JPH06187279A - Input device controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to efficiently perform the receipt and delivery of an operation right in a group working by having a function where the only input information from an input/output device having the operation right is outputted to a data processor and the input information from the input/output device which does not have the operation right is not outputted to the dad processor and controlling the assignment of the operation right. CONSTITUTION:After fixed time passes after the assignment relation of the operation right of an input device controller 2 is controlled and the operation right is imparted to an input/output device, the operation right is opened and an input standby state is made. At first, a square drawing instruction is transmitted from an input/output device 9 to a data processor 1 (701). The input device controller 2 imparts the operation right to the input/output device 9 (702). Subsequently, the drawing instruction of a circle is transmitted from an input/output device 10 (703), but it is invalidated. After fixed time passes (708), the operation right is opened from the input/output device 9 by the input device controller 2 (709), the operation right is imparted to the input/output device 10 (712) and the input from the input/output device 10 becomes effective.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device controller used in group working in which a plurality of users simultaneously perform the same data processing via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, many computers are connected via a network, and a plurality of users share the same data processing device and the same data, and the processing status of the data is simultaneously displayed on each display device. So-called group working, which allows users to interactively operate computers while displaying, became possible. This group work
Since a plurality of users work at the same time, the work can be performed more effectively than when the user operates alone. However, if the data processing device indiscriminately receives and processes inputs from a plurality of users, inconvenience may occur. The phenomenon will be described below.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a conventional input device control device, in which 1 is a data processing device, 2 is an input device control device,
9, 10 are input / output devices, 3 and 4 are these input / output devices 9,
10 is a display device, 5 and 6 are mice, and 7 and 8 are keyboards.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the state of group working in the conventional input device control device. For one data processing device 1, a square image is drawn from the input / output device 9 and a circle is drawn from the input / output device 10. An example of operation in this case is shown. FIG. 21 is a data flow chart of the group workin in the conventional input device control device, and the data flow between the data processing device 1 and the input / output device 9 and the input / output device 10 in this case is as follows.

A command for drawing a quadrangle is sent from the input / output device 9 to the data processing device 1 (401). The vertex is designated from the input / output device 9 (402). The data processing device 1 displays a point at the designated position on the display devices 3 and 4 of the input / output devices 9 and 10 (403). Input / output device 10
Sends a command to draw a circle from the data processing device 1 (40
4). The data processing device 1 assumes that the rectangular drawing command from the input / output device 9 has been discarded, and interprets the following operation as a circle drawing operation (405). The center position of the circle is designated from the input / output device 10 (406). Data processing device 1
Displays the center position of the circle on the display devices 3 and 4 (40
7). The input / output device 9 continuously designates one vertex position (408, 409). Since the data processing device 1 displays the designated points on the display devices 3 and 4, and the input / output devices 9 and 10 designate a total of 3 points (406,
407, 408), the data processing device 1 displays a circle passing through these three points on the display devices 3, 4 (410).

Here, the user of the input / output device 9 is trying to draw a quadrangle, but as a result, a circle is created.

In this way, if the data processing device accepts the inputs from the plurality of input / output devices indefinitely, the operation becomes inconsistent. Therefore, when a series of operations in the data processing device is meaningful, the data processing device needs to accept the input only from the input / output device having the operation right.

In the prior art, such control of the operation right is
It is conducted through dialogue between users. That is, if the user who does not have the operation right inputs the information, the user who has the operation right notifies the user who does not have the operation right by displaying it on the display device. Then, the user who does not have the operation right receives the operation right from the user who has the operation right, and then performs the input.

FIG. 22 shows the flow of data between the conventional input / output device, input device control device, and data processing device.

Input signals (502) are transmitted to the input device control device 2 from a plurality of input / output devices, of which the input signal from the input / output device to which the operation right is given. Only (503) flows. On the other hand, the output signal (50
4) is given from the input device control device 2 to all input / output devices (501).

