JP2012180042A - Communication device and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and simply carry out a processing of a communication pairing between each device.SOLUTION: Both a monitoring device 1 and a camera device 2 are simultaneously started by simultaneously supplying power to both pairing devices. Each of the devices 1 and 2 establishes a communication line by using a common ID for the pairing. Also, the camera device 2 transmits to the monitoring device 1 a camera side line establishing time which indicates a time required from a time when power is supplied until the communication line is established. The monitoring device 1 detects a monitor side line establishing time which indicates a time required from a time when power is supplied until the communication line is established to compare the detected monitor side line establishing time with the camera side line establishing time. Then, the processing of the communication pairing to and from the camera device 2 is carried out.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that enables communication between communication devices that perform communication so-called communication pairing that specifies a communication partner, and a communication system.

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and a communication system that realize accurate communication pairing processing with a simple operation.

  The applicant of the present invention has obtained the existence of Japanese Patent Publications of JP-A-6-296290 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2008-2111706 (Patent Document 2) as prior art to the present invention. Yes.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-296290 (Patent Document 1), both the parent device and the child device are switched to a pairing mode by switch operation, and communication pairing is performed by communicating and registering each other's identification information. Techniques for performing processing are disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-2111706 (Patent Document 2) discloses that both the identification information setting switches of the parent device and the child device are set to the same position (= both are set to the same identification information). ), And a technology that enables paired communication.

JP-A-6-296290 JP 2008-2111706 A

  However, in the case of the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a user needs to operate a switch provided in the parent device and the child device during pairing.

  For this reason, the troublesome pairing operation of the switch operation is required, and there is a problem that it takes a long time for the pairing to be completed when the user manually performs the pairing operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device and a communication system that can realize a high-speed and accurate communication pairing process with a simple operation.

The communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that pairs another communication device, and as means for solving the above-described problem,
A trigger signal receiving unit for receiving a trigger signal serving as a trigger for activating the communication device (1); and (11)
A timer that counts time and outputs a count value; (13)
Based on the count value from the timer, the elapse of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal is counted, and an unspecified number of times until the predetermined time elapses from the reception of the trigger signal. A communication line establishment unit that establishes a communication line with another communication device using common identification information for performing communication with another communication device (14, 15)
When the communication line is established with the other communication apparatus by the communication line establishment unit between the time when the trigger signal is received and the elapse of a predetermined time, the count value of the timer is set. A communication line establishment time storage unit for storing the communication line establishment time information on the apparatus side indicating the time taken from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line, (12)
Activated by the same trigger signal as the trigger signal that is a trigger for activating the communication device, and transmitted from another communication device in which the communication line is established with the communication device, (14) an other device communication line establishment time receiving unit for receiving other device side communication line establishment time information indicating a time required for the other communication device to receive the trigger signal and establish the communication line;
The communication line establishment time information stored in the communication line establishment time storage unit indicating the time required for the communication apparatus to establish the communication line after receiving the trigger signal; and Other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time taken from when the other communication apparatus received the trigger signal until the communication line is established, received via the other apparatus communication line establishment time receiving unit; A communication line establishment time comparison unit for comparing (15)
When the comparison result indicating that the time difference between the communication line establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained from the communication line establishment time comparison unit, from the other communication device via the communication line, The communication device and the other communication device are acquired by acquiring identification information unique to the other communication device and transmitting the identification information unique to the communication device to the other communication device via the communication line. A pairing processing unit for carrying out communication pairing processing between and (15)
After the communication pairing process is performed by the pairing processing unit, the identification information used for communication is changed from the common identification information to the acquired identification information unique to the other communication device and the identification information unique to the communication device. A communication unit that communicates with the other communication device via the communication line using the identification information unique to the other communication device and the identification information unique to the communication device;
Have

Moreover, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that is paired with another communication device, and as means for solving the above-described problems,
A trigger signal receiving unit for receiving a trigger signal serving as a trigger for starting another communication device (2); and (21)
A timer for timing and outputting a count value; (23)
Based on the count value from the timer, the elapse of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal is counted, and an unspecified number of times until the predetermined time elapses from the reception of the trigger signal. A communication line that establishes a communication line with a communication device (this communication device) that is paired with the other communication device, using common identification information for communication with the other communication device An establishing unit; (24, 25)
Based on the count value of the timer when the communication line is established with the communication apparatus by the communication line establishment unit until a predetermined time elapses after the trigger signal is received. The other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from when the trigger signal is received until the communication line is established is detected and transmitted to the communication apparatus via the communication line A device-side communication line establishment time transmitter; and (24, 25)
On the communication apparatus side, the apparatus communication line establishment time information indicating the time required for the communication apparatus to establish the communication line after receiving the same trigger signal as the trigger signal; As a result of comparing each communication line with the other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from when the other communication apparatus received from the communication apparatus receives the trigger signal until the communication line is established. When a comparison result indicating that the time difference of the establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained, identification information unique to the communication device transmitted from the communication device side is acquired, and the communication A pairing processing unit that performs communication pairing processing between the other communication device and the communication device by transmitting identification information unique to the other communication device to the device; (25)
After the communication pairing processing is performed by the pairing processing unit, the identification information used for communication is changed from the common identification information to the acquired identification information unique to the communication device and the identification information unique to the other communication device. A communication unit that communicates with the communication device via the communication line using the identification information unique to the communication device and the identification information unique to the other communication device;
Have

