JPH04207819A - Radio data transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To visually confirm the terminal equipments connected to each other by radio by displaying a menu showing the connection state between a controller and each terminal equipment at a display part of the controller and then connecting a pointed terminal device to the controller by ratio. CONSTITUTION:A calculating task or a program developing task, etc., are carried out in a constitution including a personal computer 1, a keyboard 2, and a mouse 3. When a floppy disk device 5 is used during such tasks, a screen is shown at a display part 1a of the computer 1 with push of e specific key. Then an operator moves a cursor with the mouse 3 and clicks the icons of the computer 1 and the device 5. Thus the test date are sent to a control part 18 from a main body part 19 of the computer 1. Then the broken line set between the icons of the computer 1 and the device 5 is changed into a solid line.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a wireless connection between, for example, a personal computer and various terminal devices. The present invention relates to a wireless data transmission system that performs wireless data transmission between computers.

(Prior Art) In recent years, the development of office automation (OA) equipment has been remarkable. And recent OA equipment is
There are many examples of systems that aim to improve functionality by using a personal computer as a control device and connecting various terminal devices such as a keyboard, mouse, input pen, scanner, and printer to the outside. Furthermore, a system called a composite OA device is being developed, in which a telephone and a so-called CD-ROM are connected to a personal computer to perform more advanced processing.

However, cables are required to connect various terminal devices to a personal computer. As the number of terminal devices to be connected increases, the number of cables also increases and becomes very unsightly.

Therefore, in recent years, efforts have been made to wirelessly connect a personal computer and various terminal devices to perform wireless data transmission, thereby making the computer cordless. Generally, in this cordless system, each terminal device is installed near a personal computer, and data is often transmitted using weak radio waves.

Here, in a system that connects each terminal device with a cable, each terminal device is arranged around the computer, so
You can operate the system without being particularly aware of which terminal devices are connected to your computer.

However, in a cordless system, each terminal device is not necessarily placed around the personal computer. Taking advantage of wireless data transmission, each terminal device is sometimes placed away from the personal computer, and sometimes in a place where the operator cannot see it. When attempting to actually transmit data using radio waves, reliable transmission may not be possible due to obstacles.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) In this way, when data is transmitted wirelessly between a personal computer and various terminal devices, the connection between the personal computer and the terminal device is reliable, unlike the conventional cable connection system. There was no way to visually confirm that it was connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless data transmission system that allows visually confirming terminal devices connected wirelessly and improves operability.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A wireless data transmission system of the present invention includes a control device equipped with a display unit and a plurality of terminal devices, and a wireless connection is established between the control device and each terminal device. By performing a predetermined operation on the control device, a menu indicating the connection status between the control device and each terminal device is displayed on the display of the control device. By specifying a desired terminal device, the specified terminal device and the control device are connected wirelessly, and the connection state is displayed on the display section of the control device.

(Function) According to the present invention, the control device and the terminal device are currently connected wirelessly, and it is possible to visually check on the display section of the control device whether or not processing is currently in progress. The same effect as operating a system in which each terminal device is connected by a cable can be obtained, and the operability can be improved.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a composite OA device that performs wireless data transmission according to the present invention. That is, 1 is, for example, a small notebook computer as a control device, and is equipped with a wireless data transmission section and a display section 1a for wirelessly transmitting data with each terminal device, and the other parts have functions similar to those of a general computer. There is no difference. A keyboard 2 is functionally the same as a general keyboard, but is equipped with a wireless data transmission section for wirelessly transmitting data to the personal computer 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a mouse, which is equipped with a wireless data transmission section for wirelessly transmitting data to the personal computer 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes an input ben, which is used for pointing at the display section 1a of the personal computer 1 or drawing line drawings on the display section 1a of the personal computer 1, and is equipped with a wireless data transmission section for wirelessly transmitting data to the personal computer 1. ing.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a floppy disk device, which is equipped with a wireless data transmission section for wirelessly transmitting data to the personal computer 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes a printer, which is equipped with a wireless data transmission section for wirelessly transmitting data to the personal computer 1. 7
is a scanner, which is a lightweight, compact type that can read images on documents by holding it in the hand and tracing over the document, and is equipped with a wireless data transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting data to the computer 1. ing.

