JPS61193248A - Line connection switching system for terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable automatic line switching, to reduce operator's burden and to prevent the influence of forgetting switching on other terminals and errors in sending/receiving by equipping line switches which switch line connection and loop-back connection according to a terminal ready signal. CONSTITUTION:A terminal ready ER wire is one of the control wires of lines between terminals 3a-3n and a host computer 1. This wire is to send an ER signal showing that a terminal is ready for sending/receiving to the host com puter through a line. When the ER signal is on (ready for sending/receiving), switches 5a-5n connect lines; when the ER signal is off (not ready for sending/ receiving), the switches 5a-5n make loop-back connection, allowing to execute a loop-back test.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Table of Contents] Overview Industrial Field of Application Conventional Technology Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems (Fig. 1) Working Example (a) Structure of the Example (Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5) Explanation of the internal structure of the embodiment (Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8) (C) Structure of other embodiments Description (Figs. 9 and 10) Structure of the invention [Summary] A line connection between a terminal device capable of transmitting and receiving and a line, in which the line and return connection are switched in response to a ready signal indicating a transmitting/receiving state of the terminal device. A switching part is provided, and if a ready signal allows transmission and reception, the line is connected, and if the ready signal indicates that transmission and reception are not possible, a loopback connection is performed, and the loopback test is performed without affecting other terminal devices by automatically loopback connection.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention can be used in conjunction with a host computer etc.
The present invention relates to a line connection switching method for terminal devices for switching between a line connection and a loopback connection of a terminal device in a system in which a plurality of terminal devices are connected via an intermediary and transmit/receive data, etc.

In online systems using computers, a host computer and a plurality of terminals (hereinafter referred to as terminals) are connected via lines, and data is sent and received.

In such an online system, it is necessary to perform loopback tests to test the transmission and reception operations of host computers and terminals and their paths, and to check their normality. Especially in terminals, since multiple devices are connected, one
If the sending/receiving operation or path of one terminal is defective, it will affect the entire line and make it impossible to send/receive through the line connection between other normal terminals and the host computer, so it is essential to check the normality by repeating the test. .

Therefore, it is necessary to switch the line connection between the terminal and the line connection.

[Conventional technology]

For example, in an online system shown in FIG. 11 in which a host computer 1 and a plurality of terminals 3a to 3n are connected in parallel within an adapter 2 via a line, each terminal 3a to 3n and a line connection point within the adapter 2 are Line connection switching units (hereinafter referred to as switching units) 4a to 4n are provided between them.

Here, the lines are connected to the transmission data line sD from the terminals 3a to 3n to the host computer 1, and the transmission data line sD to the host computer 1.
Assuming that the reception data line RD and control line ER are from to the terminals 3a to 3n, the switching units 4a to 4n
L/ 3a to 3n (7) Line connection related to the contact connection of the solid line in the diagram that connects the SD line and RD line to the SD line and RD line of the line, and the SD line and R of each terminal 3a to 3n.
It is configured so that the folded connection of the contact connection shown by the dotted line in the figure connecting to the D line can be switched, and this switching has been performed manually.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, with the conventional method, the operator has to manually operate the switching section before instructing the terminal to return the diagnosis, which is time-consuming.In addition, if this switching operation is forgotten, the terminal There was a problem in that it affected communication via the line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a line connection switching system for a terminal device that can automatically switch between line connection and return connection in accordance with a terminal status signal.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, the same parts as those shown in FIG. It is provided between the line connection point and switches between line connection (contact connection indicated by the solid line in the diagram) and return tangent (contact connection indicated by the dotted line in the diagram) in response to terminal ready signals from terminals 3a to 3n, which will be described later. .

[Effect]

There is a terminal ready ER line as a control line between the terminals 3a to 3n and the host computer 1. This is to notify the other party's host computer 1 through the ER double signal line that the terminal is now ready for transmission and reception.

Therefore, when the ER double signal is on (transmission and reception possible), the switching units 5a to 5n connect the line and turn it off (transmission and reception are not possible).
When it is, connect back and turn off the ER double signal.
It is possible to run repeat tests.

〔Example〕

(Al-Explanation of the configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as hand belt terminal, HHT) as an embodiment of the terminal of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of an adapter provided with a switching section of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external view of a multi-communication interface device (hereinafter referred to as MCIU) as an example.

