JP2002149583A - Changeover device, its method and picture display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily changeover connection in an inserting/pulling-out possible interface such as a USB. SOLUTION: Key information corresponding to the key operation of a keyboard 23 is received by a control part 11 and the control part 11 judges whether it coincides with changeover key information which is stored in a memory 12. When coincidence is judged, selecting information is updated, which is stored in the memory 12 and indicates which one of computers 4A and 4B is selected. When printing is performed by the computer 4A which is selected by selecting information, printing data are supplied to a printer 2 via a USB changeover device 1. When printing is performed by the computer 4B which is not selected by selecting information, a BUSY signal indicating that the printer 2 is under processing is supplied from the USB changeover device 1 to the computer 4B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
niversal Serial Bus), the connection can be switched by an interface that can be hot-swappable and that reads and destroys driver software each time it is inserted and removed.
The present invention relates to a switching device and a method that can be performed more easily, and an image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a USB (Universal Serial Bus) as an interface for connecting information processing devices, especially computer devices to peripheral devices and the like. USB
Supports a plurality of transfer modes, automatically recognizes connected peripheral devices, and automatically incorporates necessary device drivers. Therefore, the user can connect and use the peripheral device with a computer device or the like without being conscious of the type of the peripheral device to be connected. As typical peripheral devices adopting USB for the interface, for example, there are a keyboard, a mouse, a printer device, a scanner device, and the like, which are used by being connected to a computer device.

[0003] In addition to the ease of connection as described above, USB has a data transfer speed of several megabytes / sec to several tens of bytes.
Mbytes / sec (or several hundred Mbytes / sec
c), which is faster than a conventional serial interface such as RS-232, and is also rapidly becoming popular because it can be connected to a bus.

[0004] By the way, when a plurality of, for example, two computer devices are owned and used simultaneously, it is conceivable to use a peripheral device such as a printer device in common. For example, a switching device is used to switch two computer devices to a side that uses peripheral devices such as a printer device.

FIG. 9 shows two computer devices 203.
A and 203B schematically show a use environment when one printer device 210 having an interface compatible with USB is used. Mouse 201A is connected to keyboard 200A. The keyboard 200A is connected to the computer device 203A via the input cable 202A. The image output of the computer device 203A is supplied to a monitor 205A via a video cable 204A. Computer device 203A and USB switching device 20
7 are connected via a USB cable 206A.
The connection on the computer device 203B side is the same as the connection on the computer device 203A side, and the description is omitted here.

[0006] To the USB switching device 207, USB cables 206A and 206B are connected.
08, the signal path by USB
Switching can be selectively performed between the B cable 206A side and the USB cable 206B side. USB switching device 20
8 and the printer device 210 are connected by a USB cable 209.

In such a configuration, the user can
By operating the external switch 208 provided on the B switching device 207, the computer devices 203A and 203A
One of B is selected. USB switching device 207
The signal output from the computer device selected by the external switch 208 is
Supplied to

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a USB switching device 207 according to the prior art. The USB switching device 207 is a USB
It has a predetermined cable connector (not shown) and a mechanical selector 222 whose selection can be switched by an external switch 208. Selector 222
Is configured to switch the connection between the one and the other selection terminals to the common terminal by signal selection supplied from the external switch 208.

[0009] The printer device 210 has a USB function 221. The USB function 221 is
It is connected to a common terminal of the selector 222 via a USB cable 209. One selection terminal of the selector 222 is
The computer device 20 via the USB cable 206A
It is connected to the 3A USB host controller 223A. Similarly, the other selection terminal of the selector 221 is
Computer device 203B via B cable 206B
USB host controller 223B. U
The SB host controllers 223A and 223B communicate with the computer devices 203A and 203B respectively.
This is the part that controls the SB interface.

By operating the external switch 208 in a predetermined manner, the user can select one of the selection terminals and the other, and can select the desired one of the computer device 203A and the computer device 203B.

As described above, the USB is designed so that the connector can be inserted and removed even when the power supply of the host controller such as the computer device 203A or 203B is turned on. This will be described.

For example, suppose a case where a USB printer is connected to a computer device 203A using a USB cable, and then the USB cable is connected from the printer device to a USB compatible scanner device. Even in this case, the computer device 203A
Without performing manual initialization such as turning off the power of the computer or restarting the computer device 203A.
Connect the reconnected USB device to the computer device 20
It can be used continuously from 3A.

To realize this, the computer device 203A loads device driver software corresponding to each USB device after it is recognized that the USB device is connected. Similarly, when the USB device is removed, the computer device 203A recognizes that the USB device has been removed, and then unloads the loaded driver software.

For example, when the computer device 203A recognizes that a certain USB device has been connected, for example, driver software corresponding to the USB device, which is stored in advance in a hard disk drive (HDD), is read from the HDD. The read driver software is developed on a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Thus, the driver software is loaded. Thereafter, exchange of data and control signals with the USB device is managed by the driver software developed on the memory.

Similarly, when the USB device is detached from the computer device 203A, the driver software corresponding to the USB device, which has been expanded on the memory, is deleted from the memory by being deleted from the memory, for example, and discarded from the memory. Then, the driver software is unloaded. Next, when any USB device is connected, the corresponding driver software is loaded in the same manner.

As described above, when connecting or disconnecting a USB device, the computer device 203A performs a process of loading and unloading driver software corresponding to the USB device. That is, when removing the connected USB device and connecting another USB device, the device driver is unloaded and loaded. Depending on the performance of the computer device 203A, the procedure for loading / unloading the driver software usually requires several seconds.

[0017]

The prior art US
In the B switching device 207, as described above, since the selector 222 that switches the USB signal path is configured by a mechanical switch, disconnection and connection of the path by USB are performed every time the path is switched by the selector 222. Then, the driver software is loaded and unloaded. Therefore, the conventional USB switching device 207
When using the USB device, it takes several seconds from when the user operates the external switch 208 to switch the USB connection to when the switched USB device can be used, and the user is dissatisfied. There was a problem that it was very large.

Consider a case where the external switch 208 is operated again while the driver software is being loaded / unloaded by operating the external switch 208. As an example, it is assumed that the selector 222 initially selects the computer device 203A. In this case, for example, while the driver software is being unloaded or loaded by the first operation of the external switch 208, the same driver software is unloaded. As a result, the computer device 203
In A, the load / unload processing of the driver software cannot be completed forever, and the computer device 203A
There is a problem that may hang up.

If the computer device 203A hangs up, it cannot be used again unless it is restarted. At this time, for example, if a working application such as document creation software is running on the computer device 203A, all data not stored in the HDD or the floppy (registered trademark) disk is lost. In addition, the time required for the restart means that the work is interrupted. These things are a great loss for the user.

