Switching device

Abstract

This switch device 600 comprises: a switch unit 621 which receives input for enabling at least one of a plurality of maintenance functions used to execute maintenance work for a maintenance target device through a remote operation; and an execution unit 622 which executes the maintenance function which is of the plurality of maintenance functions and corresponds to the input received by the switch unit 621.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device, an execution method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques used for remotely dealing with troubles in information processing devices such as personal computers are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for performing a remote control help session on a computing device. According to Patent Document 1, a malfunctioning computing device is securely connected to an online service data center, and a remote service provider computer is connected to the PC session indicated by the password, and is connected to the malfunctioning computing device via the online service data center. Then, the remote service provider computer causes a service provider technician to diagnose, repair, and / or optimize the malfunctioning computing device via the firmware resident on the malfunctioning computing device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a user receives services such as maintenance work, it is necessary to provide information about the information processing device, such as video footage, to technicians or other personnel. In this case, for example, from a security standpoint, it may be necessary to selectively not transmit some of the information required for maintenance work, such as temporarily disabling the transmission of video information or disabling the reception of operation signals. However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, it was not always easy to selectively switch the effectiveness of such specific functions.

[0006] Thus, a challenge arose in that it was sometimes difficult to reflect user preferences, such as allowing users to select which functions to enable when receiving services like remote maintenance work.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a switch device, an execution method, a program, and a maintenance system that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve this objective, a switch device, which is one form of the present disclosure, A switch unit that receives an input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control, An execution unit that executes the maintenance function for which the switch unit has received input from among the multiple maintenance functions, has This is the structure it takes.

[0009] Furthermore, other forms of implementation of this disclosure are: The switch device, It accepts input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control. The switch unit executes the maintenance function for which it has received input from among the multiple maintenance functions. This is the structure it takes.

[0010] Furthermore, other forms of this disclosure, such as program, In the switch device, It accepts input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control. The switch unit executes the maintenance function for which it has received input from among the multiple maintenance functions. This is a program for performing the processing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The aforementioned configurations can solve the problems described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the maintenance system in the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a KVM switch configuration. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of a switch set configuration. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of how to establish a maintenance session. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of how a KVM switch operates. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a switch device in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a switch device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of a maintenance system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a KVM switch 300. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a switch set 310. FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing operation examples of the KVM switch 300.

[0014] In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a maintenance system 100 will be described that can easily switch, for example, on a per-function basis, whether to enable a maintenance function used when performing maintenance work remotely. As will be described later, the maintenance system 100 in the present embodiment includes a KVM switch 300 having a switch set 310, which is a switch unit that receives an input for enabling at least one of a plurality of maintenance functions. With such a configuration, the maintenance system 100 can execute a maintenance function corresponding to the input in response to an input from the user to the switch set 310 included in the KVM switch 300.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the maintenance work refers to work for providing various supports such as eliminating troubles when any trouble occurs in an information processing device such as a personal computer or a tablet, which is a device to be maintained, or as needed otherwise. For example, the maintenance work may include an investigation work for investigating symptoms, related situations, past operations performed until that state, logs, hardware status, software versions, etc., a response work for providing responses such as countermeasures to suspected parts or problems, an operation work for remotely operating the device to be maintained for the purpose of eliminating troubles, etc. The maintenance work may include various works required when providing various supports such as eliminating troubles that occur to the user, in addition to those exemplified above.

[0016] The maintenance function refers to various functions used when performing the above-described maintenance work remotely. For example, the maintenance function includes various functions that need to be executed to perform maintenance work remotely and various functions that are desirable when performing maintenance work remotely. As an example, the maintenance function includes a transmission function for transmitting a video signal to the maintenance server 400, a reception function for receiving an operation signal transmitted by the maintenance server 400 to remotely operate a maintenance target device, etc. Here, the video signal refers to, for example, a signal output by an information processing device, which is a maintenance target device, to a screen display device such as a display device. The operation signal refers to, for example, a signal output by an operation input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad to an information processing device, which is a maintenance target device. The video signal and the operation signal correspond to a part of the maintenance information used when performing maintenance work remotely. Note that the maintenance function may include those other than the above-exemplified ones. For example, the maintenance function may include a request function for transmitting a request for maintenance work to the maintenance server 400, an image processing function for performing predetermined processing on at least a part of the transmitted video, a storage function for storing information that can be utilized during maintenance work, a template processing execution function for performing template processing, an authentication function, a switching function for switching the maintenance target device to be remotely operated, and any other functions.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration example of the maintenance system 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the maintenance system 100 includes a connection destination device 200, a KVM switch 300, a maintenance server 400, and an operator device 500. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection destination device 200 and the KVM switch 300 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other. Also, the KVM switch 300 and the maintenance server 400 can be connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network or the like. Also, the maintenance server 400 and the operator device 500 can be connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network or the like. Note that, as shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance system 100 can include a plurality of connection destination devices 200 and a plurality of operator devices 500. The maintenance system 100 may include a plurality of KVM switches 300 and a plurality of maintenance servers 400.

