JPS61120566A - Graphic information transmitting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the installation cost at introduction and to attain ease of expansion by adopting minimum unit constitution at the introduction of the titled transmitter and the constitution that the graphic information input device is expanded without any change in the constitution of a subscriber's equipment as required after the introduction. CONSTITUTION:In expanding the graphic information input device, a connector 5 is connected to the existing subscriber's equipment 2, each graphic information device is connected to the connector, the graphic information input devices 1A-1C are connected selectively to the subscriber's equipment 2 under the control of a main control section 56 of the connector 5, a lamp lighting signal is outputted to the devices 1A-1C in place of the subscriber's equipment 2 to display the input mode. While one set of the graphic information input device is in the input operation, a lamp extinguish signal is outputted to the other graphic information input device to display the input disable state. Then the devices 1A-1C input surely graphic information without causing congestion of inputs. Then only one set of the graphic information input device is connected when viewed from the subscriber's equipment 2, and when graphic information input devices are extended to expand the system, the expansion is attained easily and inexpensively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an improvement in a graphical information transmission device that inputs and transmits graphical information using a graphical information input device such as an electronic blackboard.

[Technical Background of the Invention] In recent years, graphical information input devices such as electronic blackboards that convert the writing trajectory of figures, characters, etc. written on an input panel into coordinate information have been used. A device has been proposed that transmits graphic information to a remote location via a communication line such as a telephone line and displays it on a graphic display device.

FIG. 5 shows an example of its configuration, including an input panel 11, a coordinate conversion section 12, an input mode designation switch section 13 for specifying the input form of graphic information, and a lamp display section 14 for displaying specified input mode information. a control circuit 21 that creates graphic information based on the coordinate information and input mode information output from the graphic information input device 1; and a control circuit 21 that creates graphic information based on the coordinate information and input mode information output from the graphic information input device 1; modem 22 and display memory 2
3, and a graphic display device 3 that displays graphic information output from the display memory 23. The input mode designation switch section 13 of the graphic information input device 1 allows you to specify switching between the solid information input mode and the erase mode, specify the line width or erasure width of the input graphic information, specify the color of the graphic information, etc. It will be done.

In such a configuration, the input mode designation switch section 13
For example, if you specify the graphic information input mode and write on the input panel 11 in this state, this written information will be transferred to the coordinate conversion section 1.
2, it is converted into coordinate information and sent to the home device 2 together with information indicating that writing has started (pen-on signal).

Then, the control circuit 21 of the home device 2 determines that the coordinate information output from the coordinate detection section 12 is graphic information because the graphic information input mode is currently designated by the input mode designation switch section 13. This information is sent from the modem 22 to the communication device 114, and is also output to the graphic display device 3 via the display memory '23 for display on the monitor. Also, at this time, the control circuit 21 sends a lamp lighting signal to the graphic input bag @1 in order to display the input mode information output from the graphic information input device 1 on the graphic information input bag @1.
The data is sent back to the TFI input device M1 and the corresponding lamp on the lamp display section is turned on. Incidentally, if the line width, etc. are specified at the same time by the input mode specifying switch section 13, lamps corresponding to these specified items are also lit in the same way.

On the other hand, when erasing the inputted graphic information, the user specifies the erasure mode with the input mode designation switch section 13, and in this state operates the blackboard eraser to erase the desired handwritten graphic on the input board 11. Then, the erasure locus at this time is the coordinate detection unit 12.
It is converted into coordinate information and sent to the home device 2. As a result, the home device 2 uses the control circuit 21 to set an erasure range from the coordinate information, sends this erasure information from the modem 22, and stores the display memory 23 in the display memory 23. The graphic information displayed on the graphic display device 3 is partially erased.

Therefore, if such a device is used, graphic information can be transmitted between remote locations in real time, and it can be used for remote conferences and the like.

[Problems with background technology]

By the way, in recent years, as a development of this type of device, a plurality of graphical information input devices 1 such as an electronic blackboard or a small drawing tablet are connected to the home device 2 at the same time, and these input devices are used in appropriate combinations. A system for conducting remote conferences is being considered.