Therefore, when the user wants to work while alternately switching between the computer devices 203A and 203B, the user needs to carefully perform the switching operation by the USB switching device 207 while paying attention to the situation of the driver loading process. There is a problem that it is very inconvenient to use and causes stress.

Further, in the conventional USB switching device 207, if the external switch 208 is switched while using one computer device, an error occurs during printing and printing is not performed normally. there were. Furthermore, not only does it not print properly,
In some cases, the computer device hangs up, which has been a problem.

When operating a plurality of computer devices, for example, two computer devices, two sets of input devices including a keyboard and a mouse are required. It has been a problem that a large space is required in order to do so.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a switching device and a method for easily switching a connection of a pluggable interface such as a USB, and an image display device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a switching device and method capable of saving space for a plurality of input devices when a plurality of computer devices are used at the same time, and an image display device.

[0025]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a plurality of information processing apparatuses can be connected so as to be hot-swappable, and at least one electronic device and at least one input A plurality of information processing devices can be hot-plugged in a switching device that can be connected to the device and performs data transfer between one information processing device selected from the plurality of information processing devices and the electronic device. A plurality of connecting means for connecting via a simple bus, a connecting means for connecting an input device, an electronic device connecting means for connecting an electronic device, and an input signal from the input device connected to the connecting means. Accordingly, one of the plurality of information processing devices is selected, and data transfer is performed between the selected information processing device and the electronic device connected to the electronic device connection means. The information processing apparatus which is not Chi selected a switching device, characterized in that it comprises a control means for the electronic device transmits a signal indicating that data is being processed.

According to the present invention, a plurality of information processing apparatuses can be connected so as to be hot-swappable, and at least one
In a switching method in which one electronic device and at least one input device are connectable and data is transferred between one information processing device selected from the plurality of information processing devices and the electronic device, A plurality of connection steps for connecting the information processing device via a hot-swappable bus; a connection step for connecting an input device; an electronic device connection step for connecting an electronic device; According to an input signal from the input device connected in the step, one of the plurality of information processing devices is selected, and the selected information processing device is connected to the electronic device connected in the electronic device connection step. A step of controlling to transmit data and to transmit a signal indicating that the electronic device is performing data processing to an unselected information processing device among the plurality of information processing devices; A switching method, characterized in that it comprises a.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus for displaying data to be displayed based on an image signal output from an information processing apparatus, wherein a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected via a hot-swappable bus. A connection unit, a connection unit for connecting the input device, an electronic device connection unit for connecting the electronic device, and a plurality of information processing devices according to an input signal from the input device connected to the connection unit. One of them
Is selected, and data transfer is performed between the selected information processing device and the electronic device connected to the electronic device connection means. And a control unit for transmitting a signal indicating that data processing is being performed.

As described above, according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, the switching device is connected to one of the plurality of information processing devices connected to the connection unit by the information processing device selected by the input device. Data transfer is performed between the electronic device connected to the device connection unit, and an information processing device that is not selected by the input device among the plurality of information processing devices indicates that the electronic device is performing data processing. Since a signal is transmitted, only processing from an information processing device selected by the input device can be accepted, and processing from an information processing device not selected by the selection unit can be prevented.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display device for displaying data for display based on an image signal output from an information processing device, wherein a plurality of information processing devices are connected via a hot-pluggable bus. A switching device to which an input device is connected and further to which an electronic device is connected, wherein one of the plurality of information processing devices is selected in accordance with an input signal from the input device, and the selected one and the electronic device are selected. Since the data transfer is performed between the electronic device and a non-selected information processing device among the plurality of information processing devices, a signal indicating that the electronic device is performing data processing is transmitted. Space for installing the device can be saved.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a use environment of an example of a USB switching device 1 to which the present invention is applied. The printer device 2 has an interface corresponding to USB. For example, in FIG.
The printer device 2 is connected by a USB cable 3. The input device including the keyboard 23 and the mouse 24 has an interface corresponding to USB. An input device 22 including a keyboard 23 and a mouse 24 is connected to the USB switching device 1 by a USB cable 8.

The computer device 4A is connected to the USB cable 5
A and 6A are connected to the USB switching device 1 and the computer device 4B is connected to the USB cables 5B and 6B.
Is connected to the USB switching device 1. A monitor device 9A is connected to the computer device 4A via a video cable 8A, and a monitor device 9B is connected to the computer device 4B via a video cable 8B.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of an example of the USB switching device 1 to which the present invention is applied. U according to this embodiment
The SB switching device 1 includes a plurality of USB host controllers 13 and 14 connected to each other via an internal bus 10 and a plurality of USB
It has B functions 15A, 15B, 16A and 16B. The USB functions 15A and 15B are connected to, for example, the computer devices 4A and 4B, respectively.
The driver software corresponding to A and 15B is always loaded. And USB function 15
The computer devices 4A and 4B are switched so that only the signals from the selected sides of A and 15B are output to the USB host controller 14, and the signals from the non-selected sides are not output to the USB host controller 14. At the same time, the internal bus 10 is controlled.

The USB functions 16A and 16A
B is connected to, for example, each of the computer devices 4A and 4B, and the driver software corresponding to the USB functions 16A and 16B is always loaded in the computer devices 4A and 4B. Then, the computer devices 4A and 4B are switched so that the USB signal input to the USB host controller 13 is output only from the selected side of the USB functions 16A and 16B and not output from the non-selected side. At the same time, the internal bus 10 is controlled. By doing so, the load / unload processing of the driver software does not occur in the computer devices 4A and 4B, and the switching of the USB signal can be performed smoothly.

The configuration of the USB switching device 1 will be described in more detail. 2, the USB switching device 1 includes a control unit 11, USB host controllers 13, 14, US
B function 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B,
They are mutually connected by an internal bus 10. US
The B host controllers 13 and 14 control exchange of data and control signals (USB signals) by USB with USB devices. In addition, USB function 15A,
15B, 16A and 16B are USB devices themselves.

The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Pro
and a memory 12 is connected. The memory 12 stores, for example, selection information for selecting a computer device that can be printed by the printer device 2 and selection information for selecting a computer device to be operated by the input device. Further, a selection control signal from the external switch 17 is supplied to the control unit 11.

The printer device 2 has a USB function 20. The USB function 20 and the USB host controller 14 are connected by the USB cable 3.

The input device 22 includes a keyboard 23 and a mouse 24, for example. The coordinate information and button press information (collectively referred to as mouse information) output from the mouse 24 are supplied to the keyboard 23. Keyboard 2
3, a USB function 25 is incorporated, and mouse information output from the mouse 24 and key input information from the keyboard 23 are both transmitted as USB signals. This USB signal is transmitted via the USB cable 8 to the USB
B switching device 1 and the USB host controller 1
3 is received.

