JP6009168B2 - Selector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a switching device.

  A multi-user type KVM switch (KVM: Keyboard, Video and Mouse) includes a plurality of mice, a keyboard, and a display, each of which is a computer device selected by each user from a plurality of computers. It is a switch to connect. By switching this connection, the KVM switch enables operation of a plurality of computer devices using a set of mouse, keyboard, and display for each of a plurality of users.

  For this reason, according to the KVM switch, there is no need to provide a mouse, a keyboard, and a display for each computer device, so that the advantages of space saving and cost reduction can be obtained. Since the traveling time is saved, the advantage of reducing the working time can be obtained.

  Regarding a multi-user type KVM switch, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of providing a port connected to a computer device so as to be detachable from a main body. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for preventing a selected computer device from being operated by another user when the computer device to be operated is switched from the selected device to another device. It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-18135 JP 2009-176255 A

  When a plurality of users collaborate using a plurality of computer devices by a multi-user type KVM switch, or when one user performs a task using a plurality of computer devices, as an operation target The screen of another computer device different from the selected computer device may be confirmed. In this case, when the user switches the operation target to another computer device in order to check the screen, the operation is performed when the other user selects the computer device operated before the switch as the operation target. There is a problem that it is impossible to do so and the work efficiency is lowered.

  Also, even when a single user performs work using a single-user KVM switch, the operation target device is switched each time it is necessary to check the screen of another computer device not selected as the operation target. Similarly, there is a problem that work efficiency is lowered.

  The subject of this invention is providing the switch which can improve working efficiency.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a switch according to the present invention is an external device for inputting information to a computer device selected according to a user's operation from a plurality of external computer devices. And a third image generated by superimposing at least a part of the second image output from another computer apparatus on at least a part of the first image output from the computer apparatus. , have a control unit for outputting to an external display device, the control unit, the other computer devices is selected in accordance with the operation of other users, the other external input device by said connecting portion If connected, refer to permission information indicating permission / inhibition of output of the second image to the display device, generate the third image when the permission information indicates permission, and output to the display device That.

  According to the above switch, not only the first image output from the computer device operated by the user using the input device but also the second image output from another computer device that is not the operation target is output to the display device. To do. Therefore, the user can check the screen of the other computer device while operating the computer device selected as the operation target, so that the work efficiency is improved.

  In the above switch, the third image may be an image obtained by combining the first image with the reduced second image.

  In the switch, in the case where the control unit outputs a third image generated by superimposing at least a part of the second image on the entire first image, the input unit causes the input unit to output the third image. The input of information from the input device to the computer device connected to the computer may be invalidated.

  In the above switch, the control unit may switch the third image to be output to the display device to another image according to an input from the input device or the passage of time.

  In the switch, the control unit sequentially selects a plurality of the second images respectively output from the plurality of other computer devices selected according to the operation of the user, and selects the first images. Three images may be generated and output to the display device.

  In the switch described above, the control unit may switch the selection of the second image every time when the time allocated to each of the other computer devices elapses.

  In the switch described above, the permission / refusal information may be associated with user information that identifies the user.

  In the above-described switch, the control unit may be configured based on the permission information to a user's operation or setting information that is determined that output of the second image of the computer device to the display device is not permitted. Accordingly, a message image requesting permission of image output may be output to another external output device corresponding to the other computer device.

  In the switching device, the control unit may be configured such that when the other computer device is selected according to an operation of another user and connected to another external input device by the connection unit, A message image for notifying execution of image output may be output to another external output device corresponding to the computer device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch that can improve work efficiency.

It is a functional block diagram of a KVM switch. It is a functional block diagram of a control part. It is an example of the image output from two computer apparatuses. It is an example of the display screen of a display based on the image shown in FIG. It is another example of the display screen of a display based on the image shown in FIG. It is another example of the display screen of a display based on the image shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an OSD process part. It is an example of a login screen. It is an example of a menu screen. It is an example of a connection setting screen. It is an example of the display setting screen of another computer screen. It is an example of the permission setting screen of the monitor display by another user. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a display process part. It is an example of a request notification screen. It is an example of the notification screen of the user list which is monitoring the screen of a computer apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of the KVM switch. The KVM switch 1 is an example of a switch, and includes a plurality of external computer devices (1) to (N) 2, a plurality of external input devices (1) to (N) 3, and a plurality of external displays ( 1) to (M) 4 are connected. Here, the maximum number of connections N of the computer device 2 and the maximum number of connections M of the input device 3 and the display 4 are not limited to specific numbers.

  Each of the plurality of input devices (1) to (N) 3 includes a set of a keyboard (n) 31 and a mouse (n) 32. The input device (n) 3 may include another pointing device such as a trackball instead of the mouse 32 or in addition to the mouse 32, and may further include a touch panel. Further, as the displays (1) to (N) 4, display devices such as a liquid crystal display and a CRT display (CRT: Cathode Ray Tube) may be employed.

  A plurality of users select and use one set of input device 3 and display 4 among a plurality of sets of input devices (1) to (N) and displays (1) to (N) 4, respectively. . The KVM switch 1 is a computer (i) selected from a plurality of computer devices (1) to (N) 2 by a set of input device 3 and display 4 selected by the user. Connect to 2.

  Since the KVM switch 1 of the present embodiment is a multi-user type connected to a plurality of sets of input devices (1) to (N) and displays (1) to (N) 4, a maximum of M persons can be connected at the same time. Tolerate the user. However, since the maximum number of connections of the computer apparatus 2 is N, the number of persons who can simultaneously operate the computer apparatus (n) 2 is N persons.

  The user switches the computer device (i) 2 to be selected as the operation target, thereby enabling a plurality of computer devices (1) to (1) to be displayed with a set of keyboard (n) 31, mouse (n) 32, and display (n) 4. (N) 2 can be operated. On the other hand, the user cannot operate the computer device (n) 2 that has not been selected. In the following description, among the N computer devices (1) to (N) 2, the identification number of the computer selected as the operation target by the user is particularly denoted as “i”, and the other identification numbers are denoted by “ n ”.

