JP2006107423A - Computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new computer system in which a user has neither a computer nor a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: A keyboard 1 and an image indicator 2 are connected to a communication terminal device 3, and a computer 6 used by key operation is installed in a center station 5 to which communication is possible from the communication terminal device 3 through a line 4. A character code from the keyboard 1 is transmitted to the computer 6 by the communication terminal device 3, so that processing based on key operation in executed by the computer 6. As a processing result, dot image data outputted from the computer 6 in order to display the image is transmitted to the communication terminal 3, and thereby the image which is the processing result of the computer 6 based on the key operation is displayed on the image indicator 2. Consequently, the user can use the computer without having a computer and a storage medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a novel computer system in which a user does not have a computer or a storage medium.

  In the early days of computer technology, to conserve expensive computers, computer systems were devised that shared one computer with multiple users. In this computer system, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of input / output terminals 503 including a keyboard 501 and a character display 502 are connected to one host computer 504 through individual signal lines 505. The host computer 504 uses only one CPU, performs processing based on the character code input from the keyboard 501 of each input / output terminal 503 by batch processing or time sharing, and displays a character on the screen. Edit the arrangement. When the character image data output from the host computer 504 is output to the character display 502, a character image as a processing result of the host computer 504 is displayed on the character display 502. However, since the signal speed of the signal line 505 is as low as 2400 to 9600 bits / second, an amount of characters corresponding to one screen of characters (2000 characters in 80 characters × 25 lines) from the host computer 504 to the character display 502. It took 2 to 9 seconds to output the image data.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 6, when an input / output terminal called an intelligent terminal 603 with a built-in CPU is used, the intelligent terminal 603 can perform control for arranging characters on the screen. The data for the character image from can only be output from the character code. The signal speed of the signal line 605 was still 2400-9600 bits / second, but the time for outputting the character code for one screen was shortened to 1-2 seconds.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 7, when the personal computer 703 is used for a terminal, relatively complicated processing can be executed by the terminal. Therefore, a huge and ultra-high-speed host computer that handles all the processing at once. The host computer 704 is mainly responsible for collecting and managing shared data. The data to be communicated began to change from a simple list of character codes to messages with a predetermined format. On the other hand, the signal speed of the signal line 705 is slightly higher.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, when a network such as the Internet or a LAN appears, not a simple form in which N terminals are intensively connected to one host computer, but a plurality of terminals. An environment in which 803s can freely connect to each other via a network and exchange data with each other is realized, and a host computer 804 that supervises a plurality of terminals also exchanges messages with the terminal 803 via the network in the same manner as the terminals. became. The communication speed in the network is further increased, which is 10,000 to 100,000 times that of the initial computer system shown in FIG. 5, and the speed is still increasing.

  On the other hand, a computer system called ubiquitous has been proposed. In this method, a mainframe is used by accessing a plurality of shared computers called mainframes from a personal computer used by a user via a network.

  The following prior art documents are known regarding remote operation of a computer.

JP 2001-177878 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-11399

  However, in the modern computer system shown in FIG. 8, security problems such as viruses and hacking have become serious. In this computer system, all information is sent to the network in the form of messages. The message is configured by combining character codes (including control codes) in a prescribed format. Therefore, anyone can exchange messages from anywhere regardless of the type of personal computer or the type of communication software, but it can be freely received and illegally viewed or rewritten. A virus can be sent by embedding a computer control command in a message.

  Further, in an environment where each user owns and uses a personal computer as shown in FIG. 8, if the personal computer hardware becomes obsolete or the basic software and application software become obsolete, the user does not have to replace the hardware or software. must not.

  Further, if a portable personal computer or recording medium is lost or stolen, even data stored in the personal computer or recording medium is lost or stolen. In some cases, the personal computer may fail or the recording medium may be damaged, making it impossible to retrieve data.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a new computer system in which a user does not have a computer or a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects a keyboard that outputs a character code corresponding to a key operation and an image display that displays an image corresponding to the input dot image data to a communication terminal device, and communicates the communication. A computer used by the key operation is installed in a center station capable of communication via a line from the terminal device, and a character code from the keyboard is transmitted to the computer by the communication terminal device, and the key operation is performed by the computer. The computer based on the key operation is transmitted to the image display device by transmitting the dot image data output to display the image from the computer as the processing result to the communication terminal device. The image which is the processing result is displayed.

  The communication terminal device may be provided with authentication information input means for inputting authentication information for authenticating the use of the communication terminal device.

  At least a part of the authentication information may be recorded in a portable recording medium that can be read by the authentication information input means.

  A program for operating the communication terminal device may be recorded on a portable recording medium, and the communication terminal device may be provided with a program processing unit that reads the program from the recording medium and processes the read program. Good.