The computer devices 4A and 4B have USB host controllers 21A and 21B, respectively. The USB host controllers 21A and 21B have, for example, a HUB function, and can be connected to a plurality of USB devices. Here, the USB host controllers 21A and 21B each have two connection terminals and have two U
SB equipment can be connected. In the example of FIG. 2, the USB function 15A of the USB switching device 1 and the USB host controller 21A of the computer device 4A are connected by the USB cable 5A, and the USB function 16A of the USB switching device 1 and the USB host controller 21A of the computer device 4A are connected. Are connected by the USB cable 6A. Similarly, the USB function 15B of the USB switching device 1 and the USB host controller 21B of the computer device 4B are connected by the USB cable 5B,
The USB function 16B of the B switching device 1 and the USB host controller 21B of the computer device 4B are U
It is connected by SB cable 6B.

FIG. 3 shows the computer device 4A or 4A.
3 shows an example of the configuration of B. Computer devices 4A and 4
Since B can be realized by the same configuration, the computer device 4A will be described here as an example. The computer device 4A is, for example, a computer device. In the computer device 4A, the internal bus 30 is connected to the CP.
U31, hard disk drive (HDD) 33, graphic board 34 and USB host controller 2
1A are respectively connected. As described above, the USB host controller 21A uses the HUB device to
The SB device can be connected. In addition, the CPU 31
RAM (Random Access Memory) via CPU bus 35
And a memory 32 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory).

Several types of USB driver software are stored in the HDD 33 in advance. The USB host controller 21A constantly monitors the connection of the USB device. When a USB-compatible device is connected to the USB controller 21A, the type of the connected USB device is checked. Based on the result, the driver software corresponding to the connected USB device is read from the HDD 33 under the control of the CPU 31. The read driver software is stored in the memory 32 via the CPU 31, and the driver software is loaded. The unloading of the driver software is performed, for example, by releasing the address of the loaded driver software on the memory 32 and discarding the address from the memory 32.

A display control signal is generated by the CPU 31 based on a predetermined program. The display control signal is supplied to the graphic board 34. The graphic board 34 generates and outputs an image signal based on the supplied display control signal. This image signal is supplied to a monitor device (not shown), and a predetermined display is made on a screen.

Next, the operation and processing in the above configuration will be described. First, the operation and processing of the USB switching device 1 at the time of startup by turning on power or the like will be described. It should be noted that the setup processing when the USB cable is connected in the USB switching device 1 has the same operation and processing.

The setup process in the USB standard will be schematically described. In the USB standard, a USB host controller on a computer device side and a specific USB
The communication procedure with the B function is started when the USB host controller issues a token packet indicating the USB function to communicate with and the transfer type. US specified in this token packet
The B function, based on the specified transfer type,
It communicates with the USB host controller.

When the device is started (when power is turned on) or a USB cable is connected, information necessary for the operation of the USB device (such as a function and transfer type of a USB function to be connected) (referred to as a standard descriptor). ) Has not yet been notified to the USB host controller. Therefore, according to the USB standard, communication called control transfer is first performed by the USB host controller and the USB as a setup method at the time of startup or connection.
The USB host controller acquires the standard descriptor from the USB function.

The standard descriptor includes a device descriptor, a configuration descriptor, an interface descriptor, an endpoint descriptor, and a string descriptor.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a setup process according to the first embodiment when the USB switching device 1 is activated, for example. Here, the setup process of the printer device 2 will be described. In FIG. 4, the computer device is abbreviated as “PC”. First, in the first step S10, control transfer is performed between the USB host controller 14 and the USB function 20, and the USB function 2
0 standard descriptor is USB host controller 1
4 The captured standard descriptor of the USB function 20 is stored in the memory 12 connected to the control unit 11.

In the next step S11, one of the computer devices 4A and 4B (here, the computer device 4A) activates the USB switching device 1 and transmits
When the connection of the SB cable 5A is recognized, the USB host controller 21A of the computer device 4A sends the USB
A control transfer of a device descriptor is requested to the USB function 15A of the switching device 1.
This request is received by the USB function 15A,
It is sent to the control unit 11. In step S12, the control unit 11 responds to this request in step S10 described above.
The device descriptor is taken out of the standard descriptor of the USB function 20 stored in the memory 12 by the above processing, and returned to the USB host controller 21A of the computer device 4A via the USB function 15A.

In the next step S13, the control section 11 determines whether or not the processing in steps S11 and S12 has been performed for all USB functions 15A and 15B of the USB switching device 1.

If it is determined in step S13 that all U
If it is determined that the process has not been performed on the SB functions 15A and 15B, the process proceeds to step S11.
To the next USB function 15B,
Similar processing is performed. Therefore, in the process for the USB function 15B, the device descriptor of the USB function 20 is returned to the USB host controller 21B of the computer device 4B via the USB function 15B, as in the case of the USB function 15A.

On the other hand, in step S13, all U
If it is determined that the process is being performed on the SB functions 15A and 15B, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, for example, in the computer device 4A, the device descriptor obtained in the process of step S12 is stored in the memory 32 by the CPU 31.

In the next step S15, for example, in the computer device 4A, the CPU 31
In step 14, the ID code is extracted from the device descriptor stored in the memory 32, and it is checked whether any of the driver software stored in the HDD 33 corresponds to the extracted ID code. If there is a corresponding driver software, the driver software is H
Read from the DD 33, read into the memory 32,
The driver software is loaded.

Although not shown, if there is no driver software corresponding to the ID code extracted from the device descriptor in the HDD 33 in step S15, for example, a display control signal for performing a predetermined display indicating this is issued by the CPU.
It is generated at 31, supplied to the graphic board, and displayed on a monitor (not shown) connected to the computer device 4A.

When the loading of the driver software is completed in step S15, the driver software is executed by the CPU 31 in step S16. At the beginning of the execution, the remaining part of the standard descriptor obtained in the above step S12 is taken into the computer device 4A and stored in the memory 32A.
Is stored in The processing at this time is the same as that in step S
12 and S14.

For example, when the USB switching device 1 is started, the operation is enabled when the series of processing is completed.

When a device to be connected to the USB host controller 14 is determined in advance, a standard descriptor in the USB function of the device is previously stored in the memory 12 connected to the control unit 11. I just need. By doing so, the processing in step S10 of FIG. 10 described above can be omitted.

In the above description of the setup process, the USB switching device 1 is connected to the computer device 4A.
Has been described, but the same processing is performed when the printer device 2 or the input device 22 is connected to the USB switching device 1.

