JP2961885B2 - Matrix switcher device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a matrix switcher device including a plurality of matrix switcher units for arbitrarily distributing input of a plurality of channels of video signals and audio signals to outputs of a plurality of channels. Things.

[Summary of the Invention]

The present invention relates to a matrix switcher device in which a plurality of matrix switcher units and at least one remote operation unit are connected by a control serial bus line, wherein signals of input and output of each of a plurality of channels of the matrix switcher unit are provided. The presence / absence of each switch is determined by comparing the presence / absence determination signal with connection control data indicating which of the input and output of a plurality of channels is to be connected, and one of all units is connected to a data link. The present invention provides a matrix switcher device capable of easily finding an abnormal point in the input / output switching state by performing the above control, and improving the efficiency of use of the external serial bus line.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In a broadcasting station, a production studio, or the like that creates a television broadcast program or video software, a plurality of devices, for example, a VTR (video tape recorder), a video disk recording / reproducing device, an audio tape recorder or a disk recording / reproducing device. Further, it is necessary to arbitrarily switch and transmit video signals and audio signals input / output to / from a microphone, an television camera, or the like. For example, a matrix switcher device in which switches are arranged in a matrix is provided between a VTR room in which a large number of VTRs and various recording / reproducing devices are centrally installed, and some editing rooms. By controlling the switching of each switch of the matrix switcher device arbitrarily, a large number of VTRs arranged in the VTR for one editing room
A connection state is realized in which a desired or unused device is designated from the devices and used.

By the way, such a matrix switcher device is
The required matrix size varies depending on the scale of the entire system including the number of devices used and the number of editing rooms, and in the case of a large-scale system in which the input and output exceed tens of channels each. Considering that it is difficult to cope with the matrix switcher device of, for example, using a plurality of small or medium-sized matrix switcher units from several channels to tens of channels, of any size, or It has been considered to construct a matrix switcher device of a larger scale.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a matrix switcher device in which the number of input / output terminals is increased by using a plurality of (for example, four) matrix switcher switches MSU as described above.

The fifth four matrix switcher units MSU ₁ ~MSU ₄ shown in the figures, both the 32 channels of the input terminals TI
_{1 to} TI ₃₂ and 32 channels of output terminals TO _{1 to} TO ₃₂ ,
Extension lines of these input terminals TI _{1 to} TI ₃₂ and output terminal TO ₁
It has a so-called 32 × 32 switch matrix in which switches are provided at each intersection (cross point) with an extension line of TO ₃₂ . Further, each of the matrix switcher units MSU _{1 to} MSU ₄ has 32 channels of expansion output terminals EO _{1 to} EO ₃₂ and 32 channels of expansion input terminals EI _{1 to} EI ₃₂ . Using the four of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₁ ~MSU _4, for example, each extension input terminals of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₁
EI ₁ ~EI ₃₂ to connect the matrix switcher unit the output terminals TO ₁ ~TO ₃₂ of MSU _2, respectively, each input of the matrix switcher unit each extension output terminals of the MSU ₁ EO ₁ ~EO ₃₂ to the matrix switcher unit MSU ₄ Terminals TI _{1 to} TI ₃₂
Are connected to each other, and the matrix switcher unit MSU ₂
Connect the input terminals TI _{1 to} TI ₃₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU _{3 to} the extension output terminals EO _{1 to} EO ₃₂ , respectively, and further connect to the extension input terminals EI _{1 to} EI ₃₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU _4. By connecting the respective output terminals TO _{1 to} TO ₃₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₃ respectively, a matrix switcher device of 64 channels input × 64 channels output is constituted as a whole. In this case, each input for 32 channels out of 64 channel inputs
IN ₁ to IN ₃₂ was supplied to the matrix switcher unit input terminals TI ₁ ~TI ₃₂ of MSU _1, each input IN ₃₃ to IN ₆₄ of the remaining 32 channels matrix switcher unit
Allocates to supply respectively to the input terminals TI ₁ ~TI ₃₂ of MSU _2, 64 channels each output OUT ₁ to OUT ₃₂ of the 32 channels of the output the output terminals TO ₁ ~ of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₁ removed from the tO _32, respectively, may be assigned to retrieve each respective output OUT ₃₃ to OUT ₆₄ of the remaining 32 channels from the matrix switcher unit input terminals tO ₁ ~TO ₃₂ of MSU _4. As a result, 64 channel inputs IN _{1 to} IN ₆₄ can be arbitrarily
It is possible to take out 4 as either channel output OUT ₁ to OUT _64.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the matrix switcher device or the matrix switcher device including a plurality of matrix switcher units, it is checked whether or not the switching operation is performed normally by a large number of switches arranged in a matrix (i.e., whether or not the switching state has been changed). Judgment) is generally performed, for example, by monitoring the output signal of each channel.

