JP3195591B2 - Computer apparatus, data transmission / reception section selection circuit mountable on computer, and method for transmitting / receiving data in computer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer device for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device, a data transmission / reception section selection circuit mountable on the computer, and a method for transmitting and receiving data in the computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A laptop computer (a portable computer having an integrated storage unit, keyboard unit and display unit, hereinafter referred to as a notebook personal computer) is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Explain the technology.

In a conventional notebook personal computer having a transmitting / receiving function so that data can be transmitted / received to / from the outside, an infrared sensor is installed on one side of the personal computer main body, and the internal sensor is passed through the sensor. Data is transmitted and received between the data transmitting and receiving unit and the outside.

[0004] Here, the "personal computer body"
It refers to the part excluding the data transmission / reception function part (in the case of a notebook computer, the storage part, keyboard part, and display part are integrated).

[0005]

However, notebook personal computers have various designs for each manufacturer, and no unified standard has yet been established. For this reason, a fixed direction and a fixed position are not defined in the arrangement of the infrared sensor, and at present, the installation side is variously different depending on a manufacturer. In this case, every time data transmission is performed, it is necessary to carefully turn the personal computer body in accordance with the position of the other party, which is extremely inconvenient.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a computer device capable of transmitting and receiving data in a plurality of external directions through a sensor, a data transmitting / receiving unit selecting circuit mountable on the computer, and a method of transmitting and receiving data in the computer. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention (computer device), a plurality of sensor connection portions to which a sensor for transmitting and receiving data is selectively and detachably connected to a main body of the computer device. A data transmission / reception unit is connected to each sensor connection unit, and a sensor is connected to a selected sensor connection unit of the sensor connection units. A selection unit configured to transmit and receive data to and from the transmission / reception unit, and each of the data transmission / reception units to output a selection control signal when the sensor connection unit is connected to the sensor; And a transmission / reception control unit that starts transmission / reception of data and outputs a use prohibition signal to a data transmission / reception unit not selected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the sensor connection portions are disposed on four front, rear, left, and right sides of the computer device main body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the sensor has an insertion plug, and the sensor connection portion is formed in a socket shape which is connected to the sensor when the insertion plug is inserted. It is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, an infrared sensor is used as the sensor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the computer device body is configured as a laptop type in which a storage unit, a keyboard unit, and a display unit are integrated, The sensor connection portion is provided in a casing in which a keyboard portion is accommodated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the computer device body is configured as a desktop type in which a storage unit, a display unit, and a keyboard unit are separated, and the display unit or the storage unit is The sensor connection part is provided in the accommodated casing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data transmission / reception section selection circuit which can be mounted on a computer, and a plurality of sensor connection sections selectively connected to sensors for transmitting and receiving data, and each of the sensor connection sections. A data transmission / reception unit, wherein a sensor is connected to a selected sensor connection unit of the sensor connection units, and data is transmitted / received between the outside and the data transmission / reception unit through the sensor. And each of the data transmission / reception units is configured to output a selection control signal when the sensor connection unit is connected to the sensor, and to start transmission / reception of data based on the selection control signal and to select unselected data. A transmission / reception control unit that outputs a use prohibition signal to the transmission / reception unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the seventh aspect, the sensor has an insertion plug, and the sensor connection portion is formed in a socket shape which is connected to the sensor by inserting the insertion plug. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the seventh or eighth aspect, an infrared sensor is used as the sensor.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention (a method of transmitting and receiving data in a computer), a plurality of data transmitting and receiving sections are provided in a computer main body, and a sensor connection section electrically connected to each of the data transmitting and receiving sections is provided. A sensor for transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside is selectively and detachably connected to one of the sensor connection sections so that the direction of data transmission and reception is variable. In addition, when a sensor is connected to one sensor connection unit, transmission / reception of data by the data transmission / reception unit is started, and processing for prohibiting use of an unselected data transmission / reception unit is performed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the method according to the tenth aspect, the sensor is provided with an insertion plug, the sensor connection portion is formed in a socket shape, and the insertion plug is inserted into the sensor connection portion to connect the sensor to the sensor. It is for connecting the unit.

The invention of claim 12 is the invention of claim 10 or 1
In the first method, an infrared sensor is used as a sensor.

According to the computer device, the data transmission / reception section selection circuit mountable on the computer, and the method for transmitting / receiving data in the computer, one of the plurality of sensor connection sections is selected and a sensor is selected. By connecting, the sensor position can be set to an optimal position according to the direction in which data transmission / reception is desired.

