TW201704995A - Information communication system and interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an information communication system with which the work load associated with the delivery of information such as firmware can be reduced in comparison to the prior art. The present technology provides an information communication system equipped with a device having a prescribed function and an interface device that links to that device, and the interface device has an information storage unit that stores in advance information that must be provided for the link, and an information transfer unit that identifies an event for initiating the link and delivers the information to the device. The device is an imaging device that photographs and generates an image of a photographic subject, and/or is a function expansion device that is interposed between the imaging device and the interface device and that expands the functionality of the imaging device.

Description

Information communication system and interface device

The present invention relates to an information communication system. More specifically, it relates to an information communication system having a machine and an interface device having a predetermined function, and the interface device is connected to the machine.

In a general video camera, a well-known CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a known CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as an image pickup device. Coupling element) Solid-state imaging element such as a sensor.

Conventionally, in such a video camera, a video camera having the following components is used: a camera housing having a built-in CCD and having a camera mounting surface; and a screw hole mounted at a front end of the camera housing and Opening in the optical axis direction (front-rear direction); front panel having a lens barrel mounting surface exposed at the periphery of the opening of the screw hole; and a lens barrel screwed into the screw hole of the front panel There is an open end face that faces the lens barrel mounting.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a video camera in which a substrate formed by a CCD as an imaging element and a connector on which an external connection connector is mounted are placed in a camera housing. Further, the imaging unit (imaging element) and the interposer (connector for external connection) are integrated.

[Previous Technical Literature]

[Patent Literature]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 7-264450.

In the case of using the video camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 and updating the firmware of the camera unit already installed in the field, the PC having the firmware stored in advance is connected to the interface. After (Personal Computer; personal computer), the firmware is distributed from the PC to the imaging unit via the face.

Since such information distribution is accompanied by an operation of transporting the PC to the site, the burden on the operator is large.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information communication system capable of reducing the workload of information distribution accompanying firmware and the like more than the prior art.

The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies in order to solve the aforementioned objects, and as a result, the information to be provided to the connection with the machine having the predetermined function has been previously memorized in the interface device, so that the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention provides an information communication system having: a machine having a predetermined function; and an interface device for connecting to the machine; wherein the interface device has an information storage unit for remembering in advance Information for the connection; and an information transmission department for identifying the event that the connection should start and distributing the information to the machine.

Moreover, the present invention provides an interface device for connecting to a machine having a predetermined function, and having: an information storage unit for pre-memorizing information to be provided to the connection; and an information transmission unit for identifying the connection The event that should be started and the information is distributed to the machine.

According to the present disclosure, since the interface device has an information storage unit that stores information to be connected to a device having a predetermined function in advance, it is possible to omit the operation of transporting the PC storing the information to the installation site of the interface device. . Therefore, it is possible to provide an information communication system capable of reducing the workload of information distribution accompanying firmware and the like more than the prior art. Further, the effects described herein are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present invention.

10A‧‧‧ camera

10B, 10B-2, 10C‧‧‧ function expansion device

10Ba, 10Bb, 10Bc, 20A, 30A‧‧‧ network interface

10Ca, 10Cb, 10Cc, 20D, 30B‧‧‧ microprocessor

10Da, 10Db, 10Dc, 20B‧‧‧ flash memory

10Ea, 10Eb, 10Ec, 20C, 1101, 1111‧‧‧FPGA

10Fa‧‧‧Photographic components

10Ga, 10Gb, 10Gc, 18, 20E‧‧‧ connectors

11‧‧‧Ontology

12‧‧‧ lens barrel

13, 50‧‧‧ frame

14‧‧‧ front panel

15‧‧‧ rear panel

17, 25‧‧‧ Printed circuit boards

19‧‧‧ pins

20‧‧‧Interface device

21‧‧‧Upper siding

22‧‧‧ Lower wall

23‧‧‧ left wall

24‧‧‧right wall panel

30‧‧‧PC

30C‧‧‧ controller

30D‧‧‧ main memory

30F‧‧‧ memory device

60‧‧‧Selector

100‧‧‧Information Communication System

1102, 1112, 1116‧‧ Interface (I/F)

1113‧‧‧CDM Conversion Department

1114‧‧‧ Frame buffer

1115‧‧‧Data Conversion Department

1117‧‧‧Physical Layer (PHY)

CS-1, CS-2‧‧‧ wafer selection signal

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the front side of the image pickup apparatus 10A.

Fig. 3(A) is an external perspective view of the front side of the interface device 20.

