JPH09237148A - Multi-pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a system cursor from being scrambled and to improve operability by allowing a main controller to permit or inhibit control for cursor movement to each terminal with an identification(ID) symbol by a command with the same ID code. SOLUTION: In an electronic conference system or the like, a non-volatile memory 42 in a tablet 40 stores ID numbers allocated to respective display devices so as to instruct the validity/invalidity of an input by each tablet. A microcomputer 30 reads out an ID number from the memory 42, recognizes the input validity/invalidity command of the ID number concerned from a control part in a chairman device (main controller), controls the input validity/ invalidity state, and displays the controlled state on an input validity/invalidity displaying LED 41. The main controller permits or inhibits the control of cursor movement to each of terminals by a command with an ID symbol. Even when plural persons simultaneously operate different pointing devices, the scrambling of the system cursor is not generated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-pointing device device to which a plurality of pointing devices are connected, and more specifically, a main control unit to which a plurality of terminals are connected, and the terminals to which the pointing devices are respectively connected. Multi-pointing device apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-pointing device system is a system in which a plurality of display devices each having a pointing device are connected to a control device so that each user can operate the pointing device. Generally used for electronic conferencing systems.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional multi-pointing device system of this type, which is an example applied to an electronic conference system.

In FIG. 9, 1 is a chairperson device for controlling the entire electronic conference system, 2 and 3 are display devices (terminals) equipped with pointing devices, and the display devices 2 and 3 are a chairperson device 1 and a communication line 4. Connected through. Display device 2,
3 is given to the attendees of the conference, and is increased or decreased according to the number of attendees.

The chairperson apparatus 1 serves as a control unit 11 for controlling the entire system, a display 12 such as a CRT for displaying display data, a keyboard 13 having various data input keys and function keys, and a pointing device. Mouse 14 and display data for each display device 2, 3
The display distribution circuit 15 is configured to distribute to

The controller 11 is a display controller 1
6, a keyboard controller 17, a mouse controller 18, a communication controller 19, a microcomputer (not shown), and the like, and the control unit 11 is required for various operations while exchanging data with the RAM according to the stored microprogram. A value is calculated and each of the control controllers is controlled based on the processed data.

The keyboard 13 is an operation panel on which keys for inputting alphanumeric characters, hiragana, etc., and function keys such as a cursor movement key and an execution key are arranged. When any key on the operation panel is operated. , Is converted into a predetermined key code corresponding to the key by the keyboard controller 17, and is output to the microcomputer.

The display distribution circuit 15 receives the display data from the display controller 16 incorporated in the control unit 11 into the control unit 1.
According to the instruction from 1, the display 12 and the displays 21 and 22 (described later) of the display devices 2 and 3 are distributed.
As a result, the display data having the same content is displayed on the displays 12, 21, 22.

On the other hand, the display devices 2 and 3 have a control unit 11
21, 22 for displaying display data from
And tablets 23 and 24 capable of pen input, and have the same hardware configuration. Tablet 23,2
Reference numeral 4 together with the mouse 14 of the chairperson apparatus 1 constitutes a multipointing device as a whole. An LCD (liquid crystal display device) is used for the displays 21 and 22.

With this configuration, if the keyboard 13 and the mouse 14 connected to the control unit 11 of the chairperson apparatus 1 are operated, the conference materials and display data are displayed on the displays 12 and 2.
1, 22 can be displayed, and the conference can be advanced.

The operation of the mouse 14 of the chairperson's device 1 and the tablet 23 of the display device 2 will be described in detail. Since the display devices 2 and 3 have the same hardware configuration with respect to the pointing system, the tablet 23 of the display device 2 is used.
Will be described as a representative.

FIG. 10 shows a mouse 14 and a tablet 23,
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of 24 hardware connection and the software which controls them.

In FIG. 10, the mouse 14 is a control unit 11.
It is connected to the internal mouse controller 18, and the tablets 23 and 24 are connected to the communication controller 19 inside the control unit 11 via the communication line 4, respectively. The control unit 11 controls the mouse 14 and the tablets 23 and 24 by software described below. That is, the storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 11 includes a mouse driver 25 that controls the mouse controller 18, a communication driver 26 that controls the communication controller 19, and a cursor management driver 27 that manages the mouse driver 25 and the communication driver 26. ,
Operating system 28 that controls the entire system
Contains the mouse 14 and the tablets 23, 2
The following processing is executed by the operation of 4.

First, the operation of the mouse 14 will be described.

When the mouse 14 moves, the data shown in the example of FIG. 11 is notified to the mouse controller 18. FIG.
1 is a diagram showing an example of mouse data, which shows data of 1 to 3 bytes. In the figure, X7 to X0 and Y7 to Y0 are
The movement amounts ΔX and ΔY of the mouse 14 are shown.

The movement amounts ΔX and ΔY notified to the mouse controller 18 are notified to the mouse driver 25.

The mouse driver 25 inquires the current position of the system cursor to the cursor management driver 27, and based on the cursor position return values Xs, Ys from the cursor management driver 27 and the movement amounts ΔX, ΔY, the next cursor movement position Xn, Calculate Yn (Xn = Xs + ΔX, Yn =
Ys + ΔY) and notify the cursor management driver 27.

