RU157397U1 - MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - Google Patents

Abstract

A multifunctional communication terminal for exchanging text, audio, video information and data, including two processor modules (MP), each of the modules containing a processor, a memory module, an Ethernet controller, USB controllers for connecting a touch panel, keyboard and video camera, connected by an internal trunk the MP power supply is common to all MPs, characterized in that - each LV includes one LVDS controller for connecting a monitor, an additional USB port and an HD Audio interface controller, data to the corresponding internal trunk - the terminal also includes an interface switching circuit, an interface switching microcontroller, a control button block, a display panel and a speech device switching circuit that has inputs / outputs for connecting a handset and a handset, an output connected to a loudspeaker , inputs / outputs connected via speech codecs of the MP to the corresponding controllers of the HD-Audio interface, moreover, the switching circuit of the interfaces connected to the microcontrol a controller for switching interfaces, it has inputs for connecting a touch panel, a video camera, a keyboard and LVDS MP OS and ZS controllers, as well as outputs for connecting a monitor and USB MP controllers, an interface switching microcontroller connected to the control input / output with a speech device switching circuit, connected by its inputs / outputs to the corresponding additional USB MP ports and has an output for connecting to the indicator panel and an input for connecting to the control button block.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of electronics and can be used in communication systems and complexes of objects for various purposes, especially in cases when it is necessary to exchange information of various types (telegraph, audio, video) through several communication channels or networks from one workstation, in including closed special hardware and / or software.

The well-known “Ship communication complex”, patent for utility model of the Russian Federation No. 117052, IPC H04B 13/00, comprising a terminal for a communications duty officer, consisting of a processing and input / output unit for information and a coupling unit for a communication complex and information conversion for its transmission through the channels of the ship complex, and the processing and input / output node of information is made on the basis of a computer, including the system unit, monitor and keyboard, and the interface with the complex and information conversion for its transmission through the complex channels is made on special modules. The advantage of this analogue is the use of a PC as a unified input-output means. The disadvantages are the ability to connect only to auditory and direct-printing telegraph communication channels, as well as the lack of operational control of switching between channels.

Also known is the “Ship multifunctional packet communication complex”, patent for utility model of the Russian Federation No. 66134, IPC H04B 13/00, which includes secondary network facilities that contain a telecommunication packet communication complex, a command-signal information exchange complex, a set of technical data transmission equipment and equipment to work with the Navy of NATO countries. The considered analogue allows the quick connection and use of internal and external communications to form various types of information exchange channels. The advantage of this complex is its versatility, and the disadvantage is its large redundancy and complexity.

Known multifunctional user terminals [Katanovich A.A., Neroba G.S. Complexes and communication systems of surface ships. SPb., Shipbuilding, 2006, S. 57-59 and 70-72], providing access to existing radio and satellite communications systems, as well as to dial-up telephone communications and containing control and speakerphone modules. At the same time, the terminals provide the choice of the channel and the operating mode for double connection and automatic or manual (from the front panel) switching from the first to the second line and vice versa. Data terminal equipment, a telephone headset or a telegraph key can be connected to the terminal. The disadvantage of this solution is the lack of modern types of communication in the proposed terminals, in particular, video telephony.

In addition, the “Multifunctional Subscriber Terminal” is known, patent for the invention of the Russian Federation No. 2538302, IPC H04L 15/00, H04L 29/12, intended for the transmission-reception of documented facsimile and telegraph information carried out simultaneously through several different communication channels, containing a processor, a memory unit, input / output device controllers and a trunk adapter having a station side with an internal trunk connected and a channel side with an external trunk connected, interconnected by an internal highways, a storage device and an Ethernet controller connected to the internal backbone, and an interface unit for connecting to the terminal equipment the transmission and reception of documented information of the connected communication nodes via various communication channels, comprising at least one C1-I interface controller for digital medium-speed channels, RS-232 for PM channels using modems and at least two C2-TLG interface controllers for digital low-speed channels connected to the external trunk of the trunk adapter, distinguishing Take advantage of the fact that it includes a voice interface and switching node, connected to the internal trunk of the trunk adapter and connected to the external trunk of the trunk adapter, the IP interface node, which provides reception and transmission of video, IP-telephony, Wi-Fi signals and Bluetooth The advantage of the proposed technical solution is the ability to use modern types of communication, and the disadvantage is the lack of the ability to simultaneously connect to multiple communication channels and quickly switch between them.