FIG. 3(B) is an external perspective view of the back side of the interface device 20.

Fig. 4(A) is an external perspective view of the front side of the function expansion device 10B.

Fig. 4 (B) is an external perspective view of the back side of the function expansion device 10B.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the interconnection of the image pickup device 10A, the function expansion devices 10B, 10C, the interface device 20, and the PC 30.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a distribution process of data between the image pickup apparatus 10A and the interface apparatus 20.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the information communication system 100 shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a variation of the information communication system of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a variation of the information communication system of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a block diagram showing a variation of the information communication system of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a protocol conversion of an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below show an example of a representative embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not to be construed as narrow. In addition, the description is made in the following order.

An information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Overall composition]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described below, the information communication system 100 of the present invention is constituted by the image pickup apparatus 10A, the interface apparatus 20, and a predetermined number N (in the present embodiment, assumed to be one for simplicity), the predetermined number of the function expansion apparatuses 10B. The N function expansion devices 10B are interposed between the image pickup device 10A and the interface device 20, and are detachable and have a predetermined function. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Camera device 10A]

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the front side of the image pickup apparatus 10A. The imaging device 10A is capable of capturing an image and acquiring image data. The imaging device 10A includes a lens, an imaging element 10Fa, and an A/D (Analog-to-Digital) analog converter.

The imaging device 10A is composed of the following members: the body 11 has an overall appearance of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped; and the lens barrel 12 is detachably mounted The front portion of the body 11 is disposed and has a plurality of lenses. The main body 11 is composed of a frame 13 having upper and lower left and right side walls facing each other and opening in the front-rear direction, and a front panel 14 attached to the front opening of the frame 13 and opening to the light. The axial direction and the rear panel 15 are provided in the rear opening of the casing 13 and have through-holes for external connection that are opened on both sides of the front and back.

The imaging element 10Fa captures a subject by a subject light beam that has penetrated the lens. As the imaging element 10Fa, a solid-state imaging element such as a well-known CMOS sensor or a known CCD sensor can be exemplified. The imaging element 10Fa has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that receive the light beam of the subject, and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the accumulated charge amount generated by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to the A/D converter. The A/D converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal and outputs it as image data to the function expansion device 10B.

A printed circuit board connected to the imaging element or the like is incorporated in the housing 13 . The printed circuit board is provided with a network interface 10Ba, a micro processor 10Ca, a flash memory 10Da, and an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). 10Ea and so on.

The imaging device 10A has a capability of being directly fit into the function expansion device Mechanical construction at one end of 10B. The mechanical structure of the imaging device 10A is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the effects of the present invention, and may have a mechanical structure that can be directly fitted to one end of the interface device 20. The image pickup apparatus 10A has a connector 10Ga (refer to FIG. 5) that can be connected to the function expansion device 10B to be supplied to an electric signal or an optical signal. The connector 10Ga is provided on the rear panel 15 described above.

[Interface device 20]

3(A) is an external perspective view of the front side of the interface device 20, and FIG. 3(B) is an external perspective view of the back side of the interface device 20. In the interface device 20, for example, data communication can be performed between an external device such as the PC 30 (see FIG. 5).

The interface device 20 is composed of a member 16 having a box-like appearance that has been opened in the front direction, and a printed circuit board 17 attached to the front opening of the body 16. A network interface 20A, a flash memory 20B, an FPGA 20C, a microprocessor 20D, a connector 20E, and the like are mounted on the printed circuit board 17. As shown in Fig. 3(B), a connector 18, a pin 19, and the like which can be connected to an electric signal or an optical signal are disposed between the back surface of the main body 16 and an external device (not shown). In the interface device 20 of the present embodiment, four pins 19 in accordance with the CXP4 standard are provided.

The interface device 20 has a mechanical structure that can be directly fitted to the other end of the functional expansion device 10B. The mechanical structure of the interface device 20 is as long as it does not damage The effect of the present invention is not particularly limited, and a mechanical structure that can be directly fitted to one end of the imaging device 10A can be also provided.

[Function Expansion Device 10B]

4(A) is an external perspective view of the front side of the function expansion device 10B, and FIG. 4(B) is an external perspective view of the back side of the function expansion device 10B. The function expansion device 10B is detachably interposed between the imaging device 10A and the interface device 20, and has a configuration that expands the function of the imaging device 10A.

