JP2004194220A - Data communication device, digital video camera, control method of data communication device, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably avoid user's confusion for devices connected to a network, even if a plurality of different interfaces which a single device has are connected to the network. <P>SOLUTION: When a plurality of different communication portions 504-506 which a device has are connected to a network, any one of the communication portions 504-506 is selected by a selecting portion 602 within a control portion 503 according to a communication through the network, only a selected communication portion is made an operation enabling state by a state control portion 607, only a single communication portion of the communication portions 504-506 is always made an operation enabling state, and a display of a plurality of icons at the same time indicating the same device can be avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data communication device, a digital video camera, a control method for a data communication device, a recording medium, and a program, and is particularly suitable for use in a data communication device connectable to a network via a plurality of different interfaces. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, there are many digital devices having a digital interface for communicating with external devices and the like. Such digital devices are connected to each other via a digital interface, and can construct a network system. However, conventionally, one network system is constructed using only one type of digital interface, and it has been difficult to construct one network system using different types of digital interfaces.
[0003]
As one method for solving this problem, UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is currently proposed (reference: Universal Plug and Play Device Architecture, Version 1.0, 08 Jun 2000). UPnP performs communication between different interfaces using IP (Internet Protocol). Thereby, UPnP can construct one network system using different types of interfaces without depending on the physical connection method of the interfaces.
[0004]
[Non-patent document 1]
Universal Plug and Play Device Architecture, Version 1.0, 08 Jun 2000
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In UPnP, as long as data (packets) can be transmitted and received in accordance with IP with respect to a physical layer in data communication, any interface such as IEEE1394, Ethernet (R), PowerLine, or IEEE802.11b can be used. good. Therefore, it is expected that various different physical transmission lines exist in the physical transmission line of the UPnP network system.
[0006]
It is also assumed that one device has a plurality of different interfaces (for example, IEEE1394, Ethernet (R), and IEEE802.11b), and all interfaces can perform IP communication. At this time, the device can join (connect) to the UPnP network using any interface.
[0007]
For example, it is assumed that one digital video camera (DVC) has three different interfaces capable of communicating by IP, and all interfaces are connected to a UPnP network. In the UPnP network system, since communication is performed using IP, an IP address is assigned to each interface.
[0008]
If the DVC assigns the same IP address to the three interfaces by AutoIP, IP address conflicts (IP conflict) may occur on the UPnP network. Therefore, when all interfaces of the DVC are connected to the UPnP network, different IP addresses must be allocated to each interface.
[0009]
However, when a plurality of IP addresses are allocated to a single device, the following problem occurs.
FIG. 1 is an example of a display screen of a digital television (DTV) connected to a UPnP network to which the above-described DVC is connected.
[0010]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 301 denotes an actual video display screen, and 302 denotes a program guide. Reference numerals 303 to 308 denote icons for displaying devices that provide services connected to the UPnP network. Here, since different IP addresses are respectively assigned to three different interfaces in the DVC, the DTV may recognize the three interfaces of the DVC as interfaces of different devices.
[0011]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the DTV displays three DVC icons 306 to 308 on the display screen as if three DVCs exist on the UPnP network. Therefore, the user recognizes that the icons 306 to 308 displayed on the DTV indicate different devices, and a malfunction occurs in response to an operation instruction or the like from the user, causing confusion for the user. There was a problem that could be.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and even if a plurality of different interfaces of one device are connected to a network, a user may be confused about a device connected to the network. An object of the present invention is to be able to surely prevent such a situation.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The data communication device of the present invention includes a plurality of different communication units each capable of performing communication via a network according to a common communication protocol, and a control unit for controlling the plurality of communication units. When one of the communication means is connected to the same network, any one of the plurality of communication means is made operable in accordance with communication via the network.
[0014]
Another feature of the data communication device of the present invention is that a plurality of different communication means for performing communication according to a common communication protocol, and a control means for controlling the data communication device main body in accordance with data received from the communication means. When all of the communication means are connected to a network to which a plurality of devices are connected, select one of the communication means and make only the selected communication means operable. It is characterized.