The communication system according to the present invention is a communication system including a first communication device and a second communication device that is paired with the first communication device, and solves the above-described problems. As a means to do
A first trigger signal receiving unit for receiving a trigger signal serving as a trigger for activation;
A first timer that counts time and outputs a count value;
Based on the count value from the first timer, count the passage of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal, until the predetermined time passes from the reception of the trigger signal, A first communication line establishment unit that establishes a communication line with at least the second communication device using common identification information for performing communication with an unspecified number of other communication devices;
When the communication line is established with the second communication device by the first communication line establishment unit during a period of time after the trigger signal is received, the first communication line establishment unit establishes the first communication line. A communication line establishment time storage unit for storing communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from when the trigger signal is received until the communication line is established based on a count value of one timer; ,
The second communication device detected and transmitted on the second communication device side activated by the same trigger signal as the trigger signal received by the first trigger signal receiving unit receives the trigger signal. An other apparatus communication line establishment time receiving unit for receiving other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating a time required for establishing the communication line from
This apparatus-side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line, which is stored in the communication line establishment time storage unit, and the other apparatus communication line establishment Communication that is received via the time receiver and compares the communication line establishment time information on the other apparatus side that indicates the time required from when the second communication apparatus receives the trigger signal until the communication line is established A circuit establishment time comparison unit;
When the comparison result indicating that the time difference between the communication line establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained from the communication line establishment time comparison unit, the second communication device via the communication line Acquiring the identification information unique to the second communication device and transmitting the identification information unique to the first communication device to the second communication device via the communication line. A first pairing processing unit that performs communication pairing processing between a device and the second communication device;
After the communication pairing process is performed by the first pairing processing unit, the identification information unique to the second communication device acquired from the common identification information and identification information used for communication and the first communication device A first communication unit that includes a first communication unit that changes to unique identification information and communicates with the second communication device via the communication line using each of the unique identification information. Equipment,
A second trigger signal receiver for receiving the same trigger signal as the trigger signal supplied to the first communication device;
A second timer that counts time and outputs a count value;
Based on the count value from the second timer, counts the passage of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal, until the predetermined time passes from the reception of the trigger signal, Establishing a communication line with the first communication device paired with the second communication device using common identification information for communicating with an unspecified number of communication devices. A second communication line establishment unit
When the communication line is established with the first communication device by the second communication line establishment unit during a period of time after the trigger signal is received, Based on the count value of the timer of 2, the other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time taken from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line is detected, Another device side communication line establishment time transmitter for transmitting to the first communication device;
On the first communication apparatus side, the apparatus-side communication line establishment time information indicating a time taken from when the first communication apparatus receives the same trigger signal as the trigger signal to establish the communication line; The second communication device received from the second communication device was compared with the other device side communication line establishment time information indicating the time taken from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line. As a result, when the comparison result indicating that the time difference between the communication line establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained, the identification unique to the first communication device is transmitted from the first communication device side. Communication between the second communication device and the first communication device by acquiring information and transmitting identification information unique to the second communication device to the first communication device The first pairing process And the pairing processing unit,
After the communication pairing process is performed by the second pairing processing unit, the identification information used for communication, the identification information unique to the first communication device acquired from the common identification information, and the second communication device A second communication unit comprising: a second communication unit that changes to unique identification information and uses each of the unique identification information to communicate with the first communication device via the communication line. And a device.

  The present invention can perform communication pairing processing at high speed and accurately with a simple operation.

It is a schematic diagram of a back eye camera system as an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the container vehicle for replacement | exchange provided with the back eye camera system of the Example. It is a block diagram of each principal part of the monitor apparatus and camera apparatus of the back eye camera system of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the communication pairing process by the side of the monitor apparatus of the back eye camera system of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the communication pairing process by the camera apparatus side of the back eye camera system of an Example. It is a figure which shows a mode that a power supply is supplied substantially simultaneously with respect to the monitor apparatus and camera apparatus of the back eye camera system of an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of each setting time regarding the communication pairing process in the back eye camera system of an Example. In the back eye camera system of an Example, it is a figure which shows an example of the data form of the timer value transmitted to a monitor apparatus from a camera apparatus at the time of a communication pairing process.

