Patent Publication Number: US-2015084851-A1

Title: Electronic device having plurality of human-machine operation modules

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 102134288, filed on Sep. 24, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic device having a plurality of human-machine operation modules, and more particularly to an electronic device of a plurality of human-machine interfaces connected with input/output (I/O) module respectively. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the prior art, to increase the performance of the electronic device, researchers develop the technology that one machine is operated by multiple users, i.e., the same electronic device may simultaneously provide multiple operation platforms to different users. However, such an electronic device still has a single human-machine interface, generates multiple software working platforms only through software functions, coordinates with an extension component additionally set to correspond to each software working platform, to achieve that one machine is operated by multiple users, instead of making users have independent human-machine interface on the hardware. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A technical objective of the present invention lies in providing an electronic device having a plurality of human-machine operation modules. 
     The electronic device according to the present invention includes at least one I/O module and a plurality of human-machine operation modules, wherein each human-machine operation module is disposed in the electronic device, and several human-machine operation modules are connected with the I/O module respectively. 
     The present invention has the following characteristics, (1) through hardware configurations of a plurality of human-machine operation modules, different users can use corresponding human-machine operation modules by means of hardware operation; (2) the technology in the present invention is applicable to various electronic devices having data computing capability, for example, Desktop PC, mini PC, thin client PC, or electronic devices without data computing capability, for example, zero client device, and thus has higher applicability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a first structure block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a first hardware exterior view of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a second structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a second hardware exterior view of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates another embodiment of the second structure block diagram of the electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a third structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a fourth structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a fifth structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a third hardware exterior view of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present creation are further described below with reference to the drawings. 
     First,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a first structure block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention, and  FIG. 1B  illustrates a first hardware exterior view of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention. 
     The electronic device includes more than one I/O module (I/O module) and a plurality of human-machine operation modules (Human-Machine Interface). The number of the human-machine operation modules that can be configured by the electronic device may be more than two, each human-machine operation module is disposed in the electronic device, and is connected with the I/O module respectively, and operation panel configurations of each human-machine operation module may be of the same type or different types, which depends on demands of the designer. In addition, each human-machine operation module should be designed to have an output unit, such as an indicator signal or an audible indicator. However, the type and the configuration manner of the output unit depend on demands of the designer, which are not limited. 
     The electronic device  100   a  in this embodiment is described with two human-machine operation modules ( 110   a ,  120   a ) and one I/O module  111  for the time being, but is not limited thereto. As stated previously, several human-machine operation modules ( 110   a ,  120   a ) are connected with the I/O module  111 . The I/O module  111  processes message input and output operations of a target operation module, which has been started, of the human-machine operation modules ( 110   a ,  120   a ). 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a second structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention,  FIG. 2B  illustrates a second hardware exterior view of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention, and  FIG. 2C  illustrates another embodiment of the second structure block diagram of the electronic device according to the present invention. Different from the previous embodiments, human-machine operation modules ( 110   b ,  120   b ) each have input units ( 151 ,  152 ). The input units ( 151 ,  152 ) are both connected to a processing unit  170 . When the input unit of a target operation module of all the human-machine operation modules ( 110   b ,  120   b ) is operated, the processing unit  170  may, according to the manner in which the input unit is operated, or mechanical acts input due to operations, or electrical signals generated due to operations, decide whether to start the target operation module. For example, the human-machine operation module  120   b  is used by a user, and the human-machine operation module  120   b  is regarded as the target operation module. When the input unit  152  is operated, the processing unit  170  judges that the input unit  152  conforms to the manner in which the human-machine operation module  120   b  is operated, or when an electrical signal output by the input unit  152  conforms to a start condition of the human-machine operation module  120   b , the processing unit  170  starts the human-machine operation module  120   b . In some embodiments, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) may be switches (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), and when the processing unit  170  judges that the switch of the target operation module is turned on, the target operation module is started. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) are remote controls, and when the processing unit  170  judges that the key of the controller of the target operation module is pressed in a specific manner, the target operation module is started. Also, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) may be keyboards, and when the processing unit  170  judges that the key of the keyboard of the target operation module is pressed in a specific manner, the target operation module is started. Also, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) may be mice, and when the processing unit  170  judges that the mouse of the target operation module is manipulated, the target operation module is started. Further, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) may be touch screens, and when the processing unit  170  judges that the touch screens are pressed or clicked, the target operation module is started. Moreover, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) may be electronic authentication devices having capability of reading identity authentication data or biological characteristics to identify identity, such as card readers, fingerprint readers, voiceprint machines, or chip authentication devices. When the processing unit  170  judges that the authentication data read by the electronic authentication device of the target operation module is qualified, the target operation module is started. In some embodiments, the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) are a combination of at least one of the electronic authentication devices, the keyboards, the mice, the switches and the touch screens, and when the processing unit  170  judges that the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) are operated in a specific manner, the target operation module is started. The switches may be elements having capability of setting a state, switching, triggering or sensing (e.g., sound sensitive, light sensitive, pressure sensitive), but are not limited thereto, and elements, modules, circuits or devices having similar functions are also applicable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C , in some embodiments, the electronic device  100   b  further includes a power control unit  150 , and when the input units ( 151 ,  152 ) of the target operation module are operated, the target operation module is started by obtaining power of the power control unit  150  connected thereto. For example, the human-machine operation module  120   b  is used by a user, and the human-machine operation module  120   b  is regarded as the target operation module. When the input unit  152  is operated, the human-machine operation module  120   b  is started by obtaining power of the power control unit  150 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a third structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention. The embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that the electronic device  100   c  includes multiple I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ). Each human-machine operation module ( 110   b ,  120   b ) connects one of the multiple I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ), and each I/O module processes message input and output operations of the human-machine operation module connected thereto. For example, if the human-machine operation module  110   b  connects the I/O module  111  and the human-machine operation module  120   b  connects the I/O module  121 , the I/O module  111  processes message input and output operations of the human-machine operation module  110   b  connected thereto and the I/O module  121  processes message input and output operations of the human-machine operation module  120   b  connected thereto. 
     The power control unit  150 , in addition to connecting the human-machine operation modules ( 110   b ,  120   b ), connects the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ). The power control unit  150  provides power for an I/O module connected to a target operation module while providing power for the target operation module. For example, the target operation module is the human-machine operation module  110   b , and the power control unit  150  provides power for the I/O module  111  connected to the human-machine operation module  110   b  while providing power for the human-machine operation module  110   b.    
     In some embodiments, the human-machine operation modules may be detachable hardware components, for example, detachable panel components. For ease of description, a block diagram is used below for description.  FIG. 4  illustrates a fourth structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention, to facilitate understanding. 
     The electronic device  100   d  includes a body  140  and human-machine operation modules ( 110   c ,  120   c ). The human-machine operation modules ( 110   c ,  120   c ) are mounted to or removed from the body  140  through a hardware connection component  160 , for example, a combination of a connection joint and a connection socket, so as to be mounted on or removed from the body  140 . When the human-machine operation modules ( 110   c ,  120   c ) are assembled to hardware, they may be connected with the power control unit  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the human-machine operation modules store permission information internally, and when the I/O modules connect a target operation module of the human-machine operation modules, a corresponding function is started according to interface information of the target operation module. 
     By taking  FIG. 4  as an example, the body  140  includes two I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ), and each of the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) includes I/O modules of the same type. Each of the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) has a display I/O interface (( 112 ,  122 ), e.g., Display Port, D-sub, DVI, or HDMI), a universal serial bus I/O interface (USB I/O interface) ( 113 ,  123 ), an audio I/O Interface ( 114 ,  124 ), a network communication I/O interface ( 115 ,  125 ) and other types of interfaces. 
     Various types of I/O interfaces are used for connecting operation devices (Control Device) corresponding to the interfaces. For example, the display I/O interface ( 112 , ( 22 ) connects a display (Monitor); the network communication I/O interface ( 115 ,  125 ) connects a modem, a server or other network devices having network communication capability through a network cable; the audio I/O Interface ( 114 ,  124 ) connects sound collector (microphone) and/or a speaker; and the USB I/O interface ( 113 ,  123 ) connects an external electronic device. Furthermore, other types of interfaces may be set, for example, a keyboard I/O interface connects a keyboard; a mouse I/O interface connects a mouse. 