The cursor management driver 27 determines the next cursor movement position Xn, Yn to the operating system 28.
And the system cursor is moved to a position corresponding to the movement amounts ΔX and ΔY of the mouse 14. When the switch 14a of the mouse 14 is pressed in this state, the pressing information R / L of the mouse data shown in FIG. 11 changes, and the operating system 28 is notified through the same route as in the case described above. Corresponding processing is performed in.

Next, the operation of the tablets 23 and 24 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of the conventional tablets 23 and 24, which is an example of the structure of a resistance film type tablet.

In FIG. 12, the tablet 23 is an RO
M31, RAM 32, serial I / O (SIO) 33,
A microcomputer 30 having a built-in A / D converter (ADC) 34 and a tablet glass 3 for converting the coordinates in the X and Y directions of the point pressed by the pen into a voltage and outputting the voltage.
5 and are connected to each other via a bus 36.

The tablets 23 and 24 are connected to the communication controller 19 of the control unit 11 via the communication line 4. The communication line 4 includes RS-232C and RS-485.
Use a bidirectional line such as.

The microcomputer 30 has a ROM 31.
A predetermined process is executed using the RAM 32 as a work memory according to the microprogram stored in. That is, the voltage output from the tablet glass 35 at a constant interval is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 34, and the voltage value is converted into a predetermined absolute coordinate value of the tablet, and the communication line 4 is connected using the SIO 33. It notifies to the communication controller 19 via.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a tablet data format, in which the ADC 34 has an accuracy of 10 bits. In the figure, X7 to X0 and Y7 to Y0 are tablets 23 and 24.
Represents the absolute coordinates of.

The absolute coordinates of the tablet notified to the communication controller 19 are notified to the communication driver 26 and coordinate data Xn + managed by the operating system 28.
Cursor management driver 2 after conversion to 1, Yn + 1
7 will be notified.

The cursor management driver 27 notifies the operating system 28 of the next cursor movement position Xn + 1, Yn + 1, and the system cursor moves to the position corresponding to the absolute coordinates at which the tablet is pressed.

Therefore, when the mouse 14 is moved,
Alternatively, when the tablets 23 and 24 are pressed, the information is notified to the operating system 28 and the system cursor is moved. In this case, the operating system 28 does not care whether the notified information is the information from the mouse 14 or the tablets 23 and 24.

According to such a configuration, the conference attendee having the display device 2 looks at the display data displayed on the display 21 and operates the tablet 23 as necessary to point the conference material. be able to.

Here, the mouse 14 or the tablet 2
When it is desired to stop the input from 3, 24, it is realized by stopping the circuit operation of the mouse controller 18 or the communication controller 19 or by not executing the above-mentioned processing on the program.

[0030]

However, in such a conventional multi-pointing device, there is a problem in that the system cursor cannot be controlled when different conferees simultaneously operate the mouse 14 or the tablets 23 and 24. was there.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the current system cursor is at point A (Xa, Ya), the mouse 14 in the chair's seat is operated to move the cursor to point A '(Xa', Y).
In the case of moving to a ′), if the point B is pressed with the tablet 23 and the point C is pressed with the tablet 24, the cursor moves along the locus shown by the broken line in FIG. Further, if the point B or the point C is kept pressed, the system cursor moves from the point A ′ to the point B or the point C, resulting in a problem that the mouse 14 cannot move the system cursor. That is, when different people operate the mouse 14 or the tablets 23 and 24 at the same time, the system cursors are in conflict with each other, and the system cursors cannot be appropriately moved.

Further, although the input from the tablets 23 and 24 can be restricted by stopping the control of the communication controller 19, the conference attendees cannot input the tablets 23 and 24 during that time and the operability is deteriorated. .

The above-mentioned drawbacks are more likely to occur as the number of display devices to be given to the attendees increases, and moreover, it is difficult to predict when they will occur. Therefore, an effective solution has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and even when different people operate a plurality of pointing devices at the same time, the system cursors do not conflict with each other, which is preferable. An object is to provide a multi-pointing device device that can obtain operability.

[0035]

A multi-pointing device device according to the present invention is a display device, a main control device for controlling the display of the display device, and a pointing device on the display device connected to the main control device. In a multi-pointing device device having a plurality of terminals capable of controlling the above, each terminal is added with an identification code for identifying itself, and the main control device uses a command with an identification code for each terminal. It is configured to allow or prohibit control of cursor movement.

Further, the multi-pointing device device according to the present invention is a display device, a main control device for controlling the display of the display device, and is connected to the main control device to control the pointing device on the display device. In the multi-pointing device device having a plurality of terminals, each terminal has an identification code added to identify itself, and the terminal sends the identification code to the data generated by the pointing operation and sends it to the main controller. Then, the main control unit is configured to read the identification code and process only the data from the terminal which permits the input.

The multi-pointing device device according to the present invention is a display device, a main control device for controlling the display of the display device, and a pointing device on the display device, which is connected to the main control device. In a multi-pointing device apparatus including a plurality of terminals to be obtained, the terminal includes a data storage unit that stores data generated by a pointing operation with a predetermined data amount as one point, and each terminal has an identification code for identifying itself. In addition, the terminal stores the data generated by the pointing operation in the data storage means, receives the command from the main control device, and the identification code attached to the received command becomes its own identification code. When they match, the data stored in the data storage means is added to the number of points, and the data is sent to the main controller. Out, the main control device configured to process only the data from the terminal to allow an input.

