JP2002163226A - Input device sharing system, input device used in the system, and input device sharing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To share an input device with plural information processors in any place. SOLUTION: The input device 20 connected to a personal computer 10 and a PDA 30 are loaded with radio communication parts 23, 35 capable of mutually performing data communication by radio. When the PDA 30 uses the input device 20, a connection request is caused from the radio communicating part 35 of the PDA 30 to the input device 20. In the input device 20, the connection request is received by the radio communicating part 23 to set up a radio link with the PDA 30, and when the data is input, the input data is transmitted through the radio link to the PDA 30. Thus, the PDA 30 shares the input device 20 of the PC 10. In this case, as the radio communication is used, the PDA 30 and the PC 10 are not required to face to each other. The input device 20 can be used in any place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) or a PDA (Personal
The present invention relates to an input device sharing system used when an input device is shared between information processing devices such as a digital assistant, an input device used in the system, and an input device sharing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of PCs in recent years, one user often uses a plurality of PCs to perform individual tasks. In such a case, operating a plurality of PCs using a dedicated input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) for each of them is a problem. It has been considered to operate the PCs individually.

Normally, when one input device is shared by a plurality of PCs, an input switching device having a switching function (referred to as a switcher) is interposed between each PC and the input device, and a user can use the input switching device. A PC to be input by manually operating a switch provided in the input switching device.
Is used.

[0004]

In the above-described method, a dedicated device for switching the input target is required, and the dedicated device needs to be connected between each PC and the input device by a cable. . For this reason, there is a problem that a space for installing the dedicated device must be secured, and wiring is troublesome. In particular, notebook PCs and PDs
The portable information processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 3A is very inconvenient because the cable needs to be removed each time.

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-126134 proposes a method of sharing an input device using infrared rays. However, infrared rays have a problem of directivity, and communication becomes impossible even if the angle between the two is slightly deviated, and communication cannot be performed at all if there is an obstacle between the two. Therefore, it is unsuitable for sharing an input device for a device that can be used anywhere, such as a portable information processing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an input device sharing system and an input device sharing system capable of sharing an input device among a plurality of information processing devices regardless of location. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device and a method of sharing an input device used in a computer.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an input device sharing system for sharing one input device among a plurality of information processing devices. A wireless communication function that enables data communication is provided. Each of the information processing devices includes a connection request unit that issues a connection request to the input device, and a data reception unit that receives input data transmitted from the input device after responding to the connection request by the connection request unit. And input data processing means for processing the input data received by the data receiving means as data input by the device. The input device establishes a wireless link with the information processing device that has made a connection request in each of the information processing devices, and a connection processing unit that returns a response to that effect, and a connection processing unit that is established by the connection processing unit. Data transmission means for transmitting input data to the information processing apparatus which has requested the connection via a wireless link.

With such a configuration, if a connection request is made by wireless communication from an information processing device that requires data input among the above information processing devices, the input device will communicate with the information processing device that has made the connection request. And transmits the input data. Thus, the input device can be shared with the information processing devices by wireless communication.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system is
In this embodiment, a single input device is shared by a plurality of information processing devices. In this embodiment, an input is performed between a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) 10 and a PDA 30 which is a portable information processing device. It is assumed that the device 20 is shared.

The input device 20 and the PDA 30 are provided with a wireless communication function that enables wireless data communication with each other. As this wireless communication function, for example, Blu
Ethooth is used. Bluetooth is a wireless interface conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard, and is a 2.4 GHz band ISM (Industrial Science Med).
ical) band to realize wireless communication within 10 m or within 100 m. Bluetooth
Can be connected to multiple devices at the same time.
Compared to an infrared communication system such as DA, the transmission distance is relatively long, for example, 10 to 100 m, and the transmission distance is less affected by obstacles. Input device 20 and P
The DA 30 is equipped with such a Bluetooth wireless communication function, and wireless communication can be performed between them according to a predetermined communication protocol.

