving security. 
     The remote control system  100  of the present embodiment is further configured as follows: In the case where the registration process of registering the second mode is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20 , the communication terminal device  10  transmits, to the server device  50 , according to the second communication method (a communication method for establishing a communication via the communications network  60 ), a list of an electronic device(s)  20  with respect to which a registration process of registering the first mode has been carried out so as to be associated with the communication terminal device  10 . Upon reception of the list, the server device  50  transmits, to the communication terminal device  10 , according to the second communication method, selection request screen data (selection request information) for allowing a user to select, from the list, the electronic device  20  with respect to which the registration process of registering the second mode is to be carried out. The communication terminal device  10  (i) receives a user&#39;s selection instruction which instructs to select, on a selection request screen, the electronic device  20  with respect to which the registration process of registering the second mode is to be carried out, and (ii) transmits the access instruction to the electronic device  20  selected by the user. 
     According the configuration, in order to carry out the registration process of registering the second mode, it is necessary to associate the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  with each other in advance by carrying out the registration process of registering the first mode. It is therefore possible to further reduce a risk that a third person carries out an unauthorized registration process of registering the second mode, thereby further improving security. 
     Further, in order to carry out the registration process of registering the second mode, it is necessary that a communication can be established (i) according to the second communication method between the communication terminal device and the server device and (ii) according to the second communication method between the electronic device and the server device. It is therefore possible to, by carrying out the registration process of registering the second mode, find that a communication can be established which communication is required to control the operation of the electronic device in the second mode. 
     Note that details of an operation control of the electronic device  20  in the second mode by use of the communication terminal device  10  are not particularly limited provided that the device function of the electronic device  20  is utilized. 
     Examples of the device function to be utilized include (i) a function, of the image capturing section  34  of the electronic device  20 , of capturing an image (a moving image or a static image) around the electronic device  20 , (ii) a function of transmitting, via the server device  50 , to the communication terminal device  10 , image data of an image which is captured by the image capturing section  34 , (iii) a function of storing, in a predetermined holder of the server device  50  (or another device connected to the communications network  60 ), image data of an image captured by the image capturing section  34 , and (iv) a function, of the electronic device  20 , of running (carrying out self-propulsion) and collecting dust (cleaning). 
     As has been described, the electronic device  20  is not limited to a self-propelled vacuum cleaner. Examples of the electronic device  20  include an air cleaning device, a water heater, an air conditioning device, an image shooting device, various pieces of audio-visual equipment, and various robots (such as a housework assistance robot and an animal-shaped robot). Therefore, the operation control may be control of device functions of these electronic devices. 
     It may be configured in the present embodiment so that some pieces of or all of (i) data to be transmitted or received between the communication terminal device  10  and the server device  50 , (ii) data to be transmitted or received between the electronic device  20  and the server device  50 , and (iii) data to be transmitted or received between the communication terminal device  10  and the electronic device  20  are encrypted. For example, HTTPS is used to encrypt these pieces of data. 
     According to the present embodiment, no limitation is placed on the number of communication terminal devices  10  to be registered so as to be associated with a single electronic device  20  in a registration process of registering the second mode. Alternatively, a limitation may be placed on the number of communication terminal devices  10  to be registered so as to be associated with a single electronic device  20 . In a case where (i) the limitation is placed on the number of communication terminal devices  10  to be registered so as to be associated with a single electronic device  20 , (ii) the registration process of registering the second mode is requested to be carried out, and (iii) the limitation is exceeded, the control section  51  of the server device  50  may (1) refuse a new registration of a communication terminal device  10 , (2) cancel a registration of a communication terminal device  10  which has been registered for a longest period of time, and newly register a communication terminal device  10 , (3) give in advance an order of priority to each communication terminal device  10 , cancel a registration of a communication terminal device  10  having a lowest priority, and newly register a communication terminal device  10  or (4) cause a user to select a communication terminal device  10  whose registration should be cancelled, cancel the registration of the selected communication terminal device  10 , and newly register a communication terminal device  10 . 
     Each of the control section  11  of the communication terminal device  10 , the control section  21  of the electronic device  20 , and the control section  51  of the server device  50  of the present embodiment may be realized by software as executed by a processor such as a CPU. In this case, each of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50  includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function; a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing the control program; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that develops the control program; and a storage device (storage medium) such as a memory which stores the control program and various kinds of data. The object of the present invention can be achieved, by mounting to the each of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50 , a computer-readable storage medium storing a program code of the control program (executable program, intermediate code program, or source program) for the each of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50 , the control program being software for realizing the foregoing functions, so that the computer (or CPU or MPU) retrieves and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. 
     The storage medium can be, for example, a tape, such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape; a disk including (i) a magnetic disk such as a Floppy (Registered Trademark) disk or a hard disk and (ii) an optical disk such as CD-ROM, MO, MD, DVD, or CD-R; a card such as an IC card (memory card) or an optical card; or a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Registered Trademark), or flash ROM. 