The closest in technical essence to the claimed device is “Multifunctional subscriber terminal”, patent for utility model of the Russian Federation No. 147712, IPC H04L 15/00, for transmitting and receiving commands and information messages carried out on various communication channels of an open segment (OS), containing a processor, a memory unit, a block of input / output device controllers (BKUVV), an interface node for connecting to terminal equipment for transmitting and receiving via various OS communication channels, containing controllers for interfaces C1-I and RS-232, an Ethernet interface controller OS, interconnected by means of an internal highway, characterized in that the MFAT includes OS for transmitting and receiving open commands and information messages and a closed segment (SS) for transmitting and receiving confidential commands and information messages, moreover, the OS is independent of the OS in its The structure contains an internal trunk to which the interface node is connected, an Ethernet interface controller, a processor, a memory block, and a CCTV, in addition, both the OS and the PC have a USB adapter for connecting to a CCTV, a USB adapter for connecting keyboards ry, as well as a Wi-Fi adapter and a USB adapter for connecting the Blue Tooth adapter to the OS, while the BCUOS OS and the AP independently contain the touchpad controller assembly and the video camera controller assembly, and the MFAT power supply is common to the OS and AP and It provides connection to both 220 V alternating current network and 12 V on-board direct current network. The advantage of the proposed technical solution is the presence of two independent segments in the device - open and closed, which allows you to connect it to both open and closed networks tie for the exchange of information. The disadvantage of the prototype is its limited only by two communication channels (networks), as well as the choice of network by supplying voltage to the devices and units of the AP or OS, which eliminates the operational switching between channels. In addition, the proposed device does not implement a control mechanism from the operator to which network, open or closed, the device is currently connected. Also, in the prototype, a circuit for connecting voice terminal devices only via RS-232 and C1-I interfaces is used, which requires the presence of a digital interface, and only a USB interface is provided for connecting a monitor, as for the touch panel. Finally, the proposed solution does not exclude duplication of input-output devices, such as a keyboard, monitor, touch panel, video camera, handset, etc.

The objective of the utility model is to create such a multifunctional communication terminal that would provide the ability to connect directly to two channels or networks of information exchange, and would also significantly increase the efficiency of switching between them, control such switching from the operator’s side, and realize the ability to connect voice devices with analog joints , and also to eliminate duplication at the workplace of the operator of input-output means of communication for the exchange of information of various kinds.

The technical result achieved by the utility model is to expand the functionality of the device by connecting directly to two communication channels, increasing the speed of switching between communication channels and the ability to control such switching on the part of the operator, as well as reducing the cost of the device by eliminating duplication of the input and output output means of communication for the exchange of information of various kinds.

To achieve this technical result, a multifunctional communication terminal for exchanging text, audio, video information and data is proposed, including two processor modules (MP), each of the MP containing a processor connected to the internal trunk, a memory module, an Ethernet controller, USB controllers for connecting a touch panel, keyboards and video cameras, while the power supply is common to all MPs, perform as follows:

- enter one LVDS controller in each MP to connect a monitor, via an additional USB port and an HD Audio interface controller connected to the corresponding internal trunk,

- to enter into the terminal structure an interface switching circuit, an interface switching microcontroller, a control button block, an indicator panel and a speech device switching circuit having inputs / outputs for connecting a handset and a handset, an output connected to a loudspeaker, inputs / outputs connected via speech codecs for each MP to the corresponding controllers of the HD-Audio interface,

- moreover, the interface switching circuitry connected to the interface switching microcontroller must have inputs for connecting the touch panel, video camera, keyboard and LVDS controllers of each MP, as well as outputs for connecting a monitor and USB MP controllers,

- the microcontroller for controlling the switching of interfaces, connected by the control input / output to the switching circuit of speech devices, must be connected by its inputs / outputs to the corresponding additional USB MP ports and have an output for connecting to the indicator panel and an input for connecting to the control button block.