The function expansion device 10B has a frame body 50 that exhibits a cylindrical appearance as a whole. The frame body 50 has an upper wall panel 21, a lower wall panel 22, a left wall panel 23, and a right wall panel 24 that face each other, and has a through opening that opens in the front-rear direction. A printed circuit board 25 on which the network interface 10Bb, the microprocessor 10Cb, the flash memory 10Db, the FPGA 10Eb, the connector 10Gb, and the like are mounted is disposed on the lower wall panel 22.

The function expansion device 10B has a mechanical structure that can be directly fitted to one end of the imaging device 10A and one end of the interface device 20.

[Interconnection of the imaging device 10A, the function expansion devices 10B and 10C, the interface device 20, and the PC 30]

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the interconnection of the image pickup device 10A, the function expansion devices 10B, 10C, the interface device 20, and the PC 30. In FIG. 5, the port of the PC 30 is connected to the first port of the interface device 20. interface The second communication port of the device 20 is individually connected to the communication port of the imaging device 10A and the function expansion devices 10B and 10C via a star communication path.

The PC30 is composed of the elements listed below. The network interface 30A connected to the first communication port is connected to the bus terminal of the microprocessor 30B together with the controller 30C and the main memory 30D. A memory device 30F is connected to the input/output terminal of the controller 30C.

In the interface device 20, the network interface 20A connected to the first communication port is connected to the bus terminal of the microprocessor 20D together with the flash memory 20B and the FPGA 20C. Further, the bus bar terminal is connected to the star-shaped communication path through the connector 20E.

The imaging device 10A has a network interface 10Ba connected to the communication port, and the network interface 10Ba has a connector 10Ga connected to the above-described star-shaped communication path. The network interface 10Ba is connected to the bus bar terminal of the microprocessor 10Ca together with the flash memory 10Da, the FPGA 10Ea, and the imaging element 10Fa. Here, the communication port and the bus bar terminal of the network interface 10Ba are connected to the star-shaped communication path through the connector 10Ga.

The configuration of the function expansion device 10B is the same as that of the imaging device 10A except that the imaging element 10Fa is not provided. At the end of the element, the suffix "b" is added to replace the attached suffix "a", and the description of the configuration is omitted.

Similarly to the function expansion device 10B, the configuration of the function expansion device 10C is the same as that of the imaging device 10A except that the imaging device 10Fa is not provided. Therefore, the suffix "c" is added to the end of each component instead of the attached device. The suffix "a" is omitted, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

[Operation of Interface Device 20, Imaging Device 10A, and Function Expansion Devices 10B and 10C]

Next, the operation of the imaging device 10A, the function expansion devices 10B and 10C, and the interface device 20 configured as described above will be described.

[Operation of Interface Device 20]

In the flash memory 20B, the firmware of the flash memory to be loaded into the image pickup device 10A and the function expansion devices 10B and 10C is stored in a file format in correspondence with the version of the firmware.

The microprocessor 20D connects the units as follows by executing a program stored in the flash memory 20B.

The FPGA 20C reads the file from the flash memory 20B under the command of the microprocessor 20D. The network interface 20A is under the command of the microprocessor 20D, and the file is connected to the star-shaped communication path via the connector 20E. DMA (Direct Memory Access) transmission is performed on the flash memory of the image pickup apparatus 10A and the function expansion apparatuses 10B and 10C.

[Operation of Imaging Device 10A]

In the flash memory 10Da, various programs such as firmware are stored in advance. Further, the memory area of the flash memory 10Da is divided into the following three partitions in advance.

‧FACTORY (factory)...memorizes the area of the firmware used for factory shipment.

‧PRESENT (now)... Memorize the area of the firmware that should be executed at the current time.

‧UPDATE...memorizes the area of the firmware that is newer than the version of the firmware that is stored in PRESENT.

The microprocessor 10Ca causes the respective units to be connected as follows by executing a program stored in the above-described flash memory 10Da.

The network interface 10Ba receives the above-described file from the interface device 20 via the above-described star-shaped communication path and connector 10Ga under the command of the microprocessor 10Ca. The microprocessor 10Ca loads the file into the flash memory 10Da.

The FPGA 10Ea reads the firmware in the file under the command of the microprocessor 10Ca and assembles the read firmware to perform various processes.

[Operation of Function Expansion Devices 10B and 10C]

The operations of the function expansion devices 10B and 10C are the same as those of the imaging device 10A except that the imaging operation is not performed, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the distribution processing of the data between the image pickup apparatus 10A and the interface apparatus 20.

