JP2010051026A - Electronic apparatus and connection method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of controlling an electronic apparatus for controlling a plurality of electronic apparatuses connected in series without increasing the number of signal lines. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of electronic apparatuses are connected in series to a computer so as to exchange a control command signal and first and second control signals with each other and comprehensively control transmission/reception of the control command signal. In the electronic apparatus, the first control signal is issued, the issued first control signal issued is output to an electronic apparatus to be connected to a poststage via a second input/output means to be connected to a poststage electronic apparatus and in response to the output, it is determined whether the second control signal is input. If it is determined that the second control signal is not input, the computer is notified, via a first input/output means to be connected to a prestage electronic apparatus, that the electronic apparatus is connected to a terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device connection method for comprehensively controlling a plurality of electronic devices such as cameras.

  Conventionally, a technique for controlling an electronic device such as a camera from a personal computer (PC) using a standard such as RS-232C is known. When such RS-232C standard is used, it is impossible to control a plurality of electronic devices unless the PC has a plurality of connectors. In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of controlling a plurality of electronic devices connected in series.

Japanese Patent No. 2867649

  However, in Patent Document 1, in addition to a signal line for transmitting and receiving a control signal for an electronic device, a terminal “3f” for determining whether another connection device is connected to the subsequent stage is required. In order to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling an electronic device that can be controlled by serially connecting a plurality of electronic devices without increasing the number of signal lines.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control command signal and the first and second control signals can be transmitted / received to / from each other, and a plurality of the control command signals are serially connected. An electronic device in which transmission and reception are controlled in an integrated manner, and has an input terminal for inputting the first control signal and an output terminal for outputting the second control signal. A first input / output means to be connected; an output terminal for outputting the first control signal; and an input terminal for inputting the second control signal; Second input / output means to be connected, a first input terminal connected to the input terminal of the first input / output means, and a second input terminal connected to the input terminal of the second input / output means And connected to the output terminal of the second input / output means. And a connection between the output terminal of the processing means and the input terminal of the second input / output means with respect to the output terminal of the first input / output means. Switching means for switching between, the processing means issues a first control signal, outputs the issued first control signal from the output terminal, and in response to the output, the second control signal It is determined whether or not the second control signal is input from the input terminal, and the switching means is controlled in accordance with the determination.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, control of the some electronic device connected serially using the minimum signal wire | line can be performed collectively.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a connection structure of an electronic device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a command transmitted / received between electronic devices in the embodiment of the present invention. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of a control method in a connection configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of a control method in a connection configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of transmission / reception of the cascade connection command in the connection structure of the electronic device in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of transmission / reception of the control command in the connection structure of the electronic device in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of transmission / reception of the control command in the connection structure of the electronic device in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation processing flowchart of the electronic device in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation processing flowchart of HOST PC in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system that controls an electronic device serially connected by RS-232C from a personal computer (PC) according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, a camera capable of panning and tilting control is exemplified as an electronic device.

  The cameras 50, 60 and 70 are cameras capable of panning and tilting control. The HOSTPC 40 is configured by a personal computer or the like, and outputs a control command and a cascade connection command to be described later to the directly connected camera 50.

  The cameras 50, 60, and 70 each have a first input / output terminal 3 and a second input / output terminal 5 for inputting / outputting a control command and a cascade connection command. The first input / output terminal 3 has an output port 3a and an input port 3b. The second input / output terminal 5 has an output port 5a and an input port 5b.

  The cameras 50, 60, and 70 have a CPU having a buffer memory (not shown). The CPU 9 has ports (terminals) 9 a to 9 d for transmitting and receiving commands to the first input / output terminal 3 and the second input / output terminal 5. The cameras 50, 60, and 70 have a switch 11 that performs switching based on a signal from the port 9c.

  The HOST PC 40 has an input / output terminal 4 for inputting / outputting a control command and a cascade connection command. The input / output terminal 4 has an output port 4a and an input port 4b.

  The cable 10 is for exchanging commands with the HOST PC 40 and the camera 50. The cable 20 is for exchanging commands with the camera 50 and the camera 60. The cable 30 is used to exchange commands with the camera 60 and the camera 50.