  The KVM switch 1 includes a connection unit 10, a plurality of computer side communication processing units (1) to (N) 12, a plurality of console side communication processing units (1) to (M) 13, a control unit 14, and a storage. Part 15. The KVM switch 1 includes a plurality of sets of input devices (1) to (M) 3 and displays (1) to (M) 4 via a plurality of console side communication processing units (1) to (M) 13, respectively. On the other hand, it is connected to a plurality of computer devices (1) to (N) 2 via a plurality of computer side communication processing units (1) to (N) 12, respectively. As the connection means, a wired system such as a cable or a wireless system such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be adopted. In this embodiment, a wired system is exemplified. In addition, as a communication method between the KVM switch 1 and the computer apparatus (n) 2, the keyboard (n) 31, and the mouse (n) 32, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) or PS / 2 is adopted. Yes.

  Each console-side communication processing unit (n) 13 communicates with each of an external keyboard (n) 31, mouse 32 (n), and display (n) 4. Specifically, each console-side communication processing unit (n) 13 responds to a key input signal Sk (n) transmitted from the keyboard (n) 31 according to the user's operation and according to the user's operation. A reception process of the mouse input signal Sm (n) transmitted from the mouse (n) 32 is performed. In addition, the console side communication processing unit (n) 13 transmits the video output signal Sd (i) generated by the control unit 14 from the selected computer (i) 2 and generated based on the video output signal Sv (i). A transmission process to the display 4 is performed (see FIG. 2).

  The plurality of computer side communication processing units (1) to (N) 12 communicate with the plurality of external computer devices (1) to (N) 2, respectively. Specifically, each computer-side communication processing unit (n) 12 performs reception processing of the video output signal Sv (n) transmitted from the computer device (n) 2.

  In addition, the computer-side communication processing unit (i) 12 connected to the computer device (i) 2 that is selected as an operation target has a keyboard (n) 31 and a mouse corresponding to the computer device (i) 2. (N) Transmission processing of the key input signal Sk (n) and mouse input signal Sm (n) transmitted from 32 is performed. Note that the key input signal Sk (n) includes, for example, character information input from the keyboard 31, and the mouse input signal Sm (n) includes, for example, position information specified by the mouse 32 and a click. Input information such as is included.

  On the other hand, the computer-side communication processing unit (n) 12 connected to the non-selected computer device (n) 2 as the operation target is connected to the corresponding computer device (n) and signals Sk (n), Sm (n), By performing transmission / reception processing of Sv (n), emulation processing is performed that behaves as a pseudo keyboard (n) 31, mouse (n) 32, and display (n) 4.

  The connection unit 10 is connected to the plurality of computer side communication processing units (1) to (N) 12, the plurality of console communication processing units (1) to (N) 13, and the control unit 14. The connection unit 10 connects the computer device (i) 2 to the computer device (i) 2 selected as the operation target according to the operation of the user among the plurality of external computer devices (1) to (N) 2. An external input device (n) 3 for inputting information is connected. That is, the connection unit 10 communicates the console communication processing unit (n) 13 communicating with the user's input device (n) 3 with the computer device (i) 2 selected as the operation target. (I) Functions as a switch connected to 12. The console communication processing unit (n) 13 and the computer side communication processing unit (i) 12 are connected so that a one-to-one relationship is established, and the setting of the connection is performed from the control unit 14.

  On the other hand, the computer device (i) 2 selected as the operation target and the display (n) 4 are connected via the control unit 14. In other words, the video output signal Sv (i) output from the computer device (i) 2 to be operated is subjected to image processing by the control unit 14, and the display image signal Sd (i) is displayed on the user's display (n ) Is output to 4.

  The control unit 14 displays on the display (n) 4 based on the operation processing unit 141 that processes the entire operation of the KVM switch 1 and the images output from the computer devices (1) to (N) 2, respectively. And an image generation unit 142 for generating an image. The operation processing unit 141 is connected to the storage unit 15 that stores setting information that defines each operation, and writes or reads each setting information. The operation processing unit 141 is connected to the image generation unit 142 and outputs a plurality of display control signals to the image generation unit 142 to perform display processing on the displays (1) to (N) 4.

  The control unit 14 is configured by hardware including an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) functioning by a program (that is, software) stored in the storage unit 15 or an application-specific integrated circuit, for example. The In addition, the storage unit 15 is configured by a storage device such as a hard disk drive and a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a portable recording medium such as a memory card.

  The control unit 14 adds an auxiliary image output from the other computer apparatus (n) 2 to at least a part of the main image output from the computer apparatus (i) 2 selected as an operation target according to the operation of the user. A display image generated by superimposing at least a part of is output to a display (n) 4 that is a display device. Here, the other computer device (n) 2 may be one selected by another user as an operation target, or one in a non-use state that is not selected by any user. Also good. In the following description, displaying an image output from another computer device (n) 2 that is not an operation target on the display (n) 4 of the user is referred to as “monitor”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the video output signals Sv (1) to Sv (N) are transmitted from the computer devices (1) to (N) 2 to the computer side communication processing units (1) to (N) 12 and the connection. The data is output to the image generation unit 142 via the unit 10. The image generation unit 142 performs image generation processing based on the video output signal Sv (n), and displays the display image signal Sd (n) of the generated image via the connection unit 10 and the console communication processing unit (n) 13. And output to the display (n) 4.

  Specifically, the image generation unit 142 outputs the video output signal Sv (i) output from the computer device (i) 2 selected as the operation target by the user among the video output signals Sv (1) to Sv (N). ) (That is, the image signal of the main image) and the video output signal Sv (n) (that is, the auxiliary image of the auxiliary image that is output from the other computer device (n) 2 selected by the user as the monitoring target). Select (Image signal). The video output signals Sv (i) and Sv (n) are selected by selecting main image selection signals Cv (1) to Cv (M) and auxiliary image selection signals Cd (1) to Cd (M) output from the operation processing unit 141. ).