In Figure 2, 6 is the HHT, which the operator can hold in his/her hand to perform operations such as inputting data.As will be described later in Figure 7, there is an operating battery inside. , processor (MPU), and memory (RAM
) and an interface circuit, and stores and holds data input from the key part described later in a memory under the control of a processor; 60 is a main body;
1 is a power switch, which is provided at the upper part of the top surface of the main body 60, and is a switch for turning on/off the power;
2 is a display consisting of a liquid crystal display, which is provided on the top of the main body 60 and displays input data, etc. 63 is a key part, and a numeric keypad rOJ
~ "9", In addition to the input instruction key rENTERJ, necessary alphabet keys and function keys are provided, and data is entered with the numeric keypad and alpha vent key, and functions are entered with the rENTERJ key and function keys, 7 is a connector, which is provided on the side of the main body 60 and is used to connect with external equipment (adapter, etc.) to exchange data and commands;
This will be described later with reference to FIG.

Further, in FIG. 3, 8 is an MCIU, which is an HHT accommodating section 80 in which a plurality of (eight in the figure) HHTs 6 are accommodated for connection.
87, each having a connector 9 (described later in FIG. 4(B)) connected to the connector 7 of the HHT 6 at the bottom thereof, and the HHT 6 is inserted into the HHT accommodating portion 80 as shown in FIG. By doing so, the connectors 7 and 9 are connected, and the HHT 6 and the line are connected by the configuration shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

To explain an example of the use of HHT6 and MClU3, an operator uses HHT at a business partner (supermarket, etc.).
While holding the HT6 in hand and checking the product, input data such as the type and quantity of the product by operating the part 63 and checking the input data on the display 62.

Input data is processed by a processor within the HHT 6 and stored in memory. When the operator returns to his office, he inserts the HHT6 into the HHT housing section of the MClU3 installed in the office, and connects the connector 7 and M(,
Connect connector 9 of HHT storage part of IU8,
Connect 6 to MClU3.

Then, in order to transmit the input data to the line, the operator presses the transmit key, which is part of the function keys 63 of the HHT 6, and turns on the ER double signal, which will be described later.
The switching section in the CIUa is connected to a line, and the input data in the memory is sent out to the line, communicated to the host computer 1, and used for sales aggregation of the host computer 1, etc.

On the other hand, in order to diagnose HHT6 before sending, etc., HHT6
When the diagnosis key, which is part of the function keys 63, is pressed, internal diagnosis is performed in the HHT6 with the ER double signal turned off, and as part of this, a return test is performed, that is, the transmission data is sent to switch the MClU3. A test is performed in which the data returned from the unit is received as received data and compared with the transmitted data.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the connectors 7 and 9 provided on these HHT6 and MClU3.

In FIG. 4(B), 70a and 70b are guide holes, and M
71a to 71 for receiving alignment studs, which will be described later, on the other connector 9 provided on ClU3;
d is a hole for a lead terminal, which receives each of the signal line bins (to be described later) of the other connector 9, and is used to electrically connect the signal line; 72 is an optical connection part; It is composed of an element (light-emitting diode) 73 and six light-receiving elements (phototransistor) 74, and exchanges signals by optical coupling while facing the six light-emitting elements and three light-receiving elements of the other connector 9, which will be described later. Reference numeral 75 denotes a connector support section in which guide holes 70a, 70b, lead terminal holes 71a to 71d, and an optical connection section 72 are provided.

In FIG. 4(B), 90a and 90b are alignment stands, and the guide hole 70a of one connector 7 of the HHT 6
, 70b to hold and align the connectors 7 and 9 when they are connected; 91a to 91d are signal line pins;
71d to electrically connect the signal line;
Reference numeral 92 denotes an optical connection section, which includes six light emitting elements (light emitting diodes) 94 and three light receiving elements (phototransistors) 9.
3, and when connected to one connector 7, each faces the six light-receiving elements 74 and three light-emitting elements 73 of one connector 7, and exchanges signals by optical coupling, 95 is This is a connector support section, and is provided with alignment stands 90a and 90b, signal line pins 91a to 91d, and an optical connection section 92.

To connect connector 7 and connector 9, connect connector 9
HHT6 is inserted into the guide holes 70a, 70b of the connector 7 so that the alignment studs 90a, 90b are inserted into the guide holes 70a, 70b of the connector 7.
Insert into the HHT accommodating parts 80 to 87 of ClU3.

As a result, the signal line pins 918 to 91d of the connector 9
are inserted into the lead terminal holes 718 to 71d of the connector 7 to establish an electrical connection, and the optical connection portion 92 of the connector 9
and the optical connection part 72 of the connector 7 face each other, and the light emitting element 9
3 faces the light-receiving element 74, and the light-receiving element 94 faces the light-emitting element 73, so that optical coupling is possible.