  A storage device having a storage area for each user may be provided in the center station, and a file generated by using the computer may be stored in a storage area of a user using the computer.

  In the center station, a plurality of computers may be installed, and a controller for selecting a computer to be used from these computer groups may be installed.

  The center station is provided with image difference means for taking the difference between the dot image data output from the computer and the dot image data output last time and transmitting the difference dot image data, and the image display unit receives the incoming image. Image adding means for adding and displaying the difference dot image data to the dot image data displayed so far may be provided.

  The center station is provided with print image expansion means for expanding the print character data output from the computer into a print dot image and transmitting the print dot image data, and the communication terminal device receives the received print A printing machine that prints dot images according to the dot image data may be connected.

  The present invention exhibits the following excellent effects.

  (1) Security in communication is improved.

  (2) Since the user does not own a personal computer, it becomes unnecessary to make hardware or software obsolete or to be replaced.

  (3) Loss or loss of data due to loss or failure of personal computers or recording media.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system according to the present invention connects a keyboard 1 and an image display 2 to a communication terminal device 3 on the user side, and can communicate from the communication terminal device 3 via a line 4. A computer 6 is installed in the center station 5, and when the user performs a key operation, a character code corresponding to the key operation is output from the keyboard 1, and the character code is transmitted to the computer of the center station 5 by the communication terminal device 3. The process based on the key operation is executed by the computer, and the dot image data output to display the image from the computer 6 is transmitted to the communication terminal device 3 as a result of the process. Is input to the image display 2 and an image as a processing result based on the key operation is displayed on the image display 2. It is obtained by the.

  Here, the computer 6 is a personal computer body with a built-in CPU, and may be considered as a keyboard, an image display, and an external recording medium reading device excluded from the personal computer. The personal computer may have a built-in hard disk or not. Details will be described later.

  The keyboard 1 is conventionally known as a means for operating a computer, and may be considered as a keyboard attached to a general personal computer. The keyboard 1 outputs a character code corresponding to a key operation (including a control character code, a function key code, and the like in the character code). The connector from the keyboard 1 to the communication terminal device 3 may be a standard dedicated to this system, but the same standard as a conventional keyboard connector for a personal computer may be used.

  The image display 2 is conventionally known as means for displaying the operation results of a computer, and may be considered as a display of a personal computer. The image display 2 displays an image corresponding to the input dot image data. The connector from the image display device 2 to the communication terminal device 3 may be a standard dedicated to this system, but the same standard as a conventional personal computer display connector may be used.

  The communication terminal device 3 includes a transmission function for transmitting a character code output from the keyboard 1 to a line (telephone network) 4, a reception function for receiving dot image data from the line 4 and inputting it to the image display 2, a center It is only necessary to have a telephone call function for closing the line for the station 5 via the exchange. In order to modulate / demodulate signals transmitted / received between the communication terminal device 3 and the center station 5, the same type of modulator / demodulator is used for the communication terminal device 3 and the center station 5.

  The communication terminal device 3 is provided with authentication information input means (no code) for inputting authentication information for authenticating a person (user) who uses the computer. A part of the authentication information may be recorded in a portable recording medium 8 that can be read by the authentication information input means. As the recording medium 8, an IC card, smart media, a non-contact IC tag, a Bluetooth chip, a mobile phone (infrared communication interface), or the like can be used, and the hardware standard is not limited. In the following, it is assumed that a relatively large capacity card composed of a semiconductor memory is used, and this card type recording medium 8 is referred to as a user ID card 8. The corresponding authentication information input means will be called a card reader 9. Part of the authentication information is an ID number or a password entered by the user. The keyboard 1 can be used as the authentication information input means for the user to input. When a human body feature such as a fingerprint is used as authentication information, a device that reads the human body feature from a user is used as an authentication information input unit.

  Note that a part of the above-described functions of transmission, reception, telephone call, and authentication information input included in the communication terminal device 3 is configured by software, and the software is loaded from outside the communication terminal device 3 to the communication terminal device 3 for communication. Processing may be performed by the terminal device 3. That is, a program for operating the communication terminal device is recorded on the recording medium 8, and the communication terminal device 3 is provided with a program processing unit 11 that reads the program from the recording medium 8 and processes the read program. . The program processing unit 11 has a memory for expanding the read program, a calculation register, a program counter, and a program reading program. The program reading program loads the program from the recording medium 8 into the memory, and sets the program counter in the memory. The process is started. As a program to be recorded in the recording medium 8, a communication program that allows the communication terminal device 3 to communicate with the center station 5 by being executed by the communication terminal device 3, and an ID number and a password entered by the user are authenticated. There is an authentication program. In this embodiment, when the user gives the recording medium 8 to the card reader 9, the program processing unit 11 reads the communication program and the authentication program from the recording medium 8, and then processes these programs for the communication terminal device 3 to be described above. The functions of sending, receiving, telephone calling, and entering authentication information are exhibited. Once the communication terminal device 3 is started up in this way, the same operation as that in which all the functions are provided in the communication terminal device 3 in advance is performed. Therefore, the following description is made without distinguishing between these two modes. To do.

