KR20000031869A - Node upgrading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A node upgrading method is provided to manage efficiently a system connected to an IEEE 1394 cable by receiving and upgrading new information of a connected node. CONSTITUTION: A node upgrading method comprises the steps of a transmission process, a comparison process, and an upgrade process. The transmission process is to transmit a predetermined upgrade command packet for all nodes connected to an IEEE 1394. The comparison process is to compare functions of each node. The upgrade process is to upgrade predetermined information according to the upgrade command packet and control an added function.

Description

How to Upgrade Nodes

The present invention relates to a method for upgrading a node connected to an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineer), and more specifically, a node is newly connected among a plurality of nodes performing mutual data transmission according to the IEEE 1394 transmission mode. In this case, the present invention relates to a method of upgrading a node to perform upgrade of the corresponding node.

In general, the IEEE 1394 multimedia transmission standard is established as a transmission technology or standard between digital devices, and is capable of transmitting and receiving multimedia data at high speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps by connecting communication devices, computers, and home appliances in a single network. Is the interface specification.

This IEEE1394 is superior to Universal Serial Bus (USB), which is emerging as a multimedia standard, and has superior transmission speed and bidirectional communication. That is, IEEE1394 can process data at three transmission speeds such as 100Mbps, 200Mbps and 400Mbps according to the transmission mode, and can smoothly transmit digital audio or moving image information, so multimedia such as scanner, digital camera, digital video camera, etc. Peripheral devices can be connected and used. In addition, since the three transmission rates are compatible with other transmission rates, for example, the 400 Mbps transmission mode supports both transmission modes of 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps.

In addition, because of its excellent bi-directional communication function, a peripheral device with an integrated circuit (IC) capable of controlling an IEEE1394 interface, that is, a node, can transmit and receive data smoothly in a multimedia application field such as a video conference through a computer.

On the other hand, IEEE 1394 can be plug and play (PnP) and hot-plug (Hot-Plug), it is possible to connect or delete a new peripheral device while the peripheral device is connected to the IEEE1394 cable.

The data transmission process of a plurality of nodes interconnected according to the IEEE1394 transmission mode in which such a high transmission speed and various functions are provided will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a plurality of devices are interconnected according to a general IEEE1394 transmission standard. As shown in FIG. 1, each node transmits and outputs data output from one node to another node for recording or display. Input / output modules (not shown) are provided and interconnected by a two point-to-point connection. That is, a video cassette record (VCR) 10, a digital TV (DTV) 12, a set-top box 14, a computer 16, a printer 18, a scanner 20 and The video cameras 22 are interconnected using a point-to-point bus technology.

In the network configured as described above, data transmission of predetermined information is performed according to an asynchronous transfer or isochronous transfer mode supported by IEEE1394.

For example, the moving image camera 22 captures a moving image or a still image of a subject through a predetermined lens, converts the captured image signal into a digital signal, and then at a driving clock frequency applied to the moving image camera 22. To the computer 16 as appropriate.

The computer 16 transmits the digital signal to the digital TV 12 via the set-top box 14 or displays it or records using the VCR 10.

It is also possible to output predetermined image information captured by the printer 18.

At this time, the signal processing between each node is a digital signal, and does not need to be converted to digital separately.

Subsequently, as described above, when each node transmits data to each other by the IEEE1394 interface, when a new node is added and connected, or when any one of the nodes already connected is removed, the network is initialized with the bus initialization. The configuration is readjusted.

In other words, all existing information that was being transmitted over the entire network is initialized, and each node is given a physical address again.

In this case, when it is necessary to designate a root node, a priority that can be a route can be assigned to a specific node in consideration of whether a cycle master is available or a bus master is available. After the root node is configured, each node informs itself of its existence through the network. Through this process, all node information is collected and then the IEEE1394 interface enters the standby state to start normal operation.

However, the related art has a problem in that when a node is newly connected according to a hot-plugging function while a plurality of nodes connected to an IEEE1394 cable are operating, a new function of the node cannot be upgraded to an existing node. It was inherent.