  The present invention is a camera device provided in a vehicle, which captures the rear of the vehicle and wirelessly transmits the image, and a monitor device provided on the driver's seat side wirelessly transmits the rear image of the vehicle. Can be applied to a rear confirmation system (back-eye camera system) that assists driving by making the rear of the vehicle visible through this monitor device.

[Configuration of the back eye camera system]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a back eye camera system as an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the back eye camera system according to this embodiment includes a monitor device 1 and a camera device 2.

  The monitor device 1 is provided on the driver's seat side of the vehicle body 3, and when the ignition key is rotated more than a predetermined amount in the engine starting direction, an accessory line 7 (ACC line) that supplies power from the battery 6 to each part. )It is connected to the.

  The monitor device 1 also includes a first transmitter / receiver, and the first transmitter / receiver provides a communication line by communication pairing processing with a second transmitter / receiver provided in the camera device 2 described later. Establish. And this monitor apparatus 1 displays the back captured image of this vehicle main body 3 wirelessly transmitted from the camera apparatus 2 via the said communication line.

  Similarly, the camera device 2 is provided on the side of the container vehicle 4 that can be connected to and disconnected from the vehicle body 3 so that an image behind the container vehicle 4 can be taken. This camera device 2 is also connected to an accessory line 7 to which the monitor device 1 is connected. For this reason, when the ignition key is rotated more than a predetermined amount in the engine starting direction, the power from the battery 6 is supplied to the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 almost simultaneously via the accessory line 7. ing.

  The camera device 2 includes a second transmitter / receiver, and establishes a communication line by communication pairing processing with the first transmitter / receiver provided in the monitor device 1 by the second transmitter / receiver. The camera device 2 captures a rear image of the container vehicle 4 and wirelessly transmits it to the monitor device 1 via the communication line.

  When the container vehicle 4 is connected to the vehicle main body 3, the container vehicle 4 is reflected on the rearview mirror (room mirror) provided in the driver's seat. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the driver to visually recognize the situation behind the container vehicle 4 connected to the vehicle body 3 through the rearview mirror.

  However, in the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the camera device 2 captures the situation behind the container vehicle 4 connected to the vehicle body 3, and the rear image is displayed on the driver's seat side. Can be displayed. For this reason, the driver can visually recognize the situation behind the container vehicle 4 not through the room mirror but through the monitor device 1. For this reason, driving assistance can be performed.

  Here, the vehicle main body 3 and the container vehicle 4 are physically and electrically connected via the connection unit 5. The container vehicle connected to the vehicle body 3 may be connected to another container vehicle 8 as shown in FIG.

  In other words, the same container vehicle is not always connected to the vehicle main body 3, and there are many cases where another container vehicle 8 as shown in FIG. 2 is connected.

  For example, when a container vehicle connected to the vehicle main body 3 is replaced with the other container vehicle 8, again between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 9 provided in the replaced container vehicle 8. It is necessary to perform communication pairing processing so that the rear image captured by the camera device 9 can be wirelessly transmitted to the monitor device 1.

  However, in order to perform this communication pairing processing, a switch for communication pairing is provided in the monitor device 1 and the camera devices 2 and 9, and a user such as a driver operates this switch to execute communication pairing. If it does so, the structure of the monitor apparatus 1 and the camera apparatuses 2 and 9 may become complicated, and there exists a possibility of causing the enlargement of an apparatus. Further, providing the switch for communication pairing increases the cost of the monitor device 1 and the camera devices 2 and 9.

  Further, every time the container vehicle connected to the vehicle main body 3 is replaced, a user such as a driver is inconvenienced to perform a switch operation for communication pairing.

  In addition, the manual switch operation increases the time required to complete the communication pairing process.

  Moreover, when exchanging the container vehicle connected to the vehicle main body 3, the container vehicle 4 to be removed from the vehicle main body 3 and the container vehicle 8 to be connected to the vehicle main body 3 are often in a close positional relationship. Further, even after replacement, the container vehicle 4 and the container vehicle 8 are often in a positional relationship close to each other.

  For this reason, when wireless pairing processing is performed in a state where the two container vehicles 4 and 8 are close to each other, the camera device that is the target of the communication pairing processing is currently connected to the vehicle body 3. In spite of the camera device 9 of the container vehicle 8, there may be a problem that the communication pairing process is performed with the camera device 2 of the container vehicle 4 that has been removed from the vehicle main body 3 earlier.

  The back eye camera system of this embodiment solves such a problem by the characteristic configuration and operation described below.

[Main configuration of monitor device and camera device]
FIG. 3 shows a main configuration of the monitor device 1 and the camera devices 2 and 9. In FIG. 3, illustration of blocks corresponding to the display function of the monitor device and the imaging functions of the camera devices 2 and 9 is omitted, and only the block corresponding to the communication pairing process is illustrated. .

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the monitor device 1 has a power signal (ACC power supply: signal β) supplied from the battery 6 via the accessory line 7 when the ignition key is rotated more than a predetermined amount in the engine starting direction. Has a signal β detector 11 for detecting the presence or absence of.