Further, each of the terminals stores its own identification code, receives a command from the main control unit, and stores the identification code attached to the received command in the storage means. Compared with the above, when they coincide with each other, it may be configured to have means for enabling or disabling the transmission of the signal for moving the cursor according to the content of the command.

Further, when the terminal receives a command from the main control device and the identification code attached to the received command coincides with its own identification code, the terminal controls the data for only a predetermined number of points. To the device and the main controller
It may be configured to process the data for a predetermined number of points sent from the terminal and issue the next command to the terminal when there is data equal to or more than the data for the number of points.

The main controller may read the identification code, process only the data from the terminal which permits the input, and discard the data from the terminal which does not permit the input.

[0041]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The multipointing device device according to the present invention can be applied to a multipointing device system such as an electronic conference system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a tablet of a multi-pointing device device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The tablet shown in FIG. 1 has the same structure as that of the resistive film type tablet shown in FIG.
It is used for the display device that is delivered to the attendees of the meeting of the electronic conferencing system. In FIG. 1, elements that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, the tablet 40 is a ROM
31, RAM 32 (data storage means), serial I / O
(SIO) 33, A / D converter (ADC) 34 built-in microcomputer 30, X of pressed point
・ Tablet glass 35 that converts the coordinates in the Y direction to a voltage and outputs it, and input enable / disable display LED (Light Emitting Diode)
e) 41 and a non-volatile memory 42 (storage means), which are connected to each other via a bus 36.

As described above, the tablet 40 shown in FIG. 1 has the same configuration as the tablet 23 shown in FIG.
41 and a non-volatile memory 42 are added.

The input enable / disable display LED 41 indicates the tablet 4
It is a display LED that lights up when 0 can be input and goes out when input is not possible. When a command to the microcomputer 30 is received from the control unit 11 of the chairperson apparatus 1 (main control apparatus), the command is received. Turns on or off according to the contents.

The non-volatile memory 42 is, for example, EEPRO.
An identification (ID) that is composed of an M (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) and is assigned to each display device in order to enable each tablet to indicate whether or not input is possible.
Store the number.

The microcomputer 30 has a ROM 31.
In addition to the control of executing the above-mentioned processing by using the RAM 32 as a work memory according to the microprogram stored in, the ID number in the non-volatile memory 42 is read and the control unit 11 recognizes the input permission / prohibition command of the corresponding ID. Control the input enable / disable state.

FIG. 2 shows the mouse 14 and tablets 40, 5
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the connection of the hardware of 0, and the structure of the software which controls them. In FIG. 2, elements that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2, the tablet 50 has the same configuration as the tablet 40, and the tablets 40 and 50 are connected to each other via the communication line 4 and the communication controller 19 inside the control unit 11.
Connected to.

The mouse 14 of the chairperson apparatus 1 (main controller) is connected to the mouse controller 18 inside the controller 11. In the predetermined storage unit of the control unit 11, a mouse driver 25 that controls the mouse controller 18, a communication driver 26 that controls the communication controller 19, a cursor management driver (cursor management driver) that manages the mouse driver 25 and the communication driver 26. 1) 27, operating system 28 that controls the entire system,
Further, a pointing device control AP (application AP1) 51 corresponding to the communication driver 26 is stored.

The pointing device control AP 51 is
It is an application program on the operating system 28, and has a function of sending the command shown in FIG. 3 to any one of the tablets 40 and 50 with an ID number added. Commands for the tablet include "start" for starting the operation of the tablet and "stop" for stopping the operation of the tablet.

The ID number is a 1-byte value uniquely added to the communication controller 19 and the tablets 40 and 50 in one system.
Is used to specify the issue destination when issuing command data to the tablets 40 and 50. The receiving device has an ID that matches its own ID number stored in advance.
Only the command data with a number is processed. Further, the ID number is used to specify the transmission source when transmitting data from the tablets 40, 50 to the communication controller 19.

The ID number "255" is a broadcast ID, and all the receiving devices process the corresponding command data. Therefore, if the ID number 255 is added and transmitted from the communication controller 19 to the tablets 40 and 50, the same pointing operation control as in the conventional example can be executed.

The operation of the multi-pointing device device configured as described above will be described below.

In the multi-pointing device apparatus according to the first embodiment, the control unit 11 individually controls whether or not each pointing device (tablet 40, 50) can be operated. As a premise of the operation explanation, display devices 2 and 3 equipped with tablets 40 and 50
It is assumed that the (terminal) is connected to the chairperson device 1 (main control device) having the control unit 11 via the communication line 4 as shown in FIG. The display devices 2 and 3 are assumed to be held by the attendees of the conference, and a case where the user of the tablet 40 operates the system cursor is taken as an example.

(1) Operation of Tablet 40 at Power-on The microcomputer 30 reads the ID number stored in the non-volatile memory 42 at power-on of the display device to which the tablet 40 is connected.

Further, the process of converting the voltage output from the tablet glass 35 into a digital signal by the ADC 34 is not performed, and the SIO 33 waits for a command. The input availability display LED 41 is in the off state.

In this state, even if the tablet is pushed, the pushing information is not sent to the communication controller 19 and the tablet is in a stopped state.