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing an operation example of controlling the operation right in the conventional input device control device. For simplicity of explanation, the flow of output signals is omitted.

The input / output device 9 requests the operation right (60
1). The input device control device 2 gives the operation right to the input / output device 9 (602). While the operation right is given to the input / output device 9, the input from the other input / output device 10 is
Becomes invalid until the user releases the operation right. A square drawing command is sent from the input / output device 9 to the data processing device 1 (6
03). Here, since the operation right is given to the input / output device 9, the user of the input / output device 10 must transfer the operation right from the user of the input / output device 9. Then, when there is a request to this effect, the input / output device 10 notifies the input device control device 2 of the operation right request (604). Then, the input device control device 2 notifies the input / output device 9 having the operation right that there is a request for the operation right from another input / output device (605). Then, the user of the input / output device 9 performs all operations (606, 607, 60).
8, 609), and transfers the operation right to the user of the input / output device 10 requesting the operation right (610). Next, the input device control device 2 gives the operation right to the input / output device 10 (611) until the user of the input / output device 10 releases the operation right (618).

[0013]

However, in the conventional method described above, if the user inputs, the operation right must be given from the user who has the operation right each time. On the contrary, the operation becomes complicated and efficient work cannot be performed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device control device capable of efficiently transferring an operation right in group working.

[0015]

The input device control device of the present invention outputs only the input information from the input / output device having the operation right among the input information from the plurality of input / output devices to the data processing device, It has a function of not outputting input information from an input / output device that does not have the operation right to the data processing device, and a function of managing attribution of the operation right.

[0016]

In the input device control device of the present invention, there is no need for artificial processing between users as in the conventional case.
The operation right is transferred, and the operation in the data processing device can be smoothly performed without contradiction.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a data flow in the input device control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows an operation example when the operation right is given for a certain period of time from the start of processing. In the first embodiment, the input device control device 2 manages the attribution relationship of the operation right, gives the operation right to one input / output device, and then releases the operation right after a certain period of time and puts it in the input waiting state. have. Incidentally, those corresponding to the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the flow of the output signal is omitted to simplify the description.

First, the input / output device 9 to the data processing device 1
In response, a square drawing command is sent (701). The input device control device 2 gives the operation right to the input / output device 9 (70
2). After that, a circle drawing command is sent from the input / output device 10 (703), but since the operation right is given to the input / output device 9, it is invalidated. After a certain time has elapsed from the start of input (708), the operation right is released from the input / output device 9 by the input device control device 2 (709), and input is enabled from all input / output devices (710). Input / output device 10
A circle drawing command is sent from the input device controller 711 (operation 711), and the input device control device 2 gives the operation right to the input / output device 10 (71).
2) The input from the input / output device 10 becomes valid. FIG. 2 shows a state transition diagram of the input device control device 2.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation right once given is not transferred by the user's artificial processing as in the conventional case, but the input device control device 2 is operated when a predetermined time elapses. Since the operation right is passed by, the operation right can be efficiently passed in the group working.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the input device control device 2 has a function of releasing the operation right when a series of operations on the input / output device to which the operation right is given is completed. FIG. 3 shows a data flow between the input / output device, the input device control device and the data processing device in the second embodiment. Input signals (802) are transmitted to the input device control device 2 from a plurality of input / output devices.
Among these, only the input signal (803) from the input / output device to which the operation right is given flows. On the other hand, the output signal (804) from the data processing device 1 is given to all input / output devices from the input device control device 2 (801). Further, a processing completion notification signal is sent from the data processing device 1 to the input device control device 2 in order for the input device control device 2 to release the operation right (805).

