JPH09212163A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent data transferred in real time such as musical waveform data from being interrupted by the network system for electronic musical instruments, etc., which has a function (bus reset) for automatically constituting the logic structure of the network. SOLUTION: When the network is constituted including a microphone 1, a keyboard 2, a sound source device 3, a mixer 4, a sequencer 5, and a recorder 6 as nodes, a port P to which another node is not connected among the ports P of the nodes is specified as an 'ineffective' ('.') port. Even when the node (sound source device 7) is connected to the port of the mixer 3 which is specified as the 'ineffective' port, a bus reset signal is inhibited from being sent out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system configured by connecting electronic devices to each other, and more particularly to a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring a logical structure of a network between electronic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network for interconnecting electronic devices, each node is provided with a unique identifier for mutual communication between electronic devices connected to the network, that is, between nodes. Also, the identifier must be assigned so that it does not overlap between nodes,
There are two types of allocation methods, which are roughly classified into a static method and a dynamic method.

In the static method, the network administrator determines the unique identifier for each node, and the administrator guarantees that the identifiers do not overlap. On the other hand, in the dynamic method, when the network is formed, each node provisionally sets a random identifier for its own node, and after confirming that it does not overlap with the identifiers of other nodes,
This is a method of determining the identifier of the own node. The dynamic allocation of these identifiers is performed only once when the network configuration is started, such as when the power is turned on.

In the network configuration, it may be necessary to determine not only the identifier but also the logical structure of the network. For example, in a network defined by IEEE 1394 or the like, the role of each node is not parallel but is dynamically formed so that the logical connection form of the network has a tree structure. In the case of a network of such a system, it is necessary to give a unique identifier to the new node and to reconfigure the logical structure when a new node joins or leaves an existing node.

Further, even in a network system having a simple logical structure, when a new node joins or an existing node leaves, it is detected whether a loop is formed in the bus type network or in a ring type network. Need to detect if the ring is broken. In many networks, when a new node joins or an existing node leaves, the network configuration is performed from the beginning (bus reset) without preparing special processing.
Further, even in such a network which is not returned to the initial state, detection of the loop and disconnection and reallocation of resources involves some time and consumption of network resources (communication band etc.).

In the field of electronic musical instruments, connecting a plurality of devices such as a keyboard, a sound source device, a mixer or a recorder to configure a system for recording or editing, for example, makes effective use of each device. Suitable for The MIDI standard is a standard for performing data communication between a plurality of such devices. But,
This MIDI standard communication protocol is insufficient for effective use of the entire system because it is unidirectional data communication and has a low data transfer rate.

[0007] Therefore, by using the network as described above, the sound source device, the mixer, the recorder, or the like is connected to the LA.
Attempts have been made to construct N. Further, the dynamic formation of the network as described above is suitable for application to general consumer equipment such as electronic musical instruments in that the user does not have to consider the identifier on the network. For example, even if the user does not have a high level of technology, simply connecting the devices will allow them to operate normally.

[0008]

However, in the dynamic network as described above, a load is imposed on the network when a new node joins or an existing node leaves, so that the following inconvenience occurs. For example, when a new node joins while musical tone waveform data is flowing on the communication line, the identifier is given and the logical configuration is reconstructed due to the communication with higher priority, so the musical tone waveform data is transmitted on time. The sound may be interrupted for a moment due to failure to send. This situation must be avoided especially when mistakes cannot be tolerated during live recording.

The problem of such a dynamic network arises not only when applied to the field of electronic musical instruments, but also when applied to an image processing system, for example. For example, if a new node enters during the transfer of moving image data and it takes more than one frame time to rebuild the logical configuration, the image will momentarily stop.

It is an object of the present invention to prevent transfer data from being carelessly interrupted in a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring a logical structure of a network between a plurality of electronic devices.

[0011]

A network system according to claim 1 of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, has a plurality of electronic devices connected to each other and a new electronic device for the electronic devices. In a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring a logical structure of a network between electronic devices when devices are connected, a means for selecting prohibition or permission of a function of reconfiguring the logical structure of the network is provided. It is characterized by

In a network system according to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electronic devices are connected to each other, and when a new electronic device is connected to the electronic device, a network logic between the electronic devices is established. In a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring the structure, a switch means for closing / opening the port is provided at a port connecting the other electronic device.

In a network system according to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electronic devices are connected to each other, and when a new electronic device is connected to the electronic device, a network logic between the electronic devices is established. In a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring the structure, a designating unit for selectively designating valid / invalid of a port connecting the other electronic device is provided, and the other electronic device is connected to the port. At this time, when the port is designated as invalid, the function of reconfiguring the logical structure of the network is prohibited.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which the network system of the present invention is applied to an electronic musical instrument. In this example, the microphone 1, keyboard 2, tone generator 3, mixer 4, sequencer 5, recorder 6
Is a node, and each node is connected by a cable to form a network. The network system of this embodiment performs serial communication according to the IEEE 1394 standard that allows bidirectional communication between nodes, and has a function of automatically reconfiguring the logical structure of the network. For example, when the power of the system is turned on, an identifier unique to each node is set by the dynamic method as described above, and then packet transmission is performed based on this identifier to perform data communication between the nodes. Be seen.