8 is a telephone, which is connected to a general telephone line and can make calls. The telephone 8 is equipped with a wireless data transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting data to the personal computer 1, and is capable of more advanced processing than a general telephone. For example, it is possible to make a call by having a telephone directory in the personal computer 1, displaying this telephone directory on the display section 1a of the personal computer 1, and pointing to the display area of the desired party using the input ben 4. . Further, as a highly functional answering machine, the content of calls from outside lines can be stored as audio data in the form of files in the floppy disk drive 5, and the files can be searched and organized later. In addition, by using the personal computer 1, the telephone 8 can perform more advanced processing than conventional telephones.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a wireless data transmission section common to the keyboard 2, mouse 3, input bezel 4, floppy disk drive 5, printer 6, scanner 7, and telephone 8, including the personal computer 1 described above. be. That is, 9 is an antenna commonly used for both reception and transmission, and when it receives a received radio wave, it converts it into a received signal. The transmission signal is converted into a transmission radio wave by the antenna 9 and transmitted into the air. 10
is a transmitting/receiving duplexer, in which the transmitted signal is directly output to the antenna 9 without going around to the receiving side, and the received signal and the transmitted signal are outputted directly to the antenna 9 without going around to the receiving side, while the radio waves received by the antenna 9 are transmitted to the receiving section without going around to the transmitting side. It has the function of separating the passages. A mixer 11 on the receiving side converts the received signal into an intermediate frequency signal. A receiver 12 amplifies the received signal converted to an intermediate frequency.

A demodulator 13 detects the received signal and converts it into a digital signal. Here, F S K (F
frequency shift keyin
g) method, or MSK (Minisum 5h
Ift Keylng) method is known. The demodulator 13 has a circuit configuration suitable for these modulation methods.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a modulator on the transmitting side, which receives a digital signal as an input and converts it into a signal modulated by the modulation method. 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a mixer on the transmitting side, which inputs the modulated signal and converts it into a high-frequency transmission signal. A transmitter 16 power-amplifies the high frequency signal output from the mixer 15. The high frequency signal output from the transmitter 16 passes through the duplexer 10 and is transmitted into the air from the antenna 9 as a radio wave.

A synthesizer 17 generates a radio frequency signal (carrier wave). In this case, the mixer 15 further modulates the signal generated by the modulator 14 using this carrier wave and converts it into a high frequency signal. Also, the receiving side
The mixer 11 mixes the signal output from the synthesizer 17 and the received high frequency signal, and converts the signal into an intermediate frequency signal. Here, the synthesizer 17 receives a control signal at its input, and can vary the signals output to the mixer 11 on the receiving side and the mixer 15 on the transmitting side, and can multi-channel the radio frequency for transmission and reception. I can do it.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit that controls the entire wireless data transmission unit, which inputs digital data from the wireless receiving side, performs error checking, and adds an error correction code etc. to the data on the transmitting side and transmits it to the transmitting side. to the circuit. Further, the control unit 18 controls the synthesizer 17 in order to change the radio frequencies on the transmitting side and the receiving side. and,
By varying the data transmission, data reception, reception frequency, and transmission frequency, error correction processing that matches the radio wave propagation conditions with other wireless data transmission units can be performed, and the radio wave frequency can be changed. A protocol has been established to prevent interference due to variations.

Reference numeral 19 denotes the main body of the composite OA equipment described in FIG.

Data transmission between the main body section 19 and the control section 18 involves receiving and passing commands, status, input data, and output data, so that the main body section 19 does not need to manage special control by wireless data transmission. .

Note that each OA device from the personal computer 1 to the telephone 8 has a unique station number, and when sending data from the main unit 19 to the control unit 18, the station numbers of the sending side and receiving side are written at the beginning of the data. The data transmission unit on the receiving side detects the station number on the receiving side to check whether the data is related to the own machine, and discards unrelated data. Then, a communication network is formed and data transmission is performed for communications in which the station numbers on the transmitting side and the receiving side match.

Next, the data transmission method of the present invention will be explained using the composite OA device shown in FIG. 1 as an example. First, since the keyboard 2 and mouse 3 are essential input/output devices for the personal computer 1, a wireless communication path is always formed between the personal computer 1, the keyboard 2, and the mouse 3. The communication networks of these three parties cannot be separated, and the keyboard 2 and mouse 3 can access the personal computer 1 as long as the personal computer 1 is powered on.

