JP2006217462A - Connecting device to ieee1394 serial bus network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually and simply confirm whether a connection device is truly connected to an IEEE1394 serial bus network (hereinafter abbreviated as network) without requiring a user to display a list of connection devices on the network on a television receiver on the network and the monitor of a personal computer when connection to the network is established. <P>SOLUTION: When the connection device is connected to another connection device on the network through a cable, an amplifying circuit 51 amplifies voltage to be applied to a signal line of TPB plus of the connection device side (port A side) from a signal line of TPA plus of the other connection device side (port B side), and the amplified voltage is applied to a LED (light emitting diode) 52 for connection confirmation to turn on the LED 52. Consequently, the user can visually confirm whether the connection device is connected to the network on the basis of the lighting of the LED 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection device connected to another connection device on an IEEE 1394 serial bus network via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable.

  Conventionally, in order for a user to check whether a certain connected device is connected to an IEEE 1394 serial bus network (hereinafter abbreviated as “network”), on a television receiver or personal computer monitor on the network, There is only a method of displaying a list of connected devices and confirming whether or not the corresponding connected device is included in the list (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). This is because, even when an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a cable) is connected to the corresponding connected device, the cable is not connected to the other connected device or the cable is disconnected. This is because there is a case where the power supply of the other connected device is cut off, and it is not known whether or not the corresponding connected device is truly connected to the network. Therefore, when the corresponding connection device is connected to another connection device on the network using a cable, it has not been possible to confirm whether or not the connection device is truly connected to the network.

By the way, in this kind of connection device, when the maximum number of units that can be connected by a daisy chain is reached, a corresponding LED is turned on to notify the user (Patent Document 3). reference). However, the invention of Patent Document 3 cannot solve the above problem.
JP-A-10-164113 JP 2003-216516 A JP 2002-82903 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when connecting to the network, the user displays a list of connected devices on the network on the television receiver or personal computer monitor on the network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection device to an IEEE 1394 serial bus network that can visually and easily confirm whether or not the corresponding connection device is truly connected to the network. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is connected to another connection device on the IEEE 1394 serial bus network via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a cable). IEEE 1394 interface (hereinafter abbreviated as interface) for transmitting / receiving IEEE 1394 control commands and response signals, and transmitting / receiving streams, and the cable includes a TPA + signal line and a TPA- signal line. And a TPA twisted pair cable consisting of a TPB + signal line and a TPB− signal line, and the interface is applied to the cable connection port and the TPA twisted pair cable. Bias voltage to A PHY chip having a bias voltage generator configured to provide a physical layer level communication function, and when connected to the other connection device, a bias voltage from the other connection device is transmitted via the cable. Connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network, which is applied to the TPB + signal line and the TPB- signal line, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for confirming connection with the other connected device, Connected to the TPB + signal line, amplifies the voltage applied to the TPB + signal line from the other connected device via the cable, and applies the amplified voltage to the connection confirmation LED. And an amplifier circuit, and when the user sees the LED for connection confirmation, the corresponding connection device is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. It is possible to visually confirm whether or not the connection is established.

  The invention of claim 2 is connected to other connection devices on the IEEE 1394 serial bus network via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a cable), and controls for IEEE 1394 between the other connection devices. IEEE 1394 interface (hereinafter abbreviated as interface) for sending and receiving commands and their response signals, and sending and receiving streams, the cable comprising a TPA twisted pair cable consisting of a TPA + signal line and a TPA- signal line; A TPB twisted pair cable including a TPB + signal line and a TPB− signal line is included, and the interface includes a port for connecting the cable and a PHY chip that provides a communication function at a physical layer level. And when connected to other connected devices In the connection device to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network, a bias voltage from the other connection device is applied to the TPB + signal line and the TPB− signal line via the cable. And a user can visually check whether the corresponding connected device is connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network by looking at the lighting member. It is a thing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connection device to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network according to the second aspect, the TPB + is connected to the signal line of the TPB + or TPB− via the cable from the other connection device side. Alternatively, it further includes an amplifier circuit that amplifies the voltage applied to the TPB− signal line and applies the amplified voltage to the lighting member for connection confirmation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network according to the second or third aspect, the lighting member is an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the voltage applied to the signal line of the TPB + via the cable from the other connected device side by the amplifier circuit when connected to the other connected device on the network via the cable. After amplification, the amplified voltage can be applied to the LED for connection confirmation, and this LED can be turned on. As a result, whether or not the connected device is truly connected to the network without displaying a list of connected devices on the network on the television receiver or personal computer monitor on the network, It can be confirmed visually and easily.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the lighting member for confirming the connection with the other connected device is provided, the corresponding connected device is connected to the other connected device on the network via the cable. Sometimes, the user can check the lighting member to confirm that the corresponding connected device is connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network. As a result, whether or not the connected device is truly connected to the network without displaying a list of connected devices on the network on the television receiver or personal computer monitor on the network, It can be confirmed visually and easily.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the corresponding connection device is connected to another connection device on the network via a cable, the connection device is applied from the other connection device side to the TPB + signal line via the cable. The amplified voltage is amplified by the amplifier circuit, and the amplified voltage is applied to the lighting member for connection confirmation, so that the lighting member can be lit. Thereby, the effect of the said Claim 2 can be acquired appropriately, without providing a dedicated power supply for this lighting member.

