JPH0431218B2 - - Google Patents

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, graphic information input devices such as electronic blackboards that convert the writing trajectory of figures and characters written on an input panel into coordinate information have been used, and the graphic information input by this device is transmitted over telephone lines, etc. A device has been proposed that transmits information to a remote location via a communication 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 1 for displaying specified input mode information.
4, 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 communicates the graphic information created by the control circuit 21. It consists of an in-home device 2 consisting of a modem 22 and a display memory 23 that send data to the line 4, 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 graphic 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, for example, the input mode designation switch section 13 designates the graphic information input mode,
When writing is performed on the input board 11 in this state, this writing information is converted into coordinate information by the coordinate conversion section 12 and sent to the home device 2 together with information (pen-on signal) indicating that writing has started. Then, the control circuit 21 of the home device 2 recognizes the coordinate information output from the coordinate detection section 12 as graphic information since the graphic information input mode is now designated by the input mode designation switch section 13. This information is sent from the modem 22 to the communication line 4, 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 transmits the input mode information output from the graphic information input device 1 to the graphic information input device 1.
In order to display the image, a lamp lighting signal is sent back to the graphic information input device 1 to turn on the corresponding lamp on the lamp display section. Incidentally, if the line width, etc. are specified at the same time by the input mode specifying switch section 13, the lamps corresponding to these specified items are also lit in the same way.

On the other hand, if the inputted graphic information is to be erased, the user specifies the erase mode using the input mode designation switch section 13, and in this state operates the blackboard eraser to erase the desired handwritten figure on the input board 11. Then, the erasure locus at this time is converted into coordinate information by the coordinate detection unit 12 and sent to the home device 2, and as a result, the home device 2
The control circuit 21 sets the erasure range from the coordinate information and sends this erasure information from the modem 22.
In addition, the graphics display device 3 via the display memory 23
Erases part of the graphic information displayed in .

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 an advanced type of this type of device,
A system has been proposed in which a plurality of graphical information input devices 1 such as an electronic blackboard or a small drawing tablet are simultaneously connected to the home device 2, and a remote conference is held by using these input devices in appropriate combinations. However, when configuring such a system, the in-home device 2 itself must be configured to be able to connect multiple input devices, but this makes the configuration of the in-home device 2 complicated, large, and expensive. , the following problems may occur when introducing the system. In other words, when configuring this type of system, it is generally possible to use a simple configuration that allows the use of only one input device at the time of installation, and then expand the system by adding input devices as necessary after installation. many. In such cases, if the home device itself is configured in advance to support multiple input devices as described above, if only one input device is used, it will become overloaded and burden the user. , which becomes a major obstacle when introducing equipment. On the other hand, it is possible to install a home device for one input device at the time of introduction, and replace it with a home device that can support multiple input devices when expanding, but in this case, the home device itself would have to be replaced. Expansion work could not be carried out easily due to problems such as the large-scale construction required for the changes.

[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. To provide a graphical information transmission device which is capable of being easily expanded and furthermore accurately detecting writing operations on an input device to perform initialization control of a home device and appropriately displaying whether input is allowed or disabled on the input device. The purpose is to provide

[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 on the input device in place of the in-home device; and means for starting the input operation from the input device. When information indicating the information 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,
Displaying on other input devices that input is not possible during the period from the arrival of the input operation start information to the arrival of information indicating that the input operation has ended;
Further, from the time when the information indicating that the input of graphic information has been completed is received, input is not allowed on other input devices for a predetermined period of time, and information indicating that input of the graphic information has started within the predetermined period is displayed. The arrival is monitored, and only when information indicating that input of graphic information has started has not arrived within the predetermined period, control is performed to initialize the operation of the in-home device, and control is performed to initialize the operation of the other input device. A means for canceling the input prohibition display is provided.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a graphical information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A connection device 5 is connected to the in-home device 2, and three graphic information input devices 1A, 1B, and 1C are connected to this connection device 5, respectively. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted. Further, the configuration of each graphic information input device 1A, 1B, 1C is the same as that of the input device shown in FIG. 5 above.

FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the connection device 5, which is connected to each graphic information input device 1A, 1.
An analog switch section 51 selectively supplies the coordinate information sent from the coordinate detection sections B and 1C to the home device 2, and an input start signal (pen-on signal) and an input end signal (also generated from each coordinate detection section). a pen-on-off input unit 52 that inputs a pen-off signal), and a graphic information input device 1A, 1B,
A mode input unit 53 into which input mode designation signals outputted from the input mode designation switch unit 1C are respectively input, and each graphic information input device 1A, 1B, 1.
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 C; and the in-home device 2.
It is comprised of an input/output interface circuit 55 that sends and receives control signals to and from the main controller 56. This main control section 56 is equipped with a microprocessor as a control circuit, and performs various controls for selectively connecting each graphic information input device 1A, 1B, 1C to the home device 2.

