JP2014120090A - Switching apparatus, and information system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a user quickly recognize information required to be notified in the information system switching and using a plurality of servers.SOLUTION: A switching apparatus 30 includes: first connection parts 441 to 44n connectable with a plurality of servers 101 to 10n connected to a network 80; second connection parts (46, 48) connectable with a console unit 20 including a display device 22; receiving means 32 for receiving a command to the effect that the prescribed information is received from a receiving server having received the prescribed information required to be notified to a user via the network among the plurality of servers 101 to 10n; and control means 32 for executing at least one control from among a notification control for notifying the user to the effect that the receiving server receives the prescribed information based on the command and a connection switching control for connecting the receiving server and the console unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a switching device for switching and using a plurality of servers, and an information system including the switching device.

  There is known an information system in which a plurality of servers (for example, PC: Personal Computer) and corresponding console units (for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and a display) are connected via a switching device. The user can operate one console unit and switch between a plurality of servers using the switching device.

JP 2010-102682 A

  In the above information system, the console unit used by the user is connected to any one of a plurality of servers. For this reason, when other servers that are not in use by the user receive predetermined information (for example, e-mail or update information) that requires notification to the user, the user can quickly recognize the information. There was a problem that it was not possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to promptly recognize information requiring notification to a user in an information system that switches between a plurality of servers.

  The present invention includes a first connection unit that can connect a plurality of servers connected to a network, a second connection unit that can connect a console unit including a display device, and a user of the plurality of servers via the network. Receiving means for receiving a command indicating that the predetermined information has been received from a receiving server that has received the predetermined information requiring notification to the user, and based on the command, the receiving server sends the predetermined information to the user. A switching device comprising: control means for executing at least one control among notification control for notifying of reception and connection switching control for connecting the receiving server and the console unit.

  2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the command received by the receiving unit is a command determined based on a communication interface between the server and the first connection unit. .

  In the above configuration, the control unit performs the notification control by using at least one of a first notification method using a notification unit provided in the switching device and a second notification method using the display device. The switching device according to claim 1.

  The said structure WHEREIN: Based on a user's input, the said control means can select whether to use each of the said 1st notification method and the said 2nd notification method, The Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Switching device.

  2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit can select whether to perform each of the notification control and the connection switching control based on a user input.

  In the above configuration, when the control unit receives a command from a plurality of receiving servers, the control unit causes the display device to display the display screen while switching display screens of the plurality of receiving servers at predetermined time intervals as the connection switching control. Display switching control, and selection control for selecting the receiving server being displayed as a connection destination of the console unit when a user performs a server selection operation during the display switching control. The switching device according to claim 1.

  The present invention is an information system comprising a plurality of servers connected to a network, a console unit for operating the plurality of servers, and a switching device connected between the plurality of servers and the console unit. When each of the plurality of servers receives predetermined information that requires notification to a user via the network, the server receives the predetermined information to the switching device. A transmission means for transmitting a command to the effect, and the switching device notifies the user that the reception server has received the predetermined information based on the reception means for receiving the command and the command. Execute at least one of notification control and connection switching control for connecting the receiving server and the console unit And control means, is information system, which comprises a.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the information system which switches and uses a some server, the information which needs a notification to a user can be recognized rapidly.

1 is an overall block diagram of an information system. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control of the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a specific example of a command. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of a command. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control of the switching device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification by LED. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification by OSD. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of the process at the time of receiving a command. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of the notification method to a user. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control of the switching device according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of scanning time.

  FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an information system 100 according to the first embodiment. The information system 100 includes a plurality of servers 101 to 10n connected to a network 80, a console unit 20 for operating the servers 101 to 10n, and a switching device 30 connected between the servers 101 to 10n and the console unit 20. . The switching device 30 is operable by connecting one of the servers 101 to 10n to the console unit 20. As a result, the user can use the plurality of servers 101 to 10n by switching with a set of console units 20.

  Each of the plurality of servers 101 to 10n includes control units 121 to 12n, storage units 141 to 14n, network connection units 161 to 16n, and server connection units 181 to 18n. The control units 121 to 12n have a function of performing various information processing, and include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like. The control units 121 to 12n function as a transmission unit that transmits a command indicating that predetermined information has been received to the switching device 30. This will be described in detail later.

