JP2010193370A - Communication apparatus and communication system using the communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus and system in which speeches, videos or the like can be simultaneously transferred between a plurality of positions being away from each other. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is interposed on a transmission path and used, wherein either one preferential direction of an upward direction and a downward direction of a signal to be passed through the signal path is set by a preferential direction setting section 9. Based on the setting, a video signal transmission/reception control section 6 stops outputting a video signal of the apparatus's own captured by a camera 10 while another video signal moves forward from upstream side to downstream side in the preferential direction, branches the video signal and guides it to a side of a display section 11 and a side of a signal transmitting section 4 after the video signal flowing from upstream side in the preferential direction is received by a signal receiving section 3. While the other signal does not flow from the upstream side in the preferential direction, the video signal transmission/reception control section 6 transmits the video signal of the apparatus's own from the signal transmitting section 4. Audio signals are received from both an upward direction and a downward direction of the signals and transmitted toward both the upward direction and the downward direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device used for performing bidirectional communication of audio signals and specified direction communication of video signals by a communication method for transmitting signals through a transmission path in places where wireless communication is difficult, such as construction sites. And a communication system using the communication device.

  For example, wireless communication is performed at a construction site or the like, and a communication device such as a transceiver is used (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

CQ Publisher “Wireless Data Transmission and the Internet” 1998 edition

  However, in the construction of a shielded room where radio cannot be used, or in the construction site where it is difficult to communicate wirelessly due to restrictions on the communication distance due to the structure of the building, it is possible to communicate between the construction sites by radio. I can't. Therefore, using a method other than wireless at the construction site as described above, for example, it is possible to realize a device that allows a construction worker to appropriately and simultaneously make a call for each group, and to view the state of the site, etc. It is desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device capable of simultaneously making a call or sharing a video display at a plurality of locations apart from each other. It is to provide a communication system using the communication device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, the communication device of the first invention is
A device that is interposed in a transmission path and used, and that is based on a camera that outputs a video signal, an audio signal output unit that outputs an audio signal, a display unit that displays an image based on the video signal, and an audio signal An audio transmission unit that transmits audio; a signal transmission unit that multiplexes a video signal output from the camera and an audio signal output from the audio output unit and outputs the multiplexed signal to the signal path; and externally through the signal path In a communication apparatus including a video signal input unit and a signal receiving unit for capturing an audio signal,
A priority direction setting unit that sets one of the priority directions of the upstream direction and the downstream direction of the signal passing through the signal path, and the other video signal is based on the priority direction setting of the priority direction setting unit. When the video signal is in progress from the upstream side to the downstream side, the output of its own video signal is stopped, and after the video signal flowing from the upstream side in the priority direction is received by the signal receiving unit, the video signal is branched. The video signal transmission / reception control unit that leads to the display unit side and the signal transmission unit side, and for the audio signal, reception from both the upstream and downstream directions of the signal and toward both the upstream and downstream directions And an audio signal transmission / reception control unit that performs transmission.

  In addition to the configuration of the first invention, the communication device of the second invention is configured to send its own video signal in the priority direction and the opposite direction when other video signals do not flow from the upstream side. It is characterized by that.

Furthermore, a communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a device that is used in a transmission path, and is a camera that outputs a video signal, an audio signal output unit that outputs an audio signal, and an image based on the video signal A display unit for displaying a sound, a sound transmitting unit for transmitting sound based on a sound signal, a video signal output from the camera and a sound signal output from the sound output unit are multiplexed and output to the signal path. In a communication apparatus including a signal transmission unit and a signal reception unit that captures a video signal and an audio signal input from the outside through the signal path,
A transmission / reception signal setting unit for setting a video signal to be transmitted / received through the signal path; and when the set video signal set by the transmission / reception signal setting unit is a self-video signal, the self-video signal is output from the signal transmission unit, When it is not a video signal, it stops outputting its own video signal, and after receiving the setting video signal flowing from the other through the transmission path by the signal receiving unit, the video signal is branched to the display unit side. The video signal transmission / reception control unit that leads to the signal transmission unit side, and the audio signal that receives the signal from both the uplink and downlink directions and transmits the signal in both the uplink and downlink directions for the audio signal And a transmission / reception control unit.

  Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, or third invention, the communication device according to the fourth aspect of the invention transmits upstream and downstream signals transmitted through the transmission path as optical signals from the signal transmission unit. The wavelength of the optical signal in the direction and the wavelength of the optical signal in the downstream direction are different from each other.

Furthermore, a communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the optical signal transmission / reception unit and the electric signal transmission / reception unit in addition to the configuration of the fourth invention, and performs a photoelectric conversion operation between the optical signal and the electric signal. A signal receiving unit for receiving an optical signal in which the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of one of the first and second media converters is directed upward in the transmission path, and the transmission A signal transmission unit that transmits a signal in the downstream direction of the path is formed, and an optical signal transmission / reception unit of the media converter on the other side receives an optical signal traveling in the downstream direction of the transmission path, and an upstream direction of the transmission path Forming a signal transmission unit for transmitting signals,
The signal transmission unit transmits a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of time slots, the signal receiving unit receives a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of time slots input from the outside, and the video signal transmission / reception control unit It is configured to perform transmission / reception control for a video signal assigned to a preset time slot among a plurality of time slots,
An electrical circuit is connected to the transmission / reception unit of the electrical signal of the first and second media converters, and a camera, an audio output unit, an audio transmission unit, and a display unit are connected to the electrical circuit,
Also, the electrical circuit receives the electrical signal after the photoelectric conversion of the audio signal and the video signal assigned to the set time slot among the time division multiplexed optical signals received by the first and second media converters. A signal extraction circuit for extraction, an audio / video separation circuit for separating an extraction signal extracted by the signal extraction circuit into an audio signal and a video signal, and a video signal and an audio signal separated by the audio / video separation circuit, respectively A signal processing circuit for signal processing, a signal combining circuit for combining the video signal and the audio signal processed by the signal processing circuit, and a signal received from the signal combining circuit to correspond to the set time slot A time slot allocation circuit to be sent to the corresponding media converter of the first and second media converters,
The signal processing circuit includes a function of combining the audio signal output from the audio output unit with the audio signal applied from the first media converter side and sending the audio signal output to the second media converter side, and the second media converter. A function of combining the audio signal output from the audio output unit with the audio signal applied from the side and sending the audio signal to the first media converter, and the audio signal applied from the first and second media converters A voice adder circuit having a function to send to the voice transmitter,
When the first and second media converters receive the video signal, the video signal assigned to the set time slot among the received video signals is sent to the other media converter side, and the video signal A video signal path control circuit having a function of branching and transmitting to the display unit side is provided.

