JP2001078277A - Information processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an information processing unit that can be operated from a plurality of places and output a picture in response to the intension of at least one operator even when operators make operations. SOLUTION: When an operation identification section 3a of a main body module 3 receives operations from display modules 2, an operation right decision section 3e gives an operation right to a single display module 2 and a display control section 3b outputs an image signal in response to the operation of the display module 2. The image signal is given to each display module via a driver unit 4, an entire cable 6 and a receiver unit 5 and a same image is displayed among the display modules 2. Furthermore, the operation right decision section 3e selects priority of each display module 2 in response to the presence of operation from a remote controller 8, then the operation right can be set with proper priority in both people and places.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is suitably used, for example, in a control system and the like, and operates a single information processing apparatus main body at a plurality of places and displays a screen corresponding to each operation. The present invention relates to a possible information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a control system for controlling an object to be controlled such as a belt conveyor, a graphic operation panel is provided near an object to be controlled in order to notify an operator of a state of the object to be controlled and to receive a user's instruction. Have been. In these graphic operation panels, for example, a liquid crystal display (LC)
D) and touch panels are often used,
For example, an arithmetic processing unit arranged on the back of an LCD, for example,
The display image on the LCD is controlled according to the operation from the touch panel.

Here, in order to improve the convenience of the operator, it is desirable to be able to operate from a plurality of places and to display a screen corresponding to the operation at each place. However, in the vicinity of the control target, the installation place is often limited. In addition, the above-mentioned graphic operation panel is arranged in each place, and, for example, via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark: Xerox Corporation),
If the arithmetic processing units communicate with each other, the manufacturing cost of the entire control system will increase.

Therefore, a graphic operation panel in which the input / output devices as the input and output units and the device main body as the arithmetic processing unit are distributed is being used.
In this configuration, the device main body shared by the entire graphic operation panel receives an operation from each input / output device,
It creates and outputs image signals to each input / output device. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the entire control system can be suppressed by sharing the apparatus main body, and since only the input / output devices need to be arranged at the respective places, the places where the apparatus can be installed can be expanded.

[0005]

However, even with the graphic operation panels arranged in a distributed manner, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost cannot be sufficiently reduced. More specifically, since the apparatus main body outputs image signals to each input / output device, an image signal generation process and a circuit for generation are individually required.

When operators at a plurality of places operate simultaneously, when the apparatus body outputs a control instruction to, for example, a control target based on all the operations, the operations are complicated, and the control target is , The operator is controlled so as not to be expected. In particular, the control system, even if you want to operate from multiple locations,
In many cases, the control targets are the same, and an undesired operation of the control target directly leads to an accident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to operate a single main body module from a plurality of locations, and to operate even a plurality of operators. An object of the present invention is to realize an information processing device capable of outputting a screen according to at least one of the operators.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit for displaying an image indicated by an image signal; and an input unit for receiving an operation. An information processing apparatus including a plurality of input / output modules for displaying the same image and a single main body module is characterized by taking the following means in order to solve the above problem.

That is, the information processing apparatus is provided with a remote controller capable of wirelessly communicating with the input / output module. Further, the main body module includes:
From among the plurality of input / output modules, a priority module whose input is prioritized over others is selected, and an input is received depending on whether each of the input / output modules receives an input from a remote controller. Selecting means for changing the priority of the input / output module; and image signal output means for outputting an image signal indicating an image to be displayed on the plurality of input / output modules based on an input from the priority module. .

In the above configuration, even if the main body module receives an input from the input means of each input / output module, the selection means determines the priority module, and the image display according to the operation from the priority module is performed by the image signal output means. Is instructed. On the other hand, the display means of each input / output module displays the same image based on the image signal.
This allows the user of the priority module to exclusively operate the main body module of the information processing device, as in the case of a single input / output module, even though a plurality of input / output modules are provided. In addition, since a plurality of input / output modules are installed, and a priority module is selected from these, an information processing apparatus can be operated or an image signal from the information processing apparatus can be displayed, despite being able to operate exclusively. You can expand the place. Furthermore, since the image signal, which tends to transmit a large amount of information as compared with the case of transmitting the operation, has a single content, the main body module is compared with the case where images having different contents are displayed on each input / output module. The amount of transmission when outputting an image signal and the amount of processing required for generating the image signal can be reduced.

