JP2015097300A - Radio relay device, radio transmission device, radio system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent transmission and reception of a radio signal from being infinitely repeated between a plurality of radio relay devices.SOLUTION: A radio relay device relays a radio signal according to a communication scheme between nodes. The radio relay device comprises: a receiving unit that receives a radio signal including number information indicating the number of permitted transfers; and a transfer unit that determines whether the radio signal should be transferred or not on the basis of the number information, and transfers the radio signal reducing the number of transfers on the condition that it has determined that the radio signal should be transferred.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless relay device, a wireless transmission device, a wireless system, and a program.

A camera and an external device that can synchronize processing between devices connected via wireless communication are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[Prior art documents]
[Patent Literature]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-32909

  In a system that relays a radio signal with a plurality of radio relay apparatuses, when the radio relay apparatus simply relays a radio signal, a very large number of communication paths are formed between the transmitting apparatus that has transmitted the radio signal and the receiving apparatus. May be. Moreover, transmission / reception of a radio signal may be repeated infinitely between a plurality of radio relay apparatuses.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a wireless relay device that relays a wireless signal according to a communication method between nodes, a receiving unit that receives a wireless signal including number information indicating an allowable number of transfers, and a wireless signal And a transfer unit that reduces the number of transfers and transfers the radio signal on the condition that it is determined based on the frequency information and that it is determined that the radio signal should be transferred.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, a wireless relay device that relays a radio signal, a reception unit that receives the radio signal, a relay information storage unit that stores identification information for identifying the radio signal that has already been relayed, When the identification information for identifying the radio signal newly received by the receiving unit is not stored in the relay information storage unit, the transfer unit for transferring the newly received radio signal and the identification stored in the relay information storage unit A control unit that erases the identification information of the radio signal that has passed a predetermined period of time since reception.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, the wireless transmission device indicates the number of transfers, and a transfer number setting unit that sets the number of transfers in which wireless signal transfer is allowed according to the type of data transmitted by the wireless signal. A signal generation unit that generates a signal including information and data, and a transmission unit that transmits the signal generated by the signal generation unit using a radio signal.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a wireless system includes the wireless transmission device and the wireless relay device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling a wireless relay device that relays a wireless signal according to a communication method between nodes, and receiving a wireless signal including frequency information indicating an allowable number of transfers Determining whether to transfer the radio signal based on the number of times information, and transferring the radio signal by reducing the number of transfers on the condition that it is determined that the radio signal should be transferred. Let the computer run.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling a radio relay apparatus that relays a radio signal, the step of receiving the radio signal, and identification information for identifying the radio signal that has already been relayed. Storing the newly received radio signal when the identification information for identifying the newly received radio signal is not stored in the relay information storage unit, and storing in the relay information storage unit A step of erasing the identification information of the radio signal for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the reception of the received identification information.

  In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the step of setting the number of transfers allowed for wireless signal transfer according to the type of data transmitted by the radio signal, and the generation of a signal including information and data indicating the number of transfers And causing the computer to execute a step of transmitting the generated signal as a radio signal.

  It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

An example of the use environment of the camera system 5 concerning one Embodiment is shown. An example of the data format of the packet transmitted with a radio signal is shown. An example of a block configuration of the wireless remote controller 30, the wireless relay device 40, and the camera 10 is shown. The allowable number of transfers stored for each command by the wireless remote controller 30 is shown in a table format. The processed data stored in the wireless relay device 40 are shown in a table format. The pairing information stored in the wireless relay device 40 is shown in a table format. An example of an operation flow when the wireless remote controller 30 transmits a packet is shown. An example of the operation | movement flow in case the wireless relay apparatus 40 relays a packet is shown. An example of the operation | movement flow in the case of deleting data from processed data is shown. An example of an operation flow in the camera 10 is shown.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a use environment of a camera system 5 according to an embodiment. A camera system 5 as an example of a wireless system includes a camera 10a, a camera 10b, a wireless remote controller 30, and wireless relay devices 40a to 40c. The camera 10a has a light emitting device 20a. The camera 10b has a light emitting device 20b. The light emitting device 20a and the light emitting device 20b are flash devices and illuminate the subject in a short time. In the description of this embodiment, the camera 10a and the camera 10b may be collectively referred to as the camera 10. The light emitting device 20a and the light emitting device 20 may be collectively referred to as the light emitting device 20.

  The wireless remote controller 30, the wireless relay device 40, and the camera 10 perform wireless communication according to a communication method between nodes. In particular, the wireless relay device 40 performs wireless communication without considering the network topology. Specifically, when receiving a wireless signal, the wireless relay device 40 transmits a corresponding wireless signal without considering the destination. The wireless relay device 40 does not recognize the position of the destination of the wireless signal on the communication path, and does not transmit a wireless signal by recognizing a specific communication path corresponding to the destination.

  In the camera system 5, for example, radio communication is performed using a radio frequency band of 2.4 GHz band. For example, the wireless remote controller 30 controls the camera 10 by wireless communication to execute remote imaging. Specifically, the wireless remote controller 30 transmits an imaging instruction to the camera 10 with a wireless signal. In addition, the wireless remote controller 30 transmits an instruction to emit a flash to the light emitting device 20 by a wireless signal. The radio relay device 40 relays radio signals. As described above, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless remote controller 30 that remotely controls the camera 10, and the wireless signal includes data indicating the control content for controlling the camera 10.