  The time slot means each divided area when the subsequent time area is divided into a plurality of times.

  Furthermore, a communication device according to a sixth aspect of the invention is a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices are connected in series via a transmission path connected to the first and second media converters in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the invention. An identification signal input operation unit for inputting an identification symbol for identifying the group is provided for each predetermined group among a plurality of communication devices forming the communication system. A set time slot is set corresponding to the identification symbol input by the identification signal input operation unit.

  Furthermore, a communication system according to a seventh aspect is characterized in that a plurality of communication devices according to any one of the first to sixth aspects are connected in series via a transmission path.

  Further, a communication system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of communication devices according to any one of the fifth and sixth aspects, wherein a transmission path is formed by a communication optical fiber. The first media converter of the adjacent communication device such that the optical signal transmission / reception unit of the second media converter of the second communication device is connected to the optical signal transmission / reception unit of the first media converter via the communication optical fiber. The optical signal transmission / reception unit and the optical signal transmission / reception unit of the second media converter are connected by a communication optical fiber.

  In the communication device according to the present invention, in the configuration in which the priority direction setting unit is provided, the video signal transmission / reception control unit is configured to receive the video signal flowing from the upstream side of the priority direction based on the priority direction setting of the priority direction setting unit. Is received by the signal receiving unit, the video signal is branched and guided to the display side and the signal transmitting unit side. When another video signal is traveling from the upstream side to the downstream side in the priority direction, the output of its own video signal is stopped.

  Therefore, when a plurality of communication devices are connected in series via the transmission path as in the communication system of the present invention, the video signal flowing from the upstream side in the priority direction is transmitted downstream through the transmission path. The video signal can be displayed on the display unit. On the other hand, for the audio signal, the audio signal transmission / reception control unit receives the signal from both the uplink and downlink directions and transmits the signal in both the uplink and downlink directions. be able to.

  In the communication device of this configuration, when other video signals do not flow from the upstream side, according to the configuration in which the own video signal is sent in the priority direction and the opposite direction, the priority direction setting unit may It is possible to transmit its own video signal toward the upstream side and the downstream side in the priority direction of the set signal, and display the video on the display unit on the reception side of the transmission video signal.

  In the communication apparatus of the present invention, in the configuration provided with the transmission / reception signal setting unit, when the set video signal set (designated) by the transmission / reception signal setting unit is the own video signal, the video signal is output from the signal transmission unit. When it is not its own video signal, the output of its own video signal is stopped, and after the setting video signal is received by the signal receiving unit, the video signal is branched and the display unit side and the signal transmitting unit side Lead to. Therefore, when a plurality of communication devices are connected in series via the transmission path as in the communication system of the present invention, the transmission / reception signal set by the transmission / reception signal setting is transmitted to the communication device through the transmission path for the video signal. And an image based on the image signal can be displayed on the display unit.

  Even in the configuration in which the transmission / reception signal setting unit is provided, for the audio signal, the audio signal transmission / reception control unit receives and receives the signal from both the upstream and downstream directions as in the invention in which the priority direction setting unit is provided. Since transmission is performed in both the upward direction and the downward direction, a two-way call can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the communication apparatus of the present invention, the upstream and downstream signals transmitted through the transmission path are optical signals, and the wavelength of the upstream optical signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit is different from the wavelength of the downstream optical signal. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately perform bidirectional optical communication between communication devices using light of different wavelengths without worrying about crosstalk.

  Furthermore, in the communication device of the present invention, according to the configuration having the first and second media converters that perform the photoelectric conversion operation as a pair, optical communication can be performed between the communication devices, and the optical signal is photoelectrically converted by the media converter. The electrical signal is separated into a video signal and an audio signal by an electrical circuit and processed separately, thereby accurately transmitting and receiving the video signal and the audio signal, and transmitting and displaying the audio signal. It can be carried out.

  In addition, according to the communication device of the present invention having the first and second media converters, among the time division multiplexed optical signals for performing optical communication, the video signals assigned to the predetermined set time slots are detected. Only the video signal transmission / reception control unit performs the control as described above, and the electric signal after photoelectric conversion of the audio signal and the video signal is extracted and signal-processed. It is possible to accurately perform communication and video signal exchange between communication devices having the same set time slot.

  In other words, for video signals, for example, communication devices with the same set time slot can display the same video on the display unit so that the user can see the common video. In contrast, communication devices having the same set time slot can communicate with each other.