In this processing, the network interface 20A transmits an inquiry signal inquiring the version of the image pickup apparatus 10A to the image pickup apparatus 10A under the instruction of the microprocessor 20D (step ST1).

When the inquiry signal arrives at the image pickup apparatus 10A via the above-described star-shaped communication path and is received by the network interface 10Ba, correspondingly, in the image pickup apparatus 10, the microprocessor 10Ca is caused to start the inquiry corresponding to FIG. Processing (step ST11).

In the inquiry matching process, the microprocessor 10Ca first transmits a request signal for requesting delivery of the firmware to the version of the firmware (step ST12).

On the other hand, after the inquiry of the version is performed in step ST1, the microprocessor 20D monitors whether or not the request signal is notified as a response thereto (step ST2). In the case where the notification of the request signal is not made (step ST2) "No"), that is, in the case where there is no response from the image pickup apparatus 10A, the microprocessor 20D ends the inquiry processing by this. On the other hand, in the case where the notification of the request signal has been made (YES in step ST2), that is, in the case where there has been a response from the image pickup apparatus 10A, the microprocessor 20D confirms whether or not it has been stored in the fast. The version in the version of the flash memory 20B is updated with the version updated by the notification request signal (step ST3).

In the case where it is assumed that a new version has not been confirmed (NO in step ST3), the microprocessor 20D ends the inquiry processing by this. On the other hand, in the case where a new version has been confirmed (YES in step ST3), the network interface 20A, under the instruction of the microprocessor 20D, associates the firmware corresponding to the new version with the file. The form is DMA-transferred to the flash memory of the image pickup apparatus 10A (step ST4).

On the other hand, after the transmission of the request signal is performed in step ST12, the microprocessor 10Ca monitors whether or not the firmware corresponding to the new version is transmitted as a response thereto (step ST13). Then, in a case where the network interface 10Ba has received the firmware, the microprocessor 10Ca confirms whether or not the reception has proceeded normally (step ST14).

If the operation can be performed normally (YES in step ST14), the network interface 10Ba notifies the interface device 20 of the intention to end normally under the instruction of the microprocessor 10Ca (step ST15), and the microprocessor 10Ca This ends the inquiry corresponding processing.

Further, in the case where the microprocessor 10Ca has confirmed in step ST14 that the reception of the firmware has occurred abnormally (NO in step ST14), the network interface 10Ba is tough under the instruction of the microprocessor Ca. In response to the reception of the body, the interface device 20 is notified (step ST16), and the microprocessor 10Ca ends the inquiry corresponding process.

Further, the microprocessor 20D waits for notification of the result from the image pickup apparatus 10A after the DMA transfer of the firmware has been performed in step ST4 (step ST5). Then, in the case where the notification of the normal completion has been confirmed as described above, the microprocessor 20D updates the information about the imaging apparatus 10A in accordance with the update of the firmware (step ST6), and performs the micro processing. The device 20D ends the inquiry process by this.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step ST5 that the reception of the firmware has occurred abnormally, or if any notification from the image pickup apparatus 10A has not been performed, the microprocessor 20D ends with the confirmation. Ask for processing.

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the information communication system 100 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, although the interface device 20 is also connected to the imaging device 10A and the function expansion device 10B, in order to immediately select a connection destination, a high-order address is generated to generate and Camera device 10A and function expansion device Each chip select signal (CS-1, CS-2) corresponding to 10B.

In the present embodiment, the interface device 20 includes a flash memory 20B that stores information (hardware, or version of the firmware) to be connected to the imaging device 10A and the function expansion devices 10B and 10C in advance. Therefore, the work of transporting the PC 30 storing the information to the installation site of the interface device 20 can be omitted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the work load caused by the information distribution accompanying the firmware or the like more than the conventional technique.

Further, the present invention can also adopt the following configuration.

(1) An information communication system comprising: a machine having a predetermined function; and an interface device for performing connection with the machine; wherein the interface device has an information storage unit for storing in advance memory And the information transmission unit is configured to identify an event that the connection should start and deliver the information to the aforementioned machine.

(2) The information communication system according to (1), wherein the device is either or both of a camera device and a function expansion device, the camera device captures a subject and generates an image, and the function expansion device is clipped It is provided between the imaging device and the interface device and expands the function of the imaging device.

(3) The information communication system according to (1) or (2), wherein the information includes the identification information of the machine; the machine has a request transmitting unit for requesting delivery of the information. Request signal and itself The identification information is assigned to the corresponding interface and sent to the interface device; the information transmission unit is to identify the identification information that has been associated with the request signal in the identification information already stored in the information storage unit. The information of the information is distributed to the aforementioned machines.