However, when configuring such a system, the in-home device 2 itself must be configured to be able to connect multiple input devices, but in this case, the configuration of the in-home interior H2 becomes complicated, large, and expensive. Therefore, the following problems may occur when installing the system. In other words, when configuring this type of system, it is generally a simple configuration that allows the use of only one input device at the time of installation, and then the system is expanded by adding input devices as necessary after installation. There are many things. In such a case, if you configure the home device itself to support multiple input devices in advance as described above,
If only one input device is used, the functions will be excessive and the burden on the user will be heavy, which will be a major bottleneck in introducing the device. On the other hand, when introducing an in-house device for one input device, what happens when an additional device is installed? ! It may be possible to replace the in-house equipment with one that can handle several units, but doing so would mean replacing the in-house equipment itself, which could lead to problems such as a major disaster during the construction work associated with changing the equipment, making it difficult to carry out expansion work. could not be done easily.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has a minimum unit configuration at the time of introduction, and after introduction, the graphic information input device can be expanded as necessary without changing the configuration of the in-house device, thereby reducing equipment costs at the time of introduction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a graphic information transmission device that can be easily expanded.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention installs a connection device between a home device and a graphic information input device, stores input mode information outputted from the input device in the connection device once, and then stores the input mode information outputted from the input device in the home device. means for determining the input device that outputs the input mode information and transmitting and displaying the display information of the input mode to the input device in place of the in-home device, and starting the input operation from the input device. When the information indicating the input operation arrives, the input device that outputs this information is determined, and this input device is selectively connected to the in-home device to transmit the coordinate information, and at least after the information to start the input operation arrives. The apparatus is provided with means for displaying on other input devices that input is not possible until information indicating that the input operation has been completed arrives.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a graphical information transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This transmitting device connects a connecting device 5 to a home device 2, and connects three graphical information input devices to this connecting device 5. 11A, 1B, and IC are connected to each other. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted. In addition, each graphic information input device MlA, 18. The configuration of the IC is the same as that of the input device shown in FIG. 5 above.

FIG. 2 shows the connection device I! This device selectively inputs the coordinate information sent from each graphic information input device 1A and the 18° 10 coordinate detection unit into the interior of the house! 2, a pen-on-off input section 52 that inputs an input start signal (pen-on signal) and an input end signal (pen-off signal) generated from each coordinate detection section, respectively, and a graphic information input device IA. ,IB,
a mode input section 53 that receives input mode designation signals output from the input mode designation switch section of the IC;
Each graphic information input device 1A, 18. A lamp control signal output section 54 that sends a lamp on signal and a lamp off signal corresponding to the specified input mode to the lamp display section of the IC.
, an input/output interface circuit 55ζ for sending and receiving control signals to and from the home device 2, and a main control section 56.

This main control section 56 is equipped with a microprocessor as a control circuit, and each graphic information input device 1A, IB, I
Various controls are performed for selectively connecting C to the in-home device 2.

In such a configuration, the main control unit 56 of the connection device 5
In step 3a shown in FIG. 3 in the input standby state, the arrival of mode designation information from the input mode designation switch section of each graphic information input device IA, 18.10 is monitored. In this state, for example, when a graphic information input mode is designated with the graphic information input device 1A, the input mode information A3 is introduced into the main control unit 56 via the mode input unit 53 of the connection device 5 and detected there. Upon detecting the arrival of this mode information A3, the monarchy W unit 56 first determines in step 3b whether or not the mode information is normal information, and if it is normal, in step 3C it determines whether the mode information is output from which input device. Determine whether Then, in step 3d, it is determined whether there is mode information that has arrived at the same time from another input device, and if not, the process moves to step 3e, where the display is displayed for the input device determined in step 3C above, in this case 1A. A lamp lighting signal %A4 is output to light a lamp indicating that it is the graphic input mode. Also, after this lighting control is completed, the main control unit 5
6 stores the mode information A3 in the internal memory in step 3f, and then returns to monitoring the arrival of the mode information (step 3a), followed by step 4a in FIG. 4(a).
The arrival of a Ben-on signal indicating the start of writing is monitored. In addition, if it is determined that there is simultaneous input in step 3d above,
In step 3g, lamp lighting control is executed for each input device in turn according to a preset priority order.