[0015]
A digital video camera according to the present invention is a digital video camera having a data communication device for transmitting and receiving data via a network, comprising a plurality of different communication means for performing communication by a common communication method, and receiving from the communication means. Control means for controlling the data communication apparatus in accordance with the received data, and, when all the communication means are connected to a network to which a plurality of devices are connected, according to the operation mode of the digital video camera. And determining the communication means to be in an operable state.
[0016]
A method for controlling a data communication device according to the present invention is a method for controlling a data communication device having a plurality of different communication means capable of performing communication via a network according to a common communication protocol, wherein the plurality of communication means are the same. A selecting step of selecting any one of the plurality of communication means to be in an operable state according to communication via the network when connected to the network; And a state control step of controlling the states of the plurality of communication means in accordance with the selection result.
[0017]
The program according to the present invention is configured such that when a plurality of different communication means each capable of performing communication via a network using a common communication protocol are connected to the same network, the plurality of communication means communicate with each other via the network. A selecting step of selecting any one of the communication means to be in an operable state from among the communication means, and a state control step of controlling states of the plurality of communication means in accordance with a selection result in the selecting step. Is executed by a computer.
[0018]
The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is used for communication via a network when a plurality of different communication means each capable of communication via a network using a common communication protocol are connected to the same network. A selecting step of selecting any one of the plurality of communication means to be in an operable state from the plurality of communication means, and controlling states of the plurality of communication means according to a selection result in the selecting step. And a program for causing a computer to execute the state control step.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The data communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention is suitable for use in, for example, a UPnP network system as shown in FIG.
[0020]
The UPnP network system shown in FIG. 2 includes a digital video camera (DVC) 401, a printer 402, a personal computer (PC) 403, a home hard disk (home HDD) 404, a digital television (DTV) 405, and a digital video (DV). 406 and a home server (home server) 407.
[0021]
The DVC 401 and the home server 407 are connected via a transmission medium conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, a transmission medium conforming to the Ethernet (R) standard, and a transmission medium conforming to the IEEE 802.11b standard. The printer 402 and the PC 403 are connected via a transmission medium compliant with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and the PC 403 and the home server 407 are connected via a transmission medium compliant with the Ethernet (R) standard. .
[0022]
The home HDD 404 and the home server 407 are connected via a transmission medium conforming to the Ethernet (R) standard, and the DTV 405 and the DV 406 and the DTV 405 and the home server 407 are connected via a transmission medium conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. Have been.
In the following description, a case where the data communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided in the DVC 401 will be described as an example.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the DVC 401. The DVC 401 (each functional unit of the DVC 401) is controlled by the control unit 503. Further, the functions unique to the digital video camera are realized by the digital video camera module main unit 502. In the present embodiment, the portions related to the functions unique to the digital video camera are the same as those of the conventional digital video camera. Description is omitted.
[0024]
Reference numerals 504, 505, and 506 denote communication units (communication interfaces) included in the DVC 401. The first communication unit 504 performs data communication using a transmission method defined by the IEEE 1394 standard. Further, the second communication unit 505 performs data communication using a transmission method defined by the Ethernet (R) standard, and the third communication unit 506 performs data communication using a transmission method specified by the IEEE 802.11b standard. .
[0025]
Here, in the Ethernet (R) standard and the IEEE802.11b standard, since IP is specified as a communication protocol, it is possible to participate in a UPnP network as a device. In addition, with regard to the IEEE 1394 standard, since IP over 1394 (a method of transmitting IP packets on a transmission medium conforming to the IEEE standard) is defined, it is possible to participate in a UPnP network as a device in the same manner.
[0026]
The communication units 504 to 506 each have a function of electrically transitioning to a sleep (non-operation) state (power saving mode), and are operable under the control of the control unit 503 (normal operation mode) or Go to sleep (non-operation) state. In the present embodiment, the power consumption of the communication units 504 to 506 is determined by the first communication unit 504 (IEEE1394), the second communication unit 505 (Ethernet (R)), and the third communication unit (IEEE802.11b). ).
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit 503 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, communication units 504 to 506 are also illustrated for convenience of explanation.