A specific configuration of the PC 10, the input device 20, and the PDA 30 used in the present system will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 10 includes a CPU 1
1, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, and the like. Note that the PC 10 may be a desktop type or a notebook type. The CPU 11 controls the entire PC 10, reads a program recorded in the memory 12, and executes various processes according to procedures described in the program. The memory 12 is, for example, a ROM
And an internal memory such as a RAM, which stores programs and data necessary for various processes. Storage unit 13
Is, for example, a magnetic disk drive, a floppy (registered trademark)
It comprises a disk device, a CD-ROM device and the like, and is used as an external storage device. The display unit 14 is, for example, a CRT (Cathode-ray tube) or an LCD (Liquid Cry
stal Display) to display data.

The input device 20 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse for inputting data. In the present embodiment, the input device 20 is connected to the PC 10 via a connection means 40 by wire. In addition, as the connection means 40,
For example, PS / 2 (Personal System / 2) and USB (Unive
rsal Serial Bus).

The input device 20 includes an operation unit 21, a control unit 22, and a wireless communication unit 23. Operation unit 21
Is a part where a user performs data input operation. The keyboard corresponds to various keys such as character keys, numeric keys, cursor keys, and function keys, and the mouse corresponds to right and left buttons. The control unit 22
The transfer path of the input data according to the operation of the operation unit 21 is set to PC
10 or the process of switching to the PDA 30 is performed. Normally, it is switched to the PC 10 side, and the input device 20
Used as 10 input devices.

The radio communication unit 23 performs transmission / reception processing of radio waves having a predetermined frequency band via the antenna 23a, and includes an RF (Radio Frequency) unit, a baseband unit, a crystal oscillation unit, and the like. Bluetooth
th wireless communication function. Antenna 2 when receiving
Unnecessary signal components from the radio wave received at 2a
After that, the received signal is converted into an intermediate frequency band signal by mixing with the local oscillation signal oscillated from the crystal oscillator, and the intermediate frequency signal is demodulated into a digital signal that can be handled by the baseband unit. Do. At the time of transmission, the flow is the reverse of that at the time of reception. The baseband unit modulates the transmission signal into a radio wave that can be handled by the RF unit according to a predetermined protocol. Radiates in.

On the other hand, the PDA 30 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, an input unit 33, a display unit 34, and the like. CPU3
1 controls the entire PDA 30, reads a program recorded in the memory 32, and executes various processes in accordance with procedures described in the program. The memory 32 is an internal memory including, for example, a ROM and a RAM, and stores programs and data necessary for various processes. The input unit 33 is an input device dedicated to a PDA, and has a structure capable of inputting with a pen such as a tablet. The display unit 34 is a display device composed of, for example, an LCD, and is used integrally with the input unit 33 in the case of a pen input method.

Further, the PDA 30 includes a radio communication unit 35. The wireless communication unit 35 performs transmission / reception processing of a wireless radio wave having a predetermined frequency band via an antenna 35a, and the wireless communication unit 23 provided in the input device 20.
Has the same communication protocol as.

Next, the operation of the present system will be described.

Now, it is assumed that the input device 20 is shared between the PC 10 and the PDA 30. The input device 20 is P
It is an input device of C10, for example, composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is connected to the PC 10 by wire through the connection means 40 (PS / 2, USB, etc.). When the input device 20 is used as an input device of the PDA 30, the following connection processing is executed between the PDA 30 and the input device 20.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation at the time of wireless connection in the present system, and FIG.
The process on the A30 side, and FIG. 2B shows the process on the input device 20 side.

First, a connection request is made from the PDA 30 to the input device 20 (step A11). Specifically, the user operates the input unit 33 of the PDA 30 to issue a connection request instruction. The wireless communication unit 35 provided in the PDA 30 receives the connection request instruction and transmits a connection request to the wireless communication unit 23 of the input device 20.