(2) Operation of Control Unit 11 (Permission of Input to Specific Tablet) The chairperson uses the chairperson device 1 to proceed with the conference as usual.

Attendant tablets 40 during the meeting
When you are asked to use, operate the keyboard 13 etc. to allow input with the tablet you want to use,
The pointing device control AP 51 is executed by inputting the ID or the code attached to the ID.

Here, whether or not there is a request to use the tablet 40 is made such that the attendee informs the chairman by raising his hand, and the chairperson gives the attendee's tablet 40 an input permission. In this case, it is assumed that the tablet to be handed over and the seating position of the attendee are determined in advance so that the attendee can easily know what kind of ID the attendant has.

The pointing device control AP 51 is
The start command (see FIG. 3) to which the ID of the tablet is added is sent to the communication driver 26 and the communication controller 19
To the communication line 4 via.

(3) Operation of Tablet 40 (Processing in Response to Input) The start command sent from the control unit 11 to the communication line 4 is sent to the tablets 40 and 50.

Microcomputer 3 of tablet 40
0 receives the command from the communication line 4, and the ID added to the received command and the ID given to itself
Compare. In this case, since the ID added to the start command and the ID given to itself are the same, the start command is executed and the operation of the tablet is started. Specifically, the voltage output from the tablet glass 35 is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 34, and the voltage value is converted into a predetermined absolute coordinate value of the tablet.

On the other hand, the microcomputer of the tablet 50 also receives the command from the communication line 4 and compares the ID added to the received command with the ID given to itself, but because the IDs do not match. The above tablet operation is not performed.

Then, the microcomputer 30 of the tablet 40 turns on the input availability display LED 41.

In this state, when the microcomputer 30 of the tablet 40 detects the pressing of the tablet, it enters a tablet operating state in which the pressing information is sent to the communication controller 19, and the communication controller 19 of the control unit 11 presses it via the communication line 4. Information is sent.

(4) Operation of Control Unit 11 (System Cursor Movement Processing by Pressing Information from Specific Tablet) The control unit 11 sends the start command to the data appearing on the communication line 4 from the specific tablet 40. When it is determined that the information is the pressing information, the pressing information is received via the communication controller 19. The received pressing information from the specific tablet is notified to the communication driver 26, and the coordinate data Xn + 1, Yn managed by the operating system 28 is notified.
After being converted to +1, the cursor management driver 27 is notified.

The cursor management driver 27 notifies the operating system 28 of the next cursor movement position Xn + 1, Yn + 1, and the system cursor moves to the position corresponding to the absolute coordinates at which the tablet is pressed.

As a result, an attendee holding the tablet 40 can freely move the system cursor on the display 12 of the chairperson apparatus 1 by operating the tablet 40.

(5) Operation of Control Unit 11 (Prohibition of Input) The chair confirms the end of the use of the tablet 40 and operates the pointing device control AP 51 so as to prohibit the input of the tablet which is permitted to use. In this example, the input of the tablet 40 is prohibited.

By executing the pointing device control AP 51, the ID of the tablet (I of the tablet 40
The stop command with D) is added to the communication driver 2
6. Send to the communication line 4 via the communication controller 19.

(6) Operation of Tablet 40 (Processing Performed in Response to Input Prohibition) The microcomputer 30 of the tablet 40 receives the stop command from the communication line 4 and identifies the ID added to the received stop command and the self command. The IDs assigned to are compared. In this case, since the IDs match, the stop command is processed and the operation of the tablet 40 is stopped. The tablet 40 is in the tablet stop state of (1) above. That is, the processing of converting the voltage from the tablet glass 35 into a digital signal by the ADC 34 is not performed, and the input enable / disable display LED 41 is turned off.
Waiting for a command from the SIO 33 continues.

The above is an example of the case where the user of the tablet 40 operates the system cursor. The operation of the tablet 50 at this point is as follows.

That is, the tablet 50 continues the standby state after performing the same processing as the tablet operation at power-on described in (1) above. In particular,
As described in (3) and (6) above, command reception from the communication line 4 is continued, and comparison processing is performed to compare the ID added to the received command with the ID given to itself. However, in this case, during the series of operations of the tablet 40, since the ID added to the command sent from the control unit 11 is different from its own ID, the command is not processed and the tablet operation described above is not performed. The input enable / disable display LED 41 is not lit.

As described above, in the multi-pointing device device according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a plurality of pointing devices (tablets 4
0, 50) is connected to the chairperson device 1 via the communication line 4, and the tablets 40, 50 recognize the input enable / disable command of the corresponding ID and control the input enable / disable state, the microcomputer 30 lights up when input is possible. Input enable / disable display LED4
1. The non-volatile memory 42 for storing the ID number is provided, and the control unit 11 of the chairperson apparatus 1 adds the ID numbers of the tablets 40, 50 which are permitted to operate by executing the pointing device control AP 51 to the command. Send out,
Since the ID numbers of the tablets 40 and 50 whose operations have been prohibited are added to the command and transmitted to individually instruct whether the tablets 40 and 50 can be operated, the mouse 14 or the tablets 40 and 50 are controlled. It is possible to prevent the problem that the system cursors cannot be used even if different people simultaneously operate the system cursors and prevent the system cursor from being used, and to execute a multipointing device system such as an electronic conference system.

