JP2014049005A - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve power saving in setup processing or the like for a system including a plurality of computers.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 10 is constituted by a plurality of computers 1 each having a screen output unit 11, a screen comparison/confirmation unit 12, and a key/mouse input unit 13. In the computer 1, at start-up, a screen for receiving manual key/mouse input is sent via the screen output unit 11 to a screen display device 3 and displayed in the screen display device 3. This screen display is performed usually for a short period of time, and unless the key/mouse input exists, automatic execution up to OS start is conducted as it is. Instead, at the occasion for receiving manual key/mouse input in a short period of time, the screen comparison/confirmation unit 12 and the control device 2 perform automatic key/mouse input in cooperation in place of the manual operation. Specifically, the control device 2 sends key/mouse input data corresponding to the screen to the key/mouse input unit 13 at a timing in which the screens coincide with each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus that inputs information according to output screen information.

  In recent years, in computer systems, there is a shift from centralized processing by a single large computer to distributed processing in which a plurality (or many) of computers cooperate. In the information processing system in this field, since a large number of necessary computers are installed, it has come to require a lot of costs for management / operation of these large numbers of computers. For this reason, recently, a blade server system has been developed as a system in which a plurality (or many) of computers are housed in a single housing, thereby facilitating management.

However, even in a system including a plurality (or many) of computers such as the blade server described above, the BIOS (Basic Input / Output) until the OS is started
System) and HBA (Host Bus Adapter) option screen settings are based on the premise that they must be set manually. When changing these settings, change the settings of each unit manually. It was necessary to do it, and it required a lot of labor.

  As a well-known example technique in this field, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that automatically sets an application and unifies a setting environment. Specifically, it has script execution means that automatically performs mouse operation and keyboard input according to the input contents of the mouse and keyboard for setting the environment of the application that must be set by manually operating the mouse and keyboard. . In addition, the script execution means attempts to unify application settings by making the application setting contents into a script file and sharing it with a plurality of personal computers in order to automatically perform keyboard input and mouse operation specified in the script file. In addition, since this is automatically executed without the user's operation, there is no artificial setting error.

  Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, each input state performed by the operator for each input field on the screen is stored, and thereafter, the input state is automatically set for the input field on the same screen. A technique for reproducing and improving operability during input is disclosed. Specifically, the screen display unit displays the screen and sends a screen recognition code for recognizing the screen to the search unit of the control unit. The retrieval unit retrieves from the state storage unit whether the screen is already stored. If the screen has already been input once, the input state information is written in the screen storage unit of the control unit. The input state monitoring unit reads the corresponding input field state from the screen storage unit, and automatically sets the previously stored input state. Further, when the search cannot be performed from the state storage unit, the search unit stores the screen recognition code in the screen storage unit.

  For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for efficiently learning an operation method in a short time even for a real beginner who has never even touched a keyboard. Specifically, the CPU activates operation lesson software in the storage device. At the start of this operation lesson, a summary explanation screen is displayed on the display device, which explains the basic items that are prerequisites for the operation. Thereafter, the CPU displays and outputs a lesson screen for guiding the actual lesson operation to the operator.

  Further, for example, Patent Document 4 discloses that the burden on the administrator related to the environment setting of the computer is reduced. Specifically, when the server is connected to the network switch, the connection monitoring processing unit refers to the state management table to determine whether or not the server has been replaced. Then, when the connection monitoring processing unit determines that the server has been replaced, the environment setting processing unit identifies the environment to be set in the server based on the environment management table and the server location information. Set the environment automatically.

  Further, for example, in Patent Document 5, when a plurality of server blades and storage devices or network devices are connected by a plurality of fabrics, the creation of a connection definition table does not take time and effort, and it is an erroneous setting. A technique for preventing the occurrence of the problem is disclosed. Specifically, the CPU according to the automatic setting module program acquires server blade information from two management blades, and powers on each server blade to acquire FC switch information from a plurality of FC switches. Thereafter, the server blade information and the FC switch information are combined and stored in the connection definition table by associating the slot numbers in the acquired server blade information with the port numbers in the FC switch information on a one-to-one basis.