  FIG. 8 is an operation process flowchart of the CPU 9 when a cascade connection command for the HOST PC 40 to recognize the connection state of the camera is input to the camera serially connected by the RS-232C. The cascade connection command is used to set an ID for the camera to which the HOST PC 40 is connected and to recognize the set camera ID.

  In S101, it is determined whether or not a cascade connection command has been received via the ports 3b and 9b. When the cascade connection command is received, the process proceeds to S102.

  In S102, the received cascade connection command is confirmed, and “ID number + 1 of the transmission source device (camera or HOST PC 40) +1” is set as its own ID number and stored in a buffer memory (not shown).

  In S103, it is confirmed whether or not the switch 11 is switched so that the port 3a and the port 9a are connected. When the port 3a and the port 9a are connected, the process proceeds to S105. When the port 3a and the port 9a are not connected, the process proceeds to S104, and the control signal is output from the port 9c, thereby switching the switch 11 to connect the port 3a and the port 9a.

  In S105, the Ack command is output from the port 3a to the source device of the cascade connection command via the port 9a. As shown in FIG. 2, the Ack command is composed of a packet including a header, a transmission source device ID number set in S102, a transmission destination ID number, status information indicating information regarding the transmission source device, and a terminator.

  After outputting the Ack command, in step S106, a control signal is output from the port 9c, thereby switching the switch 11 to connect the port 3a and the port 5b. Further, in S107, the cascade connection command “source device ID number“ xx ”cascade“ ON ”” is output from 5a via 9a. In step S108, after the cascade connection command is output, a control signal is output from the port 9c, thereby switching the switch 11 to connect the port 3a and the port 9a.

  In S109, it is confirmed whether or not an Ack command having a transmission source device ID number of own ID number + 1 is input from 9d via 5b. When the Ack command is input, the process proceeds to S110, and a control signal is output from the port 9c, so that the switch 11 is switched to connect the port 3a and the port 5b, and the operation process is terminated.

  If the Ack command has not been input, it is determined in S111 whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S109 to wait for input of an Ack command. On the other hand, if the Ack command is not input even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the camera is connected to the end, and the process proceeds to S112. In S110, information indicating that the device is the terminal connection is added to the status information, and an Ack signal is output to the HOST PC 40.

  FIG. 9 is an operational process flowchart of the HOST PC 40 when outputting a cascade connection command for the HOST PC 40 to recognize the connection state of the camera.

  First, in S201, a cascade connection command of 'transmitting device ID number “00” cascade “ON” ”is output. In step S202, when the Ack signal of the camera connected to the terminal is received, the ID number and status information of the camera are acquired, and then the process ends. If the Ack signal of the camera connected to the end is not received, the process proceeds to S204. In S204, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the cascade connection command was output. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S202. If the predetermined time has elapsed, an error message is output in the HOST PC 40 and processed. Exit.

  In this way, when controlling the camera, the connection state of the camera can be grasped on the HOST PC 40 side by outputting the cascade connection command. Furthermore, since the connection of the internal terminals in each camera can be switched appropriately in advance, the number of signal lines connecting each camera can be minimized.

  Here, using FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, an operation process when a cascade connection signal is output from the HOST PC 40 in the connection configuration of the electronic device in FIG. 1 will be specifically described.

  First, in the state of FIG. 3, in the initialization setting at the time of power-on of each camera 50, 60, 70, the ID number of each camera 50, 60, 70 is cleared and the port 3a and the port 9a are short-circuited in advance. Switch 11 is switched.

  Then, a cascade connection command “transmission device ID number“ 00 ”cascade“ ON ”” is output to the camera 50 directly connected from the port 4a of the HOST PC 40.

  In the camera 50, when the cascade connection command is input, the ID number of its own device is set to 0 + 1 = 1, that is, the ID number is set to '01' and stored in the buffer memory. 3 and 5, since the camera 50 is directly connected to the HOST PC 40 and is not the terminal of the connection, the Ack command is not output to the HOST PC 40, but the set ID number is added and the HOST is added. An Ack command may be output to the PC 40. After the Ack output command, a control signal is output from the output port 9c, thereby switching the switch 11 to connect the port 3a and the port 5a. Subsequently, a cascade connection command of 'transmission source device ID number “01” cascade “ON” ”is output from 5a to the camera 60 via 9a. Thereafter, by outputting a control signal from the output port 9c to the camera 60, the switch 11 is switched to connect the port 3a and the port 9a. Thereafter, when an Ack command is input from the camera 60, the operation process in the camera 50 is terminated.