  The main image selection signals Cv (1) to Cv (M) indicate the identification number i of the computer apparatus (n) 2 corresponding to the main image displayed on each of the displays (1) to (N) 4. For example, when the image of the computer device (1) 2 is displayed as a main image on the user's display (1), the corresponding main image selection signal Cv (1) indicates “1”, and based on this, image generation is performed. The unit 142 selects the video output signal Sv (1) as the image signal of the main image. The main image selection signal Cv (n) for the display (n) 4 in the unused state indicates, for example, “0” to indicate that there is no image to be displayed.

  The auxiliary image selection signals Cd (1) to Cs (M) indicate the identification number n of the computer device (n) 2 corresponding to the auxiliary images displayed on the displays (1) to (N) 4, respectively. For example, when the image of the computer device (2) 2 is displayed as an auxiliary image on the display (1), the corresponding auxiliary image selection signal Cd (1) indicates “2”, and based on this, the image generation unit 142 Then, the video output signal Sv (2) is selected as the image signal of the auxiliary image. When the display (n) 4 is not in use or when there is no computer device (n) 2 to be displayed on the display (n) 4, the auxiliary image selection signal Cd (n) is displayed. In order to indicate that there is no image to be displayed, for example, “0” is indicated.

  The image generation unit 142 generates a display image signal Sd (n) from the two selected video output signals Sv (i) and Sv (n). At this time, when an OSD image is displayed on the display (n) 4 based on the OSD function (OSD: On Screen Display) of the operation processing unit 141, the image generation unit 142 selects the two selected video output signals Sv (i ), Sv (n), and the OSD image signal So (n), the display image signal Sd (n) is generated.

  The image generation unit 142 selects the display format of the display image displayed on the display (n) 4 from a plurality of types based on the monitor setting information (n) 153 stored in the storage unit 15. The monitor setting information (1) to (M) 153 is read by the operation processing unit 141 and is output to the image generation unit 142 as monitor setting signals Co (1) to Co (N).

  For example, the image generation unit 142 may include a main image (image of the signal Sv (1)) of the computer device (1) 2 to be operated and an auxiliary image (signal Sv (signal Sv (1)) of the computer device (2) 2 to be monitored. 2) is the one shown in FIG. 3, the image of any of FIGS. 4 to 6 is generated according to the monitor setting signal Co (n). 4 to 6 show a case where there is no OSD image displayed on the display (n) 4.

  The image example shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by combining a reduced auxiliary image with a main image. According to this example, the user can view an image of another computer apparatus (2) 2 while operating the computer apparatus (1) 2. The position of the auxiliary image with respect to the main image may be changed by operating the input device (n) 3.

  The image example shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by superimposing the entire auxiliary image on the entire main image. During the display of the image, the connection unit 10 controls the operation processing unit 141 in order to prevent the operator's erroneous operation due to the main image not being displayed, and the user input device (n) 3 and the operation target. The connection state with the computer apparatus (i) 2 may be canceled to invalidate the operation. According to this example, the user can temporarily stop the operation of the computer apparatus (1) 2 and view the image of the other computer apparatus (2) 2 in detail. The auxiliary image to be superimposed may be a part of the auxiliary image.

  The image example shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by combining a part of an auxiliary image with a main image without reducing it. For example, based on the mouse input signal Sm (n), the image generation unit 142 changes the display area of the auxiliary image by a drag operation (that is, a scroll operation) of the mouse (n) 32. However, the display area may be changed based on the key input signal Sk (n). According to this example, the user can view any part of the image of the other computer device (2) 2 in detail while operating the computer device (1) 2. The position of the auxiliary image with respect to the main image may be changed by operating the input device (n) 3.

  The display images illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 are controlled by the operation processing unit 141 based on user settings. The function of the operation processing unit 141 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation processing unit 141 includes an OSD processing unit 1410, an authentication processing unit 1411, a connection processing unit 1412, a setting processing unit 1413, a display processing unit 1414, and a notification processing unit 1415. Including.

  The OSD processing unit 1410 executes the OSD function according to a call operation by the user. For example, the OSD processing unit 1410 receives a specific key (eg, “Scroll Lock” key) of the keyboard 31 within a predetermined time based on the key input signal Sk input from the console communication processing unit 13 via the connection unit 10. The OSD function is executed by detecting that the button has been pressed a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). However, the detection of calling of the OSD function may be performed based on the mouse input signal Sm (n).

  When the OSD processing unit 1410 executes the OSD function, the setting of the KVM switch 1 or the like to the image (main image or an image including the main image and the auxiliary image) output from the computer apparatuses (1) to (N) 2 is performed. In order to synthesize the OSD image to be processed, an OSD image signal So (n) for forming the OSD screen is generated and output to the image generation unit 142. The OSD image signals So (1) to So (M) are signals of OSD images displayed on the displays (1) to (N) 4, respectively.

  When the OSD image is displayed on the display (n) 4, the OSD processing unit 1410 receives a key input signal Sk () input via the connection unit 10 in order to receive an operation from each input device (n) 3. n) and the mouse input signal Sm (n) is processed. The OSD processing unit 1410 causes the functions of the other processing units 1411, 1413, and 1415 to be executed according to the operation and state of each user.

  The authentication processing unit 1411 authenticates the user based on the authentication table 150 stored in the storage unit 15. The authentication processing unit 1411 performs authentication processing (that is, user login processing) by comparing the identification information input from the input device (n) 3 with the authentication information in the authentication table 150.