  According to the invention of claim 4, by using the lighting member as an LED, the effects described above can be obtained accurately.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention relates to a connection device (mainly AV (Audio-Visual) connected to another connection device on an IEEE 1394 serial bus network (hereinafter abbreviated as a network) via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a cable). ) Equipment). In the following embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an AV device capable of recording / reproducing digital data will be described. In addition, embodiment described below does not cover this invention, and this invention is not limited only to the following form.

  FIG. 1 shows an electrical block configuration of a connection device 1 to the network 4 and another connection device 2 on the network 4 connected to the connection device 1 according to the present embodiment. The connection device 1 includes an IEEE 1394 interface (hereinafter abbreviated as an interface) 10 for transmitting / receiving an IEEE 1394 control command and its response signal to / from another connection device 2 and transmitting / receiving a stream. The connected device 1 also displays a CPU 11 that controls the entire apparatus, a memory 12 that stores various data including a control program, an operation unit 13 for inputting various instructions, and various message information. A display unit 14 for recording, a recording / reproducing unit 15 for recording / reproducing digital data, and a power source 16. The interface 10 has a port A for connecting the cable 3.

  Further, the connection device 2 connected to the connection device 1 via the cable 3 also includes the same interface 20, CPU 21, memory 22, operation unit 23, display unit 24, recording / playback unit 25, and the like as the connection device 1. A power supply 26 is provided, and the interface 20 is provided with a port B for connection of the cable 3.

  Next, a detailed electrical block configuration of the interface 10 on the connection device 1 side will be described with reference to FIG. The interface 10 includes a PHY chip 31 that provides a communication function at a physical layer level when the digital signal is transmitted / received to / from another connection device 2 on the network 4 in addition to the port A, and the PHY. A LINK chip 32 having an interface function between the chip 31 and the CPU 11 in FIG. 1 and providing a link layer level communication function, an FPGA 33, a byte / word converter 37 in the FPGA 33, and a CPU bus. The FIFO 34 for buffering isochronous data, the SRAM 35 that can be used as a buffer for data such as isochronous data to be transmitted / received, and the FPGA 36 are provided. The PHY chip 31 includes a bias voltage generator 42 that generates a bias voltage to be applied to the TPA twisted pair cable (corresponding to the TPA + signal line and the TPA− signal line in FIG. 3) in the cable 3. ing. Further, the FPGA 33 performs byte / word conversion of isochronous data and writing / reading control to the FIFO 34 when the interface 10 transmits / receives isochronous data to / from the recording / reproducing unit 15 in FIG. A conversion unit 37 and a user function 38 are included. Transmission / reception of isochronous data to / from the recording / reproducing unit 15 is performed via the external connector 39.

  The FPGA 36 is arranged on a path (a path for asynchronous data and register control data) connecting the LINK chip 32 and the CPU bus, and mainly includes an external CPU interface 40 and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 41. It is composed of The external CPU interface 40 performs register control of the LINK chip 32 and the like under the control of the external CPU. Data transfer between the FPGA 36 and the LINK chip 32 is performed via the internal bus 43.

  Next, a method for the user to confirm whether or not the connection device 1 is connected to the network 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The cable 3 for connecting the connection device 1 and the connection device 2 is a TPA twisted pair cable composed of a TPA + signal line and a TPA− signal line, and a TPB twisted pair composed of a TPB + signal line and a TPB− signal line. Includes cable. During normal packet transmission, a data signal is transmitted from the TPB + signal line and the TPB− signal line, and a strobe signal is transmitted from the TPA + signal line and the TPA− signal line. The connection / disconnection of the cable 3 is detected by detecting a bias voltage applied to the TPB + signal line and the TPB- signal line. Specifically, no voltage is applied to the TPB + signal line and the TPB− signal line when the connection device 1 is not connected to the other connection device 2 via the cable 3. When connected to another connection device 2 via the cable 3, the other connection device 2 side (port B side) is connected to the TPB + signal line and TPB- signal line on the connection device 1 side (port A side), respectively. The bias voltage from the TPA + signal line and the bias voltage from the TPA- signal line are applied via the cable 3. The interface 10 detects connection / disconnection of the cable 3 by detecting the bias voltage.