[0018] The connected device 200 is connected to the KVM switch 300 and transmits and receives various signals, such as video signals and operation signals, between it and the KVM switch 300. At least a portion of the connected device 200 corresponds to the maintenance target device that is subject to remote maintenance work. As an example, the connected device 200 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or tablet. The connected device 200 may also include screen display devices such as display devices, operation input devices such as keyboards and mice, and other arbitrary devices.

[0019] The KVM switch 300 is a switch device that transmits and receives various signals, such as video signals and operation signals, between itself and the connected destination device 200. In addition, the KVM switch 300 can connect to the maintenance server 400 when certain conditions are met, and can perform maintenance functions in response to inputs to the switch set 310.

[0020] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the KVM switch 300. Referring to Figure 2, for example, the KVM switch 300 has a switch set 310, a controller 320, an HDMI socket 330, a USB socket 340, and a communication module 350. The KVM switch 300 may also have at least some of the following: an image processing chip 360, a secondary battery 370, a storage area 380, and a machine learning chip 390. The KVM switch 300 may be configured so that various functions such as the image processing chip 360, secondary battery 370, storage area 380, and machine learning chip 390 can be removed or attached as needed.

[0021] Note that Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the KVM switch 300, and the configuration of the KVM switch 300 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2. For example, the KVM switch 300 may have one or more HDMI sockets 330 or USB sockets 340. Also, although HDMI and USB are shown as examples in Figure 2, the KVM switch 300 may have other wired interfaces such as DisplayPort or S-Video, or wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth®. The KVM switch 300 may also use protocols that wrap TCP / IP communication (for example, RDP, RTSP, or RTMP).

[0022] The switch set 310 has a configuration for receiving input to enable at least one of the maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work by remote equipment. For example, the switch set 310 may be implemented by hardware, such as by being composed of multiple push buttons. The switch set 310 may also be implemented by a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) loading a program, such as by virtually displaying the switches on an arbitrary screen display unit of a KVM switch 300 or the like.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example configuration of the switch set 310. Referring to Figure 3, for example, the switch set 310 includes a video transmission switch 311, an operation acceptance switch 312, an image processing switch 313, a storage enable switch 314, and so on. The switch set 310 may also include an indicator light 315 that lights up when the corresponding switch is activated.

[0024] The video transmission switch 311 is a switch that receives input indicating that a video signal should be transmitted to the maintenance server 400, which is an external device that performs maintenance work. For example, the video transmission switch 311 receives input when a user presses the switch. As an example, when the video transmission switch 311 receives input, the transmission of a video signal to the maintenance server 400 begins. In other words, the KVM switch 300 can be configured not to transmit a video signal to the maintenance server 400 until the video transmission switch 311 receives input.

[0025] The operation acceptance switch 312 is a switch that receives input from the maintenance server 400 indicating that it will accept operation signals for remotely controlling the connected device 200. For example, the operation acceptance switch 312 accepts input when a user presses the operation acceptance switch 312. As an example, when the operation acceptance switch 312 accepts input, it starts accepting operation signals transmitted by the maintenance server 400. In other words, the KVM switch 300 can be configured not to accept operation signals transmitted by the maintenance server 400 until the operation acceptance switch 312 accepts input.

[0026] The image processing switch 313 is a switch that receives input to perform a predetermined image processing on a predetermined area within the screen. For example, the image processing switch 313 receives input when a user presses the image processing switch 313. As an example, when the image processing switch 313 receives input, image processing starts. Image processing refers to, for example, blurring or masking by superimposing rectangular or circular areas. The predetermined area for image processing may be predetermined, or it may be configured to be specified in response to an operation by a user operating the connected device 200, etc. The predetermined area may be the entire image displayed on the screen display device, or it may be a part of the image.