Further, unlike the conventional example, since the control state of the communication controller 19 is continued, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the conference attendee suddenly cannot use the system cursor by operating the tablet, and good operability is provided. Obtainable.

Further, an input enable / disable display LED 41 (display means) for displaying whether or not the pointing operation is possible.
Since it is configured to include, it is possible to easily know whether or not the system cursor can be operated, and the usability can be further improved.

By the way, in the multi-pointing device apparatus according to the present embodiment, the chairperson is informed of the presence or absence of the request for using the tablet by raising the hands of the attendees. For example, the tablets 40, 50 (terminals) are Tablet use request switch and this request switch is ON
Also, a control means for sending the ID number of the tablet and the request signal to the chair apparatus 1 via the communication line 4 is newly provided so that the chair apparatus 1 side receives the request signal from the communication line 4. Good. When the chairman device 1 receives the request signal, the chairman device 1 displays the corresponding tablet based on the ID number added to the request signal to notify the chairman. Based on the displayed information, the chairman determines whether to give input permission to the attendee's tablet, and when input is permitted, operates the keyboard 13 or the like to obtain the ID or the code attached to the ID. Is input to execute the pointing device control AP51.

With this configuration, attendees do not need to raise their hands when requesting to use the tablet, and it is easier to attend the conference. Further, since it is not necessary to predetermine the tablet to be given to the attendee and the seating position of the attendee, the usability can be further improved.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multipointing device apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The multipointing device apparatus according to this embodiment is also a multipointing device apparatus such as an electronic conference system. This is an example of application. In the description of the multi-pointing device apparatus according to the second embodiment, the same components as those of the multi-pointing device apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be assigned the same reference numerals and overlapping description will be omitted.

FIG. 4 shows the mouse 14 and the tablets 40, 5
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the connection of the hardware of 0, and the structure of the software which controls them. In this FIG.
Elements that are the same as or correspond to are designated by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 4, the tablet 50 has the same structure as the tablet 40, and the tablets 40 and 50 are connected to each other via the communication line 4 and the communication controller 19 inside the control unit 11.
Connected to.

The tablets 40, 50 have a nonvolatile memory 42 for storing the ID numbers assigned to the respective display devices.
And a function of reading the ID number in the non-volatile memory 42, adding the ID number read from the non-volatile memory 42 to the tablet data generated by the tablet operation, and transmitting the data.

The mouse 14 of the chairperson apparatus 1 (main controller) is connected to the mouse controller 18 in the control unit 11. In the predetermined storage unit of the control unit 11, a mouse driver 25 that controls the mouse controller 18, a communication driver 26 that controls the communication controller 19, a cursor management driver (cursor management driver) that manages the mouse driver 25 and the communication driver 26. 2) 61, operating system 28 that controls the entire system,
Further, a pointing device control AP (application AP2) 62 corresponding to the communication driver 26 is stored.

The pointing device control AP (application AP2) 62 is an application program on the operating system 28 and has a function of notifying the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 2) 61 of a tablet whose input is permitted.

The cursor management driver (cursor management driver 2) 61 reads the ID number from the data from the pointing device, processes only the tablet data for which the input is permitted, and discards the data from the tablet not permitted. Have the function to

Here, the ID number is a 1-byte value uniquely added to the communication controller 19 and the tablets 40 and 50 in one system.
It is used to specify the issue destination when issuing command data from 9 to the tablets 40, 50. The receiving device receives an I that matches its own ID number stored in advance.
Only the command data with the D number is processed.

Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, the ID number is also added to the tablet data, and when the tablet data is transmitted from the tablets 40 and 50 to the communication controller 19, it is transmitted together with the tablet data. Used to specify the source.

The ID number "255" is a broadcast ID, and all the receiving devices process the corresponding command data. Therefore, if the ID number 255 is added and transmitted from the communication controller 19 to the tablets 40 and 50, the same pointing operation control as in the conventional example can be executed.

The operation of the multi-pointing device device configured as described above will be described below.

The multipointing device apparatus according to the second embodiment is also similar to the first embodiment described above.
The control unit 11 individually controls whether or not the operation of each pointing device (tablet 40, 50) is possible.

As a premise of the operation explanation, the tablet 40,
It is assumed that the display devices 2 and 3 (terminals) provided with 50 are connected to the chairperson device 1 (main control device) having the control unit 11 via the communication line 4 as shown in FIG. Also,
It is assumed that the display attendees have these display devices 2 and 3, and the case where the user of the tablet 40 operates the system cursor is taken as an example.

(1) Operation of Tablet 40 at Power-on The microcomputer 30 reads the ID number stored in the non-volatile memory 42 at power-on of the display device to which the tablet 40 is connected.

Further, the voltage output from the tablet glass 35 is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 34, and the input enable / disable display LED 41 is turned on.

In this state, when the depression of the tablet glass is detected, the ID number is added to the depression data and the data is sent to the communication controller 19. An example of tablet data transmitted at this time is shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of tablet data, showing ID numbers of 1 to 4 bytes and tablet data. As shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, tablet data to be sent to the control unit 11 (2nd to 4th bytes).
The ID number (first byte) is added to. X9 to X0 and Y9 to Y0 at the 2nd to 4th bytes are tablet data representing the movement amounts ΔX and ΔY of the tablet.

