JPH0526849Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] This invention relates to a data transfer device for inputting and outputting data to and from a plurality of electronic devices.

[Prior art and its problems] Recently, pocket computers, for example, have been used in various fields as small electronic devices.

By the way, since such pocket computers emphasize portability, they do not have any input/output terminals such as printers or tape recorders.

For this reason, it has been considered so far to prepare separate input/output terminals and use a data transfer device to input and output data between these input/output terminals and the pocket computer.

However, conventionally used data transfer devices have the disadvantage that data transfer efficiency is extremely poor because the number of compatible pocket computers is limited to a ratio of 1:1.

Therefore, a conventional approach has been to connect a plurality of data transfer sections corresponding to slave devices to the main body of the device in parallel, and to enable these data transfer sections to input and output data to and from a pocket computer. There is. In this case, in order for the device main body to centrally manage each child device, it is extremely important that the device main body side accurately knows the number of child device data transfer units.

However, in the previous model, the data transfer section of the slave device was connected to the host computer of the device itself.
Since it is equipped with a CPU and data is exchanged between these CPUs and the host computer,
In addition to the fact that the device itself is quite complex and expensive, it also requires quite complicated software to even keep track of the number of handsets, making processing complicated and troublesome.

[Purpose of the invention] This invention was made in view of the above circumstances.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data transfer device capable of accurately detecting the number of slave device data transfer units connected to a parent device by processing with a simple configuration.

[Main points of the invention] The data transfer device according to the invention includes a handset having a data transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an electronic device, and one or more handsets connected in series and connected to the handset. A signal generating means for generating a detection signal, a counting means for counting the number of said slave units based on the response contents of each slave unit to the status detection signal of the signal generating means, and controlling each slave unit based on the counting result of said counting means. The main unit has a control means for controlling the main unit.

[Embodiment of the invention] An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of the entire device.
In the figure, 1 is a data transfer device main body, and this device main body 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of slave devices 1b from #1 to #n are connected in series to a base device 1a.

The base unit 1a is provided with an infrared data transmitting/receiving section 2 on its side edge, and is configured to transmit and receive data to and from an electronic device, such as a pocket computer 3, in a non-contact manner. Further, the base unit 1a is connected to a telephone coupler 4, a printer 5, and a tape recorder 6 as data input/output terminals.

On the other hand, the handset 1b is also provided with an infrared data transmitting/receiving section 7 on the side edge, and the pocket computer 3
Data can be sent and received without contact.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of such a base unit 1a.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes the above-mentioned infrared data transmitting and receiving section, which has an infrared data receiving LED 2a and an infrared data transmitting LED 2b. The data received by the infrared data receiving LED 2a is sent to the amplification section 8, amplified, and sent to the demodulation section 9. The demodulator 9 supplies the demodulated data to one terminal of the data selector 10 . Further, the data selection unit 10 is given received data from the connector 11 to which the handset 1b is connected.

Here, the data selection section 10 is a control section 1 which will be described later.
Based on the control signal from 4, data to be transmitted/received to the data transmitting/receiving section 2 and data to be transmitted/received to the connector 11 are appropriately selected. Then, the output of the data selection section 10 is given to the serial/parallel conversion section 12. Here, the serial/parallel converter 12 converts serially applied data into parallel data, and provides this parallel data to the controller 14.

The control unit 14 receives data from the serial/parallel converter 12. When the data is received, a control command is given to the I/F control unit 15.

The I/F control unit 15 enables the I/F control units 16, 17, 18 in response to a control command from the control unit 14.
Give to either.

In this state, data and control signals are sent to the I/F control sections 16, 17, and 18 selected by the I/F selection section 15. Here, the I/F control unit 16 includes a telephone coupler or a modem I/F.
A printer I/F 20 is connected to the control section 19 and the I/F control section 17, and a tape recorder I/F 21 is connected to the I/F control section 18, respectively.

On the other hand, the data returned via each I/F 19, 20, 21 is sent back to each I/F control unit 16, 17,
18 to the control unit 14.