In addition, each of the input / output modules can communicate with a remote controller.
The priority order of the input / output modules can be set individually depending on whether or not there is an input from the remote controller. Here, since the remote controller is not connected to the input / output module by wire, it can be easily carried and the number of users can be limited. On the other hand, since the input means of the input / output module is operated at the installation location of each input / output module,
The place of use can be limited. Therefore, by individually setting the priorities of both, the priorities can be set according to both the user and the installation location, and the person who exclusively operates the information processing device can be selected more accurately.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described below with reference to FIG.
That is, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes, for example,
It is preferably used as a graphic operation panel or the like of a control system.For example, in the vicinity of a device to be controlled such as a belt conveyor, the state of the control target is displayed to notify the operator, and each control target is controlled according to the operation from the operator. Can output a control instruction.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a graphic operation panel 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of display modules (input / output modules) 2 provided for operation and display by an operator. And a main body module 3. As these modules 2 and 3, modules of an integrated graphic operation panel are diverted. In the present embodiment, a driver unit 4 is mounted on the main body module 3, and a receiver unit 5 is mounted on each of the display modules 2. By mounting the unit and connecting the units 4 and 5 with the collective cable 6, the main module 3 can be operated from the display modules 2 arranged at a plurality of locations, and the same image can be displayed on each display module 2. The graphic operation panel 1 is realized.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display module 2 and the main body module 3
Are formed so as to be detachable from each other.
3 is connected by the respective connectors C21 and C31 to form an integrated graphic operation panel. The connectors C21 and C31 have the same mechanical shape and electrical characteristics regardless of the model of the display module 2 and the model of the main body module 3, and the connector C21 of the display module 2 The operation signal indicating the operation to the connector 2
1 and an image signal indicating the display screen of the display module 2 is transmitted from the connector C31 to the connector C21. A power supply voltage is supplied from the main body module 3 to the display module 2 via the connectors C21 and C31.

Since the connectors C21 and C31 are standardized, any type of display module 2 and any type of main body module 3 can be combined. Therefore, a model of the display module 2 is prepared according to the input / output specifications (for example, resolution and display area, etc.) required by the control system, and the specifications of the main body module 3 (for example, , Processing speed, etc.), the graphic operation panel 1 corresponding to the combination of both specifications can be provided simply by preparing models of the main body module 3 and combining them.
As a result, inventory management and the like can be simplified as compared with a case where a graphic operation panel is integrally formed and a graphic operation panel of a model corresponding to a combination of both specifications is prepared.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the graphic operation panel 1 including a plurality of display modules 2 and one main body module 3 is realized by diverting the two modules 2 and 3 that can be mounted as an integrated graphic operation panel. ing. Therefore, depending on the number of display screens, a model of the graphic operation panel is prepared or integrated, and the case where different models are prepared for the case where the display screen and the main unit are distributed and arranged is compared with the case where different models are prepared. Thus, the number of models of each of the modules 2 and 3 can be reduced, and inventory management can be simplified.

