Patent ID: 7936253

Claim:
A remote control system comprising: a remote control terminal configured to control equipment; and a cradle apparatus configured to accept placement of the remote control terminal, wherein the remote control terminal comprises: a reception portion configured to receive a signal instructing control of the equipment through a communication line; an input portion configured to accept input of an instruction for controlling the equipment; a detection portion configured to detect whether the remote control terminal is placed in the cradle apparatus; a selection portion configured to select a source of input of a signal for generating the control signal for controlling the equipment based on a result of detection by the detection portion, wherein the source is selected from either the reception portion or the input portion; a generation portion configured to generate the control signal based on a signal from the source of input selected by the selection portion; an emission portion configured to emit the control signal; a storage portion configured to store control data defining selection of the source of input; a prohibiting portion configured to prohibit selection by the selection portion based on external input of the control data when the remote control terminal is not placed in the cradle apparatus; and a switching portion configured to select the reception portion as the source of input.