JP2600005B2 - Communication control device having optical input function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an optical input device and a computer for performing mutual communication, and an interface for determining communication function information of the mutual communication is provided by the optical input device. The present invention relates to a device and a communication control device provided in a computer.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, a detection panel is configured by arranging a plurality of pairs of a light emitting element and a light receiving element at a predetermined distance from each other, and by sequentially operating the pair of elements, the position of an object on the panel or the presence or absence of an object is detected. Optical input device for detecting an image (usually referred to as an optical touch panel; hereinafter, simply referred to as an input device)
It has been known. The input device is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a communication interface, controls the operation of the elements, and converts the data converted into an electric signal into digital data through the interface and a cable of a host computer. Output to The computer also has an interface, and communicates with the input device via the interface to control the entire input device and process input data.

As the interface between the input device and the computer, an interface conforming to the RS232C standard of the US Electronic Industry Standard is used. The interface incorporates, for example, a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI), and the LSI has a function of determining communication function information such as a transfer speed (baud rate), a character length, a parity bit, and a stop bit.

The communication function information is set when the input device is manufactured, and the communication function information set by the manufacturer (hereinafter, referred to as the communication function information).
A dip switch is provided on the input device in case the user changes the original communication function information) on the input device. Then, the CPU of the input device reads the setting value of the dip switch, and the communication function information is changed by resetting the LSI of the interface. In addition,
On the computer side, the communication function information specified by the LSI of the interface can be easily changed by the user by a dip switch or the like provided therein.

(C) Problems to be solved by the present invention Providing a dip switch in the input device for changing the original communication function information by a user has the following problems. Since the input device is configured as a panel provided with an array of light emitting elements and light receiving elements, there is a mounting problem in which there is no space for installing a dip switch. In addition, it is necessary to open a window in the panel to provide a dip switch, but setting this window is often inconvenient for mounting.In this case, the dip switch is provided inside the panel and the dip switch is operated There is inconvenience to remove the panel case. For this reason, in many cases, a dip switch is not actually provided on the input device, and it is difficult for the user to freely reset the original communication function information set at the time of shipment to the LSI of the interface of the input device. . In this case, in order to change the original communication function information, there is an inconvenience that the input device is returned to the manufacturer and a request for resetting the original communication function information is made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication control device having an optical input function capable of easily changing communication function information of an interface of an input device by a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device that can easily return changed communication function information of an input device to original communication function information.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The optical input device of the present invention comprises: a nonvolatile first storage unit for storing irremovable original communication function information which cannot be changed by a user; A readable / writable nonvolatile second storage means for storing;
And a control circuit for controlling the first and second storage means and the first interface, and the computer further comprises: a second interface electrically connected to the first interface; Communication function information setting means for setting communication function information in the second storage means. Then, when the power of the optical input device is turned on, the control circuit is configured to set the communication function information set in the second storage means to the first interface.

Further, the present invention further comprises means for outputting a return instruction signal for returning the first interface to the original communication function information, wherein the second interface of the computer is set to the original communication function information. Wherein the control circuit sets the original communication function information of the first storage means to the first interface in response to a return instruction signal from the computer when the power of the optical input device is turned on.

(E) Function According to the present invention, the communication function setting means on the computer side allows the user to store desired communication function information in the second storage means on the input device side. Then, when the power of the input device is turned on, the first interface is set by the communication function information of the second storage means, and communication according to the communication function information becomes possible between the input device and the computer.

Further, the present invention drives the means for generating a return signal on the computer side when it is desired to return the already changed communication function information on the input device side to the original communication function information. Then, when the power of the input device is turned on, a return instruction signal from the computer is received. As a result, the original communication function information of the first storage means is read out, the first interface is set by the information, and the original communication function is set. Communication according to the function information is enabled between the input device and the computer.