  Further, for example, Patent Document 6 discloses a technique that enables management of authentication information such as a password and automatic input on the thin client terminal side in a screen transfer type thin client system. Specifically, the thin client terminal detects whether or not a specific image is included in the screen information received from the thin client server, and the specific input stored in the storage unit in association with the detected specific image Send information to the thin client server.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-143613 Japanese Patent No. 3245557 JP 2000-227815 A JP 2007-183837 A JP 2008-134997 A JP 2010-152629 A

  By the way, with respect to a computer system, it is necessary to set a BIOS, an HBA option screen, etc. until OS startup at the time of setup (startup). Therefore, even in a system such as the above-described blade server (a system generally including a plurality of computers), it is assumed that settings such as BIOS and HBA option screens until OS startup are manually set. However, as described above, when these settings are changed, it is necessary to update the setting of each unit manually, so that there is a problem that much labor is required.

  The objective of this invention is providing the information processing apparatus which solves the subject mentioned above.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of computers, a control device, and a screen display device each having screen output means, screen comparison / confirmation means, and key / mouse input means. The control device is provided with a keyboard / mouse and receives a notification from the screen comparison / confirmation means indicating that the screen information specified in advance by the screen output means matches the screen information output from the screen output means. Control is performed so that corresponding predetermined key / mouse input information is sent to the key / mouse input means.

  In addition, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of computers each having a screen output unit and a key / mouse input unit, a screen comparison / confirmation unit, a control unit, installed corresponding to each of the plurality of computers And a computer management device including an output selection means, a screen display device, and a keyboard / mouse, and the control means indicates that the screen information specified by itself matches the screen information output by the screen output means. Upon receiving a notification from the screen comparison / confirmation means, control is performed so as to send predetermined key / mouse input information corresponding to the screen information to the key / mouse input means.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to save the system setup processing and the like.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation concept of a screen comparison / confirmation device 12. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus and an information input method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of computers 1, a control device 2, a screen display device 3, and a keyboard / mouse 4. Each of the plurality of computers 1 includes a screen output device 11, a screen comparison / confirmation device 12, and a key / mouse input device 13.

  Hereinafter, the connection configuration and function of each component included in the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. In each of the plurality of computers 1, the screen output device 11 is connected to the screen comparison / confirmation device 12 and the screen display device 3. The screen comparison / confirmation device 12 is connected to the control device 2. Further, the key / mouse input device 13 is connected to the keyboard / mouse 4 and the control device 2.

  The control device 2 designates a specific screen image to be compared with the screen comparison / confirmation device 12 by the device. The screen comparison / confirmation device 12 compares the entire screen image (or a part) output from the screen output device 11 with the specific screen image specified in advance from the control device 2. The control device 2 is set in advance when notified from the screen comparison / confirmation device 12 that the entire screen image (or a part) output from the screen output device 11 matches the specific screen image. The predetermined operation is performed.

  Specifically, the predetermined operation set in advance is, for example, data corresponding to a predetermined input operation from the keyboard / mouse 4 that is assumed to be executed in response to the screen image. This is an operation of sending to the key / mouse input device 13 instead of the operation. Of course, in addition to the input proxy function realized by this operation, the key / mouse input device 13 of each computer 1 also inputs key / mouse operation data when the user manually operates the keyboard / mouse 4 manually. Can do. Further, the key / mouse input device 13 can always accept key / mouse operation data that is optionally transmitted from the control device 2.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. An information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of computers 1 having a screen output device 11, a screen comparison / confirmation device 12, and a key / mouse input device 13, a control device 2, a screen display device 3, a keyboard / It consists of a mouse 4. When the computer 1 is activated, an input screen for accepting manual key / mouse input via the screen output device 11 is sent to the screen display device 3 and displayed on the screen display device 3. This input screen is displayed for a short time in general, and during this time, if there is no particular input from the keyboard / mouse 4 described above, it is automatically executed until the OS is started. However, inputting from the keyboard / mouse 4 through human hands is very troublesome as the number of computers 1 increases.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the screen comparison / confirmation device 12 and the control device 2 cooperate with each other in each of the plurality of computers 1 in a situation where a manual key / mouse input is received in a short time. Auto-key / mouse input on behalf of humans to save labor / automation. This is the characteristic operation of the present invention. More specifically, the control device 2 sends the key / mouse input data corresponding to the screen to the key / mouse input device 13 at a timing when the screen comparison / confirmation device 12 receives the screen match confirmation. .