  Here, the apparatus configuration on the user side is compared with the prior art. As shown in the figure, on the user side, a communication terminal device 3 connected to the telephone line network 4, a keyboard 1 and an image display 2 connected to the communication terminal device 3, and a user ID read by the communication terminal device 3. There is a card 8. That is, with the exception of the user ID card 8, the main body (with the CPU, internal storage device, external recording medium reader, etc.) is excluded from the personal computer, and the keyboard 1 and the image display 2 are connected to the communication terminal device 3. You may think. Hereinafter, the communication terminal device 3, the keyboard 1, and the image display 2 are referred to as a terminal set 12. Since the terminal set 12 can be used anywhere as long as it is connected to the telephone line network 4, it can be placed at the user's home, placed at the office desk, carried around, rented, hotel, coffee shop, convenience store, etc. It can be provided in various forms, such as those installed on the PC and made available to anyone.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the center station 5 will be described in detail.

  The center station 5 mainly includes a controller 13, a computer group 14 including a plurality of computers 6, and a storage device 16 whose storage area 15 is controlled by the controller 13. In the present invention, if at least one computer 6 exists, the user can use the computer 6 from the terminal set 12. However, when one user is using the computer 6, other users cannot use the computer 6 until the use is completed. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a plurality of computers 6 so that a large number of users can use the computers 6 without being in a waiting state, and to allocate the computers 6 that are free at that time to users who have requested use. The center station 5 can make it possible.

  The controller 13 has a function of communicating with the communication terminal device 3 via the telephone network 4, an authentication function of authenticating the use of the computer based on the authentication information, a function of selecting the computer 6 to be used from the computer group 14, It has a function of controlling the storage device 16 so that a file generated by using the computer 6 is stored in the storage area 15 of the user using the computer 6.

  As a function of selecting the computer 6, the controller 13 has a logical computer number as a virtual computer number specified by the authentication information for each user and one computer 6 currently unused in the computer group 14. A physical computer number, which is a number, is temporarily associated. That is, it comprises a distributor 17 that sorts the signal flow for the telephone line network 4 for each logical computer number, and a plurality of switching units 18 that connect the signal flow for the computer group 14 in accordance with the correspondence between the logical computer number and the physical computer number. .

  Although only one computer 6 in the computer group 14 is shown in the figure, the other computers 6 have the same structure. Each computer 6 incorporates a keyboard interface 19 and an image display interface 20, and these interfaces 19, 20 are each connected to the exchange unit 18 of the controller 13, and a character code corresponding to a key operation on the user side. The dot image data output from the image display interface 20 is sent to the keyboard interface 19 to the user side.

  Each computer 6 has basic software and application software installed therein. The basic software may be a known personal computer OS, and the application software may be a known personal computer word processor software, spreadsheet software, database software, Internet communication software, image processing software, or the like. Of course, the present invention can be implemented even if basic software and application software dedicated to the computer system are prepared.

  It is assumed that the center station 5 has a function through a line for the computer 6 to communicate with the outside through the Internet, separately from the line connecting the center station 5 and the communication terminal device 3.

  The storage device 16 has a storage area 15 for each user identified by the authentication information, and this storage area 15 replaces a user area and an external recording medium in a hard disk in terms of a personal computer. As the storage device 16, a known storage device such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk such as a DVD, or a semiconductor memory can be used. The memory distribution unit 21 distributes the file write output from the computer 6 to the storage area 15 of the user by associating the physical computer number with the logical computer number, contrary to the distributor 17 and the exchange unit 18.

  Next, the operation of this computer system will be described.

  The user causes the user ID card 8 to be read from the card reader 9 of the communication terminal device 3 in the desired terminal set 12 (in the case where an authentication program or a communication program is stored in the user ID card 8, these programs are read) For the first time, various functions of the communication terminal device 3 are launched). If the authentication information read from the user ID card 8 is appropriate, the communication terminal device 3 requests input of an ID number or a password. Therefore, the user inputs an ID number and a password using the keyboard 1. At this time, if the authentication information in the user ID card 8 is related to an ID number and a personal identification number, the communication terminal device 3 may check whether the ID number and personal identification number input by the user are valid, that is, an identity check. it can. At that time, the character string of the ID number and password entered by the user does not have to be exactly the same as the corresponding character string in the user ID card 8, and a predetermined hidden rule is included in the user ID card 8. It is preferable to store a seemingly random code string that can be restored to the ID numbers and passwords distributed according to the above. Since a specific encryption method for this purpose can be used, it is not mentioned here.