In such a configuration, the main control unit 56 of the connection device 5 controls each graphic information input device 1A, 1B, 1C 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 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 main control section 56 first performs the step
In step 3b, it is determined whether the mode information is normal information, and if it is normal, in step 3c it is determined from which input device the mode information was output. Then, in step 3d, it is determined whether or not 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 information 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. After the lighting control is completed, the main control section 56 stores the mode information A3 in the internal memory in step 3f, then returns to monitor the arrival of the mode information (step 3a), and then returns to step 4a in FIG. 4a. The arrival of a pen-on signal indicating the start of writing is monitored. In addition, the above steps
If it is determined that there is simultaneous input in 3D, the step
Lamp lighting control is executed for each input device in turn according to the priority order set in advance in 3g.

Now, when the operator writes a character on the input panel of the graphic information input device 1A in this state, the coordinate detection section first outputs a pen-on signal A2, and this signal A2 is detected by the main control section 56 in step 4a. Upon detecting this pen-on signal A2, the main control section 56 determines in step 4b whether or not the pen-on signal is a normal signal, and if it is normal, in step 4c it determines from which input device the pen-on signal was output. Determine. Then, in step 4d, it is determined whether or not there are simultaneous inputs, and if not, step 4e
to move to. In addition, if there are simultaneous inputs, step
In step 4h, an input device is selected according to the preset priority order, and the process moves to step 4e.

Then, when the process moves to step 4e, the main control unit 56
In this step 4e, first sends a display lamp extinguishing signal to the other graphic information input devices (here, 1B and 1C), and thereby the graphic information input devices 1B and 1C
The display lamp will turn off to let you know that input is not possible. Then, in step 4f, the analog switch corresponding to the input device 1A that outputs the pen-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 D3 via the input/output interface circuit 55.
It is sent to the home device 2 as In response, the home device 2 returns the lamp lighting signal D4, so the main controller 56 returns the lamp lighting signal D4 in step 4i.
If it is returned, the pen-on signal D2 is output to the home device 2 in step 4j. Then, in step 4k, the arrival of a pen-off signal, that is, a signal indicating that the input pen has been removed from the input panel, is monitored. Incidentally, upon receiving the pen-on signal, the home device 2 inputs the coordinate information A1 sent from the graphic information input device 1A via the analog switch of the connecting device 5, and creates graphic information from this coordinate information A1. It is sent to the communication line 4 and displayed on the graphic display device 3.

When the arrival of the pen-off signal is detected in step 4k, the main control section 56 sends the pen-off signal to the home device 2 in step 4l, and then initializes and drives the built-in timer in step 4m. Then, while monitoring the time-out of this timer at step 4p, the arrival of pen-on signal A2 and input mode information A3 are monitored at step 4n and step 4o, respectively. If the pen-on signal A2 does not receive the input mode information A3 before the timer times out, it is determined that the pen-on signal has finished, and the analog switch is turned off in step 4q. After performing control to initialize the operation of the device 2, in step 4s, a lamp lighting signal B4, C4 is sent to the other graphic information input devices 1B, 1C, which had previously outputted a lamp lighting signal and had been unable to input. is output, the input mode indicator lamp is turned on again, and input is enabled. On the other hand, when the pen-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) shown in FIG. Return to 3a),
The above control is executed repeatedly.

Incidentally, if the lamp lighting signal D4 is not returned from the home device 2 in step 4i, the main control section 56
determines that the information has not been transmitted to the home device reliably or that the home device 2 is not ready to receive it, performs error processing in step 4t, and then sends a pen-off signal to the home device 2 in step 4u. After this process is completed, the process waits for the arrival of a pen-off signal from the graphic information input device in step 4v, and shifts to turning off the analog switch (step 4q).

In addition, in the above explanation, the operation when the figure input mode is specified on the figure information input device 1A has been explained, but when inputting figures in the same way on the other figure information input devices 1B and 1C, and 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. Under the control of the main control unit 56, each graphic information input device 1A, 1B, 1C is selectively connected to the home device 2.
Each graphic information input device 1A, 1B, 1C in place of
A lamp lighting signal is output to display the input mode, and when one graphic information input device is inputting, a lamp extinguishing signal is output to the other graphic information input device to display that input is not possible. Therefore, each of the graphic information input devices 1A, 1B, and 1C can reliably perform the input operation of graphic information without causing input complications with each other, and from the perspective of the home device 2, there is always only one graphic information input device. Therefore, the coordinate information can be processed reliably in the same manner as when the graphic information input device is directly connected without using the connection device 5.
Therefore, at the time of introduction, a home device for one input device can be installed without preparing a home device to which a large number of input devices can be connected, so that equipment costs can be reduced without excessive functionality. Furthermore, when expanding the system by adding graphical information input devices, expansion can be done as needed without changing or replacing the configuration of the in-house devices, making expansion extremely easy and inexpensive. .