In a connector using such optical coupling, signal lines for power supply, connection detection, and signal ground, which are not suitable for optical coupling, are electrically connected between signal line pins 91a to 91d and lead terminal holes 71a to 71d. done by, on the other hand,
Data lines, clock lines, etc. that can be optically coupled are connected to the optical connection section 92.
This is done by optical coupling between and 72. Optical coupling allows for highly reliable connections as there is no need to consider connection failures due to pin wear and deterioration, compared to electrical tangents produced by mechanical connections.In addition, the connections are electrically isolated and the terminals are not exposed. This prevents damage to internal circuits caused by static electricity.

FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are indicated by the same symbols, 8a to 8m are MCIUs, and 10 is a modem (of which n HHT6s are connected each). This is a modem (modulator/demodulator) for exchanging data with the host computer 1 via a line.

In this example, m MCIUs 8a to 8m are connected in series via a host computer 1 and a modem 10, and each MC
Each of IU8a to 8m can connect up to n HHT6s in parallel to the line, so up to m x n HHT6s can be connected in parallel to the line.
It is configured so that it can be connected to the line.

M) Description of the internal configuration of one embodiment.

Figure 6 is an internal block diagram of MClU3, Figure 7 is HHT
6, and FIG. 8 is the switching unit 5a having the configuration shown in FIG.
~5n circuit diagram.

In the figures, the same parts as those shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11 are indicated by the same symbols, and in Figure 8, POW is A power supply that supplies operating voltage Ext Vcc and charging voltage BV to each part, C
NI and CN2 are cable connectors, and connector CN
I is for cable connection with the upper MCIU or modem 10, connector CN2 is for cable connection with the lower MCIU, 88a and 89b are each line receivers, and 88b and 89a are each line driver. The line C line set 89b is connected to the SD (send data) line, R3 (send request) line, and ER (terminal ready) line from the lower MCIU. is received via connector CN2 and given to line driver 88b via an OR gate, which will be described later. The line receiver 88a, which outputs the data on the SD line, R3 line, and ER line of n to the upper level via the connector CNI, outputs the data on the CD (carrier detect) line, RD (received data) line, and C5 (transmission permission) from the upper level. ) line, DR (reception timing) line signals to connector CN, 1
through the line driver 89a and each switching section 5a~
The line driver 89a outputs data on the CD line, RD line, C8 line, and pR line from the line receiver 88a to the lower level via the connector CN2. , OR3 are OR gates;
Take the OR of the SD line from 6n) and line driver 88
The OR gate OR2 takes the OR of the R3 line from the line receiver 89b and each switching section 5a to 5n and outputs it to the line driver 88b.
It takes the OR of the ER line from and outputs it to the line driver 88b.

Therefore, MClU3 includes connectors CNI, CN2, line drivers 88b, 89a, line receiver 133a,
89b1 OR gates OR1 to OR3, switching parts 5a to 5n
and a power supply POW, and are connected by a line branching and switching device having optical coupling connectors 9a to 9n, and transfer data from the lower MCIU to the higher MCIU or modem, and data from the higher MCI U or modem to the lower MCIU. At the same time, when HHT6a to 6n are connected to connectors 9a to 9n of MClU3 by connectors 7a to 7n, HHT
Data is branched and transferred between 6a to 6n and the host or modem.

Note that the SG line is a signal ground line and has a ground potential (O
v).

Further, in FIG. 7, 64 is a processor (hereinafter referred to as CPU), which is provided in the HHT 6 and performs data input processing, data display processing, diagnosis processing, and data transfer processing by executing a program, and 65 is a memory (hereinafter referred to as CPU). (hereinafter referred to as RAM), it stores the input data of the key part 63,
(66a is a clock circuit that stores the received data given through lU8.
6b is a buzzer that issues an alarm, and 67 is a battery that supplies operating voltage to each part of the HHT6. 68 is the one in which the charging voltage BV is applied from the power supply POW through the power source POW to charge the battery, and during charging, the operating voltage Vcc is applied to each part from the power source POW through the pin 91d of the connector 9 (FIG. 4 (B)). This is an interface circuit that performs transmission control of the R3-232C interface.
69, which transmits data to the line, SD line, and R3 line, and receives data on the CD line, RD line, CS line, and DR line from the light receiving element 74 of the connector 7 via the light emitting element 93 of the connector 9;
A bus connects the CPU 64, RAM 65, display 62, key part 63, clock circuit 66a, buzzer 66b, and interface circuit 68, and exchanges data and commands between them.

When the HHT 6 is separated, the operator turns on the power switch 61 to supply operating voltage from the battery 67 to each part, and by operating the key part 63 the CPU 64 stores input data in the RAM 65, allowing data input. It will be done.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the switching units 5a to 5n in the configuration of FIG. 6.