[0027] The storage enable switch 314 is a switch that accepts input to start storing data in the storage area 380 or using the data stored in the storage area 380. For example, the storage enable switch 314 accepts input when a user presses the storage enable switch 314. As an example, when the storage enable switch 314 accepts input, data storage in the storage area 380 or the use of data stored in the storage area 380 begins. For example, the storage area 380 may be configured to be used as a temporary storage area for patch application, or it may be configured to store a bootable image in advance and execute it remotely as needed to access data or diagnose hardware. The storage area 380 may also be configured to store, for example, a Linux® Live image in advance, and to check the operating status of various hardware such as HDDs (hard disk drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), CPUs, and memory, or to diagnose their remaining lifespan, in response to remote operation. The storage activation switch 314 may be configured to perform only one of the following actions depending on the input: storing data in the storage area 380 or utilizing the data stored in the storage area 380.

[0028] The indicator light 315 lights up while the corresponding switch is receiving input. For example, the indicator light 315-1 lights up while the video transmission switch 311 is receiving input. The video transmission switch 311, etc., may be configured to detect when the input is released, such as when it is pressed again while it is receiving input. In this case, the indicator light 315 may turn off when the input is released.

[0029] The above is an example of the configuration of the switch set 310. Note that at least some of the switches included in the switch set 310 may be configured to accept input after a session described later has been started between the KVM switch 300 and the maintenance server 400 (operator device 500). The switch set 310 may accept input regardless of whether a session has been established. Also, Figure 3 shows an example of the switch set 310, and the configuration of the switch set 310 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3. The switch set 310 may include switches other than those shown in Figure 3 that correspond to each of the maintenance functions described above. For example, the switch set 310 may include a request switch that sends a maintenance work request to the maintenance server 400, a routine processing switch that performs a predetermined or learned routine processing, a switch for switching the device to be maintained, etc. In addition to those exemplified above, the switch set 310 may include switches for executing any maintenance function. For example, the switch set 310 may include a switch that corresponds to a transmit / receive function that starts the transmission and reception of maintenance information, such as the transmission of video signals and the reception of operation signals, all at once.

[0030] The controller 320 controls whether or not to receive various signals, such as operation signals and video signals, and the destination of transmission. In other words, the controller 320 functions as an execution unit that performs maintenance functions in response to inputs to the switch set 310. For example, the controller 320 may be implemented by having a CPU or other arithmetic unit execute a program stored in a memory device.

[0031] For example, if the video transmission switch 311 is not accepting input, the controller 320 controls the destination of the video signal to send and receive video signals between the connected devices 200. On the other hand, if the video transmission switch 311 accepts input, the controller 320 controls the destination of the video signal to send and receive video signals between the connected devices 200 and to start sending video signals to the maintenance server 400. In this way, the controller 320 can perform a maintenance function that starts sending video signals to the maintenance server 400 in response to input to the video transmission switch 311. Also, for example, if the operation acceptance switch 312 accepts input, the controller 320 can accept an operation signal received from the maintenance server 400 and send the accepted operation signal to the connected devices 200, etc. The controller 320 may be configured to discard received operation signals without accepting them until the operation acceptance switch 312 accepts input.

[0032] Similarly, the controller 320 can perform corresponding maintenance functions in response to inputs to switches other than those exemplified above. For example, when the image processing switch 313 receives input, the controller 320 can instruct the image processing chip 360 to start image processing. The controller 320 can also be configured to send a request for remote maintenance work to the maintenance server 400 when the request switch receives input. The controller 320 may also be configured to establish a session (maintenance session) with the maintenance server 400 in response to the maintenance server 400's response to the request. Furthermore, the controller 320 may be configured to perform predetermined routine processing when the routine processing switch receives input. Here, routine processing may be a process implemented on a predetermined rule basis, such as "press F6 to open the boot menu and execute the third menu item from the top," or it may be a process using image processing or machine learning, such as "press F6 to recognize the 'boot from USB' menu using machine learning-based image processing and output operation input information so that the cursor is in the appropriate position." The rules for routine processing and the pre-trained models used to execute routine processing may be stored in advance in a storage area 380, for example, or they may be configured to be downloaded sequentially via a communication module 350 or the like. The controller 320 may start executing the corresponding maintenance function in response to inputs to other switches.

[0033] The HDMI socket 330 is used for receiving and transmitting video signals. For example, it can receive video signals from an information processing device (connected device 200) or transmit video signals to a screen display device (connected device 200) via an HDMI cable connected to the HDMI socket 330. The HDMI socket 330 can be a standard type.