For this reason, for example, when a signal is not output (is no longer transmitted) due to a switching operation failure of one of the switches in one matrix switcher device, it is determined which switch has a malfunction. It takes a great deal of effort and time to look up.

Further, in the case of a matrix switcher device including a plurality of matrix switcher units, it has been extremely difficult to check which unit of the plurality of matrix switcher units has further malfunctioned. In other words, in this case, there is no other way than to check each of the plurality of matrix switcher units and to check the switching operation of each switch of each unit in order. For example, when the number of units is very large, Is almost impossible.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and can easily determine the switching state of each switch. For example, the present invention is applicable to a configuration including a plurality of matrix switcher units. , It is possible to detect the unit and the switch with the switching operation failure at an early stage,
It is another object of the present invention to provide a matrix switcher device capable of improving the use efficiency of an external serial bus line.

[Means for solving the problem]

A matrix switcher device of the present invention has been proposed to achieve the above-described object, and includes a switch matrix for arbitrarily switching and connecting inputs of a plurality of channels and outputs of a plurality of channels, and each switch of the switch matrix. A plurality of matrix switcher units each having a control circuit for on / off control and a transmission / reception circuit for transmitting / receiving communication data including data related to the control operation of the control circuit via an external serial bus line are provided. Provided at least one remote control unit comprising a control circuit and a transmission / reception circuit for remotely controlling these matrix switcher units,
A matrix switcher device for transmitting and receiving the communication data between the transmitting and receiving circuits of each of the units via the external serial bus line, wherein the switch matrix is configured to receive a plurality of input channels and a plurality of output channels. The switch matrix control circuit includes connection control data indicating which of the plurality of channel inputs and the plurality of channel outputs is to be connected, and the presence / absence determination means. Comparing means for determining the switching state of each switch of the switch matrix,
The transmission / reception circuit of each unit may be a primary station that controls a data link in the transmission and reception of the communication data, or a secondary station that executes a control content of the data link according to an instruction from the primary station. The primary station is provided with only one of all units.

(Operation)

According to the present invention, the presence / absence of a signal is determined for each input / output channel. Therefore, if there is no signal at the output corresponding to the input, it can be detected as a switching operation failure. By controlling the link, the utilization efficiency of the external serial bus line can be increased.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the matrix switcher device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a matrix switcher device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, m-channel input terminals ti _{1 to} t ₁
matrix switcher unit for distributing any input from i _m to the output terminal TO ₁ ~TO _n of n channels, m × n
Switch X provided for each cross point
₁₁ and the switch matrix SX composed of to X _nm, and a control circuit CNT for on / off control of the switches X ₁₁ to X _nm of the switch matrix SX, data and switch matrix SX associated with controlling operation of the control circuit CNT It comprises at least a transmission / reception circuit TR for packetizing various data including the state and transmitting / receiving the data via the external serial bus line SB as communication data. Further, the matrix switcher unit includes m extension output terminals EO _{1 to} EO _m and n
Number of the extension input terminals ei ₁ ~ei _n are provided.

Here, the switch matrix SX is connected to the input terminal
ti ₁ ~ti the presence detecting circuit 10 ₁ to 10 _m as the presence or absence discrimination means for discriminating the presence or absence of the signal on the input and each output from the output terminal TO ₁ ~TO _n to _m, 20 ₁ to 20 has _n, the control circuit CNT of the switch matrix SX based on the output of the respective presence detecting circuit _{10 1 ~10 m, 20 1 ~20} n, of each switch X ₁₁ to X _nm of the switch matrix SX The switching state is determined.

That is, in FIG. 1, the control circuit CNT
An external serial bus line through the SB on the basis of the control data of the switch matrix SX are transmitted and received by the transmission and reception circuit TR, the switches X ₁₁ of the switch matrix SX
~ X _nm on / off control. This control circuit C
The control data and the like sent to the NT are temporarily stored in the memory 30. The memory 30 stores each switch X ₁₁ in the switch matrix SX.
Data indicating the switching state of .about.X _nm is also stored, and the data indicating the switching state is thereafter sent to the external serial bus line SB via the transmission / reception circuit TR.

By the way, each switch X of the above switch matrix SX
_{When 11 to} X _nm are switched based on the control data, a switching abnormality may occur in any of the switches. That is, this switching abnormality means that each switch has failed
Data indicating the switching state of the X ₁₁ to X _nm is in a state which has been obtained as the correct data corresponding to the control data. When such a switching abnormality occurs, an output corresponding to the input cannot be obtained.