The control section 14 supplies the data from the I/F control sections 16, 17, and 18 as transmission data to the serial/parallel conversion section 12, and further supplies the output of this conversion section 12 to the data selection section 10. and,
In the data selection section 10, data supplied from the serial/parallel conversion section 12 is applied to the modulation section 22 or the connector 11 in accordance with the control signal from the control section 14. The modulator 22 modulates the output of the serial/parallel converter 22 provided via the data selector 10, and
give to Then, the LED driver 23 drives the transmitting LED 2b of the data transmitting/receiving section 2, and transmitting data made of infrared rays is output.

Further, the control unit 14 is supplied with power 26 when the power switch 25 is in the on state.

Furthermore, the control section 14 provides a control signal to the state detection section 24, and also provides a power-on command when the power switch 25 is in the on state. The state detection section 24 provides a set signal SRD, a clock signal SRCKI, and a reset signal CLI to the slave unit 1b via the connector 11, and is also supplied with a check end signal SRTNO from the slave unit 1b side. Further, the state detection section 24 provides a drive command to the counter 27 and also provides a clock signal SRCKI. This counter 27 counts the clock signal SRCKI based on a drive command from the state detection section 24.
The count result of this counter 27 is then given to the control section 14.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of a slave unit 1b connected to such a base unit 1a.

In the figure, 31 is a connector 1 of the parent unit 1a.
The connection terminal 31 is a control terminal SRD to which a set signal SRD is applied, a clock terminal SRCKI, a clear terminal SRCKI, and an input terminal 32 is an output terminal to which a set signal SRD is applied.
The connection terminal 32 also has a control terminal SRQ, a clock terminal SRCKO, a clear terminal CLO _{, a check end signal terminal SRTNI, a terminal for transmission data S D , and} a terminal for reception data R _D .
The output of the SRD is connected to a D-type flip-flop 33
The clock signal of the clock terminal SRCKI is applied to the clock terminal of the connection terminal 32.
It is given directly to SRCKO, and also to the clock terminal CK of flip-flop 33.
The CLI clear signal is sent to the clear terminal of the connection terminal 32.
The output of the Q terminal of the flip-flop 33 is directly applied to the check end signal terminal SRTNO of the connection terminal 31 and is also applied to a clear terminal CL of the flip-flop 33. A check end signal from the rear stage slave unit 1b is applied to the check end signal terminal SRTNO of the connection terminal 31 through a check end signal terminal SRTNI of the connection terminal 32. Furthermore, the transmission data of the transmission data terminal _SD is directly applied to the transmission data terminal SD of the connection terminal 32 and is also applied to one terminal of the AND gate 34. The output of the Q terminal of the flip-flop 33 is directly applied to the check end signal terminal _SRTNO of the connection terminal 32 and is also applied to one terminal of the AND gate 34.
The output of the AND gate 35 is supplied to a control terminal SRQ of the AND gate 34, the other terminal of the AND gate 34 and one terminal of the AND gate 35, and the output of the Q terminal is supplied to one terminal of the AND gate 36. The output of a demodulation section 39, which will be described later, is supplied to the other input terminal of the AND gate 35, and the received data from the subsequent stage slave unit 1b is supplied to the other input terminal of the AND gate 36 via the received data terminal _RD of the connection terminal 32. The outputs of these AND gates 35 and 36 are supplied to the received data terminal _RD via an OR gate 37.

On the other hand, 7 is the above-mentioned infrared data transmitting/receiving section, which has an infrared data receiving LED 7a and an infrared data transmitting LED 7b. Then, the data received by the infrared data receiving LED 7a is given to the demodulating section 39 via the amplifying section 38.
It is demodulated and applied to the AND gate 35. Further, the output of the AND gate 34 is applied to a modulation section 40, where it is demodulated and applied to an LED driver 41. Then, the LED driver 41 drives the transmitting LED 7b of the data transmitting/receiving section 7.
Transmission data consisting of infrared rays is output.

A plurality of slave units 1b configured in this manner are connected in series as shown in FIG. End signal terminal
SRTNI is shorted.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

Now, the data transfer device shown in FIG.
It is assumed that input/output terminals such as a telephone coupler 4, a printer 5, and a tape recorder 6 are connected to a.

Next, the pocket computer 3 is set for the base unit 1a and each slave unit 1b. In this case, the pocket computer 3 corresponds to the data transmitting/receiving section 2 of the base unit 1a and the data transmitting/receiving section 2 of each slave unit 1b in a non-contact manner.