The block diagram of an embodiment of the proposed TS-MF for the case of two communication channels and, accordingly, two MP, is presented in FIG. 1. The following notation is used in the figure:

1 - MP 1;

1.1 - processor MP 1;

1.2 - memory module MP 1;

1.3 - Ethernet controller MP 1;

1.4 - LVDS controller MP 1;

1.5 - USB controller for connecting to the MP 1 keyboard;

1.6 - USB controller for connecting to the MP 1 touch panel;

1.7 - USB controller for connecting to the MP 1 camcorder;

1.8 - additional USB port MP 1;

1.9 - interface controller HD-Audio MP 1;

1.10 - the internal tire MP 1;

2 - MP 2;

2.1 - processor MP 2;

2.2 - memory module MP 2;

2.3 - Ethernet MP 2 controller;

2.4 - LVDS MP 2 controller;

2.5 - USB controller for connecting 2 keyboards to MP;

2.6 - USB controller for connecting to the MP 2 touch panel;

2.7 - USB controller for connecting to MP 2 video cameras;

2.8 - additional USB MP 2 port;

2.9 - interface controller HD-Audio MP 2;

2.10 - the internal tire MP 2;

3 - circuit switching interfaces;

4 - microcontroller switching control interfaces;

5 is a diagram of the switching of speech devices;

5.1 - voice codec MP 1;

5.2 - speech codec MP 2;

6 - indicator panel;

7 - block control buttons;

8 - power supply unit

Each of the MPs is a microcomputer, the hardware architecture of which, from the point of view of functional elements, is typical. Each MP includes a processor that performs the computing operations provided for by the program. The memory block includes a permanent memory, in which the BIOS is written in the form of a set of firmware that provides initial boot of the computer and subsequent launch of the operating system. The memory unit further includes RAM and, if necessary, may include additional memory on a hard mechanical or solid-state drive (the components of the memory unit are not shown in the diagram). In addition, there is a set of interfaces for connecting I / O devices and expansion slots for connecting additional devices (expansion slots are not shown in the diagram). The processor, memory unit, controllers of external interfaces and expansion slots are combined by an internal trunk. As well-known examples of the standards of such highways can be given ATA, ISA, PCI, AGP, PCI Express and many others. MP do not require special development, there are ready-made devices on the market that have all the necessary functions. As examples, we can cite the products of IPC2U, ProSoft, EMPC, Advantech, Fastwel, and others widely known and represented on the Russian market.

The interface switching circuit 3 implements the operative connection of a monitor, touch panel, keyboard, video camera with the MP (1 or 2) that is currently active. Technical solutions for the construction of such switching devices are also well known, they are mass-produced and presented on the Russian market. As an example, we can use Gefen, LLC switches, which provide, inter alia, switching signals between a set of input-output devices with HDMI (analogue LVDS), USB, analog audio, and two to four processor modules, providing input-output only from the processor module that is active. Thus, technical solutions for constructing a switching circuit of interfaces 3 and circuit 5 of switching voice devices are known from the prior art.

The objective of the switching circuit control microcontroller 4 is to obtain control signals from the active processor module or from the control button block and issue the corresponding control signals to the interface switching circuit 3, the speech switching circuit 5 and the display panel 6. This task can be solved on the basis of mass-produced microcontrollers general purpose.

In the proposed technical solution, it is also planned to use commercially available hardware as speech codecs, for example, developed by Realtek or Cirrus Logic and present on the Russian market.