  Here, when wireless communication is performed at an output of 10 mW / MHz in the 2.4 GHz band, the maximum reachable distance of wireless signals between nodes is practically about 100 m to 150 m. However, according to the camera system 5, the wireless relay device 40 relays the wireless signal, so that the distance that the wireless remote controller 30 can communicate can be substantially extended. In addition, providing a plurality of communication paths from the wireless remote controller 30 to the camera 10 can improve communication reliability and safety. Therefore, remote imaging can be performed by controlling the camera 10 even in a crowded communication environment such as a stadium or a soccer field.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a data format of a packet transmitted by a radio signal. The packet has a preamble, a SYNC, a data length, a transmission destination ID, a transmission source ID, a packet number, an allowable transfer count, a command, and a CHECK data field in this order. The preamble, SYNC, data length, transmission destination ID, transmission source ID, packet number, and allowable transfer count form a packet header.

  The preamble data is used for carrier detection, AGC (Auto Gain Control), and phase reference detection on the receiving side of wireless communication. When the preamble is detected, subsequent signals can be received. The SYNC data corresponds to, for example, a synchronization word, SFD (Start Frame Delimiter), etc., and is a bit pattern for detecting the start of a packet. For example, the SYNC data is 1-byte or 2-byte data. The standard value of the SYNC data is determined by the communication method, and when the signal decoded in the period of receiving the SYNC data matches the standard value of the determined SYNC data, the subsequent signal is validated. This determination is automatically performed by the hardware logic of the wireless module. If the reception of SYNC data is successful, a signal is output to the subsequent stage for data processing.

  The data length indicates how many bytes of data will be transmitted thereafter. In this example, the data length indicates how many bytes of data follow the transmission destination ID.

  The transmission destination ID indicates the transmission destination of the packet, and is information for identifying the wireless remote controller 30 and the camera 10 in the camera system 5. For example, the transmission destination ID may store a device ID assigned to the wireless remote controller 30 and the camera 10 in advance. The transmission source ID indicates the transmission destination of the packet and is information for identifying the wireless remote controller 30 and the camera 10. For example, similarly to the transmission destination ID, the transmission source ID may store a device ID assigned in advance to the wireless remote controller 30 and the camera 10. The device ID may be assigned when the camera 10 and the wireless remote controller 30 are manufactured. The device ID may be written in a ROM or the like included in each device. The packet number is information for identifying a packet. For example, a numerical value incremented each time the wireless remote controller 30 transmits a packet may be stored in the packet number.

  The allowable transfer count indicates the transfer count indicating the number of times allowed to be transferred. The initial value of the allowable transfer count is set by the wireless remote controller 30. Each time the packet is transferred via the wireless relay device 40, the allowable transfer count is decremented. The wireless relay device 40 transfers the packet when the allowable transfer count of the received packet is 1 or more, and does not transfer the packet when the allowable transfer count of the received packet is 0. When the allowable transfer count of the received packet is 0 or more, the wireless remote controller 30 performs control based on the packet. For example, control indicated by a command described later is performed.

  By including the allowable number of transfers in the packet, it is possible to prevent the packet from being relayed indefinitely. Note that the allowable transfer count may be included in all packets for controlling the camera 10. In this case, it is preferable that the allowable number of transfers is located near the beginning of the packet.

  When SYNC is detected and the data length is read, the number of data indicated by the data length is decoded, and reception of one packet of data is completed. While receiving a packet, it may not be normally received due to, for example, radio wave interference. However, after detecting SYNC, the number of data indicated by the data length is always decoded. Therefore, an abnormality may occur in the decoded data.

  The CHEK field stores check data for detecting an error in the decoded data. Check data is added to the end of the packet. The check data is created by an error detection data generation algorithm such as CRC, and has a length of 2 bytes, for example. In this example, a packet configuration including check data is illustrated, but a packet configuration not including check data may be employed. The presence or absence of an error in the received data is automatically detected using the check data by the hardware logic of the wireless module. When no error is detected, the completion of reception is notified to the subsequent stage of the wireless module, and the received data is subjected to the subsequent process. If an error is detected, the packet is discarded. For example, the wireless relay device 40 does not transfer the packet when an error is detected. In addition, when an error is detected, the camera 10 does not perform control based on the packet.

  The command stores data for identifying the control content for controlling the camera 10. For example, a command ID for identifying various commands such as a command ID for identifying an imaging instruction command for instructing the camera 10 to capture an image, a command ID for identifying a flash instruction command for causing the light emitting device 20 to emit a flash, and the like are stored as commands. The

  As described above, the wireless relay device 40 does not transfer a packet whose allowable transfer count is zero. On the other hand, when transferring a packet, the wireless relay device 40 decrements and transmits the allowable transfer count. For this reason, according to the camera system 5, it is possible to prevent the packet transmission / reception between the wireless relay devices 40 from being repeated indefinitely.