In other words, if any VCR is connected to an IEEE1394 cable and an UP-Version VCR is connected to the cable during operation while the VCR is connected to the IEEE1394 cable, there is no function to upgrade a newly added function. It was forced to perform only the general functions defined in, and also upgraded and added new functions could not be controlled from other nodes connected to the cable. For example, even if the caption function was added to the VCR, it could not be activated.

This problem requires a complicated process of installing a new peripheral device on an IEEE1394 cable through a respective input means to a peripheral device that requires a drive driver of the device. It was inevitable that the device could not use the functionality of the device or had to change its microprocessor.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to add an upgrade command to a predetermined node newly connected among the nodes connected to the IEEE1394 interface, and to add / change new command contents, format, data execution process, etc. according to the upgrade command. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of upgrading a node to improve its functionality.

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a plurality of devices are interconnected according to a general IEEE1394 transmission standard.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of upgrading a node according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

10: video cassette record 12: digital TV

14: Set-top Box 16: Computer

18: printer 20: scanner

22: video camera

A method for upgrading a node for achieving the above object is, when a predetermined node is newly connected to the IEEE1394 cable with a plurality of nodes connected on a bus by an IEEE1394 cable, for all nodes connected to the IEEE1394 cable. Transmitting a predetermined upgrade command packet; Each node receiving the upgrade command packet compares a function provided to the node with a function provided by the predetermined node; And in the comparing step, when any one of the nodes adds a new function, upgrading the corresponding node according to the upgrade command packet, and controlling the added function.

Preferably, the upgrading is performed simultaneously with bus reset when the node is connected to the cable.

Preferably, the upgrade command packet includes an ID of the node, version information, and a command for using the node.

Preferably, the upgrade command packet is characterized in that it further includes a definition in the command code using the IEEE1394.

Preferably, the node ID is a code indicating a device type of the node.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, the present invention will be described with reference to an exemplary embodiment in which a plurality of devices are interconnected according to the general IEEE1394 transmission standard shown in FIG. Some may be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of upgrading a node according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, when a predetermined node is newly connected to the IEEE 1394 cable while a plurality of nodes are connected on a bus by an IEEE 1394 cable, A step (ST100) (ST102) of retrieving the need for an upgrade between the added node and other nodes already connected; in the retrieval step, it is determined whether an upgrade is required for a predetermined node, and an upgrade command packet is added when a function is added; Performing step (ST104) (ST106), and changing / storing functions added to the corresponding node according to the upgrade command packet (ST108) (ST110).

In this case, when an upgrade is not necessary for the corresponding node, the previously connected node is continuously driven. In other words, when there is no same version or added function when a new node is connected, only the predefined function continues.

As described above, the upgrade process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is determined whether a predetermined node is newly connected to the serial bus while a plurality of nodes are connected to each other via a serial bus.

In the determination of whether or not to connect, a new address and a previously connected node are newly adjusted according to the plug & play and hot-plug function to readjust. That is, when a predetermined node is connected to the IEEE 1394 cable (ST100), bus initialization is performed at the same time, and the physical address assigned to each node, for example, each of its own ID and destination ID, etc., is given again.

At this time, all nodes connected to the IEEE 1394 bus can mutually control other nodes according to a predetermined command code. For example, the digital TV 12 can perform ON / OFF and playback such as VCR 10 to audio (not shown).

In the state where mutual control is possible as described above, when a predetermined node is newly connected, the type of node added, version information and function information of the node are added to all nodes according to the upgrade command shown in the following [Table 1]. You will be notified.

TABLE 1

opcode UPGRADE (32 ₁₆ ) operand (0) Command Function ID operand (1) Revision Code operand (2) Command Type operand (3) Command Opcode operand (4) Command Operand (0) operand (5) Command Operand (1) ㆍ ·· Command Operand (2) -Command Operand (n-1) operand (n + 4) Command Operand (n)

Here, the upgrade command set in [Table 1] is defined in addition to all protocols applicable to a peripheral device, that is, a node using an IEEE 1394 cable as an input / output of a signal, and each defined in [Table 1]. The operation code is as follows.