The indicator panel can be built on LEDs, the state and color of which is the information for the operator about the status of the device.

The control button block is implemented on the basis of commercially available products, preferably not fixed type.

As a handset, handset headset and loudspeaker are commercially available from the domestic industry.

Thus, the proposed technical solution is fully implemented on the basis of elements known from the prior art and produced in series. Therefore, it meets the criterion of "industrial applicability".

The following describes the operation of the proposed TS MF, including two MP. The inventive TS MF operates as follows.

In the initial state, only primary power is supplied to the power supply 11, the power to the device is turned off. In fig. 1, the internal power circuits of the component parts of the device are not shown. Power is supplied by closing the corresponding circuit by pressing a button or by turning on the toggle switch. Power is supplied to all devices of both MP 1 and MP 2. With power on, the initial loading of MP 1 and MP 2 begins in accordance with the specified configuration of their BIOS. The initial loading of MP 1 and MP 2 occurs independently of each other and their BIOS configurations may vary. After the BIOS finishes loading, which usually lasts a few seconds, the operating system starts loading. Each MP has its own operating system. Operating systems can be of the same type or different, if this is due, for example, to information security requirements. The development of any specialized operating systems is not required. As an example, we can consider the case when MP 1 is equipped with one of the operating systems of the Windows family, and MP 2 is equipped with the operating system of the Linux family. However, it is preferable that the operating systems are of the same type, since this would significantly reduce the cost of developing special software. In particular, both MP 1 and MP 2 can be equipped with an operating system such as MS aircraft. Downloading the operating system is a rather lengthy process, which may take several tens of seconds. After loading the operating system, the default set of tasks for the special software is automatically launched. The MF TS is ready for operation after the loading of special software tasks in both MPs - 1 and 2 is completed. After that, the device automatically switches to the MP that is set as the MP that is active “by default”. For example, if the “default” active MP is MP 1, then at the end of the STR download, the I / O devices are connected to MP 1, and it can receive and transmit messages via the external communication channel to which it is connected. The BIOS and operating system boot process can, if necessary, be visually monitored using the monitor screen. To do this, it is necessary to press the corresponding buttons (“1” or “2”) on the control unit block 7, since the activity status of MP 1 or MP 2 is not defined during software download, and the corresponding LEDs on the display panel light up with a color indicating this uncertainty, for example - yellow. After the download is completed, despite the sequence and number of keystrokes, the MP that is set to active “by default” is automatically forcibly switched to active state, for example, 1, and sound is also output to the device provided by “default”, for example, to a microtelephone the receiver. In this case, the LED corresponding to MP 2 is not highlighted, and the corresponding MP 1 is highlighted in green. Accordingly, the “speaker” LED is not illuminated, and the “tube” LED is highlighted in green. The above notations do not limit the generality of the proposed utility model, are given as an example, and can be changed, if necessary, in other possible variants of its implementation. Further, the device can be used for its intended purpose to transmit and receive information from the MP, which is active. The exchange is carried out on the appropriate channels of the Ethernet network, formed by the service provider external to the MF TS. A set of alphanumeric messages is carried out from the keyboard. For negotiations, a handset or headset is used, while the sound in analog form is input to the corresponding codec, converted to digital form, processed and transmitted to the Ethernet network in the form of IP packets. Packets containing audio information received from the network undergo a reverse transformation and are reproduced by a handset, headset, or speaker. The MF TS is connected to one or another channel of the network by means of controllers 1.3 and 2.3, while MP 1 is always connected to the first network, and MP 2 to the second. The choice of the network through which information is exchanged is made by activating the corresponding MP. If necessary, such activation, i.e. switching between segments, either special software features provided for this or control buttons are used. When applying the ACT, pressing the virtual buttons occurs on the touch panel. Information about the button click is processed by the corresponding program, which analyzes the current state of the active MP and possible negative consequences (loss of information, loss of communication, etc.) of switching to another MP. If such consequences are detected, a corresponding request is generated to the operator. When he confirms the switching, which can be carried out by pressing the same button again, a switching command is generated, which through an additional USB port (1.8 or 2.8) enters the microcontroller 4 of the switching control, on the first two outputs of which the corresponding signal arrives at the switching circuit 3 of the interfaces and circuit 5 switching speech devices. This signal switches the input-output and speech devices to the MP, which was previously inactive and its activation, expressed in the possibility of access to the functions of receiving and transmitting information. In accordance with the testing, switching when using the Gefen switch, model EXT-DVIKVM-241, occurs almost instantly, the delay is not felt. The performed switching is displayed on the indicator panel (in the form of a new status of LEDs) and on the monitor. MP, which has become inactive, continues to function, but does not have access to the functions of receiving and transmitting information, with the exception of calls. By “call” is meant information on the receipt of a request for telephone conversations, e-mails or telegraphic messages addressed to this correspondent. Information about such calls goes to the “inactive" MP via the corresponding Ethernet network line, it is processed by it, and via the internal trunk (1.10 or 2.10) it goes to the additional USB port (1.8 or 2.8) and then to the corresponding input-output of the microcontroller 4 switching interfaces, which turns on the corresponding call indicator on the display panel in the form of a frequent blinking yellow LED corresponding to the inactive segment. According to the call information, the decision is made by the operator, who can switch the MP who received the call to active mode. MP, which has become active, displays on the monitor all the information necessary for processing a call. If it is necessary to switch between the mode of outputting audio information to the handset and loudspeaker, the virtual buttons of the touch panel can also be used. At the same time, information about pressing the switch button, as in the case of switching between the MPs, enters the microcontroller 4 for controlling the switching of interfaces, is processed, and issued as a command to the circuit 5 of the switching of speech devices that performs switching, and to the indicator panel 6, on which The switching result is displayed.