The boundary between the two modules 2 and 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the display module 2 is disposed at a position that does not stick out on the front surface of the display module 2 such as a plane parallel to the display screen D. Therefore, when the display module 2 is buried in a wall surface or the like, the graphic operation panel provides a protection function against intrusion of oil or water, for example, despite the fact that both the modules 2 and 3 are detachably formed. It can be maintained as in the case of being integrally formed.
In addition, the display module 2 can be formed to be thinner than the integrated graphic operation panel.
The place where can be installed can be expanded.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, GVIF is used as an image signal and an operation signal transmitted through the collective cable 6.
(Giga bit Video InterFace) signal and USB (Universa
l Serial Bus) signal, and as a collective cable 6, as shown in FIG.
2 and a cable 61 are used. In the cable 61, the signal lines L6 and L7 for USB signal transmission are accommodated in the shield line L13 for USB signal transmission, and the signal lines L1 and L2 for GVIF signal transmission.
Are housed in the shield line L8 for the GVIF signal. Further, as the other signal line X, for example, a signal line L10, L4, L11, L14 for transmitting a type select signal indicating the model of the display module 2, or a signal line maintained at the ground level and 5 [V] L9 and L3 are also provided.

The type select signal is a signal indicating the model of the display module 2, and is output from the display module 2 to the main module 3. On the other hand, the main body module 3 identifies the resolution and the like of the display module 2 from the type select signal, outputs an image signal (LCD signal) corresponding to the display module 2, and outputs the driver circuits 41, 42, and 52 on the transmission path. The receiver circuit 51 (described later)
The GVIF signal is transmitted and received at a timing suitable for the LCD signal.

Further, the two shield lines L8 and L13
And the signal line X, the outer shield line L21
Is housed inside. Thereby, the collective cable 6
In spite of being able to transmit the USB signal and the GVIF signal, it can be apparently handled as a single cable. Further, the USB signal and the GVIF signal are individually transmitted in the shield lines L13 and L8, and all the signal lines are accommodated in the shield line L21. Noise from outside can be prevented, and the reliability of signal transmission can be improved. In the following, signals transmitted through the collective cable 6 are collectively referred to as transmission signals.

As shown in FIG. 5, the driver unit 4 according to the present embodiment includes a connector C41 connectable to the connector C31 of the main body module 3, and a cable connector C connectable to the connector C61 of the collective cable 6.
42 and C43 and respective driver circuits 41 and 42
A USB hub 43 for distributing and relaying USB signals, an LCD distributor 44 for distributing LCD signals from the main module 3, and a type selector 45 for transmitting a type select signal from each display module 2 to the main module 3. Have. The driver circuits 41 and 42 not only amplify the input signal such as the USB signal but also convert the LCD signal provided from the LCD distributor 44 into the GVIF signal for transmission by the collective cable 6. In addition,
Of the driver circuits 41 and 42, a USB signal driver circuit can be substituted by the USB hub 43. Also US
Even if the B hub 43 distributes the USB signal,
The USB signal is distributed and relayed according to the USB standard so that the address data indicating the operation source is transmitted to the main module 3 correctly.

When the driver unit 4 or the receiver unit 5 branches the transmission signal, the driver unit 4 or the receiver unit 5 outputs an image signal (LCD signal / GVIF signal) having a large amount of information and a large amount of processing required to generate the signal. ) Is an operation signal (USB signal) that is simply branched and has a relatively small amount of information.
Is relayed so that the operation source can be understood. Therefore,
In the display module 2 in a plurality of places, the main body module 3
Can be operated and an image can be displayed, but there is no need to add a display control unit 3b (described later) of the main body module 3. As a result, the main body module 3
The configuration of the main body module 3 can be simplified as compared with the case where an image signal is output, and the model of the main body module 3 can be unified regardless of the number of the display modules 2.

Further, electric power is supplied to the driver unit 4 from the power supply circuit 31 of the main body module 3 via both connectors C31 and C41. The USB hub 43 and the LCD distributor 44 are connected to connectors C41 and C3.
1 through the USB-IF circuit 32 of the main body module 3
Alternatively, it is connected to the LCD-IF circuit 33. The main body module 3 is provided with a CPU 34 and a memory 35 for operating as a computer in addition to these circuits 31 to 33. The CPU 34 executes a program stored in the memory 35 and Each circuit 3
By controlling 2 to 33, functional blocks 3a to 3h (described later) shown in FIG. 1 are realized. Note that these functional blocks 3a to 3h can be realized by hardware performing the same operation. However, when realized as the above-described functional blocks, a recording medium on which the program is recorded is distributed or communicated. By simply installing the program on the computer, each functional block can be easily realized.