[0034] The USB socket 340 is used to receive and transmit operation signals. For example, operation signals can be transmitted to and received between the connected device 200, such as an information processing device or an operation input device, via a USB cable connected to the USB socket 340. The KVM switch 300 may also receive power to operate itself via the USB socket 340. The USB socket 340 can be a general-purpose socket.

[0035] The communication module 350 is used to send and receive various signals with the maintenance server 400. The communication module 350 may be configured to perform network communication wirelessly or via a wired connection. Through the communication module 350, the KVM switch 300 can send and receive video signals and control signals with the maintenance server 400. The communication module 350 may be a general-purpose module.

[0036] The image processing chip 360 performs predetermined image processing on a predetermined area within the screen. The image processing chip 360 may be a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or the like. For example, the image processing chip 360 can perform image processing in response to instructions issued by the controller 320 in response to the pressing of the image processing switch 313. As described above, the image processing chip 360 may perform blurring or masking by superimposing rectangular or circular areas as image processing. The image processing chip 360 may also perform image processing on a predetermined area, or it may accept the specification of the area to be processed from a user operating the connected device 200.

[0037] The secondary battery 370 is a supplementary power source that can be used in the event of a power outage. The secondary battery can be a general-purpose battery that provides power until a safe shutdown can be performed.

[0038] The storage area 380 is a storage device that enables data storage and utilization of pre-stored data in response to input to the storage activation switch 314. The storage area 380 may be configured to be used as a temporary storage area for patch application, or it may be configured to pre-store a bootable image and execute the image remotely as needed to access data or diagnose hardware. In other words, the storage area 380 may be configured to pre-store, for example, a Linux® Live image, and to check the operating status of various hardware such as HDDs, SSDs, CPUs, and memory, or to diagnose their remaining lifespan, in response to remote operation. The storage activation switch 314 may be configured to either store data in the storage area 380 or utilize data stored in the storage area 380, or only one of these, depending on the input.

[0039] The machine learning chip 390 can be used to train learning models used when performing the aforementioned routine processing. The machine learning chip 390 may be a GPGPU (General-purpose computing on graphics processing units), etc.

[0040] The above is an example configuration of the KVM switch 300.

[0041] The maintenance server 400 can be connected to the KVM switch 300, as well as to the operator device 500, which is an information processing device for operators performing remote operations. For example, the maintenance server 400 can transmit video signals received from the KVM switch 300 to the operator device 500, or transmit operation signals received from the operator device 500 to the KVM switch 300.

[0042] For example, the maintenance server 400 checks whether it can be assigned to the operator device 500 in response to a request from the KVM switch 300. If the operator device 500 responds that it can be assigned, the maintenance server 400 responds to the request to the KVM switch 300 and starts a session with the KVM switch 300. The maintenance server 400 is also configured to appropriately route signals received from the KVM switch 300 during session establishment to the corresponding operator device 500. Routing may be implemented using known technologies. The maintenance server 400 and the operator device 500 may be connected to each other via wired or wireless means so that they can communicate with each other.

[0043] As described above, with the KVM switch 300 described in this embodiment, the operator device 500 can receive video signals from the device under maintenance via the KVM switch 300 and the maintenance server 400. The operator device 500 can also transmit operation signals to the device under maintenance via the KVM switch 300 and the maintenance server 400. As a result, with the above configuration, the operator operating the operator device 500 can remotely operate the device under maintenance while checking the video output output by the device under maintenance.

[0044] The above is an example of the configuration of the maintenance system 100. Next, an example of the operation of the KVM switch 300 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0045] Figure 4 shows an example of the operation of the KVM switch 300 and the maintenance server 400 when a session is established for maintenance work. Referring to Figure 4, the KVM switch 300 accepts a maintenance request in response to a user pressing the request switch (step S101). Then, the controller 320 sends a maintenance work request to the maintenance server 400 (step S102).

[0046] The maintenance server 400 queries the operator information processing device in response to a request to determine whether an assignable operator exists. If no assignable operator exists (step S201, No), the maintenance server 400 waits for a predetermined time. On the other hand, if an assignable operator exists (step S201, Yes), the maintenance server 400 assigns the assignable operator (step S202). This establishes a session between the user and the operator.

[0047] The above is an example of the operation when a session is established. Next, please refer to Figure 5 to explain an example of the operation after a session has been established.