  In addition, the monitor device 1 counts time with a memory 12 in which a communication control program including a program for communication pairing processing to be described later, a program for communication of the rear image, and the like is stored, And a timer 13 for outputting the count value.

  The monitor device 1 also transmits / receives information for communication pairing with the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 provided on the camera device 2, 9 side or the rear image captured by the camera device 2, 9. Based on a communication control program stored in the memory 12, a wireless transmission / reception unit 14 that performs reception and the like, and a control unit 15 that performs communication pairing processing to be described later, communication control of the rear image, and the like are included.

  On the other hand, the camera device 2 (and the camera device 9) also has a power signal (ACC power supply: signal β) supplied from the battery 6 via the accessory line 7 when the ignition key is rotated more than a predetermined amount in the engine starting direction. Has a signal β detector 21 for detecting the presence or absence of.

  Further, the camera device 2 counts time with a memory 22 in which a communication control program including a program for communication pairing processing described later, a program for communication of the rear image, and the like is stored, And a timer 23 for outputting the count value.

  In addition, the camera device 2 transmits / receives information for communication pairing with the wireless transmission / reception unit 14 provided on the monitor device 1 side, transmits the rear image captured by the camera device 2, and the like. Based on a communication control program stored in the memory 22, a wireless transmission / reception unit 24 is provided, and a control unit 25 that performs communication pairing processing (to be described later), communication control of the rear image, and the like.

[Communication pairing processing operation]
Next, communication pairing processing operation in the back eye camera system having such a configuration will be described.

  The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows the flow of the communication pairing processing operation on the monitor device 1 side, and the flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the flow of the communication pairing processing operation on the camera device 2 side.

[Monitoring device side communication pairing processing operation]
First, the communication pairing processing operation on the monitor device 1 side will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the container vehicle 4 connected to the vehicle main body 3 is replaced, so that the monitor device 1 provided on the vehicle main body 3 side and the container vehicle 4 side are provided. When a new communication pairing process is necessary with the camera device 2 (or the camera device 9), a user such as a driver inserts an ignition key into the key hole of the vehicle body 3, and uses this in the engine start direction. (= Rotational operation to the extent that ACC power is supplied to each part, or rotational operation to start the engine while ACC power is supplied to each part).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the signal β, which is a power signal from the battery 6, is supplied to the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 (or camera device 9) almost simultaneously via the ACC line 7.

  The monitor apparatus 1 detects the presence or absence of the supply of the signal β by the signal β detector 11 shown in FIG. When detecting the supply of the signal β, the signal β detection unit 11 supplies the detection output of the signal β to the control unit 15. When detecting the detection output of the signal β, the control unit 15 reads the communication control program stored in the memory 12 and starts the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 based on the communication control program.

  In step S1, the control unit 15 controls the timer 13 to start counting time and advances the process to step S2.

  Although it is an example, in the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 are at the timing when 2 seconds have passed since the signal β (ACC power supply) is supplied as shown in FIG. Each is shifted to a pairing mode for performing communication pairing processing.

  Therefore, in step S2, the control unit 15 determines whether or not 2 seconds have elapsed since the signal β (ACC power supply) was supplied based on the count value counted by the timer 13. The process proceeds to step S3 at the timing when the passage of seconds is detected.

  In step S3, the control unit 15 shifts to the pairing mode, controls the wireless transmission / reception unit 14 to a reception state based on the common ID for pairing, and advances the process to step S4.

  As will be described later, when the camera device 2 side detects the supply of the signal β and shifts to the pairing mode, the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 is controlled to a transmission state based on the common ID for pairing. Thereby, a communication line based on the pairing common ID is established between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2.

  In step S4, the control unit 15 determines whether a communication line with the camera device 2 based on the pairing common ID has been established. As an example, in the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the time for performing the communication pairing process of the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 is 7 seconds after the signal β is supplied as shown in FIG. ing.

  Therefore, if the control unit 15 determines in step S4 that the communication line based on the pairing common ID is not established between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2, in step S10, It is determined whether or not the 7 seconds have elapsed since the signal β was supplied.

  The fact that the communication line based on the common ID for pairing is not established within 7 seconds after the signal β is supplied means that the camera device 2 is located near the vehicle body 3 where the monitor device 1 is provided. This means that there is no container vehicle 4 provided with or there is no camera device to be paired by the monitor device 1 nearby.