  For example, when communication is possible between the wireless relay device 40a and the wireless relay device 40b, the packet transferred by the wireless relay device 40a is received and transferred by the wireless relay device 40b. However, when the wireless relay device 40a receives the packet transferred by the wireless relay device 40b, the wireless relay device 40 has received the same packet again. For this reason, the wireless relay device 40a may transfer the same packet again. In addition, when communication is possible between the wireless relay device 40a and the wireless relay device 40c, the packet received again by the wireless relay device 40a is received and transferred by the wireless relay device 40c. However, when the wireless relay device 40a receives and transfers the packet transferred from the wireless relay device 40c, the wireless relay device 40b receives the packet transferred from the wireless relay device 40c. For this reason, packet transmission / reception may be repeated via the wireless relay device 40a between the wireless relay device 40b and the wireless relay device 40c. Further, when communication is possible between the wireless relay device 40b and the wireless relay device 40c, the packet transferred by the wireless relay device 40a is relayed by the wireless relay device 40c and the wireless relay device 40b, and the wireless relay device 40a is again connected. May receive. Therefore, the packet may circulate in a loop formed by a plurality of wireless relay devices 40.

  However, according to the camera system 5, it is possible to prevent the packet transmission / reception from being repeated infinitely between the plurality of wireless relay devices 40 by including the allowable transfer count in the packet. Further, it is possible to prevent the packet from circulating infinitely through a loop formed by the plurality of wireless relay devices 40. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a large number of packets from crossing the communication path, and it is possible to suppress the number of packets that the wireless relay device 40 should process per unit time. Therefore, it is not necessary for the wireless relay device 40 to repeat the packet transmission / reception process at high speed, and it is possible to prevent the wireless relay device 40 from continuously outputting unnecessary radio waves and deteriorating the communication environment. For this reason, the packet that should be relayed can be transferred properly. Further, by setting the allowable transfer count appropriately, the redundancy of the communication path can be ensured to some extent. For this reason, communication reliability and safety can be improved.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a block configuration of the wireless remote controller 30, the wireless relay device 40, and the camera 10. The wireless remote controller 30 includes an MPU 32, a memory 34, a display unit 35, an operation member 36, and a wireless module 38. The wireless relay device 40 includes an MPU 42, a memory 44, a display unit 45, an operation member 46, and a wireless module 48. The camera 10 includes a lens device 11, an MPU 12, an imaging unit 13, a memory 14, a display unit 15, an operation member 16, an image processing unit 17, a wireless module 18, and a light emitting device 20.

  An outline of the operation of the wireless remote controller 30 will be described. The MPU 32 generates packet data in the memory 34 based on a user operation or the like from the operation member 36 and supplies the packet data to the wireless module 38.

  Specifically, the MPU 32 stores the device ID assigned to the wireless remote controller 30 as the transmission source ID of the packet data. Further, the MPU 32 stores the device ID of the camera 10 as the control target specified from the user operation on the operation member 36 as the transmission destination ID. The MPU 32 increments the internal counter each time a packet transmitted as a radio signal is generated, and stores the value of the internal counter as the packet number of the packet data. The MPU 32 stores the allowable transfer count allowing transfer of a radio signal transmitted as a packet as the allowable transfer count of packet data. A command ID for identifying a command specified by a user operation is stored as a packet data command. The MPU 32 may store the allowable transfer count according to the command, as will be described later.

  The wireless module 38 modulates the packet data supplied from the MPU 32 and sends it out as a wireless signal from the antenna to the external space. The wireless module 38 demodulates and processes the wireless signal received by the antenna, and supplies the obtained packet data to the MPU 32. The radio module 18 performs processing based on the above-described preamble, SYNC, data length, and CHECK field signals with internal hardware logic. Based on the received packet data, the MPU 32 determines whether or not the packet is an ACK packet indicating an ACK from the wireless relay device 40 or the camera 10 with respect to a packet transmitted by itself. When the MPU 32 determines that the packet is an ACK packet, the MPU 32 deletes the packet data stored in the memory 34. When the MPU 32 does not receive the ACK during a predetermined time, the MPU 32 increments the internal counter, changes the packet number of the packet data stored in the memory 34 to the value of the internal counter, and then from the wireless module 38. resend.

  The display unit 35 performs various displays according to control from the MPU 32. For example, the display unit 35 displays that the instruction has been transmitted to the camera 10. In addition, the display unit 35 displays that the ACK corresponding to the instruction has been received from the camera 10.

  An outline of the operation of the wireless relay device 40 will be described. The radio module 48 demodulates and processes the radio signal received by the antenna, and supplies the obtained packet data to the MPU 42. The wireless module 48 performs processing based on the above-described preamble, SYNC, data length, and CHECK data field signal with internal hardware logic.

  When the value of the allowable transfer count of the packet data supplied from the wireless module 48 is 1 or more, the MPU 42 generates packet data that decrements the allowable transfer count and supplies the packet data to the wireless module 48. The wireless module 48 modulates the packet data supplied from the MPU 32 and sends it as a wireless signal from the antenna to the external space. The MPU 42 does not supply the packet data to the wireless module 48 when the value of the allowable transfer count of the packet data supplied from the wireless module 48 is zero. Therefore, the wireless relay device 40 transfers the received packet to the outside when the allowable transfer count is 1 or more, and does not transfer the received packet to the outside when the allowable transfer count is 0.