  Next, when the cascade connection command output from the camera 50 is input to the camera 60, the ID number of its own device is set to 1 + 1 = 2, that is, the ID number is set to '02' and stored in the buffer memory. Then, an Ack command is output to the camera 50 with the set ID number added. After outputting the Ack command, a control signal is output from the output port 9c, thereby switching the switch 11 to connect the port 3a and the port 5a. Subsequently, a cascade connection command of “transmission source device ID number“ 02 ”cascade“ ON ”” is output from 5a to the camera 70 via 9a. Thereafter, by outputting a control signal from the output port 9c, the switch 11 is switched to connect the port 3a and the port 9a. Thereafter, when an Ack command is input from the camera 70, the operation process in the camera 60 is terminated.

  Next, when the cascade connection command output from the camera 60 is input to the camera 70, the ID number of its own device is set to 2 + 1 = 3, that is, the ID number is set to '02' and stored in the buffer memory. Then, an Ack command is output to the camera 60 with the set ID number added. After outputting the Ack command, a control signal is output from the output port 9c, thereby switching the switch 11 to connect the port 3a and the port 5a. Subsequently, a cascade connection command of 'transmission source device ID number “03” cascade “ON” ”is output via 5a to 9a. As shown in FIG. 4, since the camera 70 is at the end of the connection, it is natural that no Ack command is input. The camera 70 confirms that the Ack command has not been input after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), adds information indicating that its own camera is connected at the end to the status information, and sends it to the HOST PC 40. An Ack signal is output.

  The HOST PC 40 receives the Ack of ID “03” output from the camera 70 within 5 seconds at the maximum after transmitting the cascade connection command, and grasps that three cameras are connected.

  Thus, after grasping the number of cameras connected on the HOST PC 40 side, it is possible to execute control of the connected cameras according to the processing described later. In the above-described embodiment, the cascade connection command is output when the connection system is activated. However, the cascade connection command may be periodically output from the HOST PC 40 side. In such a process, even if the connection state of the camera is changed, the current connection state can be correctly grasped.

  Here, an example of operation processing when a control command for the camera is output after the cascade connection command is output and the connection state of the camera is recognized on the HOST PC 40 side will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of operation processing when a control command is transmitted from the HOST PC 40 to the camera 60.

  Note that when a control command is output from the HOST PC 40 to the camera, since the cascade connection command is output, the switch 11 of each camera has already been able to respond to the control command as shown in FIG. It has been switched. That is, the switch 11 is switched so that the ports 3a and 9a are short-circuited only in the camera 70 connected to the terminal, and the ports 3a and 5b are connected in the cameras 50 and 60 in which devices are connected to the rear stage and the front stage. The switch 11 is switched so as to be short-circuited.

  First, a control command is output from the HOST PC 40 to the camera 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the control command includes a header, a transmission destination device ID number (in FIG. 6, “02” because it is a control command for the camera 60), a command (pan, tilt command, etc.), a parameter (a driving amount for the command), It consists of a packet structure such as a terminator.

  In the camera 50, when a control command is input to 9b via the port 3b, the CPU 9 of the camera 50 confirms the transmission destination ID number of the input control command. Since the ID number of the camera 50 is “01”, it is determined that it is not a control command for itself, and the control command is transferred to the camera 60.

  In the camera 60, when a control command is input to 9b via the port 3b, the CPU 9 of the camera 60 confirms the transmission destination ID number of the input control command. Since the ID number of the camera 60 is “02”, it is determined that it is a control command for itself, and the camera 60 is controlled based on the control command. After the camera control is completed, an Ack command to which a transmission destination ID number (HOST PC 40 ID number “00”) and a transmission source ID number (camera 60 ID number “02”) are added from 5a via the port 9a. Is output.