In the present embodiment, the driver unit 4 is provided with a USB port 46, and the USB port 46 is provided.
Connect a USB device such as a keyboard to the USB port
It can be connected to the SB hub 43. The cable connector C43 and its driver circuit 42 are mounted on an extension board B42 different from the base board B41 on which the driver circuit 41 and the like are arranged. Expansion board B4 if unnecessary
2 can be connected only when the transmission signal needs to be branched without mounting. Thus, the base board B41 can be shared regardless of whether or not the branch is necessary.

In the present embodiment, the connector C is used to connect to the main body module 3 which does not have the USB-IF circuit 32 but has only the RS232C-IF circuit 36.
The terminal 31 / C41 is also provided with a terminal for RS232C, and the driver unit 4
7 is provided. Further, the driver circuit 41
A driver circuit 422 is also included, and an RS422 signal can be sent to the collective cable 6 instead of a USB signal by switching a switch.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiver unit 5 according to this embodiment has a connector C21 of the display module 2, a connector C51 connectable to the connector C62 of the collective cable 6, and a cable connector C5.
In addition to the cable connector C2, a cable connector C53 that can be connected to the connector C61 of the collective cable 6 is provided to branch the transmission signal at the receiver unit 5. Also,
Receiver circuit 51 for communicating with driver circuit 41 (42) of driver unit 4 via collective cable 6
And a driver circuit 52 similar to the driver circuit 42 described above. In addition, also in the receiver unit 5,
Similar to the driver unit 4, the driver circuit 52 for branching
The cable connector C53 is provided on an extension board B52 different from the base board B51 on which the receiver circuit 51 and the like are mounted, and can share the base board B51 regardless of whether branching is required.

The receiver unit 5 has a type selector 53 for transmitting a type select signal from the connector C5 and the driver circuit 52 to the receiver circuit 51.
And the LCD signal from the receiver circuit 51 to the connector C5.
1 and an LCD distributor 54 for distributing to the driver circuit 52
And the USB signal from the receiver circuit 51 to the connector C5.
1 and a USB hub 55 that distributes / relays to the driver circuit 52.

Here, the display module 2 and the receiver unit 5 shown in FIG.
1 · C51, a terminal for RS232C signal transmission,
An operation signal from the display module 2 is transmitted via a terminal for IrDA (Infrared Data Association) signal transmission. Therefore, the receiver unit 5 according to the present embodiment includes an R between the USB hub 55 and the connector C51, which converts between the USB signal and the RS232C signal.
An S-USB control circuit 56 and an IrDA-USB control circuit 57 for mutually converting a USB signal and an IrDA signal are provided.

The receiver unit 5 includes a power supply circuit 58, and can supply power to the display module 2 via the connectors C51 and C21. Note that, as described above, the driver unit 4 according to the present embodiment can transmit an RS422 signal instead of a USB signal during one-to-one communication. In preparation for this case, in the receiver unit 5, an RS422 converter 59 is provided between the receiver circuit 51 and the RS-USB control circuit 56.

Here, the display module 2 shown in FIG.
In addition to the above-described standardized connector C21, an LCD for displaying an image specified by an LCD signal as display means
21 as well as a touch panel 22 as input means, and an RS2 for communicating with the keyboard 7 and the remote controller 8 as other input means.
A 32C port 23 and an IrDA port 24 are provided. Further, in the display module 2, an input from the touch panel 22 or the keyboard 7 is transmitted to the connector C21.
The RS232C port 23 and the touch panel 22 are connected to the connector C21 via the RS232C-IF circuit 25 through the RS232C signal transmission terminal. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 8 and the IrDA port 24 can perform wireless communication by infrared rays according to, for example, the IrDA standard.

