JPH114179A - Transmitting and receiving device and its method, and transmission medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user having no technical knowledge to easily connect a personal computer to a prescribed peripheral device with no complicated operation and also to enable a user having the technical knowledge to connect the personal computer to an optional peripheral device. SOLUTION: It's decided whether a switch is set in a fixed or designated connection mode (S41). If the fixed connection mode is selected, the connecting destination that is selected by another switch is read and decided (S42). If the designated connection mode is selected, the number showing the connecting destination added to a mode command is detected and the connecting destination is decided (S44).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission / reception device and method, and a transmission medium, and more particularly, to a type of connection between a personal computer and its peripheral device, by switching between a fixed connection and a designated connection to easily set up a connection. And a transmission / reception device and method, and a transmission medium, which are compatible with two types of free connection satisfying advanced requirements.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, peripheral devices such as high-speed modems, terminal adapters, and printers have become widespread in the field of information communication in addition to personal computers. Along with this, networking of personal computers and their peripheral devices as one system has been promoted for the purpose of transferring data and sharing peripheral devices.

[0003]

However, connecting a personal computer to an arbitrary peripheral device requires specialized knowledge and complicated settings, and a user who does not have specialized knowledge must make connection. There were challenges that were difficult.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the connection destination is fixed, but in such a case, there is a problem that it is difficult to connect to an arbitrary connection destination.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables a user who does not have specialized knowledge to easily connect a personal computer to a predetermined peripheral device without performing complicated settings. In addition, a user having specialized knowledge can connect to an arbitrary connection destination.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting / receiving apparatus which connects an information processing apparatus and peripheral devices of the information processing apparatus to form a network, and realizes mutual communication. Switching means for switching between a fixed connection to connect to a set connection destination, designated connection to connect to an arbitrary connection destination, selection means for selecting a connection destination for fixed connection, and switching means for switching to fixed connection At this time, the connection destination is determined in accordance with the selection of the selection means, and when the switching means is switched to the designated connection, the designation means for designating the connection destination is designated by a signal from the information processing device, Connection means for connecting to the connected destination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission / reception method for connecting an information processing apparatus and peripheral devices of the information processing apparatus to form a network and realizing mutual communication. A fixed connection to
A switching step of switching a designated connection to be connected to an arbitrary destination, and a selecting step of selecting a fixed connection destination,
When the switching step is switched to the fixed connection, the connection destination is determined according to the selection of the selection step, and when the switching step is switched to the designated connection, the connection destination is designated by a signal from the information processing device. And a connection step of connecting to a connection destination specified by the specification step.

[0008] A transmission medium according to a seventh aspect is a transmission medium for transmitting a computer program for forming a network by connecting an information processing device and peripheral devices of the information processing device and realizing mutual communication. Switching step to switch between a fixed connection to be connected to a connected destination and a designated connection to connect to an arbitrary connection destination; selecting step to select a connection destination of a fixed connection; and when the switching step is switched to fixed connection The connection destination is determined in accordance with the selection of the selection step, and when the switching step is switched to the designated connection, the designation step of designating the connection destination is performed by a signal from the information processing device, and the designation step is performed by the designation step. Connecting to a connection destination.

[0009] In the transmitting and receiving apparatus according to the first aspect,
The switching means switches between a fixed connection connected to a preset connection destination and a designated connection connected to an arbitrary connection destination,
The selecting means selects a connection destination of the fixed connection, and the specifying means,
When the switching means is switched to the fixed connection, the connection destination is determined in accordance with the selection of the selection means, and when the switching means is switched to the designated connection, the connection destination is designated by a signal from the information processing device. Then, the connecting means connects to the connection destination specified by the specifying means.

[0010] In the transmission / reception method according to the sixth aspect and the transmission medium according to the seventh aspect, the switching step includes a fixed connection for connecting to a preset connection destination and a designated connection for connecting to an arbitrary connection destination. Switch the selection step,
When the connection destination of the fixed connection is selected and the designated step is switched to the fixed connection when the switching step is switched to the fixed connection, the connection destination is determined according to the selection of the selected step and the switching step is switched to the designated connection The connection destination is specified by a signal from the information processing device, and the connection step connects to the connection destination specified by the specification step.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows.