  For example, the authentication processing unit 1411 collates the user ID and password input from the input device (n) 3 with the user ID and password registered in the authentication table 150 exemplified in Table 1, respectively. If they match, the authentication process is considered successful. The “user name” in the authentication table 150 is used as user information for identifying the user in the setting of the permission / denial setting table 154 and the notification processing of the notification processing unit 1415.

  The authentication process is not limited to the above-described method. For example, only a user ID may be used, or network authentication may be performed in which identification information is transmitted and an authentication result is received. When network authentication is employed, the authentication table 150 is held in an external authentication device (for example, an authentication server) connected to the KVM switch 1 via a communication unit such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The authentication table 150 can be changed only by an authorized administrator.

  The user is allowed to use the KVM switch 1 by setting various kinds of setting information 152 to 154 on condition that the authentication process is successful. The other processing units 1412 to 1415 execute a predetermined process for each user who has succeeded in the authentication process, that is, for each logged-in user. In the following description, the process related to a specific user will be described, and other logged-in users will be referred to as “other users”.

  The connection processing unit 1412 performs processing for connecting the input device (n) 3 and the display (n) 4 to the computer device (n) 2 based on the connection management table 151 stored in the storage unit 15. The connection management table 151 is set by the setting processing unit 1413 according to a user operation on the OSD image.

  Table 2 illustrates the connection management table 151. In the table, “computer side port number” indicates the identification number n (= 1 to N) of the computer side communication processing unit (n) 12 or the computer device (n) 2. The “console side port number” is an identification number of the console side communication processing unit (n) 2, the input device (n) 3, or the display (n) 4 connected to the computer side communication processing unit (n) 2. n (= 1 to M) is indicated.

  “Status” indicates the state of the computer device (n) 2 connected to each computer-side communication processing unit (n) 2. When the “status” is “USE”, this indicates that the user indicated by the “user ID” is in use (that is, selected as an operation target), and when the “status” is “PWR-ON”, This indicates that the power supply is not in use and the power is on. When the “status” is “PWR-OFF”, the power is off.

  In the example of Table 2, the computer device (1) 2 is connected to the input device (1) 3 used by the user with the user ID “User_1”, and the computer device (2) 2 uses the user ID “User_3”. Connected to an input device (4) 3 used by a person. The computer device (3) 2 is in a power-on state, but there is no user and the computer device (N) 2 is in a power-off state.

  The connection management table 151 is updated by the setting processing unit 1413 according to a user operation. When the user performs connection setting, the setting processing unit 1413 identifies the input device (n) 3 and the console-side communication processing unit (n) 13 corresponding to the display (n) 4 used by the user. n is registered in the “console side port number” column of the “computer side port number” corresponding to the computer apparatus (n) 2 selected as the operation target. The setting processing unit 1413 registers the user ID of the user in the “user ID” column of the “computer side port number”.

  The setting processing unit 1413 detects the state of each computer device (n) 2 and updates the contents of the “status” column. When the setting processing unit 1413 detects power-on and power-off of the computer apparatus (n) 2, the setting processing unit 1413 updates the contents of the “status” column to “PWR-ON” and “PWR-OFF”, respectively. When the connection setting of the user is performed for the computer device (n) 2, it is updated to “USE”. The detection of the power-on state and the power-off state is performed based on, for example, video output signals Sv (1) to Sv (N) from each computer apparatus (n) 2.

  The connection processing unit 1412 generates connection signals Ck (1) to Ck (M) based on the “console side port number” in the connection management table 151, and outputs them to the connection unit 10. The connection signals Ck (1) to Ck (M) indicate the identification numbers i of the computer devices (n) 2 connected to the input devices (1) to (M) 3, respectively. The connection unit 10 connects the computer device (n) 2 to the input device (n) 3 in accordance with connection signals Ck (1) to Ck (M). In the example of Table 2, Ck (1) indicates “1”, and Ck (2) indicates “4”.

  Further, the connection processing unit 1412 generates main image selection signals Cv (1) to Cv (M) based on the “console side port number” of the connection management table 151, and outputs them to the image generation unit 142. As described above, the image generation unit 142 generates the display image signal Sd (n) based on the main image selection signals Cv (1) to Cv (M) and outputs the display image signal Sd (n) to the display (n) 4. In the example of Table 2, Cv (1) indicates “1” and Cv (2) indicates “4”.

  Based on the display setting tables (1) to (M) 152, the display processing unit 1414 displays the computer device (i) selected by the user for monitoring on the displays (1) to (M) 4 used by the user. ) Control to display each of the two images. The display format is selected from the above-described FIGS. 4 to 5 based on the monitor setting signals Co (1) to Co (N). The setting of the display setting tables (1) to (M) 152 is performed by the setting processing unit 1413 according to the operation of the user.

  Table 3 is an example of the display setting table (n) 152. In the table, “computer side port number” indicates the identification number n (1 to N) of the computer side communication processing unit (n) 12 or the computer device (n) 2. In the display setting table (n) 152, among the “computer side port numbers”, the setting for the identification number i of the computer device (n) 2 selected as the operation target by the user is invalid. In Table 3, it is assumed that the computer apparatus (1) 2 is selected as an operation target (see “-” in the table).

  The “display order” column is set to “computer side port number” of the computer apparatus (n) 2 selected as the monitoring target. The “display order” column indicates the order in which the plurality of computer apparatuses (n) 2 are displayed on the display (n) 4 when they are monitored. On the other hand, when only one computer device (n) 2 is monitored, only “1” is set in the “display order” column.

  “Switching time” indicates a time during which the auxiliary image output from the computer apparatus (n) 2 to be monitored is displayed on the display (n) 4. The display processing unit 1414 switches the auxiliary image to the next image of the computer apparatus (n) 2 indicated in the “display order” when the time registered in the “switching time” column has elapsed.

  In addition, for “computer side port number” in which “switching time” is not set (that is, “−” in the table) and only “display order” is set, the input device The monitor image is switched to the next image in response to a specific input from 3. That is, the display processing unit 1414 switches the display image to be output to the display (n) 4 to another display image according to the input from the input device (n) 2 or the passage of time. The input from the input device (n) 3 is detected based on the key input signal Sk (n) or the mouse input signal Sm (n).

