JPH09146675A - Function key management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save labor for key input work flexibly corresponding to various information processing systems by respectively starting converting means corresponding to plural pieces of terminal equipment by respectively sending a converting instruction, which shows selected key definition information, to the correspondent converting means. SOLUTION: Log-on information from plural pieces of terminal equipment 103 are respectively received and based on user IDs and application IDs contained in these log-on information, any key definition information stored in a definition information storage means 111 are respectively selected. Then, the converting instructions showing these selected key definition information are respectively sent out to correspondent converting means 112, and the converting means 112 corresponding to the plural pieces of terminal equipment 103 are respectively activated by an activating means 113. Thus, labor for key input work can be saved flexibly corresponding to various information processing systems.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function key management system for managing operations by function keys provided on a keyboard of a terminal device in an information processing system in which a terminal device and a host computer are connected via a gateway. Is. A keyboard is generally used as an input device of a terminal device. In order to assist the input work with this keyboard,
A technique is widely used in which a predetermined character string is associated with a function key provided on a keyboard, and pressing of the function key is treated in the same manner as inputting the corresponding character string. Further, with the spread of information processing apparatuses in recent years, the number of terminal devices connected to a host computer is increasing.
For this reason, many terminal devices are divided into several groups,
It has become common to use a gateway installed for each group of terminals to mediate communication between a plurality of terminal devices and a host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of an information processing system to which a conventional function key management system is applied.
The host computer 401 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to a plurality of gateways 402 via a network, and between the plurality of terminal devices 403 and the host computer 401 respectively connected via a LAN by these gateways 402. The relay process of the communication process is being performed.

The application processing section 410 provided in the host computer 401 includes an input receiving section 411.
According to this, the information indicating the function key is discriminated from the input information by the terminal device 403 via the communication processing unit 404 and passed to the function key processing unit 412. In response to this, the function key processing unit 412 stores the key definition information. Based on the contents of the section 413, the character string corresponding to the function key is used for the processing of the business processing section 414.

Here, the key definition information storage unit 413 is configured to store information indicating a character string corresponding to each function key as key definition information, and these key definition information are, for example, specific commands and function keys. The registration processing unit 415 may receive the input character string together with the information specifying the key and store it in the key definition information storage unit 413 as the corresponding key definition information.

As described above, by providing the function key processing unit 412 inside the application processing unit 410 of the host computer 401 and converting the key input information indicating the function key into a corresponding character string,
It is possible to provide the user of the corresponding application with a function of assisting the key input work using the function keys.

In this case, the registration processing unit 415 independently registers the key definition information for each user ID of the user, and the function key processing unit 412 described above is also used.
Is the user ID stored in the key definition information storage unit 413
If the conversion processing is performed by referring to the key definition information corresponding to, the character string associated with the function key can be changed according to each user's preference.

Further, in this case, since the terminal device 403 simply sends the information indicating the key operated by the user to the host computer 401 via the gateway 402, the terminal device 403 operates like a dedicated terminal device. Even in a terminal device that is not equipped with a sophisticated processing means, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the input work using the function keys. On the other hand, there is also a configuration in which an equivalent function is provided to the user by performing similar conversion processing on the terminal device 403 side.

FIG. 7 shows another example of the configuration of an information processing system to which a conventional function key management system is applied.
In FIG. 7, the function key processing unit 421 included in the terminal device 420, similar to the function key processing unit 412 described above, receives key input information from the keyboard 405 included in the terminal device 420 via the input receiving unit 422. Is received, the key input information indicating the function key is converted into a corresponding character string based on the content of the key definition information storage unit 423, and the character string is transmitted to the transmission path via the communication processing unit 424.

Further, the registration processing unit 425, like the registration processing unit 415 described above, creates a character string corresponding to each function key based on the user's instruction received via the input receiving unit 422 as key definition information. It is configured to be registered in the storage unit 422. As described above, when the function key processing unit 421 is provided on the terminal device 420 side, the host computer 401 side does not need to be aware of the function key, and therefore the key by the function key does not depend on the application processing unit 410 to be used. An auxiliary function of input operation can be provided.

