JP2006311045A - Ieee1394 network system with path display function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IEEE1394 network system capable of easily specifying a connection path of one apparatus on a network. <P>SOLUTION: The IEEE1394 network system is characterized in that LEDs 41 to 45 are respectively provided on all IEEE1394 apparatuses on the IEEE1394 network system, a monitor apparatus 1 issues a command of lighting the LEDs of all the IEEE1394 apparatuses located on paths up to a target IEEE1394 apparatus and a user has only to trace the lighted LEDs to find out the target IEEE1394 apparatus and the paths. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an IEEE 1394 network system including a plurality of devices equipped with an IEEE 1394 compliant interface device.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of a conventional IEEE 1394 network system. Reference numeral 3 denotes an IEEE 1394 device, and reference numeral 6 denotes an IEEE 1394 network cable.
The IEEE 1394 compliant network system is a high-speed general-purpose network generally used for personal computers and AV devices, and can connect up to 63 units. Since each device can be branched and connected in the middle, the degree of freedom of connection configuration is high. In addition, since the cables for connection are thin and easy to handle, the degree of freedom of arrangement of each device is high.
Furthermore, a device equipped with an IEEE 1394 compliant interface has a plug and play function. When a connected device is hot-plugged in a network composed of a plurality of IEEE 1394 devices, a bus reset occurs and the network is initialized. At the time of bus reset, a device (node) is identified by a self-recognition packet issued by each IEEE 1394 device. A node ID for identification is automatically set for all IEEE 1394 devices. In other words, even if the connection path is changed or the number of connected devices is changed, it is not necessary to set each ID each time, so that the connection configuration can be easily changed.

JP 2004-146887 A IEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus (IEEE Std 1394-1995)

In the IEEE 1394 network system, a large number of connected devices can be freely connected and arranged, and the connection configuration can be easily changed. However, the connection configuration may be very complicated. If there are many IEEE 1394 devices of the same type in the network, it is difficult to specify one IEEE 1394 device from among them, and if the cable is connected in a complicated manner, it is very difficult to check the connection route. Become. For example, when it is applied to an FA system, it is difficult to specify one servo device when a lot of the same models such as servo devices are arranged in the system and cables are bundled in a complicated manner.
There is the above-mentioned node ID as information for identifying each IEEE 1394 device. However, since the node ID is an ID that is initialized and changes each time the bus is reset, one IEEE 1394 device cannot be specified from the node ID.

As a means for identifying one device from among a large number of devices, for example, in a wireless system, each device constituting the network is provided with a lighting element such as an LED, and the lighting device is turned on from the device of the network. By sending a command, the device can be easily found (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
However, in the case of a wired network such as the IEEE 1394 network, even if the position of a single device is specified, there are many connected devices in the actual use site, and the cables connecting them are complicated or bundled. In many cases, the connection route to the device is unknown.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an IEEE 1394 network system that can easily specify a connection path of one device on a network.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a communication control unit connected to the IEEE 1394 network, a storage unit that stores communication data and the contents of Control Status Registers, a display unit that displays an operation state of the device, and the communication control unit. Connected to a plurality of IEEE 1394 devices composed of a control unit for processing received data and controlling devices, and a monitor device having a list of the IEEE 1394 devices and displaying the status of the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list In the IEEE 1394 network system,
The IEEE 1394 device has a display LED operation register in the Control Status Registers and includes the display LED in the display unit, and the monitor device is on the route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list A command for lighting the LEDs of all the IEEE 1394 devices is written to the LED operation register via the IEEE 1394 network.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the monitor device is selected from the list in order of a route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list every time a preset time elapses. In addition, a command to turn on the LED is written to the LED operation registers of all the IEEE 1394 devices on the path to the IEEE 1394 device via the IEEE 1394 network.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the monitor device can set the preset time on a screen of the monitor device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the monitor device is routed to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list each time a button on the screen of the preselected monitor device is clicked. In order, an instruction to turn on the LED is written to the LED operation registers of all the IEEE 1394 devices on the route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list via the IEEE 1394 network. It is what.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication control unit connected to the IEEE 1394 network, a storage unit that stores communication data and the contents of Control Status Registers, a display unit that displays an operation state of the device, and the communication control unit. Connected to a plurality of IEEE 1394 devices composed of a control unit for processing received data and controlling devices, and a monitor device having a list of the IEEE 1394 devices and displaying the status of the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list In the IEEE 1394 network system,
The IEEE 1394 device has an LED operation register in the Control Status Registers and a display LED in the display unit, and the monitor device turns on the LED of only the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list. The command is written to the LED operation register through the IEEE 1394 network.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a method in which the monitor device writes a command for turning on the LED to the LED operation register on the screen of the monitor device via the IEEE 1394 network. It has a means to select the method of Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 4, or Claim 5, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an IEEE 1394 device to be searched for is selected from the software displayed on the screen of the monitor device, the LEDs are turned on in all IEEE 1394 devices on the path from the monitor device to the IEEE 1394 device. Therefore, it is possible to find the target IEEE 1394 device simply by tracing the lit LED.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the IEEE 1394 device to be searched for is selected from the software displayed on the screen of the monitor device, the LEDs are connected to all the IEEE 1394 devices on the route from the monitor device to the IEEE 1394 device. Therefore, even when the layout of the IEEE 1394 devices and the connection of the cables are complicated, it is possible to easily check in what order the IEEE 1394 devices on the connection path are connected.