On the input device 20 side, the wireless communication unit 23 receives this connection request (step B11),
Perform connection processing according to a predetermined protocol (step B
12). Specifically, the P sent together with the connection request signal
By detecting the identification information of the DA 30 and comparing the identification information with the identification information of the connection target device registered in the input device 20 in advance, it is determined whether or not the connection request source PDA 30 is the connection target device. I do. If the target device is a connection target device, the connection request from the PDA 30 is permitted, and a wireless link with the PDA 30 is established. It is assumed that the identification information of the connection target device is registered in a memory (not shown) in the wireless communication unit 35, for example. In the example of FIG. 1, since the only connection target device is the PDA 30, the identification information of the PDA 30 is registered.

In this manner, the PDA on the input device 20 side
When the connection request from the PDA 30 is permitted and a wireless link with the PDA 30 is established, a response signal to that effect is issued from the wireless communication unit 23 to the PDA 30. The PDA 30 receives the response signal from the input device 20 (Step A12), confirms that the connection between the two has been completed (Step A13), and performs input processing of the data sent from the input device 20. (Steps A14, A15).

On the other hand, on the input device 20 side, when the connection between the two is completed (Yes in step B13), the wireless communication unit 23 notifies the control unit 22 of the completion of the connection (step B14). The control unit 22 that has received the connection completion notification changes the transfer route of the input data (step B15). That is, the data transfer path is internally switched so that the subsequent input data is passed to the wireless communication unit 23 instead of the connection unit 40. Thus, when the user operates the operation unit 21 of the input device 20 to input data (Yes in step B16), the input data is sent to the wireless communication unit 23 (step B17), and then the wireless communication unit 23 to the connection requesting PDA 30 via the wireless link (step B1).
8).

On the PDA 30 side, when the above-mentioned input data is received by the wireless communication section 35 (step A14), it flows on the bus as if the data was input from the input section 33 of the PDA 30, and a predetermined data corresponding to the data was received. Processing is C
It is executed under the control of the PU 31 (step A15). The predetermined processing includes, for example, displaying the data on a screen of the display unit 34, executing a function specified by the data, and the like.

After the wireless link between the PDA 30 and the input device 20 is established by the connection request from the PDA 30, data input from the input device 20 is transmitted to the PDA 30 by radio, It will be treated as input data of the PDA 30. In addition, PDA3
In a state where 0 and the input device 20 are connected, not only data from the input device 20 but also data input from the input unit 33 of the PDA 30 is possible.

Next, the processing at the time of wireless disconnection will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation at the time of wireless disconnection in the present system, and FIG.
The process on the A30 side, and FIG. 2B shows the process on the input device 20 side.

Now, when the PDA 30 and the input device 20 are wirelessly connected, the PDA 30
Then, a disconnection request is made to 0 (step C11). Specifically, the user operates the input unit 33 of the PDA 30 to issue a disconnection request instruction. Wireless communication unit 35 provided in PDA 30
Receives the disconnection request instruction, transmits a disconnection request to the wireless communication unit 23 of the input device 20.

On the input device 20 side, the wireless communication unit 23 receives this disconnection request (step D11),
Disconnect processing is performed according to a predetermined protocol (step D
12). In this case, similarly to the connection request, the identification information of the PDA 30 sent together with the disconnection request signal is detected, and the identification information is compared with the identification information of the connection target device registered in the input device 20 in advance. Thus, it is determined whether the PDA 30 that has issued the disconnection request is a connection target device.
If the connection target device, the disconnection request from the PDA 30 is permitted, and the wireless link with the PDA 30 is released.

In this manner, the PDA on the input device 20 side
When the disconnection request from the PDA 30 is permitted and the wireless link with the PDA 30 is released, a response signal to that effect is issued from the wireless communication unit 23 to the PDA 30. The PDA 30 receives the response signal from the input device 20 (step C12) and confirms that the connection between them has been disconnected (step C13). Thereafter, only the data from the input unit 33 is processed as usual. (Step C1)
4).