Instead, in this case, it is necessary for the terminal device side to be equipped with a certain degree of processing function as described above.

[0011]

By the way, as described above, when the function key conversion processing is performed on the host computer side, each application processing unit 4 is used.
It is necessary to provide 10 with a function for discriminating and converting a function key and a function for defining a character string corresponding to each function key.

That is, unless each application program supports the function keys, the key input assisting function by the function keys cannot be provided. Therefore, depending on the application to be used,
Function keys may not be available. Also,
Since it is necessary to individually define the character string corresponding to the function key in each application processing unit 410, the user's work is complicated.

Further, when function keys can be defined for each user, it is necessary to hold key definition information corresponding to all user IDs.
The resource load on the host computer 401 becomes heavy. On the other hand, when the function key conversion process is performed on the terminal device side, it is necessary to store the key definition information in each terminal device 420.

Here, the resources provided in the terminal device are limited, and it is difficult to store the key definition information corresponding to all the users in the key definition information storage unit 422, and each Since the terminal device used by the user is not fixed, normally, the same key definition information is used in all the terminal devices. For this reason, it is not possible to provide an environment that is easy to use for each individual user or application to be used. Moreover, when updating the key definition information, it is necessary to collectively perform the processing for all the terminal devices 403, which makes management on the terminal device side complicated.

As described above, each of the two conventional function key management systems has advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, in recent years, various users have come to use the information processing system, and users' requests and applications to be used are diversified. Therefore, there is a demand for a function key management system that enables labor saving of key input work by using function keys regardless of the user's knowledge and experience and the application to be used.

The present invention provides a function key management system capable of flexibly coping with various information processing systems by utilizing the characteristics of the information processing system using a gateway and saving labor of key input work. With the goal.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

The invention of claim 1 is a host computer 1
01 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 103 by at least one gateway 102.
In the information processing system configured to relay communication between the host computer 101 and the host computer 101, the gateway 102
Is a key indicating a character string corresponding to each function key provided in each of the plurality of terminal devices 103, corresponding to a combination of a user ID for specifying a user and an application ID for specifying an application. Definition information storage means 111 for storing definition information
And based on the key definition information indicated by the input conversion instruction, the key input information indicating the operation of the function key included in the uplink data received from the corresponding terminal device 103 is converted into a corresponding character string, and the host Computer 1
01 and a plurality of terminal devices 10
3 receives each piece of logon information, selects one of the key definition information stored in the definition information storage means 111 based on the user ID and the application ID included in these pieces of logon information, and selects the selected key definition information. Conversion means 112 corresponding to the conversion instruction indicating
And a start-up means 113 for respectively starting up the conversion means 112 corresponding to the plurality of terminal devices 103, respectively.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in response to the input of the logon information from each terminal device 103, the activation means 113 provided in the gateway 102 has the definition information storage means based on the combination of the user ID and the application ID. The corresponding key definition information can be retrieved from 111 and designated to the corresponding conversion means 112. This allows
The conversion unit 112 uses the key definition information corresponding to the user and the application being used by the user, and converts the key input information indicating the operation of the function key received from the corresponding terminal device 103 into a corresponding character string. It can be converted and sent to the host computer 101.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1, regardless of the function to be used or the terminal device,
Labor saving of key input work using the function keys can be realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the function key management system according to the first aspect, the gateway 1
02 creates new key definition information corresponding to the user ID and the application ID based on the registration information input by designating the user ID and the application ID from the terminal device 103, and the definition information storage means 111.
It is characterized in that it is provided with a registration means 114 for registering with.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the registration means 114 operates based on the registration information from each terminal device 103 so that new key definition information corresponding to the user ID and the application ID is stored in the key definition information storage means. 111
It is possible to use it for the conversion processing described above. As a result, regardless of the function of the application, the input environment can be prepared flexibly corresponding to various tastes of individual users.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing system to which the function key management system of the present invention is applied. 2, the information processing system has a configuration in which a plurality of terminal devices 403 and a host computer 401 corresponding to each are connected via a plurality of gateways 210, similarly to the information processing system shown in FIG. There is.