According to the invention described in claim 3, even when there are many IEEE1394 devices connected in the method of claim 2, it is possible to easily select a device by increasing the time interval for turning on the LED. The route can be found.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 1, even if there are many connected IEEE 1394 devices and the connection cables are complicatedly entangled or bundled, the route to the selected IEEE 1394 device is routed. It becomes possible to follow while checking one by one.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the IEEE 1394 device to be searched for is selected from the software displayed on the screen of the monitor device, the LED is lit only in the selected IEEE 1394 device. Therefore, the IEEE 1394 device selected in a short time is selected. Can be identified.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the route from the software displayed on the screen of the monitor device to the selected IEEE 1394 device according to the number of connected IEEE 1394 devices, the state of the connection cable wiring, and the like. It is possible to select an appropriate method as a method of searching for.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an IEEE 1394 network system that implements the method of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a monitor device. Reference numeral 2 denotes monitoring software displayed on the screen of the monitor device 1, reference numerals 31 to 35 denote IEEE 1394 devices, reference numerals 41 to 45 denote LEDs, reference numerals 51 to 55 denote LED operation registers, and reference numeral 6 denotes an IEEE 1394 network cable.
When the monitor device 1 and the IEEE 1394 devices 31 to 35 are connected by the IEEE 1394 network cable 6, a bus reset occurs and the IEEE 1394 network is initialized, and the monitor device 1 and the IEEE 1394 devices 31 to 35 issue self-identification packets. A node ID is assigned to each node.
This self-identification packet includes information on connection ports of each node, and the connection configuration (topology information) of each node can be obtained based on the information of all self-identification packets. That is, the node ID of the adjacent node in each node can be obtained (see Non-Patent Document 1, Appendix E.3.4).

FIG. 2 is an example of a topology map created based on the topology information. For example, when the node ID of the monitor device is “5”, it can be seen that the node ID of the node connected to the monitor device is “4”.
Based on this topology information, the nodes connected from the monitor device can be searched in order, so the route information from the monitor device of each node and the number of hops from the monitor device of each node can be obtained. Can be sought. The number of hops means the number of devices that pass from one device to another device.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing a route from the monitoring device to each node in the topology map example of FIG. The route information is registered in order of the number of hops from the monitor device. For example, when the route information regarding the node 2 is viewed, the nodes that become the route are the node IDs “4”, “3”, and “2” when viewed from the smallest number of hops. The information shown in FIG. 3 is held in the monitor software 2.

FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram of the monitoring software 2. 7 is a status display screen for displaying the status of the IEEE 1394 devices 31 to 35, and 8 is a path display execution button. FIG. 4 shows the case where the monitoring software monitors the operating state of each IEEE 1394 device.
A case where an IEEE 1394 device corresponding to the node ID “2” whose operation state is displayed as “ERROR” is searched for will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of internal processing of the monitoring software in the first embodiment.
When the LED operation execution button 8 displayed in the same row as the node ID “2” is clicked, the path information of FIG. 3 is referred to in step S1000, and 3 is set to the path node number n in step S1001. In addition, node IDs that become routes are set in route node ID variables r [0] to r [n-1], respectively. In the example, r [0] = 4, r [1] = 3, and r [2] = 2.
In step S1002, the loop is executed as many times as the number of path nodes n (= 3), and a command for accessing the LED operation register is transmitted to the nodes having node IDs r [0] to r [2]. To do.
This instruction is performed in accordance with the IEEE 1394 asynchronous transfer specification (see Non-Patent Document 1). According to the format of “data block write request” or “data quadlet write request” in asynchronous transfer, a request packet is created by specifying the node ID of the command partner IEEE1394 device and the address of the LED operation register, and IEEE1394 Send to device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the inside of the IEEE 1394 equipment. 3 is an IEEE 1394 device, 9 is a storage unit, 10 is a Control Status Registers space, 4 is an LED, 5 is an LED operation register, 11 is a control unit, 12 is a display unit, and 13 is a communication control device. Control Status Registers refers to Registers for control and status confirmation that comply with ISO / IEC-13212 Control Status Registers.
The IEEE 1394 devices (31, 32, 33) corresponding to the nodes with the node IDs “4”, “3”, “2” receive the command from the monitor device 1 by the communication control unit 13, and the control unit 11 receives the received information. Is analyzed. If the control unit 11 determines that the command is for accessing the LED operation register 5 as a result of the analysis, the control unit 11 turns on the LED 4 of the display unit 12 for a predetermined time. The lighting of the LED 4 for a certain time may be blinking for a certain time.
The lighting time of the LED can be set in advance, and the method will be described in the fourth embodiment.
By taking such means, the LEDs (41, 42, 43) of the IEEE 1394 devices (31, 32, 33) on the route to the IEEE 1394 device 33 corresponding to the node selected by the monitoring software 2 of the monitor device 1 are used. ) Can be lit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of internal processing of the monitoring software in the second embodiment.
In the same IEEE 1394 network system as in the first embodiment, when the LED operation execution button 8 on the monitor software 2 screen is clicked, the path information of FIG. 3 is referred to in step S2000, and the path node number n is set to 3 in step S2001. set. In addition, node IDs that become routes are set in route node ID variables r [0] to r [n-1], respectively. In the example, r [0] = 4, r [1] = 3, and r [2] = 2. Since the route information in FIG. 3 is registered in advance in ascending order of the number of hops, r [0] to r [n-1] are arranged in the order of decreasing the number of hops. In this example, the number of hops of the device with the node ID r [0] (= 4) is 1, the number of hops of the device with the node ID r [1] (= 3) is 2, and the node ID is r [2] ( = 2) The number of hops of the device is 2.
In step S2002, a loop is executed as many times as the number of path nodes n (= 3), and each time a command for accessing the LED operation register is transmitted to one node in step S2005, the loop is set in advance in step S2004. Stop for a given time. This stop time can be set in advance, and the method will be described in the fourth embodiment.

By repeating steps S2005 and S2006 as many times as the number of route nodes n (= 3), in order of the connection route from the monitoring device, 0 seconds for node 4, 1 second for node 3, and node 2 On the other hand, after 2 seconds, a command for accessing the LED operation register is transmitted.
By taking such means, the LEDs (41, 42, 43) of the IEEE 1394 devices (31, 32, 33) on the route to the IEEE 1394 device 33 corresponding to the node selected by the monitoring software 2 of the monitor device 1 are used. ) Can be turned on in order of connection from the monitor device.
Instead of automatically proceeding to the next step after a preset time has elapsed, it is also possible to proceed to the next step when the LED operation execution button 8 is clicked. For example, when “Fhex” is set in the setting of the stop time described in the fourth embodiment, the process of step S2004 can be changed to a process of waiting for the LED operation execution button 8 to be clicked. .

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of internal processing of the monitoring software in the third embodiment.
In the same IEEE 1394 network system as in the first embodiment, when the LED operation execution button 8 on the monitor software 2 screen is clicked, only the node (node ID = 2) selected on the monitor software 2 screen in step S3000. In response to this, a command for accessing the LED operation register is transmitted.
By taking such a means, only the LED 43 of the IEEE 1394 device 33 corresponding to the node selected by the monitoring software 2 of the monitor device 1 can be turned on.