  In the present invention having a media converter, if the audio adder circuit does not have a function of sending the audio signals added from the first and second media converters to the audio transmitter, An audio signal output from the audio output unit (for example, a voice of a user of a communication device such as a construction worker) is transmitted from the audio transmission unit together with the audio signal input from the connection partner side via the media converter. It will be. Then, an audio signal (in this case, a worker's voice) transmitted from an audio transmission unit (for example, a speaker or the like) is re-output from the audio output unit arranged at a distance generally not far from the audio transmission unit (that is, The voice signal is re-input into the communication device), and the voice of the worker is amplified repeatedly on the input side and the output side, resulting in a howling failure. In the present invention, such a howling failure can be prevented by the function. Therefore, a high-quality audio signal can be communicated between the communication devices.

  Furthermore, in the communication apparatus of the present invention having the first and second media converters, a communication system is formed by connecting a plurality of communication apparatuses in series via a transmission path, thereby forming the communication system. An identification signal input operation unit for input of an identification symbol for identifying the group is provided for each predetermined group of the plurality of communication devices, and is made to correspond to the identification symbol input by the identification signal input operation unit. According to the configuration in which the set time slot is set, it is possible to perform communication and video exchange between communication devices having the same set time slot set by operating the identification signal input operation unit.

  Furthermore, according to the communication system of the present invention, a plurality of optical communication devices having the above-mentioned effects are formed by being connected in series, so that a plurality of groups can be provided at a plurality of locations even in places where radio communication is not possible. It is possible to easily construct a system capable of appropriately performing communication and video exchange between each other.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a communication apparatus according to the present invention (first embodiment). FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a communication device (first embodiment). FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication system using a communication device (Example 1). (Example 1) which is an explanatory view showing an operation example of a communication system using a communication device. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the signal conversion structure in the communication apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a communication apparatus (Example 2). (Example 2) which is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the communication system using a communication apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a first embodiment of the communication apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 schematically shows a configuration example of a communication system using the communication device of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 schematically shows an operation example of the communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, this communication device (optical communication device) 1 is a device that is used by being interposed in a communication optical fiber 2 as a transmission path, and passes through a single communication optical fiber 2. A communication system connected in series and capable of transmitting and receiving audio signals and video signals is formed.

  In this embodiment, the signal transmitted through the communication optical fiber 2 is a time-division multiplexed optical signal having a plurality of time slots a to h as shown in FIG. Indicates a header. In the present embodiment, appropriate video signals and audio signals are assigned to predetermined time slots among a plurality of time slots a to h, and time division multiplex transmission is performed.

  Further, optical signals transmitted and received through the communication optical fiber 2 can be bidirectionally communicated in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow and the direction indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. Here, for convenience of explanation, the direction from the right side to the left side is referred to as the upward direction of the signal as indicated by the broken line arrow in the arrangement configuration of the communication device 1 and the communication optical fiber 2, and the left side to the right side as indicated by the solid line arrow. The direction toward is called the signal down direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 1 of this embodiment includes a signal receiving unit 3, a signal transmitting unit 4, an audio signal transmission / reception control unit 5, a video signal transmission / reception control unit 6, an audio output unit 7, an audio transmission unit 8, A priority direction setting unit 9, a camera 10, and a display unit 11 are provided.

  The audio output unit 7 is formed by a microphone or the like and outputs an audio signal. The voice transmitting unit 8 is formed by a speaker, an earphone or the like, and transmits a voice signal. The camera 10 outputs a video signal. The display unit 11 displays video based on the video signal.

  The signal receiving unit 3 captures a video signal and an audio signal input from the outside through the communication optical fiber 2.

  The signal transmission unit 4 time-division-multiplexes the video signal output from the camera 10 and the audio signal output from the audio output unit 7 and outputs the result to the communication optical fiber 2. In this embodiment, as the transmission method, the well-known NTSC (National Television System Committee) method currently used in Japan and the United States of America is applied. For example, another transmission method such as a PALL (Phase Alternating Line) method used in Europe such as Germany can be applied.

  Further, the wavelength of the upstream optical signal and the wavelength of the downstream optical signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 4 are different from each other. For example, the upstream optical signal wavelength is 1.55 μm, and the downstream optical signal wavelength is 1.55 μm. The optical signal wavelength is about 1.31 μm. Although these wavelengths are not particularly limited, as described above, it is possible to prevent the signals to be communicated from being mixed by using different wavelengths for the upstream signal and the downstream signal. be able to. In particular, the wavelengths (1.31 μm, 1.55 μm) of the optical signal applied in the present embodiment are wavelengths currently used for optical communication. Communication can be performed.

  The audio signal transmission / reception control unit 5 performs reception of the audio signal from both the uplink direction and the downlink direction and transmission toward both the uplink direction and the downlink direction.

  The priority direction setting unit 9 sets one of the upstream direction and the downstream direction of the signal passing through the signal path. The setting of the priority direction by the priority direction setting unit 9 may be, for example, set in advance in a circuit incorporated in the communication device 1, or an operation unit such as a setting switch is provided in the communication device 1, and this operation is performed. It is good also as an aspect set as needed by operation of a part. In this embodiment, the downstream direction of the signal (that is, the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 3) is set as the priority direction, and the priority direction setting information is added from the priority direction setting unit 9 to the video signal transmission / reception control unit 6.

  The video signal transmission / reception control unit 6 performs the following video signal transmission / reception control only for the video signal assigned to the setting time slot described later based on the priority direction setting of the priority direction setting unit 9. . In other words, the video signal transmission / reception control unit 6 determines that the video signal sent from another communication device 1 assigned to its own setting time slot (having the same setting slot as its own setting time slot) is upstream in the priority direction. If the video signal from the other communication device 1 is loaded on the downstream side (that is, when the video signal from another communication device 1 is loaded in the same setting time slot as the own setting time slot), the output of the own video signal is stopped. To do. Then, after the video signal flowing from the upstream side in the priority direction is received by the signal receiving unit 3, the video signal is branched and led to the display unit 11 side and the signal transmission unit 4 side.