FIG. 4 shows an operation example of the second embodiment, and the flow of output signals is omitted for the sake of simplicity. First, a square drawing command is sent from the input / output device 9 to the data processing device 1 (901). After that, the input device control device 2 gives the operation right to the input / output device 9 (902). A circle drawing command is sent from the input / output device 10 (903), but it is invalid because the operation right is given to the input / output device 9. When a series of data for drawing a quadrangle is input from the input / output device 9 (905, 906, 907, 908) and the data processing device 1 completes the processing, a processing completion notification is sent to the input device control device 2 (909). . Then, the input device control device 2 releases the operation right from the input / output device 9 (910),
Input is possible from all input / output devices (91
1). Next, the input / output device 10 sends a drawing command of the operation right to the circle (912), and the input device control device 2 gives the operation right to the input / output device 10 (913).
Input from 0 is valid. FIG. 5 shows a state transition diagram of the input / output device 2.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. The operation right given by the input device control device 2 in the third embodiment is divided for each editing area corresponding to the type of operation indicated by the input information from the input / output device.
It is managed for each editing area.

FIG. 6 shows an operation example of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart in this case. Further, the flow of the output signal is omitted to simplify the description. at first,
Data processing device 1 with no input from any input device
On the other hand, the input / output device 9 requests the operation right with the designation of the editing area (step 71) (101). Here, the input device control device 2 checks whether the specified operation right area overlaps with the operation right area specified by another user (step 72). If they overlap, the input device control device 2 does not give the operation right to the input / output device 9. If they do not overlap, the editing in the obtained operation right area will be performed. Since the input from the input / output device 9 shown in FIG. 7 is to draw a new square, the operation right of the operation right area from another input / output device is owned by the other input / output device. The input device control device 9 gives the operation right to the input / output device 9. Editing in the operation right area accepts only input from the input / output device 9 until the operation right is released. The input / output device 9 which has obtained the operation right draws a square as usual (106 to 109).

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the input device control device 2 checks at the time of input whether or not each input is made within the operation right area. If it is within the area (step 8)
2) Then, the input device control device 2 receives an input (step 83). However, if the input is not the operation right area but another operation area, the operation right of the previously obtained operation right area is released as if the operation right of the other operation right area is requested. The input device control device 2 processes the newly requested operation right request of the operation right area.

For example, in the case of drawing a quadrangle in FIG. 6, it is saved as difference data of command information from the time when the operation right is acquired, and when the operation right is released (1
In 01), it will be added to the data at that time. However, by displaying the input state on the input / output device 9,
The input operation can be performed without feeling uncomfortable as in the case of using one normal input / output device. The release of the operation right here is performed immediately after a new request for the operation right of the operation right area is notified, and the user does not need to be particularly aware of the release of the operation right.

The above is a series of operations until the operation right is acquired and released. When an input is generated from the external input / output device 10 during this series of operations, it is treated like the input / output device 9, and if the operation right area does not overlap with the input / output device 9, the same operation as the normal operation is performed. It will be possible.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The input device control device 2 in the fourth embodiment stores the input information from the input / output device that does not have the operation right, and the stored input information when the operation right is given to the input / output device that does not have the operation right. To reflect.

First, in the state where there is no input from any input device, a square drawing command is sent to the input / output device 9 (201, 203). At this time, the input device control device 2
Since there is no request from any input / output device, the operation right is given to the input / output device 9 (202). The input / output device 9 to which the operation right is given draws a quadrangle by instructing the apex by the same operation as when there is one input / output device (206 to 209). When the request for the operation right is notified from the input / output device 10 during this drawing (204), the input device control device 2 already has the operation right in the input / output device 9 as shown in FIG. 10 (step 101). ), Other inputs from the input / output device 10 are saved as difference data from the time 201 when the input / output device 9 obtains the operation right (step 104).