  In the camera 70, when an Ack command is input to 9b via the port 3b, the CPU 9 of the camera 60 confirms the transmission destination ID number of the input Ack command. Since the ID number of the camera 50 is “03”, it is determined that it is not a control command for itself, and the Ack command is transferred to the camera 60 to the HOST PC 40.

  The HOST PC 40 receives the Ack command from the port 4b, confirms that the control has been performed, and ends the operation.

  In FIG. 6, the command processing when the control command for the camera 60 is output from the HOST PC 40 has been described. However, by writing the ID numbers of the cameras 50 and 70 in the ID number of the transmission destination in the control command and the Ack command, Processing can be executed.

  Next, an example of operation processing when “00” is added to the transmission destination device ID number of the control command and output will be described with reference to FIG.

  When “00” is added to the transmission destination device ID number and a control command is output from the HOST PC 40, each camera recognizes this ID number “00” and executes control based on this control command. . Then, after the control execution of the terminal camera 70 is completed, an Ack command is output from the camera 70 to the HOST PC 40, and the process ends.

  That is, when “00” is added to the transmission destination device ID number of the control command and output, control based on the control command is executed in all connected electronic devices.

  In the above-described embodiment, the input / output terminals 3 and 5 and the CPU 9 are installed in the cameras 50, 60, and 70. , 60, 70 may be provided separately.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to control a camera serially connected from the HOST PC 40 using the minimum necessary signal lines.

  In the present invention, as an example, a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus reads and executes a program code stored in a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Can be achieved.

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

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  In addition, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of a program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. It is.

  In addition, the case where the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer is also included. Then, based on the instruction of the program code written in the memory, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. This is also included.

  When the present invention is applied to a storage medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the storage medium, but in brief, it is indispensable for the electronic device connection system of the present embodiment. This module is stored in a storage medium.

3, 4, 5 I / O terminal 40 HOST PC
50, 60, 70 Camera 9 CPU

Claims (24)

