JP2000278208A - Optically communicative electronic apparatus system and optically communicative electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption and to enable communicating operation by activating an apparatus on the side of reception at suitable timing by providing a control means or the like for activating the apparatus into communicative state at least by turning on a power source switch means when light sent from transmission side apparatus is detected. SOLUTION: When power source operation is detected as any operation due to a user, a CPU 10 turns on a main power source switch 14 and turns the apparatus into main power source ON state. The CPU 10 itself is activated from a standby state without fail. Thus, the operation of communication with another node is enabled by controlling a communication system 2 or execution of main operation can be controlled by controlling a main operating part 11. Besides, when the start of light transmission from the other apparatus (node #0) is detected by an O/E part 18 to which power is intermittently supplied in the standby state, the CPU 10 turns on the main power source switch 14 and activates the apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention particularly relates to an electronic equipment system capable of communicating information through an optical cable and an electronic equipment constituting the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, in audio / visual equipment, information processing equipment, communication equipment, and the like, a plurality of equipments are connected by an optical fiber cable to execute communication of control data, audio / video data, and the like. Things are known. In particular, in the case of optical data communication, there is no problem of electromagnetic unnecessary radiation unlike electric communication. Therefore, in a system in which the influence of radiation noise is concerned, it is preferable to employ a communication system using an optical cable.
For example, in the case of in-vehicle audio systems, the speed of communication will be accelerated as communication of audio data and control data in the future, and considering that electromagnetic noise will increase, it can be used in automobile systems, such as engine control, Since there is a possibility that each unit such as the ABS control and the airbag control may malfunction, a communication system using an optical cable is preferred from such a viewpoint.

[0003]

When optical communication is performed between devices, it is natural that both devices must be activated at least in a communicable state. That is, it is necessary that power is supplied to the communication processing circuit system. Therefore, when operating a system including a plurality of devices capable of cooperating by optical communication, the user needs to perform an operation of turning on the power of each device in advance. However, such a power operation may be very troublesome depending on the number of devices configured in the system, the arrangement status, and the like.

In a system in which a device normally operated by a user (master device) serves as a transmission side, and a device to be controlled (slave device) receives control data through optical communication, for example, the master device transmits If the transmission timing can be known in advance, it is also possible to perform processing such that the power is turned on in accordance with the timing on the slave device side. However, since the transmission timing is usually determined by the convenience of the transmitting device, it is difficult for such devices to take such a method.

Further, it is conceivable that only the receiving circuit system of each device is always in a power-on state. In this case, when there is a transmission from another device, the receiving device performs communication corresponding thereto or, if necessary, automatically turns on the main operating system of the receiving device. It is also possible. However, in this case, the power consumption of the device increases. In particular, it is not suitable for a device such as an in-vehicle system which is powered by a battery and requires a certain limit on power consumption.

Further, if a control signal system capable of controlling the power of the transmitting device and the receiving device is formed, the power of the receiving device can be turned on when the transmitting device attempts to transmit. It is. However, in this case, it is necessary to connect a control signal line other than the optical cable between the two devices, which leads to a complicated system configuration, an increase in the number of components between each device, a complicated configuration, and a cost increase. Will be invited.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these problems, the present invention has a low power consumption, and a receiving side device is automatically activated at an appropriate timing only by connecting an optical cable to perform a communication operation. The purpose is to be able to.

[0008] For this purpose, as an electronic equipment system capable of optical communication, a plurality of electronic equipments are connected to be capable of optical communication by an optical cable. At least on the electronic device side on the receiving side, optical communication means for executing optical communication via an optical cable, power switch means for turning on / off the operation power supply, and intermittent supply of operation power to the optical communication means Intermittent power supply means and control means. This control means causes the intermittent power supply means to execute intermittent power supply to the optical communication means in a power standby state in which the power switch means is turned off, and causes the optical communication means to transmit the transmission-side device via the optical cable. When the transmitted light from the device is detected, the power switch is turned on so that the device can be started at least in a communicable state. When the electronic device on the receiving side (that is, all devices in the system or one or a plurality of devices on the slave side) adopts such a configuration, the device on the transmitting side is started to be in a communicable state, and is connected to the optical cable. In response to the start of the optical transmission, the device on the receiving side can be activated to be in a communicable state. In this case, since only the communication means is intermittently turned on in the receiving side in the standby state, the power consumption can be saved, and the power can be supplied when necessary without providing a control signal line other than the optical cable. It can be controlled to be in the ON state.

If the control means of the device on the receiving side does not recognize a valid outgoing light as the outgoing light from the transmitting side device which is received by the optical communication means after the communication device is activated, By turning off the power switch means to enter the power standby state, wasteful power consumption can be avoided.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order. 1. System configuration example 2. 2. First device configuration and start-up operation example (example in which communication system and main operation system are common power supply) 2-1 Power state transition 2-2 Device configuration 2-3 Start-up process Example of second device configuration and start-up operation (example in which communication system and main operation system are independent power supplies) 3-1 Power state transition 3-2 Device configuration 3-3 Start-up process

1. System Configuration Example The system of this example is applicable to, for example, an in-vehicle audio system, and a plurality of devices (at least two or more devices) are connected by an optical cable 3 so as to be able to perform data communication as shown in FIG. Things. Since the present example involves a start-up operation via a communication line between the devices, each device is particularly referred to by a node number (nodes # 0, # 1, # 2,...) On the system. It shall be.
The communication method using the optical cable 3 is, for example, IEEE139
It is a digital interface based on four systems. The communication method adopted in the present invention is, of course, IEEE1
It is not limited to the 394 system.

Each device (node) is supplied with operating power by a power supply line 4 and is turned on by an internal power switch as described later. Each node is provided with a communication system 2 as a part for executing communication between devices by the optical cable 3 and a main operation system 1 for performing a main operation of the device. The main operation system 1 and the communication system are each used as a common power supply system and are started at the same time, and the main operation system 1 and the communication system are provided with independent power supply systems so that they can be started individually. Will be described later.

For example, when the system as shown in FIG. 1 is formed as a vehicle-mounted audio system, each node #
.., 0, # 1, # 2,. For example, node # 0 is a head amplifier unit, node # 1 is a CD changer unit, and node # 2 is a tuner unit. For example, when such a configuration is considered, the main operation system 1 of the node # 0 is a part that executes a user interface, a power amplifier operation / source select operation, and the like, and the main operation system 1 of the node # 1 is a CD changer player. Site to execute playback operation, node #
The main operation system 2 is a part for executing reception / demodulation of a radio broadcast. The power supply line 4 is a power supply line connected to a so-called car battery.

For example, in the system as shown in FIG. 1, the nodes can transmit and receive each other. For example, in the present example, when the user performs an operation of turning on the power to the node # 0 (the operation of turning on the power includes the operation of turning on the power switch of the device, and the operation of, for example, a vehicle. If it is, the operation of turning the engine key to the accessory position is also included), other node #
Are automatically turned on (at least the communication system 2 is turned on).

2. First device configuration and start-up operation example (example in which communication system and main operation system are common power supply) 2-1 Transition of power supply state When bidirectional communication such as IEEE1394 is adopted in the above system, each node # 0, # 1
.. Are all transmitting devices and receiving devices. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which, when a certain device (for example, a node # 0) is powered on, other devices on the receiving side start up, and the node # 1 is used as such a device on the receiving side. I will focus on and explain. Of course, the configuration and operation of the node # 1 to be described are different from those of the other nodes (#
0, # 2...).

In each node described here, the communication system 2 and the main operation system 1 are used as a common power supply system in the apparatus, and are started simultaneously.

Referring to FIG. 2, a certain device (for example, node #)
The transition of the power supply state of 1) will be described. In this case, node #
The 1 power state transits among three states: complete off, standby, and main power on.

Completely off is a state in which the power supply line 4 is not connected, a state in which the power supply line 4 is disconnected from the battery in the case of an in-vehicle device, and a state in which the power outlet is disconnected in the case of home use or the like. And so on.

"Standby" refers to a state in which the power supply line 4 is connected and operation power can be supplied. At this time, the CPU (the CPU 1 in FIG.
0) is supplied with a standby power supply voltage, and the minimum required operations (for example, counting an internal clock, monitoring power operation, etc.)
Is executed. Further, in the case of this example, an intermittent power supply operation described later is executed during this standby period in order to monitor the transmission light from another device (node # 0) via the optical cable 3 in the communication system 2. Will be.

When the main power supply is turned on, the main power supply voltage is supplied, the CPU is activated, and each unit becomes operable. That is, the main operation in the main operation system 1 and the communication system 2
Is in a state where the communication operation is possible. For example, when the user performs a power operation while in the standby state, or when the input of the transmitted light is detected as described later, the main power-on state is entered.

In the state where the main power is turned on, when it is determined that the detection of the transmitted light that triggered the activation is erroneous detection, or when the power of another device is turned off and the transmitted light is turned off. When the power is turned off, when a power-off control command is transmitted by optical communication, or when a power-off operation is performed by a user, the state returns to the standby state. When the power supply line 4 is removed, the power supply line 4 is completely turned off.

2-2 Device Configuration FIG. 3 shows an example of a device configuration of the node # 1, for example. CPU1
0 is a control part for controlling the entire apparatus. The main operation unit 11 is a main operation part of the device,
When the node # 1 is assumed to be a CD changer player as described above, the main operation section 11 is provided with a CD changer mechanism, a reproducing head mechanism, an audio reproduction processing circuit, and the like. The main operation unit 11 and the CPU 10
The main operation system 1 of the node # 1 is formed by the control function for the main operation unit 11 in.

The power supply circuit 12 receives a power supply voltage (for example, a battery voltage or a commercial AC power supply voltage) from the power supply line 4, performs predetermined processing, and performs an operation power supply voltage V
cc and a standby power supply voltage Vst. The predetermined process is, for example, D when battery voltage is supplied.
C / DC conversion processing, and rectification smoothing and DC / DC conversion processing when an AC power supply voltage is supplied. Note that the standby voltage Vst is a power supply voltage supplied to the CPU 10 in the above-described standby state, and has a level slightly lower than the operation power supply voltage Vcc.

The operation unit 13 corresponds to various operation keys for the user to operate the apparatus. For example, in a device provided with a power key, the user can turn on / off the power by using a power key, which is one of the operation units 13. The operation unit 13 is a user operation in a broad sense. For example, when the power is turned on by turning an engine key to an accessory position (ACC) as an in-vehicle device, the engine key is used. The detection system for the operation is also included. In addition,
Since the power supply control is performed based on the detection of the transmitted light, as described later, it may be considered that the operation unit 13 does not have the operation function of the power supply system.

The communication system 2 in the node # 1 includes a main power switch 14, an intermittent power switch 15, a reception data processing unit 16, and an optical / electrical conversion unit 18 (hereinafter, O / E).
Unit), transmission data processing unit 17, electrical / optical conversion unit 1
9 (hereinafter, referred to as an E / O unit). The communication system 2 is formed by these blocks and the control function of the CPU 10 for these blocks.

The O / E unit 18 is a part that converts an optical signal transmitted through the optical cable 3 into an electric signal. Also E
The / O unit 19 is a part that converts an electric signal as data to be transmitted into an optical signal and sends the optical signal to the optical cable 3. One connection unit 20 is formed by the O / E section 18 and the E / O section 19, and one optical cable 3 is connected. Then, for example, the connection unit 23 (E
The two-way communication path between the node # 0 and the node # 1 is established by being connected to the / O unit 21 and the O / E unit 22) by the optical cable 3. As shown in FIG. 1, when each device is connected by, for example, daisy chain connection, one device is connected to at least two devices by the optical fiber 3. Accordingly, although not shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity, the connection unit 2
As 0, a plurality of units are formed, so that, for example, the node # 1 can perform bidirectional communication with each of the nodes # 0 and # 2.

The O / E section 18 receives the transmission light from the node # 0 or the like supplied via the optical cable 3, converts the light into an electric signal, and supplies the electric signal to the reception data section 16. Further, an electric signal obtained by the presence of the transmitted light is also supplied to an interrupt port of the CPU 10. The reception data processing unit 16
The communication data received by the / E section 18 and converted into an electric signal is demodulated and decoded, and supplied to the CPU 10. Thereby, the CPU 10 can obtain the received data.

When transmitting data to another node, the CPU 10 transmits the transmission data to the transmission data processing unit 17.
To supply. The transmission data processing unit 17 performs predetermined encoding processing and modulation for transmission on the supplied transmission data, and supplies the data to the E / O unit 19. The E / O unit 19
The electric signal supplied from the transmission data processing unit 17 is converted into an optical signal and transmitted to the optical fiber 3.

The main power switch 14 is a part for turning on / off the operating power supply voltage Vcc for each unit. When the main power switch 14 is turned on by the CPU 10, the operating power supply voltage Vcc is supplied to each unit, and the apparatus is turned on. On the other hand, the intermittent power switch 15 is a part that intermittently supplies the operating power supply voltage Vcc to only the O / E unit 18 based on an instruction from the CPU 10 when the apparatus is in the standby state. In this example, the intermittent power switch 15 allows the O / E section 18 to intermittently monitor the presence or absence of light transmitted from the optical cable 3 when in the standby state, thereby starting (power on). Can be controlled.

The E / O unit, which is the light transmitting unit in the communication unit 2 of each node including the node # 1, starts transmitting light for communication when the main power is turned on. That is, after the main power supply is turned on, some kind of modulated light is always transmitted, and is transmitted to the O / E section of the node to which it is connected. When actual data transmission is performed, the transmitted light is overlaid with data modulated light. In other words, if the O / E unit detects the outgoing light for the receiving device, it can be determined that the transmitting device has been turned on. For example node #
The case where the transmission light from the node # 0 is transmitted to the O / E unit 18 of No. 1 is the case where the main power supply of the transmission side node # 0 is turned on.

The main feature of this embodiment is that the receiving device detects the light emitted from the transmitting device and turns on the operating power supply. Therefore, the intermittent power supply as described above is used. O / E intermittently by switch 15
The operation power supply voltage Vcc is supplied to the section 18. For example, when a phototransistor is provided as a light receiving means in the O / E unit 18 as shown in FIG. 4, when the operating power supply voltage Vcc is supplied via the intermittent power switch 15 in the standby state. ,
This phototransistor generates a current corresponding to the light transmitted from node # 0. By supplying a detection voltage corresponding to this current to the interrupt port of the CPU 10,
The CPU 10 in the standby state can recognize that the node # 0 has been started. Then, after the node # 0 is activated, communication with the node # 0 is performed. However, the CPU 10 turns on the main power switch 14 and
By setting the node # 1 in the main power-on state, communication with the node # 0 becomes possible.

Operation power supply voltage Vcc for O / E section 18
Is shown in FIG. When the device is in the standby state, the intermittent power switch 15 is turned on / off every predetermined period, so that the O / E unit 18 performs the power supply period ton and the power off period as shown in the figure. tof
f occur alternately. Although the transmitted light cannot be detected during the period toff, for example, when the node # 0 is activated to start the light transmission, the optical input is detected in the period ton immediately after that, and the CPU 10 The activation of # 0 can be recognized. Therefore, immediately after that (after the delay time DL for processing), the CPU 10 turns on the main power switch 14 and turns the node # 1 into the main power on state. Therefore, thereafter, the operating power supply voltage Vcc is continuously supplied to the O / E unit 18 as shown in the figure.

Here, consider the current consumption for intermittent power supply during standby. The average current consumption I2 at the time of intermittent operation is I2, where I1 is the current consumption required to supply the operating power supply voltage.
Becomes I2 = I1 × (ton / (ton + toff)). Since the O / E unit 18 normally consumes about 80% of the total current consumption during the receiving operation, only the O / E unit 18 is turned on for the detection of transmitted light in the standby state, for example. However, even if the other parts are turned off, there is almost no effect of saving the current consumption. However, by performing the intermittent power supply operation as described above, the current consumption during standby can be considerably reduced. In particular, the transmitted light from node # 0 is
Since 0 is continuously supplied after the start, even if the off-period toff is set relatively long, no omission is detected. In other words, after the node # 0 is activated, the off period toff can be set as a delay time from when the node # 0 is detected to when the node # 1 is activated, based on a time range allowable in the communication operation. Can be saved.

2-3 Starting Process FIG. 6 shows the process of the CPU 10 for performing such a starting operation. FIG. 6 shows the power supply process from the standby state. The standby power supply voltage Vs
t is supplied and when in the standby state, the CPU 1
In step F101, the main power switch 14 is turned off, the switching operation of the intermittent power switch 15 is performed, and the power supply to the O / E unit 18 is performed intermittently as described above. Become.

In this state, the monitoring of the power operation of the user in step F102 and the O / E in step F106
The monitoring of the transmitted light detection by the unit 18 is performed. Note that monitoring of the operation in step F102 is not performed, for example, when the device is not provided with a power key, or when the device is a vehicle-mounted device that does not directly accept activation by an engine key. For example, in the system shown in FIG. 1, if the device activated by turning the engine key beyond the accessory position is only the node # 0, and the node # 1 and subsequent devices are activated by detecting the transmitted light, Steps F102 and F103 are performed only on node # 0. However, even in such a case, if a power key is prepared for the device as the node # 1, the processing of steps F102 and F103 is performed.

When a power operation as any operation by the user is detected, the process proceeds from step F102 to F103, and the CPU 10 turns on the main power switch 14 to put the apparatus in a main power on state. Naturally CPU1
0 itself is also started from the standby state.
Thus, in step F104, the communication system 2 is controlled to perform a communication operation with another node, and the main operation unit 1
1 to control the execution of the main operation.

If the start of light transmission from another device (node # 0) is detected by the O / E unit 18 intermittently supplied with power as described above in the standby state, the process proceeds to step S1. From F106 to F107, C
The PU 10 turns on the main power switch 14 to put the device in a main power-on state. The CPU 10 itself is also activated from the standby state.

Here, in step F108, it is confirmed whether or not the detected outgoing light is valid. That is, thereafter, the reception data processing unit 16 determines whether or not the transmitted light as the predetermined modulated light can be continuously confirmed. For example, it is checked whether or not the modulated light is a normal modulated light based on the activation of the node # 0, without the influence of disturbance light or noise, or a malfunction of the node # 0. Then, the main power supply ON state is set to an operable state.

However, if the transmitted light is interrupted immediately after the detection, or if it is determined that the detected light is not the predetermined modulated light for communication, the starting process performed in the process of step F107 immediately before is Judge as malfunction due to disturbance light. Therefore, the process returns to step F101 to turn off the main power switch 14 and return to the standby state.

When the main power is on as a step F104, a power-off trigger is monitored in a step F105. The power-off trigger is the operation of the power key by the user if the device has a power key, and the operation of turning the engine below the accessory position if the device directly corresponds to the operation of the engine key. Becomes Or, another device (node # 0) is powered off. It can be confirmed that the power of the other device is turned off when the O / E unit 18 does not detect the transmitted light. In some cases, a power-off command sent from another device by optical communication may be used as a power-off trigger.

If these power-off triggers are confirmed, the process returns to step F101,
U10 turns off the main power switch 14 and returns to the standby state. As described above, the standby operation, that is, the intermittent power supply to the O / E unit 18 is executed.

By performing the processing as described above, for example, in the case of the device as the node # 1, the node # 0 is activated, and when the light transmission to the optical cable 3 is started, the node # 1 is started. Is also activated in the main power-on state, that is, a linked power-on operation in the system is possible. This eliminates the need for the user to operate the power of each device or to provide a control signal line other than the optical cable 3 to activate each device. It is possible to start the communication operation in the system. This means that simplification of the configuration of the communication system using the optical cable, simplification of the configuration of each device, cost reduction, and the like can be promoted.

Of course, in the system as shown in FIG. 1, the node # 2 has the same configuration, so that when the node # 1 is started, the node # 2 is also started. That is, each device in the system is activated in a chain. Therefore, it becomes very suitable as a system to which many devices are connected.

Also, the receiving side device such as node # 1 (which may correspond to node # 0) detects outgoing light with an intermittent operating power supply in the standby state. As described above, no significant power consumption occurs during this time. Therefore, the present invention is also suitable for a system using a battery power supply, such as a vehicle-mounted system.

Further, as described as the process of step F108, if the valid emitted light is not recognized after the communication is activated, the main power switch 14 is turned off again to return to the standby state. For this reason, it is possible to avoid continuation of wasteful power consumption after, for example, activation due to a malfunction, and thus power consumption can be saved.

The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the hardware.
/ Intermittently supplying power to the E unit 18;
And the output of the O / E unit is supplied to the interrupt port of the CPU 10. In other words, there is also an advantage that a large circuit change or the like is not required for realizing the operation of this example.

3. Second device configuration and start-up operation example (example in which communication system and main operation system are independent power supplies) 3-1 Power state transition Next, in each node, the communication system 2 and the main operation system 1 become independent in the device. An example of a power supply system will be described. That is, in order to perform inter-node communication, only the communication system 2 needs to be turned on at least.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, for example, a communication system CPU 10A serving as a control unit of the communication system 2 and a main operation system CPU 10B serving as a control unit of the main operation system 1 are formed.

The transition of the power state of a certain device (for example, node # 1) in this example will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the power state of the node # 1 is completely off, standby,
The four states of communication system power-on and all power-on are transited.

The completely off state is a state in which the power supply line 4 is not connected, similarly to the above-described example. For example, it has been removed.

Similarly, the standby is a state in which the power supply line 4 is connected and the operation power supply is enabled. At this time, the CPU (the CPU 10 in FIG.
A, 10B) are supplied with a standby power supply voltage, and the minimum necessary operations (for example, counting an internal clock and monitoring power supply operation) are executed. Further, also in this example, in the communication system 2, the optical cable 3 from another device (node # 0) is used.
The intermittent power supply operation similar to the above-described example is performed during this standby period in order to monitor the light transmitted through the power supply.

The power-on of the communication system is a state in which the power supply voltage is supplied in the communication system 2, the CPU 10A is activated, and each part of the communication system 2 becomes operable. For example, at the time of the standby state, the communication system power-on state is shifted in response to the detection of the input of the transmission light as described later.

When the power is turned on, the power supply voltage is supplied not only to the communication system 2 but also to each unit of the main operation system 1.
0A and 10B are activated and the main operation in the main operation system 1 and the communication operation in the communication system 2 are enabled.
For example, in the standby state or the communication system power-on state, the state is shifted to the full power-on state when the user performs a power operation or in response to a start command from another node.

In the state where the communication system power supply is turned on or all the power supplies are turned on, when it is determined that the detection of the transmitted light which triggered the activation is erroneous detection, or when the power of other devices is turned off. When there is no transmission light, or when a power-off control command is transmitted by optical communication, or when the user performs a power-off operation, the system returns to the standby state. When the power supply line 4 is removed, the power supply line 4 is completely turned off.

3-2 Device Configuration FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the node # 1 in this example. The same reference numerals are given to the same functional portions as those in FIG. 3 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the portions different from FIG. 3 will be described.

In this case, each part of the communication system 2 is a communication system CPU.
10A, and each part of the main operation system 1 is controlled by the main operation system 10B. The communication CPU 10A and the main operation CPU 10B can perform various kinds of communication with each other after the standby state.

The communication power switch 14 is provided for the communication system 2.
A is turned on / off so that the operating power supply voltage Vcc
Is supplied / cut off. That is, the communication power switch 14A
Is turned on to shift from the standby state to the communication system power-on state. ON / OFF of the communication power switch 14A is controlled by the communication CPU 10A.

With respect to main operation system 1, main operation power supply switch 14B is turned on / off so that operation power supply voltage V
Supply / cutoff of cc is performed. That is, when the main operation power switch 14B is turned on, the entire power is turned on. The main operation power switch 14B is turned on / off by the main operation CPU 10B.
Is controlled by

Although the communication system CPU 10A and the main operation system CPU 10B are provided separately in this example, they may be formed as one integrated CPU.
In that case, the CPU is started at the timing when the communication system power is turned on.

In this example, as in the above-described example, the main feature is that the receiving-side device detects the light emitted from the transmitting-side device and turns on the operating power supply. As described above, the intermittent power switch 15 intermittently supplies the operating power supply voltage Vc to the O / E unit 18.
is supplied, and the detection operation of the transmitted light is performed as described with reference to FIG. However, in this case, the optical cable 3
For example, when the activation of the node # 0 is recognized by detecting the transmission light from the node # 0 through the communication system CPU 10A,
Turns on the communication system power switch 14A, and sets the node # 1 to the communication system power-on state. This enables communication with the node # 0.

That is, when the communication system power is turned on, only the communication operation with another node is enabled.
By keeping the power off, power consumption can be saved during this time. For example, communication between each node is necessary for system operation, but in a system where the period during which the main operation is not performed at each node becomes long, power is saved by turning on only the communication system. The effect is great.

3-3 Startup Process FIG. 9 shows an example of a startup process in this case. FIG. 9 shows the power supply process from the standby state. Communication CP
When the standby power supply voltage Vst is supplied to the U10A and the main operation system CPU 10B, the CPUs 10A and 10B perform step F201.
Communication power switch 14A and main operation power switch 14B
Is turned off, and the CPU 10A causes the intermittent power switch 15 to execute a switching operation,
The power supply to the O / E unit 18 is executed intermittently.

In this state, the monitoring of the user's power operation in step F202 and the O / E in step F207
The monitoring of the transmitted light detection by the unit 18 is performed. The situation regarding the monitoring of the operation in step F202 is described in FIG.
This is the same as that described for step F102.

If a power operation by the user is detected, the process proceeds from step F202 to step F203. First, the communication CPU 10A starts from a standby state, turns on the communication power switch 14A, and turns on the communication system 2A. Is turned on. Step F
At 204, the main operation CPU 10B also starts up from the standby state, and turns on the main operation power switch 14B.
The main operation system 1 is turned on. As a result, all the power is turned on, and in step F205, the communication system 2 is controlled to perform a communication operation with another node, and the main operation unit 11 is controlled to perform execution control of the main operation. It becomes possible.

If the start of light transmission from another device (node # 0) is detected in the standby state by the O / E unit 18 intermittently supplied with power as described above, the processing is performed in step S1. Proceeding from F207 to F208, the communication system CPU 10A starts up, turns on the communication power switch 14A, and turns the communication system 2 on. That is, in this case, the communication system power is turned on, and only the communication operation is possible.

Here, in step F209, it is confirmed whether or not the detected transmitted light is valid. That is, thereafter, the reception data processing unit 16 determines whether or not the transmitted light as the predetermined modulated light can be continuously confirmed. For example, it is checked whether or not the modulated light is normal modulation based on the activation of the node # 0 without the influence of disturbance light or noise or a malfunction of the node # 0, and if it can be confirmed, the process proceeds to step F210. To make the communication operation possible as a normal communication system power-on state.

However, if the outgoing light is interrupted immediately after the detection or if it is determined that the detected light is not the predetermined modulated light for communication, the start-up process performed in the process immediately before in step F208 is as follows. Judge as malfunction due to disturbance light. Therefore, the process returns to step F201 to turn off the communication power switch 14A and return to the standby state.

In step F210, when the communication system power is on, the operation power is turned on in step F211 by monitoring that the transmission light input has been turned off and in step F212 by a user operation or a command from another node. Watch as there are instructions. Step F2
The case where it is detected in step 11 that the transmitted light has been lost is as follows.
For example, this is a case where the power of the node # 0 is turned off (standby state). Accordingly, since no communication is performed thereafter, the node # 1 may return to the standby state.
Therefore, the process returns to step F201 and the communication power switch 1
4A is turned off to be in a standby state.

In step F212, when a power operation as a user's operation is detected, or when activation is instructed as a command from another device such as node # 0, the main operation is performed on node # 1. This is a case where execution of an operation is required. So in that case, step F
Proceeding to 204, the main operation CPU 10B starts up from the standby state, turns on the main operation power switch 14B, and turns the main operation system 1 on. That is, all the power is turned on, and the communication operation with another node and the main operation by the main operation unit 11 can be performed as the operation of step F205.

When the power is all on in step F205, a power off trigger is monitored in step F206. The power-off trigger is the operation of the power key by the user if the device has a power key, and the operation of turning the engine below the accessory position if the device directly corresponds to the operation of the engine key. Becomes Or, another device (node # 0) is powered off. It can be confirmed that the power of the other device is turned off when the O / E unit 18 does not detect the transmitted light. In some cases, a power-off command sent from another device by optical communication may be used as a power-off trigger.

When these power-off triggers are confirmed, the process returns to step F201,
U10B turns off the main operation power switch 14B, and the CPU 10A turns off the communication power switch 14A to return to the standby state. As described above, the standby operation, that is, the intermittent power supply to the O / E unit 18 is executed.

By performing the processing as described above, if the device is, for example, the node # 1, the node # 0 is activated and starts transmitting light to the optical cable 3. Is also activated in the main power-on state, that is, a linked power-on operation in the system is possible. Of course, in the system as shown in FIG. 1, for example, in response to the activation of the node # 0, all the nodes after the node # 1 are activated in a chain, at least in a communicable state. Therefore, even in this example, the communication operation in the system can be performed even if the user does not operate the power supply of each device or take a means of activating each device by providing a control signal line other than the optical cable 3. Can be started in a state where it is possible. Therefore, simplification of the communication system configuration using the optical cable, simplification of the configuration of each device, cost reduction, and the like can be promoted.

Of course, the equipment on the receiving side such as the node # 1 detects the transmitted light by the intermittent operation power supply in the standby state, and therefore, as described above, a large amount of power consumption occurs. do not do. Further, in this example, the main operation system can be turned off during a period in which only communication is required, so that power consumption can be further reduced. Also, in this case, as described as the process of step F209, if a valid emission light cannot be recognized after the communication is activated, the apparatus is returned to the standby state. Can be prevented from continuing wasteful power consumption after that, which can also save power consumption.

In this case also, the power is intermittently supplied to the O / E unit 18 in terms of hardware, and the output of the O / E unit is supplied to the interrupt port of the CPU 10. Therefore, a large circuit change or the like is not required for realizing the operation.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible. First, the system configuration can be applied to a system that performs optical communication between at least two devices. Also, the present invention can be applied to a system adopting a unidirectional communication from a master device to a slave device instead of a two-way communication. Of course, the communication format, the transmission / reception circuit configuration, the type of device, and the like may be any.

[0075]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, the intermittent power supply to the optical communication means is executed by the intermittent power supply means in the power supply standby state in the electronic equipment on the receiving side. The optical communication means can detect the light emitted from the transmitting device via the optical cable. When the transmitted light is detected, the power switch is turned on and the device is started at least in a communicable state. As a result, in response to the transmission-side device being activated in a communication-enabled state and starting transmission of light to an optical cable, the reception-side device is automatically activated in a communication-enabled state, and the In addition, the communication operation can be appropriately performed, and the power operation of the user can be omitted when executing the system operation. In particular, in a system in which a large number of devices are connected as described above, all the devices are simultaneously activated at least in a communicable state, which is a very appropriate system activation method for a plurality of devices. Of course, there is no need to provide a separate control signal line for controlling the activation of the devices, so that the system connection configuration can be simplified and the connection can be easily realized. Further, the configuration of each device can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced. Cost reduction can be realized. In addition, since the device on the receiving side (all or a part of the devices in the system) detects outgoing light using an intermittent operation power supply in the standby state, a large amount of power consumption occurs during this time. do not do. Therefore, the present invention is also suitable for a system using a battery power supply, such as a vehicle-mounted system.

If the device on the receiving side does not recognize a valid outgoing light from the transmitting side device received by the optical communication means after starting up in the communicable state, the power switch means Is turned off so as to return to the power standby state. Therefore, it is possible to avoid wasteful power consumption after, for example, startup due to a malfunction, and thus power saving can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a power state transition in the case of a common power supply configuration according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a node # 1 in the case of a common power supply configuration according to the embodiment;
It is a block diagram of.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a transmitted light detection operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an intermittent power supply operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a startup process in the case of a common power supply configuration according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a power state transition in the case of an independent power supply configuration according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a node # 1 in the case of the independent power supply configuration according to the embodiment;
It is a block diagram of.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a startup process in the case of an independent power supply configuration according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 main operation system, 2 communication system, 3 optical cable, 4 power supply line, 10 CPU, 10A communication system CPU, 10B
Main operation system CPU, 11 main operation section, 12 power supply circuit,
13 operation section, 14 main power switch, 14A communication power switch, 14B main operation power switch, 15 intermittent power switch, 16 reception data processing section, 17 transmission data processing section, 18 O / E section, 19 E / O section, 20
Connection unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 321B 321 G06F 1/00 334P 334A F-term (Reference) 5B011 DB26 FF04 HH02 KK14 MA13 5C064 EA02 EA05 5K002 EA04 FA02 GA04 GA07 5K048 AA05 AA16 BA02 BA42 DA02 DC08 EB02 HA04 HA07 HA31 HA36

Claims (4)

[Claims] An optical cable connects a plurality of electronic devices with each other so as to enable optical communication, and at least a device on a receiving side executes optical communication via the optical cable; Power switch means for turning off; intermittent power means capable of intermittently supplying operating power to the optical communication means; and an intermittent power supply in a power standby state in which the power switch means is off. Means for intermittently supplying power to the optical communication means, and when the optical communication means detects light emitted from a transmitting device via the optical cable, turns on the power switch means. And control means for activating the device at least in a communicable state so that the device on the transmitting side is activated in a communicable state. A device on the receiving side is started up in a communicable state in response to the start of light transmission to the optical cable. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, after starting up in a communicable state, if a valid outgoing light received from the optical communication unit as a outgoing light from a transmitting side device is not recognized, the power supply is turned on. 2. The electronic device system capable of optical communication according to claim 1, wherein the switch means is turned off to be in a power standby state. 3. An optical communication unit for executing optical communication via an optical cable, a power switch unit for turning on / off an operation power supply, and an intermittent supply of an operation power supply to the optical communication unit intermittently. A power supply unit, causing the intermittent power supply unit to execute intermittent power supply to the optical communication unit during a power standby state in which the power switch unit is turned off, and Control means capable of turning on the power switch means to start the device at least in a communicable state when light emitted from the transmitting device is detected. Electronic equipment capable of optical communication. 4. The control unit, after starting up in a communicable state, if the valid transmission light received from the optical communication unit as transmission light from a transmission side device cannot be recognized, the control unit outputs the power supply. 4. The electronic device capable of optical communication according to claim 3, wherein the switch means is turned off to be in a power supply standby state.