  Therefore, when it is determined in step S10 that 7 seconds have elapsed since the signal β is supplied, the control unit 15 terminates the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the communication line based on the common ID for pairing has been established between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2, the control unit 15 proceeds to step S5. A timer that indicates the time (camera-side line establishment time) required from the time when the signal β is supplied until the communication line based on the common ID for pairing is established, which is counted on the camera device 2 side. The value is acquired and the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the time required for the control unit 15 to establish a communication line based on the common ID for pairing after the signal β is supplied on the monitor device 1 side (monitor side line establishment time) Is detected and stored in the memory 12 once. Then, the control unit 15 compares the count value indicating the monitor-side line establishment time stored in the memory 12 with the timer value indicating the camera-side line establishment time acquired from the camera device 2 in step S4. It is determined whether or not the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  As described above, in the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the signal β is supplied to the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 almost simultaneously, so that both are started substantially simultaneously. . Therefore, the time required until the communication line is established (monitor side line establishment time) detected on the monitor device 1 side and the communication line detected on the camera device 2 side is established. Theoretically, there should be almost no difference from the time (camera-side line establishment time) required for.

  In addition, there is a time difference larger than a predetermined time between the monitor-side line establishment time and the camera-side line establishment time, which means that a camera device that transmits a timer value indicating the camera-side line establishment time is provided. This means that the container vehicle 4 is located at a location away from the vehicle body 3 where the monitor device 1 is provided (= transmitted from another container vehicle 4 not connected to the vehicle body 3). It means that the timer value.) That is, the timer value indicating the camera-side line establishment time means that the timer value is transmitted from a camera device that should not be paired by the monitor device 1.

  Therefore, if the control unit 15 of the monitor device 1 detects a difference of a predetermined value or more between the monitor side line establishment time and the camera side line establishment time in the step S6, the control unit 15 of FIG. The process shown in the flowchart is terminated, and the communication pairing process is stopped.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the monitor device 1 from being paired with a camera device that should not be paired.

  On the other hand, the fact that the time difference between the monitor side line establishment time and the camera side line establishment time is equal to or less than a predetermined value means that the camera device currently established with the communication line is This means that there is a very high possibility that the camera device is provided in the connected container vehicle 4. That is, it means that there is a very high possibility that a camera device for which a communication line is currently established is a camera device to be paired.

  For this reason, when the control unit 15 determines in step S6 that the time difference between the monitor-side line establishment time and the camera-side line establishment time is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 15 proceeds to step S7 and transmits from the camera device 2 side. The identification information unique to the camera device 2 (unique ID of the camera device 2) is acquired and registered in the memory 12.

  Then, in step S8, the control unit 15 transmits a communication pairing process completion notification to the camera device 2. In step S9, the control unit 15 shifts from the pairing mode to the normal reception mode, and sets the unique ID of the camera device 2. The wireless transmission / reception unit 14 is controlled to the reception state based on this, and the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Thereafter, based on the unique ID of the camera device 2 as shown in FIG. 7, the rear image and the like are transmitted and received between the monitor device 1 and the camera device.

[About the time difference between each line establishment time]
Here, the crystal resonator (crystal) provided in the timer 13 of the monitor device 1 and the crystal resonator (crystal) provided in the timer 23 of the camera device 2 are physically different crystal resonators. Therefore, strictly speaking, it can be said that a count error occurs between the timer 13 and the timer 23.

  The communication control program on the monitor device 1 side is a program for mainly receiving information from the camera device 2, whereas the communication control program on the camera device 2 side mainly sends information to the monitor device 1. It can be said that each communication control program is a different program.

  Furthermore, a delay time due to wireless communication also occurs between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2.

  For this reason, even when the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 are activated almost simultaneously by the signal β, the monitor side line establishment time measured by the timer 13 of the monitor device 1 and the timer 23 of the camera device 2 are measured. It is natural to consider that an error due to the above-described reason occurs between the camera-side line establishment time.

For this reason, in the case of the back eye camera system of this embodiment,
The time difference due to the difference in the processing time of the program is “1 msec”,
The error of the crystal oscillator of each timer 13, 23 is “100 μsec”,
The delay time due to wireless communication is assumed to be “10 msec”.

  Then, “time difference due to program processing time difference (1 msec) + crystal oscillator error of each timer 13, 23 (100 μsec) + wireless communication delay time (10 msec) = 11.1 msec” is set as an allowable range time. ing.

  That is, when the time difference between the monitor side line establishment time and the camera side line establishment time is equal to or less than “11.1 msec”, the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 are paired. .

  For example, when the camera side line establishment time of the camera apparatus 2 received by the monitor apparatus 1 is 3210 msec and the monitor side line establishment time detected on the monitor apparatus 1 side is 3202 msec, the camera side line establishment time is Since the establishment time is within ± 11.1 msec, the monitor device 1 recognizes the camera device 2 as a device to be paired, and attempts to pair with the camera device 2.

  In addition, a communication line is established with a non-target camera device (= camera device provided in a different container vehicle) located in the vicinity during the above 5 seconds when performing wireless communication in the pairing mode. Even when the camera side line is established, the camera side line establishment time is compared with the monitor side line establishment time, and if there is a time difference larger than 11.1 msec, the pairing with the camera device is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of pairing with camera devices provided in different container vehicles.