  Further, the video signal transmission / reception control unit 6 sends its own video signal (captured by the camera 10) to the priority direction and the opposite direction when it does not flow from the upstream side of the other video signal priority direction assigned to the set time slot. And send to. Note that when the communication device 1 is arranged on the most upstream side in the priority direction, its own video signal is sent only in the priority direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the communication device 1 (1a) at the left end of the figure is on the most upstream side in the priority direction, so that the video (*) captured by the camera 10 of the communication device 1a The video signal is transmitted to other communication devices 1 (1b, 1c, 1d, 1e,...) Through the communication optical fiber 2. In addition, in the communication devices 1c and 1d having the same set time slot as the communication device 1a, the video signal of the communication device 1a is progressing from the upstream side to the downstream side in the priority direction. The video signal of the communication apparatus 1a flowing from the upstream side in the priority direction is received by the signal receiving unit 3, and then the video signal is branched to the display unit 11 side. Guide to the signal transmitter 4 side.

  Similarly, the communication device 1b in the second position from the left end of the figure has the communication device 1a on the left side, but the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b have different set time slots. The video signal of the video imaged by the camera 10 of the device 1b is transmitted to the other communication devices 1 (1c, 1d, 1e,...) Through the communication optical fiber 2.

  Further, the communication device 1b is located on the left side of the communication device 1e having the same set time slot as that of the communication device 1b, and in the communication device 1e having the same set time slot as the communication device 1b on the upstream side in the priority direction, the communication device 1b Since the video signal 1b is progressing from the upstream side in the priority direction to the downstream side, the output of the video signal of its own is stopped and the video signal of the communication device 1b flowing from the upstream side in the priority direction is received. After being received by the unit 3, the video signal is branched and guided to the display unit 11 side and the signal transmission unit 4 side.

  In the communication device 1 arranged at the most upstream side in the priority direction among the groups having the same set time slots, the video captured by the camera 10 is displayed on its own display unit 11 like the communication device 1a. Alternatively, nothing may be displayed on the display unit 11 as in the communication device 1b. This display / non-display control is also performed by the video signal transmission / reception control unit 6 in this embodiment.

  Also, in this embodiment, as described above, when another video signal does not flow from the upstream side (assigned) in the set time slot, the own video signal is sent in the direction opposite to the priority direction. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 4A, when the video signal is not sent from the communication device 1a to the communication device 1c due to a failure of the camera 10 of the communication device 1a, the video taken by the camera 10 of the communication device 1c. (A video in FIG. 4A) is sent to the communication device 1a side through the communication optical fiber 2, and the video is displayed on the display unit 11 of the communication device 1a.

  The present embodiment includes the above-described control configuration, and the control configuration is formed by a circuit configuration described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 1 according to the present embodiment has a pair of first and second media converters 21 and 22, and is connected to the first and second media converters 21 and 22. The optical connectors 31, 32 and the electric circuit 12, and the audio output unit 7, the audio transmission unit 8, the camera 10, the display unit 11, the identification signal input operation unit 23, the group display unit 24, connected to the electric circuit 12. A status information input operation unit 50 is provided.

  The first and second media converters 21 and 22 include an optical signal transmission / reception unit and an electrical signal transmission / reception unit, optical connectors 31 and 32 are connected to the optical signal transmission / reception unit, and an electrical circuit 12 is connected to the electrical signal transmission / reception unit. It is connected. The first and second media converters 21 and 22 have OE (opto-electric) conversion circuits 13a and 13b and EO (electro-optical) conversion circuits 14a and 14b, respectively. Performs photoelectric conversion with electrical signals.

  The communication system (see FIGS. 3 and 4) formed by serially connecting the communication devices 1 of this embodiment is used for communication with the optical signal transmission / reception unit of the first media converter 21 of the first communication device 1. The optical signal transmitter / receiver of the first media converter 21 of the adjacent communication device 1 and the second optical signal transmitter / receiver of the second media converter 22 of the second communication device 1 are connected via the optical fiber 2. The optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of the media converter 22 is connected by the communication optical fiber 2.

  Of the first and second media converters 21 and 22, the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of one media converter (here, the second media converter 22) advances (goes forward) in the upstream direction of the communication optical fiber 2. A signal receiver 3 that receives an optical signal and a signal transmitter 4 that transmits a signal in the downstream direction of the communication optical fiber 2 are formed. Further, the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of the other media converter (here, the first media converter 21) receives the optical signal traveling in the downstream direction of the communication optical fiber 2 and the communication optical fiber 2. The signal transmission part 4 which transmits a signal to the up direction is formed.

  The OE conversion units 13a and 13b of the first and second media converters 21 and 22 are received by the signal receiving unit 3, for example, time-division multiplexed optical signals having time slots a to h as shown in FIG. Is converted into a digital electrical signal. This converted signal is applied to the electric circuit 12.

  The electric circuit 12 includes SP (serial parallel) conversion circuits 15a and 15b, PS (parallel serial) conversion circuits 16a and 16b, time slot data extraction circuits 17a and 17b, time slot allocation circuits 18a and 18b, video data and audio data separation. Circuits 19a and 19b, video data and audio data synthesis circuits 20a and 20b, an audio addition circuit 27, a video signal path control circuit 33, and a status information output circuit 34 are provided.