  The display unit 45 performs various displays according to control from the MPU 42. For example, the display unit 45 displays information for pairing when performing pairing between the camera 10 and the wireless remote controller 30 described later. The operation member 46 receives an operation from the user. For example, the operation member 46 acquires an instruction to start pairing as a user operation.

  An outline of the operation of the imaging unit 13 will be described. The imaging unit 13 converts the subject light beam formed by the lens device 11 into an electrical signal. The imaging unit 13 may capture an image with a subject light beam by a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS or a CCD. For example, the imaging unit 13 converts an imaging signal of an analog signal generated from accumulated charges of the solid-state imaging device into a digital signal. Image data as a digital signal is stored in the memory 14. The image processing unit 17 performs image processing on the image data by using the memory 14 as a work memory. For example, the image processing unit 17 performs various image processing such as white balance correction, color interpolation processing, and gamma correction. In addition, the image processing unit 17 performs encoding such as JPEG on the image data as a still image and compresses the image data. Further, the image processing unit 17 performs encoding such as MPEG on image data as a moving image and compresses it.

  The display unit 15 displays an image based on image data obtained by imaging. The display unit 15 displays various setting menus for setting the operation of the camera 10. An example of the display unit 15 is a liquid crystal display device.

  The MPU 12 performs overall control of the camera 10. The MPU 12 controls communication by the wireless module 18 in addition to the control related to the imaging operation described above.

  The radio module 18 demodulates and processes the radio signal received by the antenna, and supplies the obtained packet data to the MPU 12. The radio module 18 performs processing based on the above-described preamble, SYNC, data length, and CHECK field signals with internal hardware logic.

  The MPU 12 controls the camera 10 according to the command ID stored as a packet data command. For example, when a command ID indicating an imaging instruction command is stored as a command, the MPU 12 performs imaging by controlling each unit of the camera 10. Further, the MPU 12 causes the light emitting device 20 to emit flash when a command ID for instructing the light emitting device 20 to flash is stored as a command. Further, the MPU 12 starts an imaging operation and causes the light emitting device 20 to emit light when a command ID for imaging by causing the light emitting device 20 to emit light is stored as a command.

  In addition, the MPU 12 generates packet data of an ACK packet for the received packet and transmits the packet data from the wireless module 18 as a wireless signal. As the ACK packet, a packet structure similar to the packet structure illustrated in FIG. 2 may be adopted. For example, instead of the command data field, a packet structure including a field indicating an ACK packet may be employed. Note that the packet number field may store the packet number of the received packet. The wireless module 18 modulates the packet data supplied from the MPU 12 and sends it out as a wireless signal from the antenna to the external space.

  The display unit 15 performs various displays according to control from the MPU 12. For example, the display unit 15 displays pairing information when performing pairing with the wireless relay device 40. The operation member 16 receives an operation from the user. For example, the operation member 16 acquires an instruction to start pairing as a user operation.

  As described above, the wireless relay device 40 relays a wireless signal according to a communication method between nodes. Specifically, the wireless module 48 receives a wireless signal including number information indicating the allowable number of transfers. Based on the number-of-times information, the wireless module 48 determines whether or not a wireless signal should be transferred, and transfers the wireless signal while decreasing the number of transfers on the condition that the wireless signal should be transferred.

  FIG. 4 shows the allowable transfer count stored in the wireless remote controller 30 for each command in a table format. The wireless remote controller 30 stores the allowable transfer count in association with the command ID. This information may be stored in a system memory provided in the MPU 32. When the wireless remote controller 30 is activated, the data of the allowable transfer count stored in the system memory is expanded in the memory 34 and used for reference when setting the allowable transfer count. When the MPU 32 transmits a command for controlling the camera 10 in a packet, the MPU 32 generates packet data that stores the allowable transfer count stored in association with the command ID for identifying the command as the allowable transfer count of the packet. .

  As shown in this example, 0 is stored as the allowable transfer count in association with the command ID of the command that instructs the operation of the light emitting device 20 accompanied by the flash. On the other hand, a value of 1 or more is stored as the allowable transfer count in the command ID of the command that instructs the operation of the light emitting device 20 without flashing. For example, 5 is stored as the allowable transfer count corresponding to the command instructing imaging, and 8 is stored as the allowable transfer count corresponding to the command instructing the imaging direction of the camera 10.

  When instructing a control requiring a high real-time property, such as the light emission control of the light emitting device 20, the wireless remote controller 30 sets the allowable transfer count of the packet for performing the instruction to 0 and transmits it. In this case, even if the wireless relay device 40 exists near the wireless remote controller 30, the wireless relay device 40 does not transfer the packet. In many cases, the camera 10 does not need to perform control with high real-time characteristics such as light emission control at a timing delayed via the wireless relay device 40. Rather, it may not be preferable to cause the camera 10 to perform control with high real-time characteristics at a delayed timing. In the camera system 5, it is possible to prevent the wireless relay device 40 from transferring a specific packet by simply setting the allowable transfer count to 0, and it is also necessary to prepare special data such as a transfer prohibition flag separately. Absent.