In this case, the control unit 11
For the input device 22 and the printer device 2 connected to the host controllers 13 and 14, respectively, the above-described setup processing is performed using the corresponding selection information stored in the memory 12.

Next, the processing during the operation of the USB switching device 1 will be described. In the first embodiment, switching of the computer devices 4A and 4B to be operated can be performed by operating the keys of the keyboard 23 and / or operating the mouse 24.

First, the processing of the USB switching device 1 in the case where the computer devices 4A and 4B to be operated are switched by the key operation of the keyboard 23 connected to the USB host controller 13 will be described.

In this case, first, when any key of the keyboard 23 is pressed, the computer devices 4A and 4B
Is determined in advance. this is,
It may be a single key or a combination of a plurality of keys. The determined switching key information is stored in the control unit 11, for example, stored in the memory 12. Further, the selection information indicating which one of the computer devices 4A and 4B is currently selected is stored in the control unit 11 by, for example, storing it in the memory 12.

Key information indicating a key operation on the keyboard 23 is transmitted from the USB function 25 as a USB signal. This USB signal is received by the USB host controller 13 and is sent to the control unit 1 via the internal bus 10.
1 is supplied. The control unit 11 determines whether the key information indicated by the USB signal matches the switching key information stored in the memory 12. If it is determined that they match, U based on the selection information stored in the memory 12
The supply destination of the SB signal is, for example, the USB function 16
A is switched to the currently unselected side of A and 16B, and the selection information is updated in response to this switching.

A non-selected one of the USB functions 16A and 16B outputs a USB signal indicating that there is no input, for example, a USB signal whose data value is all 0.

Next, by operating the input device 22 connected to the USB host controller 13, one of a plurality of computer devices, for example, one of two computer devices, is operated.
The process of selectively operating a table will be described.

From the USB device connected to the USB host controller 13, for example, the USB function 25 of the input device 22, the mouse information of the mouse 24 and the keyboard 2
The USB signal including the key input information of No. 3 is transmitted. This USB signal is transmitted to the USB host controller 13.
And is supplied to the control unit 11 via the internal bus 10. The control unit 11 converts the supplied input USB signal into one of the USB functions 16A and 16B.
The information is selectively supplied via the internal bus 10 to a side (referred to as a USB function 16A) corresponding to the stored selection information.

The input USB signal supplied to the USB host controller 13 is a USB signal in the computer device 4A.
From the host controller 21A to the U in the USB switching device 1
The request is transmitted to the USB host controller 21A via the USB cable 6A in response to the request transmitted to the SB function 16A. In the computer device 4A, the input USB signal is transmitted to the USB host controller 21A.
And is supplied to the CPU 31 and the like.

On the other hand, of the USB functions 16A and 16B, the side (USB) not stored in the selection information
The input USB signal is not supplied to the function 16B). From the USB function 16B to which no input USB signal is supplied, a USB signal indicating that there is no input, for example, a USB signal whose data value is all 0 is transmitted. The USB signal indicating that there is no input is received by the USB host controller 21B of the computer device 4B.

As described above, if the USB signal indicating that there is no input is not supplied to the unselected computer device 4B (USB host controller 21B), the USB device
The host controller 21B determines that the USB connection has been once released, and the USB connection initial processing as shown in FIG. 3 described above is required. With the above-described processing, it is possible to selectively operate a plurality of computer devices, for example, one of the two computer devices (computer device 4A and computer device 4B), using one set of input devices 22.

Next, the processing of the USB switching device 1 when selectively transmitting print data from the computer devices 4A and 4B to the printer device 2 will be described. Here, an example in which the computer device 4A is selected in the USB switching device 1 will be described.

When printing is performed in the computer device 4A, transfer of print data from the USB host controller 21A to the USB function 15A via the USB cable 5A is started. USB function 1
The print data supplied to 5A is supplied to the control unit 11 via the internal bus 10, and is supplied to the USB host controller 14 via the internal bus 10. The print data supplied to the USB host controller 14 is transferred to the USB function 20 via the USB cable 3.
Printing is executed in the printer device 2 based on the print data supplied to the USB function 20. Thus, the transfer of the print data from the computer device 4A (or 4B) to the printer device 2 is performed.

On the other hand, when printing is executed in the computer device 4B that is not selected in the USB switching device 1 and print data is supplied to the USB function 15B, the print data supplied to the USB function 15B by the control unit 11 Is not taken in, BUS
The Y signal is supplied to the USB host controller 21B. Here, the BUSY signal is a signal indicating that the printer device 2 is processing. The computer device 4
B is in a print data transmission waiting state while the BUSY signal is being supplied. Thus, printing from the computer device 4B that is not selected in the USB switching device 1 can be prohibited.

By the above-described processing, a selection operation can be realized in which only the processing from the computer device selected by the USB switching device 1 is accepted and the processing from the non-selected computer device is not received.

While the print data is being transferred from the USB host controller 21A of the computer device 4A to the USB function 15A of the USB switching device 1, a key operation for switching the computer device to be operated is performed. It is also possible. In this case, the transfer process of the print data is maintained until the transfer of the print data from the USB host controller 21A is completed, and after the transfer process of the print data is completed, the control unit 11 selects the computer device 4A, 4B. Alternatively, non-selection switching is performed.

On the other hand, if a processing request is received from the computer device 4B while the data transfer process from the USB host controller 21A is maintained, a BUSY signal is supplied from the USB switching device 1 to the computer device 4B. The processing request from the computer device 4B is USB
Not accepted by the switching device 1.

When the transfer of the print data from the USB host controller 21A to the printer device 2 is completed, the processing of the computer device 4B is accepted by the USB switching device 1. While the computer 4B is processing, a BUSY signal is supplied to the computer 4A in response to the processing request from the computer 4A, and the processing request from the computer 4A is not accepted. With the above-described processing, it is possible to prevent a printing error from occurring even when a key operation for switching the computer device to be operated is performed during printing.

When there is no data transfer from the computer device 4A or 4B to the printer device 2 for a certain period, the control section 11 determines that the data transfer has been completed.
Specifically, the USB data transfer is performed every 1 msec. Therefore, if there is no data transfer for 20 msec, the control unit 11 determines that the data transfer has been completed.

Alternatively, the control unit 11 monitors the data in the transfer data and detects information such as the data size and the end code to thereby control the computer device 4A or 4A.
The end of data transfer from B to the printer device 2 may be determined. Specifically, in a USB printer, print data is transferred in a data format such as PDL (Page Description Language) or PCL (Printer Control Language). Of the computer device 4A or 4A by detecting information such as a data size and an end code from
It is determined that the data transfer from B to the printer device 2 has been completed.