In this case, the data transmission / reception unit outputs a selection control signal from the selection unit when the sensor connection unit is connected to the sensor, and starts transmission / reception of data by the transmission / reception control unit based on the selection control signal. In addition, even if the user inadvertently connects two or more infrared sensors, the data transmission / reception unit to which the infrared sensor was first connected is only used to output a use prohibition signal for the unselected data transmission / reception unit. Can be activated, and there is no possibility of causing confusion in data transmission / reception.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In this embodiment, a notebook personal computer which is a preferred example of the present invention is taken as an example. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a data transmission / reception section selection circuit according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a data transmission / reception section selection circuit according to the present invention includes an infrared sensor (not shown), a plurality of sets of sensor connection sections installed at a plurality of different positions,
A plurality of sets of data transmission / reception units electrically connected to the respective sensor connection units are included.

In FIG. 1, four sensor connections (C
ONN1 to CONN4) and four data transmission / reception units.

Each of the data transmitting / receiving sections includes a selecting section 110 to 11
6 and transmission / reception control units 100 to 106.

In this embodiment, each transmission / reception control unit 1
00 to 106 are integrated circuit ICs 33 of code number 3384
Numeral 84 indicates the pin number next to each integrated circuit. Each of the selectors 110 to 116 is a combinational logic circuit having four NAND gates and a NOT gate at the input end.

For example, an infrared sensor and a sensor connection CO
NN1 (or CONN2, CONN3, CONN4)
Are electrically connected, the switch S1 (or S2,
S3, S4) are turned on, and the selection control signal CONN1G
Changes from the high voltage level H to the low voltage level L.

On the other hand, the voltage levels of CONN2G, CONN3G, and CONN4G remain at H and do not change. Ch
Each of ip1G to chip4G is a transmission / reception control unit 10
In order to maintain the voltage level H until 0 to 106 are activated, only the selection unit 110 controls the permission signal I of the voltage level L.
R1EN is output.

The voltage level L permission signal IR1EN is set to IC
When the signal is input to the permission terminal BEB of the 3384, the transmission / reception control unit 100 (that is, the IC 3384) is activated, and the data transmission / reception operation via the transmission / reception control unit 100 starts.

When the transmission / reception control unit 100 is started, the second
Use prohibition signal chip1G output from the 0th pin
Changes from the high voltage level H to the low voltage level L. Therefore, the output signals IR2E from the selection units 112 to 116 are output.
N to IR4EN are maintained at the high voltage level H, and the transmission / reception controllers 102 to 106 other than the transmission / reception controller 100 are not activated.

As described above, the parable user is inadvertently given 2
Even if one or more infrared sensors are connected, only the transmission / reception control unit to which the infrared sensor is connected can be activated first, and there is no danger of confusion in data transmission / reception.

The infrared sensor is connected to another sensor connection CO.
When connected to NN2 (or CONN3, CONN4), switch S2 (or S3, S4) is turned on,
The selection control signal CONN2G (or CONN3G,
NN4G) drops to the low voltage level L.
Since the subsequent operation principle is as described above, the description is omitted here. In this embodiment, the transmission / reception terminals (RXDA, RXDB, TX
D) are all coupled to the same data processing device, but they can also be coupled to different data processing devices if desired.

As described above, the user only has to insert the infrared sensor at a correct position based on the direction in which data is to be transmitted. Every time data is transmitted or received, the entire personal computer is carefully moved to the position of the other party, There is no need to make adjustments.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples in which the data transmission / reception section selection circuit is actually incorporated in a notebook personal computer.

The personal computer body includes a base 2 having a built-in storage unit (not shown) and having a keyboard unit 1, and a display unit 3 connected to the base 2 so as to be openable and closable like a lid.

Sensor bases CONN1-CONN4 are provided at the center of the front, rear, left and right sides of the casing of the base 2 of the personal computer, respectively. Is electrically connected to two data transmission / reception units (not shown).

The sensor IR used in the present embodiment is an infrared sensor, and can be freely connected to any one of the sensor connection parts CONN1 to CONN4 according to the purpose of use.

This sensor IR has a plug IRa
The plug IRa is detachably inserted into and removed from the sensor connection parts CONN1-CONN4 formed in a socket shape.

3 (a), 3 (b) and 3 (c), reference numerals 31 to 33 denote conventional notebook personal computers, and reference numeral 30 denotes a notebook personal computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The structures of the personal computers 31 to 33 differ depending on the maker, and the location of the infrared sensor IR is also different.
When trying to communicate with another personal computer through the infrared sensor IR, there is a trouble that the direction of the personal computer must be changed.

On the other hand, according to the notebook personal computer 30 according to the embodiment, the user connects the infrared sensor IR to the four sensor connections as shown in FIGS. It can be located in any of the parts.