  In the case of the example in Table 3, when the display of the monitor image is started, the image of the computer device (2) 2 is displayed as an auxiliary image for 90 seconds, and then the image of the computer device (3) 2 is displayed for 60 seconds. Then, the image of the computer device (5) 2 is displayed. Then, when there is a specific input from the input device 3, the auxiliary image display processing ends, and only the image (that is, the main image) of the computer device (1) 2 to be operated is displayed on the display (n) 4. Is done.

  As described above, the control unit 14 sequentially selects a plurality of auxiliary images respectively output from a plurality of computer devices selected as monitoring targets according to a user's operation, and generates a display image. (N) Output to 4. And the control part 14 switches selection of an auxiliary | assistant image, whenever the time allocated to each of the said computer apparatus (n) 2 passes. According to this, the user can easily view images of the plurality of computer apparatuses (n) 2 that are not the operation target.

  The “permission / rejection” column displays an auxiliary image output from the computer apparatus (n) 2 to be monitored on the display (n) 4 of the user based on the permission / rejection setting table 154 stored in the storage unit 15. Indicates whether or not it is possible (that is, whether or not monitoring is possible). When the “permitted” column indicates “permitted”, the display of the auxiliary image is allowed. On the other hand, when the “permitted” column indicates “prohibited”, the display of the auxiliary image is not permitted.

  In the “permission / rejection” column, a computer device (n) 2 to be monitored is selected as an operation target according to another user's operation, and is connected to another external input device (n) 3 by the connection unit 10. Is effective. That is, when the computer device (n) 2 is not selected as an operation target by another user, the “permission” column is not set (see “−” in the table).

  Table 4 shows an example of the permission / refusal setting table 154. The permission / refusal setting table 154 is provided for each user, and permission / rejection information is registered in association with each user ID that is user information for specifying another user. The permission / refusal information indicates permission / refusal to output the image of the computer device (i) 2 to be operated by the user as an auxiliary image on the display (n) 4 used by another user. That is, in the permission / refusal information, “permitted” is set for other users who permit display, and “prohibited” is set for other users who prohibit display.

  In the permission / refusal setting table 154, “-” (invalid) is set for the user ID of the user. That is, Table 4 shows an example of the permission / refusal setting table 154 for the user with the user ID “User_1”. In this example, the user permits the users with the user IDs “User_2” and “User_3” to display images, and prohibits the users with the user IDs “User_4” and “User_5” from displaying images. Yes.

  Table 5 shows another example of the permission / refusal setting table 154. The permission / rejection setting table 154 is provided for each user, and permission / rejection information is registered in association with each of the above-described “console-side port numbers”. In the permission / refusal information, “permitted” is set for the other “console-side port number” for which display is permitted, and “prohibited” is set for the other “console-side port number” for which display is prohibited. That is, in this example, display permission / prohibition is set for each other user based on the “console-side port number”, not the user ID.

  In the permission / refusal setting table 154, “−” (invalid) is set for the port number of the user. That is, Table 5 shows an example of a permission / refusal setting table 154 for a user who uses the input device (1) 3 and the display (1) 4. In this example, the user permits the user who uses the input devices (2), (3) 3, and the displays (2), (3) 4 to display images, and the input devices (4), ( 5) Display of images is prohibited for the user who uses 3 and displays (4) and (5) 4. Note that the setting of the permission / rejection setting table 154 is performed by the setting processing unit 1413 in accordance with a user operation.

  In the case of Table 4, the “permission / rejection” column of the display setting table (n) 152 indicates the user ID of the user and the permission / rejection setting table 154 of other users whose operation target is the computer device (n) 2. It is updated by collating with the user ID registered in. On the other hand, in the case of the example in Table 5, the “permission / rejection” column of the display setting table (n) 152 indicates the port number n used by the user and the permission / rejection of the user who operates the computer device (n) 2. It is updated by collating with the “console side port number” registered in the setting table 154.

  Further, the “permission request” column requests other users who operate the computer apparatus (n) 2 to permit the display of the auxiliary image when the “permission / rejection” column indicates “prohibition”. Indicates whether or not. When the “permission request” field is set to “Yes”, the display processing unit 1414 displays the request message on the display (n) 4 used by the other user, while the “permission request” field. If is set to “No”, the request message is not displayed. When the request message is displayed, the user who has received the request can use the input device (n) 3 to make a response regarding permission or rejection. When the display is permitted by this response, the permission information of the user ID registered in the permission setting table 154 of another user who is the request target may be updated to “permitted”.

  When the “permission request” field is set to “Yes”, the display processing unit 1414 displays an auxiliary image when a permission response is obtained from the other user. The OSD processing unit 1410 performs processing for displaying a request message on the display (n) 4 and obtaining a response to the request. On the other hand, when the “permission request” field is set to “do not”, the display processing unit 1414 switches the display image without displaying the auxiliary image of the computer apparatus (n) 2.

  Further, in the example of Table 3, the “permission request” column is set to “no” for the port numbers “2” and “3” in which the “permission” column is “permitted” or not set (“−”). However, it may be set to “Yes”. As a result, the request message can be displayed when the “permission / rejection” column is updated to “prohibited” in accordance with the operation of another user. Each “permission / rejection” column is updated along with the update of the connection management table 151 or the permission / rejection setting table 154.

  In this way, the control unit 14 selects the computer device (n) 2 selected by the user as the monitoring target as the operation target according to the operation of the other user, and the connection unit 10 selects another input device (n ) When connected to 3, reference is made to permission / rejection information indicating permission / inhibition of output of the auxiliary image of the computer device (n) 2 to the display (n) 4. This permission / inhibition information is associated with a user ID that is user information for identifying the user. And the control part 14 produces | generates the display image based on an auxiliary image, and outputs it to a display (n), when permission information shows permission. According to this, it is possible to prevent the image of the computer device (i) 2 to be operated by the user from being seen without permission by other users.