  The connection device 1 includes an amplification circuit 51 for amplifying the bias voltage, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 52 (lighting member) for confirming connection between the other connection device 2, and a resistor R53. A signal line branched from the TPB + signal line on the connection device 1 side (port A side) is connected to one end of the amplifier circuit 51. The user can visually confirm whether or not the connected device 1 is connected to the network 4 by confirming whether or not the LED 52 is lit. Specifically, the bias voltage applied to the TPB + signal line on the connected device 1 side (port A side) is 1.665V to 2.015V, which is insufficient to light the LED 52. Is amplified to about 3 V by the amplifier circuit 51, the amplified voltage is applied to the LED 52, and the LED 52 is turned on. Thus, whether or not the connected device 1 is truly connected to the network 4 without the user displaying a list of connected devices on the network 4 on the television receiver or the monitor of the personal computer on the network 4. Can be confirmed visually and easily. Further, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated power source for the LED 52. As shown in the figure, the amplifier circuit 51, the LED 52, and the resistor R53 are connected in series, and one end of the resistor R53 is grounded.

  Conventionally, even when a cable is apparently connected to a connected device, if the cable is not connected to the other device, the cable is disconnected, or the other device is turned off. However, according to the present connected device 1, even in such a case, the user can connect the connected device 1 to the network. By looking only at the LED 52, it can be easily confirmed whether or not the connected device 1 is truly connected to the network 4.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the signal line branched from the TPB + signal line on the connection device 1 side is connected to one end of the amplification circuit 51, but the signal of the TPB− on the connection device 1 side is connected to one end of the amplification circuit 51. A signal line branched from the line may be connected. Moreover, in said embodiment, although the example at the time of using LED as a lighting member for connection confirmation was shown, it is not restricted to this, You may use lighting members, such as a lamp | ramp.

The electrical block block diagram of the connection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the other connection apparatus on the IEEE1394 serial bus network connected to this connection apparatus. 2 is a detailed electrical block diagram of the IEEE 1394 interface in FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a signal line in the IEEE 1394 serial bus cable in FIG. 1, an amplifier circuit for amplifying a bias voltage applied from the signal line, an LED for connection confirmation, and the like.

Explanation of symbols

1 Connection device (connection device to IEEE1394 serial bus network)
2 Connected devices (other connected devices on the IEEE 1394 serial bus network)
3 cable (IEEE1394 serial bus cable)
4 Network (IEEE1394 serial bus network)
10 interface (IEEE1394 interface)
31 PHY chip 42 Bias voltage generator 51 Amplifier circuit 52 LED (LED for connection confirmation, lighting member)
A port (cable connection port)

Claims (4)

It is connected to other connected devices on the IEEE 1394 serial bus network via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a cable),
IEEE 1394 interface (hereinafter abbreviated as an interface) for transmitting / receiving IEEE 1394 control commands and response signals and transmitting / receiving streams to / from the other connected devices,
The cable includes a TPA twisted pair cable composed of a TPA + signal line and a TPA− signal line, and a TPB twisted pair cable composed of a TPB + signal line and a TPB− signal line,
The interface is
A port for connecting the cable;
A PHY chip having a bias voltage generator for generating a bias voltage to be applied to the TPA twisted pair cable and providing a communication function at a physical layer level;
Connection to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network in which a bias voltage from the other connected device is applied to the TPB + signal line and the TPB− signal line via the cable when connected to the other connected device. In the equipment
LED (Light Emitting Diode) for confirming connection with the other connected device,
Connected to the TPB + signal line, amplifies the voltage applied to the TPB + signal line from the other connected device via the cable, and applies the amplified voltage to the LED for connection confirmation And an amplification circuit that
The IEEE 1394 serial bus network is characterized in that a user can visually check whether or not the corresponding connected device is connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network by looking at the connection confirmation LED. Connection equipment to. It is connected to other connected devices on the IEEE 1394 serial bus network via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a cable),
IEEE 1394 interface (hereinafter abbreviated as an interface) for transmitting / receiving IEEE 1394 control commands and response signals and transmitting / receiving streams to / from the other connected devices,
The cable includes a TPA twisted pair cable composed of a TPA + signal line and a TPA− signal line, and a TPB twisted pair cable composed of a TPB + signal line and a TPB− signal line,
The interface is
A port for connecting the cable;
A PHY chip that provides a physical layer level communication function,
Connection to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network in which a bias voltage from the other connected device is applied to the TPB + signal line and the TPB− signal line via the cable when connected to the other connected device. In the equipment
It further includes a lighting member for confirming connection with the other connected device,
Connection to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network, wherein the user can visually check whether or not the corresponding connected device is connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network by looking at the lighting member. machine.   Connected to the TPB + or TPB− signal line, amplifies the voltage applied to the TPB + or TPB− signal line from the other connected device via the cable, and connects the amplified voltage to the TPB + or TPB− signal line. 3. The connection device to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network according to claim 2, further comprising an amplifier circuit for applying to the lighting member for confirmation. The said lighting member is LED (Light Emitting Diode), The connection apparatus to the IEEE1394 serial bus network of Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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