[0028]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 601 denotes an interrupt receiving unit, which receives an interrupt notification transmitted from the communication units 504 to 506 when the communication units 504 to 506 are connected to be able to communicate with the network. A selection unit 602 is based on a power consumption information storage unit 603, a power consumption calculation unit 604, a data determination unit 605, and a transmission band calculation unit 606, and is connected to communication units 504 to 504 to be communicable with a network. The communication units 504 to 506 to be operable are selected from among the communication units 506.
[0029]
The power consumption information storage unit 603 stores information on power consumption of each of the communication units 504 to 506 (for example, average power consumption). The power consumption calculation unit 604 calculates the power consumption required for data transmission based on the average power consumption of the communication units 504 to 506 and the transmission time of data to be transmitted and received. The data determination unit 605 determines whether the data to be transmitted is large-capacity data or data requiring real-time (immediate) performance. The transmission band calculation unit 606 calculates a transmission band in the network to which the communication units 504 to 506 are connected.
Reference numeral 607 denotes a state control unit that controls the communication units 504 to 506 to be in an operable state or a non-operable state according to the selection result of the selection unit 602.
[0030]
Next, the operation will be described.
It is assumed that all communication units (communication interfaces) 504 to 506 are connected to a UPnP network. At this time, since the DVC 401 previously stores the average power consumption of all the communication units 504 to 506 in the power consumption information storage unit 603, the selection unit 602 in the control unit 503 determines that the average power consumption is the smallest. The third communication unit 506 (IEEE802.11b) is selected as the communication unit to be operable. The state control unit 607 in the control unit 503 sets only the third communication unit 506 to an operable state in accordance with the selection result in the selection unit 602, and sets the other communication units (the first and second communication units) 504, 505) are controlled to be in a non-operation state.
[0031]
For the first communication unit 504 (IEEE1394) and the second communication unit 505 (Ethernet (R)), it is determined whether or not a physical connection has been made to the UPnP network by using a physical electrical signal. This is realized by the communication units 504 and 505 notifying the control unit 503 of the interruption by the bias detection. Further, in the case of wireless communication such as the third communication unit 506 (IEEE802.11b), it is determined whether or not a connection to a UPnP network has been made so that communication is possible. This is realized by the communication unit 506 notifying the control unit 503 of an interruption upon reception.
[0032]
Here, in the case of wireless communication such as the third communication unit 506, since the transmission band is small, it is not suitable for large-capacity data transmission or data transmission requiring real-time properties. Therefore, when the DVC 401 transmits a large amount of data, the third communication unit 506 is set to the non-operation state, and the first or second communication unit 504 or 505 is set to the operation state. Here, if a 2-channel isochronous moving image has already been transmitted between the DTV 405 and the DV (stationary digital video) 406 in FIG. 2 on a network conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, the network conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard If the data is transmitted using, the remaining transmission band is used, and the transmission band is limited.
[0033]
Therefore, in the above-described state, when the network conforming to the Ethernet (R) standard has a larger usable transmission band than the network conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, the selecting unit 602 sets the second communication The unit 505 is selected as a communication unit to be operable. Then, the state control unit 607 controls the second communication unit 505 to be in an operable state, and controls the other communication units (the first and third communication units 504 and 506) to be in an inactive state.
[0034]
The selection operation of the communication units 504 to 506 in the control unit 503 described above will be described in detail based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
If it is determined in step S701 that a plurality of communication units (communication interfaces) are connected to the UPnP network based on the interrupt notification from each of the communication units 504 to 506, the power consumption is lowest in step S702. One communication unit is selected by the selection unit 602. The state control unit 607 sets the communication unit selected by the selection unit 602 to an operable state, and sets the other communication units to a non-operating state. In the present embodiment, since the third communication unit 506 has the lowest power consumption, at this time, the third communication unit 506 is selected as a communication unit to be operable.
[0035]
Next, in step S703, the data determination unit 605 determines whether the data to be transmitted is large-capacity data. For example, it is assumed that an operation instruction to record image data of a large amount of data shot by the DVC 401 shown in FIG. 2 in the home HDD 404 is issued from the user via the user interface of the DTV 405. In such a case, a YES branch is made in step S703, and a communication unit having a high transfer rate, in this embodiment, the first communication unit 504 is selected by the selection unit 602 in step S704.