(2) Operation of Control Unit 11 (Permission of Input to Specific Tablet) The chairperson uses the chairperson apparatus 1 to proceed with the conference as usual.

Attendance tablet 40 during the conference
When you are asked to use, operate the keyboard 13 etc. to allow input with the tablet you want to use,
The pointing device control AP (application AP2) 62 is executed by inputting the ID or a code attached to the ID.

The pointing device control AP (application AP2) 62 gives an instruction to the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 2) 61 so as to accept only tablet data from the ID number of the tablet.

Upon receiving the data from the communication driver 26, the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 2) 61 first confirms the ID number (1st byte) added to the tablet data (2nd to 4th bytes).

When the ID number is data from a tablet which is permitted to be input, the tablet data of the second byte onward in FIG. 5 is processed and the operating system 28 is notified.

When the ID number is data from a tablet which is not permitted to be input, the received data is discarded.

As a result, the attendee holding the tablet 40 can freely move the system cursor on the display 12 of the chairperson apparatus 1 by operating the tablet 40.

(3) Operation of Control Unit 11 (Prohibition of Input) The chairman confirms the end of use of the tablet 40 and operates the pointing device control AP 62 so as to prohibit the input of the tablet which has been permitted to use. In this example, the input of the tablet 40 is prohibited.

By executing the pointing device control AP 62, the ID of the tablet (I of the tablet 40
D) is invalidated, and the movement of the system cursor on the display 12 of the chairperson device 1 by operating the tablet 40 is stopped.

As described above, in the multi-pointing device device according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the tablets 40 and 50 have the nonvolatile memory 42 for storing the ID number and the nonvolatile memory 42. The controller 11 of the chairperson apparatus 1 has a function of reading an ID number, adding the read ID number to the tablet data generated by the tablet, and transmitting the tablet data. In addition, the control unit 11 of the chairperson apparatus 1 selects a tablet which is permitted to be input by a cursor management driver 2) The pointing device control AP (application AP2) 62 having a function of notifying 61 and the ID number added to the tablet data are read, only the tablet data for which the input is permitted is processed, and from the tablet which is not permitted. Cursor management driver that has a function to discard Bar (cursor management driver 2) 6
As described in the first embodiment, it is possible to individually control whether or not the tablets can be input, and even if different people operate the tablets 40 and 50 at the same time, the system cursor is argued. Without doing so, it is possible to prevent the problem that the system cursor cannot be used and obtain good operability.

In particular, in the second embodiment, since the chairperson's device 1 can perform the tablet input permission / prohibition processing, the data transmission / reception for the input permission / prohibition becomes unnecessary, and the processing can be performed with a fast response. It can be carried out.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multipointing device device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The multipointing device device according to this embodiment is also a multipointing device device such as an electronic conference system. This is an example of application.

FIG. 6 shows the mouse 14 and the tablets 40, 5
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the connection of the hardware of 0, and the structure of the software which controls them. In FIG. 6, FIG.
Elements that are the same as or correspond to are designated by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 6, the tablet 50 has the same structure as the tablet 40, and the tablets 40, 50 are connected via the communication line 4 to the communication controller 19 inside the control unit 11.
Connected to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tablets 40 and 50 have a non-volatile memory 42 for storing the ID numbers assigned to the respective display devices, and a request command from the controller 11 of the chairperson device 1 (main control device). R according to (Fig. 7)
It has a function of adding the number of points for returning the tablet data stored in the AM 32 and sending it to the control unit 11.

The mouse 14 of the chairperson apparatus 1 (main controller) is connected to the mouse controller 18 inside the controller 11. In the predetermined storage unit of the control unit 11, a mouse driver 25 that controls the mouse controller 18, a communication driver 26 that controls the communication controller 19, a cursor management driver (cursor management driver) that manages the mouse driver 25 and the communication driver 26. 3) 71, operating system 28 that controls the entire system,
Further, a pointing device control AP (application AP3) 72 corresponding to the communication driver 26 is stored.

The pointing device control AP (application AP3) 72 is an application program on the operating system 28 and has a function of notifying the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) 71 of a tablet whose input is permitted.

The cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) 71 has a function of requesting the tablet data transmission to a tablet for which input is permitted.

Here, the ID number is a 1-byte value uniquely added to the communication controller 19 and the tablets 40 and 50 in one system.
It is used to specify the issue destination when issuing command data from 9 to the tablets 40, 50. The receiving device receives an I that matches its own ID number stored in advance.
Only the command data with the D number is processed.

Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, the ID number is also added to the tablet data, and when the tablet data is transmitted from the tablets 40 and 50 to the communication controller 19, it is transmitted together with the tablet data. Used to specify the source.

The ID number "255" is a broadcast ID, and all the receiving devices process the corresponding command data. Therefore, if the ID number 255 is added and transmitted from the communication controller 19 to the tablets 40 and 50, the same pointing operation control as in the conventional example can be executed.

The operation of the multi-pointing device device configured as described above will be described below.

The multi-pointing device apparatus according to the third embodiment is also similar to the above-described first embodiment.
The control unit 11 individually controls whether or not the operation of each pointing device (tablet 40, 50) is possible.

As a premise of the operation explanation, the tablet 40,
It is assumed that the display devices 2 and 3 (terminals) provided with 50 are connected to the chairperson device 1 (main control device) having the control unit 11 via the communication line 4 as shown in FIG. Also,
It is assumed that the display attendees have these display devices 2 and 3, and the case where the user of the tablet 40 operates the system cursor is taken as an example.