On the other hand, on the input device 20 side, when the connection between them is disconnected (Yes in step D13), the wireless communication unit 23 notifies the control unit 22 that the disconnection has been completed (step D14). ). Upon receiving the disconnection completion notification, the control unit 22 restores the transfer route of the input data (step D15). That is, the transfer path of the data is internally switched so that the input data thereafter flows to the connection means 40 instead of the wireless communication unit 23. Thereby, when the user operates the operation unit 21 of the input device 20 to input data (Yes in step D16), the input data is transmitted to the PC 10 via the connection unit 40 (step D16).
17), the normal processing is executed in the PC 10 (step D18).

On the PDA 30 side, a predetermined process is performed on only the data input from the input unit 33 as usual (step C14).

As described above, after the wireless link between the PDA 30 and the input device 20 is released by the disconnection request from the PDA 30, the PDA 30 and the input device 20 can be automatically returned to the normal state. Becomes

By the way, in the case of the above embodiment, the PDA 3
0 and the input device 20 are wirelessly connected, P
Only DA30 can handle input data. Therefore, the control unit 22 in the input device 20 is provided with a function of changing the transfer destination of the input data when a specific key is pressed. Thus, data can be input to the PC 10 even during the wireless connection. The process at this time is shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for changing the data transmission destination by a specific key in the present system.
This flowchart shows the processing on the input device 20 side.

On the input device 20 side, the control section 22 determines whether or not a specific key has been input from the operation section 21 (step E11). The input of the specific key is, for example, when the input device 20 is a keyboard, pressing of a function key to which this function is assigned in advance.
If the input device 20 is a mouse, the input device 20 can be realized by pressing the right button or the left button a predetermined number of times, or by setting a button for this function and pressing the button.

When a specific key is input (step E11)
Yes), the control unit 22 determines whether or not a wireless connection is established. If the wireless connection is established (Yes in step E12)
s) The transfer destination of the input data is changed to the PC 10 (step E13).

As described above, even when the user is in a wireless connection with the PDA 30, the input data can be transferred to the PC 10 when the user presses the specific key. It is assumed that this state is maintained until the instruction to change the transfer destination is issued again by the specific key.

As described above, according to the present system, the input device 20 of the PC 10 can be used for the PDA 30 by accessing the input device 20 from the PDA 30 as needed. Therefore, for example, PDA3
If you carry 0 and use it on the go, PD
A simple data input by pen input or the like using the input unit 33 of the A30 and inputting a large amount of data by using the input device 20 of the nearby PC 10 at the workplace. Can be used properly.

Since the connection between the PDA 30 and the input device 20 is performed by wireless communication, there is no problem of communication range and directivity such as infrared rays, and even if the PDA 30 and the input device 20 are slightly separated from each other, , Even if there is an obstacle between them
The DA 30 and the input device 20 can be connected. As described above, since the connection with the input device 20 is not limited, it is effective when the portable information processing device such as the PDA 30 is connected to the input device 20.

In the above embodiment, the PC 10 and the PD
Although the case where the input device 20 is shared with the A30 has been described as an example, the input device 20 can be shared with more information processing devices. In this case, the same type of wireless function may be installed in each device, and the input device 20 may perform connection processing and disconnection processing based on identification information unique to these devices.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the PC 10 and the input device 20 are connected by wire by the connection means 40 is taken as an example. However, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 15a, the PC 10
A configuration for wirelessly connecting the input device 20 and the input device 20 is also possible. That is, the input device 20 exists alone, and the input device 2
A system is also possible in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses such as the PC 10 and the PDA 30 are shared by wireless communication using the method described above.

The present system is not limited to a PC or PDA, and can be applied to all devices that require data input, such as a mobile computer, an electronic organizer, and a mobile phone.

In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified in an implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the effects described in “Problems to be Solved by the Invention” can be solved,
When the effects described in the section of “Effects of the Invention” can be obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0047]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of information processing devices, a connection request is issued from the information processing device which needs data input to the input device. By establishing a wireless link with the information processing device that has requested the connection on the input device side and transmitting the input data, the input device can be shared with each of the information processing devices. In this case, since wireless communication is used for connection with the input device, it is not necessary for the information processing device and the input device to face each other. Therefore, it is particularly convenient when a portable information processing device such as a PDA uses an input device connected to a PC.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an input device sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts showing processing operations at the time of wireless connection in the present system. FIG. 2A is a flowchart showing processing on the PDA side, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart showing processing on the input device side.

