JPH04345346A - Adaptor for data communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically operate the change of a procedure at every communication, and the program update of a communication system by providing a means which recognizes the functional level or the version of the mutual program at the time of communication, and updates it to a high-order level only between adaptors. CONSTITUTION:For example, an adaptor for personal computer communication network is equipped with a controller 20. The controller 20 is constituted of an asynchronous serial communication interface 20A, clock synchronizing serial input/output port 20B, memory managing mechanism 20C, timer 20D, direct memory access controller 20E, and central processing unit 20F, etc. Then, this adopter transmits a mutually decided signal at the tie of starting the communication, communicates a code indicating the functional level or the version, etc., held by each adaptor, and the content of a storage device at the adaptor side having the higher-order code is transferred to the storage device at the adaptor side having the lower-order code.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device for a data communication network, and more particularly to a data communication network adapter with a built-in procedure suitable for the personal computer and workstation communication fields.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as workstations) has been constructed using an existing communication system (telephone network). Therefore,
An adapter is required to communicate between the personal computers. This adapter has built-in communication modems such as "JUST-PC modem,""G3/FAXmodem,""J procedure modem," and "non-procedure modem." Furthermore, programs for controlling each communication procedure are stored in a read-only storage device (ROM).
) is built in.

0003

However, the above-mentioned prior art has a problem in that it is difficult to change the program when the communication procedure is extended or changed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows a data communication network adapter to automatically change procedures every time communication is performed.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can automatically update programs in a communication system.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following features: (1) In a data communication network adapter equipped with a modem section, a network control device, and a procedure control means, mutual programs are exchanged during communication. recognize the functional level or version of the
The most important feature is that it provides a means for (independently) updating to a higher level only between the adapters.

(2) The functional level or version is
It is characterized by being stored in a non-volatile memory element.

(3) The present invention is characterized in that an electrically erasable and writable memory element is used as means for storing program update results.

(4) The present invention is characterized in that it includes means for providing a plurality of electrically erased units to provide portions that are not updated.

(5) The present invention is characterized in that means is provided for automatically transitioning to a normal communication state after the program update is completed.

(6) The present invention is characterized by providing means for preventing program destruction due to communication failure.

(7) A data communication network adapter characterized in that it is provided with means for prohibiting automatic updating.

(8) The present invention is characterized in that a means is provided for automatically selecting the fastest modem of the communicating adapter and using it for updating the program.

(9) A feature of the present invention is that an automatic update means for the adapter and the terminal side program is provided.

(10) A data communication network adapter equipped with a modem section, a network control device, and a procedure control means, characterized in that a storage device and control means that can operate independently of the connected computer device are provided. shall be.

[0018]

[Operation] According to the above-described means, when the data communication network adapters start communication, they mutually send predetermined signals and notify each other of codes representing the functional level or version held by each adapter. Thereafter, the contents of the storage device on the adapter side having the higher code are transferred to the storage device on the adapter side having the lower code. Thereby, programs such as procedure control can be easily updated in the data communication network adapter.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In all the drawings for explaining the embodiment, parts having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic system configuration of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a personal computer communication network adapter, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the personal computer communication network adapter shown in FIG. 3 are diagrams showing images of the display screen of the display device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image of the display screen of the display device shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the system configuration of the data communication network according to the present invention.

The system configuration of the data communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 3A, 3B, and 3C are connected. Further, a facsimile (G3/FAX) 4 having a built-in modem (G3) is also connected to the telephone network 1. Furthermore, the personal computer communication network adapters 2A, 2B, and 2C each have a built-in switch 31 (FIG. 1) for selecting and using the telephone network that connects the telephone 5 and the personal computers 3A, 3B, and 3C. has been done.

[0023] The personal computer communication network adapters 2A, 2B, and 2C are the same, and each has a control device 20 comprising a microprocessor or the like.
(FIG. 1). This personal computer communication network adapter 2A, 2B
, 2C has three communication procedure modes: JUST-PC mode, G3/FAX mode, and non-procedural mode.

The JUST-PC mode is a personal computer communication procedure mode recommended by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. G3 FAX mode is a high-speed facsimile standard recommended by CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee).
It is still popular today. The non-procedural mode is the most popular communication method for personal computer communication.

As shown in FIG. 2, the external structure of an embodiment of the personal computer communication network adapter 2A of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. It is equipped with a display device 12 such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying the communication speed with the computer (3A, 3B, 3C shown in FIG. 5), the current communication mode, etc. 13 is a panel switch, and a menu (MENU) switch 13A
, SELECT switch 13B, set (
SET) switch 13C. 14 is a power switch.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system configuration of the personal computer communication network adapter 2A of this embodiment includes a control device 20 consisting of a microprocessor with built-in peripheral devices. The control device 20 includes an asynchronous serial communication interface (ASCI) 20A, a clock synchronous serial input/output (I/O) port (CSIO) 20B, a memory management unit (MMU) 20C, a timer (CTC) 20D, and a direct memory access controller. (DMAC) 20E, central processing unit (CPU) 20F, etc.