(1) Operation of Tablet 40 at Power-on The microcomputer 30 reads the ID number stored in the non-volatile memory 42 at power-on of the display device to which the tablet 40 is connected.

The voltage output from the tablet glass 35 is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 34, and the input enable / disable display LED 41 is turned on.

In this state, when the pressing of the tablet glass is detected, the pressing data is stored in the RAM 32 of FIG. 1 according to the format of FIG. This state is the tablet operating state.

(2) Operation of Control Unit 11 (Permission of Input to Specific Tablet) The chairperson uses the chairperson device 1 to proceed with the conference as usual.

Attendant tablet 40 during the conference
When you are asked to use, operate the keyboard 13 etc. to allow input with the tablet you want to use,
The pointing device control AP (application AP3) 72 is executed by inputting the ID or a code attached to the ID.

The pointing device control AP (application AP3) 72 notifies the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) 71 that the input of the corresponding tablet is permitted.

The cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) 71 sends a request command in the table shown in FIG. 7 so as to send the tablet data when there is tablet data for the tablet having the ID number for which input is permitted. Issue. As shown in FIG. 7, the command to the tablet includes “tablet data request” for requesting tablet data.

(3) Operation of Tablet 40 (Processing According to Input) The start command sent from the control unit 11 to the communication line 4 is sent to the tablets 40 and 50.

The tablet 40 receiving the request command adds the number of points indicating the number of tablet data to be sent back to the control unit 11 in addition to the tablet data if the RAM 32 has the tablet data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data to be sent back, showing the number of points from 1 to 7 bytes and tablet data. As shown in FIG. 8, in the third embodiment, the tablet data (2nd to 7th bytes) sent to the control unit 11 is added with the number of points (1st byte) to send back the tablet data. . For example, 2-4
Bytes X9 to X0 and Y9 to Y0 are tablet data of the first point, X9 'to X0' of the 5th to 7th bytes,
Y9 'to Y0' are the second point tablet data. After that, data for n points continues. The first byte is to add this point number to the tablet data and send it.

On the other hand, when there is no tablet data in the RAM 32, the number of points is set to 0 and the data is sent to the control unit 11.

The tablet data sent back is 256.
If there are more points, set the number of points to 255 and
Only send back 5 points of data. The data after 256 points is sent in response to the next request command.

(4) Operation of the control unit 11 (system cursor movement processing by pressing information from a specific tablet) After issuing a request command, the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) 71 waits for a response from the tablet, If the number of points is 1 or more,
Subsequent data is processed as tablet data.

After processing the tablet data for the number of points, the next request command is issued.

When the number of points of the response is 0, the next request command is issued.

As a result, the attendee holding the tablet 40 can freely move the system cursor on the display 12 of the chairperson's apparatus 1 by operating the tablet 40.

As described above, in the multi-pointing device device according to the third embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the tablets 40 and 50 have IDs unique to the respective display devices.
A nonvolatile memory 42 for storing numbers, a RAM 32 for temporarily storing tablet data, and a point number for returning the tablet data stored in the RAM 32 in response to a request command from the control unit 11 are added to the control unit 11. A pointing device control AP (application AP2) 62 that has a function of sending out, and the control unit 11 of the chairperson apparatus 1 has a function of notifying the cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) 71 of a tablet whose input is permitted; A cursor management driver (cursor management driver 3) having a function of requesting the sending of tablet data to a tablet for which input is permitted
Since 71 is provided, it is possible to individually control whether or not the tablet can be input, as in the first embodiment, and even if different people operate the tablets 40 and 50 at the same time, the system cursor is argued. Without doing so, it is possible to prevent the problem that the system cursor cannot be used and obtain good operability.

Particularly, in the third embodiment, since the tablet returns data in response to a request command from the chairperson device 1, the amount of data on the communication line can be reduced, and therefore the system is applied to a system in which the transfer speed of the communication line is slow. Is suitable.

Note that the apparatus according to each of the above-described embodiments is an example in which the multi-pointing device system is applied to an electronic conference system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any apparatus to which a plurality of pointing devices are connected can be used. It goes without saying that such a system may be used. In this case, any system may be used as long as it is connected with a plurality of pointing devices, and the main controller does not necessarily have to be fixed. That is, an apparatus including a plurality of terminals or pointing devices may be connected, and the apparatus that has obtained the control right may be the main control apparatus at that time. Although the terminals are connected via the communication line 4, any communication line or wireless communication may be used.

Needless to say, a plurality of configurations of the above-described embodiments may be combined, and similar effects can be obtained.

Further, the ID number is set to, for example, 1 byte.
If it is set to up to 255 tablets can be connected, if the ID number is set to 2 bytes or more, more tablet data can be sent back at one time.

Further, in the configuration of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a resistance film type tablet is used as the pointing device, but any pointing device is applicable, for example, a mouse, a trackball, an electromagnetic induction type tablet. The same effect can be obtained by using another pointing device such as a capacitance type tablet.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the input availability information of the tablet is displayed by using the input availability display LED 41, but instead of the LED, it is displayed as the input availability information on the displays 21 and 22. It is also possible to obtain the same effect.