When a request relating to the setting of the printer device 2 is supplied from the computer device 4B not selected in the USB switching device 1, for example, to the control unit 11, the control unit 11 performs processing for this request. . More specifically, when a change in the settings of the printer device 2 is requested by control transfer, a request related to the settings of the printer device 2 is stored in the control unit 11. For example, the request is memory 1
2 is stored. After the computer device 4B is selected by a key operation on the keyboard 23, a request for setting of the printer device 2 is read from the memory 12 by the control unit 11, and is transferred to the printer device 2. The request related to the setting change of the printer device 2 is, for example, a request related to the setting change of the printer paper size.

In the above description, the switching of the computer devices 4A and 4B is performed by the keyboard 23 and the mouse 24, but this is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an external switch 17 may be provided in the USB switching device 1, and the computer device 4 </ b> A, 4 </ b> B may be switched by operating the external switch 17. As shown in FIG. 2, a selection control signal corresponding to the operation of the external switch 17 is supplied to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 controls, for example, the path of the internal bus 10 based on the selection control signal.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In a modification of the first embodiment, the computer to be operated is switched by, for example, the movement of a mouse 24 connected to the USB host controller 13 via the keyboard 23. FIG. 5 schematically shows how the computer devices 4A and 4B are switched by the mouse operation. 4A and 4B
Shows monitor devices 9A and 9B connected to the computer devices 4A and 4B, respectively.

It is assumed that the computer device 4A is initially selected by the USB switching device 1. At this time, based on the coordinate information output from the mouse 24, the cursor 6
0 is displayed on the screen 61 of the monitor device 9A. On the other hand, no cursor is displayed on the screen 62 of the monitor device 9B connected to the computer device 4B on the non-selected side.

From this state, the mouse 24 is moved so that the cursor 60 moves, for example, to the right of the screen 61. After the cursor 60 reaches the right end of the screen 61,
The mouse 24 is moved so that the cursor 60 moves rightward. Then, a cursor 60 is displayed on the left end of the screen 62 of the monitor device 9B. When the display of the cursor 60 is deleted from the screen 61 of the monitor device 9A and the cursor 60 is displayed on the screen 62 of the monitor device, the switching by the USB switching device 1 is performed.

At this time, the position in the Y-axis direction when the cursor appears on the screen 62 from the left end is the Y position of the cursor 60 when the cursor 60 disappears to the right end on the screen 61.
It is preferable that the cursor 60 be moved from the screen 61 to the screen 62 as if it were associated with the position in the axial direction.

The cursor 60 displayed on the screen 62 moves further, for example, to the right according to the movement of the mouse 24.

The above processing will be described in more detail. First, the USB switching device 1 needs to acquire the image size information of the video signal output from the computer devices 4A and 4B connected to the USB switching device 1 and the display position coordinate information of the cursor. These pieces of information are acquired by communicating between the USB function 16A and the USB host controller 21A and between the USB function 16B and the USB host controller 21B, respectively.

For example, the USB functions 16A and 16B are connected to the respective computer devices 4 connected thereto.
It is configured to be able to receive the screen size information of A and 4B and the display position information of the cursor. On the other hand, in the computer devices 4A and 4B, for example, the computer device 4A, the driver software loaded when the USB function 16A is connected is configured to be able to transmit the screen size information and the display position information of the cursor 60.

The cursor 60 is displayed only on the computer device side selected by the USB switching device 1,
On the other computer side, in order to hide the cursor 60, the selection information held in the control unit 11 is transmitted between the USB host controller 21A and the USB function 16A, and between the USB host controller 21B and the USB function. 16B.

For example, the USB functions 16A and 16B are configured to transmit selection information.
On the other hand, in the computer devices 4A and 4B, for example, the computer device 4A, the USB function 16A
Is connected to the driver software, the driver software can receive the selection information, and can control the display and non-display of the cursor 60 based on the received selection information.

In such a configuration, for example, immediately after the above-described setup processing shown in FIG. 4, the computer devices 4A and 4B connected to the USB switching device 1 transmit the computer device 4A from the USB host controllers 21A and 21B, respectively. And 4B are transmitted. The transmitted screen size information is received by the USB functions 16A and 16B, respectively, and is stored in, for example, the memory 12, and is held in the control unit 11.

Thereafter, the processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that initially, the USB switching device 1
The computer device 4A is selected by the
Is valid for the computer device 4A.

First, in step S20, the display of the cursor 60 is moved according to the movement of the mouse 24. Input information including movement amount data generated by a movement operation of the mouse 24 is supplied from the mouse 24 to the keyboard 23, converted into a USB signal by the USB function 25, and transmitted to the USB host controller 13.
This USB signal is received by the USB host controller 13 and supplied to the control unit 11 via the internal bus 10.

The control unit 11 sends the USB function 16
A is supplied with input information from the mouse 24 via the internal bus 10. At this time, the input information from the mouse 24 is not transmitted to the USB function 16B corresponding to the computer device 4B that is not selected by the USB switching device 1.

The input information received by the mouse 24 is transmitted to the USB cable 6A by the USB function 16A.
Is transmitted to the computer device 4A via the. On the other hand, U
The input information from the mouse 24 is not transmitted to the SB function 16B. Therefore, a signal indicating that there is no input, for example, a signal whose data value is all 0 is US
The data is transmitted from the BUSB function 16B to the computer device 4B via the cable 6B.

As a result, the cursor 60 displayed on the screen 61 of the monitor device 9A connected to the computer device 4A is moved in accordance with the operation of moving the mouse 24.

In the next step S21, the control section 11 determines whether or not the cursor 60 is displayed at the right end of the screen 61, that is, whether or not the cursor 60 is on the display boundary between the screen 61 and the screen 62. If it is determined that it is not displayed at the right end, the process proceeds to step S2
Returned to 0. On the other hand, if it is determined that the cursor 60 is displayed at the right end of the screen 61, the process proceeds to the next step S
Move to 22.

The determination in step S21 is that the control unit 11 obtains the display position information of the cursor 60 from the computer device 4A via the USB cable 6A, and obtains the X coordinate data Cx1 of the obtained display position information, As described above, the screen size information is obtained by comparing the screen size information with the size information Sx which is the size information in the X direction. For example, the coordinate value at the right end of the screen is the coordinate Sx−
If Cx1 = Sx−1, the cursor 6
0 is displayed at the right end of the screen 61, and Cx1 <Sx
If it is -1, it can be determined that the cursor 60 is displayed at a position other than the right end of the screen 61.