Further, the display module 2 includes a power lamp 26 for indicating whether or not the power is turned on, and a lamp control circuit 27 for controlling a display state of the power lamp 26. The lamp control circuit 27 is connected to the RS 23
When an instruction from the main body module 3 is transmitted via the 2C-IF circuit 25 / connector C21,
For example, a display state such as lighting / flashing can be controlled. Note that the display state of the power lamp 26 is not limited to switching between lighting and blinking, as long as the operator can identify it. For example, the display state of the power lamp 26 may be a color at the time of lighting or a cycle at the time of blinking.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a USB signal transmitted through the collective cable 6
An operation in each display module 2 is transmitted to the main body module 3. Since the USB signal includes address data indicating the operation source, the operation identification unit 3a of the main body module 3 refers to the address data to determine the operation source of each operation (the touch panel 22 shown in FIG. 6). The keyboard 7 or the remote controller 8 can be identified.

However, in the main body module 3 according to the present embodiment, since the display control section (image signal output means) 3b causes the same image to be displayed on each display module 2, the operation identification section 3a is used for each display module. 2 are received simultaneously, and when the control unit 3c instructs the display control unit 3b to change the image in accordance with all the operations, the operations from the respective operators are complicated, and any of the operators can correctly operate the main unit. The module 3 cannot be operated.

Therefore, in the main body module 3 according to the present embodiment, the exclusive control unit (selecting means) for transmitting only the operation from the device having the operation right to the control unit 3c among the devices that the operation identification unit 3a has accepted the operation. 3), an operation right determination unit 3e (selecting means) for specifying a device having an operation right, and a panel setting unit 3f for instructing the operation right determination unit 3e on a method of specifying the operation right. Thereby, for example, an operation from a device such as the touch panel 22, the keyboard 7, or the remote controller 8 shown in FIG.
Even if a is received substantially at the same time, only the operation from the device specified by the operation right determination unit 3e is transmitted to the control unit 3c, and the control unit 3c responds only to the operation from the device.
The display controller 3b is instructed to display. As a result, while the main module 3 can be operated from the display modules 2 arranged at a plurality of places, the operation from another display module 2 can be excluded while one display module 2 is operating. In addition, erroneous operation due to simultaneous operation can be prevented.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the panel setting unit 3f according to the present embodiment, for each display module 2, sets the privilege mode, the shared mode, and the invalid mode.
One mode can be set. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, even with the same display module 2, the touch panel 22 and the remote controller 8 can be set separately.

The privilege mode is a mode in which an operation right can be preferentially acquired even when another display module 2 is in use. The operation right determining unit 3e determines that a certain display module 2 is set to the privilege mode. In this case, even if the other display module 2 has the operation right, the operation right is transferred to the display module 2 in the privileged mode, and the exclusive control unit 3d transfers the operation from the display module 2 to the control unit 3c. Tell Thereby, the operator (administrator or the like) of the display module 2 can operate the main body module 3 with higher priority than the operators of the other display modules 2. Also, for example,
By instructing the control unit 3c to display a panel selector as shown in FIG. 8 and selecting the display module 2 with the selector, the operation right determination unit 3e is instructed to give an operation right to a specific display module 2. it can.

On the other hand, in the shared mode, when another display module 2 is in use, the input cannot be performed, and the operation right can be obtained only when the operation right of the display module 2 is released and the display module 2 is in the free state. In the mode, the operation right determining unit 3e assigns the operation right to the display module 2 according to the operation from the display module 2 in a free state in which none of the display modules 2 has acquired the operation right. give. Conversely, even if the operation identifying unit 3a receives an operation from the display module 2 in the shared mode in a state where one of the display modules 2 has the operation right, the operation right determination unit 3e will The operation right is not transferred to the display module 2, and the operation from the display module 2 is ignored by the exclusive control unit 3d.