Here, each gateway 210 corresponds to the gateway 102 shown in FIG. 1, a host computer 401 and a plurality of terminal devices 4.
03 corresponds to the host computer 101 and the plurality of terminal devices 103 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. In the gateway 210 shown in FIG. 2, the upstream data reception unit 211 receives the input information via the primary station control unit 212, and the conversion processing unit 213, the conversion control unit 214, and the registration processing according to the characteristics of the input information. Unit 215 and relay processing unit 2
It is configured to send to each of the sixteen.

The relay processing unit 216 and the primary station control unit 21
2 and the secondary station control unit 217 are the same as those of the conventional gateway 4
02, upstream data from the terminal device 403 to the host computer 401 and the host computer 4
01 to the terminal device 403 to the downlink data,
It is configured to perform necessary protocol conversion and mediate communication between each of the plurality of terminal devices 403 and the host computer 401.

In FIG. 2, the relay processing unit 216 receives the input information from the above-mentioned upstream data receiving unit 211 directly or via the conversion control unit 213 and the conversion control unit 214, and via the secondary station control unit 217. Relay to the host computer 401, receive the downlink data from the host computer 401 via the secondary station control unit 217, and receive the destination terminal device 4 via the primary station control unit 212.
You can relay to 03.

Further, in FIG. 2, the conversion control unit 214
Receives the log-on information and the log-off information from the above-mentioned upstream data reception unit 211, and manages the contents of the key definition information storage unit 218 and the conversion management table 219 based on the user ID and application ID included in these information. It is configured to do. FIG.
The registration processing unit 215 shown in FIG.
Received registration information about registration of key definition information from
Based on this registration information, the definition information storage unit 222 and the definition management table 2 provided in the hard disk device 221.
23 is operated to register the key definition information.

The definition information storage unit 222 is configured to register different key definition information corresponding to the key definition ID for identifying the key definition information, and the definition management table 223 stores the key definition information. Key definition ID and user I
It is configured to register information indicating a correspondence relationship with a set of D and an application ID. The key definition information storage unit 218 is configured to store the key definition information received from the conversion control unit 214, and the conversion management table 219 stores the key definition information stored in the key definition information storage unit 218. Is stored in the terminal device 403. For example, the conversion management table 219 stores the key definition ID indicating the corresponding key definition information and the information indicating the storage location of the key definition information, corresponding to the terminal ID for identifying each terminal device 403. Good.

Further, the conversion processing unit 213 transmits the key input information from the upstream data receiving unit 211 to the terminal device 403 which is the transmission source.
Is received together with the terminal ID indicating the key input information, the conversion management table 219 is referred to based on the terminal ID, the key input information is converted using the designated key definition information, and the conversion result is relayed by the relay processing unit. It may be sent to 216.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an upstream data relay operation by the gateway to which the present invention is applied. The upstream data reception unit 211 determines the characteristics of the upstream data received via the primary station control unit 212 (step 301), and when the upstream data is key input information indicating the operation of a function key (affirmative determination in step 302). ), The key input information is sent to the conversion processing unit 213.

In response to this, the conversion processing unit 213 first refers to the conversion management table 219 and, based on the terminal ID indicating the terminal device 403 of the transmission source, the storage location of the key definition information used for converting the function key. Get information about (step 303). Next, the conversion processing unit 213
Refers to the key definition information storage section 218, and executes step 30
Based on the key definition information indicated by the information obtained in 3,
The key input information indicating the operation of the function key is converted into a corresponding character string (step 304), and the relay processing unit 21
6 to send.

In response to this, the relay processing unit 216
Perform the necessary protocol conversion processing (step 30
5), the conversion result is used as upstream data by the secondary station control unit 2
After sending to the host computer 401 via 17, the relay process may be terminated.