There are various ways to use this network system according to the function of each node. By performing data communication between each node, for example, voice data input from the microphone 1, keyboard 2 Musical sound waveform data output from the sound source device 3 or performance data obtained by the sequencer 5 is recorded in the recorder 6 by an operation. In the IEEE 1394 standard, there is a mode in which one packet data is always transferred from the transmission side node to the reception side node within a fixed time (125 μs), and this transfer mode allows the musical tone waveform data as described above to be transferred in real time. Sent.

As shown in FIG. 1, each node has a port P for connecting a cable, and the nodes other than the microphone 1 have three ports. Then, another node such as the second sound source device 7 can be physically connected to the vacant port via a cable. Further, as will be described later, each port P of each node makes the connection state of other nodes valid (hereinafter, simply referred to as “valid”) and invalidates the connection state (hereinafter simply referred to as “valid”). "Invalid".), And the ports that are "valid" in Fig. 1 are shown by "○", and the ports that are "invalid" are shown by "・". It is shown.

Here, for example, if the second sound source device 7 is connected to the mixer 4 in advance for another recording while transmitting musical tone waveform data during recording, for example, in the conventional system, a bus is used. Although there is a possibility that the logical structure is reconstructed by the reset and the musical tone waveform data is interrupted, in this embodiment, the second sound source device 7 is connected to an invalid port of the mixer 4, so that it will be described later. , Bus reset does not occur and interruption of musical tone waveform data and other data is avoided.

When reconfiguring the system,
After connecting the required node, specify the connected port as "Enabled", or specify the port to connect the node as "Enabled" and connect the node to the enabled port to force the connection. Bus reset can be performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the tone generator 3 as an example of a node. A ROM 33, a RAM 34, a tone synthesis circuit 35, and a bus interface 36 are connected to the CPU 31 via a bus 32.
R based on the program stored in ROM 33
The working area of the AM 34 is used to control the sound source device 3 as a whole, and the musical tone synthesis circuit 35 generates a musical tone signal and the sound system 37 generates a musical tone.

The bus interface 36 is a circuit for controlling communication between the tone generator 3 and another node connected to the port P, and is composed of a hard logic for realizing an operation flow described later. ing. And
The data received from the port P is transferred to the CPU 31, and the data from the CPU 31 is transferred to the designated port P.
To transfer through. In addition, the bus interface 36
Is the connection state of another node to port P and its port P.
The output of the bus reset signal is controlled in accordance with whether "valid" or "invalid" is designated.

Although the tone generator device 3 has been described as an example of a node in the above description, the other nodes (keyboard 2, tone generator device 3, mixer 4, sequencer 5, recorder 6) have the same configuration as the bus interface 36. Is equipped with. In the following first and second embodiments, the method of designating valid / invalid of the port P and the operation flow of the bus interface 36 are changed. In both of the embodiments, the tone generator 3 is used as an example. explain.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit of the bus interface and the port section in the first embodiment.
In the embodiment, the relay switch 38 is arranged between the bus interface 36 and the three ports P (Port 1, Port 2, Port 3), and each relay switch 38 is connected to the port P by turning on / off the port designation switch 39. The bus interface 36 is closed or opened. Each port designating switch 39 is arranged on the rear panel (not shown) of the sound source device 3 so as to be associated with the corresponding port P of the corresponding relay switch 38.

In the first embodiment, the port P is designated as "effective" by closing the relay switch 38 in response to the on / off of the port selection switch 39, and the relay switch 38 is opened. By port P
Is specified as "invalid". That is, the bus interface 36 determines that "no node is connected" regardless of whether the relay switch 38 is closed or opened ("valid" or "invalid") unless another node is connected to the port P. Although it is detected, when another node is connected to the port P (or when it is connected), only when the relay switch 38 of the port P is closed (when it is “valid”), the “node Is connected. ”Is detected. When a change in the connection state of the port P is detected, a bus reset signal is output from each port.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation flow of the bus interface 36 in the first embodiment.
In step S1, it is determined whether or not there is a received signal in the port. If there is no received signal, the process proceeds to step S3. If there is a received signal, the signal received in step S2 is converted to create one data packet. , Musical instrument system (CPU3
1 side) and sends the packet to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not a packet is received from the musical instrument system. If not received, the process proceeds to step S5. If received, the packet received in step S4 is converted into an electric signal. , Outputs the signal to the designated port, and proceeds to step S5. Through the processes of steps S1 to S4, the bus interface 36 controls communication as a normal operation.

In step S5, a change in the connection state of the port P is detected. If no change in the connection state is detected, the process returns to step S1. If a change in the connection state is detected, a bus reset signal is sent in step S6. Broadcast from port P (broadcast simultaneously) and return to step S1.