The transition to the free state is performed by receiving an operation indicating abandonment of the operation right, such as a pressing operation of the release button displayed in the area A1 in FIG. 9, from the display module 2 which has obtained the operation right. Is performed, or when there is no operation from the display module 2 for a predetermined period (timeout time). In this case, the operation right determination unit 3e deprives the display module 2 of the operation right, and the display control unit 3b operates, for example, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed in an area A2 shown in FIG. When any one of the display modules 2 has the operation right, the display control unit 3b, for example, transfers the I that indicates the display module 2 to the area A2 as shown in FIG.
Display D and name. Thereby, the operator of each display module 2 can confirm the transition of the operation right on each display screen.

The invalid mode is a mode in which the operation right cannot be acquired. Even if the operation identifying unit 3a receives an operation from the display module 2 in the invalid mode, the operation right determining unit 3e determines that the display module 2 The operation from the display module 2 is always ignored by the exclusive control unit 3d without giving the operation right to the.

Here, the panel setting section 3f responds to an operation from an input device directly connected to the main body module 3 or an operation from the display module 2 previously set to the privilege mode, for example. Change the setting of 2. Specifically, when the setting is instructed, the panel setting unit 3f instructs the display control unit 3b to display a parameter change dialog, for example, as shown in FIG. In the dialog, for example, a tab indicating the ID of the display module 2 is selected, a check box indicating valid / invalid for each of the touch operation and the remote controller operation, and a radio box for selecting a privileged mode and a shared mode. By operating such as, each mode can be set individually. Further, for example, the timeout period can be set by an operation such as selecting a “time” tab and inputting the timeout period. In addition,
In order to prevent undesired setting changes, for example, it is desirable to permit display of settings and change of settings only when authentication such as input of an administrator password is successful.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display module 2 according to the present embodiment has an IrDA port 24, and can communicate with the remote controller 8 as well as FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the panel setting section 3f separates the mode of the input unit connected to the display module 2 of the touch panel 22 from the mode of the input unit connected as necessary, such as the remote controller 8. Can be set to
Here, the remote controller 8 can be carried by a specific person such as an administrator, for example, and users can be limited. On the other hand, the touch panel 22 is
Because it is fixed to the installation place, the use place can be limited.
Therefore, by separately setting both modes, the operation right of the display module 2 can be set according to both the user and the installation location.

The remote controller 8 may be provided with a number of operation buttons and the like, and may be directly operable in the same manner as the display module 2 or may be capable of instructing the display module 2 only for the operation requesting the operation right. Good. In the latter case, the operation right determination unit 3e
Is received, the operation right of the display module 2 communicating with the remote controller 8 is determined according to the mode set for the combination of the remote controller 8 and the display module 2. Thus, in any case, the user (administrator or the like) instructed by the remote controller 8 can operate the display module 2 (or the remote controller 8) in a mode different from that of the touch panel 22. 7 and FIG. 11, the case where the panel setting unit 3f sets the mode for the combination of the remote controller 8 and the display module 2 has been described as an example, but the mode is set for the remote controller 8 itself. May be. In this case, for example, if the remote controller 8 outputs an ID for identifying itself, the remote controller 8 can be specified. In any case, if the remote controller 8 can be set to a mode different from that of the touch panel 22 of the display module 2, the same effect can be obtained.

Incidentally, in the graphic operation panel 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the display module 2
Is shared with the integrated graphic operation panel,
Even when integrated, the boundary between the two modules 2 and 3 is formed so as not to be seen from the screen side of the display module 2. As a result, when the display module 2 is installed, the operator of the display module 2 determines whether the display module 2 forms an integrated graphic operation panel as shown in FIG. 3 or as shown in FIG. In addition, it cannot be grasped whether the display module 2 is connected to the same main body module 3 together with the other display modules 2.