3A and 3B are flowcharts showing processing operations at the time of wireless disconnection in the present system. FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing processing on the PDA side, and FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing processing on the input device side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of changing a data transmission destination using a specific key in the present system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... PC 11 ... CPU 12 ... Memory 13 ... Storage part 14 ... Display part 15 ... Wireless communication part 20 ... Input device 21 ... Operation part 22 ... Control part 23 ... Wireless communication part 31 ... CPU 32 ... Memory 33 ... Input part 34 ... Display unit 35 ... Wireless communication unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An input device sharing system for sharing one input device among a plurality of information processing devices, wherein each of the information processing devices and the input device can perform wireless data communication with each other. A wireless communication function is provided, wherein each of the information processing apparatuses includes: connection request means for making a connection request to the input device; and input data transmitted from the input device after responding to the connection request by the connection request means. Data receiving means for receiving, and input data processing means for processing input data received by the data receiving means as data input by the device, wherein the input device comprises: A connection processing means for establishing a wireless link with the information processing apparatus which has made the connection request and returning a response to that effect; and Input device sharing system characterized by comprising a data transmitting means for transmitting the input data to a information processing apparatus of the connection request via a wireless link. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device includes: an instruction unit for instructing switching of a data transfer destination; and a switching instruction issued by the instruction unit in a state where the information processing device that has requested the connection is wirelessly connected. 2. The input device sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising: transfer destination switching control means for switching a transfer destination of the input data to another information processing device. 3. An input device sharing system for sharing an input device connected to a first information processing device with another second information processing device, wherein the second information processing device and the input device include: A wireless communication function that enables wireless data communication with each other, the second information processing device includes: a connection request unit that makes a connection request to the input device; and a response to the connection request by the connection request unit. Data receiving means for receiving input data sent from the input device later, and input data processing means for processing the input data received by the data receiving means as data input by the device; The input device, upon receiving a connection request from the second information processing device,
Connection processing means for establishing a wireless link with the second information processing apparatus and returning a response to that effect; and when the connection processing means establishes a wireless link, the first information processing apparatus An input device sharing system, comprising: data transmission means for transmitting the input data transferred to the second information processing device via the wireless link. 4. The input device, comprising: an instruction unit for instructing switching of a data transfer destination; and a wireless communication connection between the second information processing device and the second information processing device.
4. The input device sharing system according to claim 3, further comprising a transfer destination switching control unit that switches a transfer destination of the input data to the first information processing device when a switching instruction is issued by the instruction unit. system. 5. An input device shared among a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a wireless communication function, wherein: a wireless communication unit enabling wireless data communication with each of the information processing apparatuses; Connection processing means for establishing a wireless link between the information processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus which has requested the connection, and returning a response to that effect; and the connection via the wireless link established by the connection processing means An input device comprising: a data transmission unit that transmits input data to an information processing device that has made a request. 6. An instructing means for instructing switching of a data transfer destination, and when an instruction for switching is given by the instructing means in a state where the information processing apparatus which has made the connection request is wirelessly connected, the input data is transmitted. 6. The input device according to claim 5, further comprising transfer destination switching control means for switching a transfer destination to another information processing device. 7. An input device sharing method for sharing one input device among a plurality of information processing devices, wherein the information processing device and the input device can perform wireless data communication with each other. A function is provided, and each of the information processing devices makes a connection request to the input device, receives input data sent from the input device after responding to the connection request, and receives the received input data. Is processed as data input by the device. In the input device, a wireless link is established between the information processing devices and the information processing device that has requested connection, and a response to that effect is returned. By transmitting input data to the information processing apparatus that has made the connection request via the wireless link, one input apparatus can be shared by the information processing apparatuses by wireless communication. A method of sharing an input device.