  The SP conversion circuit 15 (15a, 15b) converts a serial electrical signal into a parallel electrical signal. The SP conversion circuits 15a and 15b use the electric signals photoelectrically converted by the first and second corresponding media converters 21 and 22 as a set of signals from the beginning of the header to the end of the audio signal (HD to h). , Convert to parallel signal. From this parallel signal, a signal corresponding to the header is removed by a corresponding data recovery circuit (not shown), and bit strings a ′ to h ′ corresponding to time slots a to h as shown in FIG. A digital electrical signal having Thereafter, this digital electric signal is applied to the corresponding time slot data extraction circuits 17a and 17b.

  The time slot data extraction circuits 17a and 17b are used for the audio signal and video signal assigned to a predetermined set time slot among the time division multiplexed optical signals received by the first and second media converters 21 and 22. It functions as a signal extraction circuit that extracts an electrical signal after photoelectric conversion.

  The time slot data extraction circuits 17a and 17b are time-division multiplexed optical signals (see FIG. 5) among digital electric signals having bit strings a ′ to h ′ corresponding to time slots a to h as shown in FIG. 5 (a), see) a signal assigned to the set time slot (for example, time slot c) (when the time slot is c in FIG. 5 (a), the signal c ′ in FIG. 5 (b)). Extraction (see broken line arrow from FIG. 5B to FIG. 5C). Then, this extracted signal is applied to the corresponding video data / audio data separation circuits 19a and 19b.

  The set time slot is set according to the operation of the identification signal input operation unit 23 connected to the electric circuit unit 12. The identification signal input operation unit 23 is an operation unit for inputting an identification symbol for identifying a group for each predetermined group among the plurality of communication devices 1 forming the communication system. For example, the identification signal input operation unit 23 is provided in the communication device 1. Are formed by a plurality of button switches and dial switches. Group display corresponding to the identification symbol input by the input operation of the identification signal input operation unit 23 is performed by the group display unit 24. Further, a set time slot is set in correspondence with the identification symbol input by the input operation of the identification signal input operation unit 23, and the set signal is applied to the time slot extraction circuits 17a and 17b. Then, the operation is performed by the time slot extraction circuits 17a and 17b.

  The time slot data extraction circuit 17a adds a signal assigned to a time slot other than the set time slot (that is, a signal other than the extracted signal) to the time slot assignment circuit 18b, and the time slot data extraction circuit 17b A signal assigned to a time slot other than the set time slot is added to the time slot assignment circuit 18a.

  The video data and audio data separation circuits 19a and 19b function as audio and video separation circuits, and separate the extracted signals extracted by the time slot data extraction circuits 17a and 17b into audio signals and video signals (FIG. 5 ( see d) dashed arrow). The video signal (the signal sequence of bits (1) to (8)) is added to the video signal path control circuit 33 (see broken line arrows from FIG. 5 (d) to (e)), and the audio signal (bit [ 9] is added to the audio adder circuit 27 (see broken line arrows from FIG. 5D to FIG. 5H). In this embodiment, the signal processing circuit 40 is configured by including the audio adding circuit 27 and the video signal path control circuit 33.

  The audio adder circuit 27 includes a first audio adder circuit 28, a second audio adder circuit 29, and a third audio adder circuit 30. The first audio adding circuit 28 combines the audio signal output from the audio output unit 7 with the audio signal added from the first media converter 21 via the video data audio data separating circuit 19a, It has a function of sending to the converter 22 side (video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20b side).

  The second audio adder circuit 29 combines the audio signal output from the audio output unit 7 with the audio signal added from the second media converter 22 side via the video data audio data separation circuit 19b, It has a function of sending to the converter 21 side (video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20a side). The third audio adding circuit 30 has a function of sending audio signals applied from the first and second media converters 21 and 22 through the video data audio data separating circuits 19a and 19b to the audio transmitting unit 8 side. Have

  As described above, since the audio adding circuit 27 includes the first, second, and third audio adding circuits 28, 29, and 30, the three functions including the functions of the audio adding circuits 28, 29, and 30 are combined. Have.

  When the first or second media converter 21 or 22 receives the video signal, the video signal path control circuit 33 sends the received video signal to the media converters 22 and 21 on the other side and receives the received video signal. It has a function of branching a signal and sending it to the display unit 11 side. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the video signal transmission direction is the signal down direction (that is, the direction indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. 3), the video signal assigned to the set time slot is used. Only the first media converter 21 is received, and the video signal path control circuit 33 adds the video signal received by the first media converter 21 to the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20b and the display unit 11 Send to the side.

  If the priority direction is the upstream direction of the signal (that is, the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. 3) as the transmission direction of the video signal, the video signal assigned to the set time slot is the second media. Only the converter 22 is received, and the video signal path control circuit 33 adds the video signal received by the second media converter 22 to the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20a and sends it to the display unit 11 side. (See dashed arrow in FIG. 2).

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, the electric circuit 12 is provided with a DA conversion circuit that converts a digital signal into an analog signal, an AD conversion circuit that converts an analog signal into a digital signal, and a signal amplification circuit. ing. The digital signal sent to the display unit 11 side is analog-converted by the DA converter circuit (see the broken line arrow from FIG. 5 (e) to FIG. 5 (f)) to be an analog signal for each frame. An image as shown in FIG. 5G is displayed on the display unit 11. Note that the conversion from an analog video signal to a digital video signal is indicated by a solid line arrow from FIG. 5 (f) to FIG. 5 (e).

  In addition, the audio signal added by the third audio adder circuit 30 is also converted into an analog signal by the DA converter circuit (see broken line arrows from FIG. 5 (h) to FIG. 5 (i)), and an audio transmission unit such as a speaker. 8 is sent. The analog electrical signal input from the audio output unit 7 is converted into a digital signal by an AD conversion circuit (see solid line arrows from FIG. 5 (i) to FIG. 5 (h)), and the first and second 2 is added to the audio adder circuits 28 and 29 to add audio signals.