[0048] Referring to Figure 5, if a switch included in the switch set 310 receives an input while a session is being established (step S301, Yes), the controller 320 starts executing maintenance functions corresponding to the received input (step S303). For example, if the video transmission switch 311 receives an input, the controller 320 controls the destination of the video signal to send and receive video signals between the connected devices 200 and to start sending video signals to the maintenance server 400. Also, for example, if the operation acceptance switch 312 receives an input, the controller 320 accepts the operation signal received from the maintenance server 400 and transmits the accepted operation signal to the connected device 200, etc.

[0049] For example, input is accepted while the session is established. When the session ends (step S301, No), input acceptance for each switch in the switch set 310 ends, for example. Alternatively, the system may be configured to always accept input for each switch in the switch set 310, regardless of whether a session is established or not.

[0050] Thus, the KVM switch 300 has a switch set 310. With this configuration, the KVM switch 300 can start executing maintenance functions according to the input received to the switch set 310. As a result, by using the KVM switch 300, when receiving services such as maintenance work, it is possible to easily select the functions to be enabled, and the user's wishes can be easily reflected. Furthermore, with the above configuration, it is possible to select the execution of each maintenance function, so the user's wishes can be accurately reflected.

[0051] Furthermore, by including the switch set 310 in the KVM switch 300, it becomes possible to establish a session and start executing maintenance functions before the connected device 200, which is the information processing device, starts up. As a result, the operator device 500 can easily check, for example, the startup screen of the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), which starts up before the OS (operating system). This enables more accurate maintenance work.

[0052] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the switch device 600 when the switch section 621 is implemented in software. Similar to the switch set 310 described in the first embodiment, the switch section 621 may be implemented by hardware such as a plurality of push buttons. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the switch device 600.

[0053] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the switch device 600. Referring to Figure 6, the switch device 600 has the following hardware configuration as an example. ·CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601 (computing unit) ROM (Read Only Memory) 602 (Storage Device) • RAM (Random Access Memory) 603 (storage device) • Program group 604 loaded into RAM603 • Storage device 605 for storing the program group 604 • Drive device 606 for reading and writing to recording medium 610 outside the information processing device. • Communication interface 607 that connects to the communication network 611 outside the information processing device. • Input / output interface 608 for data input / output. • Bus 609 connecting each component

[0054] Furthermore, the switch device 600 can realize the functions of the switch unit 621 and execution unit 622 shown in Figure 7 by having the CPU 601 acquire the program group 604 and execute it. The program group 604 is, for example, stored in advance in a storage device 605 or ROM 602, and the CPU 601 loads it into RAM 603 or the like and executes it as needed. Alternatively, the program group 604 may be supplied to the CPU 601 via a communication network 611, or it may be stored in advance in a recording medium 610, and the drive device 606 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 601.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the switch device 600. The hardware configuration of the switch device 600 is not limited to the case described above. For example, the switch device 600 may consist of only a part of the configuration described above, such as not having a drive device 606.

[0056] The switch unit 621 receives an input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on the device to be maintained via remote control.

[0057] The execution unit 622 executes the maintenance function that the switch unit 621 has received input for from among several maintenance functions. For example, the execution unit 622 can be configured not to execute the corresponding maintenance function until the switch unit 621 has received input.

[0058] Thus, the switch device 600 has a switch unit 621 and an execution unit 622. With this configuration, the execution unit 622 can execute the maintenance function that the switch unit 621 has received input for from among a plurality of maintenance functions. As a result, the function to be enabled can be easily selected, and the user's wishes can be easily reflected.

[0059] The above-mentioned switch device 600 can be realized by incorporating a predetermined program into an information processing device such as the switch device 600. Specifically, another form of the present invention is a program for implementing a process in which an information processing device such as the switch device 600 receives an input to enable at least one of a plurality of maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained by remote control, and executes the maintenance function for which the input was received.

[0060] Furthermore, the execution method performed by the information processing device such as the aforementioned switch device 600 is: This method involves an information processing device, such as a switch device 600, receiving an input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control, and then executing the maintenance function for which the input was received.

[0061] Even if the invention is a program, or a recording medium readable by a computer containing the program, or an execution method having the above-described configuration, it can achieve the same functions and effects as the switch device 600 described above, and thus achieve the objectives of the present disclosure described above.

[0062] <Note> Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows. The outline of the switch device and the like in the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following configuration.

