JP6744732B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device.

There are box type and chassis type communication devices used in the currently popular IP networks. In the box type, the communication control unit, the communication interface unit, and the power supply unit are mounted in the same housing, and the housing is usually a box shape. The chassis type is composed of a chassis (housing) having a plurality of slots and a card inserted into the slots. The cards are divided according to their functions such as communication control, communication interface, power supply, etc., and can be inserted into and removed from the slots.

In terms of expandability of the device, the box type can expand the communication control unit, the communication interface unit, and the power supply unit by connecting similar devices with a connector or the like. On the other hand, the chassis type can be expanded by mounting a slot type communication control unit, a communication interface unit, and a power supply unit.

Further, the box-type and chassis-type communication devices have a function of unifying and managing a plurality of casings virtually in order to implement redundancy.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-081081 discloses a camera that communicates with an external device. Modules having different functions such as imaging, image processing, and external communication are detachably connected. Each module has a detachable connecting part, and the modules are selected according to the application and freely combined at the connecting part. Multiple modules of the same type may be selected. In addition, each module can communicate with each other by using a common signal. The respective modules are electrically connected or wirelessly communicate with each other through a connecting portion.

Further, Patent Document 2 (JP-A-2014-33282) describes a wireless communication system between an access point and a station. The beacon is transmitted from the access point, and the station receives the beacon and authenticates the station. If the terminal identification information stored in the access point matches that of the station, the authentication is successful, and the station can communicate with the access point.

Further, Patent Document 3 (JP 2007-295608 A) discloses a programmable controller (Programmable Logic Controller: PLC) that realizes network duplication. A PLC is connected to the first and second transmission lines of the ring system, and the communication line is made redundant by using the first transmission line as a main system and the second transmission line as a sub system.

JP 2013-081081 JP JP 2014-33282 JP JP 2007-295608 JP

The first problem is the occurrence of unnecessary capital investment.

In a box-type communication device, an extra communication control unit, communication interface unit, and power supply unit may be mounted when the device is expanded.
In addition, in a chassis-type communication device, a housing in which an expansion slot can be mounted is often selected in advance, and when expansion is not necessary, unused slots are unnecessary.

Moreover, the box-type communication device can be operated by itself. To expand the box-type communication device, connect the housings and make them appear as if they were one while synchronizing with the communication control part. Therefore, even if you want to increase the number of interfaces only, you have to add the CPU and power supply together. Moreover, since the number of interfaces is fixedly assigned such as 24 interfaces and 48 interfaces, it is necessary to add an unnecessary interface although it is sufficient to add a few interfaces.

For these reasons, more capital investment than is originally required will occur.

The second problem is an increase in installation space.

When a box-type communication device is expanded, it is expanded by adding the same type of device, which increases the installation space.

Even in a chassis-type communication device, it is necessary to secure an expansion slot in advance, so it is necessary to prepare an installation space considering unused portions. If this unused slot is not expanded, it will be a wasted space.

Therefore, depending on the installation environment of the communication device, it may be difficult to expand or install the device.

Further, in Patent Document 1, the module has a communication unit, and the modules can communicate with each other by a common signal shared by the modules. However, it does not describe how each module takes power. Further, Patent Documents 2 and 3 do not describe or suggest expansion or connection of communication devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that can suppress unnecessary equipment investment and increase in installation space, and that can easily perform both power supply and communication.

The present invention is configured by connecting independent units for each function, and the independent units are a communication control unit, a memory unit, an interface unit, and a power supply unit, and each unit includes a power supply/control link. ,
A communication device, wherein a connecting part is formed on an outer surface of each unit, adjacent units are connected by the connecting part, and power is supplied and communication is performed between the connected units.

Further, the present invention is any one of a communication control unit, a memory unit, a communication interface unit, and a power supply unit, each unit including a power supply/control link,
A connecting part is formed on the outer surface of each unit, adjacent units are connected by the connecting part, and power supply and communication are performed between the connected units.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device that can suppress unnecessary equipment investment and increase in installation space, and that can easily perform both power supply and communication.