In this case, the conversion processing unit 213 selectively converts any of at least one key definition information stored in the key definition information storage unit 218 according to the reference result of the conversion management table 219. By using
The function of the conversion unit 112 corresponding to each terminal device 403 is realized. On the other hand, when the uplink data is the logon information, the conversion control unit 214 causes the conversion processing unit 213 to operate as the conversion unit 112 corresponding to the corresponding terminal device 403 according to the affirmative determination in step 306. Is performed (step 307).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the open processing operation of the conversion processing function performed in response to the input of logon information. In accordance with the input of the logon information, the conversion control unit 214
First, the definition management table 221 is referred to, and the key definition ID indicating the key definition information corresponding to the set of the corresponding user ID and application ID is searched (step 3).
21, 322).

If it is determined in step 322 that the corresponding key definition ID exists, the affirmative determination is made in step 323, and the conversion control unit 214 causes the conversion management table 21.
9, it is determined whether the key definition information corresponding to the corresponding key definition ID has been read (step 3).
24). When the corresponding key definition ID is not retrieved (negative determination in step 324), the conversion control unit 214
Reads the key definition information corresponding to the above-mentioned key definition ID from the definition information storage unit 222 and stores it in the key definition information storage unit 218 (step 325). At this time, the conversion control unit 214 obtains the storage location of the key definition ID corresponding to the newly read key definition information and the key definition information corresponding to this key definition ID, and the user performs the logon operation. The information corresponding to the terminal ID of the terminal device 403 may be registered in the conversion management table 219 (step 326), and then the process may proceed to step 328.

On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made in step 324, the process proceeds to step 326 as it is, and the conversion management table 2 corresponding to the corresponding terminal ID is used by using the key definition ID and the corresponding address information obtained in step 322.
The registration process of 19 is performed, and the process may proceed to step 328. By thus registering the same key definition ID and address information corresponding to different terminal IDs in a duplicated manner, the same key definition information is shared for conversion processing of upstream data from a plurality of transmission sources. can do. As a result, when the users of the plurality of terminal devices 403 use the same key definition information, the resources allocated to the key definition information storage unit 218 can be saved.

On the other hand, in the case of a negative determination at step 323, the conversion control unit 214 reads the dummy key definition information and stores it in the key definition information storage unit 218 (step 327), and then proceeds to step 326. , User ID and application ID corresponding to the corresponding terminal ID
And the information about the storage location of the dummy key definition information described above may be registered. As the above-mentioned dummy key definition information, for example, key definition information in which character strings corresponding to all function keys are not set may be used.

As described above, the conversion control unit 214 operates the contents of the key definition information storage unit 218 and the conversion management table 219 in response to the input of the logon information, so that the activation means 113 described in claim 1 can be used. Realize the function,
Appropriate key definition information can be specified for the conversion processing unit 213 in accordance with input of upstream data from the terminal device 403.

Further, as described above, the conversion control unit 214 receives the necessary key definition information from the definition information storage unit 222 in response to the input of the logon information, and stores the key definition information storage unit 2 therein.
The key definition information storage means 11
One function can be realized with the minimum required resources.

After that, the conversion control unit 214 proceeds to step 3
The logon information received in step 21 is sent to the relay processing unit 216 (step 328), and the open processing of the conversion processing function corresponding to the terminal device 403 on which the logon operation is performed may be ended. In this way, according to the logon operation performed via the terminal device 403, the corresponding terminal device 4
By performing the open process of the conversion processing function corresponding to 03, the conversion processing unit 213 causes the conversion processing unit 213 to receive the upstream data from the corresponding terminal device 403 from the upstream data reception unit 211. It becomes possible to operate as the conversion means 112 corresponding to the device 403.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 301 shown in FIG. 3 that the upstream data is the logoff information, a closing process described later is performed according to the affirmative determination in step 308 (step 309). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the close processing operation of the conversion processing function. In response to the input of the logoff information, the conversion control unit 214 first
Referring to the conversion management table 219, the terminal device 4 of the transmission source
While obtaining the key definition ID and address information corresponding to the terminal ID indicating 03 (steps 331, 332),
Information corresponding to this terminal ID is converted into the conversion management table 219.
To delete (step 333).