  Note that only in this authentication sequence, the communication terminal device 3 may directly control the image display 2 to display the input screen for the ID number and the password.

  Next, the communication terminal device 3 accesses the center station 5 via the telephone line network 4. The communication terminal device 3 transmits the authentication information read from the user ID card 8 and the authentication information input from the keyboard 1 to the center station 5. The authentication function in the controller 13 checks whether the authentication information is valid, and authenticates the use of the computer by the user using the terminal set. Note that the authentication information stored in the user ID card 8 and the authentication information stored by the user are issued by an administrator who provides the service of the computer system, and the same information is stored in the controller 13. It goes without saying that it is registered in a management database (not shown).

  Next, the controller 13 selects one computer 6 that is currently unused from the computer group 14 as the computer 6 to be used by the distributor 17 and the exchange unit 18, and the physical computer number that is the number of the computer 6. Is associated with the logical computer number of the user and the computer 6 is activated. As a result, the computer 6 is exclusively used by the user.

  When the computer 6 is activated, the basic software installed in the computer 6 starts up and any application software can be used. During this time, the dot image data of the screen output from the computer 6 is transmitted by the controller 13 to the communication terminal device 3 (currently used for the logical computer number). Therefore, the user can view the screen output from the computer 6 on the image display 2. That is, the basic software is started up and a screen in which any application software can be used is viewed.

  Thereafter, when the user operates the keyboard 1, each character is immediately input to the computer 6. Therefore, the user can launch desired application software. Even after the application software has started up, the computer is operated by the user operating the keyboard 1, and the latest screen output from the computer 6 is displayed on the image display 2.

  When the user creates a file while using the application software, the controller 13 controls the storage device 16 so that the memory distribution unit 21 stores the file in the storage area 15 of the user. As a result, the file is stored in the storage area 15 identified by the authentication information. Thereafter, when this file is called, the storage area 15 is identified by the authentication information and called.

  When the user finishes using the computer 6, the application software is terminated in the same manner as when the user finishes using the personal computer, and the basic software termination process (of course, these operations are also performed with the keyboard 1, and the character code corresponding to the operation is displayed. Input to the computer 6). When detecting the end of the basic software, the controller 13 disconnects the association between the logical computer number and the physical computer number, and the computer 6 returns to the unused computer 6. The user turns off the terminal set 12 and leaves the place with the user ID card 8.

  From the start of the basic software to the termination process, the user was able to use the terminal set 12 to perform computer-based work as if using the personal computer at that location. Become.

  With the above configuration and operation, the advantages of the present invention will be described. First, security in communication is improved. This is because in the present invention, a message does not flow through the network as in the computer system of FIG. 8, and information flowing through the telephone line network 4 from the communication terminal device to the center station is merely a character code corresponding to a key operation. . Even if this is intercepted illegally, only one character code can be seen for one key operation. Since it is a key operation performed by a person, it takes time at one time, and it takes a considerably long time to intercept all operations. Moreover, even if interception is continued during the entire operation period, only the character code used for the operation is seen, and the user's file is not seen at all. On the other hand, information flowing through the telephone network 4 from the center station 5 to the communication terminal device 3 is only dot image data to be displayed on the image display 2. Even if this is intercepted illegally, it can be viewed on the same image display, but it is difficult to return to the character code, so it is difficult to use, and only one screen can be viewed for one image transmission. Moreover, it is impossible for the eavesdropper to view the entire user's file.

  Even if a message containing a virus is sent to the center station 5 via the telephone network 4, the controller 13 accepts only the character code corresponding to the key operation, and saves or opens the message as a file. Therefore, the computer 6 is not infected with a virus.

  Further, when the user communicates with the outside of the center station 5 using the Internet communication software on the computer 6, there is a risk of virus infection because the Internet is used. However, even if the computer 6 used by the user is infected with a virus, if the center station 5 performs virus inspection / removal appropriately, the damage is minimized. Since the virus management can be performed centrally for all the computers 6 in the computer group 14 at the center station 5, it is more efficient and quicker than each user managing his / her own virus as in the computer system of FIG. Virus management is possible.

  Further, the computer group 14 is protected by providing a firewall that prevents unauthorized intrusion from the outside in the center station 5. This is more efficient and effective than preventing unauthorized intrusion from the outside on each user's personal computer.