Here, by pressing a predetermined specific key (for example, a function key) on the keyboard 2, a screen as shown in FIG.
Terminal menu) is displayed. This display screen is for each OA
Devices are represented by icons, and the state in which a communication path is formed between each OA device is shown by a line. in this case,
A solid line represents a state in which a communication path is formed, and a broken line represents a state in which a communication path is not formed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard 2 and mouse 3 are shown as solid lines because they always form a communication path with the personal computer 1. In addition, a communication path is formed between the human-powered Ben 4 and the telephone 8 or the personal computer 1. Further, a communication path is also formed between the scanner 7 and the printer 6.

This function will be explained later. Also, the icon for PC 1 is
The screen that was previously displayed on the display section 1a of the personal computer 1 is now displayed in a reduced size.

Next, a process in which an OA device that has not yet formed a communication path forms a new communication path will be described. PC 1
, a keyboard 2 and a mouse 3 are used to perform calculations or program development work, and when using the floppy disk device 5 in the middle of the process, first press the specific key to display the third screen on the display section 1a of the personal computer 1. The screen shown in the figure is displayed. Next, the operator moves the cursor using the mouse 3 and clicks on the icons for the floppy disk device 5 and the personal computer 1. Then, the test data is sent from the main unit 19 of the personal computer 1 to the control unit 18. This test data is transmitted from the antenna 9 as radio waves with the station numbers of the own machine (personal computer 1) and the other party added.

The transmitted radio waves are also received by other devices including the floppy disk device 5. Floppy disk device 5
For other devices, the station number is checked and the process does not proceed any further because it is not related to the device itself.

Since the station numbers match, the floppy disk device 5 checks the contents of the next test data. When it is determined that the data corresponds to the formation of a communication channel,
AC from floppy disk device 5 to personal computer 1
Send back the K data.

The personal computer 1 receives this ACK data and confirms the formation of the communication path. Then, the computer 1 on the screen in Figure 3
The broken line between the icon and the icon of the floppy disk device 5 is changed to a solid line. Here, even if data is sent from the personal computer 1, an ACK may not be returned from the floppy disk drive 5. In this case, the floppy disk drive 5 may not be powered on, the floppy disk drive 5 may be installed far away from the computer 1, and radio waves cannot reach it, or the floppy disk drive 5 and the floppy disk drive 5 may not be connected to each other.
Possible reasons include that there is an obstruction between the terminal and the signal cannot be received. In these cases, the following message will be displayed at the bottom left of the screen in FIG.

[A communication path cannot be established between the personal computer and the floppy disk drive.] If the above message is displayed, the operator should take measures to correct the problem mentioned above, and then connect the personal computer 1 again.
Click on the floppy disk device 5 icon with the mouse 3, and connect the computer 1 and floppy disk device 5.
Confirm that the dashed line between the two changes to a solid line.

Next, when the operator presses the specific key again,
Go back to the screen you saw when you were working. and,
The operator starts up the floppy disk device 5 by operating the program. Data transmission is performed wirelessly between the personal computer 1 and the floppy disk device 5. The procedure for wirelessly transmitting data between the personal computer 1 and the floppy disk device 5 is the same as that for transmitting test data and forming a communication path as described above. Then, the entire transmission data is divided into data of a certain size, and processing is performed while performing an error check on each divided data. When all the data has been sent, the third
The screen changes to the one shown in the figure below, and the following message is displayed at the bottom left of the screen.

[Data transmission between the computer and floppy disk device has ended. Do you want to disconnect the communication path? Or should I continue to form communication channels? In case of cutting...
・If you want to form Y1...Press the N key. If the Y key is pressed here, the icons for the personal computer 1 and the floppy disk device 5 on the screen shown in FIG. 3 change to a solid line or a broken line connecting them, indicating that the line has been disconnected. Then, in order to connect the line again, it is necessary to perform the operations described above to connect the line. on the other hand,
When the N key is pressed, the line is not disconnected, the line between the personal computer 1 and the floppy disk device 5 is established, and data transmission between the personal computer 1 and the floppy disk device 5 is possible again. When the key input work is completed and the specific key is pressed, the screen returns to the original job screen.