[0027] The communication interface (
ASCI) 20A is used for an interface with the personal computer 3A. The clock synchronous serial input/output port (CSIO) 20B is used for inter-processor communication with the microprocessor included in the second modem 29, and as a timer and alarm sound generation mechanism. The memory management unit (MMU) 20C is a conventional 8-bit microcontroller with 6
1 was able to access only 4 kilobytes of memory.
This is a mechanism that expands to megabytes. Timer (CTC) 2
0D is a device that generates an interrupt when the counter value reaches "0". Direct memory access controller (D
The MAC 20E is a mechanism that performs input/output between peripheral devices and memory in parallel with the central processing unit (CPU) 20F, and is used to speed up processing.

A multi-protocol communication controller (SIO) 21 is provided, which is a communication interface LSI compatible with asynchronous/synchronous/HDLC/SDLC procedures, and is used for modem communication and control in this device.

[0029] The HDLC (High Level D)
ata Link Control) and SDLC (S
ynchronous Data Link Cont
rol) is a communication method for connecting computers, and any data can be sent.

A peripheral input/output adapter (PIA) 22 is provided, which can be turned on/off (
It is used as a register to hold the ON/OFF state. 22A is the ON/OFF switch for the menu switch 13A, select switch 13B, and set switch 13C.
OFF) switch.

A network control unit (NCU) 23 is provided, which is a device that controls the telephone network 1 (FIG. 5).
It has an automatic calling/receiving function. Also, EEPROM
(Electrically Erasable an
d Programmable Read Only
Memory) 24, which is an electrically erasable non-volatile memory, is provided for the panel switch 1.
It is used to hold the settings made in step 3 (FIG. 2) and control information sent from the personal computer or telephone network. This allows information to be stored even after the power is turned off.

A first modem 25 is provided, and the first modem 25 may be based on, for example, the modem standard V. 29 (9600 bps half duplex: using only one side of 4-wire full duplex), V. 27ter(4800bps
half duplex).

[0033] A slot mechanism 26 is provided, and this slot mechanism 26 has a 128 kilobyte Flash memory.
・EEPROM (batch or block erasable electrically programmable ROM) 27, 32 kilobytes of RAM2
8 and CCITT Recommendation Modem Standards V.8 and CCITT Recommendations. 22bis(
2400bps/1200bps full duplex), V. 21(
A second modem 29 (300 bps full duplex) is connected.

Each of the above devices is connected to the control device 20 through a data bus 30. 31 is a switch for switching between the telephone 5 and the telephone network 1 to which the personal computer 3A is connected. 32 is a personal computer 3A
This is an interface driver for driving an internally provided interface. 33 is a display driver that drives the display device 12.

[0035] The network control unit (NCU) 23 and Flas
FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration connected to the h-EEPROM 27. In FIG. 4, 41 is a decoder, 42 is a NOR gate circuit, 43 is a latch buffer, 44 is a changeover switch (semiconductor switch), 45 is a decoder, 46 is an address bus, and 47 is a data bus. 27A is a row latch, 27
B is a column latch, 27C is a control logic, 27D is a control latch, 27E is a timer, 27F is an amplifier, 27G is a memory, 27H is a data latch, 27J is an I/O buffer,
I is the input/output enable terminal (I/O Enable: I
/O is Low during read/write), B is the write terminal (W
rite: Low during the write cycle), C is the memory enable (Memory Enable: Low during the memory read/write cycle), and D is the read terminal (
Read: Low during read cycle), Vpp is the write/erase input voltage. In FIG. 4, to enable data writing/erasing, Vpp is set to 12.5 volts, but in this case, "1" is output to the selector switch 44 by an I/O command. The output value is held by the latch buffer, and Vpp remains 1 until it outputs “0”.
It is held at 2.5 volts.

[0036] Chip Enable
able: Selected Chip/Enable is Lo
w), F is write enable (Write Enable)
e: Low during write/erase operation), g: Output enable (Low during data input/output), An is an address line, and Dn is a data line.