     Alternatively, the each of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50  can be arranged to be connectable to a communications network so that the program code is made available to the each of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50  via the communications network. The communications network is not limited to a specific one, and therefore can be, for example, the Internet, Intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communications network, virtual dedicated network (virtual private network), telephone line network, mobile communications network, or satellite communications network. The transfer medium which constitutes the communications network is not limited to a specific one, and therefore can be, for example, wired line such as IEEE 1394, USB, electric power line, cable TV line, telephone line, or ADSL line; or wireless such as infrared radiation (IrDA, remote control), Bluetooth (Registered Trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR (High Data Rate), mobile telephone network, satellite line, or terrestrial digital network. Note that the present invention can also be implemented by the program code in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave which is embodied by electronic transmission. 
     Each block of the each of the communication terminal device  10 , the electronic device  20 , and the server device  50  is not limited to being realized by software, but may be configured by, for example, a hardware logic or may be realized by a combination of (i) hardware which partially carries out a process and (ii) computation means which executes software which carries out control of the hardware and a residual process. 
     A remote control system of the present invention is configured to be a remote control system that includes: a communication terminal device; an electronic device; and a server device, the communication terminal device and the electronic device communicating with each other according to a first communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, the server device communicating with the communication terminal device and the electronic device according to a second communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication via a communications network between a device and another device that exists in a remote place, in a case where a registration process is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device to control an operation of the electronic device via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the second communication method, the communication terminal device transmitting, to the electronic device, according to the first communication method, an access instruction which instructs the electronic device to access the server device, in response to the access instruction, the electronic device accessing the server device according to the second communication method, and in response to the accessing from the electronic device, the server device registering the electronic device and the communication terminal device associated with each other as a combination of the communication terminal device and the electronic device which combination allows the operation of the electronic device to be controlled. 
     A method, of the present invention, of configuring a remote control system is configured to be a method of configuring a remote control system that includes a communication terminal device, an electronic device, and a server device, the communication terminal device and the electronic device communicating with each other according to a first communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, the server device communicating with the communication terminal device and the electronic device according to a second communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication via a communications network between a device and another device that exists in a remote place, the method including the steps of: in a case where a registration process is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device to control an operation of the electronic device via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the second communication method, causing the communication terminal device to transmit, to the electronic device, according to the first communication method, an access instruction which instructs the electronic device to access the server device; causing the electronic device to access the server device according to the second communication method in response to the access instruction; and causing the server device to register, in response to the accessing from the electronic device, the electronic device and the communication terminal device associated with each other as a combination of the communication terminal device and the electronic device which combination allows an operation control to be carried out in a second mode. 
     A communication terminal device of the present invention is configured to be a communication terminal device for use in a remote control system that includes the communication terminal device, an electronic device, and a server device, the communication terminal device and the electronic device communicating with each other according to a first communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, the server device communicating with the communication terminal device and the electronic device according to a second communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication via a communications network between a device and another device that exists in a remote place, in a case where a registration process is carried out with respect to the electronic device to control an operation of the electronic device via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the second communication method, the communication terminal device transmitting, to the electronic device, according to the first communication method, an access instruction which instructs the electronic device to access the server device. 
     An electronic device of the present invention is configured to be an electronic device for use in a remote control system that includes the electronic device, a communication terminal device, and a server device, the electronic device and the communication terminal device communicating with each other according to a first communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, the server device communicating with the communication terminal device and the electronic device according to a second communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication via a communications network between a device and another device that exists in a remote place, in a case where a registration process is carried out to control an operation of the electronic device via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the second communication method, the electronic device (i) receiving, from the communication terminal device, an access instruction which instructs the electronic device to access the server device, and (ii) accessing the server device according to the second communication method in response to the access instruction. 
     A server device of the present invention is configured to be a server device for use in a remote control system that includes the server device, a communication terminal device, and an electronic device, the communication terminal device and the electronic device communicating with each other according to a first communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, the server device communicating with the communication terminal device and the electronic device according to a second communication method that is a communication method for establishing a communication via a communications network between a device and another device that exists in a remote place, in a case where a registration process is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device to control an operation of the electronic device via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the second communication method, upon reception of an access made according to the second communication method by the electronic device, the server device registering the electronic device and the communication terminal device associated with each other as a combination of the communication terminal device and the electronic device which combination allows the operation of the electronic device to be controlled. 
     According to the remote control system, the method of configuring the remote control system, the communication terminal device, the electronic device, and the server device, in order to carry out a registration process of registering the second mode, it is necessary to establish a communication according to the first communication method between the communication terminal device and the electronic device. Since the first communication method is the communication method for establishing a communication between a device and another device that exists within a predetermined range, a user who has the communication terminal device should carry out, in the vicinity of the electronic device (within the predetermined range), the registration process of registering the second mode, so as to establish the communication according to the first communication method between the communication terminal device and the electronic device. It is therefore possible to reduce a risk that a third person carries out an unauthorized registration process of registering the second mode, thereby improving security. 