  In addition, the wireless remote controller 30 instructs a control with a relatively high real-time property, such as an imaging instruction, to a command that instructs a control with a relatively low real-time property, such as a command that instructs the imaging direction of the camera 10. Stores the allowable transfer count that is larger than the command to be executed. Therefore, a packet instructing control with a relatively low real-time property can reach the camera 10 with high reliability.

  As described above, the MPU 32 sets the number of times that a wireless signal can be transferred according to the type of data transmitted by the wireless signal. At this time, in the MPU 32, the transfer count setting unit sets 0 as the transfer count of the type of data that is not allowed to be transferred. Specifically, when transmitting data indicating the control content for controlling the light emitting device 20 that emits a flash light at the time of imaging as a wireless signal, the MPU 32 sets 0 as the number of transfers of data instructing the light emitting device 20 to emit light. Set. Then, the MPU 32 generates a signal including information and data indicating the number of transfers. The wireless module 38 transmits the generated signal as a wireless signal. Note that the operation member 36 may acquire information specifying the number of transfers from a user operation. The MPU 32 may set the number of transfers based on information specifying the number of transfers. For example, the operation member 36 may acquire the number of wireless relay devices 40 to be used by a user operation. The MPU 32 may apply a value obtained by multiplying the number of radio relay apparatuses 40 to be used by a predetermined coefficient as the allowable transfer count. Further, a value obtained by adding a predetermined number to the number of radio relay apparatuses 40 to be used may be applied as the allowable transfer count. Even in these cases, 0 may be set as the allowable transfer count for control with high real-time characteristics, such as a command for controlling the light emitting device 20.

  FIG. 5 shows the processed data stored in the wireless relay device 40 in a table format. The wireless relay device 40 stores the device ID, the packet number, and the packet reception timing in the memory 44 in association with each other. Specifically, the wireless relay device 40 stores the device ID that identifies the device that transmitted the transferred packet, the value stored in the packet number of the packet, and the reception timing of the packet in association with each other. .

  The MPU 42 transfers the packet to the wireless module 48 on condition that the value stored in the packet number of the newly received packet is not stored in the processed data in association with the transmission source ID of the packet. . On the other hand, when the MPU 42 is stored in the processed data in association with the transmission source ID of the packet, the MPU 42 discards the packet and does not transfer it from the wireless module 48. As a result, it is possible to prevent a packet that has already been transferred from being transferred again.

  The wireless remote controller 30 increments the packet number every time a packet is transmitted. If the packet number is expressed by 1 byte, a packet having the same packet number is generated every time the packet is transmitted 256 times. For this reason, the combination of the same transmission source ID and packet number is not unique, and the same combination can occur every time a certain amount of time elapses. However, it takes time for the packet numbers to go around until the same combination of packets is generated. Therefore, the MPU 42 deletes the corresponding information from the processed data before the period in which the packet number is expected to go around in the wireless remote controller 30 elapses. As an example, when it is determined that one second has elapsed since the packet was received based on the reception timing, the corresponding information is deleted from the processed data. As a result, even when a packet having the same packet number as a previously received packet has been received after a period of time that the packet number has made a round, the packet can be properly transferred as another packet.

  Note that the value of the system counter prepared in the MPU 42 may be used as the packet reception timing. The system counter may be incremented in a system timer interrupt process that is periodically generated by the timer interrupt in the MPU 42. In the system timer interrupt, the MPU 32 increments the system counter every time and determines whether or not a packet has been received for a predetermined period. For example, it is determined whether or not a packet has been received for a predetermined period based on the reception timing stored as processed data and the value of the system counter.

  For a device that has not received a packet for a predetermined period, the corresponding information is deleted from the processed data from the memory 44. Note that “deletion” is a concept including exclusion from valid processed data. For example, a method may be employed in which a flag indicating whether the reception timing is valid / invalid is provided as processed data and is set when it is valid and cleared when invalid.

  Even when a system counter that periodically overflows is used, any system counter that returns to 0 within a time during which the above-described packet number is expected to go around may be used. In this case, in a system timer interrupt that occurs after receiving a packet, if a value that matches the value of the system counter is stored as the reception timing, the corresponding data item may be deleted from the processed data. Information indicating the reception time itself may be stored instead of the reception counter of the processed data.

  The camera 10 may store data similar to the processed data described with reference to this drawing. Specifically, the camera 10 may store the data of the same data item as the processed data in the memory 14 when the control indicated by the packet is executed.

  As described above, the wireless signal includes a numerical value that is incremented every time the wireless remote controller 30 transmits the wireless signal. Further, the wireless signal includes transmission source information for identifying the wireless transmission device. In the wireless relay device 40, the memory 44 stores information indicating numerical values included in the wireless signal that has already been relayed as identification information. Specifically, the memory 44 stores the identification information in association with the transmission source information of the radio signal already relayed. When the identification information of the newly received radio signal is not stored in the memory 44 in association with the transmission source information of the newly received radio signal, the MPU 42 transfers the newly received radio signal.

  FIG. 6 shows pairing information stored in the wireless relay device 40 in a table format. The wireless relay device 40 stores pairing information for limiting the device to which the packet is transferred in a system memory provided in the MPU 42. Specifically, the device ID for identifying the wireless remote controller 30 and the camera 10 is stored as pairing information. When the device ID stored in the pairing information is stored as the packet transmission source ID, the MPU 42 transfers the packet. When the wireless relay device 40 is activated, the pairing information stored in the system memory is expanded in the memory 44 and used when the MPU 42 determines whether or not to transfer a packet.