[0036]
Next, in step S705, the transmission band calculation unit 606 calculates the transmission band currently used on the network to which the communication units 504 to 506 are connected. For example, transmission used on a network compliant with the Ethernet (R) standard to which the second communication unit 505 is connected or on a network compliant with the IEEE802.11b standard to which the third communication unit 506 is connected. When calculating the bandwidth, it is possible to compare the round trip time of the "PING (ICMP)" packet with the maximum transfer rate of the Ethernet (R) and refer to the expected value.
[0037]
In a network based on the IEEE 1394 standard to which the first communication unit 504 is connected, it is possible to acquire the remaining transmission band on the network from the “BANDWIDTH_AVAILABLE” register of the isochronous resource manager. However, in this case, since the transmission band on the physical network conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is used, the transmission of the network using the “PING” packet or the like is performed as described above in order to consider the load of the entire network. It is desirable to calculate the band use state.
[0038]
Thereafter, in step S706, if it is determined in step S704 that the remaining transmission bandwidth of the selected communication unit is small, in step S707, the other communication units having a large available remaining transmission band are selected by the selection unit. 602 is selected. In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 504 is selected in step S704. However, since the remaining transmission bandwidth available in the physical network conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is small, the second communication unit 504 is finally selected. 505 will be selected by the selection unit 602.
[0039]
Also, when the DVC 401 is operating in a power saving mode for reducing battery weight reduction, for example, when receiving a request to transmit a large amount of data, the communication units 504 to 506 need to perform data transmission. Calculate the estimated times respectively. For example, when the actual transfer rate on the network is 100 KB / sec, it takes about 30 seconds to transmit 3 Mbytes of data.
[0040]
The power consumption calculation unit 604 can calculate the power consumption during data transmission from the average power consumption of each of the communication units 504 to 506 and the estimated time required for data transmission. By using the predicted value of the power consumption of the data transmission calculated by the power consumption calculation unit 604, the communication unit expected to consume the least power is set to the operable state, and the actual data transmission is performed in this manner. The process is executed using the communication unit, and the other communication units are set to the inactive state. At this time, the switching of the communication unit is performed after the communication unit already connected to the UPnP network is disconnected by the ssdp: byebye message, and the selected communication unit newly joins the UPnP network by the ssdp: alive message and continues the requested processing. I do.
[0041]
In addition, when the DVC 401 is operating in the mode for transmitting moving image data, the first communication unit 504 is always selected to ensure real-time performance of the moving image related to the moving image data. it can.
[0042]
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when all the communication units 504 to 506 of the DVC 401 (device) including the plurality of communication units 504 to 506 are connected to the UPnP network, According to the communication performed via the communication unit, the selection unit 602 in the control unit 503 selects any one of the communication units 504 to 506, and the state control unit 607 sets the selected communication unit to an operable state. The other communication units to the inactive state.
[0043]
Accordingly, even when the plurality of communication units 504 to 506 included in the DVC 401 are connected to the UPnP network, the plurality of communication units do not simultaneously become operable, and always respond to communication performed via the UPnP network. Only the most suitable one of the communication units 504 to 506 can be made operable, and the same icon can be prevented from being displayed at the same time on a control point (for example, the DTV 405) of the UPnP network. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the user from being confused about the devices connected to the UPnP network, and to improve the user interface.
[0044]
Further, when selecting the communication unit to be operable, the selection unit 602 determines, based on the power consumption of the communication unit, the transfer rate, and the transmission band available on the transmission medium to which the communication unit is connected, and the like. Since the communication unit is selected according to the real-time property of the data to be transmitted and received, the data capacity, and the like, the communication unit most suitable for the data to be transmitted and received can be selected. Further, by selecting an optimal communication unit for data to be transmitted and received, traffic in the UPnP network can be reduced.
[0045]
In the above description, the case where the data communication device according to the present embodiment is provided in the DVC 401 is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of communication units (communication units) that can be connected to a network are provided. Interface).
[0046]
(Another embodiment of the present invention)
In order to operate various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is transmitted to an apparatus or a computer in a system connected to the various devices. The present invention also includes those which are supplied and executed by operating the above-described various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus.
[0047]
In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and a unit for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code is stored. The recording medium constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.
[0048]
When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. It goes without saying that such a program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.