In the figure, 50 is a relay circuit, and relay contacts 50a to 5
0f, the relay contact 50a connects the R3 line on the line side to the SG line as shown in the solid line when turning back, and connects to the R3 line of HHT6 when connecting the line, and the relay contact 50b connects to the CS line on the HHT6 side. When turning back, it is as shown in the solid line (HHT
The relay contact 50c connects to the R3 line of example 6, and connects to the CS line on the line side when the line is connected, and the relay contact 50c is connected to the line side SD line like a solid line when turning back (connects to the SG line, and connects to the HHT6 side when the line is connected. Relay contact 5 connects to the SD line of
0d is as shown in the solid line when turning back the RD line on the HHT6 side.
The relay contact 50e, which connects to the SD line on the HHT6 side and connects to the RD line on the line side when the line is connected, is the relay contact 50e of the HHT.
The CD line on the HHT6 side is connected to the SG line as shown by the solid line when turning back, and is connected to the CD line on the line side when connecting the line.The relay contact 50f connects the DR line on the HHT6 side to the SG line as shown in the solid line when turning back. When connecting to the line, press D on the line side.
What connects to the R line, 51 is a relay driver,
Each relay contact 50a to 50f of the relay circuit 50 is operated according to the signal state of the ER line from the HT6, and the E
When the R-fold signal is off, each relay contact 50a of the relay circuit 50
~50f is in the folded connection state shown by the solid line in the figure, and each relay contact 50a~50f of the relay circuit 50 is connected when the ER double signal is on.
is set to a switched line connection state.

Next, the operation of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 will be explained.

As described above, the operator operates the HHT 6 independently to input data, then inserts it into the MClU 3 and connects it to the connectors 7 and 9.

This allows connector 9 to be connected to the power supply POW of MClU3.
The operating voltage Vcc is applied to each part of the HHT 6 from the bin 91d of the connector 7 via the connector 7, and the charging voltage BV is applied to the battery 67 of the HHT 6 via the connector 7 from the bin 91c of the connector 9.
is supplied, and the battery 67 is charged.

To perform the next diagnosis, the operator must
3. Press specific function keys to give diagnostic instructions. For example, if you press two specific function keys while turning on the power switch 61, the CPU 6
4 detects this pressed state of the key part 63 via the bus 69, determines it as a diagnostic instruction, and performs diagnostic processing. During this diagnostic process, the ER multiplier signal is turned off because transmission and reception with the line is not possible, and the memory 65 and various parts inside the HHT 6 are checked and a return test is performed.

That is, the CPU 64 sends a specific pattern of transmission data to the SD line from the interface circuit 68 via the bus 69, and
A transmission request signal is output to the 5th line, and the data and signals from the RD line and the C8 line are transferred from the interface circuit 68 to the bus 69.
Compare and check the transmitted data and signal with the received data and signal.

As mentioned above, when the ER double signal is off, as shown in Figure 8,
In the relay circuit 50, the SD line on the IHTB side is connected to the RD line of the HHT6 example by the relay contact 50d, and the R line on the HHT side is connected to the RD line of the HHT6 example.
The 5th wire is connected back to the C8 wire on the HHTS side by a relay contact 50b, and the receiving CD line and DR line on the HHT side and the transmitting R3 line and SD line on the line side are each connected to a relay contact 50a.
, 50c.

It is grounded to the SG line by 50e and 50f, and the receiving RD line, CS line, CD line, and DR line on the line side are floating.

Therefore, the transmission data and transmission request signal from the CPU 64 of the HHT 6 are returned via the interface circuit 68, the connectors 7 and 9, the relay circuit 50, and the return route to the connectors 9 and 7 and the interface circuit 68.

As a result, the CPU 64 performs the comparison check described above, and checks the signal routes of the interface 68, connectors 7 and 9, and switching unit 5.

When such a diagnosis is completed and normality is confirmed, transmitting/receiving operations become possible, and an E signal is sent from the CPU 64 to the ER line via the bus 69 from the interface circuit 68 to the ER line.
R signal on is issued.

As a result, the relay driver 51 operates, and the relay contacts 50a to 50f of the relay circuit 50 are switched from the folded connection state shown by the solid line in FIG.
line, R5 line, SD line, CD line, and DR line on the line side.
Connect to the D line, CS line, R3 line, SD line, CD line, and DR line to establish a line connection.