  The storage units 141 to 14n have a function of storing various information including various programs, and are configured by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like. Programs for causing the control units 121 to 12n to execute the information processing (FIG. 2) in the present embodiment are also stored in the storage units 141 to 14n.

  The network connection units 161 to 16n are interfaces for connecting to the network 80 (for example, the Internet). The server connection units 181 to 18n are communication interfaces for connecting to the server, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) or PS / 2 can be used as a standard.

  The console unit 20 includes a display 22, a mouse 24, and a keyboard 26. The display 22 functions as a display unit for displaying image data output from the plurality of servers 101 to 10n. As the display 22, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like can be used, and a display unit that also serves as an input unit such as a touch panel may be used. The keyboard 26 and mouse 24 function as input means for the user to input to the plurality of servers 101 to 10n and the switching device 30, but other forms of input means can also be used.

  The switching device 30 includes a main control unit 32, a server switching control unit 34, an OSD control unit 36, a console control unit 38, an LED control unit 40, an LED 42, server connection units 441 to 44n, a display connection unit 46, and a console connection unit 48. Is provided. Of the above configuration, each control unit (34 to 40) includes, for example, a CPU and a memory. The server connection units 441 to 44n are interfaces (first connection units) that can be connected to the servers 101 to 10n, and the display connection unit 46 and the console connection unit 48 are interfaces (second connection) that can be connected to the console unit 20. Connection part).

  The server switching control unit 34 switches the server connected to the console unit 20. When the console unit 20 and the server (which will be described by taking the server 101 as an example) are connected, the image signal output from the server 101 is displayed on the display 22 and the signal input from the mouse 24 and the keyboard 26 is displayed on the server. 101 is input. At this time, signals from other servers are not transmitted to the console unit 20 side by the server switching control unit 34. However, in a scan mode described later, an image signal from another server that cannot be operated by the console unit 20 may be transmitted to the display 22. This will be described in detail later.

  The OSD control unit 36 is connected to the display 22 via the display connection unit 46. The OSD control unit 36 transmits the image signals received from the servers 101 to 10n via the main control unit 32 to the display 22 and displays an OSD (On Screen Display) screen on the display, thereby allowing the user to perform various operations. It functions as a notification means for notifying information. The console control unit 38 is connected to the mouse 24 and the keyboard 26 via the console connection unit 48. The console control unit 38 processes input signals input from the mouse 24 and the keyboard 26 and outputs them to the main control unit 32.

  The LED control unit 40 functions as a notification unit for turning on or off the LED 42 according to a command from the main control unit 32 and notifying the user of various information. The specific configuration of the LED will be described in detail later.

  The main control unit 32 is connected to each of the control units (34 to 40) and has a function of controlling these control units. The main control unit 32 functions as a receiving unit that receives a predetermined command from the servers 101 to 10n and a control unit that performs predetermined control based on the received command in the present embodiment. These points will be described in detail later.

  In the information system 100, the user can use a plurality of servers 101 to 10n by switching with a set of console units 20. However, when the user is operating one server (for example, the server 101), only the display screen of the server 101 is displayed on the display 22. For this reason, when other servers (servers 102 to 10n) receive predetermined information that requires notification to the user (e.g., reception of email or update information), the user can display from the display screen of the currently operating server, The information cannot be recognized directly. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to promptly recognize predetermined information that requires notification.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control of the servers 101 to 10n (hereinafter, the server 101 will be described as an example, but the same control is also performed on other servers). First, the control unit 121 in the server 101 determines whether or not predetermined information that needs to be notified to the user from the network 80 has been received (step S10). When the predetermined information is received, the control unit 121 determines whether or not the standard of the communication interface with the switching device 30 is PS / 2 (step S12). When the interface standard is PS / 2, the control unit 121 transmits a special command for PS / 2 to the switching device 30 (step S14). If the interface standard is not PS / 2, the control unit 121 transmits a USB command to the switching device 30 (step S16).

