Client computer, remote control system, and remote control method

Abstract

A client computer that is connectable to a host computer by a network, includes a communication part to communicate with the host computer; a user input part; a system part to perform a function depending on an application; and a controller to control the system part to be put into a locking state to stop performing operations input by a user from the user input part if a locking signal is received from the host computer through the communication part, and to control the communication part to unlock the locking state if an unlocking signal is received from the host computer through the communication part.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 communication circuitry; and   a processor operatively coupled with the communication circuitry, the processor configured to:
 receive, via the communication circuitry, an instruction from an electronic device external to the apparatus; and 
 change an operation state related to the apparatus from an unlocked state to a locked state based at least in part on the receiving of the instruction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive authentication information corresponding to a user from the electronic device, or via at least one sensor operatively coupled with the processor; and   change the operation state from the locked state to the unlocked state based at least in part on a determination that the authentication information matches another authentication information stored in the apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 refrain from changing the operation state from the locked state to the unlocked state based at least in part on a determination that the authentication information does not match the other authentication information.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the authentication information is to be received as at least a part of the instruction, or separately from the instruction. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the authentication information comprises a password. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a memory operatively coupled with the processor and configured to store the authentication information or the other authentication information.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive another instruction from the electronic device or another electronic device; and   change the operation state from the locked state to the unlocked state based at least in part on the receiving of the other instruction.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 refrain from changing the operation state from the locked state to the unlocked state based at least in part on a determination that the other instruction corresponds to a lock instruction.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the process is configured to:
 present a notification corresponding to the locked state.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the notification comprises at least one of a sound or a light signal. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 communication circuitry; and   a processor operatively coupled with the communication circuitry, the processor configured to:
 select at least one electronic device from a plurality of electronic devices external to the apparatus as a target device to remotely control at least one function thereof; and 
 transmit an instruction to the at least one electronic device such that an operation state of the at least one electronic device can be changed from an unlocked state to a locked state based at least in part on the instruction. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 transmit another instruction to the at least one electronic device such that the operation state can be changed from the locked state to the unlocked state based at least in part on the other instruction.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 transmit authentication information to the at least one electronic device as at least a part of the instruction.   
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at an electronic device, an instruction from another electronic device external to the electronic device; and   changing an operation state related to the apparatus from an unlocked state to a locked state based at least in part on the receiving of the instruction.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the changing comprises:
 presenting an indication indicating that the operation state has been changed.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the changing comprising:
 receiving authentication information corresponding to a user as least a part of the instruction, or separately from the instruction.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the changing comprises:
 comparing the authentication information with another authentication information stored at the electronic device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 refraining from changing the operation state from the unlocked state to the locked state based at least in part on a determination that the authentication information does not match the other authentication information.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 receiving another instruction from the other electronic device; and   changing the operation state from the lock stated to the unlocked state based at least in part on the receiving of the other instruction.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 selecting, by the other electronic device, the electronic device from a plurality of devices as a target device to remotely control at least one function thereof.