(4) The information communication system according to (3), wherein the interface device has an inquiry unit for transmitting an inquiry signal for inquiring the identification information of the device to the device; and the request transmission unit is configured according to the inquiry signal. Sending the aforementioned request signal to the aforementioned interface device.

(5) The information communication system according to (3), wherein the information includes a version; the interface device has: an information specifying unit having an update of a version of the machine in the information storage unit; In the case of the version, the version is specified; the information transmission unit distributes information corresponding to the version specified by the information specifying unit to the device.

(6) An interface device for connecting to a machine having a predetermined function, and having: an information storage unit for pre-memorizing information to be provided to the connection; and an information transmission unit for identifying the connection The initial event and the aforementioned information is distributed to the aforementioned machine.

(7) The interface device according to (6), further comprising: an inquiry unit that transmits an inquiry signal for inquiring the identification information of the device to the device.

(8) The interface device according to (6), wherein the information includes a version; the interface device includes: an information specifying unit having a version updated in the information storage unit than a version of the machine In the case of this, specify the version.

Further, in the information communication system of the present embodiment, in the case where the microprocessor 20D in the interface device 20 is notified of the request signal for requesting the delivery of the firmware, the image pickup device 10A is already available. The response is described as an example in which the transmission of the firmware is started as a trigger, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In other words, since there is also a situation in which it is not expected to automatically perform the transmission of the firmware by the microprocessor 20D, the microprocessor 20D can also press the button caused by the user. The manual operation of the device starts the transmission of the firmware as a trigger.

Here, FIGS. 8 to 10 show a variation of the information communication system of the present invention. In the information communication system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an example in which one imaging device 10A is connected to the interface device 20 has been described. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and two or The camera device is connected to the interface device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , the signal lines connected between the interface device 20 and the imaging device 10A may be diverged in the middle, and the other imaging devices 10A may be connected to the interface device through the divergent signal lines. 20. Since the address (wafer selection) assigned to the image pickup apparatus 10A in FIG. 8 is one, the two image pickup apparatuses 10A connected to the interface apparatus 20 take in the same address (wafer selection) from the interface apparatus 20. action.

Further, the function expansion device can have the same function as the interface device, and the function expansion device can be operated like an interface device. For example, as shown in Figure 9. It is also possible to connect the function expansion device 10B-2 to the function expansion device 10B via the signal line, and perform handshake communication between the function expansion devices 10B and 10B-2. Specifically, the function expansion device 10B may also query the function expansion device 10B-2 for the version itself; or the function expansion device 10B-2 may transmit its own version to the function expansion device 10B in response to the inquiry; or the function expansion device 10B performs the old and new determination of the version transmitted from the function expansion device 10B-2.

Further, although the address (wafer selection) assigned to the imaging device 10A is originally one, it is also possible to assume that a plurality of imaging devices 10A having different firmware versions are connected to the interface device 20 through the function expansion device 10B. (Refer to Figure 10). In this case, since the addresses of the respective imaging devices 10A are the same, it takes a lot of effort to grasp the interface between the interface device 20 and the imaging device 10A. Therefore, in the present modification, as shown in FIG. 10, a configuration is adopted in which a selector (switch) 60 is mounted or added to the function expansion device 10B, and the interface device 20 is turned into a conning tower for selection. The switching control of the device 60 thereby selects the image pickup apparatus 10A as a connection destination. In the handshake communication of the configuration, the interface device 20 may also inquire the version of the camera device 10A selected as the connection destination; or the camera device 10A may transmit its own version to the interface device 20 in response to the inquiry; or The interface device 20 performs the old and new determination of the version transmitted from the imaging device 10A. Further, the switching control of the selector 60 is not limited to the interface device 20, and the function expansion device 10B may be implemented as a control tower.

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the communication protocol conversion of an embodiment of the present invention. The communication protocol conversion in the interface (I/F) device 20 will be described using FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the function expansion device 10B installed in the interface device 20 includes an FPGA 1101, an integrated circuit capable of programming, and an I/F of a CXP specification as a transmitter (TX). The (interface) unit 1102 is configured to send data and commands to the interface device 20.