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram when the PS / 2 command is used. FIG. 4A shows a process when an email is received, and FIG. 4B shows a process when an update information is received. The PS / 2 command is composed of a 1-byte command body (00DD) and 1-byte parameters (0x01, 0x02).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when a mail is received, the server 101 transmits a command body (00DD) to the switching device 30. The switching device 30 transmits an ACK signal (0xFA) in response to reception of the command body (00DD). Subsequently, the server 101 transmits a parameter (0x01) indicating mail reception to the switching device 30. In response to reception of the parameter (0x01), the switching device 30 transmits an ACK signal (0xFA). Thereafter, the switching device 30 executes a predetermined mail notification process.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the update information is received, the server 101 transmits a command body (00DD) to the switching device 30. The switching device 30 transmits an ACK signal (0xFA) in response to reception of the command body (00DD). Subsequently, the server 101 transmits a parameter (0x02) indicating reception of update information to the switching device 30. In response to reception of the parameter (0x02), the switching device 30 transmits an ACK signal (0xFA). Thereafter, the switching device 30 performs a predetermined update notification process.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when a USB command is used. FIG. 4A shows a process when an email is received, and FIG. 4B shows a process when an update information is received. Both USB commands are composed of an 8-byte command body.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when mail is received, the server 101 transmits a command body (0x40 0x01 0x01 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00) to the switching device 30. The switching device 30 transmits an ACK signal (0xFA) in response to reception of the command body. Thereafter, the switching device 30 executes a predetermined mail notification process.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4B, when the update information is received, the server 101 transmits a command body (0x40 0x02 0x02 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00) to the switching device 30. The switching device 30 transmits an ACK signal (0xFA) in response to reception of the command body. Thereafter, the switching device 30 performs a predetermined update notification process.

  As described above, the control unit 121 of the server 101 generates an optimal command based on the information received from the network 80 and the type of the connection interface with the switching device 30, and transmits the command to the switching device 30. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the switching device 30. First, the main control unit 32 in the switching device 30 determines whether or not a command has been received from any of the servers 101 to 10n (step S20). When the command is received, the main control unit 32 determines whether or not the server automatic switching setting is ON (step S22). When the automatic switching setting is ON, the main control unit 32 instructs the server switching control unit 34 to change the connection destination of the console unit 20 to the server that received the command (hereinafter referred to as “receiving server”). Switching (step S24).

  Next, the main control unit 32 determines whether the notification setting for the user is ON (step S26). In the present embodiment, the LED 42 provided in the switching device 30 is used as the first notification method to the user, and the OSD screen display of the display 22 is used as the second notification method. When the notification setting is ON, the main control unit 32 determines whether the notification setting by the LED in the notification method is ON (step S28). When the setting is ON, the main control unit 32 instructs the LED control unit 40 to notify the user by the LED (step S30).

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a notification method using LEDs. A switch 50, a server power supply confirmation LED 52, a server selection LED 54, and a notification LED 56 are arranged on the entire surface of the switching device 30. Among these, a plurality of LEDs correspond to the LEDs 42 in the block diagram of FIG. The number described above the switch 50 indicates the number of the port to which the server is connected.

  The switch 50 is an input device for a user to perform server selection switching and the like. The server power check LED 52 has a configuration in which a server that is turned on among the servers connected to the switching device 30 is turned on. The server selection LED 54 is configured to indicate a server selected by the user (that is, connected to the console unit 20 and subject to operation) among the servers connected to the switching device 30 by lighting. The notification LED 56 has a configuration in which a receiving server that has received predetermined information among the servers connected to the switching device 30 is turned on, and corresponds to the notification unit of the present embodiment.

  In the example of FIG. 6, among the servers numbered 1 to 8, the server power check LEDs 52 corresponding to five of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 are lit, indicating that the power is turned on. ing. In addition, the server selection LED 54 corresponding to the server having the number 6 among the servers is lit to indicate that the server has been selected. Then, the notification LED 56 corresponding to the server having the number 3 among the servers is lit, and it is displayed that the predetermined information requiring notification to the user has been received. Thus, even when the user is operating a server with a different number, the display of the notification LED 56 in the switching device 30 can prompt the user to recognize necessary information.

  Returning to the subsequent stage of step S30 in FIG. 5 again, the main control unit 32 determines whether the notification setting by the OSD in the notification method is ON (step S32). When the setting is ON, the main control unit 32 instructs the OSD control unit 36 to notify the user by the OSD (step S34).