That is, the transmitting and receiving apparatus according to the first aspect includes a fixed connection for connecting to a preset connection destination;
Switching means (for example, switch 21 in FIG. 2) for switching a designated connection to be connected to an arbitrary connection destination, and selection means (for example, switch 22 in FIG. 2) for selecting a fixed connection connection destination
When the connection is switched to the fixed connection, the connection destination is determined according to the selection of the selection unit, and when the switching unit is switched to the designated connection, the connection destination is designated by a signal from the information processing device. It is characterized by comprising a designating means (for example, step S43 in FIG. 3) and a connecting means (for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 27 in FIG. 2) for connecting to the connection destination designated by the designating means.

However, of course, this description does not mean that the means are limited to those described.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system to which the present invention is applied. In this specification, the term “system” refers to an entire device or a portion including a plurality of devices or portions. In this system, multiple local area networks (hereinafter, LA)
N) 1-1 to 1-3 (hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish LANs 1-1 to 1-3, simply describe as LAN1) are connected to a network 2 represented by the Internet. I have. LAN1-1 has four personal computers (PCs) (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) 11
-1 to 11-4 (hereinafter, personal computers 11-1 to 11-
If it is not necessary to distinguish 4 individually, the personal computer 11
), And two Modems (representing a modem or a terminal adapter) 12-1 and Modem 12-2 (hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish Modem 12-1 and Modem 12-2, they are simply described as Modem 12. )have. LAN units 13-1 to 13-4 are connected to personal computer 1
The LAN units 13-5 and 13-6 are connected to Modems 12-1 and 12-2, respectively. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the LAN units 13-1 to 13-6 individually, the
Described as a unit 13.

Next, the operation of this system will be described. For example, when the personal computer 11-1 accesses another personal computer (not shown) connected to the LAN 1-2 via a network, the user accesses the modem 12-
1 and 12-2. PC 11-
1 is connected to the Modem 12-1, the user controls the personal computer 11-1 and changes the LAN unit 13-1 connected to the PC 11-1 to the LAN unit 13-5 connected to the Modem 12-1. The connection start signal is transmitted wirelessly. The LAN unit 13-5 confirms that the modem 12-1 is not connected to another personal computer 11-2 to 11-4, and establishes a connection with the LAN unit 13-1.

On the other hand, LAN connected to Modem 12-2
The LAN units 13-2 to 13-4 connected to the unit 13-6 and the personal computers 11-2 to 11-4
Even if a signal transmitted from the unit 13-1 to the LAN unit 13-5 is received, it does not respond to this signal because the signal is intended for the LAN unit 13-5. LA
When an access destination signal is transmitted from the personal computer 11-1 via the LAN unit 13-1, the N unit 13-5 outputs this to the modem 12-1. Modem 12-1
Performs connection processing for the access destination designated in response to this signal. This allows network 2 and LAN 1
-2, a communication path with another personal computer is formed.

Next, the configuration of the LAN unit 13-1 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The other LAN unit 13-2
13 to 13-6 have the same configuration as the LAN unit 13-1, and the description thereof is omitted.

The LAN unit 13-1 includes a switch 21 for switching between a fixed connection and a designated connection, and a switch 22 for specifying one of the Modem 12-1 and the Modem 12-2 as a connection destination at the time of the fixed connection by a number representing each of them. Have. When a connection is made by a fixed connection, the user only operates the switches 21 and 22 and does not require complicated settings. When connecting with the designated connection, the user
Modem 12-1 and Modem 12-2 at the beginning of dial information (telephone number) of the access destination included in the command for
Among them, a number indicating the connecting side is added. For example, Mo
When accessing the telephone number “123-4567” via the dem12-2, the numeral “02” representing the latter of the modems 12-1 and 12-2 is set to the dial information “123-45”.
67 ”at the beginning and“ 02-123-4567 ”
The command is input to the personal computer 11-1 as a command for Modem 12.