To switch to another MP or between the output of audio information to a speaker or handset, a block 7 of control buttons can also be used. A message about pressing the control button arrives in the microcontroller 4 of the switching control and is transmitted to its input-output corresponding to the “active” MP and, then, through the additional USB port (1.8 or 2.8) it goes to the “active” MP. Next, the algorithm described above for the case of pressing the “virtual” button on the touch panel is executed.

Thus, the use of the proposed device in comparison with the prototype will allow at least an order of magnitude to increase the efficiency of switching between communication channels. Also, the proposed device provides the possibility of objective control of switching by the operator and increases the reliability of switching by duplicating the “virtual” buttons of the touch panel and monitor by the control button unit and indicator panel. In addition, the use of the device eliminates duplication at the workplace of the operator of input-output devices and means of communication for the exchange of information of various kinds. Also, through the use of LVDS and HD-Audio interfaces, the image quality on the monitor screen and the sound quality are significantly improved.

Claims (1)

A multifunctional communication terminal for exchanging text, audio, video information and data, including two processor modules (MP), each of the modules containing a processor, a memory module, an Ethernet controller, USB controllers for connecting a touch panel, keyboard and video camera, connected by an internal trunk the MP power supply is common to all MPs, characterized in that - each LV includes one LVDS controller for connecting a monitor, an additional USB port and an HD Audio interface controller connected to the corresponding internal trunk, - the terminal also includes an interface switching circuit, an interface switching microcontroller, a control button block, a display panel and a speech device switching circuit with inputs / outputs for connecting a handset and a handset, an output connected to a speaker, inputs / outputs connected through the speech codecs of the MP to the corresponding controllers of the HD-Audio interface, the interface switching circuit connected to the interface switching microcontroller it has inputs for connecting a touch panel, a video camera, a keyboard and LVDS MP OS and ZS controllers, as well as outputs for connecting a monitor and USB MP controllers, an interface switching microcontroller connected by a control input / output to a speech device switching circuit, connected to its inputs / outputs with the corresponding additional USB MP ports and has an output for connecting to the indicator panel and an input for connecting to the control button block.

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