In addition, in this embodiment, the input disabled display for other input devices continues for a predetermined period after the arrival of the pen-off signal, and the arrival of the pen-on signal and input mode information is monitored during this predetermined period, so that these signals or If the information does not arrive within the predetermined period, it is determined that the handwritten input has been completed, and the initialization control of the in-home device 2 and the indication that input is not possible on other input devices are canceled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a short-time interruption of the writing operation from being erroneously determined as an immediate end of the writing operation. In other words, a writing operation on the input device can be accurately detected. Therefore, it is possible to properly initialize and control the in-home devices, and to display an accurate indication that input is not possible to other input devices that are waiting for input.

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 connection 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 connection device may be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. can.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, the present invention installs a connecting device between a home device and a graphic information input device, stores input mode information outputted from the input device in the connecting device, and then transfers the input mode information output from the input device to the home device. and a means for determining the input device that outputs the input mode information and transmitting and displaying the display information of the input mode on the input device in place of the in-house device, and informing the user that an input operation has been started from the input device. When the indicated information arrives, the input device that outputs this information is determined, and this input device is selectively connected to the in-home device to send the coordinate information, and at least the input operation start information is input at least after the input operation start information arrives. The apparatus is provided with means for displaying that input is not possible on other input devices until information indicating that the operation has been completed arrives.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the configuration of the graphic information input device can be set to the minimum unit at the time of introduction, and the graphic information input device can be expanded as needed without changing the configuration of the in-home device after the introduction. It is possible to provide a graphical information transmission device that can reduce equipment costs and that can be easily expanded.

Further, according to the present invention, the graphic input control means causes the other input device to continue displaying that input is not possible for a predetermined period from the time when the information indicating that the input of the graphic information has been completed is received, and also causes the input device to continue displaying that input is prohibited within the predetermined period. To monitor the arrival of information indicating that the input of graphic information has started, and to initialize the operation of the in-home device if the information indicating that the input of graphic information has not started within the above-mentioned predetermined period does not arrive. By controlling the input device and canceling the input prohibition display on the other input devices,
It is possible to accurately detect the writing operation on the input device, which allows the initialization control of the home device and the accurate display of whether input is possible or not on the input device.Furthermore, the user can always check the status of the device. This makes it possible to provide a graphic information transmission device that is easy to use and does not cause erroneous operations.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 4 a and b are for explaining a graphical information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, and FIG. 2 is a main part. A block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a certain connecting device; FIGS. 3 and 4 a and b are flowcharts showing the operating procedure of the connecting device shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional graphic information transmission device. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C...Graphic information input device (input device), 2...Home device, 3...Graphic display device, 4
...Communication line, 5...Connection device, 11...Input panel, 12
...Coordinate detection section, 13...Mode specification switch section, 1
4... Lamp display section, 21... Control circuit, 22... 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 section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An input board for writing graphic information, a coordinate detection unit that converts the writing locus of the graphic information written on the input board into coordinate information and transmitting it, and an input for specifying the input form of the graphic information. an input device having a mode specifying section and a display section that displays the input mode specified by the input mode specifying section; and an input device that displays coordinate information sent from the coordinate detection section according to the input mode specified by the input device A graphical information transmission device comprising a means for converting into input information and transmitting the 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, A connection device for connecting a plurality of input devices to the home device is provided between the input device and the home device, and when the input mode information is sent from the input device, the connection device receives the input mode information. mode input control means for storing and notifying the input mode information to the home device, determining the input device that outputs the input mode information, and causing the input device to send and display display information of the input mode information in place of the home device; , When information indicating that the input of graphical information has started is received from an input device, the input device that outputs this information is determined, this input device is connected to the home device to transmit the coordinate information, and the above-mentioned Displaying on other input devices that input is not possible during the period from the arrival of input start information until the arrival of information indicating that input of graphic information has ended, and furthermore, that input of graphic information has ended. Continue displaying that input is not possible on other input devices for a predetermined period from the time when information indicating that input has started has arrived, and monitor the arrival of information indicating that input of graphic information has started within the predetermined period, Graphic input control that performs control to initialize the operation of the in-home device when information indicating that the input of graphic information has started has not arrived within the day, and also cancels the input prohibition display on the other input device. 1. A graphic information transmission device comprising: means.