  The video data / audio data synthesis circuits 20a and 20b combine the video signal and the audio signal that have been signal-processed by the signal processing circuit 40 (individually processed by the audio addition circuit 27 and the video signal path control circuit 33) and the set time. It functions as a signal multiplexing circuit that is sent to the corresponding media converter among the first and second media converters 21 and 22 in correspondence with the slots.

  In this embodiment, since the video signal received by the first media converter 21 is added to the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20b from the video signal path control circuit 33 of the signal processing circuit 40, the video data / audio data synthesis circuit. 20b synthesize | combines the video signal and the audio | voice signal added from the 1st audio | voice addition circuit 28 (refer the solid line arrow of FIG.5 (d)), and adds the synthetic | combination signal to the time slot allocation circuit 18b.

  On the other hand, since a video signal is not normally added to the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20a from the video signal path control circuit 33 of the signal processing circuit 40, the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20a includes a second audio addition circuit. The audio signal added from 29 is added to the PS conversion circuit 18a. If a video signal is added to the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20a, the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20a combines the video signal and the audio signal and adds them to the time slot allocation circuit 18a.

  As is well known, since the number of audio signal data is smaller than the number of video signal data, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5G, the video signal is, for example, from the left end to the right end of the screen. Each time the scan data H1 and H2 are captured, the video signal and the audio signal are captured in such a manner that the audio signal is added to the interval (horizontal synchronization blanking). Further, every time a so-called 1-frame signal is captured from the upper left corner to the lower right corner of the screen, an interval (vertical synchronization blanking) occurs. Using this vertical synchronization interval, The status information signal is fetched from the status information output circuit 34 described below.

  The status information output circuit 34 adds the status information input by the status information input operation unit 50 to the video data / audio data synthesis circuits 20a, 20b, or receives the status information separated by the video data / audio data synthesis circuits 19a, 19b. In addition to the control circuit (not shown) of the display unit 11. As an example of status information, information such as supporting the video signal to be enlarged and displayed on the display unit 11 of the communication device 1 on the receiving side, or supporting the camera 10 to change the angle of the camera 10 when shooting with the camera 10. Is mentioned.

  It should be noted that the status information input operation unit 50 also serves as the priority direction setting unit 9 so that the video signal transmission and the display priority direction are set according to the operation of the status information input operation unit 50. Good.

  When status information is input by the status information input operation unit 50, the status information signals S1, S2, S3,..., As shown by solid line arrows from FIG. It is added and transmitted during the vertical synchronization of the video signal.

  The time slot assigning circuit 18a assigns the data added from the video data / audio data synthesizing circuit 20a side to the set time slot (see the solid line arrow from FIG. 5 (c) to FIG. 5 (b)), and receives the signal. , Added to the PS conversion circuit 16a. Further, the time slot allocation circuit 18a allocates the data allocated from the time slot data extraction circuit 17b other than the set time slot to the corresponding time slot other than the set time slot as it is. In a mode of relaying in a state of being in the same state), it is added to the PS conversion circuit 16a. The signal applied from the time slot allocation circuit 18a to the PS conversion circuit 16a is applied to the first media converter 21 side.

  By this operation, among the optical signals received by the second media converter 22, the electrical signal of the audio signal obtained by adding the audio signal output by the audio output unit 7 to the electric signal assigned to the set time slot, and the set time slot The electrical signal of the audio signal corresponding to the signal assigned to the time slot other than (in some cases, the electrical signal of the video signal) is combined and applied to the first media converter 21.

  The time slot assignment circuit 18b assigns the data added from the video data / audio data synthesis circuit 20b side to the set time slot (see the solid line arrow from FIG. 5C to FIG. 5B), and the PS conversion circuit 16b. Add to. Further, the time slot allocation circuit 18b assigns the data allocated to the time slots other than the set time slot added from the time slot data extraction circuit 17a as it is (assigned to the corresponding time slots other than the set time slot, respectively). In this mode, the signal is added to the PS conversion circuit 16b. The signal applied from the time slot allocation circuit 18 a is applied to the second media converter 22.

  By this operation, among the optical signals received by the first media converter 21, the electrical signal of the audio signal obtained by adding the audio signal output by the audio output unit 7 to the electrical signal of the audio signal assigned to the set time slot; Of the optical signal received by the first media converter 21, the electrical signal of the video signal assigned to the set time slot and the audio signal and video signal corresponding to the signal assigned to the time slot other than the set time slot The electrical signal is combined and applied to the second media converter 22.

  The PS conversion circuits 16a and 16b are circuits that serially convert parallel digital electric signals applied from the corresponding time slot allocation circuits 18a and 18b, respectively, and parallel digital electric signals applied from the time slot allocation circuit 18a. Is serial converted. Then, the data corresponding to the header is added to the first media converter 21 side by a data organization circuit (not shown).

  The first and second media converters 21 and 22 convert electrical signals applied from the corresponding time slot allocation circuits 18a and 18b via the PS conversion circuits 16a and 16b into optical signals by the EO conversion circuits 14a and 14b. (See the solid line arrow from FIG. 5B to FIG. 5A) and added to the signal transmission unit 3. The signal transmitter 3 transmits the applied optical signal to the communication optical fiber 2 via the optical connectors 31 and 32, respectively.