Next, the operation of the personal computer communication network adapter 2A of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8.
I will explain along. Here, "independently" means that it is controlled only by the corresponding communication device (for example, the adapter of the present invention, etc.) and is not controlled by any device other than the communication device. At the functional level, communication procedures (e.g.
JUST-PC, FAX, J-procedure, etc.), communication speed, etc. In addition, the function level code indicates the presence or absence of the corresponding function using bits "1" (present) and "0" (absent), such as 10010...0, 10110...0, etc. represent. Then, the side with more "1" bits is regarded as the upper level.

The originating party uses the NCU 23 to perform a dialing operation on the telephone network 1 (step 1 in FIG. 6) to call the called party. When the called party accepts the call, the modem is connected (step 2 in FIG. 6). This modem connection is made based on CCITT recommendations.

When the modem connection is completed, the calling side transmits update control information as shown in FIG. 7 (step 3 in FIGS. 6 and 8). Update control information is similarly transmitted from the receiving side (step 4 in FIGS. 6 and 8). The update information transmission request is sent from the side with the smaller version code (in this example, the sending side) (step 5 in FIGS. 6 and 8). The data communication network adapter that receives the update information transmission request,
Update information (program information, etc.) is transmitted (step 6 in FIG. 8). The data communication network adapter that requested transmission of the update information erases the contents of the storage element (ROM 27), and then writes the update information into the storage element.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in step 3, the update control information in the local ROM is transmitted to the other party. Next, update control information from the other party is received (step 4). At this time, the manufacturer codes of the own side and the other side are compared, and if they are different, no update is performed (step 41). The model codes of the own side and the other side are compared, and if they are different, no update is performed (step 42). The model code may be determined in consideration of upward compatibility. Next, the version codes are compared (step 43), and if they are equal, no update is performed. If the local side is small, the contents of the ROM are received from the other side. If the local side is larger, the contents of the ROM are transmitted from the local side. Here, when comparing the functional level codes, the side with more "1" bits is regarded as the higher level, and the comparison is made by recognizing the higher or lower functional level.

Next, in step 5, the other party is requested to transmit the contents of the ROM. The requested information is received and the received data is written into the RAM (step 6). At this time, a procedure having an error correction function such as HDLC or XMODEM is used as a data transmission procedure.

If an unrecoverable error occurs, a display is displayed on the liquid crystal panel and the process returns to the initial state (step 7). Next, the contents of the Flash EEPROM are erased (step 8). The received data written to the RAM is Fla
Write to sh EEPROM (step 9).

Next, it waits for an update information transmission request from the other party. If it is not received (timeout), it is assumed that the update will not be performed (step 10). Next, the contents of the local ROM are transmitted. The data transmission procedure at this time is the same as step 6. In step 12, if an unrecoverable error occurs as in step 7, a display is displayed on the liquid crystal panel and the process returns to the initial state. Said adapter 2B, 2
C has a similar configuration and operates in a similar manner.

As can be seen from the above description, according to this embodiment, the data communication network adapters send mutually determined signals when starting communication, and determine the functional level or level held by each adapter. A code indicating the version, etc. is notified, and then the contents of the storage device on the adapter side with a higher code are transferred to the storage device on the adapter side with a lower code. The program can be easily updated. This makes it easy to expand functionality and correct defects.

Although the present invention has been specifically explained above based on examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. do not have.

[0046]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the program of the data communication network adapter is automatically updated every time communication is performed, and the programs of the adapter in the network are successively unified to the latest version. This makes it easy to expand functionality and fix defects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic system configuration of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a personal computer communication network adapter;

[Fig. 2] A perspective view showing the external appearance of the personal computer communication network adapter shown in Fig. 1;

[Figure 3]
A diagram showing an image of the display screen of the display device shown in FIG. 2,

[Figure 4] Network control unit (NCU) and Fla of this embodiment
A block diagram showing details of the connection circuit configuration with sh EEPROM,

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the system configuration of the data communication network according to the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a means by which the adapters of this embodiment recognize the functional level or version of each other's programs during communication and independently update them to a higher level;

[Figure 7
] A diagram showing an example of update control information of this example,

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 6 in detail.

[Explanation of symbols]

10...Adapter body, 11...Control panel, 12...Display device, 13...Panel switch, 14...Power switch, 20
...Control device, 21...Multi-protocol communication controller (SIO), 22...Peripheral input/output adapter (PIA), 23...Network control unit (NCU), 24...EE
PROM, 25...first modem, 26...slot mechanism, 2
7...ROM, 28...RAM, 29...second modem, 30...
Data bus, 31... Switching device, 32... Interface driver, 33... Display driver, 34... Power supply section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1. A data communication network adapter comprising a modem section, a network control device, and a procedure control means, comprising:
An adapter for a data communication network, characterized in that it is provided with a means for recognizing the functional level or version of each other's programs during communication and updating them to a higher level (independently) by the adapter alone.