[Camera device side communication pairing processing operation]
Next, the communication pairing processing operation on the camera device 2 side (or camera device 9 side) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the container vehicle 4 connected to the vehicle main body 3 is replaced, so that the monitor device 1 provided on the vehicle main body 3 side and the container vehicle 4 side When a new communication pairing process is required with the camera device 2 (or the camera device 9) provided in the vehicle, a user such as a driver inserts an ignition key into the key hole of the vehicle body 3, This is rotated more than a predetermined amount in the engine starting direction (= rotational operation to the extent that ACC power is supplied to each part, or rotational operation to the extent that the engine is started while ACC power is supplied to each part).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the signal β, which is a power signal from the battery 6, is supplied to the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 (or camera device 9) almost simultaneously via the ACC line 7.

  The camera apparatus 2 detects the presence or absence of the supply of the signal β by the signal β detection unit 21 shown in FIG. When detecting the supply of the signal β, the signal β detection unit 21 supplies the detection output of the signal β to the control unit 25. When detecting the detection output of the signal β, the control unit 25 reads the communication control program stored in the memory 22 and starts the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 based on the communication control program.

  In step S11, the control unit 25 controls the start of time counting by the timer 23, and advances the process to step S12.

  As described above, in the case of the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 are at the timing when 2 seconds have elapsed since the signal β (ACC power supply) is supplied as shown in FIG. Each is shifted to a pairing mode for performing communication pairing processing.

  Therefore, in step S12, the control unit 25 determines whether or not 2 seconds have elapsed since the signal β (ACC power supply) was supplied based on the count value counted by the timer 23. The process proceeds to step S13 at the timing when the passage of seconds is detected.

  In step S13, the control unit 25 shifts to the pairing mode, controls the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 to the transmission state based on the common ID for pairing, and advances the process to step S14.

  As will be described later, when the camera device 2 side detects the supply of the signal β and shifts to the pairing mode, the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 is controlled to a transmission state based on the common ID for pairing. Thereby, a communication line based on the pairing common ID is established between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2.

  In step S14, the control unit 25 determines whether or not a communication line has been established with the monitor device 1 based on the pairing common ID. As described above with reference to FIG. 7, in the back-eye camera system of this embodiment, the time for performing the communication pairing process of the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 is 7 seconds after the signal β is supplied. Yes.

  Therefore, if the control unit 25 determines in step S14 that the communication line based on the pairing common ID is not established between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2, in step S18, It is determined whether or not the 7 seconds have elapsed since the signal β was supplied.

  The fact that the communication line based on the common ID for pairing is not established within 7 seconds after the signal β is supplied means that the monitor device 1 is located near the container vehicle 4 where the camera device 2 is provided. This means that there is no vehicle main body 3 provided with or the monitor device 1 to be paired does not exist nearby.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S18 that 7 seconds have elapsed since the signal β is supplied, the control unit 25 terminates the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Stop the ring process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S14 that the communication line based on the pairing common ID is established between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2, the control unit 25 proceeds to step S15. A timer indicating the time (camera-side line establishment time) required from when the signal β is supplied until the communication line based on the common ID for pairing is established, counted on the camera device 2 side The value is acquired from the timer 23, this is wirelessly transmitted to the monitor device 1, and the process proceeds to step S16.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a data form of a timer value indicating the camera side line establishment time transmitted from the camera device 2 to the monitor device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the timer value is a 4-byte camera device unique ID from the most significant bit (MSB) to the least significant bit (LSB), and a 4-byte timer value on the camera device side (= camera side). A timer value indicating a line establishment time) and a data form formed by a 1-byte error correction code (CRC) are transmitted to the monitor device 1 side.

  For example, when the timer value indicating the camera-side line establishment time is “3210 msec”, this 3210 msec is 3210000 usec. This is expressed as “1100001111101100010000” in binary. A 4-byte timer value of “0x00, 0x30, 0xFB, 0x10”, in which this value is right-justified and the rest is filled with “0”, is generated as shown in FIG. It is inserted between the correction code and transmitted to the monitor device 1 side.

  Next, on the monitor device 1 side, as described above, the camera-side line establishment time transmitted from the camera device 2 side is compared with the monitor-side line establishment time detected on the monitor device 1 side. When the time difference is equal to or less than a predetermined time (the aforementioned 11.1 msec or less), the monitor device 1 registers the unique ID of the camera device 2 to perform pairing, and sends a pairing completion notification to the camera device 2. Send to.

  In step S <b> 16 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control unit 25 on the camera device 2 side receives the pairing completion notification transmitted from the monitor device 1 by monitoring information transmitted and received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 24. The process proceeds to step S17 at the timing when the reception of the pairing completion notification is detected.