  The communication device 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above, and signals assigned to time slots other than the set time slot are relayed by the communication device 1 and changed to signals assigned to the set time slot. On the other hand, addition of audio signals and transmission and display of the upstream video signal in the priority direction among the upstream and downstream signals passing through the communication optical fiber 2 are performed. Therefore, among communication devices 1 connected in a plurality, communication devices 1 having the same set time slot set as appropriate can communicate with each other and exchange video signals.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, the video signal is the same as the communication devices 1c, 1d, 1e,. For each group corresponding to the identification number input by the identification signal input operation unit 23, the video captured by the camera 10 of the communication device 1a is displayed on the display unit 11 of the communication devices 1c, 1d,. Thus, for each group, the image captured by the camera 10 of the communication device 1 connected to the left side of the figure is displayed such that the image captured by the camera 10 of the communication device 1b is projected on the display unit 11 of the communication device 1e. The video signal is transmitted to the communication device 1 connected on the right side of the figure, and the video is projected on the display unit 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, since the audio signal is transmitted to the communication devices 1 connected to the left and right sides of the drawing for each group, a call can be made for each group. In FIG. 4B, the downward transmission path from the left side to the right side of the figure is indicated by a solid line, and the upward transmission path from the right side to the left side of the figure is indicated by a broken line.

  Next, a communication apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same name portions as those in the first embodiment, and the duplicate description is omitted or simplified. The second embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the priority direction setting unit 9 provided in the first embodiment is used. Instead of providing, as shown in FIG. 6, a transmission / reception signal setting unit 49 is provided.

  The transmission / reception signal setting unit 49 sets a video signal to be transmitted / received through the communication optical fiber 2, and this setting signal can be transmitted on a status signal, for example. When the set video signal is not its own video signal based on the set video signal set by the transmission / reception signal setting unit 49, the video signal transmission / reception control unit 6 stops the output of its own video signal and passes through the communication optical fiber 2. After the setting video signal flowing from the other is received by the signal receiving unit 3, the video signal is branched and guided to the display unit 11 side and the signal transmission unit 4 side.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the communication devices 1a, 1c, and 1d are in the same group (devices in which the same set time slot is set), the video signal of the communication device 1c is used as the set video signal. The video signal is transmitted in both left and right directions in the figure (transmitted to the communication device 1d side by a downstream signal and transmitted to the communication device 1a side by an upstream signal), and the display units of the communication devices 1a and 1d 11 is projected on each.

  In FIG. 7, in order to make the drawing easier to understand, the upstream signal path from the communication apparatus 1c to the communication apparatus 1b and the upstream signal path from the communication apparatus 1b to the communication apparatus 1a are indicated by broken lines. Yes. Also, the transmission path of the video signal captured by the camera 10 of the communication device 1b is not shown.

  In the second embodiment, the control configuration and the operation based on the configuration of the audio signal are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various aspect can be taken. For example, in the embodiment, the speaker 31 is provided as the sound output unit. However, the sound output unit may be provided with headphones in addition to the speaker 31 or may be provided with only headphones.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although one image | video was displayed on the display part 11, you may enable it to display a some image | video by making the display part 11 into a multiscreen.

  Furthermore, as shown in the broken line frame in FIG. 3, when the display device 41 in which the display units 11 of the plurality of communication devices 1 are arranged side by side is formed, the image displayed on each communication device 1 is displayed for each group. The display device 41 can be viewed at a time.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of time slots is transmitted and received, and the control by the video signal transmission / reception control unit is performed only for the video signal assigned to the set time slot. However, when grouping or the like is not necessary, the signal to be communicated is not necessarily a signal having a plurality of time slots, and depending on the signal form to be communicated, for example, video for all video signals to be communicated You may make it perform control by a signal transmission / reception control part.

  Furthermore, although each said Example demonstrated as an optical communication apparatus which performs optical communication, and the optical communication system using the communication apparatus was demonstrated, it is good also as a communication apparatus and communication system using other signals, such as an electrical signal.

  Further, in the communication device of the present invention, a signal transmission / reception control unit for controlling signal transmission and signal reception with respect to the signal path is provided, and the signal transmission / reception control unit is based on the setting of the priority direction of the priority direction setting unit 9, A signal reception control unit that permits reception of only a signal that flows from the upstream side in the priority direction and a signal that allows reception of the signal from both the upstream and downstream directions of the audio signal, and a signal Regarding transmission, when other video signals are progressing from the upstream side in the priority direction to the downstream side, the output of the own video signal is stopped, and when other video signals do not flow from the upstream side in the priority direction, A signal transmission control unit that transmits the video signal from the signal transmission unit toward the downstream side in the priority direction and transmits the audio signal from the signal transmission unit in both the upstream direction and the downstream direction. .

  Further, the signal transmission / reception control unit sets a permission signal setting unit for setting a transmission / reception permission signal among signals passing through the signal path, and the video signal is received only for the transmission / reception permission signal based on the setting of the permission signal setting unit. A signal reception control unit that permits reception of the signal that passes through the transmission path from both the upstream direction and the downstream direction with respect to the audio signal; and the video signal among the signals from the signal transmission unit is the permission signal A signal transmission control unit that transmits only the transmission / reception permission signal based on the setting of the setting unit and transmits the audio signal in both the upstream and downstream directions may be provided.