  A further advantage of the present invention is that the user does not have to own a personal computer. Therefore, the user does not need to worry about the hardware or software becoming obsolete and does not need to be replaced. There is no need to set up new software associated with software replacement. Of course, in the center station 5, hardware and software become obsolete in the computer 6, so replacement is necessary. However, if you look at the total including the users, the number of units to be replaced is small, so the amount of waste is reduced, which is economical and contributes to environmental protection. In addition, the user can be provided with a comfortable use environment by always providing the latest software version in the center station 5.

  A further advantage of the present invention is that the user does not have to have a personal computer (hard disk), CD or other recording medium. Conventionally, if a personal computer or a recording medium is lost or stolen, not only the loss of the hardware but also the loss of data stored in the hard disk or the recording medium leads to enormous damage. In that respect, in the present invention, the user has only the user ID card 8 for authentication and does not have any data file written therein, so that no data is lost or leaked.

  An advantage of the present invention is that the total number of computers is saved. Assuming that the total number of computers 6 in the computer group 14 is 1000 to 10,000, the total number of users who can use the computer 6 far exceeds the total number of computers 6 as is apparent from the usage modes described so far. is there. That is, since the number of computers 6 may be smaller than the total number of users, the total number of computers can be saved.

  An advantage of the present invention is that the terminal set 12 can be shared and shared with an unspecified number of users. That is, since the terminal set 12 does not record user-specific information such as authentication information as well as user files, anyone can use them equally. Accordingly, the terminal set 12 can be placed on the user's home or office desk, carried and carried, rented, or installed in a hotel, coffee shop, convenience store, or the like. As long as the user has the user ID card 8, the computer can be used from anywhere where the terminal set 12 connected to the telephone line network 4 is placed.

  Furthermore, an advantage of the present invention is that there is only one storage location. Whether in a traditional ubiquitous environment or in an offline environment where files created on a personal computer in the office are brought home on a recording medium and work continues on a personal computer at home, the storage location is the mainframe, personal computer, other personal computer, recording There are many with media. Therefore, there may be a situation in which there are many files for the same work at the same time, and these files have slightly different versions. If that happens, it's impossible to immediately determine which version is the latest version, and branching versions will also arise, creating confusion. On the other hand, in the present invention, since there is only one storage location, that is, the storage area 15 of the user in the center station 5, there is no possibility that the version will be generated unnecessarily.

  Furthermore, an advantage of the present invention is that a person who is not authorized cannot use the terminal set 12 by providing the user with the recording medium 8 on which the authentication information is recorded. Further, even a person who has the recording medium 8 cannot access other than the storage area 15 specified by the authentication information, and therefore cannot view another person's file.

  Further, in the form in which the communication program or the authentication program is recorded on the recording medium 8 and the program processing unit of the communication terminal device 3 processes these programs, when these programs are changed, There is an advantage that the recording medium 8 may be updated and there is no need to modify the communication terminal device 3.

  A form in which the computer system of FIG. 1 is further developed will be described.

  In the computer system of FIG. 1, the controller 13 of the center station 5 transmits the dot image data output from the computer 6 to the communication terminal device 3 without any processing. However, it is normal that there is no significant difference between the image that the computer 6 has already displayed on the image display 2 and the image that is to be displayed next. For example, if the character code “A” is already input from the keyboard 1 and the character image “A” is displayed on the image display 2 as a result, the character code “B” is input from the keyboard 1. The result image display 2 displays the image “AB” in which the image “B” is added next to the image “A”. Therefore, an image difference means (not shown) for causing the controller 13 of the center station 5 to send the difference dot image data by taking the difference between the dot image data output this time from the computer 6 and the dot image data output last time. The image display 2 may be provided with an image adding means (not shown) for adding and displaying the received difference dot image data to the dot image data displayed so far.

  With this configuration, the difference dot image data transmitted from the center station 5 to the communication terminal device 3 is one character per key operation unless the screen is renewed due to page breaks or scrolling. Since the amount of data corresponds to a font, the time required for communication and the time for updating and displaying the screen can be reduced.

  Here, the flow of data and the change in state between the terminal set 12 and the center station 5 will be described step by step with reference to FIG. First, it is assumed that a blank is displayed on the image display 2 and the user wants to input capital letters A and B. Therefore, first, when the shift key is pressed, the control character code “shift” is transmitted from the terminal set 12. In the center station 5, the computer 6 accepts the shift operation and returns a handshake signal OK. Since there is no change in the image, there is no output of dot image data. When the user presses the A key, the character code “a” is transmitted from the terminal set 12. In the center station 5, the computer 6 accepts “a”, returns a handshake signal OK, determines that “a” is capitalized based on the previous shift operation, and edits the image “A”. The image difference means of the controller 13 outputs the dot image data of the image “A” because the difference image from the previous time becomes “A”. As a result, the image “A” is displayed on the image display 2. In the case where the uppercase code “A” is generated and output by simultaneously pressing the shift key and the A key in the keyboard 1, the uppercase code “A” is not transmitted instead of the control character code “shift” and the character code “a”. Will only be sent.