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a notification method by OSD. An image signal (display screen) from the currently selected server is displayed on the display 22, and a notification to the user by OSD is displayed in the OSD area 22a in the center. As shown in the figure, the fact that the server 1 received the mail, the server 2 that the mail and the update information were both received, the server 3 that the update information was received, Each is displayed. In this manner, by displaying the OSD screen indicating reception of predetermined information on the display screen of the server that is currently operated by the user, the user can be promptly recognized.

  FIG. 8 is a setting screen for processing corresponding to steps S22 and S26 of FIG. When the switching device 30 receives a command from the server, the OSD area 22a displays three options: “Perform only notification”, “Perform notification and automatic switching”, and “Perform only automatic switching”. The user can select an arbitrary setting by, for example, a cursor operation with the mouse 24 or an input from the keyboard 26. As a result, the user can recognize that the server has received the necessary information by a favorite method, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  FIG. 9 is a notification method setting screen corresponding to steps S28 and S32 of FIG. In the OSD area 22a, as a notification method from the switching device 30 to the user, “notification only by LED (first notification method)” “notification only by OSD (second notification method)” “notification by LED and ODS ( "Both first and second notification methods)" are displayed. The user can select an arbitrary setting by, for example, a cursor operation with the mouse 24 or an input from the keyboard 26. As a result, the user can receive notification that the server has received the necessary information in a preferred method, and thus the convenience for the user can be improved.

  As described above, according to the information system 100 according to the first embodiment, the receiving server that has received the predetermined information that needs to be notified to the user from the network 80 among the plurality of servers 101 to 10n is sent to the switching device 30. A command indicating that the predetermined information has been received is transmitted. In the switching device 30, notification control for notifying the user of the receiving server (steps S26 to S34 in FIG. 5) and connection switching control for automatically switching the connection to the receiving server (steps S22 to S24 in FIG. 5). Among these, at least one control is executed. Thereby, in the information system 100 which switches and uses the some servers 101-10n, the information which needs a notification can be rapidly recognized with respect to a user.

  Further, according to the information system 100 according to the first embodiment, the command that the switching device 30 receives from the servers 101 to 10n is determined based on the communication interface between the servers 101 to 10n and the switching device 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, by using a command with a small data size, interference with the original function of the switching device 30 (data transmission / reception between the currently selected server and the console unit 20) is suppressed. Meanwhile, the user can be notified.

  The second embodiment is an example when a plurality of servers receive predetermined information from the network.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the switching apparatus according to the second embodiment, which replaces step S24 in FIG. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the server automatic switching setting in step S22 of FIG. 5 is ON.

  First, the main control unit 32 determines whether a command is received from a plurality of servers (step S40). When it is determined NO in this step (that is, when there is one receiving server), the main control unit 32 instructs the server switching control unit 34 to connect the connection destination of the console unit 20 to the receiving server. Switching (step S41).

  When there are a plurality of receiving servers that receive the command, the main control unit 32 instructs the server switching control unit 34 and the OSD control unit 36 to scan the server with the smallest number among the plurality of receiving servers (step S42). . Here, “scan” refers to a process of sequentially displaying the display screen of the receiving server on the display 22, and input operations from the mouse 24 and the keyboard 26 are not accepted for the receiving server displayed at this time. Shall. The server numbers are assigned according to the port number of the switching device 30 to which the server is connected, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the main control unit 32 determines whether or not the user has performed a server selection operation (step S44). Here, the server selection operation refers to an operation for determining any one of a plurality of receiving servers as a connection destination of the console unit 20. In this embodiment, the input operation is to input a predetermined key (for example, the Enter key) while one receiving server to be connected is displayed. However, other methods can be set as the selection operation. is there.

  When it is determined that the server selection operation has been performed, the main control unit 32 instructs the server switching control unit 34 to select the target reception server as the connection destination of the console unit 20 (step S52). As described above, in this embodiment, when the Enter key is input, the receiving server being displayed is selected as the connection destination. When the server switching is completed, the main control unit 32 displays the information of the other receiving servers that have not been selected to the user on the OSD screen (step S54). As the OSD screen in this case, for example, the screen in the form of FIG. 7 can be used.