     The remote control system may be configured so that the remote control system has (i) a first mode in which the operation of the electronic device is controlled by use of the communication terminal device through a communication based on the first communication method and (ii) a second mode in which the operation of the electronic device is controlled via the server device by use of the communication terminal device through the communication based on the second communication method, the operation of the electronic device is controllable in the first mode between the communication terminal device and the electronic device which are associated with each other in advance by carrying out a registration process of registering the first mode, the operation of the electronic device is controllable in the second mode between the communication terminal device and the electronic device which are associated with each other in advance by carrying out a registration process of registering the second mode, in a case where the registration process of registering the second mode is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device and the electronic device, the communication terminal device transmits, to the server device, according to the second communication method, a list of the electronic device which is associated with the communication terminal device in advance by carrying out the registration process of registering the first mode, the server device transmits, to the communication terminal device, according to the second communication method, selection request information for causing a user to select the electronic device from the list, and the communication terminal device transmits the access instruction to the electronic device selected on the basis of the selection request information by the user. 
     According to the configuration, in order to carry out the registration process of registering the second mode on the communication terminal device and the electronic device, it is necessary to associate the communication terminal device and the electronic device with each other in advance by carrying out the registration process of registering the first mode. Therefore, even in a case where information necessary for a registration of the second mode is leaked, it is not possible to carry out the registration of the second mode on an electronic device with respect to which a registration of the first mode has not been carried out. It is therefore possible to reduce a risk that a third person carries out an unauthorized registration process of registering the second mode, thereby improving security. 
     The remote control system may be configured so that the first communication method is (i) a communication method employing a wireless LAN, (ii) a communication method based on a short-distance wireless communication standard or (iii) a communication method employing infrared radiation. Examples of the communication method employing the wireless LAN include a communication method for establishing a mutual communication between wireless devices on the basis of IEEE802.11 (IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11b). That is, each of the communication terminal device and the electronic device may be a WiFi (Registered Trademark) device. Examples of the short-distance wireless communication standard include Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) and ZigBee (Registered Trademark). 
     The remote control system may be configured so that the server device carries out a registration process of registering a second mode on the communication terminal device and the electronic device, by (i) creating respective pieces of identification information of the communication terminal device and the electronic device and (ii) storing these pieces of identification information associated with each other, in response to the accessing from the electronic device, the server device determines whether or not the registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out with respect to a combination of the electronic device and another communication terminal device different from the communication terminal device, in a case where the server device determines that the registration process of registering the second mode has been carried out with respect to the combination, the server device registers the electronic device and the communication terminal device as a combination of the communication terminal device and the electronic device which combination allows an operation control to be carried out in the second mode, by storing (i) the piece of identification information of the electronic device and (ii) the piece of identification information created for the communication terminal device such that these pieces of identification information are associated with each other. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to register a plurality of communication terminal devices for a single electronic device as communication terminal devices by use of which an operation of the single electronic device is controllable in the second mode. Further, it is possible to easily manage registration information because the plurality of communication terminal devices can share identification information of the single electronic device though the plurality of communication terminal devices are associated with the single electronic device. 
     The remote control system may be configured so that the registration process of registering the first mode is carried out with respect to the communication terminal device by a user&#39;s predetermined operation which is carried out with respect to both (i) an operation section of the communication terminal device and (ii) an operation section of the electronic device, the user&#39;s predetermined operation being carried out while a communication is being established according to the first communication method between the communication terminal device and the electronic device. 
     According to the configuration, in order to carry out the registration process of registering the first mode, a user who has the communication terminal device needs to carry out the registration process of registering the second mode in a place close to the electronic device in which place the communication terminal device and the electronic device are communicable with each other according to the first communication method. It is therefore possible to reduce a risk that a third person carries out an unauthorized registration process of registering the first mode, thereby improving security. 
     The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment above, and can therefore be modified by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. Namely, an embodiment derived from a proper combination of technical means disclosed in different embodiments is encompassed in the technical scope of the present invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention is applicable to (i) a remote control system in which an operation of an electronic device is controlled via a communications network by use of a communication terminal device, and (ii) the communication terminal device, the electronic device, and a server device which are used in the remote control system. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10 : Communication terminal device 
           11 : Control section 
           12 : First communication section 
           13 : Second communication section 
           14 : Display section 
           15 : Operation section 
           16 : Storage section 
           20 : Electronic device 
           21 : Control section 
           22 : First communication section 
           23 : Second communication section 
           24 : Operation section 
           25 : Storage section 
           26 : Device function section 
           50 : Server device 
           51 : Control section 
           52 : Communication section 
           53 : Display section 
           54 : Operation section 
           55 : Storage section 
           60 : Communications network (Wide-area communications network) 
           100 : Remote control system