For this reason, in this embodiment, to detect the presence or absence of each corresponding input and output signals in the above presence detection circuits _{10 1 ~10 m, 20 1 ~20} n, presence signal each other in output In this case, a case where a signal is present in only one of them is detected. That is, in the presence or absence detecting circuit _{10 1 ~10 m, 20 1 ~20} n, detects whether the presence signals respectively input output and are present, each of which outputs a detection signal. The detection signal may be, for example, a signal such as 1 when there is a signal and 0 when there is no signal, or another signal, and is a signal that can be identified according to the presence or absence.

These detection signals are sent to the comparison circuit 31 of the control circuit CNT. The control data stored in the memory 30 is also transmitted to the comparison circuit 31. Therefore, in the comparison circuit 31, the comparison between the control data (i.e. data indicating an original correct switching state), and the detection signals from the absence detecting circuits _{10 1 ~10 m, 20 1 ~20} n are performed . In the comparison circuit 31, if the control data and the corresponding input / output detection signals are different, a signal indicating a switching abnormality and a signal indicating which switch has a switching abnormality Is output. Similarly, if the control data and the corresponding input / output detection signal are equal, a signal indicating that the switching is normally performed is output. In other words, in other words, the comparison circuit 31 outputs a signal indicating that the switching operation is normal when the detection signals from the input / output specified by the control data are both “present” or “absent”. A switching operation abnormality signal is output when one is “present” and the other is “absent”. These signals are temporarily stored in the memory 30 and then sent to the external serial bus line SB via the transmission / reception circuit TR.

Further, this matrix switcher device has an alarm device for notifying the operator of the switching abnormality by light or sound when the switching circuit is found by the comparison circuit 31, for example.
You can also connect with 40. In this case, the switching abnormality can be known at an early stage. In the alarm device 40, as an example of notifying the switching abnormality by the light, for example, a red LED (light emitting diode) is turned on to determine that the switching is abnormal.
It is conceivable that when the LED is lit, it is normal.

As described above, the matrix switcher device according to the present embodiment detects the presence or absence of a signal at each input / output of a plurality of channels of the matrix switcher unit by the presence / absence detection circuits 10 ₁ to 10 _m and 20 ₁ to
_20n , and the comparison circuit 31 determines the input / output switching state based on the detection signal, thereby enabling a self-diagnosis. It is possible to find it easily. Therefore, for example, even in the case of a plurality of matrix switcher units MUS, it is possible to detect a unit and a switch with a switching operation failure in a limited early stage, and to repair the failure early (for example, when replacing a board or the like). ) Can be performed. In the above-described embodiment,
Data indicating the switching state of each switch is sent to the control circuit CNT. For example, even if data indicating the switching state cannot be obtained, or the data is not used (not sent). According to the device of the present embodiment, the above-described switching failure determination can be made even with the configuration of the present embodiment.

The matrix switcher device (matrix switcher unit) shown in FIG. 1 described above can be connected to a plurality of devices to form a larger-scale matrix switcher device as shown in FIG. Further, these matrix switcher devices can be connected via an external serial bus line SB.

In FIG. 2, the input terminals TI _{1 to} T
Output terminals of the n-channel input from _{I m TO 1 ~TO n (m} ,
n Any integer of 2 or more, m in the example of FIG. 2, n matrix switcher unit MSU to distribute any are both 2 channel), m × n pieces switch X ₁₁ respectively provided for each cross point of ~ X _nm (4 in the example of FIG. 2)
A switch matrix SX composed of X ₁₁ to X ₂₂₎ in number, and a control circuit CNT for on / off control of the switches X ₁₁ to X _nm of the switch matrix SX, associated with the control operation of the control circuit CNT It includes at least a transmitting / receiving circuit TR for packetizing various information data including the state of the data and the state of the switch matrix SX into communication data and transmitting / receiving the communication data via the external serial bus line SB. Further, the matrix switcher unit MSU has input terminals TI _{1 to} TI _1
m and m switches X ₁₁ on the input side of switch matrix SX
M buffers BT ₁ to BT ₁ to X _1m , respectively.
And BT _m (2 pieces of buffers BT ₁ in FIG. 2, BT _2), respectively connected to output terminals EO ₁ ~EO _m (Figure 2 extended to the output terminal of the m buffers BT ₁ to BT _m Then two terminals E
O ₁ , EO ₂ ), n extension input terminals EI _{1 to} EI _n (two terminals EI ₁ , EI _{2 in} FIG. ₂ ), and these n extension input terminals EI _{1 to} EI _n respectively connected to buffers bE ₁ ~BE _n (bE ₁ in FIG. 2, bE _2), respectively provided for each cross point between these buffers bE ₁ ~BE _n and the output terminals tO ₁ ~TO _n to switch X ₁₀ to X _n0 and (in FIG. 2 X _10, X ₂₀₎ is provided with. That is, the input terminal ti _{1 of} FIG.
The ～Ti _m, the input signal through the buffer buffers BT ₁ to BT _m has to be supplied, also, the first
Extended input terminal ei ₁ ~ei _n figure, the buffer BE ₁ ~BE _n
It is connected to extension input terminals EI ₁ ~EI _n through.