  When the processing proceeds to step S17, the control unit 25 shifts from the pairing mode to the normal reception mode, and controls the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 to the transmission state based on the unique ID of the camera device 2, and the flowchart of FIG. The processing shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the rear image and the like are transmitted and received between the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 based on the unique ID of the camera device 2.

[Effects of Examples]
As is clear from the above description, the back-eye camera system of this embodiment uses the monitor device 1 provided on the vehicle body 3 side and the camera device 2 provided on the container vehicle 4 side as an accessory power source as a trigger. Start almost simultaneously. The monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 detect the time required from the time when the ACC power is supplied to the time when the communication line is established, and pairing is performed only when the time difference between these times is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Establishing

  As a result, the pairing process is automatically triggered by the accessory power supply only by rotating the ignition key. This eliminates the need for switch operation for pairing, making it easy and automatic. Communication pairing processing can be realized.

  In addition, since a pairing switch can be eliminated, the devices of the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 can be reduced in size and cost.

  In addition, since the switch operation of the user for performing the pairing can be eliminated, the time required for completing the communication pairing process can be shortened (= accelerated).

  In addition, in order to perform the communication pairing process only when the time difference between the time when the monitor device 1 and the camera device 2 are activated with the ACC power supply as a trigger until the communication line is established is less than a predetermined time. The monitor device and the camera device to be paired can be accurately paired.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the monitor device 1 side compares the time from when the signal β is supplied to when the communication line is established on the monitor device 1 side and the camera device 2 side. Pairing was attempted when the comparison result was less than or equal to the time, but this was because the communication line was established on the camera device 2 side after the signal β was supplied on the monitor device 1 side and the camera device 2 side. It is also possible to compare the time until completion and pairing is performed when the comparison result indicates a comparison result equal to or less than a predetermined time. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the back-eye camera system. However, “each device to be paired is started substantially simultaneously by a trigger signal, and each device is started from the start of each device. Any system that can apply the technical idea according to the present invention that “pairs each device when the time required for establishing a communication line between them is equal to or less than a predetermined time” will be described. You may apply to such a system. In either case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Finally, the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea according to the present invention. Let me add that.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Monitor apparatus 2 Camera apparatus 3 Vehicle main body 4 Container vehicle 5 Connection unit 6 of a vehicle main body and a container vehicle 6 Battery 7 Accessory power supply line (ACC line)
8 Another container vehicle 9 Camera device 11 provided in another container vehicle Signal β detection unit 12 of the monitor device 12 Memory of the monitor device 13 Timer 14 of the monitor device Radio transmission / reception unit 15 of the monitor device Control unit 21 of the monitor device Camera device Signal β detection unit 22 Camera device memory 23 Camera device timer 24 Camera device wireless transmission / reception unit 25 Camera device control unit

Claims (6)