The input information obtained here is displayed only on the input / output device 10 that has made the input (step 103), so that the input / output device 10 does not have to be aware of the operation right of the input / output device 9. , You can enter a circle (2
12, 215). After that, when the input from the input / output device 9 is completed, the operation right is released (210). Since the operation right is released, the input / output device 10 obtains the operation right (211, step 101). When the operation right is obtained, the difference information first input without the operation right, that is, the time point 202
The information input from the input / output device 10 from 1 to 211 is added to the original data (including the data input from the input / output device 9 by the time point 211) (step 105) and displayed (step 106). After that, the input from the input / output device 10 which has the operation right is continuously performed. Here, the input / output device 9 that does not have the operation right at this time
Even when the user requests the operation right, the input information can be similarly saved as difference information and reflected in the original data. Here, one problem is that, while editing from the input / output device that has the operation right,
This is the case when a change is made from an I / O device that does not have the operation right. In this case, the input from the I / O device that had the operation right is valid, but by opening the operation right in a short cycle such as each command usage unit, the input without the operation right is obtained. It is best not to invalidate the input from the output device. FIG. 11 shows the input device control device 2
The state transition diagram of is shown.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 13. The input device control device 2 in the fifth embodiment is configured so that the operation right is given to the input / output device having a high priority, and the input device control device 2 compares the priority of the input / output device with each other. Have the function to

First, the input / output device 9 has a low priority and the input / output device 10 has a high priority. As shown in FIG. 12, first, a rectangular drawing command is sent from the input / output device 9 having a low priority to the data processing device 1 (301). At this time, the input device control device 2 confirms the priority and gives the operation right to the input / output device 9 (302). However, at this time, since there is no request from any input / output device, the priority is set. Even the lowest I / O device is given the operation right. Next, a circle drawing command is sent from the input / output device 10 having a high priority (303). Although the operation right is given to the input / output device 9, the input device control device 2 compares the priorities of the input / output device 9 and the input / output device 10 and gives the operation right to the input / output device 10 having a high priority. Give (307). That is, since a request from an input / output device having a high priority occurs, the input device control device 2 notifies the input / output device 9 having a low priority to invalidate the instruction currently being executed (305), and the operation right is given. Is opened, the input from the input / output device 10 having a high priority is enabled, and the input device control device 2 gives the operating right to the input / output device 10 having a high priority. As a result, a command from the input / output device 10 having a high priority can be executed, and a circle drawing command is sent from the input / output device 10 (303). At this time, the instruction which is being executed up to the middle of the I / O device 9 of low priority, which has been deprived of the operation right, is discarded. After that, when the process of the input / output device 10 having a high priority is completed, a notification of the completion of the process is sent to the input device control device 2 (312), and the input device control device 2 gives priority to the release of the operation right. The input / output device 9 having a low frequency is notified (311). After that, the request from the input / output device 9 having a low priority is accepted.

On the other hand, if the I / O device with the higher priority holds the operation right first, the request from the I / O device with the lower priority is discarded. FIG. 13 shows a state transition diagram of the input device control device 2.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The input device control device 2 according to the sixth embodiment is provided with the operation right in the order of the frequency of use of the operation indicated by the input information, and has a function of comparing and determining the frequency of use.

As shown in FIG. 14, first, a rectangular drawing command is sent from the input / output device 9 having a low command usage frequency to the data processing device 1 (401). The input device control device 2 confirms the command use frequency and gives the operation right to the input / output device 9 (402). At this time, since there is no request from any I / O device, the operation right is given even to the I / O device having the lowest command usage frequency. Next, a circle drawing command is sent from the input / output device 10 having a high command usage frequency (403). Although the operation right is given to the input / output device 9, the input device control device 2 compares the command use frequencies of the input / output device 9 and the input / output device 10 and operates the input / output device 10 having a high command use frequency. Give the right (40
7). That is, since a request is issued from an input / output device having a high command usage frequency, the input device control device 2 notifies the input / output device 9 having a low command usage frequency to invalidate the instruction currently being executed (405). , The operation right is released. After that, I / O device 1 with high command usage frequency
Input from 0 is enabled, and the input device controller 2
The operation right is given to the input / output device 10 having a high command use frequency, and the instruction from the input / output device 10 having a high command use frequency can be executed. Then, a circle drawing command is sent from the input / output device 10 (403). At this time, an instruction which is being executed up to the middle of the input / output device 9 whose command usage frequency is low and whose operation right has been robbed is discarded. After that, when the processing of the input / output device that frequently uses the command ends, a notification of the end of the process is sent to the input device control device 2 (412), and the input device control device 2 notifies that the operation right has been released. The input / output device 9 having a low frequency is notified (411). After that, a request from the input / output device 9 having a low command usage frequency is accepted.