  Since the two-way communication of the audio signal and the designated direction communication of the video signal can be satisfactorily performed through the transmission path, the present invention can be applied to communication at a construction site or the like where wireless communication is difficult.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication apparatus 2 Optical fiber for communication 3 Signal receiving part 4 Signal transmission part 5 Audio signal transmission / reception control part 6 Video signal transmission / reception control part 7 Audio | voice output part 8 Audio | voice transmission part 9 Priority direction setting part 10 Camera 11 Display part 12 Electric circuit 17a , 17b Time slot data extraction circuit 18a, 18b Time slot allocation circuit 19a, 19b Video data audio data separation circuit 20a, 20b Video data audio data synthesis circuit 21 First media converter 22 Second media converter 23 Identification signal input operation unit 27 Audio addition circuit 33 Video signal path control circuit 40 Signal processing circuit 49 Transmission / reception signal setting unit 50 Status information input operation unit

Claims (8)

A device interposed in a transmission path and used, which is a camera that outputs a video signal, an audio signal output unit that outputs an audio signal, a display unit that displays an image based on the video signal, and an audio signal An audio transmission unit that transmits audio; a signal transmission unit that multiplexes a video signal output from the camera and an audio signal output from the audio output unit and outputs the multiplexed signal to the signal path; and externally through the signal path In a communication apparatus including a video signal input unit and a signal receiving unit for capturing an audio signal,
A priority direction setting unit that sets one of the priority directions of the upstream direction and the downstream direction of the signal passing through the signal path, and the other video signal is based on the priority direction setting of the priority direction setting unit. When the video signal is in progress from the upstream side to the downstream side, the output of its own video signal is stopped, and after the video signal flowing from the upstream side in the priority direction is received by the signal receiving unit, the video signal is branched. The video signal transmission / reception control unit that leads to the display unit side and the signal transmission unit side, and for the audio signal, reception from both the upstream and downstream directions of the signal and both the upstream and downstream directions And a voice signal transmission / reception control unit that performs transmission of   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when another video signal does not flow from the upstream side, the video signal is sent in the priority direction and the opposite direction. A device interposed in a transmission path and used, which is a camera that outputs a video signal, an audio signal output unit that outputs an audio signal, a display unit that displays an image based on the video signal, and an audio signal An audio transmission unit that transmits audio; a signal transmission unit that multiplexes a video signal output from the camera and an audio signal output from the audio output unit and outputs the multiplexed signal to the signal path; and externally through the signal path In a communication apparatus including a video signal input unit and a signal receiving unit for capturing an audio signal,
A transmission / reception signal setting unit for setting a video signal to be transmitted / received through the signal path; and when the set video signal set by the transmission / reception signal setting unit is a self-video signal, the self-video signal is output from the signal transmission unit, When it is not a video signal, it stops outputting its own video signal, and after receiving the setting video signal flowing from the other through the transmission path by the signal receiving unit, the video signal is branched to the display unit side. The video signal transmission / reception control unit that leads to the signal transmission unit side, and the audio signal that receives the signal from both the uplink and downlink directions and transmits the signal in both the uplink and downlink directions for the audio signal A communication apparatus comprising: a transmission / reception control unit.   The upstream and downstream signals transmitted through the transmission path are optical signals, and the wavelength of the upstream optical signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit and the wavelength of the downstream optical signal are different from each other. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3. A first and second media converter having a light signal transmitting / receiving unit and an electric signal transmitting / receiving unit and performing a photoelectric conversion operation of an optical signal and an electric signal as a pair, of these first and second media converters The optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of the media converter on one side forms a signal receiving unit for receiving an optical signal going in the upward direction of the transmission path and a signal transmitting unit for transmitting the signal in the downstream direction of the transmission path, and the media converter on the other side A signal receiving unit that receives an optical signal going in the down direction of the transmission path and a signal transmitting unit that transmits a signal in the up direction of the transmission path,
The signal transmission unit transmits a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of time slots, the signal receiving unit receives a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of time slots input from the outside, and the video signal transmission / reception control unit It is configured to perform transmission / reception control for a video signal assigned to a preset time slot among a plurality of time slots,
An electrical circuit is connected to the transmission / reception unit of the electrical signal of the first and second media converters, and a camera, an audio output unit, an audio transmission unit, and a display unit are connected to the electrical circuit,
Also, the electrical circuit receives the electrical signal after the photoelectric conversion of the audio signal and the video signal assigned to the set time slot among the time division multiplexed optical signals received by the first and second media converters. A signal extraction circuit for extraction, an audio / video separation circuit for separating an extraction signal extracted by the signal extraction circuit into an audio signal and a video signal, and a video signal and an audio signal separated by the audio / video separation circuit, respectively A signal processing circuit for signal processing, a signal combining circuit for combining the video signal and the audio signal processed by the signal processing circuit, and a signal received from the signal combining circuit to correspond to the set time slot A time slot allocation circuit to be sent to the corresponding media converter of the first and second media converters,
The signal processing circuit includes a function of combining the audio signal output from the audio output unit with the audio signal applied from the first media converter side and sending the audio signal output to the second media converter side, and the second media converter. A function of combining the audio signal output from the audio output unit with the audio signal applied from the side and sending the audio signal to the first media converter, and the audio signal applied from the first and second media converters A voice adder circuit having a function to send to the voice transmitter,
When the first and second media converters receive the video signal, the video signal assigned to the set time slot among the received video signals is sent to the other media converter side, and the video signal 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a video signal path control circuit having a function of branching and sending the signal to the display unit side.   A plurality of communication devices are connected in series via a transmission path connected to the first and second media converters to form a communication system, and a plurality of communication devices forming the communication system are preliminarily configured. An identification signal input operation unit for inputting an identification symbol for identifying the group is provided for each defined group, and a set time slot is set corresponding to the identification symbol input by the identification signal input operation unit. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein:   7. A communication system, wherein a plurality of communication devices according to claim 1 are connected in series via a transmission path.   A plurality of communication devices according to any one of claims 5 and 6 are provided, a transmission path is formed by a communication optical fiber, and an optical signal is transmitted and received by a first media converter of the first communication device. The optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of the first media converter of the adjacent communication device and the second optical signal transmitting / receiving unit of the second communication device are connected to the unit via the communication optical fiber. A communication system characterized in that an optical signal transmission / reception unit of a media converter is connected by a communication optical fiber.

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