  The user presses the shift key again and then presses the B key. The control character code “shift” and the character code “b” are transmitted from the terminal set 12, and the computer 6 determines that the capital letter B is input, and the image “B” is added to the image “B” next to the image “A”. “AB” is edited, and dot image data of the edited image “AB” is output. The image difference means of the controller 13 outputs the dot image data of the image “B” because the difference image between the current computer output image “AB” and the previous computer output image “A” becomes “B”. Upon receiving this, the image adding means of the image display 2 adds the image “B” to the already displayed image “A” and causes the image display 2 to display the image “AB”.

  In the description so far, for the sake of simplicity, an example in which the character pressed on the keyboard 1 is displayed as it is on the image display 2 is taken as an example, but the user operates a command (of course, this is also transmitted with a character code). When the file is opened, images such as documents, tables, figures, and photographs of the file are output from the computer 6, so that dot image data of the image is transmitted from the center station 5 to the terminal set 12 and the image display 2 Needless to say, it is displayed on the screen.

  In the computer system of FIG. 1, only the keyboard 1 and the image display 2 are used as input / output means of the terminal set 12. However, other peripheral devices can be incorporated into the terminal set 12. For example, a generally known pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball outputs a movement amount signal representing a numerical value (or a number of pulses proportional to the movement amount) representing the movement amount of the cursor on the screen to the computer. It has become. Therefore, if the communication terminal device 3 transmits the output signal of the pointing device to the center station 5 as it is, the computer 6 creates a screen on which the cursor moves in accordance with the movement amount signal, and the dot image data on the screen is communicated. By being transmitted to the terminal device 3, an image as a result of the cursor operation is displayed on the image display 2.

  A form in which the computer system of FIG. 1 is further developed will be described.

  In the computer system shown in FIG. 3, a terminal set 34 in which a keyboard 31, an image display 32, and a communication terminal device 33 are integrated is configured, and in addition, a microphone 35, a speaker 36, and a printer 37 are connected to the terminal set 34. I was able to connect to. Although not shown, a card reader (authentication information input means) is also incorporated in the terminal set 34. The printer 37 is a printing machine that performs printing of dot images in accordance with input dot image data for printing.

  The functions of the terminal set 34 are shown as blocks. That is, the terminal set 34 has an input / output control function 38 for each input / output means, a communication control function 39 for each input / output data with the center station, and a terminal control function 40 for controlling the terminal set 34 itself.

  The input / output control function 38 is a key-in data input control function that converts a key matrix signal provided from the keyboard 31 into a character code, an audio data input control function that converts an audio analog signal input from the microphone 35 into audio digital compressed data, An image data display control function for displaying dot image data obtained by communication at an appropriate screen position, an audio data output control function for driving the speaker 36 by converting audio digital compressed data obtained by communication into an audio analog signal, A print data output control function for giving the printer dot image data obtained by communication to the printer 37, and the like.

  The communication control function 39 includes a key-in data transmission control function for transmitting a character code corresponding to a key operation, an audio data transmission control function for transmitting audio digital compressed data, and an image data reception control function for receiving dot image data from the center station. And an audio data reception control function for receiving audio digital compressed data from the center station, a print data reception control function for receiving printing dot image data from the center station, and the like.

  In addition to the input / output control function 38 and the communication control function 39, the terminal control function 40 includes a card reader function 41 for reading the user ID card 8 (in this case, using an IC card), an ID number input by the keyboard 31, and a password. This is a function for overall control of the identity check function 42 for checking the identity by number. This includes the telephone call function described in the form of FIG.

  On the other hand, there are two types of host devices, and what communicates with the communication terminal device 33 via the telephone line network 43 is called an outside center station 44 and communicates with the communication terminal device 33 via a wired or wireless LAN 45. This is called an in-house center station 46. The external center station 44 is basically the same as the center station 5 described in FIG. Here, corresponding to the communication control function of the terminal set 34, the controller includes a key-in data transmission control function, an audio data reception control function, an image data transmission control function, an audio data transmission control function, a print data transmission control function, and the like. Each computer 6 is provided with an audio input / output interface and a printer interface in addition to the keyboard interface and the image display interface described in FIG.