First, "operand (0)" is a code indicating the type of node and the like, and "operand (1)" indicates version information of the node. And "operand (2) ~ operand (n + 4)" are commands for using the node.

Subsequently, the operation code added to and defined in the protocol using the IEEE1394 cable causes all nodes to read the information of the newly-connected predetermined node at the time when the bus initialization is performed, and "operand (0) Command to search for a function of the connected device to search for an upgrade (ST102).

That is, when a new function is added in the search step ST102, the nodes that can control each other can control the added function.

In the above step ST102, when the connected node adds a new function, it executes a predetermined upgrade command according to the command code of [Table 1] (ST104) (ST106).

The upgrade command transmits the type of the connected node and version information of the node to each node, and the nodes are previously stored by receiving the contents of the new command through the interface between the nodes according to the command codes shown in [Table 1]. It is executed by adding or changing an existing command code (ST108) (ST110). The changed command contents are newly set and stored in the storage device of the node.

However, when no upgrade is necessary, for example, if a predetermined function provided by a newly connected node is the same as a function currently provided between nodes connected to the IEEE1394 cable, the work being performed is continued without a separate upgrade operation.

The above-described process will be described by way of example. While the digital TV (DTV) 12 shown in Fig. 1 is performing data transmission with other nodes according to the current IEEE 1394 transmission mode, the VCR 10 is turned on / off. Functions can be controlled.

At this time, when another VCR having a new function in addition to the function of the VCR 10 is connected to the IEEE1394 cable, the operation codes of "operand (0)" and "operand (1)" defined in [Table 1] are referred to. Check the node type and version information to determine the upgrade

For example, when a caption function is added to the newly connected VCR in addition to the function of the previously connected VCR 10, the contents of the command for the caption function and the like are changed according to an upgrade command so that the caption function can be controlled by the DTV 12. Send it. Accordingly, the DTV 12 may control the caption function according to the new command content in addition to the originally provided function such as the on / off of the VCR 10.

The command contents are transmitted to all nodes connected to the IEEE1394 cable, and a predetermined node which wants to use the caption function can operate the same according to the received command.

On the other hand, this upgrade process is performed when a node is connected to an IEEE 1394 cable and a bus reset occurs to newly re-address.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a peripheral device is newly connected while a predetermined peripheral device is connected to an IEEE1394 cable, the contents of the command may be checked so that a new function can be implemented by checking the device type and version information of the additionally connected peripheral device. You can see that you can perform upgrades such as modifying them.

In addition, although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it is obvious that the present invention may be variously modified and implemented by those skilled in the art.

Such modified embodiments should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention, and such modified embodiments should fall within the appended claims of the present invention.

As can be seen from the above description, in the present invention, when a node connected to the IEEE1394 interface receives information of a predetermined node to be newly connected, and there is the same node having a high version information, the contents and format of a new command to an existing node are present. By adding / changing the data execution process, there is no need to perform the installation process at the time of the additional connection or to perform the complicated work of changing the microprocessor of the corresponding node, thereby effectively reducing the system connected to the IEEE1394 cable. There is an effect that can be used.

Claims (5)

When a node is newly connected to the IEEE1394 cable with a plurality of nodes connected on a bus by an IEEE1394 cable, transmitting a predetermined upgrade command packet to all nodes connected to the IEEE1394 cable; Each node receiving the upgrade command packet compares a function provided to the node with a function provided by the predetermined node; And In the comparing step, when any one of the nodes is a new function is added to the corresponding node according to the upgrade command packet to upgrade the predetermined information, characterized in that it comprises the step of controlling the added function How to upgrade nodes. The method of claim 1, And performing the upgrade when the node is connected to the cable. The method of claim 1, The upgrade command packet includes an ID of the node, version information, and an instruction for using the node. The method according to claim 1 or 3, The upgrade command packet is an upgrade method of a node, characterized in that it further includes a definition to the protocol using IEEE1394. The method of claim 3, And the node ID is a code indicating a device type of the node.