FIG. 5 is a monitor software screen diagram according to the fourth embodiment. 7 is a status display screen, 8 is an LED operation execution button, and 14 is an LED display method selection button.
In the same IEEE 1394 network system as in the first embodiment, an LED display method selection button 14 is provided on the lower side of the monitor software 2 screen. The LED display method selection button 14 includes buttons for “lighting simultaneously on path nodes”, “lighting in order of connection of node nodes”, and “lighting on individual nodes”, and one of the methods can be selected.
The stop time can be set in the case of “route node connection order lighting”, but if the value is a certain value, for example, “Fhex”, in step S2004 of FIG. It becomes possible to wait for a click. The unit of the stop time can be set arbitrarily, but can be set to, for example, seconds.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the monitoring software operation in the fourth embodiment. In step S4000, after selecting “path node simultaneous lighting” from the LED display method selection buttons 14, when the LED operation execution button 8 on the monitor software 2 screen is clicked in step S4001, step S4002 is executed. . Step S4002 is the same as the internal processing flowchart of the monitoring software in the first embodiment of FIG.
After selecting “route node connection order lighting” from the LED display method selection button 14 in step S4000, when the LED operation execution button 8 on the monitor software 2 screen is clicked in step S4001, step S4003 is executed. The Step S4003 is the same as the internal processing flowchart of the monitoring software in the second embodiment of FIG.
After selecting “single node lighting” from the LED display method selection button 14 in step S4000, when the LED operation execution button 8 on the screen of the monitoring software 2 is clicked in step S4001, step S4004 is executed. Step S4004 is the same as the internal processing flowchart of the monitoring software in the third embodiment of FIG.
By taking such means, the LED display methods according to the first to third embodiments can be selected and executed.

In the IEEE 1394 network system of the first embodiment, when the LED operation execution button 8 is executed for all nodes displayed by the monitoring software 2, the LEDs of all nodes recognized by the monitor device can be turned on. . Therefore, if there is an IEEE1394 device whose LED does not light even if this operation is performed, it can be seen that the IEEE1394 device is not recognized by the monitor device for some reason (cable disconnection, connection port circuit abnormality, etc.). , You can find anomalies at a glance.

IEEE 1394 network system configuration diagram showing the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention Topology map of first to fourth embodiments of the present invention Table showing route information from monitor device in first to fourth embodiments of the present invention Software screen for monitoring in the first to third embodiments of the present invention Software screen for monitoring in the fourth embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is a flowchart of internal processing of the monitoring software in the first embodiment. Flowchart of internal processing of monitoring software in the second embodiment Flow chart of internal processing of monitoring software in Embodiment 3 Flowchart of monitor software operation in the fourth embodiment IEEE 1394 equipment internal configuration diagram Conventional IEEE 1394 network system configuration example

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Monitor apparatus 2 Monitor software 3 IEEE1394 apparatus 31-35 IEEE1394 apparatus 4 LED
41-45 LED
5 LED operation register
51-55 Register for LED operation
6 IEEE 1394 network cable 7 Status display screen 8 LED operation execution button 9 Storage unit 10 Control Status Registers space 11 Control unit 12 Display unit 13 Communication control unit 14 LED display method selection button 15 Time setting button

Claims (6)

A communication control unit connected to the IEEE 1394 network, a storage unit that stores communication data and the contents of Control Status Registers, a display unit that displays the operation status of the device, processing of received data from the communication control unit, and control of the device In an IEEE 1394 network system in which a plurality of IEEE 1394 devices configured by a control unit for performing and a monitor device having a list of the IEEE 1394 devices and displaying the status of the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list are connected,
The IEEE 1394 device has a display LED operation register in the Control Status Registers and the display unit includes the display LED.
The monitor device writes a command for turning on the LEDs of all the IEEE 1394 devices on the route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list to the LED operation register via the IEEE 1394 network. IEEE 1394 network system characterized by the above.   Every time a preset time elapses, the monitor device, in order of the route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list, all the IEEE 1394 devices on the route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list. The IEEE 1394 network system according to claim 1, wherein a command for turning on the LED is written to the LED operation register of the device via the IEEE 1394 network.   The IEEE 1394 network system according to claim 2, wherein the monitor device can set the preset time on a screen of the monitor device.   Each time the button on the screen of the monitor device selected in advance is clicked, the monitor device is connected to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list in order of the route to the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list. 2. The IEEE 1394 network system according to claim 1, wherein a command for turning on the LED is written to the LED operation registers of all of the IEEE 1394 devices on the path via the IEEE 1394 network. A communication control unit connected to the IEEE 1394 network, a storage unit that stores communication data and the contents of Control Status Registers, a display unit that displays the operation status of the device, processing of received data from the communication control unit, and control of the device In an IEEE 1394 network system in which a plurality of IEEE 1394 devices configured by a control unit for performing and a monitor device having a list of the IEEE 1394 devices and displaying the status of the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list are connected,
The IEEE 1394 device has a LED operation register in the Control Status Registers and a display LED in the display unit,
The IEEE 1394 network system, wherein the monitor device writes a command for turning on the LED of only the IEEE 1394 device selected from the list to the LED operation register through the IEEE 1394 network.   The monitor device has means for selecting a method for writing a command for lighting the LED to the LED operation register on the screen of the monitor device via the IEEE 1394 network. The IEEE 1394 network system according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 4 or claim 5.

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