     For example, the permission information that the human-machine operation module  110   c  has includes control rights of the display I/O interface and the network communication I/O interface. Suppose the user assembles the human-machine operation module  110   c  on the body  140 , when the human-machine operation module  1100  connects the I/O module  111 , the I/O module  111  may read the permission information that the human-machine operation module  110   c  has, and starts the display I/O interface  112  and the network communication I/O interface  115 , for the user to operate and use. However, the permission information that the human-machine operation module  110   c  has only records the control rights of the display I/O interface and the network communication I/O interface, and thus the user cannot use other types of interface functions of the I/O module  111  through the human-machine operation module  110   c . Likewise, when the human-machine operation module  1100  is assembled to connect the I/O module  121 , the I/O module  111  may only start the display  110  interface  122  and the network communication I/O interface  125 . 
     Also, the permission information that the human-machine operation module  120   c  has includes control rights of the display I/O interface, the network communication I/O interface and the USB I/O interface. Suppose the user assembles the human-machine operation module  120   c  on the body  140 , when the human-machine operation module  120   c  connects the I/O module  121 , the I/O module  121  may read the permission information that the human-machine operation module  120   c  has, and starts the display I/O interface  122 , the network communication I/O interface  125  and the USB I/O interface  123 , for the user to operate and use. However, the permission information that the human-machine operation module  120   c  has only records the control rights of the display I/O interface, the network communication I/O interface and the USB I/O interface, and thus the user cannot use other types of interface functions of the I/O module  121 . through the human-machine operation module  120   c . Likewise, when the human-machine operation module  120   c  is assembled to connect the I/O module  111 , the I/O module  111  may only start the display I/O interface  112 , the network communication I/O interface  115  and the USB I/O interface  113 . 
     In some embodiments, each of the human-machine operation modules ( 110   c ,  120   c ) store device information, and each I/O module ( 111 ,  121 ) records function information that can be enabled by the device information. When the I/O module ( 111 ,  121 ) connects a target operation module of the human-machine operation modules ( 110   c ,  120   c ), a corresponding function is started according to the device information of the target operation module. 
     In other embodiments, the hardware connection component  160  may be a regularized design, i.e., the I/O module ( 111 ,  121 ) of the body  140  and its connection joint or connection socket is a regularized design, the human-machine operation modules ( 110   c ,  120   c ) has different corresponding connection joints or connection sockets, and the I/O module ( 111 ,  121 ) may start interfaces which have been successfully connected according to connection conditions. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a fifth structure block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention, and  FIG. 5B  illustrates a third hardware exterior view of an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention. The embodiments differ from the previous embodiments in that the electronic device  100   e  further includes a connection module  130 . The connection module  130  internally connects each I/O module, for example, the single I/O module  111  disclosed in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 2A , and multiple I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) disclosed in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The connection module  130  externally connects more than one external device  200 . When interfaces of each of the I/O modules ( 111 ,  141 ) operate, they perform message input and output operations with the external device  200  through the connection module  130 . 
     For example, the connection module  130  includes one or more connection ports  131 . The external device  200  is connected to one of the single one or more connection ports  131 . When the connection module  130  obtains an external message output by any one I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ), it may analyze the message, and then transmit the message to the external device  200  according to at least one of the address of the external device  200 , the name of the external device  200  and the number of the connection ports connected with the external device  200  included in the message. The type of the connection module  130  may include: a network transmission device having capability of transmitting network data such as a network hub, a router, or a network switch, or may be a device having capability of transmitting serial data such as a USB-Hub or a serial port Hub. 
     In addition, when the connection module  130  is a network transmission device having capability of transmitting network data, for example, a router, the administrator may, as required, make similar or dissimilar domain settings on the human-machine operation modules ( 110   b ,  120   b ) of the electronic device  100   e , to make the plurality of human-machine operation modules ( 110   b ,  120   b ) located in the same internal domain, or grouped and located in different internal domains. 
     However, the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) may connect the connection module  130  by means of network connection or serial bus connection or universal serial bus connection. 
     In other embodiments, the connection manner in Which the connection module  130  connects the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) is the same as or different from the connection manner in which the connection module  130  connects the external device  200 . For example, (1) the connection module  130  connects the I/O Modules ( 111 ,  121 ) by means of network connection, and also connects the external device  200  by means of network connection; (2) the connection module  130  connects the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) by means of USB connection, and also connects the external device  200  by means of USB connection; (3) the connection module  130  connects the I/O modules ( 111 ,  121 ) by means of USB connection, but connects the external device  200  by means of network connection. The connection manner is not limited, and the same or similar connection manners are also applicable. 
     The above merely describes embodiments of technical measures employed by the present invention for solving the problem, but is not to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. Equivalent variations and modifications consistent with the literal meaning of the claims of the present invention or made according to the scope of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.