On the other hand, when the I / O device 10 having a high command usage frequency holds the operation right, the request from the I / O device 9 having a low command usage frequency is discarded. Figure 15
A state transition diagram of the input device control device 2 is shown in FIG.

Next, the creation of the command usage frequency table and the comparison of the command usage frequencies will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18.

An input / output device number is assigned in advance to each input / output device, and a command usage frequency value is associated with that number. In FIG.
A command usage frequency table is shown. The method of determining the command usage frequency value is as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the number of command requests of commands for a fixed time is counted for each input / output device (step 161). The command request count is stored in the storage device and compared with the next command command request count within a fixed time. As a result of the comparison, when the number of command command requests this time is larger than the number of command command requests last time, 1 is added to the command use frequency value of the corresponding input / output device in the command use frequency table (step 16).
2,165). On the other hand, when the number of command command requests this time is smaller than the number of command command requests last time, 1 is subtracted from the command use frequency value of the corresponding input / output device in the command use frequency table (steps 163 and 166). If the current command command request count is the same as the previous command command request count, the command use frequency value of the input / output device is not changed. When the system is started, the command use frequency values are all 0.

The above processing is performed in each input / output device.
Next, as shown in FIG. 18, when a plurality of input / output devices request the operation right from the command use frequency table, the command use frequency values of the corresponding input / output devices are compared (step 181), and the command The operation right is given to the input / output device having a high use frequency value (steps 183 and 184).

[0040]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of users perform processing on the same data processing device and the same data, the input signal is not confused to the data processing device, and the condition for giving the operation right is set. By making it appropriate, the user can work without being aware of the operation right.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation example diagram of an input device control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of the input device control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a data flow chart of the input device control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation example diagram of the input device control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram of the input device control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a data flow chart of the input device control device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an input device control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an input device control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a data flow chart of the input device control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an input device control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of the input device control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a data flow chart of the input device control device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram of the input device control device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a data flow chart of the input device control device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a state transition diagram of the input device control device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for determining a command use frequency value of the input device control apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a table of use frequencies of commands of the input device control device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of operating right transfer based on a command use frequency value of an input device control device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a conventional input device control device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state of group working in a conventional input device control device.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of data of group working in the conventional input device control device.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of data between a conventional input / output device, input device control device, and data processing device.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of control of an operation right in a conventional input device control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 data processing device 2 input device control device 3,4 display device 5,6 mouse 7,8 keyboard 9,10 input / output device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location H04L 12/18 (72) Inventor Toshihiro Yamazaki 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device, a display device for displaying characters and figures, a pointing device such as a mouse for indicating characters and figures on the display device, and a device for inputting characters and numbers. An input device control device incorporated in a computer system comprising an input / output device having a keyboard, wherein, of the input information from a plurality of input / output devices, only the input information from the input / output device having operation authority is processed by the data processing device. An input device control device having a function of outputting to an input / output device that does not have an operation right and not outputting to the data processing device, and having means for managing attribution of an operation right. 2. The input device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation right is released when a predetermined time elapses after being given to one input / output device. 3. The input device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation right is released when a series of operations on the input / output device to which the operation right is given is completed. 4. The input device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation right is divided for each editing area corresponding to the type of operation indicated by the input information. 5. The input information from the input / output device without the operation right is stored, and when the operation right is given to the input / output device without the operation right, the stored input information is reflected. The input device control device described. 6. The input device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation right is given to an input / output device having a high priority. 7. The input device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation right is given in order of frequency of use of the operation indicated by the input information.