Device control method, device management system, and voice input apparatus

Abstract

Methods, systems, and media for managing a plurality of target devices are provided. A voice command is received by an input associated with a first target device. The voice command includes first voice information and indicates an operation instruction. The first voice information includes identification information. The first target device is specified by referencing a database in which the identification information and a device ID of the first target device are associated. It is determined whether the voice command includes second voice information that identifies a second target device as an operation object for the operation instruction. When the second voice information is not included, the first target device is caused to execute the operation instruction. When the second voice information is included, a control command is transmitted to the second target device for causing the second target device to execute the operation instruction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for managing a plurality of target devices arranged in a same household, the apparatus comprising:
 a receiver for receiving, from a voice input apparatus associated with a first target device of the plurality of target devices, instruction information that includes (i) first voice information indicating an operation instruction for any target device among the plurality of target devices, and (ii) identification information that identifies the voice input apparatus; and   a processor configured to:
 extract the operation instruction from the first voice information included in the received instruction information, 
 refer information from the instruction information to a database that specifies the first target device of the plurality of target devices by associating the identification information and a device ID of the first target device for identification of a one of the plurality of target devices for which the operation instruction is intended, and 
 when the operation instruction is identified as being intended for the first target device, issue a first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device, otherwise, not issue the first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction information includes second voice information, and the processor is configured to refer the second voice information from the instruction information to the database. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second voice information is a name that identifies a second target device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the name is a general name of the second target device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the name is an arbitrary name associated with the second target device, the arbitrary name being specified by a user. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction information includes an input signal in response to an operation by a user. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to not issue the first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device when the operation instruction is identified as being intended for the second target device. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for managing a plurality of target devices arranged in a same household, the apparatus comprising:
 a receiver for receiving, from a voice input apparatus associated with a first target device of the plurality of target devices, instruction information that includes (i) first voice information indicating an operation instruction for any target device among the plurality of target devices, and (ii) identification information that identifies the voice input apparatus; and   a processor configured to:
 refer information from the instruction information to a database that specifies the first target device of the plurality of target devices by associating the identification information and a device ID of the first target device for identification of a one of the plurality of target devices for which the operation instruction is intended, and 
 when the operation instruction is identified as being intended for the first target device, issue a first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device, otherwise, not issue the first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the instruction information includes second voice information, and the processor is configured to refer the second voice information from the instruction information to the database. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the second voice information is a name that identifies a second target device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the name is a general name of the second target device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the name is an arbitrary name associated with the second target device, the arbitrary name being specified by a user. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the instruction information includes an input signal in response to an operation by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to not issue the first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device when the operation instruction is identified as being intended for the second target device. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for managing a plurality of target devices arranged in a same household, the apparatus comprising:
 a receiver for receiving, from a voice input apparatus, instruction information that includes voice information indicating an operation instruction for any target device among a plurality of target devices, and identification information that identifies the voice input apparatus; and   a processor configured to:
 refer information from the instruction information to a database that specifies a first target device of the plurality of target devices by associating the identification information and a device ID of the first target device for identification of a one of the plurality of target devices for which the operation instruction is intended, and 
 when the operation instruction is identified as being intended for the first target device, issue a first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device, otherwise, not issue the first command for executing the operation instruction on the first target device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to refer the voice information to the database. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the voice information is a name that identifies the one of the plurality of target devices for which the operation instruction is intended. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the name is a general name of a one of the plurality of target devices other than the first target device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the name is an arbitrary name associated with a one of the plurality of target devices other than the first target device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the instruction information includes an input signal in response to an operation by a user.