[0049]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of different communication means are connected to the same network, only one of the communication means can be operated according to the communication via the network. To As a result, even if a plurality of different communication means of one device are connected to the network, only one communication means is always operable, and the same device is displayed as a plurality of user interfaces. This prevents the user from being confused about the devices connected to the network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a digital television connected to a UPnP network.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a UPnP network system suitable for applying a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a digital video camera having a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a control unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of selecting a communication unit in the data communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
503 control units 504 to 506 communication unit 601 interrupt reception unit 602 selection unit 603 power consumption information storage unit 604 power consumption calculation unit 605 data discrimination unit 606 transmission band calculation unit 607 state control unit

Claims (14)

A plurality of different communication means each capable of communicating over a network according to a common communication protocol,
Control means for controlling the plurality of communication means,
When the plurality of communication means are connected to the same network, the control means sets any one of the plurality of communication means to an operable state in accordance with communication via the network. A data communication device characterized by the above-mentioned. Selecting means for selecting a communication means to be made operable from the plurality of communication means,
2. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: state control means for controlling states of the plurality of communication means in accordance with a result of the selection by the selection means. The selecting means is in an operable state based on at least one of a type or capacity of data transmitted / received via the network, power consumption of the communication means, and a transmission band in a transmission medium to which the communication means is connected. 3. The data communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a communication unit to be set is selected. The said state control means makes the communication means selected by the said selection means operable, and makes all the said communication means different from the said selected communication means inactive. 3. The data communication device according to 2. A plurality of different communication means for communicating according to a common communication protocol;
Control means for controlling the data communication device main body according to the data received from the communication means,
When all of the communication means are connected to a network to which a plurality of devices are connected, any one of the communication means is selected, and only the selected communication means is made operable. Data communication device. When all of the communication means are connected to the network, only the communication means having the lowest power consumption among the communication means is made operable, and all of the communication means different from the communication means are operated. The data communication device according to claim 5, wherein the data communication device is set to a non-operation state. If the data transmitted / received by the data communication device is data requiring immediacy, only the communication means having the largest transmission band is made operable, and all of the communication means different from the communication means are deactivated. The data communication device according to claim 5, wherein the data communication device is set in a state. The communication unit further includes a transmission band calculation unit that calculates a transmission band in the network to which the communication unit is connected,
6. The communication unit according to claim 5, wherein only the communication unit having the largest transmission band calculated by the transmission band calculation unit is set in an operable state, and all of the communication units different from the communication unit are set in a non-operation state. Data communication device. Further comprising power consumption calculating means for calculating the total power consumption when transmitting and receiving data using the communication means,
When the data communication device is operating in the power saving mode, only the communication unit having the smallest total power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation unit is set in an operable state, and the communication unit different from the communication unit is used. 6. The data communication device according to claim 5, wherein all of the data communication devices are set to a non-operation state. The data communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the network is a UPnP network. A digital video camera having a data communication device for transmitting and receiving data via a network,
A plurality of different communication means for communicating by a common communication method,
Control means for controlling the data communication device according to data received from the communication means,
When all of the communication means are connected to a network to which a plurality of devices are connected, a communication means to be operable is determined according to an operation mode of the digital video camera. Digital video camera. A method for controlling a data communication device having a plurality of different communication means each capable of communicating via a network according to a common communication protocol,
When the plurality of communication means are connected to the same network, any one of the plurality of communication means to be operable is selected from the plurality of communication means in accordance with communication via the network. A selection step;
A state control step of controlling states of the plurality of communication units in accordance with a result of the selection in the selection step. When a plurality of different communication means each capable of communicating via a network using a common communication protocol are connected to the same network, according to the communication via the network, the plurality of communication means are selected from among the plurality of communication means. A selecting step of selecting any one of the communication means to be in an operable state;
A state control step of controlling a state of each of the plurality of communication means in accordance with a result of the selection in the selection step. When a plurality of different communication means each capable of communicating via a network using a common communication protocol are connected to the same network, according to the communication via the network, the plurality of communication means are selected from among the plurality of communication means. A selecting step of selecting any one of the communication means to be in an operable state;
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute a state control step of controlling a state of each of the plurality of communication means in accordance with a result of the selection in the selection step.

Images