The interface device 20 includes an FPGA 1111 and an I/F unit 1112 of a CXP specification as a receiver (RX) for receiving data and commands from the function expansion device 10B. Further, the interface device 20 includes a command (CMD) conversion unit 1113 for converting a command received from the function expansion device 10B, a frame buffer 1114 for temporarily storing data, and a data conversion unit 1115. The packet received from the function expansion device 10B is packetized via the frame buffer 1114. Further, as an example, I/I of a media access control layer (MAC layer) in a data link layer in an OSI (Open System Interconnection) reference model is provided. F part 1116; and physical layer (PHY: Physical layer) 1117.

In the present embodiment, the I/F unit 1102 of the function expansion device 10B transmits data to the interface device 20. The I/F unit 1102 of the interface device 20 receives data from the function expansion device 10B and transmits it to the CDM conversion unit 1113. The command is transmitted to the material conversion unit 1115 via the frame buffer 1114.

The CDM conversion unit 1113 performs CXP and Gig E (GE: Gigabit Ethernet; Gigabit Ethernet) and USB (Universal Serial Bus;) by converting XML (eXtensible Markup Language) files. Mutual conversion of commands from a universal serial bus or CL (Camera Link). The data conversion unit 1115 performs data packetization from the CXP toward GE, USB, CL, and the like, for example. The conversion command and the packetized data are input to the I/F portion 1116 of the MAC layer. The I/F unit 1116 of the MAC layer transmits the input conversion command and the packetized data to the PHY 1117. The PHY 1117 transmits the received conversion command and packetized data to the PC 1120.

As described above, since the interface device 20 of the present embodiment performs communication protocol conversion, even if the communication protocol used is different depending on the type of I/F on the user side (USB or GbE, etc.), In the information communication system 100 such as a video camera, the communication method is unified into the CXP standard, so that the development cost can be suppressed. Further, since the interface device 20 is used, it is possible to directly connect various types of I/Fs other than the CXP standard to the information communication system 100, so that the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the CXP standard is unified is shown, but the present technology is not limited thereto, and the interface device of the present technology may be used to perform communication protocol conversion, thereby unifying them into GE, USB, CL, and the like. specification.

10A‧‧‧ camera

10B, 10C‧‧‧ function expansion device

10Ba, 10Bb, 10Bc, 20A, 30A‧‧‧ network interface

10Ca, 10Cb, 10Cc, 20D, 30B‧‧‧ microprocessor

10Da, 10Db, 10Dc, 20B‧‧‧ flash memory

10Ea, 10Eb, 10Ec, 20C‧‧‧FPGA

10Fa‧‧‧Photographic components

10Ga, 10Gb, 10Gc, 20E‧‧‧ connectors

20‧‧‧Interface device

30‧‧‧PC

30C‧‧‧ controller

30D‧‧‧ main memory

30F‧‧‧ memory device

Claims (8)

An information communication system comprising: a machine having a predetermined function; and an interface device for connecting to the machine; wherein the interface device has an information storage unit for pre-memorizing information to be provided to the connection And an information transmission unit for identifying an event to be initiated by the aforementioned connection and distributing the aforementioned information to the aforementioned machine. The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the device is either or both of an imaging device and a function expansion device, and the camera device captures a subject and generates an image, and the function expansion device is sandwiched between the foregoing The function of the aforementioned imaging device is expanded between the imaging device and the interface device. The information communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the information includes the identification information of the machine; the machine has a request sending unit for requesting the request for the delivery of the information and the self. The identification information is assigned to the corresponding interface and sent to the interface device; the information transmission unit has the identification resource that has been associated with the request signal in the identification information already stored in the information storage unit. In the case of the news, information about the information to be identified is distributed to the aforementioned machine. The information communication system according to claim 3, wherein the interface device has an inquiry unit for transmitting an inquiry signal for inquiring the identification information of the device to the device; and the request transmitting unit transmits the request according to the inquiry signal. The signal is sent to the aforementioned interface device. The information communication system according to claim 3, wherein the information includes a version; the interface device has: an information specifying unit, wherein the information storage unit has a version that is newer than a version of the machine; Next, the version is specified; the information transmission unit distributes information corresponding to the version specified by the information specifying unit to the device. An interface device is connected to a machine having a predetermined function, and has: an information storage unit for pre-memorizing information to be provided to the connection; and an information transmission unit for identifying an event to be started by the connection The aforementioned information is distributed to the aforementioned machine. The interface device according to claim 6, comprising: an inquiry unit for transmitting an inquiry signal for inquiring the identification information of the device to the machine. The interface device according to claim 6, wherein the information includes a version; the interface device includes: an information specifying unit, wherein the information storage unit has a version that is newer than a version of the machine; , specify this version.