  On the other hand, when the user does not perform the selection operation (when NO is determined in step 44), the main control unit 32 determines whether or not a time set in advance as a time required for scanning has elapsed (step S1). S46). When the set time has elapsed, the main control unit 32 scans a server having the next smallest number after the currently scanned receiving server among the plurality of receiving servers (step S48), and returns to the previous stage of step S44. As a result, the scan target shifts to the next receiving server.

  When it is determined in step S46 that the set time has not elapsed, the main control unit 32 determines whether or not the user has performed a scanning operation (step S50). Here, the scanning operation is an operation for changing a receiving server to be scanned, and corresponds to, for example, clicking a button on the mouse 24 or inputting a predetermined key on the keyboard 26. If it is determined in step S50 that a scanning operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S48, and the receiving server to be scanned is changed. If it is determined in step S50 that the scanning operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to the previous stage of step S44, and the screen of the receiving server that is currently being scanned until a predetermined set time has elapsed or until the user performs a scanning operation. Continues to be displayed on the display 22.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a scan operation time setting screen. In the OSD area 22a, three options “10 seconds”, “20 seconds”, and “30 seconds” are displayed as the time required to scan one receiving server. The user can select an arbitrary setting by, for example, a cursor operation with the mouse 24 or an input from the keyboard 26. Thereby, since the user can arbitrarily change the time required for scanning, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  According to the information system 100 according to the second embodiment, when the switching device 30 receives commands from a plurality of receiving servers, the display screens of the receiving servers are sequentially displayed to the user by scanning, and waiting for user input. Server switching is performed. As a result, the user can select the receiving server that should first check the information content while checking the display screen of the receiving server, so that convenience for the user can be improved.

  In the first and second embodiments, the mail reception and update information has been described as an example of the predetermined information that requires notification to the user. However, the predetermined information is not limited thereto. For example, reception of a chat message, WEB page update information, and the like can be included in the predetermined information and notified to the user in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Server 12 Memory | storage part 14 Control part 16 Network connection part 18 Console connection part 20 Console unit 22 Display 22a OSD area | region 24 Mouse 26 Keyboard 30 Switching apparatus 32 Main control part 34 Server switching control part 36 OSD control part 38 Console control part 40 LED Control unit 42 LED
44 Server connection 46 Display connection 48 Console connection 50 Switch 52 Server power supply confirmation LED
54 Server selection LED
56 Notification LED
80 network 100 information system

Claims (7)

A first connection unit capable of connecting a plurality of servers connected to the network;
A second connection portion to which a console unit including a display device can be connected;
Receiving means for receiving a command to the effect that the predetermined information has been received from a receiving server that has received predetermined information that requires notification to a user via the network among the plurality of servers;
Based on the command, at least one control among notification control for notifying the user that the receiving server has received the predetermined information and connection switching control for connecting the receiving server and the console unit is performed. Control means to execute;
A switching device comprising:   2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the command received by the receiving unit is a command determined based on a communication interface between the server and the first connection unit.   The control means performs the notification control using at least one of a first notification method using a notification means provided in the switching device and a second notification method using the display device. The switching device according to claim 1.   The switching device according to claim 3, wherein the control means can select whether to use each of the first notification method and the second notification method based on a user input.   The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of selecting whether to perform each of the notification control and the connection switching control based on a user input.   When the command is received from a plurality of receiving servers, the control means displays the display device while switching the display screens of the plurality of receiving servers every predetermined time as the connection switching control. And a selection control for selecting the receiving server being displayed as a connection destination of the console unit when a user performs a server selection operation during the display switching control. Switching device as described in. Multiple servers connected to the network;
A console unit for operating the plurality of servers;
A switching device connected between the plurality of servers and the console unit, and an information system comprising:
When each of the plurality of servers receives predetermined information that requires notification to a user via the network via the network, a command to the effect that the predetermined information has been received is sent to the switching device. Including a transmitting means for transmitting,
The switching device is
Receiving means for receiving the command;
Based on the command, at least one control among notification control for notifying the user that the receiving server has received the predetermined information and connection switching control for connecting the receiving server and the console unit is performed. Control means to execute;
An information system characterized by including:

Images