Accordingly, there is no need to change the direction of the main body in accordance with the other party's personal computer, and the usability is very good.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor connecting portions are provided on the four front, rear, left and right sides of the casing of the base 2 of the personal computer main body. May be provided on two or three side surfaces having a high height, or may be provided on surfaces other than the four side surfaces as far as space permits. Further, it may be provided at a plurality of locations on one side surface, and may be provided not only on the base 2 of FIG. 2 but also on the display unit 3 or on the casing of both the base 2 and the display unit 3.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to a notebook personal computer, but can be widely applied to a computer including a desktop personal computer in which a display unit, a keyboard, and a storage unit (so-called main unit) are separated. In the case of a desktop personal computer, the sensor connection section may be provided on the casing of the display section. Or you may provide in the so-called main body casing in which the memory | storage part was incorporated.

In addition, anyone who is familiar with the art should be able to add various variations and colors within a range not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Based on the contents specified in the range.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the sensor connection portions are provided in the personal computer main body in a plurality of directions, the user can easily set the sensor position (direction) as necessary.
Can be changed, and there is no need to change the direction of the main body in accordance with the position of the other party of transmission / reception, and the device is extremely convenient to use.

In this case, while one data transmission / reception unit is selected, unselected data transmission / reception units are in a use-prohibited state, so that there is no possibility of confusion in data transmission / reception.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in which the sensor connection portions are provided on the four front, rear, left and right sides, it is possible to cope with all directions.

According to the third, eighth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the connection between the sensor connection portion and the sensor can be easily performed by one-touch only by inserting and removing the insertion plug from the socket-like sensor connection portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a data transmission / reception section selection circuit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment to which a notebook personal computer as a preferred example of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic plan views showing three examples of a state in which data transmission / reception is performed with another personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

100-106 Transmission / reception control section constituting data transmission / reception section 110-116 Same selection section CONN1G-CONN4G selection control signal BEB enable terminal CONN1-CONN4 Sensor connection section chip1G-chip4G Use prohibition signal 1 Keyboard section of notebook computer 2 Same base 3 Display part IR infrared sensor IRa Plug of the same sensor

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of sensor connection portions to which a sensor for transmitting and receiving data is selectively and detachably connected are provided in a plurality of directions in a computer device main body; A transmission / reception unit is connected, and is configured to transmit / receive data between the outside and the data transmission / reception unit through the sensor in a state where a sensor is connected to a selected sensor connection unit among the sensor connection units. And each of the data transmitting and receiving units is a sensor
Outputs selection control signal when connection is connected to sensor
And a data transmitting section based on the selection control signal.
Start receiving and send data to unselected data
Transmission / reception control unit for outputting a use prohibition signal for
Computer and wherein the that. 2. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor connection portions are disposed on four front, rear, left, and right sides of the computer device main body. 3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a plug.
The connection is made by inserting this plug.
The computer device according to claim 1, wherein the computer device is configured in a socket shape to be connected to the sensor . 4. A computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the infrared sensor is found used as a sensor. 5. A computer device comprising : a storage unit and a key;
Laptop with integrated board and display
It is configured as a mold and contains a storage unit and a keyboard unit.
Computer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 sensor connection portion to the casing, characterized in that provided it was the. 6. The computer apparatus main body, the storage unit and di
With a desktop type where the spray part and keyboard part are separated
The computer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the sensor connection unit is provided in a casing configured to include the display unit or the storage unit . 7. A sensor selectively transmitting and receiving data.
A plurality of sensor connection portions to be connected, the respective sensor connection portion
And a data transmission / reception unit connected to the sensor.
The sensor is connected to the selected sensor connection
Data transmission and reception with the outside through this sensor
Is configured to send and receive data to and from
Each of the above data transmission and reception units has a sensor connection
A selection section for outputting a selection control signal when connected,
When data transmission / reception starts based on the selection control signal of
Use prohibition signal for data transmitter / receiver that is not selected for both
And a transmission / reception control unit for outputting a signal .
Mountable data transceiver selection circuit Turkey computer. 8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plug.
The connection is made by inserting this plug.
The data transmission / reception section selection circuit mountable on a computer according to claim 7, wherein the data transmission / reception section selection circuit is formed in a socket shape connected to the sensor . . 9. The data transmitting / receiving section selecting circuit mountable on a computer according to claim 7 , wherein an infrared sensor is used as the sensor . 10. A computer system comprising : a plurality of data units;
Data transmission / reception units, and
Electrically connected sensor connections in multiple external directions
Sensor that sends and receives data to and from the outside
Can be selectively and detachably connected to one of these sensor connections.
By connecting, the direction of data transmission and reception is variable,
And when the sensor is connected to one sensor connection,
When data transmission / reception by the data transmission / reception unit starts
To prohibit the use of unselected data transceivers
Data on a computer characterized by performing
How to send and receive . 11. When the insertion plug is provided in the sensor ,
In addition, the sensor connection part is configured as a socket, and
The sensor plug by inserting the
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is connected to the sensor connection unit.
0 Symbol people to send and receive Oite data on the placement of the computer
Law . 12. The method for transmitting and receiving data according to claim 10 or 11 computer <br/> other, wherein the this <br/> using an infrared sensor as the sensor.