  The internal center station 46 basically has the same configuration as the external center station 44. However, since the communication path is a wired or wireless LAN 45, the LAN controller 47 is accompanied as a communication interface. The LAN control device 47 can communicate with the communication terminal device 33 via a wired or wireless LAN 45. When the WAN control device 48 is connected to the LAN control device 47, the in-house center station 46 can communicate with another center station (external center station 44 in the illustrated example) via the WAN 49. Note that the data format of communication in the wired or wireless LAN 45 is a character code corresponding to a key operation and dot image data output from a computer, as described above.

  FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of the terminal set.

  The circuit of the terminal set 34 includes a CPU part 51 called an MPU module, and various input / output devices and memories for the CPU part 51. The input / output device includes a keyboard 31, an image display 32, a microphone 35, a speaker 36, a printer 37, an IC card input / output unit 52 for an IC card (not shown) that is a recording medium for authentication information, an antenna 53, and the like. The wireless unit 56 includes an antenna driving circuit 54 and a baseband control circuit 55. A flash memory 57 and an SRAM memory 58 are prepared as memories.

  The CPU portion 51 includes a key scan interface 59 connected to the keyboard 31, a display control interface 60 connected to the image display 32 by a data bus DBUS and a control bus CBUS, an audio interface 61 connected to the microphone 35 and the speaker 36, A printer control interface 62 connected to the printer 37 by a data bus DBUS and a control bus CBUS, an input / output unit controller 63 connected to the IC card input / output unit 52, and a telephone line network interface 64 connected to a wired telephone line network. In addition, a wireless network interface 65 connected to the wireless unit 56 by a data bus and a control bus, and a memory control unit 66 connected to the flash memory 57 and the SRAM memory 58 are provided.

  The CPU part 51 further includes data for handling compressed data between the system information loading function 67 for reading the system program of the terminal set 34 from the IC card and causing the CPU part 51 to execute it, and the input / output device and the memory. A compression / decompression function 68 and an in-terminal personal information confirmation function 69 for checking the identity by the ID number and password entered by the user are provided.

  As an input / output device, an image scanner, an OCR reader, a barcode reader, a digital camera, or the like may be connected.

  Next, the operation of the computer system of FIG. 3 will be described. However, the same operation as that of the computer system in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The external center station 44 is for the user to operate the computer via the telephone line network 43 from a location far from the building (or area) where the external center station 44 is installed. The external center station 44 is installed in a company, a public office, a school (hereinafter, a company is taken as an example). It is assumed that the user is an employee of the company and carries a user ID card 8 issued by a management computer (not shown). The management computer notifies the authentication information stored in the user ID card 8 to the controller of the outside center station 44. Similarly, other companies also have an external center station 44 and issue a user ID card 8 to their employees, and the terminal set 34 is installed in a public place and can be freely used by employees of any company. ing. Of course, the terminal set 34 can be carried and connected to the telephone network 43.

  When an employee reads the user ID card 8 into the terminal set 34, the terminal set 34 closes the line with the external center station 44 of the company by auto-dial based on the telephone number of the company recorded on the user ID card 8. Conclude. After that, as already explained, after user authentication, the computer can be used.

  The audio analog signal input from the microphone 35 by the user is converted into audio digital compressed data by the input / output control function 38. The audio digital compressed data is transmitted from the terminal set 34 to the outside center station 44 by the communication control function 39. How this audio digital compressed data is processed by the computer depends on the application software running on the computer.

  On the other hand, an analog signal output from the audio input / output interface by the computer is converted into audio digital compressed data by the controller and transmitted to the terminal set 34. The audio digital compressed data captured by the communication control function 39 is converted into an audio analog signal by the input / output control function 38, and the speaker 36 is driven by the audio analog signal.

  The data that the computer outputs as printer output from the printer interface is print character data in which character codes are aligned. In the controller, print image expansion means expands the print character data into a print dot image. The controller may transmit the dot image data for printing to the terminal set 34. However, here, the controller extracts one line at a time from the first line of the printing dot image, and encodes the printing dot image for one line. Encoding is for compressing blank portions of printing, and for example, an encoding method in a facsimile may be adopted. In this way, the transmission speed can be increased by transmitting the line-coded image data encoded for each line, rather than transmitting the printing dot image data as it is.

  In the terminal set 34, the line-coded image data captured by the communication control function 39 is reverse-coded by the input / output control function 38 to reproduce the printing dot image data. When this printing dot image data is output to the printer 37, the paper surface corresponding to the print output from the computer is printed.