In the next step 22, the mouse 24
It is determined whether or not movement amount data indicating that the display of the cursor 60 is to be further moved to the right is obtained. That is, in step S22, it is determined whether the user is moving the cursor 60 from the computer device 4A to the computer device 4B. The control unit 11 makes a determination based on the input information from the mouse 24 received by the USB host controller 13 as a USB signal. If it is determined that the display of the cursor 60 is not to be moved further to the right, the process returns to step S20.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the movement amount data indicating that the cursor 60 is to be further moved to the right has been obtained, the process proceeds to step S23, where the cursor 60 on the computer device 4A is moved. The display position coordinates and the mouse movement amount data are stored in, for example, the memory 12 and held in the control unit 11.

In the next step S24, the control section 11 performs a process of switching the operation target from the computer device 4A to the computer device 4B. First, the transmission unit of the input information supplied from the USB host controller 13 by the input device 22 by the control unit 11 is a USB.
Function 16A to USB function 16B
Is changed to Information input by the input device 22 is USB
It is supplied from the function 16B to the computer device 4B via the USB cable 7B, and received by the USB host controller 21B.

On the other hand, the USB function 16A has
The input information received by the USB host controller 13 and input by the input device 22 is not supplied. Since the USB function 16A has not obtained input information from the input device 22, the USB function 16A transmits a signal indicating that there is no input, for example, a USB signal whose data values are all 0 to the USB cable 7A. This USB
The signal is received by the USB host controller 21A of the computer device 4A via the USB cable 6A.

By such processing in step S24, the transmission destination of the input information output from the input device 22 is switched from the computer device 4A to the computer device 4B, and the operation target of the user is changed from the computer device 4A to the computer device 4B. Will be migrated.

In the next step S25, the display of the cursor 60 is deleted from the screen 61 of the monitor 9A connected to the computer 4A. This is performed, for example, by transmitting the selection information stored in the control unit 11 by being stored in the memory 12 to the computer device 4A. Processing for hiding the cursor 60 based on the received selection information is performed by the driver software loaded on the computer device 4A.

In step S26, the computer device 4
The cursor 60 is displayed on the screen 62 of the monitor 9B connected to B. This is performed, for example, by transmitting the selection information stored in the control unit 11 by being stored in the memory 12 to the computer device 4B. The processing for displaying the cursor 60 based on the received selection information is performed by the driver software loaded on the computer device 4B.

At this time, the cursor 60 on the screen 62
The display position of is obtained in step S23 described above.
The setting can be made based on the display position information of the cursor 60 in the computer device 4A and the movement amount data of the mouse 24. For example, in the display position coordinates, the Y coordinate data is set as the coordinates Cy1, and the movement amount data of the mouse 24 is set as the movement amount (dx, dy), and the computer device 4B sets the coordinates (0 + dx,
The cursor 60 can be displayed at the position of (Cy1 + dy).

If the computer devices 4A and 4B have been switched before this processing,
The cursor 60 may be displayed at the position of the display position data (Cx2, Cy2) of the cursor 60 in the computer device 4B stored during the processing.

In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the order of the steps S23 to S26 may be different as long as a desired operation is obtained.

The computer device 4 is operated by the mouse 24.
The operation and processing after the switching of A and 4B are performed,
This is the same as the first embodiment described above.

Although the processing of steps S21 and S22 has been described as being performed by the control unit 11, this is not limited to this example, and may be performed on the computer device 4A. In this case, the selection information is the computer device 4A.
May be transmitted from the computer device 4A to the control unit 11 instead of receiving.

Further, it has been described that the control unit 11 acquires the display position information of the cursor 60 from the computer device 4A in the processing of steps S21 and S22.
This is not limited to this example. The display position information of the cursor 60 can be obtained by the control unit 11 calculating based on the movement amount data output from the mouse 24. In this case, information necessary for calculating the coordinates of the display position of the cursor 60, such as the ratio of the movement of the cursor 60 to the mouse movement amount data, may be acquired from the computer device 4A. For example, in the case where the display of the cursor 60 is moved at a predetermined acceleration with respect to the movement amount data of the mouse 24 in the computer device 4A, information on the acceleration is acquired by the control unit 11 from the computer device 4A. You.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a configuration of an example of the USB switching device 1 to which the present invention is applied. In the first embodiment, U
Although the example in which the printer device 2 is connected to the SB switching device 1 has been described, the second embodiment illustrates an example in which the scanner device 70 is connected to the USB switching device 1 '.
In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG. 2 described above, and detailed description will be omitted. Where U
The use environment of the SB switching device 1 'is the first embodiment,
It is assumed that the environment is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

The scanner device 70 has an interface corresponding to USB. More specifically, the scanner device 70 has a USB function 71, and the USB function 71 and the USB host controller 14
It is connected by an SB cable 72.

The USB signal input to the USB host controller 14 is transmitted to the USB functions 15A and 15B.
The computer devices 4A and 4B are switched so as to output only from the selected side and not output from the non-selected side. In this way, the computer device 4
In A and 4B, the load / unload processing of the driver software does not occur, and the switching of the USB signal can be performed smoothly.

Hereinafter, the USB according to the second embodiment will be described.
The processing during the operation of the switching device 1 'will be described. In addition,
The setup process according to the USB standard is substantially the same as the case of the printer device 2 according to the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will not be repeated. Here, as an example, the computer device 4A in the USB switching device 1 '
An example in which is selected will be described.

When the application of the computer device 4A performs an operation of capturing an image from the scanner device 70, a data capture start signal is transmitted from the USB host controller 21A to the USB function 15A. This signal is USB function 1
5A, and supplied to the control unit 11 via the internal bus 10. The signal supplied to the control unit 11 is
0 is supplied to the USB host controller 14. The signal supplied to the USB host controller 14 is transferred to the USB function 71 via the USB cable 72. On the basis of the signal transferred to the USB function 71, the scanner device 70 starts capturing image data.

The image captured by the scanner device 70 is transmitted from the USB function 71 to the USB host controller 14 as image data, and is stored in the internal bus 1.
0 is supplied to the control unit 11. The image data supplied to the control unit 11 is supplied to the USB function 15A via the internal bus 10, and is transferred to the USB host controller 21A via the USB cable 5A. As a result, image data of the image captured by the scanner device 70 can be transmitted to the computer device 4A.