Next, the conversion control unit 214 refers to the conversion management table 219 again, and based on whether or not the key definition ID obtained in step 332 is registered corresponding to another terminal ID, It is determined whether the corresponding key definition information is in use (step 334). Step 33
In the case of a positive determination of 4, the logoff information is sent to the host computer 401 via the relay processing unit 216 while the corresponding key definition information is held in the key definition information storage unit 218 (step 336), and then the closing process is performed. You can finish.

On the other hand, in the case of a negative judgment in step 334, based on the address information obtained in step 332, the corresponding key definition information is stored in the key definition information storage section 218.
From the key definition information storage unit 2 (step 335).
After releasing the resources of 18, the process proceeds to step 336, the logoff information is transmitted, and the closing process may be ended. In this way, the conversion control unit 214 operates according to the input of the logoff information, so that the conversion processing unit 213 performs the processing in order to realize the function of the conversion unit 112, which is no longer necessary with the logoff operation. The resources allocated to the provided key definition information storage unit 218 can be released.

As described above, step 33
If the key definition information is deleted according to the determination result of No. 4, if the users of the plurality of terminal devices 403 are using the same key definition information, these terminal devices 403 are used as the senders, respectively. The corresponding key definition information is stored in the key definition information storage unit 218 until all the logoff information is input, so that the user of each terminal device 403 remains in the same environment regardless of the operation states of other users. You can continue to use it.

If it is determined in step 301 shown in FIG. 3 that the upstream data is the registration information, the registration process described later is performed according to the affirmative judgment in step 310 (step 311). Here, the upstream data receiving unit 211 determines a predetermined character string indicating a registration start request for key definition information and a predetermined character string indicating a registration end request for key definition information from the upstream data, and requests registration start. The registration completion request is notified to the registration processing unit 215, and the upstream data between them is used as the registration information for the processing of the registration processing unit 215.

The registration processing unit 215 starts its operation in response to the notification of the registration start request, and the received registration information is added to the received registration information as in the case where the conventional application processing unit 410 creates the key definition information for each application. Based on this, the character string corresponding to each function key is respectively set to create the key definition information, and a new key definition ID may be given and registered in the definition management table 223 as needed.

As described above, the registration processing unit 215 operates according to the input of the registration information, and the created key definition information is registered in the definition information storage unit 222 and the definition management table 223. The function of the registration means 114 can be realized. In particular, the definition management table 22
3, by showing the correspondence relationship between the set of user ID and application ID and the key definition ID, one key definition information can be associated with a plurality of sets of user ID and application ID, and the definition information storage unit 222 It is possible to effectively use the capacity of.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 301 shown in FIG. 3 that the upstream data is normal key input information that does not include function keys, step 31 is performed.
A negative determination of 0 is made, and the uplink data may be sent to the relay processing unit 216 as it is for use in the process of step 305. As described above, the conversion control unit 214 and the registration processing unit 2 are respectively utilized by using the conversion management table 219 and the definition management table 223 provided in the gateway 210.
Reference numeral 15 denotes a correspondence relationship between a set of a user ID and an application ID and key definition information, and a terminal device 40 of a transmission source
By managing the correspondence between 3 and the key definition information,
The conversion processing unit 213 and the registration processing unit 215 provided in the gateway 210 can provide a conversion processing function of key input information and a registration function of key definition information.

In this case, since each terminal device 403 and each application processing unit 410 of the host computer 401 do not need to have the conversion processing function and the definition information registration function as in the prior art, each terminal device is not required. 403
Regardless of the capabilities of the
You can use the function keys to assist the input work.

That is, by applying the present invention,
It is possible to flexibly deal with information processing systems of various configurations, to save labor in key input work, and to reduce the work load on the user.

Further, as described above, the definition information storage unit 2
The key definition information stored in 22 is stored in each gateway 21.
The conversion control unit 214 is limited to those related to the user who uses the terminal device 403 connected to 0, and only the stored key definition information that is actually being used by the user. , Key definition information storage unit 21
8 is stored. Here, since the users who use each gateway 210 are a part of the users of the entire information processing system, the key definition information corresponding to these users is
There is no excessive resource burden on each gateway 210.