  A specific whole (or a part of the screen image is designated in advance by the screen comparison / confirmation device 12 from the control device 2. The screen comparison / confirmation device 12 is the whole of the screen image output by the screen output device 11 ( Or a part) is compared with the screen image designated in advance, and the screen image is returned to the control device 2 as a signal indicating the result (matched). 1 is sent to the control device 2, the control device 2 can determine that the previously designated screen has arrived at the timing when it is output from the screen output device 11.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation concept of the screen comparison / confirmation device 12. When the control device 2 determines that the specific screen is displayed, it outputs key / mouse data corresponding to the screen and sends it to the key / mouse input device 13 of the computer 1. With the above operation, when the screen output device 11 of each computer 1 outputs a specific screen, the key / mouse input device 13 can automatically input key / mouse data corresponding to the screen. In addition, as shown in the figure, in this apparatus, in addition to this, each computer 1 can also accept input of key / mouse data optionally sent from the control apparatus 2. Further, although not shown here, this apparatus can also accept input manually performed by the user via a keyboard / mouse (see FIG. 1).

  Since the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to determine the screen image output to the screen display device 3 and to automatically input key / mouse data corresponding to the screen. . Therefore, for example, it is possible to automate processing such as setting change before OS startup, which previously required manual operation of the keyboard / mouse 4, and to save labor.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. An information processing apparatus 20 shown in the figure is one in which the present invention is applied to a typical blade server, and includes a plurality of computers 5, a computer management apparatus 6, a screen display apparatus 3, and a keyboard / mouse 4. Each of the plurality of computers 5 includes a screen output device 11 and a key / mouse input device 13. Further, the computer management device 6 includes a plurality of screen comparison / confirmation devices 61, an input / output selection device 62, and a control device 63.

  In the information processing apparatus shown in the figure, a screen comparison / confirmation device 61 and a control device 63 are mounted on a computer management device 6 that manages a plurality of computers 5. The connection configuration is such that the screen display device 3 and the keyboard / mouse 4 are connected via the input / output selection device 62 that is also mounted.

  Specifically, the screen image may be specified as image data. In addition, by encoding the image data with a checksum, CRC, or the like, the configuration of the screen comparison / confirmation device and the control device can be facilitated and simplified.

  In addition, a remote console / remote KVM function for performing screen output / keyboard input / mouse input and the like via a network can also be used. In that case, it is possible to make an embodiment in which the control device compares / confirms the output screen of the remote console / remote KVM function and designates the key / mouse input of the remote console / remote KVM function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,5 Computer 2,63 Control apparatus 3 Screen display apparatus 4 Keyboard / mouse 11 Screen output apparatus 12, 61 Screen comparison / confirmation apparatus 13 Key / mouse input apparatus 62 Output selection apparatus

Claims (5)

A plurality of computers each having a screen output means, a screen comparison / confirmation means, and a key / mouse input means, a control device, a screen display device, and a keyboard / mouse;
The control device receives a notification from the screen comparison / confirmation means indicating that the screen information specified in advance by the screen output means matches the screen information output by the screen output means, and receives a notification corresponding to the screen information. An information processing apparatus that controls to send key / mouse input information to the key / mouse input means. 2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the sending of the predetermined key / mouse input information is a process acting on behalf of an input operation via the keyboard / mouse to be performed corresponding to the screen information. Processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined key / mouse input information includes information for changing a setting before starting an operating system. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screen display device and / or the keyboard / mouse are connected to the computer via a network. A plurality of computers each having a screen output means and a key / mouse input means; and a computer management apparatus including a screen comparison / confirmation means, a control means, and an output selection means, installed corresponding to each of the plurality of computers. A screen display device and a keyboard / mouse;
The control means receives a notification from the screen comparison / confirmation means indicating that the screen information specified in advance by itself and the screen information output by the screen output means match, and receives a predetermined key corresponding to the screen information. Control processing to send / input mouse input information to the key / mouse input means.

Images