(F) Embodiment One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, an input device 1 and a host computer 2 are electrically connected by a cable 3.
The input device 1 and the computer 2 are shown only in a simplified manner in terms of circuit configurations related to the present invention. The input device 1 includes a readable / writable nonvolatile memory 4, a control circuit 5,
A volatile RAM (random access memory) 6, an interface 7, and a power supply 8 are provided. The control circuit 5 exchanges data with the nonvolatile memory 4 and the RAM 6, and outputs communication function information to the interface 7. Further, the control circuit 5 controls scanning of an array (not shown) of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, transfers the data converted into an electric signal and digitized to the computer 2 via the interface 7, and And processes commands and information sent from the interface via the interface 7.

The nonvolatile memory 4 includes a storage area 4a for storing original communication function information set by a maker and a storage area 4b for storing communication function information set by a user. The original communication function information stored in the storage area 4a is written at the time of shipment of the input device 1 and cannot be rewritten by the user, so that it may be constituted by a ROM (read only memory). The RAM 6 stores communication function information of the interface 7 used for communication during operation of the input device 1, and does not necessarily need to be specially provided, or may use another storage area of the nonvolatile memory 4. Is also good.

The computer 2 includes an interface 9 corresponding to the interface 7, a control circuit 10, a keyboard 11, and a power supply 12. The computer 2 calculates and processes data transmitted from the input device 1 through the interfaces 7 and 9, and outputs commands and communication function information to the input device 1. The user inputs desired communication function information to the computer 2 by operating the keys of the keyboard 11, for example, and stores the communication function information in the storage area 4b of the nonvolatile memory 4 via the control circuit 10, the interfaces 9 and 7, and the control circuit 5. Is done. Further, a program for operating the keyboard 11 to return the communication function information of the interface 7 on the input device side currently in use via the computer 2 to the original communication function information is provided. In addition,
It is well known that the user changes the communication function information in the interface 9 on the computer 2 side. For example, the computer 2 can be provided with a dip switch 13 in mounting. Can be easily changed. Alternatively, a program for changing the communication information function may be stored in the computer 2 and the communication function information of the interface 9 may be changed using the program.

The interfaces 7 and 9 are of the above-mentioned RS232C compliant type and each determine communication function information.
It includes well-known communication function determination circuits 7a and 9a composed of LSI. Communication function information is given to the decision circuits 7a and 9a from the corresponding control circuits 5 and 10, respectively, and the interfaces 7 and 9 are set to functions according to the communication function information.

Next, an operation of changing the function information of the above-described device will be described. First, the interface 7 on the input device 1 side and the interface 9 on the computer 2 side are both set to the original communication function information, and communication is performed between the input device and the computer 2 based on the original communication function information. Suppose you have In this operation state, when the user wants to change the original communication function information, for example, a predetermined key of the keyboard 11 of the computer 2 is operated to input the contents of the communication function information to be changed. Then, the communication function information is written to the storage area 4b of the nonvolatile memory 4 via the interfaces 9 and 7 and the control circuit 5, and the communication function information is set in the input device 1. The input device 1 and the power supply 8 of the computer 2
While 12 is on, communication according to the original communication function information is continued.

Next, when the power supply 8 of the input device 1 is turned off and the power supply 8 is turned on at the time of re-use, the control circuit 5 of the input device 1 reads out the communication function information of the storage area 4b and sends it to the communication function determination circuit 7a of the interface 7. The communication function information is set.
At the same time, the control circuit 5 transmits the read communication function information to the RA.
Write to M6. As a result, the interface 7 of the input device 1 thereafter performs a communication operation according to the changed communication function information. On the other hand, in order to match the changed communication function information of the interface 7 with the communication function information of the interface 9 of the computer 2, the user operates the dip switch 13 of the computer 2 to change the corresponding communication function information in advance. . Then, the control circuit 10 sets the communication function information in the function determination circuit 9a of the interface 9, and thereafter, the computer 2 performs communication based on the communication function information. Thus, the interfaces 7 and 9 are set to the same changed communication function information, and the subsequent communication between the input device 1 and the computer 2 is performed according to the communication function information. The contents of the RAM 6 of the input device 1 indicate communication function information currently used. As described above, the user can write desired communication function information from the computer 2 into the storage area 4b of the input device 1, and the communication function information in the storage area 4b is automatically saved when the power supply 8 of the input device 1 is turned on. Is set to the interface 7.