Further, according to the logon operation and the logoff operation, the open processing and the close processing are performed for each conversion processing function corresponding to the set of the user ID and the application ID.
As long as the terminal device 403 connected to 0 is used, it is possible to provide the same input environment when using the same application regardless of the terminal device 403 used.

Further, the above-mentioned registration processing unit 215 can register key definition information for all combinations of user IDs and application IDs regardless of each application processing unit 410 operated by the host computer 401. It is possible to use the defined key definition information as it is or to update it, as the key definition information when using another application, or as the key definition information of another user.

For example, in response to an instruction from the user, the registration processing unit 215 uses the key definition ID indicating the already defined key definition information as another user ID and application I.
If the definition management table 223 is registered in association with the group D, the existing key definition information can be used as the key definition information when using another user or another application.

Further, the registration processing unit 215 changes a part of the existing key definition information, and then a new key definition ID
When the key definition ID is registered in the definition management table 223 in association with a combination with another application ID,
Part of the key definition information can be shared among multiple applications.

As described above, by making at least a part of the existing key definition information available as the new definition information regardless of the corresponding application, the user's labor for registering the key definition information is greatly increased. Can be reduced. Also, by utilizing this fact, by sharing part of the key definition information corresponding to multiple applications, it is possible to easily share the input operation between these applications. It is possible to further reduce the burden on the person.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, the characteristics of each user and the application used by each user regardless of the function of each application on the host computer side or the function of each terminal device. The function key conversion information can be used by using the appropriate key definition information according to the characteristics of the, so it is possible to flexibly support systems with various configurations and provide an auxiliary function for key input work using function keys. However, it is possible to save the labor of input work using the function keys.

Further, in this case, since the conversion processing function and the registration processing function corresponding to the users who use the respective gateways are arranged in a distributed manner for each of the plurality of gateways, while appropriately suppressing the load on each gateway. The load on the host computer side can be greatly reduced.
Furthermore, by managing the key definition information with the combination of the user ID and the application ID, it is possible to share at least a part of the key definition information between applications and users, and manage the key definition information in detail. It is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing system to which a function key management system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an upstream data relay operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an open processing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a close processing operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system to which a conventional function key management system is applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system to which a conventional function key management system is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 401 Host computer 102, 210, 402 Gateway 103, 403, 420 Terminal device 111 Definition information storage means 112 Conversion means 113 Starting means 114 Registration means 211 Upstream data reception section 212 Primary station control section 213 Conversion processing section 214 Conversion control Parts 215, 415, 425 Registration processing unit 216 Relay processing unit 217 Secondary station control unit 218, 413, 423 Key definition information storage unit 219 Conversion management table 221 Hard disk device 222 Definition information storage unit 223 Definition management table 404, 424 Communication processing Part 405 Keyboard 410 Application processing part 411, 422 Input acceptance part 412, 421 Function key processing part 414 Business processing part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system configured to relay communication between a plurality of terminal devices and the host computer by at least one gateway connected to a host computer via a transmission path, wherein the gateway comprises: Key definition information indicating a character string corresponding to each function key provided in each of the plurality of terminal devices, corresponding to a combination of a user ID for specifying a user and an application ID for specifying an application. And the key input information indicating the operation of the function key included in the upstream data received from the corresponding terminal device, based on the key definition information indicated by the input conversion instruction. Converting means for converting to a string and sending to the host computer And receiving logon information from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and selecting any one of the key definition information stored in the definition information storage means based on the user ID and application ID included in these logon information. And a start-up unit that sends a conversion instruction indicating the selected key definition information to the corresponding conversion unit to start each of the conversion units corresponding to the plurality of terminal devices. Function key management system to do. 2. The function key management system according to claim 1, wherein the gateway corresponds to the user ID and the application ID based on registration information input by designating the user ID and the application ID from the terminal device. A function key management system comprising a registration means for creating new key definition information and registering it in a definition information storage means.