Now, in this state, the operator uses the graphic information input device tlA.
When a character is written on the input panel, the coordinate detection section first outputs a Ben-on signal A2, and this signal A2 is sent to the main control section 56.
is detected in step 4a. This Benon signal A
2, the main control unit 56 determines whether the Ben-on signal is a normal signal in step 4b, and if it is normal, determines from which input device the signal was output in step 4C. . Then, in step 4d, it is determined whether or not there are simultaneous inputs, and if not, the process moves to step 4e. If there are simultaneous inputs, the input devices are selected in accordance with a preset priority order in step 4h, and the process proceeds to step 4e.

Then, when the process moves to step 4e, the main control unit 56 first sends out a display lamp extinguishing signal to the other graphic information input devices (here, IB, IC'), thereby causing the graphic information input device IB.

Turn off the 1C indicator lamp to notify that input is not possible. Then, in step 4f, the analog switch corresponding to the input device 1A that outputs the above-mentioned Ben-on signal A2 is turned on, and then, in step 4g, the input mode information A3 stored in the internal memory in step 3f is read out. , this information is sent to the home device 2 as D3 via the input/output interface circuit 55. In response, the home device 2 returns the lamp lighting signal D4, so the main control unit 56 returns the lamp lighting signal D4 in step 41.
4 is returned, and if it is returned, a ben-on signal D2 is output to the home device 2 in step 4j. and step 4
It monitors the arrival of a pen-off signal, that is, a signal indicating that the input pen has been removed from the input panel. Incidentally, upon receiving the above-mentioned Ben-on signal, the home device 2 switches the connection device 5 from that point on.
Inputs the coordinate information A1 sent from the graphic information input device 1A through the analog switch, creates graphic information from this coordinate information A1, and sends it to the communication line 4.
It is displayed on the graphic display device 3.

゛ Now, when detecting the arrival of the pen-off signal in step 4, the main control unit 56 sends the pen-off signal to the interior W2 in step 42, and then initializes the built-in timer in step 4m and starts driving. do. Then, while monitoring the time-out of this timer in step 4p, the arrival of the Ben-ON signal A2 and the arrival of the input mode information A3 are monitored in steps 4n and 4o, respectively.

If the Ben-on signal A2 or the input mode information A3 does not arrive before the timer times out,
After determining that the written input has been completed, the analog switch is turned off in step 4q, and then, in step 4r, control is performed to initialize the operation of the home device 2.
In step 4S, the lamp turn-on signal B4. C4 is output and the input mode indicator lamp is turned on again, allowing input. On the other hand, when the Ben-on signal A2 or the input mode information A3 arrives again before the timer expires, it is determined that one character is still being written, and the input mode information arrival monitoring (step Return to step 3a) and repeat the above control.

Incidentally, if the lamp lighting signal D4 is not returned from the home device 2 in step 41, the main II control unit 3) 6 determines that the information has not been transmitted to the home device reliably or that the home device 2 is not ready to accept it. Judging that, step 4t
After that, in step 4u, a pen-off signal is sent to the home device 2, and after this process is completed, in step 4v, the analog switch is turned off (step 4v) upon arrival of the pen-off signal from the graphic information input device. 4Q
).

In addition, in the above explanation, the operation when the graphic input mode is specified on the graphic information input device 1A has been explained, but when inputting a graphic in the same way with other graphic information input devices 1B and IC, and when inputting a graphic Even when erasing rather than inputting, the same procedure is used.