  Further, the control unit 14 uses the setting information of the user who is determined not to permit the output of the auxiliary image of the computer device to the display (n) 4 based on the permission information, that is, the “permission request” information. In response, a message image requesting permission to output the auxiliary image is output to the display (n) 4 corresponding to the computer device (n) 2 to be monitored. According to this, a user who is prohibited from displaying the auxiliary image can request permission of display from the corresponding other user.

  In addition, the setting processing unit 1413 performs connection management table 151, display setting tables (1) to (M) 152, monitor setting information (1) stored in the storage unit 15 in response to an operation from the input device (n) 3. ) To (M) 153 and the contents of the permission / rejection setting table 154 are set. Only the user who has been authenticated by the authentication processing unit 1411 can perform the setting operation. In the present embodiment, the tables 151 to 154 are held in the KVM switch 1, but are not limited to this, and may be held in another external device (for example, a management server). In this case, information of each table 151-154 may be transmitted / received via communication means such as a LAN.

  The notification processing unit 1415 selects the computer device (n) 2 selected as the monitoring target by the user as the operation target according to the operation of another user, and the connection unit 10 sets the other input device (n) 3. Is connected, the message image notifying the execution of the output of the auxiliary image is output to the display (n) 4 corresponding to the computer apparatus (n). That is, the notification processing unit 1415 indicates that the image of the computer device (n) 2 that is the operation target of the user is displayed on the other user's display (n) 4 as an auxiliary image. Notify

  The message image for notification is generated as an OSD image by the OSD processing unit 1410 and output to the image generation unit 142 as an OSD image signal So (n). Further, the “user name” of the other user may be included in the message image.

  Next, processing of the OSD processing unit 1410 will be described with reference to FIG. Based on the key input signal Sk (n), the OSD processing unit 1410 executes the function when the OSD function call is detected.

  When the OSD processing unit 1410 does not complete the user authentication for the console port corresponding to the detected key input signal Sk (n) (NO in step St1), the OSD image is logged in as illustrated in FIG. The screen is displayed on the display (n) 4 of the same port (step St7).

  The login screen includes a user ID input field 51, a password input field 52, and an OK button 53. When the user presses the OK button 53 in a state where the user ID and password are input in the user ID input field 51 and the password input field 52 by the operation of the user input device (n) 3, the authentication information The input is completed (YES in step St6).

  When the input of the authentication information is completed (YES in step St6), the authentication processing unit 1411 performs authentication processing (step St9), and the OSD processing unit 1410 ends the process. The authentication processing method is as described above.

  On the other hand, when the user authentication is completed (YES in step St1), the OSD processing unit 1410 displays a menu screen illustrated in FIG. 9 on the user's display (n) 4 as an OSD image. The menu screen includes a selection field 54 and an OK button 55. When the OK button 55 is pressed while any one of the three options in the selection column 54 is selected by the user's operation using the input device (n) 3, the selection is completed.

  When “connection setting” is selected on the menu screen (YES in step St3), the OSD processing unit 1410 displays the connection setting screen illustrated in FIG. 10 on the display (n) 4 as an OSD image (step St4). ). The connection setting screen includes a selection field 55, a computer device list display portion 56, and an OK button 57. The computer device list display unit 56 displays the names of the computer devices (1) to (M) 2 connected to each computer side port (that is, the computer side communication processing unit (n) 12). The names of the computer devices (1) to (M) 2 that cannot be selected are indicated with “in use” or “power off” based on the “status” field of the connection management table 151, and are selected. No selection button is displayed in 55.

  When the OK button 57 is pressed in a state where one selection button in the selection field 55 is selected by an operation by the user's input device (n) 3, the user's input device (n) 3 and display ( n) Connection setting between 4 and the computer device (i) 2 to be operated is completed (YES in step St5). When the connection setting is completed (YES in step St5), the OSD processing unit 1410 updates the connection management table 151 by the setting processing unit 1413 (step St6), and ends the process. When the connection management table 151 is updated, the connection processing unit 1412 outputs the connection signal Ck (n) to the connection unit 10 according to the updated content, and further generates the main image selection signal Cv (n). Output to the unit 142.

  Further, when “display setting of other computer screen” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 9 (NO in step St3, YES in step St10), the OSD processing unit 1410 is exemplified in FIG. 11 as an OSD image. A display setting screen is displayed on the display (n) 4 (step St11). On the display setting screen, the computer device (n) 2 to be monitored is selected, the display order and time are set, and whether or not there is a display request is set. The display setting screen includes a display unit 58, a setting unit 59, a display method setting unit 60, and an OK button 61 corresponding to each of the computer devices (1) to (M) 2.

  The display unit 58 displays the “status” column based on the contents of the “status” column in the connection management table 151 and the “display permission” based on the contents of the “permission” column in the display setting table (n) 152 described above. Column. The display unit 58 is for the user to refer to at the time of this setting, and cannot be set by the user.

  The setting unit 59 includes an “order” field based on the contents of the “display order” field in the display setting table (n) 152, a “display time” field based on the contents of the “switching time” field, and a “permission request”. "Permission request" field based on the "" field. The setting unit 59 is an input field for information set by the user.

  The display method setting unit 60 is a selection field for selecting one of the display image formats shown in FIGS. When “full screen” in the figure is selected, the display format illustrated in FIG. 5 is adopted, and the entire auxiliary image is displayed on the entire screen of the display (n) 4.

  In this case, as described above, in order to prevent an erroneous operation of the operator, the control unit transmits information from the input device 3 to the computer device (i) 2 connected to the input device (n) 3 by the connection unit 10. It is good to invalidate the input. That is, the operation processing unit 141 outputs the connection signal Ck (n) to the connection unit 10 so that the connection between the user input device (n) 3 and the computer device (i) 2 is released. Then, the operation processing unit 141 restores the connection when the display of the display image is completed due to elapse of the display time or the like.