Similarly, when data is to be transmitted between the personal computer 1 and the input device 4, the personal computer 1 and the printer 6, the personal computer 1 and the scanner 7, and the personal computer 1 and the telephone 8, the screen shown in FIG. is displayed, each icon is designated with the mouse 3 to form a communication path, and data transmission is then performed.

After the data transmission is completed, the personal computer 1 asks whether to disconnect the communication path or leave it as it is, so all you have to do is answer.

Here, as a feature of this embodiment, by specifying the icons of the scanner 7 and the printer 6 on the screen shown in FIG. By combining it, it can function as a copying machine. In this case, while performing processing as a copying machine, the personal computer 1 can perform completely different processing. First, in order to form a communication path between the computer 1 and other devices, a scanner 7 and a printer 6 are installed.
Test by exchanging test radio waves to see if a communication channel can be formed between the two. As a result, if there is no problem, the scanner 7 and printer 6 on the screen shown in FIG. 3 are connected by a solid line, indicating that a communication path has been formed. In actual processing, the data read by the scanner 7 is wirelessly transmitted to the printer 6 and printed out by the printer 6.

When the function as a copying machine is completed, a message similar to the above will be displayed at the bottom left of the screen in FIG. 3, asking whether to disconnect or maintain the communication path, so all you have to do is answer.

In addition, in the screen of FIG. 3, between the personal computer 1 and each terminal device, and between the terminal devices connected by solid lines, that is, between the terminal devices that have formed a communication path, The test radio waves are exchanged periodically to confirm the connection.

Then, when computer 1 is powered off, computer 1
Since the test radio waves between the personal computer 1 and the other terminal devices are cut off, all communication channels formed between the personal computer 1 and other terminal devices are cut off. Additionally, if terminal devices communicate with each other and perform processing separately from PC 1 (as in the copying machine example above), when the processing is finished and inquiries are made to PC 1, the power of PC 1 is turned off. Because of this, no response is returned. Therefore, it can be seen on the terminal device side that the power of the personal computer 1 has been turned off. The communication path between the terminal devices is then cut off, and each terminal device can be freely used for other purposes.

In addition, in the case of a configuration in which there are multiple printers in the terminal device, when transmitting data from the computer 1 to one of the printers 6, when connecting the line for the first time, these multiple printers 6 and the computer 1 It is also possible to select the printer 6 with the least errors by receiving and passing test radio waves between them, or the combination of the personal computer 1 and the printer 6 with the strongest received radio waves.

In this way, according to the above embodiment, data can be transmitted wirelessly between the personal computer and each terminal device, so there is no need to connect with a special cable, and the terminal devices can be freely placed around the personal computer. can do. Then, in order to establish a wireless connection between the computer and the terminal device by operating the computer, the connection between the computer and the terminal device is established.
You can expect the same effect as connecting with a visible cable, and when the data transfer is finished, a question will be output asking whether to disconnect, and by answering the question,
It is also possible to freely disconnect the connection between the personal computer and the terminal device. Furthermore, terminal devices can be disconnected from the personal computer and freely connected to each other according to instructions from the personal computer, and processes unrelated to the personal computer can be performed between these terminal devices. Furthermore, computers can perform different tasks at the same time.

Furthermore, when the personal computer is powered off, all terminal devices are automatically disconnected and the terminal devices can be freely used for other purposes.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to control whether the current TE 1-1 control device and the terminal device are connected wirelessly and whether processing is currently in progress or old. This can be visually confirmed on the display of the device, as if it were a system in which each terminal device is connected with a cable. It is possible to provide a wireless data transmission system that can obtain the same effects as the conventional wireless data transmission system and improve operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a composite OA device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless data transmission section, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for setting a wireless transmission path. This is an example of a display screen of a personal computer. 1...PC, 2...Keyboard, 3
... Mouse, 4 ... Input pen, 5 ...
...Floppy disk i+lf, 6...Printer, 7...Scanner, 8...Telephone. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue NS3 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] It is composed of a control device equipped with a display unit and a plurality of terminal devices, and data is transmitted wirelessly between the control device and each terminal device. Displays a menu showing the connection status between the control device and each terminal device on the display,
By specifying the terminal device you want to use using this displayed menu, the specified terminal device and the control device are connected wirelessly, and the connection status is displayed on the display of the control device. Characteristic wireless data transmission system.