[0063] (Note 1) A switch unit that receives an input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control, An execution unit that executes the maintenance function for which the switch unit has received input from among the multiple maintenance functions, has Switching device. (Note 2) The switch device described in Appendix 1, The switch unit receives an input that enables a transmission and reception function for receiving maintenance information transmitted or received between an external device that performs maintenance work on the device to be maintained by remote control and the device to be maintained. The execution unit, when the transmission and reception function is enabled, transmits the maintenance information to the external device or receives the maintenance information from the external device. Switching device. (Note 3) A switch device as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, The switch unit receives an input that enables a transmission function that transmits a video signal to be displayed on a display device of the device to be maintained as maintenance information to the external device. The execution unit transmits the video signal to the external device when the transmission function is enabled. Switching device. (Note 4) The switch device described in Appendix 3, The aforementioned video signal is obtained by performing predetermined image processing on at least a portion of the image. Switching device. (Note 5) A switch device as described in Appendix 3 or Appendix 4, The switch unit receives an input indicating that a predetermined image processing is to be performed. Switching device. (Note 6) A switch device described in any one of the items from Appendix 2 to Appendix 5, The switch unit receives an input that enables the acceptance function for accepting operation instructions for the device to be maintained transmitted by the external device, The execution unit accepts the operation instruction when the acceptance function is enabled. Switching device. (Note 7) A switch device described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 6, The switch unit starts accepting input in response to the start of a maintenance session with the external device. After the maintenance session has started, the execution unit executes the maintenance function that the switch unit has received as input. Switching device. (Note 8) A switch device described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 7, The switch unit receives an input indicating that the storage function of the switch device should be enabled, which indicates that the storage device should be used. Switching device. (Note 9) The switch device, It accepts input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control. The system executes the maintenance function that received the input from among the multiple maintenance functions. How to execute. (Note 10) In the switch device, It accepts input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control. The system executes the maintenance function that received the input from among the multiple maintenance functions. A computer-readable recording medium that contains the program necessary to perform a process.

[0064] The programs described in each of the above embodiments and appendices are stored in a storage device or recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the recording medium is a portable medium such as a flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made within the scope of the present invention as can be understood by those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 100 Maintenance Systems 200 Destination device 300 KVM switches 310 Switch Set 311 Video transmission switch 312 Operation Accept Switch 313 Image Processing Switch 314 Storage Enable Switch 315 Lighting section 400 maintenance servers 500 Operator device 600 Switching Device 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 604 Program Groups 605 Storage device 606 Drive Unit 607 Communication Interface 608 Input / Output Interface Bus 609 610 Recording media 611 Communication Network 621 Switch section 622 Execution Unit

Claims

1. A switch unit that receives an input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control, An execution unit that executes the maintenance function for which the switch unit has received input from among the multiple maintenance functions, has Switching device.

2. A switch device according to claim 1, The switch unit receives an input that enables a transmission and reception function for receiving maintenance information transmitted or received between an external device that performs maintenance work on the device to be maintained by remote control and the device to be maintained. The execution unit, when the transmission and reception function is enabled, transmits the maintenance information to the external device or receives the maintenance information from the external device. Switching device.

3. A switch device according to claim 2, The switch unit receives an input that enables a transmission function that transmits a video signal to be displayed on a display device of the device to be maintained as maintenance information to the external device. The execution unit transmits the video signal to the external device when the transmission function is enabled. Switching device.

4. A switch device according to claim 3, The aforementioned video signal is obtained by performing predetermined image processing on at least a portion of the image. Switching device.

5. A switch device according to claim 4, The switch unit receives an input indicating that a predetermined image processing is to be performed. Switching device.

6. A switch device according to claim 2, The switch unit receives an input that enables the acceptance function for accepting operation instructions for the device to be maintained transmitted by the external device, The execution unit accepts the operation instruction when the acceptance function is enabled. Switching device.

7. A switch device according to claim 2, The switch unit starts accepting input in response to the start of a maintenance session with the external device. After the maintenance session has started, the execution unit executes the maintenance function that the switch unit has received as input. Switching device.

8. A switch device according to claim 1, The switch unit receives an input indicating that the storage function of the switch device should be enabled, which indicates that the storage device should be used. Switching device.

9. The switch device, It accepts input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control. The system executes the maintenance function that received the input from among the multiple maintenance functions. How to execute.

10. In the switch device, It accepts input to enable at least one of several maintenance functions used when performing maintenance work on a device to be maintained via remote control. The system executes the maintenance function that received the input from among the multiple maintenance functions. A program to perform the processing.

Images