Through the processing of steps S5 and S6, when the relay switch 38 is closed and a node is connected or disconnected at the port P designated as "valid", the relay switch 38 is opened. A node is connected to the port P designated as “disabled” and its relay switch 38 is closed to “valid”.
When set to, a bus reset is output. On the other hand, at the port P designated as "invalid" by opening the relay switch 38, the bus reset is not output even if the node is connected or disconnected.

Therefore, when the system is reconfigured, the port designating switch 39 designates the port P as "valid" and connects the node to the port P, or the port P is used.
A bus can be reset by connecting a node to the node and designating its port P as "valid". In addition, specify only the port P used in the system as "enabled",
By specifying the port P that is not used in the system as "disabled", even if another node is connected in advance while the system is operating, a bus reset will not occur.
It is possible to avoid breaks in the tone waveform data and other data.

In the above embodiment, the relay switch 38 closes or opens the bus interface 36 and the port P, but an IC switch is used instead of the relay switch 38. May be.

A circuit such as the bus interface 36 uses a physical layer chip for directly linking to a network. By disabling the input and output of the transmitter and the receiver of this physical layer chip, the port is set to "1". It may be designated as “invalid”.
In this case, the "disabled" input / output pin has a high impedance, and the bus interface 36 does not detect the connected state even if another node is connected to the port corresponding to the input / output pin.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit of a bus interface and a port section in the second embodiment.
In the embodiment, the bus interface 36 and the three ports P are directly connected, and in this second embodiment, the bus interface 36 directly detects whether or not another node is connected to the port P. Further, the “valid” and “invalid” of the port P are designated by, for example, the operation panel of the keyboard 2, and the designated state of “valid” and “invalid” of each port P is the RAM 34 at the time of system startup.
Is stored. That is, when "valid" or "invalid" of each port P of each node is designated on the operation panel of the keyboard 2, the designation information is sent to each node and stored in the RAM of each node.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation flow of the bus interface 36 in the second embodiment.
The difference from the first embodiment (FIG. 4) is that step S5 'is inserted between step S5 and step S6. That is, in the processing of steps S1 to S4, communication control is performed as a normal operation.

If no change in the connection state of the port P is detected in step S5, the process directly returns to step S1. If a change in the connection state of the port P is detected in step S5, the port is changed in step S5 '. It is determined whether P is designated as "valid". If "valid" is designated, a bus reset signal is broadcast from each port P in step S6 and the process returns to step S1. If "valid" is not designated, the process directly returns to step S1.

By the above processing, as in the first embodiment,
It is possible to perform bus reset when reconfiguring the system, and to avoid interruption of musical tone waveform data and other data by designating port P that is not used in the system as "invalid". it can.

In the above description, the operation of the bus interface 36 of the tone generator 3 is described as an example, but it goes without saying that the same operation is performed in other nodes.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an electronic musical instrument has been described. For example, when the present invention is applied to an image processing system, when moving image data is being transferred,
It is possible to avoid a momentary stoppage of an image due to the entry of a new node. That is, the present invention is particularly effective in a system that transfers continuous data in real time, such as tone waveform data and moving image data.

[0037]

As described above, according to the network system of the first aspect of the present invention, since the means for selecting prohibition or permission of the function of reconfiguring the logical structure of the network is provided, a plurality of electronic devices are provided. In a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring the logical structure of a network between devices, it is possible to prevent transfer data from being carelessly interrupted.

According to the network system of the second aspect of the present invention, the port for connecting the other electronic device is provided with the switch means for closing / opening the port. In a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring the logical structure of a network between them, it is possible to prevent transfer data from being inadvertently interrupted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the network system is provided with a designation means for selectively designating valid / invalid of a port connecting another electronic device.
When another electronic device is connected to the port, the function to reconfigure the logical structure of the network is prohibited when the port is designated as invalid. In a network system having a function of automatically reconfiguring a logical structure, it is possible to prevent transfer data from being inadvertently interrupted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sound source device as an example of a node in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit of a bus interface and a port unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of a bus interface in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit of a bus interface and a port unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of a bus interface in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

36 ... Bus interface, 38 ... Relay switch,
39 ... Port designation switch, P ... Port.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A network having a function of interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices and automatically reconfiguring a logical structure of a network between the electronic devices when a new electronic device is connected to the electronic devices. A network system comprising means for selecting prohibition and permission of a function of reconfiguring the logical structure of the network. 2. A network having a function of interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices and automatically reconfiguring a logical structure of a network between the electronic devices when a new electronic device is connected to the electronic devices. In the system, the port is closed / closed to the port that connects the other electronic device.
A network system comprising a switch means for opening. 3. A network having a function of interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices and automatically reconfiguring a logical structure of a network between the electronic devices when a new electronic device is connected to the electronic devices. In the system, there is provided a designating unit for selectively designating valid / invalid of the port connecting the other electronic device, and when the other electronic device is connected to the port, when the port is designated as invalid. Is a network system characterized by prohibiting the function of reconfiguring the logical structure of the network.