[0145]

In the multipointing device apparatus according to the present invention, each terminal connected to the main control unit is provided with an identification code for identifying itself, and the main control unit identifies each terminal with an identification code. It is configured to allow or prohibit the control of the movement of the cursor by the command marked with, so that even if different people operate the pointing devices at the same time, the system cursor does not argue and good operability is obtained. be able to.

Further, in the multi-pointing device device according to the present invention, each terminal is provided with an identification code for identifying itself, and the terminal attaches the identification code to the data generated by the pointing operation and sends it to the main controller. Since the main controller reads out the identification code and processes only the data from the terminal that permits the input, even if different people operate the pointing devices at the same time, the system cursor is not argued. The main control unit can perform input permission / prohibition processing of the terminal without sending / receiving data for input permission / prohibition, and process with fast response. It can be performed.

Further, in the multi-pointing device apparatus according to the present invention, the terminal is provided with the data storing means for storing the data generated by the pointing operation with a predetermined data amount as one point, and each terminal has an identification code for identifying itself. The terminal stores the data generated by the pointing operation in the data storage means, receives the command from the main control device, and the identification code attached to the received command is its own identification code. When it matches with, the data stored in the data storage means is added to the number of points and sent to the main control device, and the main control device is configured to process only the data from the terminal which permits the input. Therefore, even if different people operate the pointing devices at the same time, the system cursor does not contend with each other. Do can be obtained operability further terminal can reduce the data amount of the communication line to become the return data by the command of the main control unit, the transfer speed of the communication line is suitable for slower systems.

In the multipointing device according to the present invention, the terminal stores its own identification code, receives a command from the main control unit, and stores the identification code attached to the received command. In comparison with the identification code described above, when the two coincide, the means for enabling or disabling the signal for moving the cursor according to the content of the command is provided, so that each pointing device can be surely secured. A pointing device user who is designated and permitted to operate can reliably use the system cursor, and the operability can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tablet of a multi-pointing device device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a hardware connection of a mouse and a tablet of the multi-pointing device device and a software configuration for controlling them.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing commands for a tablet of the multi-pointing device device.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a hardware connection of a mouse and a tablet of a multi-pointing device according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied, and a software configuration for controlling them.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of tablet data of the multi-pointing device device.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a hardware connection of a mouse and a tablet of a multi-pointing device device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and a software configuration for controlling them.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing commands for a tablet of the multi-pointing device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of tablet data of the multi-pointing device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional electronic conference system.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a connection of a conventional multipointing device device and a configuration of software for controlling them.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of mouse data of a conventional multipointing device device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tablet of a conventional multipointing device device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of tablet data of a conventional multipointing device device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining how to handle a system cursor of a conventional multipointing device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining how to handle a system cursor of a conventional multipointing device device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chairperson device (main control device) 2, 3 Display device (terminal) 11 Control part 12, 21, 22 Display 13 Keyboard 14 Mouse (pointing device) 30 Microcomputer 32 RAM (data storage means) 41 Input availability display LED 42 Nonvolatile Memory 40,50 Tablet (pointing device) 51,62,72 Pointing device control AP 61,71 Cursor management driver

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A multi-function apparatus comprising: a display device; a main control device for controlling display of the display device; and a plurality of terminals connected to the main control device and capable of controlling pointing on the display device. In the pointing device unit, each of the terminals is provided with an identification code for identifying itself, and the main control unit allows each of the terminals to control the movement of the cursor by a command having the identification code. Alternatively, a multi-pointing device device characterized by being prohibited. 2. A multi-device comprising a display device, a main control device for controlling display of the display device, and a plurality of terminals connected to the main control device and capable of controlling pointing on the display device. In the pointing device unit, each of the terminals is provided with an identification code for identifying itself, and the terminal attaches the identification code to the data generated by the pointing operation and sends the data to the main control unit. The multi-pointing device device is characterized in that the device reads the identification code and processes only data from a terminal which permits input. 3. A multi-display comprising: a display device; a main control device for controlling display of the display device; and a plurality of terminals connected to the main control device and capable of controlling pointing on the display device. In the pointing device apparatus, the terminal includes data storage means for storing data generated by a pointing operation with a predetermined data amount as one point, and each terminal is provided with an identification code for identifying itself. Stores the data generated by the pointing operation in the data storage means, receives a command from the main control device, and when the identification code attached to the received command matches the identification code of itself, The data stored in the data storage means is added to the number of points and sent to the main controller, Controller, multi-pointing device and wherein the processing only data from the terminal to allow an input. 4. Each of the terminals stores its own identification code, receives a command from the main control device, and stores the identification code attached to the received command in the storage means. 4. When the ID code is compared with the identification code, the means for enabling or disabling the transmission of the signal for moving the cursor according to the content of the command is provided. The multi-pointing device device according to any one of 1. 5. The terminal receives a command from the main control device, and when the identification code attached to the received command matches its own identification code, the terminal outputs data for a predetermined number of points. The data is sent to the main control device, the main control device processes data for a predetermined number of points sent from the terminal, and when there is more data than the number of points,
4. The multipointing device device according to claim 3, wherein the following command is issued to the terminal. 6. The main controller reads the identification code, processes only data from a terminal which permits input, and discards data from a terminal which does not permit input. Item 2 or 3
The multi-pointing device device according to any one of 1.