The CPU 23 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 24. RAM 25 contains C
Data and programs required when the PU 23 executes various processes are stored. The connection with the personal computer 11-1 is performed by the interface unit 29 via the connector 30.
The interface unit 29 performs an interface process for data transfer between the personal computer 11-1 and the baseband unit 26. The baseband unit 26 adds an error correction code to the data from the interface unit 29 and
7, and performs error correction processing on the data input from the transmission / reception unit 27, and outputs the result to the interface unit 29. The transmission / reception unit 27 modulates data input from the baseband unit 26, and
And demodulates the signal received via the antenna 28 and outputs it to the baseband unit 26.

Next, the operation of the fixed connection and the designated connection of the LAN unit 13-1 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the operation when the personal computer 11-1 is connected to the modem 12-1 by a fixed connection will be described. In this case, the user is connected to the personal computer 11-1.
The switch 21 of the LAN unit 13-1 is switched to the fixed connection, and the switch 22 is switched over the number representing the modem 12-1. Further, after the user inputs the telephone number of the access destination (for example, 987-6543),
When access start is commanded, the personal computer 11-1 sends LA
A connection start signal is output to the N unit 13-1, and the signal is sent to the CPU 23 via the connector 30 and the interface unit 29. In step S41, the CPU 2
When the switch 3 reads the switching state of the switch 21, the process proceeds to step S42 because the fixed connection has been selected. In step S42, the CPU 23
The number indicating Modem 12-1 specified by 2 is read, and Modem 12-1 is determined as the connection destination.

In step S43, the CPU 23 detects the telephone number of the access destination (987-6543 in this case) from the output of the baseband unit 26, and at the beginning,
The number of Modem 12-1 specified by switch 22 "
01 "is added to the new access destination telephone number (in this case, 01-987-6543).
Modulates the data output from the baseband unit 26 and outputs the modulated data via the antenna 28.

The transmitting section 27 of the LAN unit 13-5 receives this signal via the antenna 28 and demodulates it. The baseband unit 26 detects the telephone number of the access destination from the error-corrected data. The CPU 23 determines whether or not the first two digits of the detected telephone number match the number assigned to itself. In this case, since the two numbers match, the CPU 23 determines that the signal is addressed to itself, and in the baseband unit 26, deletes the first two digits of the telephone number of the access destination (the current number). If
987-6543) is output as the telephone number of the new access destination.

The interface unit 29 converts this signal into a Mode
Output to m12-1. The Modem 12-1 executes a process of accessing the input access destination (in this case, 987-6543).

Thereafter, the data transmitted from the personal computer 11-1 is supplied to the modem 12-1 via the LAN unit 13-1 and the LAN unit 13-5, and the data transmitted from the personal computer 11-1 to the modem 11-1.
Communication is performed as if the odem 12-1 were directly connected. The same processing is performed in the LAN unit 13-6. However, since the number specified at the head of the telephone number of the access destination does not match the number assigned to itself, the CPU 23 executes the connection processing. Do not execute.

Next, the personal computer 11-1 connects the Mo
The operation when connecting to the dem12-2 will be described. In this case, the user operates the LAN connected to the personal computer 11-1.
By switching the switch 21 of the unit 13-1, the designated connection is selected. Then, when the user designates the telephone number of the access destination (for example, 234-5678), the telephone number with the number “02” representing the Modem 12-2 added to the head thereof (in this case, 02-234-5678) Enter Then, when the user commands access to start,
A connection start signal is output from the personal computer 11-1 to the LAN unit 13-1, and the signal is sent to the CPU 23 via the connector 30 and the interface unit 29. In step S41, when the CPU 23 reads the switching state of the switch 21, the process proceeds to step S44 because the designated connection has been selected. In step S44,
The CPU 23 detects the number “02” representing the connection destination from the output of the baseband unit 26, and determines the modem 12-2 as the connection destination. In step S45, the transmitting / receiving unit 27
The data output from the baseband unit 26 is modulated and output via the antenna 28.