On the other hand, when the display module 2 is set to the shared mode or the invalid mode, unlike the case of the integrated graphic operation panel, the display module 2 operates normally even though it is operating normally. The operation from the display module 2 is ignored by the exclusive control, and the control unit 3
It may not be reflected in the operation of c.

In this case, the operator may misunderstand that the input to the display module 2 has failed, repeat the same operation, or misunderstand that the display module 2 has failed. Here, in many cases, in the control system, in order to improve durability against dust, water, oil, and the like,
Although the touch panel 22 is provided as an input unit of the display module 2, the touch panel 22 is liable to make an erroneous input as compared with an input unit such as a keyboard, so that the misunderstanding is easily caused.

Therefore, the main body module 3 according to the present embodiment is provided with the lamp control section 3g. In the invalid mode, the lamp control section 3g controls the lamp control of the display module 2 via the connector C31 or the like. By instructing the circuit 27 to blink the power lamp 26 and the like, the display state of the power lamp 26 is set to a state different from that in the privileged mode or the shared mode. The power lamp 26 of each display module 2 is specified by the transmission destination address when the lamp control unit 3g sends out the USB signal. The lamp control circuit 27 of each display module 2 determines that the transmission destination address is
When indicating the display module 2 of the own device, the display state of the power lamp 26 is controlled. Thus, the display module 2 can notify each operator of whether the mode is the invalid mode or not, thereby preventing the operator from being misunderstood.

Further, the main body module 3 according to the present embodiment is provided with a release request display instructing section 3h. When the display module 2 in the shared mode has the operation right, the operation identifying section 3a performs another shared operation. When an instruction from the mode display module 2 is received, the display control unit 3b is instructed to display the name of the display module 2 for which the release request has been made, for example, in an area A3 shown in FIG. Thereby, the operator of the display module 2 having the operation right can grasp that another operator wants the operation, and for example, releases the operation right early by pressing the release button or the like. Operation rights can be delegated more appropriately. If the operator does not give an instruction to abandon the operation right, for example, when performing an important operation, the display module 2 has a higher priority than its own device, for example, the display module 2 in the priority mode. As long as the display module 2 is not operated, the operation right can be maintained.

Furthermore, since the release request is displayed on the display screen of each display module 2, the operator who instructed the operation that caused the release request (in this case, the operator of the manufacturing line B) performs the operation. It can identify that it was accepted. Therefore, the operator can wait for the transfer of the operation right without misunderstanding that the input is incorrect.

In the above description, whether or not each display module 2 is in the invalid mode is notified based on the display state of each power lamp 26. However, the invalid mode is indicated by the image displayed on each display module 2. Whether or not it can be notified. However, since it is important only for the operator of the display module 2 to determine whether or not the mode is the invalid mode, it is desirable to notify each display module 2 individually. The power lamp 26 is provided in many display modules 2. Therefore, if the notification is made in the display state of the power lamp 26 as in the present embodiment, the notification can be made individually without particularly providing a member for notification.

Further, when the operator of the display module 2 having the operation right decides whether or not to release, it is more accurate to decide in consideration of the request source.
Therefore, at least in the display module 2, it is desirable to display the request source. In this case, the number of devices that can be a request source differs for each graphic operation panel 1, and therefore, the image signal (LCD signal) of the display control unit 3 b is controlled rather than providing a request source display member in each display module 2. Then, displaying on the screen of the display module 2 can reduce the number of members. In this case, since all the display modules 2 are displayed, it is more preferable that the operator who has issued the request can grasp that the operation has been accepted by the main body module 3. The power lamp 2
The presence or absence of the share mode can be notified by the display state of 6, but when a release request is displayed on the screen,
Since the operator of each display module 2 can recognize that the mode is the shared mode by the release request, the operator need not be notified by the power lamp 26.