On the other hand, the computer device 4A as described above
When the image capturing operation from the scanner device 70 is performed by the application of the computer device 4B that is not selected in the USB switching device 1 ′ while the image capturing process is being performed by the USB host controller 21B, the USB function is transmitted from the USB host controller 21B to the USB function 15B. A data capture start signal is transmitted. When this data capture start signal is received by the USB function 15B,
In response, the BUSY signal is supplied from the control unit 11 to the USB function 15B and transmitted to the USB host controller 21B. Here, the BUSY signal is a signal indicating that the scanner device 70 is processing. Note that the computer device 4B waits for data reception while the BUSY signal is being supplied. This allows U
It is possible to prohibit an operation of taking in image data from a computer device not selected by the SB switching device 1 '.

By the above-described processing, the USB switching device 1 ′
In this case, a selection operation can be realized in which only processing from the selected computer device is accepted, and processing from the non-selected computer device is not accepted.

When an operation for switching the computer device to be operated is performed while image data is being captured in the computer device 4A, the scanner device 70 transmits the image data to the computer device 4A.
Processing is maintained until the transfer of image data to
After the image data transfer processing is completed, the control unit 11 switches the signal path from 4A to 4B.

On the other hand, while the image data is being transferred from the scanner device 70 to the computer device 4A, the switching operation of the computer device is performed, and the transfer of the image data from the scanner device 70 to the computer device 4A is maintained. In the meantime, when a processing request is sent from the computer device 4B to the USB switching device 1 ', a BUSY signal is transmitted from the USB switching device 1' to the computer device 4B, and the processing request from the computer device 4B is accepted. Absent.

From the scanner device 70 to the computer device 4
When the transfer of the image data to A is completed, a processing request from the computer device 4B is accepted by the USB switching device 1 '. Then, in response to the processing request from the computer device 4A, a BUSY signal is supplied to the computer device 4A, so that the processing request from the computer device 4A is not accepted. By the processing described above,
Even when an operation for switching the computer device to be operated is performed during the image capturing process by the scanner device 70, it is possible to prevent an image data capturing error from occurring.

When there is no data transfer from the scanner 70 to the computer 4A or 4B for a certain period, the controller 11 determines that the data transfer has been completed. Specifically, the USB data transfer is performed every 1 msec. Therefore, if there is no data transfer for 20 msec, the control unit 11 determines that the data transfer has been completed.

Alternatively, the control unit 11 monitors the data in the transfer data and detects the information such as the data size and the end code to determine the end of the data transfer from the scanner device 70 to the computer device 4A or 4B. It may be.

When a request for changing the settings of the scanner device 70 is supplied to the control unit 11 from a computer device 4B that is not selected, the control unit 11 performs processing relating to this request.
More specifically, when a change in the settings of the scanner device 70 is requested by control transfer, a request for a change in the settings of the scanner device 70 is stored in the control unit 11. For example, the request is stored in the memory 12. After the switching operation of the computer device is performed and the computer device 4B is selected, a request related to the setting change of the scanner device 70 is read from the memory 12, and
The data is transferred to the scanner device 70. The request for setting change of the scanner device 70 is, for example, a request for setting change of resolution.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, an input device having, for example, PS / 2 as an interface is used as an input device for a computer device. PS / 2
Is a standard that has been widely used as a keyboard and mouse interface. FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of a switching device 101 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

The switching device 101 includes a control unit 11, a USB host controller 14, a USB function 15A,
Has USB function 15B and PS / 2
Input I / F1 which is an interface corresponding to the input of
13, an output I / F 116A and an output I / F 116B. The control unit 11, the USB host controller 14, the USB function 15A, the USB function 15B, the input I / F 113, the output I / F 116A, and the output I / F 116B are connected to each other via the internal bus 10 so that bidirectional communication is possible. .

A keyboard 123 and a mouse 124 for outputting a signal corresponding to PS / 2 are connected to the input I / F 113, respectively. In the following, the keyboard 123
The mouse 124 is collectively referred to as an input device 122. A signal corresponding to PS / 2 is called a PS / 2 signal.

Output I / F 116A and Computer Unit 4
A is connected to the PS / 2 terminal via an output cable 106A. Output I / F 116B and computer device 4B
Are connected via an output cable 106B.

The input I / F 113 receives the input PS / 2.
The signal is converted into a USB signal by protocol conversion and output. The output I / Fs 116A and 116B correspond to the input U
The SB signal is converted into a PS / 2 signal by protocol conversion and output.

The switching process of the operation target by the input device 122 can be performed in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment and the modification of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. .

In the above description, the input I / F 113, the output I / F 116A and the output I / F 116B correspond to the PS / 2 signal, and the input device 122 and the input I / F 1
13, the computer device 4A and the output I / F 116.
A, and the computer device 4A and the output I / F1
It is assumed that communication with PS / 2 is performed by PS / 2, but this is not limited to this example. For example, input I / F
113, output I / F 116A and output I / F 116B
Is a serial communication such as RS-232C, IrDA
(Infrated Data Association).

The input I / F 113 receives the input PS
/ 2 signal is supplied to the internal bus 10, and the PS2 signal is output via the internal bus 10 to the output interfaces 116A and 116A.
6B. The output interfaces 116A and 116B transmit the supplied PS / 2 signals to the computer devices 4A and 4B as they are.

Further, in the above-described first, second and third embodiments, the USB switching device 1, the USB switching device 1 'or the switching device 101 switches between the two computer devices 4A and 4B. However, this is not limited to this example, and can be applied to an example in which three or more computer devices are switched.

Further, in the above description, the USB switching device 1, the USB switching device 1 'or the switching device 101 is described as a device housed in an independent housing, but this is not limited to this example. USB switching device 1, USB
The switching device 1 'or the switching device 101 can be incorporated in another device. For example, the USB switching device 1, the USB switching device 1 ', or the switching device 101
Can be incorporated in the monitor device 9A or 9B connected to the computer device 4A or 4B.

For example, when the USB switching device 1 is incorporated in the monitor device 9A, the monitor device 9A and the input device 22
Are connected by a USB cable 8, and the monitor device 9A and the printer device 2 are connected by a USB cable 72. Further, the monitor device 9A and the computer device 4A are
The monitor device 9A and the computer device 4B are connected by B cables 5A and 6A, and the USB cable 5B and 6B. The image output of the computer device 4A is supplied to the monitor device 9A via the video cable 8A, and the image output of the computer device 4B is supplied to the video cable 8B.
Is supplied to the monitor device 9B via the.

Further, in this case, two image input terminals are provided on the monitor device 9A to supply image outputs of the computer devices 4A and 4B, respectively. With such a configuration, the image output input from the two image input terminals is selectively displayed on the screen 61 in accordance with the result of the selection operation of the computer device to be operated by the input device 22. The operation becomes easy, and the space for installing the monitor device can be saved.