  An example of operation when pairing information is set will be described. The MPU 42 displays an identification code on the display unit 45 when a user operation for changing to the pairing mode is received from the operation member 46. The identification code may be a random number generated by the MPU 42. When a pairing packet including the identification code as data is received from the wireless remote controller 30 or the camera 10 within a predetermined time after the identification code is displayed, the device ID indicated by the transmission source ID of the packet Is stored as pairing information. The pairing method is not limited to this method, and pairing can be performed by various methods.

  As described with reference to FIG. 4, the transmission source IDs and reception timings of all packets received at a predetermined time must be stored as processed data. In the camera system 5, when the wireless relay device 40 communicates with an unspecified number of wireless remote controllers 30, cameras 10, and the like, the number of transmission source IDs to be stored as processed data may be extremely large. However, in order to store the combination of the transmission source ID and the packet number for the unspecified wireless remote controller 30, the camera 10, etc., enormous resources are required such as increasing the memory capacity of the memory 44. Further, in order to compare with information stored in the memory 44 every time a new packet is received or to delete data when a predetermined period has elapsed, the calculation amount in the MPU 42 is remarkably large. Sometimes it gets bigger.

  As described in relation to this figure, the wireless relay device 40 performs pairing between the wireless remote controller 30 and the camera 10. Thus, even when the wireless relay device 40 receives a packet having the same format as the packet transmitted by the paired device, if the transmission source ID of the packet is not stored in advance as pairing information, It is possible to prevent relaying. In the camera system 5 that uses a plurality of wireless relay devices 40 to extend the reach of a packet, the transmission source ID and the transmission destination ID in the transferred packet are maintained. For this reason, each wireless relay device 40 must be paired with at least the terminal device of the wireless remote controller 30. As described above, since the camera 10 transmits at least an ACK packet to the wireless remote controller 30, it is desirable that the wireless relay device 40 be paired with all the wireless remote controllers 30 and the camera 10.

  As described above, by making pairing one of the transfer conditions in the wireless relay device 40, the wireless relay device 40 transfers packets transmitted from a wireless device set used by a specific user. I will do better. That is, the wireless relay device 40 operates as a dedicated device for a specific user. For this reason, the processed data to be stored by the wireless relay device 40 can be limited to devices that have been paired. Therefore, the amount of calculation required for the wireless relay device 40 is reduced, and resources can be reduced. For this reason, the radio relay apparatus 40 can largely reduce resources for packet transfer, and can determine whether the packet is to be transferred at high speed.

  As described above, the memory 44 stores the transmission source information of the wireless transmission device that allows the wireless signal to be relayed. The MPU 42 transfers the wireless signal to the wireless module 48 on condition that the transmission source information included in the received wireless signal is stored in the memory 44.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of an operation flow when the wireless remote controller 30 transmits a packet. Here, it is assumed that the wireless remote controller 30 is activated and the table described with reference to FIG. 4 is transferred from the system memory to the memory 34 and stored. In step S <b> 702, the MPU 32 determines an operation on the operation member 36. If there is no user operation related to command transmission, the determination in step S702 is performed until a user operation occurs.

  When a user operation related to command transmission is performed, in step S704, the packet transmission destination ID and command ID are specified based on the user operation on the operation member 36. For example, when the operation member 36 previously assigned as a member for controlling the camera 10a is operated, a device ID for identifying the camera 10a is specified as a transmission destination. Further, the command ID is specified in accordance with the type of command previously assigned to the operated operation member 36. For example, when the operation member 36 that instructs the camera 10a to perform imaging is operated, the device ID that identifies the camera 10a is specified as the transmission destination ID. Further, the command ID corresponding to the imaging instruction is specified.

  In step S706, the MPU 32 increments a packet number counter for counting packet numbers. In step S708, the MPU 32 generates packet data. Specifically, the MPU 32 includes a device ID identified in step S704, a device ID assigned to the wireless remote controller 30, a counter value, and a command ID as a transmission destination ID, a transmission source ID, a packet number, and command data, respectively. Generate data. In step S <b> 710, the MPU 32 supplies the packet data to the wireless module 38 and transmits the packet data from the wireless module 38.

  In step S712, the MPU 32 determines whether an ACK packet has been received. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the corresponding ACK packet has been received within a predetermined time from the camera 10 identified by the device ID set as the packet data transmission destination ID. If the ACK packet has been received, this process ends.

  If the ACK packet cannot be received, it is determined whether to retransmit the packet (step S714). For example, when the number of retransmissions is equal to or less than a predetermined number, it is determined to retransmit the packet. If it is determined that the packet is to be retransmitted, the MPU 32 increments the packet number counter to generate packet data, supplies the generated packet data to the wireless module 38 for retransmission (step S716), and shifts the processing to step S712. . If it is determined that the packet is not retransmitted, this operation flow is terminated. In this flow, the user operation is detected by polling and the packet is transmitted. However, the user operation may be detected by interrupt and the packet may be transmitted in the interrupt process.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an operation flow when the wireless relay device 40 relays a packet. Here, an operation relating to packet relay processing in the wireless relay device 40 will be particularly described. Specifically, the operation after the wireless relay device 40 is activated and the information described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is stored in the memory 34 and the operation of waiting for a packet is started will be described. In step S802, the MPU 42 determines whether a packet has been received. If no packet is received, the determination in step S802 is performed until a wireless signal is received.