In this embodiment, when the transmission signal is branched, the driver unit 4 or the receiver unit 5 branches the signal into two. However, the main module 3 can identify the operation source, and the display module 2 has the same contents. If the image signal can be transmitted, the same effect can be obtained even if the image signal is distributed to an arbitrary number at an arbitrary place. However, in the case of branching at a place other than the driver unit 4 or the receiver unit 5, a branching circuit is required separately from the two units 4.5. Therefore, as shown in the present embodiment, it is preferable to branch into either of the units 4 and 5.

In the above description, the case where the image signal is a GVIF signal has been described as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by transmitting another image signal. The operation signal is not limited to the USB signal. If the main module 3 can reliably receive the operation from each display module 2 and identify the operation source, the main module 3 transmits another signal such as an IEEE 1394 standard signal. Widely applicable to cases.

[0053]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising:
As described above, the remote controller, the main body module, and the input / output module are provided. The main body module selects a priority module whose input has priority over the other input / output modules from among the plurality of input / output modules. Selecting means capable of changing the priority of the input / output module that has received the input according to whether or not the output module has received the input from the remote controller; and selecting the plurality of inputs based on the input from the priority module. Image signal output means for outputting an image signal indicating an image to be displayed on the output module.

In the above configuration, even if the main body module receives an input from the input means of each input / output module, the selection means determines a priority module, and each input / output module responds to an operation from the priority module. The same images are displayed. As a result, the information processing device can be exclusively operated, as in the case of a single input / output module, without adding a circuit for generating an image signal.
There is an effect that the place where the information processing apparatus can be operated or the image signal from the information processing apparatus can be displayed can be enlarged.

In addition, the selection means can individually set the priority order of the input / output modules when there is an input from the remote controller and when there is no input, so that the priority order according to both the user and the installation location can be set. Can be set, and a person who exclusively operates the information processing apparatus can be selected more accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a graphic operation panel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a module constituting the graphic operation panel, showing a state where a display module and a main body module are separated.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a module constituting the graphic operation panel, showing a state where a display module and a main body module are mounted.

FIG. 4 is an electrical connection diagram showing a configuration of a collective cable used in the graphic operation panel.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a main body module and a driver unit in the graphic operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a display module and a receiver unit in the graphic operation panel.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the graphic operation panel and showing a display screen when a mode of each display module is set.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the graphic operation panel, and showing a display screen in a state where a panel selector is displayed in a privileged mode.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the graphic operation panel and showing a display screen in a state where a certain display module has acquired an operation right in a shared mode.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the graphic operation panel, and showing a display screen in a state where no display module has acquired the operation right in the shared mode.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the graphic operation panel and showing another display screen when a mode of each display module is set.

FIG. 12 illustrates the operation of the graphic operation panel, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display screen in a state where a certain display module outputs a release request in a shared mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 graphic operation panel (information processing device) 2 display module (input / output module) 3 main body module 3 b display control unit (image signal output unit) 3 d exclusive control unit (selection unit) 3 e operation right determination unit (selection unit) 8 remote controller Reference Signs List 21 LCD (display means) 22 Touch panel (input means) 23 RS232C port (input means) 24 IrDA port (input means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // G05B 23/02 301 G05B 23/02 301R F-term (Reference) 5H223 AA05 CC08 DD03 DD07 EE08 EE30 5K048 AA04 BA21 EB02 EB07 HA23 9A001 HH34 JJ44 KK32

Claims (1)

[Claims] A display means for displaying an image indicated by the image signal;
And input means for receiving an operation, respectively,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of input / output modules each displaying the same image on each display means; and a single main body module, wherein a remote controller capable of wirelessly communicating with the input / output module is provided; The module selects a priority module whose input has priority over others from among the plurality of input / output modules, and determines whether or not each of the input / output modules has received an input from a remote controller. Selection means capable of changing the priority order of the input / output module that has received the image data, and image signal output means for outputting an image signal indicating an image to be displayed on the plurality of input / output modules based on an input from the priority module. An information processing device, comprising: