JP2005354639A - Communication apparatus, imaging apparatus, and network system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology of restarting streaming transmission in a state before the occurrence of coming off of a cable when the cable is again connected in the case that an imaging apparatus carries out streaming transmission to a communication apparatus and a network is disconnected due to coming off or the like of the cable. <P>SOLUTION: When a USB cable 300 is disconnected in the midst of transmitting video streaming to a host PC 100, a digital video camera 200 set to a camera mode being a default mode detects the disconnection, and when the digital video camera 200 is set to a VTR mode different from the default mode, the digital video camera 200 stores therein a VTR mode state. Then the digital video camera 200 detecting that the USB cable 300 is connected changes its own mode to the VTR mode according to the stored mode state (VTR mode). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, an imaging apparatus, a network system, a control method, and a computer program having a digital interface that conforms to, for example, the USB (Universal Serial Bus Protocol) standard.

  Currently, there is a system in which a digital video camera and a personal computer (PC) are connected by a digital interface compliant with USB (Universal Serial Bus Protocol) 1.1 (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). The USB standard includes USB 2.0 (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2) in addition to USB 1.1.

  When a digital video camera having such a function is connected to a PC via a USB interface and video streaming is being transmitted, if the USB cable is disconnected and then reconnected, the digital video The camera resumes in the default mode.

  Also, USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices describes a mechanism that has a plurality of image setting information and switches image settings by remote operation from a PC using a USB interface. When a digital video camera having such a function is connected to a PC via a USB interface and video streaming is being transmitted, if the USB cable is disconnected and then reconnected, the digital video The camera searches for an optimal image format with the PC and performs settings, which may be different from the settings before the cable is disconnected.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the digital video camera has three image settings, and in the image setting “1”, a moving image is played in the DV format with the highest image quality. The image settings “2” and “3” are Motion JPEG formats for use in video chat, etc. The image settings “2” prioritize the image size, and the image settings “3” prioritize the frame rate. . Normally, the image setting “1” is set as long as the image setting “1” can flow. If the image setting “1” is not possible, the USB bus is slow or it is used on the Internet such as video chat. In this case, the image setting “2” or “3” is set. Become.

Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 1.1, September 23, 1998 Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 2.0, April 27, 2000

  However, if the cable is unplugged during video streaming, it is highly likely that this is an unintended event for the user, and this may cause confusion for the user. It is desirable to resume in the

  As described above, when the image setting “2” or “3” is set, it is considered that the image setting “2” or “3” depends on the user's preference. Thus, since an appropriate image setting is selected due to various factors, the confusion of the user can be avoided by resuming the setting before the cable is pulled out.

  The present invention can be resumed in a state before being disconnected when the network is disconnected and the cable is connected again when the cable is disconnected while streaming transmission is performed from the imaging device or the like to the communication device. The purpose is to do so.

The communication apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of modes set according to functions, and switches the mode according to a mode switching request from another communication apparatus connected via the network, and via the network. A communication device having a function of transmitting or receiving streaming data, wherein the communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from a mode set as a default, and is connected to the other communication device. When the network is disconnected in the state of streaming transmission or reception, there is provided a means for holding the mode when connected and restarting the operation in the held mode when the network is connected again. It has the characteristics.
The imaging device of the present invention has two modes, a shooting mode for shooting video and a playback mode for playing back video, and the mode is set in response to a mode switching request from a communication device connected via a network. An imaging apparatus having a switching function and a streaming transmission or reception function via the network, and when the default mode is a playback mode, the imaging apparatus is configured to be in a shooting mode via the communication apparatus and the network. If the network is disconnected while connected to and streaming transmitted to or received from the communication device, the shooting mode is maintained, and when the network is connected again, the operation is performed in the held shooting mode. It is characterized in that it has means for resuming.
Another imaging device of the present invention has two modes, a shooting mode for shooting video and a playback mode for playing back video, and in response to a mode switching request from a communication device connected via a network. An imaging apparatus having a function of switching modes and a function of streaming transmission or reception via the network, and when the default mode is a shooting mode, the communication apparatus and the network are connected in a playback mode. When the network is disconnected in a situation where streaming is transmitted to or received from the communication device, the playback mode is maintained, and when the network is connected again, the held playback mode is maintained. It is characterized in that a means for resuming the operation is provided.
Another imaging apparatus of the present invention has a function of switching image settings to be transmitted or received in response to a switching request from a communication apparatus connected via a network, and a function of streaming transmission or reception via the network. When the network is disconnected in a situation where streaming transmission or reception is being performed with respect to the communication device, the image setting when the connection was made, and when the network connection is made again, It is characterized in that it has means for restarting the operation with the held image settings.
In the network system of the present invention, a communication device and another communication device are connected via a network, and the communication device has a plurality of modes set according to functions, and mode switching from the other communication device. A network system having a function of switching the mode in response to a request and a function of streaming transmission or reception via the network, wherein the communication device is in a mode different from a mode set by default. When the network is disconnected in a situation where it is connected to the communication device via the network and streaming transmission or reception is being performed with respect to the other communication device, the mode at the time of connection is maintained, and the network connection is performed again. In this case, the apparatus has a feature in that a means for restarting the operation in the held mode is provided.
The communication device control method of the present invention has a plurality of modes set according to the function, the function of switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from another communication device connected via a network, A method of controlling a communication device having a function of streaming transmission or reception via a network, wherein the communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from a mode set by default When the network is disconnected in a situation where streaming transmission or reception is being performed with respect to the other communication device, the mode when the network is connected is retained, and when the network is reconnected, the retained mode is maintained. It has a feature in that it has a procedure for restarting the operation.
The computer program of the present invention has a plurality of modes set in accordance with functions, a function for switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from another communication device connected via a network, and a network via the network. A computer program used for a communication device having a function of transmitting or receiving streaming data, wherein the communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from a mode set by default. When the network is disconnected in a situation where streaming transmission or reception is being performed with respect to the other communication device, the mode when the connection was established is retained, and when the network connection is established again, the retained mode is maintained. It is characterized in that a process for resuming the operation is executed.

  According to the present invention, when the network is disconnected due to disconnection of the cable or the like, the mode and image settings at that time are retained, and when the cable is connected again, the mode and image before disconnection are maintained. It can be resumed with settings.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First embodiment>
The imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a function of USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices for streaming USB video streaming, and is connected to a communication apparatus with a USB cable. The imaging apparatus has a mode for capturing moving images and still images (camera mode) and a mode for reproducing data stored in media (VTR mode). The image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a digital interface conforming to USB 1.1 or USB 2.0.

  When the default mode is the camera mode among the above modes, when the USB cable is disconnected during video streaming from the imaging apparatus to the communication apparatus in the VTR mode, the imaging apparatus displays the mode information before disconnection. When the PC and the USB cable are connected again, the connection is resumed with the held VTR mode.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the digital video camera 200 in this embodiment. In the digital video camera 200, at the time of recording, the imaging control unit 201 controls the digital camera unit 208 to capture a subject image and a still image. The video and still image data captured from the digital camera unit 208 is compressed into an appropriate video and still image format by the image processing unit 205, and the compressed data is transferred to the removable recording unit 209 such as a tape by the recording control unit 204. To be recorded.

  On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the video and still image recorded in the removable recording unit 209 are read by the reproduction control unit 203 and expanded by the image processing unit 205 according to the appropriate video and still image format. It is transferred to the display unit 210 and displayed.

  When an external device is connected to the USB interface 207, the video and still image data compressed by the image processing unit 205 by the digital interface control unit (DIF control unit) 206 are output via the USB interface 207. The The USB interface 207 is a digital interface compliant with USB 1.1 or USB 2.0.

  Each control unit is connected by a data / address bus 212, data transfer is performed via this bus, and the main control unit 202 controls each control unit.

  Here, it is assumed that the digital video camera 200 is connected to a personal computer (host PC) 100 serving as a host controller via a USB cable 300 as shown in FIG. The host PC 100 acquires the video imaged by the digital video camera 200 via the USB cable 300 in real time.

  The host PC 100 can also transmit a still image shooting request to the digital video camera 200 via the USB cable 300.

  In addition, the digital video camera 200 has a camera mode for shooting, in which data input from the digital camera unit 208 is output to the USB cable 300 from the USB interface 207 or recorded in the detachable recording unit 209, and detachable There is a VTR mode for reproduction, in which data output from the possible recording unit 209 is displayed on the display unit 210 or output from the USB interface 207 to the USB cable 300.

  When the camera mode and the VTR mode are switched remotely from the host PC 100, the SU_INPUT_SELECT_CONTROL command (see FIG. 4) defined in the USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices is used.

  FIG. 3 shows a unit configuration in the USB interface 207 of the digital video camera 200 in this embodiment. In this configuration, the data input from the digital camera unit 301 is sent to the camera control unit 302 to be a USB output 305, and the data output from the tape medium 303 is to be a USB output 305. The selector unit 304 is configured to switch the source output by the USB-IF.

  The digital video camera 200 switches the source (302 or 303) designated by the SU_INPUT_SELECT_CONTROL command from the host PC 100. Here, when the camera control unit 302 is designated, the camera mode is selected, and when the tape medium 303 is designated, the VTR mode is set. On the host PC 100 side, the mode of the digital video camera 200 can be determined by the designated selector position. It becomes.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing operations in this embodiment. The digital video camera 200 transmits video streaming to the host PC 100 based on USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices that exchanges streaming of moving images. The mode set by default is the camera mode.

  Here, if the USB cable 300 is disconnected, the digital video camera 200 indicates that the USB cable 300 has been disconnected when the voltage level of D + and D−, which are two USB differential signal lines, falls below 3.3 V for 2.5 μsec or more. It is detected by continuing (S001). The USB bus state is shown in FIG.

  When the digital video camera 200 is transmitting video streaming (S002) and the current mode is a VTR mode different from the default setting (S003), the fact that it is in the VTR mode state is stored in the internal RAM area of the DIF control unit 206. (S004).

  Then, it detects that the USB cable 300 is connected when the voltage level of either D + or D−, which is two USB differential signal lines, becomes 3.3V (S005). The detected digital video camera 200 notifies the main control unit 202 that manages the mode state that the mode state held in the internal RAM area of the DIF control unit 206 is the VTR mode (S006). Then, the mode of the digital video camera 200 is changed to the VTR mode.

  By performing the above operation, even when the USB cable 300 is connected, it is possible to connect to the host PC 100 while maintaining the held mode. This prevents the user from feeling uncomfortable without switching to the default mode upon reconnection. In this embodiment, the USB cable 300 is used for the network, but wireless communication or an IEEE 1394 interface may be used.

<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the default mode setting is the camera mode, but in this embodiment, the default mode setting is the VTR mode. If the USB cable is disconnected while video streaming is running from the imaging device to the communication device in camera mode, the imaging device retains the mode information before disconnection and the PC and USB cable are connected again. When it is done, the connection is resumed with the camera mode held.

  Similar to the first embodiment, video streaming is transmitted to the host PC 100 based on USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices that exchanges streaming video.

  Here, if the USB cable 300 is disconnected, the digital video camera 200 indicates that the USB cable 300 has been disconnected when the voltage level of D + and D−, which are two USB differential signal lines, falls below 3.3 V for 2.5 μsec or more. It is detected by continuing (S001). The USB bus state is shown in FIG.

  When the digital video camera 200 is transmitting video streaming (S002) and the current mode is a camera mode different from the default setting (S003), it is determined that the camera mode state is present in the internal RAM area of the DIF control unit 206. (S004).

  Then, it detects that the USB cable 300 is connected when the voltage level of either D + or D−, which is two USB differential signal lines, becomes 3.3V (S005). The detected digital video camera 200 notifies the main control unit 202 that manages the mode state that the mode state held in the internal RAM area of the DIF control unit 206 is the camera mode (S006). Then, the mode of the digital video camera 200 is changed to the camera mode.

  By performing the above operation, even when the USB cable 300 is connected, it is possible to connect to the host PC 100 while maintaining the held mode. This prevents the user from feeling uncomfortable without switching to the default mode upon reconnection. In this embodiment, the USB cable 300 is used for the network. However, wireless communication or an IEEE 1394 interface may be used.

<Third embodiment>
The imaging apparatus according to the present invention has a function of USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices for streaming USB video streaming, and is connected to a communication apparatus via a USB cable. The imaging device has image formats such as Motion JPEG streaming and DV streaming. Motion JPEG has setting items such as VGA and QVGA, and these streaming settings can be changed remotely from the host PC. is there. When the USB cable is disconnected during video streaming from the imaging device to the communication device, the imaging device retains image setting information before cutting. When the PC and the USB cable are connected again, the held video streaming setting is notified at the time of negotiation with the host PC, so that the connection is resumed with the image setting before the cable is disconnected.

  The schematic configuration of the digital video camera according to the present embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a negotiation for setting an image between the host PC 100 and the digital video camera 200. 10A to 10D show the configurations of the VS_PROBE_CONTROL command and the VS_COMMIT_CONTROL command defined in USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices. As shown in the figure, the image settings include items of image format, frame rate, image size, compression rate, frame interval, and transfer rate.

  First, after determining the detailed image settings on the host PC 100 side, the SET_CUR command of PROBE_CONTROL is transmitted from the host PC 100 to the digital video camera 200 (S201).

  The digital video camera 200 that has received the SET_CUR command of PROBE_CONTROL sets the probe value to the value set by the host PC 100 for items that are determined to be transmitted without any problem on the device side among the values set by the command, and other values For the item, a setting value determined by the digital video camera 200 is set as a Probe value.

  Thereafter, the host PC 100 transmits a GET_CUR command of PROBE_CONTROL to check the value of the PROBE, and acquires a value set by the digital video camera 200 based on a request from the host PC 100 (S202).

  If there is no problem on the host PC 100 side as a result of the acquisition, a SET_CUR command of COMMIT_CONTROL is transmitted to set streaming (S203).

  Upon receiving the COMMIT_CONTROL SET_CUR command, the digital video camera 200 sets the COMMIT setting value to the received value.

  Thereafter, the host PC 100 transmits a SELECT_ALTERNATE_INTERFACE command (S204), and the digital video camera 200 that has received the command starts streaming transfer.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of processing operations in this embodiment. Video streaming is transmitted to the PC with image setting “2” based on the USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices that exchanges streaming video.

  Here, if the USB cable 300 is disconnected, the digital video camera 200 indicates that the USB cable 300 has been disconnected when the voltage level of D + and D−, which are two USB differential signal lines, falls below 3.3 V for 2.5 μsec or more. It is detected by continuing (S101). The USB bus state is shown in FIG.

  When the video streaming of the digital video camera 200 is being transmitted (S102), the current streaming setting value is held in the internal RAM area of the DIF control unit 206 (S004).

  Then, it detects that the USB cable 300 is connected when the voltage level of either one of D + and D−, which are two USB differential signal lines, becomes 3.3V (S104).

  After detection, streaming negotiation with the host PC 100 is performed. The method of negotiation is the method described above. At this time, when receiving the GET_CUR command of PROBE_CONTROL sent from the host PC 100, the streaming information held in the internal RAM area of the DIF control unit 206 is notified to the host PC as a Probe value (S105).

  If there is no problem with the probe value set by the digital video camera 200 by the host PC 100, the value is set and SET_CUR of COMMIT_CONTROL is sent. If there is a problem, the PROBE_CONTROL SET_CUR is sent again from the host PC 100 (S106). In this case, returning to the normal negotiation, a value reflecting the setting value from the host PC 100 is set as the probe value ( S107), image setting is completed.

  By performing the above operation, it is possible to resume in the streaming state before the network is disconnected. In this embodiment, a USB cable is used for the network, but wireless communication or an IEEE 1394 interface may be used.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the network system with which a digital video camera and host PC are connected. It is a figure which shows the structure of a digital video camera. It is a figure which shows the unit structure of USB_IF. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of SU_INPUT_SELECT_CONTROL command prescribed | regulated to USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the processing operation in a 1st Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the bus state and D + and D- signal level of USB. It is a figure which shows an example of an image setting. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating negotiation of an image setting. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the processing operation in a 3rd Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the VS_PROBE_CONTROL command and VS_COMMIT_CONTROL command prescribed | regulated by USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the VS_PROBE_CONTROL command and VS_COMMIT_CONTROL command prescribed | regulated by USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the VS_PROBE_CONTROL command and VS_COMMIT_CONTROL command prescribed | regulated by USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the VS_PROBE_CONTROL command and VS_COMMIT_CONTROL command prescribed | regulated by USB Device Class Definition for Video Devices.

Explanation of symbols

100 host PC
200 Digital Video Camera 300 USB Cable 201 Imaging Control Unit 202 Main Control Unit 203 Playback Control Unit 204 Recording Control Unit 205 Image Processing Unit 206 DIF Control Unit 207 USB Interface 208 Digital Camera Unit 209 Detachable Recording Unit 210 Display Unit 212 Data / Address bus

Claims (8)

A function having a plurality of modes set according to functions, a function for switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from another communication apparatus connected via a network, and a function for streaming transmission or reception via the network A communication device comprising:
When the other communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from the mode set by default, and the network is disconnected in a situation where streaming transmission or reception is performed with respect to the other communication device, A communication apparatus comprising means for holding a mode when connected and resuming operation in the held mode when connected to the network again. There are two modes, a shooting mode for shooting video and a playback mode for playing back video, a function for switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from a communication device connected via a network, and the network An imaging device having a function of streaming transmission or reception via
When the default mode is the playback mode and the network is disconnected in a situation where the communication device is connected to the communication device via the network in the shooting mode and streaming transmission or reception is performed with respect to the communication device. An image pickup apparatus comprising: means for holding the shooting mode and restarting the operation in the held shooting mode when connected to the network again. There are two modes, a shooting mode for shooting video and a playback mode for playing back video, a function for switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from a communication device connected via a network, and the network An imaging device having a function of streaming transmission or reception via
When the default mode is the shooting mode and the network is disconnected in a situation where the communication device is connected to the communication device via the network in the playback mode and streaming transmission or reception is being performed with respect to the communication device. An image pickup apparatus comprising: means for holding a reproduction mode and restarting the operation in the held reproduction mode when connected to the network again. An imaging device having a function of switching image settings to be transmitted or received in response to a switching request from a communication device connected via a network, and a function of streaming transmission or reception via the network,
When the network is disconnected when streaming transmission or reception is being performed with respect to the communication device, the image setting at the time of connection is retained, and when the network is connected again, the operation is performed with the retained image setting. An imaging apparatus comprising means for resuming the operation.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image setting includes any one of items of an image format, a frame rate, an image size, a compression rate, a frame interval, and a transfer rate. A communication device and another communication device are connected via a network, and the communication device has a plurality of modes set according to functions, and the mode is set according to a mode switching request from the other communication device. A network system comprising a function of switching and a function of streaming transmission or reception via the network,
The network is disconnected in a situation where the communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from the mode set by default, and streaming transmission or reception is performed to the other communication device. A network system comprising means for holding the mode when connected and resuming the operation in the held mode when the network is connected again. A function having a plurality of modes set according to the function, a function for switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from another communication apparatus connected via the network, and a function for streaming transmission or reception via the network A control method for a communication device comprising:
The network is disconnected in a situation where the communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from the mode set by default, and streaming transmission or reception is performed to the other communication device. A control method comprising a step of holding the mode when connected and resuming the operation in the held mode when connected to the network again. A function having a plurality of modes set according to the function, a function for switching the mode in response to a mode switching request from another communication apparatus connected via the network, and a function for streaming transmission or reception via the network A computer program used in a communication device comprising:
The network is disconnected in a situation where the communication device is connected to the other communication device via the network in a mode different from the mode set by default, and streaming transmission or reception is performed to the other communication device. A computer program characterized in that when it is connected, it retains the mode in which it was connected, and when it is connected to the network again, it executes a process of resuming the operation in that retained mode.

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