  In step S804, the MPU 42 determines whether the received packet should be transferred. Specifically, the MPU 42 extracts the device ID of the transmission source ID and the packet number from the packet. Then, the MPU 42 determines that the received packet should not be transferred when the device ID of the transmission source ID is not stored in the memory 44 as pairing information. When the device ID of the transmission source ID is stored in the memory 44 as pairing information, the packet should not be transferred when the combination of the device ID and the packet number is stored in the memory 44 as processed data. to decide. Even if the combination of the device ID and the packet number is not stored in the memory 44 as processed data, if the allowable transfer count is 0, it is determined that the packet should not be transferred. That is, in the MPU 42, the device ID of the transmission source ID is stored in the memory 44 as pairing information, the combination of the device ID and the packet number is not stored in the memory 44 as processed data, and allowable transfer is performed. When the number of times is 1 or more, it is determined that the packet should be transferred.

  If it is determined that the received packet should not be transferred, the process proceeds to step S802. That is, the wireless relay device 40 does not relay the received packet. If it is determined that the received packet should be transferred, the allowable transfer count is decremented (step S806), the packet data is supplied to the wireless module 48, and the packet is transmitted to the wireless module 48 (step S808). Then, the MPU 42 stores the value of the packet number in association with the device ID of the transmission source ID (step S810). When the process of step S810 is completed, the operation flow ends. In this flow, the packet reception is detected and transferred by polling. However, the packet reception may be detected by an interrupt and transferred in the interrupt process.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of an operation flow when data is deleted from processed data in the wireless relay device 40. This operation flow is started when an interrupt for incrementing the system counter occurs. In step S902, the MPU 42 increments the system counter. Subsequently, in step S904, the MPU 42, based on the value of the reception timing stored in the memory 44 as processed data and the value of the system counter, receives a packet that has passed a predetermined period of time after reception. It is determined for each device whether or not the packet number is stored as processed data.

  If the packet number of a packet for which a time equal to or longer than a predetermined period has elapsed since reception is not stored, the operation flow ends. If the packet number of a packet for which a time equal to or more than a predetermined period has elapsed since reception is stored, the data corresponding to the packet number is deleted from the processed data (step S906), and this operation flow is terminated. To do. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the wireless relay device 40 from transferring a packet having the same content a plurality of times while allowing the packet number to be circulated in the wireless remote controller 30.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of an operation flow in the camera 10. Here, an example of an operation flow when the camera 10 receives a packet is shown. Specifically, the operation after the camera 10 is activated, the processed data described with reference to FIG. 5 is stored in the memory 14, and the operation of waiting for a packet is started will be described. In step S1002, the MPU 12 determines whether a packet has been received. If no packet is received, the determination in step S1002 is performed until a wireless signal is received.

  In step S1004, the MPU 12 determines whether or not to perform the control indicated by the received packet. Specifically, the MPU 12 extracts the device ID of the transmission source ID and the packet number from the packet. When the combination of the device ID of the transmission source ID and the packet number is stored in the memory 14 as reception information data, it is determined that the control instructed by the packet should not be executed.

  If it is determined that the control indicated by the received packet should not be executed, the process proceeds to step S1002. That is, the camera 10 does not execute the control indicated by the received packet. If it is determined that the control indicated by the received packet should be executed, the control is executed (step S1006). The MPU 12 generates an ACK packet having the device ID of the transmission source ID as a transmission destination, and causes the wireless module 18 to transmit the ACK packet (step S1008). Then, the MPU 12 stores the value of the packet number in association with the device ID of the transmission source ID (step S1010). When the process of step S806 is completed, the operation flow ends. In this flow, packet reception is detected by polling and transferred. However, packet reception may be detected by interruption, and control specified by the packet may be executed within the interrupt processing. .

  The camera 10 may execute the processing described as the operation of the wireless relay device 40 in relation to FIG. That is, when an interrupt for incrementing the system counter of the MPU 12 occurs, the system counter is incremented, and among the data stored in the memory 14 as processed data, the data is received for a predetermined period or more after reception. Data corresponding to the packet number of the packet whose time has elapsed is deleted from the processed data. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the camera 10 from executing the control based on the same packet a plurality of times while allowing the packet number to be circulated in the wireless remote controller 30.