Then, when the operator presses the transmission key in the key part 63 of the HHT 6, a transmission request signal is similarly issued to the R3 line.
It is applied to the host computer from MClU8 (switching section 5, OR gates ORI to 0R3) via connector 7.9. The host computer detects this on the aforementioned bus via the modem MDM, and requests transmission permission from the CS line to the modem 10.
When the CPU 64 detects this via the interface circuit 68 and the bus 69, it outputs the input data from the RAM 65 to the SD line from the connector 7.9 via the bus 69 and the interface circuit 68, and outputs the input data from the MClU3 to the modem. 10 to the host computer 1.

On the other hand, in order to receive data from the host computer, the host computer 1 provides the receive data to the RD line and the receive timing signal to the DR line via the modem 10 to the MClU3, and further to the HHT6 from the connector 9. HHT6
Then, the data is stored in the RAM 65 via the connector 7 and the interface circuit 68 via the bus 69 according to instructions from the CPU 64.

In this way, depending on the state of the terminal ready signal ER,
That is, switching between line connection and return connection is performed according to instructions from the terminal.

(C) Explanation of the configuration of another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a line switching section as another embodiment of the present invention, and shows another embodiment of the switching sections 53 to 5n shown in FIG.

In the figure, 52 is a switching circuit, R8 wire on the HHT6 side, S
The D line, ER line, and RD line, CS line, and SG line on the line side are manually operated, and the RD line, CS line on the HHTe side, and R line on the line side are
It is an IC circuit that outputs 5 wires and an SD wire, and operates the relay contacts 50a to 50d of the relay circuit 50 in FIG. 8 by switching operations of transistors. 53
．． 54 is an AND gate which opens and closes in response to the ER multiplied signal of the ER line to connect the CD line and DR line on the line side to the CD line and DR line on the HHT6 side, and is connected to the relay circuit 50 in FIG. The relay contacts 59e and 50f are operated by electronic switching elements.

Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the relay circuit 50 of FIG.
The mechanical switching circuit composed of the relay driver 51 and the relay driver 51 is replaced with an electronic circuit of the switching circuit 52 and AND gates 53 and 54, and its operation is the same as that of FIG. Explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 1O is an external view of an adapter having a switching section as another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 8' is a communication interface device (hereinafter referred to as CIU), which is configured to accommodate and connect one HHT6.

The internal configuration of ClU3' is the connector CN in FIG.
I CN2, line drivers 88b, 89a, line receivers 88a, 89b, power supply p.

W, a switching part 5, and a connector 9, just like the MC shown in FIG.
It has a configuration that is 1/n of IU8, and m units of ClU3' are connected in series in the same way as shown in FIG.

In such an adapter as well, the connection of the HHT 6 and switching between line connection and return connection are performed by the same operation as the MClU3.

In the above embodiment, a portable HHT is used as an example of the terminal, but other stationary terminals may be used, and the connector is not limited to the optical coupling type, but may be of other types as well. good.

Although the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, since a line connection switching unit is provided that switches between line connection and loopback connection in response to a terminal ready signal, switching can be performed automatically and there is no need for operator switching operation. This saves time and effort, and also prevents the effects on other terminals and transmission/reception errors caused by forgetting to switch. In addition, since it uses the conventional terminal ready signal, there is no need to install a special signal line.
It can be realized easily and inexpensively, and has excellent practical effects. Furthermore, since it is separated from the line by loopback when transmission/reception is not possible, unnecessary signals due to diagnosis within the terminal will not be sent to the line during this time, and communication of other terminals will not be affected. This also has the effect that a loopback test by loopback connection of a terminal device can be executed automatically and without affecting other terminals, which greatly contributes to improving the reliability of such terminals.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an external view of a terminal device configured as an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is an external view of an adapter configured as an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is an external view of an adapter configured as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an internal block diagram of the configuration shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a detailed diagram of the connector configured as shown in FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the line connection switching unit configured in FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the line connection switching unit configured in FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is an external view of an adapter according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a conventional configuration diagram. In the figure, 1.-Host computer, 2.--Adapter, 3a-3n--One terminal device, 5a-5n--Line connection switching unit, 6-.-Portable terminal, 8.8'--Communication interface. equipment, io-modem.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A plurality of terminal devices connected to a line, and a terminal device provided between the line and each of the terminal devices, and connected to the line and back-connected in response to a ready signal from the terminal device. and a line connection switching unit that switches the line, and when the ready signal indicates that the terminal device is ready for transmission/reception with the line, the line connection switching unit connects the terminal device to the line and makes the line ready. A line connection switching method for a terminal device, characterized in that the line connection switching section connects the terminal device back when the terminal device indicates a state in which transmission/reception with the line is disabled by a signal.