Using a plurality of matrix switcher units having such a configuration (second in the figure four matrix switcher units MSU ₁ ~MSU _4), an output terminal of another unit in the extension input terminals of one unit, also By connecting the input terminal of another unit to the output terminal for expansion of one unit, the number of input channels and / or the number of output channels can be increased, and the system scale can be expanded.

In the example of FIG. 2, the matrix switcher unit MSU ₁
Input terminals EI ₁ and EI ₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU _{2 to} the output terminals TO ₁ and TO ₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU _{1 and} the expansion output terminals EO ₁ and EO ₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU _{4 to} the input terminals TI _1, TI ₂ of the matrix switcher unit input terminal of the MSU expansion output terminals EO ₁ to _2, EO ₂ to the matrix switcher unit MSU ₃ TI ₁ ~TI ₂
And also by connecting extension input terminals EI ₁ of the matrix switcher unit MSU _4, EI ₂ in the matrix switcher unit MSU ₃ output terminals TO _1, TO _2, respectively, as a whole 4-channel input × 4 channel output matrix It is a switcher device. Further, of the four channel inputs, two channel inputs IN ₁ and IN ₂ are connected to the input terminals TI ₁ and TI ₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₁ , and the remaining two channel inputs IN ₃ and IN ₄ are connected to the matrix switcher unit MS.
Supply them to the input terminals TI ₁ and TI ₂ of U ₂ respectively, and output two channels OUT ₁ and OUT ₂ of the four channel outputs from the output terminals TO ₁ and TO ₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₁ to output the remaining two channels. OUT ₃ and OUT ₄ are taken out from the respective input terminals TO ₁ and TO ₂ of the matrix switcher unit MSU ₄ .

These multiple matrix switcher units MSU
At least one remote control unit (so-called remote control unit) RCU is provided to remotely control the
In the example of FIG. 2, two remote control units RCU ₁ and RCU ₂ are shown. This remote control unit RCU has a control circuit CTRL
And a transmission / reception circuit TR. Transceiver circuit TR
Is for transmitting and receiving the communication data via the serial bus line SB, and the control circuit CTRL is provided on the front panel of the remote operation unit RCU in connection with various data input / output via the transmission / reception circuit TR. It controls the operation input from the operation buttons and the like provided on the display unit and the like, and the data display output to the display unit.

Next, a data transmission format or a communication protocol via the serial bus line SB will be described.

The type of network belongs to a LAN (local area network), and effective operation is possible even with the lowest performance such as a transmission distance of 500 m and a communication speed (data rate) of 307 Kbps. The transmission line is formed by a coaxial line in a bus shape, and the transmission / reception circuits of the matrix switcher unit and the remote operation unit are connected as terminals, and the transmission line is used by time division.

The modulation method is a so-called bi-phase space modulation, in which inversion (or transition) always occurs at the boundary of each bit of data as shown in FIG. 3, and further inversion occurs at the center of the bit of data value "0". ing. The electric signal is 2V ± 0.5V (75Ω termination) and the connector is 75Ω T
Type BNC is used and the input impedance is 57kΩ / 27kΩ.

The matrix switcher unit MSU and the remote control unit RCU as shown in FIG. 2 described above, particularly the transmission / reception circuit TR of each unit, are classified into primary stations and secondary stations from the viewpoint of data communication. The primary station is a station that controls the data link and has full responsibility for error control and recovery at the link level, and the secondary station performs data link control according to an instruction from the primary station. Is a station that executes the control contents of Only one primary station is provided among all the units connected to the bus line SB, and the rest are all secondary stations. Primary station is the previous unit (transmitter / receiver circuit TR)
Are sequentially designated to request data transmission, the communication data transmitted from the unit having the data to be transmitted is stored, and the stored data is transmitted collectively. It takes in only the data corresponding to its own unit from the communication data sent from the next station. As a result, all data communication on the bus line SB is controlled by the primary station, and it is possible to easily increase the utilization efficiency of the bus line SB. The primary station is responsible for collecting communication data including information data such as a switching request from the remote control unit, and does not directly control all units.

Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, the matrix switcher unit MSU and the remote operation unit RCU have the primary station, 2
A changeover switch for changing the next station is provided. When this changeover switch is switched to the primary station, the unit MSU
Alternatively, the RCU (actually, the transmission / reception circuit TR of the unit) becomes the primary station, and if it is switched to the secondary station, it becomes the secondary station. In addition, for all the units connected to the common bus line SB, only one unit is switched to the primary station, and all the rest are switched to the secondary station.

FIG. 4 shows, as a specific example of a signal transmitted on the serial bus line, a so-called polling operation in which all the units are sequentially designated from the primary station unit to make an inquiry and prompt data transmission, and the designated data is designated. This shows a signal when there is data to be transmitted to the unit which has been set.

Here, a series of addresses (station addresses, station addresses) are assigned to all units such as the matrix switcher unit and the remote operation unit (remote control unit). As a specific example of this address,
The primary station is fixed at the first address, and the second and subsequent addresses are allocated to the secondary stations so that there is no station having the same address in one data link. Only the station having the address corresponding to the destination address added to the communication data captures the communication data. As a special address, address 0 is a north station address, and a cutting address (for example, address 255 in the case of an 8-bit address) is a global address.
The north station address does not respond to any station, is used at the time of a line test of the bus line, and the like, and the global address is used so that all stations connected to the bus line can receive the signal.

FIG. 4 shows a communication data packet DPP during a series of polling operations under the control of the primary station and a communication data packet DPS transmitted from the secondary station in response to the polling. Here, a packet is a unit block for data transmission. The polling operation is to designate a station address of one unit connected to the bus line to prompt the unit to transmit data, and to give the right to use the bus line to the unit. If there is no response within the time T _wt , the station address is updated and the process shifts to polling of the next station, thereby sequentially specifying all units connected to the bus line. In this case, polling for itself (primary station) is performed inside the unit, and 1
No communication data packet DPP for polling the next station is carried. The communication data packet DPP (k) in FIG.
The figure shows a packet (block) when polling is performed by designating a station at an address.
There is data to be transmitted to the next station, and the communication data packet DPS is transmitted from the unit to the bus line within the waiting time T _wt .

〔The invention's effect〕

In the matrix switcher device of the present invention, the presence or absence of a signal at each input / output of a plurality of channels of the matrix switcher unit is determined to determine the input / output switching state, and one of all units is connected to the data link. Control, the switching state of each switch can be easily determined, an abnormal portion of the input / output switching state can be easily found, and the efficiency of use of the external serial bus line can be improved. It is also possible. That is, according to the present invention, for example, even if a plurality of matrix switcher units are used, not only a unit and a switch having a switching operation failure can be found at an early stage, but also the efficiency of use of an external serial bus line can be improved. It is also possible to plan.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a matrix switcher device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing details of the matrix switcher device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. Figure to do
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining signal transmission in the apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional extended matrix switcher device. 10 ₁ to 10 _m , 20 _{1 to} 20 _m …… Presence detection circuit 30… Memory 31… Comparison circuit 40… Alarm device SX… Switch matrix CNT… Control circuit TR… Transceiving circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-62-183698 (JP, A) JP-A-63-40438 (JP, A) JP-A-63-151155 (JP, A) 178030 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 1-59332 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 5/262-5/28 H04Q 1/20-1/26

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A switch matrix for arbitrarily switching and connecting inputs of a plurality of channels and outputs of a plurality of channels, a control circuit for on / off control of each switch of the switch matrix, and a control operation of the control circuit. A plurality of matrix switcher units each having a transmission / reception circuit for transmitting / receiving communication data including related data via an external serial bus line are provided, a control circuit for remotely operating these matrix switcher units, and A matrix switcher device for providing at least one remote operation unit having a transmission / reception circuit and transmitting / receiving the communication data between the transmission / reception circuits of each unit via the external serial bus line, wherein the switch matrix is , The above multi-channel input and the above multi-channel And a presence / absence determining means for determining presence / absence of a signal for each of the outputs of the switch matrix. The control circuit of the switch matrix includes connection control data indicating which of the input of the plurality of channels and the output of the plurality of channels is to be connected. And comparing means for determining the switching state of each switch of the switch matrix by comparing the determination signal of the presence / absence determining means. The transmission / reception circuit of each unit includes a data link for transmitting / receiving the communication data. , Or a secondary station that executes data link control in accordance with an instruction from the primary station, wherein the primary station is provided in only one of all units. Matrix switcher device.