  When “reduction” in the figure is selected, the display format illustrated in FIG. 4 is adopted, and the entire reduced auxiliary image is displayed on a part of the screen of the display (n) 4. Further, when “window” in the figure is selected, the display format illustrated in FIG. 6 is adopted, and a part of the auxiliary image is displayed on a part of the screen of the display (n) 4 without being reduced. Is done. The display format setting may be changed for each computer device (n) 2 to be monitored.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, the OK button 61 is pressed in a state in which the content of the setting unit 59 is input by the user's operation using the input device (n) 3 and the display mode setting unit 60 is selected. Then, the display setting is completed (YES in step St12). When the display setting is completed (YES in step St12), the OSD processing unit 1410 updates the display setting table (n) 152 and the monitor setting information (n) 153 by the setting processing unit 1413 (step St13), and ends the process. To do.

  When “monitor display permission setting by other user” is selected on the menu screen (NO in step St10, YES in step St14), the OSD processing unit 1410 displays the permission illustrated in FIG. 12 as an OSD image. A setting screen is displayed on the display (n) 4 (step St15). The permission screen includes a selection field 62 and an input table 63 for individual setting.

  The selection column 62 includes “individual setting” for individually setting permission / prohibition for each user, “batch permission setting” for collectively setting permission for all other users except the user, and batch prohibition. A selection button for selecting any one of the “batch prohibition settings” to be set is included. The input table 63 is effective when “individual setting” is selected, and is an input field for inputting a user name and display permission in association with each other. Here, the user name corresponds to the user name in the authentication table 150 shown above.

  The permission setting is completed when the OK button 64 is pressed in a state where selection in the selection column 62 or input of the contents of the input table 63 is performed at the same time as selection by the user's input device (n) 3. (YES in step St16). When the permission setting is completed (YES in step St16), the OSD processing unit 1410 updates the permission / rejection setting table 154 by the setting processing unit 1413 (step St17), and ends the process. As described above, the OSD processing unit 1410 performs processing related to authentication and setting.

  Next, processing of the display processing unit 1414 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, based on the key input signal Sk (n), the display processing unit 1414 executes the display processing shown in FIG. 13 when a specific input from the keyboard (n) 31 is detected. The specific input may be detected based on the mouse input signal Sm (n).

  If the display processing unit 1414 determines that there is no computer apparatus (n) 2 to be monitored based on the content in the “display order” column of the display setting table (n) 152 (NO in step St21), the process ends. . On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a computer device (n) 2 to be monitored (YES in step St21), the display processing unit 1414 selects the smallest of the unselected items based on the contents in the “display order” column. The computer device (n) 2 is selected (step St22).

  Next, the display processing unit 1414 determines whether the computer apparatus (n) 2 is in a power-on state based on the contents of the “status” column in the connection management table 151 for the selected computer apparatus (n) 2. Is determined (step St23). If the computer apparatus (n) 2 is not in a power-on state (NO in step St23), that is, if the “status” indicates “PWR-OFF”, the presence / absence of an unselected computer apparatus (n) 2 to be monitored Is determined (step St29). Then, when there is an unselected computer device (n) 2 to be monitored (YES in Step St29), the display processing unit 1414 performs the process from Step St22 again, and on the other hand, an unselected computer device to be monitored (n) ) If there is no 2 (NO in step St29), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the determination process of step St23, when the computer apparatus (n) 2 is in the power-on state (YES in step St23), the display processing unit 1414 determines that the computer apparatus (n ) 2 is determined whether it is being used by another user, that is, whether it is selected as an operation target (step St24).

  When the computer device (n) 2 is not being used by another user (NO in step St24), that is, when the “status” column is “PWR-ON”, the display processing unit 1414 (N) The image 2 is displayed on the display (n) as an auxiliary image (step St25). As described above, the display is performed in the format shown in any of FIGS. 4 to 5 based on the monitor setting information (n) 153.

  Next, the display processing unit 1414 determines whether or not the display time is set based on the content of the “switching time” column in the display setting table (n) 152 (step St26). When the display time is set (YES in step St26), the display processing unit 1414 starts measuring time with a timer (step St27). This timer may be configured by either software or hardware. If the timer expires after the time set in the “switching time” field has elapsed (YES in step St28), the display processing unit 1414 performs the determination process in step St29 described above.

  On the other hand, if the display time is not set (NO in step St26), that is, if the “switching time” field is “−”, the display processing unit 1414 waits until there is a specific input for switching the display image. (Step St36). When the specific input is detected (YES in step St36), the display processing unit 1414 performs the determination process in step St29 described above.

  The display processing unit 1414 displays the display setting table when the computer device (n) 2 is being used by another user (NO in Step St24), that is, when the “status” column is “USE”. (N) Based on the content of the “permission / rejection” column in 152, whether or not the auxiliary image is displayed is determined (step St30). If the display is permitted (YES in step St30), the display processing unit 1414 performs the display process in step St25 described above. On the other hand, the display processing unit 1414 does not display (NO in step St30). ), Based on the content of the “permission request” column in the display setting table (n) 152, it is determined whether or not a permission request is set for another corresponding user (step St31). If there is no request setting (NO in step St31), the display processing unit 1414 performs the determination process in step St29 described above.

  On the other hand, if there is a request setting (YES in step St31), the display processing unit 1414 outputs a permission request notification (step St32). That is, the display processing unit 1414 displays the message image illustrated in FIG. 14 on the display (n) 4 used by the corresponding other user. Here, the identification number n of the display (n) 4 is obtained as the corresponding “console-side port number” when the user ID of the other user is collated with the “user ID” column of the connection management table. It is done. The message image is generated by the OSD processing unit 1410.