Next, an operation for returning to the original communication function information when the interface 7 of the input device 1 has already been set to the changed communication function information will be described. This operation
For example, when the computer 2 is used while being separated from the input device 1 and is connected to the input device again, the input device 1 is used.
Occurs when the user forgets the communication function information. First, the function information determination circuit 9a of the interface 9 is set to the original communication function information by operating, for example, the dip switch 13 of the computer 2. The operation of returning the computer 2 to the original communication function information may be performed after the operation of returning the input device 1 to the original communication function information is completed. Next, by operating the keyboard 11 of the computer 2, for example, by starting a program created in advance, the power supply 8 of the input device 1 is turned on.
When the computer is turned on, a pulse signal of a predetermined number (for example, 30 times) or more is output from the computer 2 to the input device 1 via the DTR (data terminal ready) signal line of the interface 7 or 9. When the power supply 8 of the input device 1 is turned on, the control circuit 5 performs the above-described communication function information setting operation of setting the contents of the storage area 4b in the communication function determination circuit 7a and writing the contents in the RAM 6. Further, the control circuit 5 counts the number of pulses received via the DTR signal line from the time of power-on, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined number, the original communication function information stored in the storage area 4a of the nonvolatile memory 4. Is read out, the communication function information determination circuit 7a is reset to the original communication function information, and the original communication function information is written to the RAM 6. Thus, the subsequent communication between the input device 1 and the computer 2 is performed according to the original communication function information.

Note that the configuration for instructing the input device 1 to return to the original communication function information may use an RTS (transmission request) signal line, a break signal, or the like in addition to the DTR signal line. May be.

(G) Effect The present invention does not include a dip switch in an optical input device, and allows a user to easily communicate information on an interface provided in the optical input device from a computer, such as a transfer speed, a character length, a parity bit, and the like.
It is convenient because the stop bit and the like can be changed.
Further, it is particularly effective when it is difficult to mount a dip switch on the mounting of the optical input device, and when it is difficult to install the window.

Further, according to the present invention, the desired communication function information changed by the user can be restored to the original communication function information set by the maker as necessary, so that the correspondence of the communication function information between the interfaces can be ensured. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall system configuration diagram for explaining the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical input device, 2 ... Computer, 4 ... Non-volatile memory, 4a, 4b ... Storage area, 5, 10 ... Control circuit, 7, 9
... interface, 8 ... power, 11 ... keyboard.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Hosaka 1-15-3 Kichijoji Higashicho, Musashino City, Tokyo Dowa Mining Co., Ltd. Musashino Ryo (72) Inventor Takashi Onio 1-14-1 Takinoi, Funabashi-shi, Chiba Prefecture Room 9 201 (72) Inventor Hiroki Nagasaki 1-15-3 Kichijoji Higashicho, Musashino City, Tokyo Dowa Mining Co., Ltd. Musashino Ryo (72) Inventor Kenichi Matsuoka 1-15-3 Kichijoji Higashicho, Musashino City, Tokyo Dowa Mining Co., Ltd. Musashino Dormitory (72) Inventor Kazufumi Taura 4-7-8 Nishi-Iko, Adachi-ku, Tokyo Sakura Heights 102

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical input device for converting optically input information into digital information required for processing, and a computer for processing the digital information, for performing mutual communication. An interface having a function of determining communication function information is a communication control device provided in the optical input device and a computer, wherein the optical input device stores non-erasable original communication function information that cannot be changed by a user. Nonvolatile first storage means, readable / writable nonvolatile second storage means for storing set communication function information, a first interface, the first and second storage means, A control circuit for controlling a first interface, wherein the computer has a second interface electrically connected to the first interface. The second
Communication function information setting means for setting communication function information in the storage means of the optical input device, and when the power of the optical input device is turned on, the control circuit stores the communication function information set in the second storage means in the first storage means. A communication control device having an optical input function, which is set in an interface. 2. The computer further comprises means for outputting a return instruction signal for returning the first interface to the original communication function information, and wherein the control circuit is provided when the optical input device is powered on. 2. The communication control device having an optical input function according to claim 1, wherein the original communication function information of the first storage means is set in the first interface in accordance with a return instruction signal from the communication device.