In this state, the base unit 1a and each slave unit 1b
To briefly describe the transmission and reception of data between the pocket computer 3 and the input/output terminal via the base unit 1,
a outputs polling, that is, a data link establishment command "SNRM" (Set Normal Response Mode). Then, the pocket computer 3 corresponding to the base unit 1a determines whether or not an ``SNRM'' call has been made, and if it determines that a call has been made, it sends ``UA'' (Unnumber Acknowledgment) as a response. The base unit 1a waits for this "UA" and determines whether there is a response or not. In this case, when it is determined that there is a response, the pocket computer 3 transmits and receives data for each device code, while the base unit 1a performs data transmission and reception for each device code, device control, and input/output of data to and from the device. Transmission and reception of data by device code on the pocket computer 3 continues until it is determined that the data transmission and reception processing is completed. In this case, in the data reception process in the base device 1a, when data is applied to the reception LED 2a, it is amplified by the amplifier 8, demodulated by the demodulator 9, and then applied to the serial/parallel converter 12. Then, the data from the serial/parallel converter 12 is accepted by the controller 14 . When the control unit 14 receives the data, it gives a control command to the I/F control unit 15. Then, the I/F control section 15 gives enable to any of the I/F control sections 16, 17, and 18 in response to a control command from the control section 14. In this state, the I/F control units 16, 17, selected by the I/F selection unit 15,
Data and control signals are sent to 18. Here, the I/F control unit 16 includes a telephone coupler or modem I/F 19, the I/F control unit 17 includes a printer I/F 20, and the I/F control unit 18 includes a tape recorder I/F 21. It is connected. On the other hand, data returned via each I/F 19, 20, 21 is sent back to each I/F control unit 16, 17, 18.
The information is then sent to the control unit 14. Then, the control section 14
Accordingly, data from the I/F control sections 16, 17, and 18 is provided as transmission data to the serial/parallel converter 12, converted into a serial signal, and provided to the modulator 22 via the data selector 10.
The modulator 22 modulates the output of the serial/parallel converter 22 and supplies it to the LED driver 23 . As a result, the LED driver 23 drives the transmitting LED 2b of the data transmitting/receiving section 2, and transmitting data consisting of infrared rays is output to the pocket computer 3, and data exchange is executed. After that, when the data transmission/reception process is completed, the Pocket Computer 3 sends a data link termination request "RD" (Request Disconnect).
is sent, and data processing at base unit 1a continues until "RD" is received. Then, when it is determined that the interlocking process has ended, a data link termination request "DISC" (Disconnect) is sent. When Pocket Computer 3 confirms the incoming call of "DISC", it responds with "UA" (Unnumber
Acknowledgment) is sent and the process ends.

In this way, when the data transmission/reception between the base unit 1a and the corresponding pocket computer is completed, the data selection unit 10 is energized toward the connector 11 side, and the pocket computer 3 and Similar operations are performed for data transmission and reception. (In this case, if there is no "UA" response from the pocket computer 3 in response to the data link establishment command "SNRM" from the base unit 1a, the data between the #1 slave unit 1b and the corresponding pocket computer 3 is immediately transferred. Then, data transmission/reception with the corresponding pocket computer 3 is executed for all slave units 1b in the same manner.

Next, each child device 1b for such a parent device 1a
We will explain the case of checking the connection status of .

In this case, the power switch 25 is turned on to supply power 26 to the control section 14 . Then, the control section 14 provides a control signal and a power-on command to the state detection section 24 . Further, a drive command is given to the counter 27 from the state detection section 24 .

In this state, in step A1 shown in the flowchart of FIG.
A one-shot clear signal CLI that changes from -"H" to "L" is sent to the handset 1b via the connector 11. As a result, the flip-flops 33 of each handset 1b are all cleared and set to the initial state.
Next, in step A2, the state detection section 24 outputs a set signal SRD. This set signal SRD is applied as an "H" input to the set terminal D of the flip-flop 33 of the #1 handset 1b via the control terminal SRD.

After that, the process advances to step A3, where the state detection section 24
The clock signal SRCKI is output. Then,
The flip-flop 33 in the #1 handset 1b is in the set state, and an "H" output is generated from the Q terminal. In addition, a clock signal is output from this state detection section 24.
SRCKI is given to counter 27. As a result, the counter 27 is incremented by +1.

Next, proceed to step A4 and set the set signal SRD.
is returned to "L".

In this state, proceed to step A5. In this step A5, it is determined whether or not there is a check end signal SRTNO. In this case, since other handsets 1b are connected in addition to #1 handset 1b, the check end signal is
SRTNO remains at "L" and the process returns to step A3.

When the process returns to step A3, the state detection unit 2
4 outputs the clock signal SRCKI. Then,
At this point, the flip-flop 33 in the #1 handset 1b is in the set state, and the output state of the Q terminal is "H", so the flip-flop 33 in the #2 handset 1b is in the set state, and the output from the Q terminal is "H". An "H" output is generated. Further, the clock signal SRCKI from the state detection section 24 is sent to the counter 27.
given to. As a result, the counter 27 is further counted up by +1.

Then, proceed to step A4, and set the set signal.
SRD is returned to "L", and in step A5, the presence or absence of the check end signal SRTNO is determined, and #2
If handset 1b is also connected after handset 1b,
The check end signal SRTNO remains at "L" and the process returns to step A3.

Thereafter, the operations of steps A3 to A5 are repeated in the same manner, the connection state up to #n handset 1b is checked, and the number of serially connected handsets 1b is counted by counter 27. And #n
When the check of the connection state up to the handset 1b is completed, the output state of the Q terminal of the flip-flop 33 of the #n handset 1b is "H" at this point, and the check end signal terminal of the connection terminal 32 is
Since "H" is given to SRTNI as a check end signal, this signal is sent to handset 1b from #n to #1.
are sequentially sent to the base unit 1a side, and provided to the state detection section 24. As a result, in step A5, it is determined that the check end signal SRTNO is "H", and the process proceeds to step A6. Then, in step A6, the count content of the counter 27, that is, the number of slave units 1b connected in series, is sent to the control section 14, and the detection of the number of connections is completed.

Therefore, by doing this, a clock signal is given as a connection state detection signal from the base unit to one or more slave units connected in series, and the slave unit is detected based on the response content of the slave unit to this clock signal. Since the number of connected handsets is counted, the process is simpler than the conventional method of detecting the number of connected handsets using software. Moreover, not only is the configuration simple, but the number of slave devices can be counted accurately. By accurately ascertaining the number of handsets in this manner, it is possible to ensure the specification of handsets for subsequent data transfer, and to stabilize the centralized management of handsets on the base side.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the invention. For example, although the data transmission/reception section using infrared rays has been described above, it is also possible to employ a data transmission/reception section using other means.

[Effects of the invention] According to this invention, the number of child device data transfer units connected in series to a parent device can be accurately detected by processing with a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external view showing the entire device of an embodiment of this invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the master unit of the same embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the slave unit of the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the connection state of the handset of the same embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the same embodiment. 1...Device body, 1a...Base unit, 1b...Slave unit, 2, 7...Data transmitting/receiving section, 3...Pocket computer, 4...Telephone coupler, 5...Printer, 6...Tape recorder , 24... Status detection unit, 25... Power switch, 26... Power supply, 2
7... Counter, 31, 32... Connection terminal, 33
...flipflop, 34, 35, 36...and gate.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] In a data transfer device consisting of a base unit and a plurality of slave units connected in series to the base unit, the plurality of serially connected slave units are connected to each other from the base unit. Each of the slave units has storage means for storing the connection state detection signal sequentially from the first slave unit each time a detection signal is applied, and the last slave unit among the plurality of slave units connected in series has a storage unit of its own storage unit. The base unit includes a response unit that sends the status to the base unit via the plurality of slave units and responds that the status has been stored in its storage unit, and the base unit transmits the connection status detection signal to the serially connected units. a sending means for sending a signal to a plurality of slave units, a counting means for performing a counting operation each time the connection state detection signal is sent by the sending unit, and a response means of the last slave unit. 1. A data transfer device comprising: detecting means for detecting the number of serially connected slave devices based on the contents of the counting means when a response is received.