  In such a printing sequence, data communicated from the outside center station 44 to the terminal set 34 is dot image data for printing (or line-coded image data), and thus is not easily intercepted. Considering that it is possible to easily eavesdrop if the character data for printing, which is a normal printer output, is transmitted, or if the document to be printed is transmitted in the form of an Internet message, the computer system of the present invention is secure. It turns out that it is excellent in.

  The in-house center station 46 is for the user to operate the computer via the LAN 45 from the building (or area) where the in-house center station 46 is installed. The in-house center station 46 is installed in a company, a public office, a school (hereinafter, a company is taken as an example). It is assumed that the user is an employee of the company and carries a user ID card 8 issued by a management computer (not shown). The terminal set 34 is installed not only in the user's desk but also in a conference room, factory, laboratory, guard room, reception, etc., so that any employee can use it freely. Of course, the terminal set 34 can be carried and connected to the LAN 45 tap. When an employee reads the user ID card 8 into the terminal set 34, the computer can be used after user authentication as described above.

  With computer communications from outside to inside the company using the conventional in-house LAN or the Internet, each employee has a personal computer, so when moving around the place, you have to carry a personal computer or recording medium or use another personal computer. The problem of loss or file version corruption mentioned above occurred. In addition, public / private confusion occurred, such as working on a personal computer or storing private and business files on the same recording medium. Also, it was difficult to collect business files from retired employees without omission. In that respect, in the computer system of the present invention, the location where the file is stored is limited to only the storage device of the center station, so there is no problem of loss, file version overloading, public / private confusion, or file recovery. When an employee retires, the user ID can be disabled to immediately suspend the use.

  Next, a third embodiment in which a telephone is incorporated in a terminal set will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a telephone 91 is connected to the communication terminal device 3. The other party's telephone 92 is an IP telephone that uses the network 93 to store the contents of the call in IP packets and transmit / receive them. The computer 6 is also equipped with an IP telephone function. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  The IP address and the content of the call input to the telephone 91 are transmitted to the computer 6 of the center station 5 via the line 4 by the communication terminal device 3 in the same way as the character data from the keyboard 1 described so far. The computer 6 converts the content of the call into an IP packet using the IP address received from the communication terminal device 3 and sends it to the network 93.

  In this way, the other party's telephone 92 and the computer 6 are in a call state by IP telephone. Accordingly, the telephone 91 and the telephone 92 can make a call via the computer 6. That is, an IP telephone that has been conventionally used using a personal computer can also be made from the terminal set of the present invention. The telephone 91 does not need to be an IP telephone, and only needs a handset and a telephone key.

It is a block diagram of the computer system which shows 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a communication procedure figure between the terminal set center stations in this invention. It is a block diagram of the computer system which shows 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the terminal set of FIG. It is a block diagram of the conventional computer system. It is a block diagram of the conventional computer system. It is a block diagram of the conventional computer system. It is a block diagram of the conventional computer system. It is a block diagram of the computer system which shows 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Keyboard 2 Image Display 3 Communication Terminal 4 Telephone Line Network (Line)
5 Center station 6 Computer 8 User ID card (recording medium)

Claims (8)

  A keyboard that outputs a character code corresponding to a key operation and an image display that displays an image corresponding to the input dot image data are connected to a communication terminal device, and communication is possible from the communication terminal device via a line. A computer used by the key operation is installed in the center station, and the character code from the keyboard is transmitted to the computer by the communication terminal device, and the processing based on the key operation is executed by the computer, and the processing result is The dot image data output for displaying an image from the computer is transmitted to the communication terminal device, so that an image that is a processing result of the computer based on the key operation is displayed on the image display. A computer system characterized by that.   2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device is provided with authentication information input means for inputting authentication information for authenticating use of the communication terminal device.   3. The computer system according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the authentication information is recorded in a portable recording medium that can be read by the authentication information input means.   A program for operating the communication terminal device is recorded on a portable recording medium, and the communication terminal device is provided with a program processing unit that reads the program from the recording medium and processes the read program. The computer system according to claim 1.   5. A storage device having a storage area for each user is provided in the center station, and a file generated by using the computer is stored in a storage area of a user using the computer. Any one of the computer systems.   6. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein a controller for selecting a computer to be used from the group of computers is installed in the center station.   The center station is provided with image difference means for taking the difference between the dot image data output from the computer and the dot image data output last time and transmitting the difference dot image data, and the image display unit receives the incoming image. 6. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising image adding means for displaying the difference dot image data in addition to the dot image data displayed so far. The center station is provided with print image expansion means for expanding the print character data output from the computer into a print dot image and transmitting the print dot image data, and the communication terminal device receives the received print 8. A computer system according to claim 1, further comprising a printing machine for printing dot images according to the dot image data for use.

Images