In the above embodiment, the printer device 2 and the scanner device 70 are U
Although the configuration connected to the SB switching device has been described, an electronic device such as a digital camera or an MP3 (MPEG-1 audio layer 3) player that performs data transfer in response to a request from an application such as a computer device. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the electronic device is connected to the USB switching device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 transmits the data between the computer device 4A or the computer device 4B and the printer device 2 or the scanner device 40 based on the signal output from the input device 22 or the input device 122. Although the configuration for controlling the transfer has been described, the control unit 11 performs data transfer between the computer 4A or the computer 4B and the printer 2 or the scanner 40 based on a signal output from the computer 4A or the computer 4B. It may be configured to control. That is, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which data transfer is controlled without a selection operation by the input device 22 or the input device 122.

As shown in the first embodiment, a modification of the first embodiment, a second embodiment,
Also in the third embodiment, the external switch 17
And the operation of the external switch 17 may be used to switch between the computer devices 4A and 4B.

Further, the USB switching device 1 and U
The SB switching device 1 'can be implemented by the same configuration.

[0139]

As described above, the present invention relates to the US
In the B switching device, a USB function is provided for each connector to which the computer device to be selected is connected, and in the computer device connected to the connector, driver software corresponding to the USB function is pre-loaded and the selected device is connected to the USB device. A predetermined USB signal is transmitted from the USB function, and a USB signal indicating that there is no input from a non-selected USB function, for example, a USB whose value is all 0
A signal is to be transmitted.

As described above, according to the present invention, the computer device always keeps the state in which the driver software corresponding to the USB function of the USB switching device is loaded. Therefore, there is an effect that the time required for loading and unloading the driver software at the time of switching can be saved, and there is an effect that hang-up due to switching timing can be prevented.

Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the selection of the computer device to be operated can be switched by key input from the keyboard, so that the hand reaches the USB switching device itself every time the switching is performed. There is an effect that there is no need.

Further, according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the selection of the computer device to be operated can be switched by moving the mouse, so that it is less troublesome than in the case where the switching is performed manually. This has the effect of improving operability.

According to the present invention, data transfer is performed between the computer device selected in the USB switching device and the electronic device, and the information processing device not selected in the USB switching device includes the electronic device. Since we send a signal indicating that data is being processed,
It is possible to prevent a data transfer error occurring when the USB switching device is switched when using the electronic device.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of electronic devices can be operated by one set of input devices, the space for input device work can be saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a use environment of a USB switching device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a USB switching device to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a computer device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setup process when the USB switching device is activated.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing switching of a computer device by a mouse operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of switching a computer device by a mouse operation.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a switching device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a switching device according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a use environment when one printer device is used by two computer devices via a USB switching device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a conventional USB switching device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... USB switching device, 2 ... Printer device, 3,
8, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B ... USB cable, 4
A, 4B: computer device, 7: input device,
9A, 9B: monitor device, 10: internal bus, 1
1 ... control unit, 12 ... memory, 13, 14 ...
USB host controller, 15A, 15B, 16A,
16B: USB function, 23: Keyboard, 24: Mouse, 25: USB function

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B014 HA07 5B069 AA01 BA01 BA04 BB16 CA08 GA03 JA01 JA02 KA02 LA02 5B077 HH02 NN02 5C082 AA01 AA18 AA22 AA32 BA02 BA12 BB01 CA76 CB05 MM09

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of information processing apparatuses are connectably connectable so that at least one electronic device and at least one input device can be connected, and selected from a plurality of information processing apparatuses. A switching device configured to perform data transfer between one information processing device and an electronic device, wherein a plurality of connection means for connecting the plurality of information processing devices via a hot-swappable bus and an input device; Connecting means for connecting the electronic device; and selecting one of the plurality of information processing devices according to an input signal from the input device connected to the connecting device. Then, data is transferred between the selected information processing device and the electronic device connected to the electronic device connection means, and the information not selected from the plurality of information processing devices is transferred. The processor switching device, characterized in that it comprises a control means for transmitting a signal indicating that the electronic device is in data processing. 2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the bus is hot-swappable, and information necessary for operation of a device connected to one of the buses is connected to the other of the buses. The information processing device obtains the information so that the device can be controlled by the information processing device, and discards information necessary for the operation of the device when the device is not connected. A switching device, which is a route. 3. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the bus is a USB. 4. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein, when the selection of the information processing device is changed by the input device during the data transfer, the control unit performs the control after the completion of the data transfer. A switching device, wherein data transfer is performed between the information processing device to which the selection is changed by the selection means and the electronic device. 5. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes a setting of the electronic device from an information processing device not selected by the input device among the plurality of information processing devices. A switching device, wherein when a request is received, the request is stored, and the request is transmitted to the electronic device after the information processing device that has transmitted the request is selected by the selection unit. 6. A plurality of information processing devices are connectable so as to be hot-swappable, and at least one electronic device and at least one input device are connectable and selected from the plurality of information processing devices. In a switching method for performing data transfer between one information processing apparatus and an electronic device, a plurality of connection steps for connecting the plurality of information processing apparatuses via a hot-swappable bus; A connection step for connecting; an electronic device connection step for connecting an electronic device; and an input signal from the input device connected in the connection step, among the plurality of information processing devices. (1) to perform data transfer between the selected information processing apparatus and the electronic device connected in the electronic device connection step, and Switching method characterized by comprising the steps of a control of transmitting the signal indicating that the electronic device is in data processing in the information processing apparatus that are not selected among the processing apparatus. 7. An image display device for displaying data to be displayed by an image signal output from an information processing device, comprising: a plurality of connection means for connecting the plurality of information processing devices via a hot-pluggable bus; A connection unit for connecting an input device; an electronic device connection unit for connecting an electronic device; and an input signal from the input device connected to the connection unit, among the plurality of information processing devices. To transfer data between the selected information processing device and the electronic device connected to the electronic device connection means, and select a non-selected one of the plurality of information processing devices. An image display device, comprising: a switching device including a control unit that transmits a signal indicating that the electronic device is performing data processing. 8. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the bus is hot-swappable, and information necessary for operation of a device connected to one of the buses is connected to the other of the buses. Acquired by the information processing device obtained, it is possible to control the device by the information processing device, and to discard information necessary for the operation of the device when the device is not connected An image display device, which is a communication path. 9. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the bus is a USB. 10. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein, when the selection of the information processing device is changed by the input device during the data transfer, after the data transfer is completed, An image display device, wherein data transfer is performed between the information processing device to which the selection is changed by the selection means and the electronic device. 11. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the control means changes a setting of the electronic device from an information processing device not selected by the input device among the plurality of information processing devices. Receiving the request of (1), storing the request, and transmitting the request to the electronic device after the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the request is selected by the selection unit. apparatus.