  A plurality of electronic devices in which a control command, a first control signal, and a second control signal are serially connected so as to be able to transmit and receive each other, and transmission and reception of the control command are controlled in an integrated manner. A first input / output means connected to an electronic device in the previous stage, and an input port for inputting the control signal and an output port for outputting the second control signal, and the first control signal A second input / output means connected to a subsequent stage electronic device, and an input port of the first input / output means. A first input port connected; a second input port connected to the input port of the second input / output means; and an output port connected to the output port of the second input / output means. Processing means and the first input / output unit Switching means for switching the connection between one of the output port of the processing means and the input port of the second input / output means with respect to the output port of the processing means. The control signal is output, the output first control signal is output from the output port, and it is determined whether the second control signal is input from the second input port to the output, An electronic apparatus characterized by controlling the switching means according to the determination.   The processing means outputs the first control signal anew when the first control signal is input to the first input port from a previous electronic device. Electronic equipment.   The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the electronic device is activated, a first control signal is input from the preceding electronic device.   3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the ID number of the electronic device is set based on the ID number of the first control signal input from the preceding electronic device.   5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ID number +1 of the first control signal input from the preceding electronic apparatus is set as the ID number of the electronic apparatus.   5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the first control signal is output using the set ID number of the electronic device as a transmission source ID number.   When the second control signal is not input from the second input port before a predetermined time has elapsed, the processing means includes an output port of the first input / output means, an output port of the processing means, When the second control signal is input, the switching means is controlled so as to connect the output port, and the output port of the first input / output means and the input port of the second input / output means are used. The electronic device according to claim 1.   An electronic device that is serially connected from a computer and that is capable of transmitting / receiving a control command, a first control signal, and a second control signal to each other, and that generally controls transmission / reception of the control command. A first input / output unit connected to the device, a second input / output unit connected to a subsequent electronic device, a first control signal, and the output first control signal as the first control signal. Output to an electronic device connected to the subsequent stage via the input / output means 2, determine whether the second control signal is input to the output, and the second control signal is not input An electronic device comprising: processing means for outputting, via the first input / output means, that the electronic device is connected to the end of the computer when judged.   The processing means outputs the first control signal anew in response to the input of the first control signal from the preceding electronic device via the first input / output means. The electronic device according to claim 8.   The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein a first control signal is output from the computer when the electronic device is activated.   10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the ID number of the electronic device is set based on the ID number of the first control signal input from the preceding electronic device.   12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the ID number +1 of the first control signal input from the preceding electronic device is set as the ID number of the electronic device.   When a control command is input from the first input / output unit, it is determined whether to execute control based on the control command by determining a transmission destination device ID number of the control command. Item 11. The electronic device according to Item 11 or 12.   14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein when the transmission device ID number of the control command is recognized as the ID number of the electronic device, control based on the control command is executed.   14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein when the transmission device ID number of the control command is a predetermined ID number, control based on the control command is executed.   The output from the first input / output means that the electronic device is connected to the end of the computer is added with a preset ID number and output. 8 electronic devices.   A computer that can serially control an electronic device by serially connecting the electronic device and transmitting / receiving a control command and a predetermined control signal to / from the electronic device, to which the ID number of the computer is added A predetermined control signal is output, and it is confirmed whether a command corresponding to the output predetermined control signal is input. When it is confirmed that the command is input, based on the input command A computer comprising processing means for recognizing a connection state of the electronic device.   18. The computer according to claim 17, wherein the processing means recognizes a connection state of the electronic device based on a transmission destination ID number added to the input command.   18. The computer according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined control signal is output when the electronic device is activated.   A method of connecting an electronic device that is serially connected from a computer, that allows a control command, a first control signal, and a second control signal to be transmitted and received from each other, and that the transmission and reception of the control command are controlled in an integrated manner. The computer outputs the first control signal, and the electronic device newly outputs the first control signal in response to the input of the first control signal output from the computer or the previous electronic device. The output first control signal is output to the electronic device to be connected to the subsequent stage, and the second control signal is input to the first control signal output to the electronic apparatus to be connected to the subsequent stage. And if the second control signal is not input, the computer outputs the fact that the electronic device is the terminal of the connection to the computer. Oite connection method of an electronic device, characterized in that to enable recognize the connection state of the electronic apparatus.   21. The electronic device connection method according to claim 20, wherein the ID number of the electronic device is set based on the ID number of the first control signal output from the computer or the previous electronic device.   A control command, a first control signal, and a second control signal can be transmitted and received from each other and connected serially, and an input port for inputting the first control signal and an output of the second control signal The first input / output means to be connected to the preceding electronic device, the output port for outputting the first control signal, and the input port for inputting the second control signal A second input / output means to be connected to a subsequent electronic device, a first input port connected to an input port of the first input / output means, and a second input / output means A processing means having a second input port connected to the input port and an output port connected to the output port of the second input / output means, and an output port of the first input / output means, Output port and front of said processing means Switching means for switching the connection with any one of the input ports of the second input / output means, and storing a program for controlling the operation of the electronic device in which transmission / reception of the control command is comprehensively controlled A storage medium that outputs a first control signal, outputs the output first control signal from the output port, and receives a second control signal from the second input port in response to the output. A storage medium comprising a module that determines whether or not an input has been made and controls the switching means in accordance with the determination.   A first input / output means connected serially from a computer and to be connected to an electronic device in the previous stage and a second input / output means to be connected to an electronic device in the subsequent stage, the control command and the first A storage medium storing a program for controlling an operation of an electronic device in which a control signal and a second control signal can be transmitted and received with each other, and the transmission and reception of the control command are controlled in an integrated manner. And the output first control signal is output to the electronic device to be connected to the subsequent stage via the second input / output means, and the second control signal is input to the output. A module that determines whether or not the second control signal has been input and outputs, via the first input / output means, that the electronic device is connected to the terminal when the second control signal is not input. Have Storage medium characterized Rukoto.   A storage medium that stores a program for operating a computer that can control the electronic device in an integrated manner by serially connecting the electronic device and transmitting and receiving control commands and predetermined control signals to the electronic device. And outputting a predetermined control signal to which the computer ID number is added, confirming whether a command corresponding to the output predetermined control signal has been input, and confirming that the command has been input. And a module that recognizes a connection state of the electronic device based on the input command.

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