  The message image includes a selection field 65 and an OK button 66. When the OK button 66 is pressed in a state where the selection in the selection column 65 is made by the operation of the other user's input device (n) 3, a response to the request is output. The response indicates permission when “allow display and change permission setting to“ permitted ”” or “permit display temporarily and do not change permission setting” is selected. On the other hand, when “Do not allow display” is selected, the response indicates prohibition (that is, non-permission).

  Referring to FIG. 15 again, when the response indicating permission is not obtained (NO in step St33), the display processing unit 1414 performs the determination process in step St29 described above. The absence of a response is determined, for example, by elapse of a predetermined time or by a request interruption operation by the user.

  On the other hand, when a response indicating permission is obtained (YES in step St33), the display processing unit 1414 determines whether or not a setting change instruction is included in the response (step St34). That is, the display processing unit 1414 determines whether or not “Allow display and change permission setting to“ permitted ”” in the message image shown in FIG. 14 is selected.

  When the response does not include a setting change instruction (NO in step St34), the display processing unit 1414 performs the display process in step St25 described above. On the other hand, when a setting change instruction is included in the response (YES in step St34), the display processing unit 1414 sets permission information for the user ID of the user to “permitted” in the permission setting table 154 of the other user. After updating (step St35), the display process of step St25 described above is performed.

  As described above, the display processing unit 1414 performs the display processing of the display image exemplified in FIGS. Note that the display processing unit 1414 does not display the auxiliary image when the display process shown in FIG. 13 is not executed, and does not display the auxiliary image, but the image of the computer device (i) 2 selected by the user as the operation target (that is, the main image) The image is displayed on the display (n) 4 of the user.

  Further, the notification processing unit 1415 executes a notification process for displaying the notification screen illustrated in FIG. 15 on the display (n) 4 of the user. This notification process is executed, for example, when a specific input from the keyboard (n) 31 is detected based on the key input signal Sk (n). The specific input may be detected based on the mouse input signal Sm (n).

  On the notification screen, the names of other users who display the screen of the computer device (i) 2 selected as the operation target by the user on their own display (n) 4 as an auxiliary image are displayed. (See reference numeral 67). Thereby, the user can know that the screen of the computer device (i) 2 to be operated is viewed by another user. Note that the notification screen is generated by the OSD processing unit 1410.

  The notification processing unit 1415 refers to each display setting table (n) 152 of another user, and the order is set in the “display order” field of the user's computer-side port number, and the “permission / rejection” field Detects the user names of other users whose is "permitted". Here, the user name is acquired from the authentication table 150. Then, the notification processing unit 1415 displays a notification screen for notifying the acquired user name 67 on the display (n) 4 of the user. The notification screen may be erased when a specific input from the keyboard (n) 31 is detected.

  As described above, according to the KVM switch 1 of this embodiment, only the image (that is, the main image) output from the computer device (i) 2 operated by the user with the input device (n) 3 is used. In addition, an image (that is, an auxiliary image) output from another computer device (n) 2 that is not an operation target (that is, a monitor target) is also output to the display (n) 4 that is a display device. Therefore, the user can check the screen of the other computer apparatus (n) 2 during the operation of the computer apparatus (i) 2 selected as the operation target, so that the work efficiency is improved. Such an effect can be obtained not only for the multi-user type KVM switch 1 exemplified in this embodiment but also for a single-user type KVM switch.

  Although the contents of the present invention have been specifically described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can take various modifications based on the basic technical idea and teachings of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 KVM switch 2 Computer apparatus 3 Input device 4 Display 10 Connection part 14 Control part

Claims (10)

A connection unit for connecting an external input device for inputting information to the computer device selected from the plurality of external computer devices according to a user operation;
A control unit that outputs a third image generated by superimposing at least a part of the second image output from another computer apparatus to at least a part of the first image output from the computer apparatus to an external display device And
When the other computer device is selected according to an operation of another user and connected to another external input device by the connection unit, the control unit is configured to display the second image on the display device. A switching device characterized by referring to permission / rejection information indicating permission / inhibition of output, generating the third image when the permission / rejection information indicates permission, and outputting the third image to the display device.   The switch according to claim 1, wherein the permission / refusal information is associated with user information for specifying the user.   The control unit corresponds to the other computer device according to a user operation or setting information determined that output of the second image to the display device is not permitted based on the permission information. The switching device according to claim 2, wherein a message image requesting permission of image output is output to another external output device. A connection unit that connects an external input device for inputting information to the computer device selected from the plurality of external computer devices by the user;
A control unit that outputs a third image generated by superimposing at least a part of the second image output from another computer apparatus to at least a part of the first image output from the computer apparatus to an external display device And
The control unit includes a list of the other computer devices, information indicating whether the computer device is on or off, or whether the computer device is in use, in the third image according to the operation of the user. The setting screen on which is displayed is synthesized and output to the display device, and the computer device selected by the user's selection operation in the setting screen among the plurality of computer devices is connected to the input device Set the connection to be
The switching unit, wherein the connection unit inputs information input from the input device only to the computer device selected by the selection operation among the plurality of computers.   5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the third image is an image obtained by synthesizing the reduced second image with the first image. 6.   When the control unit outputs a third image generated by superimposing at least a part of the second image on the entire first image, the computer device connected to the input device by the connection unit 5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein input of information from the input device is invalidated.   The said control part switches the said 3rd image output to the said display apparatus to another image according to the input from the said input device, or progress of time, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Switching device according to crab.   The control unit sequentially selects the plurality of second images output from the plurality of other computer devices selected according to the user's operation, and generates the third image, The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is output to the display device.   The switch according to claim 8, wherein the control unit switches selection of the second image every time when the time allocated to each of the other computer devices elapses. When the other computer device is selected according to another user's operation and connected to another external input device by the connection unit, the control unit is an external device corresponding to the other computer device. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a message image notifying execution of image output is output to another output device.

Images