The transmission / reception unit 27 of the LAN unit 13-6 includes:
This signal is received via the antenna 28 and demodulated. The baseband unit 26 detects the telephone number of the access destination from the error-corrected data. The CPU 23 determines whether or not the first two digits of the detected telephone number match the number assigned to itself. In this case, since the two numbers match, the CPU 23 determines that the signal is addressed to itself, and in the baseband unit 26, deletes the first two digits of the access destination telephone number (the current number). If
234-5678) as a new access destination telephone number.

The interface unit 29 converts this signal into a Mode
Output to m12-2. The Modem 12-2 executes a process of accessing the input access destination (234-5678 in this case).

Thereafter, the data transmitted from the personal computer 11-1 is supplied to the modem 12-2 via the LAN unit 13-1 and the LAN unit 13-6, and the personal computer 11-1 and the M
Communication is performed as if the odem 12-2 were directly connected.

The same processing is performed in the LAN unit 13-5. However, since the number specified at the head of the telephone number of the access destination does not match the number assigned to itself, the CPU 23 , Do not execute the connection process.

The programs for performing the above processes are FD, CD-RO
It can be transmitted to the user via a network transmission medium such as the Internet or a digital satellite in addition to a transmission medium including an information recording medium such as M.

[0032]

As described above, according to the transmitting and receiving apparatus of claim 1, the transmitting and receiving method of claim 6, and the transmission medium of claim 7, the information processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus When connecting peripheral devices to form a network and realize mutual communication, the system switches between a fixed connection that connects to a preset connection destination and a designated connection that connects to an arbitrary connection destination. A user without specialized knowledge can easily connect a personal computer to a predetermined peripheral device without performing complicated settings, and a user with specialized knowledge can also connect to an arbitrary connection destination. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a connection destination determining process of the LAN unit in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 local area network, 2 networks, 11 personal computer, 12 Mode
m, 13 LAN units, 21 switches (switching means), 22 switches (selection means), 23 CPUs,
24 ROM, 25 RAM, 26 baseband section,
27 transmitting and receiving unit (connection means), 28 antenna, 2
9 Interface section, 30 connectors

Claims (7)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus and a peripheral device of said information processing apparatus are connected to each other to form a network and realize a mutual communication. In a transmitting / receiving apparatus, a fixed connection for connecting to a predetermined connection destination; Switching means for switching a designated connection to be connected to a connection destination; selecting means for selecting a connection destination of the fixed connection; and when the switching means is switched to the fixed connection, corresponding to the selection of the selection means. When a connection destination is determined and the switching unit is switched to the designated connection,
A transmission / reception apparatus comprising: a designation unit that designates a connection destination by a signal from the information processing device; and a connection unit that connects to the connection destination designated by the designation unit. 2. The transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is a switch. 3. The transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a connection destination by selecting a number indicating the connection destination by a switch. 4. The transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit performs a connection operation wirelessly using radio waves. 5. The transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation unit adds information indicating a connection destination to an access destination accessed by the information processing apparatus. 6. A transmission / reception method for connecting an information processing device and peripheral devices of the information processing device to form a network and realizing mutual communication, comprising: a fixed connection for connecting to a preset connection destination; A switching step of switching a designated connection to be connected to a connection destination; a selection step of selecting a connection destination of the fixed connection; and, when the switching step is switched to the fixed connection, corresponding to the selection of the selection step. A connection destination is determined, and when the switching step is switched to the specified connection, a designation step of designating a connection destination by a signal from the information processing device; and a connection to the connection destination designated by the designation step And a connection step. 7. A network is formed by connecting an information processing apparatus and peripheral devices of the information processing apparatus, and is connected to a preset connection destination on a transmission medium for transmitting a computer program for realizing mutual communication. A fixed connection, a switching step of switching a designated connection to be connected to an arbitrary connection destination, a selection step of selecting a connection destination of the fixed connection, and, when the switching step is switched to the fixed connection, the selection step A connection destination is determined in response to the selection, and when the switching step is switched to the specified connection, a designation step of designating a connection destination by a signal from the information processing device; A transmission medium for transmitting a computer program comprising a connection step of connecting to a connection destination.