In this embodiment, when adding graphic information input devices, the connection device 5 is connected to the existing in-home device 2, each graphic information input device is connected to this connection device, and the connection device 5 is connected to the connection device 5. Each graphic information input device 1A is controlled by the main control unit 56.
, 1B, IC is selectively connected to the in-home device 2, and each graphic information input device ffIA, 1 is connected in place of the in-home bag [2].
B. Outputs a lamp lighting signal to the IC to display the input mode, and when one graphic information input device is inputting, outputs a lamp off signal to other graphic information input devices to indicate that input is not possible. Therefore, each graphic information input device I
A, 1B, and IC can reliably input graphic information without causing input complication with each other, and from the perspective of the home device 2, only one graphic information input device is always connected. , it is possible to reliably process coordinate information, etc., as in the case where the graphic information input device is directly connected without using the connection 5A125. Therefore, at the time of introduction, a home device for 11 input devices can be installed without having to prepare a home device to which a large number of input devices can be connected, so that equipment costs can be reduced without excessive functionality. In addition, when expanding the system by adding graphical information input devices, □ It is possible to expand the system as needed without changing or replacing the configuration of the in-house devices, making expansion extremely easy and inexpensive. can.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the coordinate information is sent from the input device to the home device in the form of an analog signal, and each signal such as input mode information and lamp lighting signal is explained as a direct on/off signal, but these signals may be handled by encoding them respectively. In addition, the connecting device may be configured to have four or more channels in addition to three channels, and the control contents, control procedures, circuit configuration, etc. of the connecting device may be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. can.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, the present invention provides a connection device between an in-home device and a graphic information input device, and a connection device that includes:
The input mode information outputted from the input device is temporarily stored and then notified to the home device, and the input device that outputs the input mode information is determined and the display information of the input mode is sent to this input device on behalf of the home device. When information indicating that an input operation has started is received from an input device, the input device that outputs this information is determined, and this input device is selectively connected to an in-home device to display the coordinate information. At the same time, it displays on other input devices that input is not possible during at least the period from when the input operation start information arrives until the input unit receives information indicating that the input operation has ended. The means are provided.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the minimum unit is configured at the time of introduction,
The graphic information input device can be expanded as needed after installation without changing the configuration of the in-house equipment, thereby reducing equipment costs at the time of installation and facilitating expansion. equipment can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 (a) and (b) are for explaining a graphic information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the main part of the connection device, and Figures 3 and 4 (a) and (b) are shown in Figure 2. A flowchart showing the operating procedure of the connection device, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional graphic information transmission device. 1, IA, 1B, IC...Graphic information input device (input device), 2...Home device, 3...Graphic display device, 4.
...Communication line, 5...Connection device, 11...Input panel,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12... Coordinate detection part, 13... Mode designation switch part, 14... Lamp display part, 21... Control circuit, 2
2...Modem, 23...Display memory, 51...
Analog switch section, 52... pen on/off input section,
53... Mode input section, 54... Lamp control signal output section, 55... Input/output interface circuit, 56...
・Main control unit. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 1 - Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An input board for writing graphic information, a coordinate detection unit that converts the writing trajectory of the graphic information written on the input board into coordinate information and sends it, an input mode designation unit that specifies the input form of the graphic information, and an input device having a display section that displays the input mode specified by the input mode specification section; and an input device that converts the coordinate information sent from the coordinate detection section into input information according to the input mode specified by the input device. In a graphical information transmission device comprising a means for transmitting this input information to a communication line and an in-home device having means for transmitting input mode information indicating the input mode to the input device and displaying it on a display section, the input device and A connecting device for connecting a plurality of input devices to the home device is provided between the device, and this connecting device stores the input mode information when input mode information arrives from the input device, and connects the home device to the home device. and a mode input control means that determines the input device that outputs the input mode information and causes the input device to send and display the display information of the input mode information in place of the in-home device, and starts inputting the graphic information. When information indicating that the information has been input is received from an input device, the input device that outputs this information is determined, and this input device is connected to the in-home device to transmit coordinate information, and at least the information indicating the start of input is received. A graphic information transmitting device comprising: a graphic input control means for displaying on another input device that input is not possible during a period from 1 to 2 until information indicating that input of graphic information has ended is received. (2) The graphic input control means continues to display an input-disabled display on other input devices for a predetermined period from the time when information indicating that graphic input has ended has arrived from the input device. ) The graphical information transmission device described in item 2.