  The processing of each component of the camera system 5 described above, for example, the processing described in relation to the camera 10, the wireless remote controller 30, and the wireless relay device 40 is performed by each unit of each device, for example, the MPU 12, MPU 32, MPU 42, etc. This can be realized by operating according to That is, the process can be realized by a so-called computer device. The computer device may load a program for controlling the execution of the above-described process, operate according to the read program, and execute the process. The computer device can load the program by reading a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  In the present embodiment, the camera 10 is an example of an imaging device. The camera 10 can be applied to various devices having an imaging function, such as an interchangeable lens single-lens reflex camera, a compact digital camera, a mirrorless single-lens camera, a video camera, and a mobile phone with an imaging function. Further, although the camera 10 having the light emitting device 20 is illustrated as an object to be controlled by the wireless remote controller 30, a camera not having the light emitting device 20 can be applied as the control object. In addition, a device that does not have an imaging function, such as the light emitting device 20, can be applied as a control target. Although two cameras 10 have been described as control targets, one camera may be a control target, and three or more cameras may be control targets. The camera system 5 is an example of a wireless system, and the wireless system is not limited to the camera system 5.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing.

5 camera system, 10 camera, 12 MPU, 13 imaging unit, 14 memory, 15 display unit, 16 operation member, 17 image processing unit, 18 wireless module, 20 light emitting device, 30 wireless remote control, 32 MPU, 34 memory, 35 display Part, 36 operation member, 38 wireless module, 40 wireless relay device, 42 MPU, 44 memory, 45 display part, 46 operation member, 48 wireless module

Claims (16)

A wireless relay device that relays wireless signals according to a communication method between nodes,
A receiving unit for receiving a radio signal including number information indicating the number of allowable transfers;
Determining whether to transfer the radio signal based on the number of times information, and on the condition that the radio signal should be transferred, a transfer unit for transferring the radio signal by reducing the number of transfers ,
A wireless relay device comprising: A relay information storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a radio signal that has already been relayed;
Of the identification information stored in the relay information storage unit, a control unit for erasing the identification information of the radio signal that has passed a predetermined period after reception,
Further comprising
The transfer unit transfers the newly received radio signal on a further condition that identification information for identifying a radio signal newly received by the reception unit is not stored in the relay information storage unit. The wireless relay device according to 1. A wireless relay device that relays a wireless signal,
A receiver for receiving a radio signal;
A relay information storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a radio signal that has already been relayed;
A transfer unit that transfers the newly received radio signal when identification information for identifying the radio signal newly received by the receiving unit is not stored in the relay information storage unit;
Of the identification information stored in the relay information storage unit, a control unit for erasing the identification information of the radio signal that has passed a predetermined period after reception,
A wireless relay device comprising: The wireless signal includes a numerical value that is incremented every time a wireless signal is transmitted in a wireless transmission device,
The wireless relay device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the relay information storage unit stores information indicating a numerical value included in a wireless signal already relayed as the identification information. The wireless signal includes transmission source information for identifying a wireless transmission device that has transmitted the wireless signal,
The relay information storage unit stores the identification information in association with transmission source information of a radio signal that has already been relayed,
The transfer unit associates the newly received radio signal with the newly received radio signal when the identification information of the newly received radio signal is not stored in the relay information storage unit in association with the transmission source information of the newly received radio signal. The radio relay apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the signal is transferred. A transmission source information storage unit that stores transmission source information of a wireless transmission device that allows the wireless signal to be relayed;
The wireless relay according to claim 5, wherein the transfer unit transfers the wireless signal on condition that transmission source information included in a wireless signal received by the reception unit is stored in the transmission source information storage unit. apparatus. The wireless signal is transmitted from a wireless transmission device that remotely controls the imaging device, and the wireless signal includes data indicating control contents for controlling the imaging device.
The wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. According to the type of data to be transmitted with a radio signal, a transfer count setting unit that sets the transfer count with which radio signal transfer is allowed;
A signal generator for generating a signal including information indicating the number of times of transfer and the data;
A transmission unit for transmitting the signal generated by the signal generation unit as a radio signal;
A wireless transmission device comprising: The radio transmission apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transfer count setting unit sets 0 as the transfer count of a type of data that is not allowed to be transferred. The wireless transmission device transmits data indicating control contents for controlling a light emitting device that emits a flash at the time of imaging, using the wireless signal,
The wireless transmission device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transfer count setting unit sets 0 as the transfer count of data instructing the light emitting device to emit light. The wireless transmission device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information designating the number of times of transfer from a user operation. The wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The wireless transmission device according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
A wireless system comprising: 13. The receiving apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a receiving device that receives the wireless signal including data indicating control content from at least one of the wireless transmission device and the wireless relay device, and performs control according to the control content indicated by the data. Wireless system. A program for controlling a wireless relay device that relays a wireless signal according to a communication method between nodes,
Receiving a radio signal including number information indicating an allowable number of transfers;
Determining whether to transfer the wireless signal based on the number of times information, and on the condition that the wireless signal should be transferred, reducing the number of transfers and transferring the wireless signal;
A program that causes a computer to execute. A program for controlling a wireless relay device that relays a wireless signal,
Receiving a wireless signal;
Storing identification information for identifying a radio signal already relayed in the relay information storage unit;
A step of transferring the newly received radio signal when identification information for identifying the newly received radio signal is not stored in the relay information storage unit;
Erasing the identification information of the radio signal that has passed a predetermined period of time from the reception of the identification information stored in the relay information storage unit;
A program that causes a computer to execute. Depending on the type of data to be transmitted with the radio signal, setting the number of times the transfer of the radio signal is allowed; and
Generating a signal including information indicating the number of times of transfer and the data;
Transmitting the generated signal as a radio signal;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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