A communication device for pairing with another communication device,
A trigger signal receiving unit for receiving a trigger signal serving as a trigger for starting the communication device;
A timer that counts time and outputs a count value;
Based on the count value from the timer, the elapse of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal is counted, and an unspecified number of times until the predetermined time elapses from the reception of the trigger signal. A communication line establishment unit that establishes a communication line with another communication device, using common identification information for communicating with another communication device;
When the communication line is established with the other communication apparatus by the communication line establishment unit between the time when the trigger signal is received and the elapse of a predetermined time, the count value of the timer is set. A communication line establishment time storage unit for storing the communication line establishment time information on the apparatus side indicating the time required from when the trigger signal is received until the communication line is established;
This communication device is activated by the same trigger signal as the trigger signal that is the trigger for activating this communication device, and is transmitted from another communication device in which the communication line is established with this communication device. An other device communication line establishment time receiving unit for receiving other device side communication line establishment time information indicating a time required from when the other communication device receives the trigger signal until the communication line is established;
Stored in the communication line establishment time storage unit, this apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required for the communication apparatus to establish the communication line after receiving the trigger signal; Other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time taken from when the other communication apparatus received the trigger signal until the communication line is established, received via the other apparatus communication line establishment time receiving unit; A communication line establishment time comparison unit for comparing
When the comparison result indicating that the time difference between the communication line establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained from the communication line establishment time comparison unit, from the other communication device via the communication line, The communication device and the other communication device are acquired by acquiring the identification information unique to the other communication device and transmitting the identification information unique to the communication device to the other communication device via the communication line. A pairing processing unit that performs communication pairing processing between
After the communication pairing process is performed by the pairing processing unit, the identification information used for communication is changed from the common identification information to the acquired identification information unique to the other communication device and the identification information unique to the communication device. And a communication unit that communicates with the other communication device via the communication line using the identification information unique to the other communication device and the identification information unique to the communication device. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is a power signal supplied via a power supply line. A communication device that is paired with another communication device,
A trigger signal receiving unit that receives a trigger signal serving as a trigger for starting another communication device;
A timer that counts time and outputs a count value;
Based on the count value from the timer, the elapse of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal is counted, and an unspecified number of times until the predetermined time elapses from the reception of the trigger signal. A communication line establishment unit that establishes a communication line with the communication device that is paired with the other communication device, using common identification information for performing communication with the other communication device;
Based on the count value of the timer when the communication line is established with the communication apparatus by the communication line establishment unit until a predetermined time elapses after the trigger signal is received. The other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from when the trigger signal is received until the communication line is established is detected and transmitted to the communication apparatus via the communication line A device side communication line establishment time transmission unit;
The communication apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required for the communication apparatus to establish the communication line after receiving the same trigger signal as the trigger signal, and the other communication apparatus side As a result of comparing each communication line with the other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from when the other communication apparatus received from the communication apparatus receives the trigger signal until the communication line is established. When a comparison result indicating that the time difference of the establishment time information is equal to or less than a predetermined time difference is obtained, identification information unique to the communication device transmitted from the communication device side is acquired, and the communication A pairing processing unit for performing communication pairing processing between the other communication device and the communication device by transmitting identification information unique to the other communication device to the device;
After the communication pairing processing is performed in the pairing processing unit, the identification information used for communication is changed from the common identification information to the acquired identification information unique to the communication device and the identification information unique to the other communication device. And a communication unit that communicates with the communication apparatus via the communication line using the identification information unique to the communication apparatus and the identification information unique to the other communication apparatus. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trigger signal is a power signal supplied via a power supply line. A communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device to be paired with the first communication device,
A first trigger signal receiving unit for receiving a trigger signal serving as a trigger for activation;
A first timer that counts time and outputs a count value;
Based on the count value from the first timer, the passage of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal is counted, and until the predetermined time has elapsed from the reception of the trigger signal, A first communication line establishment unit that establishes a communication line with at least the second communication device using common identification information for performing communication with an unspecified number of other communication devices;
When the communication line is established with the second communication device by the first communication line establishment unit during a period of time after the trigger signal is received, the first communication line establishment unit establishes the first communication line. A communication line establishment time storage unit for storing communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from when the trigger signal is received until the communication line is established based on a count value of one timer; ,
The second communication device detected and transmitted on the second communication device side activated by the same trigger signal as the trigger signal received by the first trigger signal receiving unit receives the trigger signal. An other apparatus communication line establishment time receiving unit for receiving other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating a time required for establishing the communication line from
This apparatus-side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line, which is stored in the communication line establishment time storage unit, and the other apparatus communication line establishment Communication that is received via the time receiver and compares the communication line establishment time information on the other apparatus side that indicates the time required from when the second communication apparatus receives the trigger signal until the communication line is established A circuit establishment time comparison unit;
When the comparison result indicating that the time difference between the communication line establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained from the communication line establishment time comparison unit, the second communication device via the communication line The identification information unique to the second communication device is acquired, and the identification information unique to the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device via the communication line. A first pairing processing unit that performs communication pairing processing between a device and the second communication device;
After the communication pairing process is performed in the first pairing processing unit, the identification information used for communication is acquired from the common identification information, the identification information unique to the second communication device, and the first communication device A first communication unit that includes a first communication unit that changes to unique identification information and communicates with the second communication device via the communication line using each of the unique identification information. Equipment,
A second trigger signal receiver for receiving the same trigger signal as the trigger signal supplied to the first communication device;
A second timer that counts time and outputs a count value;
Based on the count value from the second timer, the passage of a predetermined time from the reception of the trigger signal is counted, and until the predetermined time passes from the reception of the trigger signal, Establishing a communication line with the second communication device paired with the first communication device using common identification information for communicating with an unspecified number of communication devices. A second communication line establishment unit
When the communication line is established with the first communication device by the second communication line establishment unit during a period of time after the trigger signal is received, Based on the count value of the timer of 2, the other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time taken from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line is detected, Another device side communication line establishment time transmitter for transmitting to the first communication device;
On the first communication apparatus side, the apparatus-side communication line establishment time information indicating the time required for the first communication apparatus to establish the communication line after receiving the same trigger signal as the trigger signal; The second communication apparatus received from the second communication apparatus was compared with the other apparatus side communication line establishment time information indicating the time taken from the reception of the trigger signal to the establishment of the communication line. As a result, when the comparison result indicating that the time difference between the communication line establishment time information is a predetermined time difference or less is obtained, the identification unique to the first communication device is transmitted from the first communication device. Communication between the second communication device and the first communication device by acquiring information and transmitting identification information unique to the second communication device to the first communication device. The first pairing process And the pairing processing unit,
After the communication pairing processing is performed by the second pairing processing unit, the identification information unique to the first communication device acquired from the common identification information, and the second communication device, the identification information used for communication. A second communication unit comprising: a second communication unit that changes to unique identification information and uses each of the unique identification information to communicate with the first communication device via the communication line. A communication system having the apparatus. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the trigger signal is a power signal supplied via a power supply line.

Images