It is a block diagram which shows the component of the communication apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for registering device information in a management table by the communication control unit according to the first embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows a method of a communication control unit of a 1st embodiment of the present invention deleting identification information from a management table. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the power supply/control link on the surface of the unit. It is a schematic perspective view for explaining in more detail the power supply/control link. It is a schematic perspective view for showing the connection method of each unit of the component of a communication apparatus. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which each unit of a communication apparatus couple|bonded. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of each unit at the time of making a communication control unit redundant in the communication apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the method of registering the information of each unit which comprises a communication apparatus in a management table, when a communication control unit is made redundant. It is a flow chart which shows the identification information deletion method of the management table in a communication control unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a communication apparatus when the power supply unit and the external memory unit are also made redundant. The schematic perspective view of the communication apparatus which took the redundant structure is shown. It is a block diagram explaining the communication apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing components of a communication device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 10 includes a communication control unit 101, a communication interface unit 106 (hereinafter abbreviated as interface unit 106), a power supply unit 122, and an external memory unit 129. Each unit is an independent unit having a different function. In many cases, a unit other than the external memory unit has an internal memory. "External" of the external memory unit means other memory.

The communication control unit 101 includes a communication control link 102, a power supply/supply link 103, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory control unit 104 (hereinafter, CPU/memory control unit 104), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) process. A unit 105 (hereinafter referred to as ASIC control unit 105) is provided to control/transfer data packets. In addition, the control information is exchanged with other connected units to centrally manage the information of the entire connected unit. The communication control link 102 and the power supply/reception link 103 are collectively referred to as a power supply/control link.

The interface unit 106 communicates with the communication control unit 101 for connection confirmation using a beacon described later. The interface unit 106 also communicates control information and the like with other units, and communicates with a network outside the communication device 10. Further, the communication control unit 101 performs communication for confirmation of connection using a beacon and communication of control information and data with other units. Further, the power supply unit 122 and the external memory unit 129 communicate with the communication control unit 101 by using a beacon to confirm connection and control information. The communication control link of the power supply/control link of each unit is a link used for these communications.

The communication interface unit 106 is a contact for transmitting and receiving data. Wireless LAN module 107 for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) port module 110 for I standard of ITU-T, Ethernet port module 113 for Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, Fiber Channel for Fiber Channel standard It has a port module 116, a USB standard USB port module 119, and the like, and has interoperability with those standards. It is desirable to standardize the standards used in the communication device 10.

When the standard used in the communication interface unit 106, the external network, and the standard used in the communication device 10 are the same (for example, Ethernet), one Ethernet port module 113 is shared if it can be shared. If it cannot be shared due to the communication speed, etc., an appropriate Ethernet port may be provided.

The power supply unit 122, with respect to the communication control unit 101, the interface unit 106, and the external memory unit 129, the power supply/reception links 107, 112, 113, 119, 125, 128, 132, 135 included in each unit. Is used to supply power. It has an AC power supply module 123 and a DC power supply module 126 depending on the power supply type.

The external memory unit 129 is an expansion storage unit used in the communication control unit 101. It has a storage unit such as a compact FLASH module 130 or a DRAM (Dynamic_Random_Access_Memory) module 133 (hereinafter, DRAM module 133) depending on the memory type.

Further, each unit receives power from the communication control links 102, 108, 111, 114, 117, 120, 124, 127, 131, 134 and the power supply unit 122 for exchanging control signals from the communication control unit 101, and also a power supply/reception link 103, 109, 112, 115, 118, 121, 125, 128, 132 for supplying to other units. And 135 are provided. The communication control link and the power supply/reception link are collectively called a power supply/control link.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of registering information of each unit constituting the communication device 10 in the management table held by the communication control unit 101. The power supply unit 122, the interface unit 106, and the external memory unit 129 periodically send a beacon signal to the communication control unit 101 (S301). The communication control unit 101 monitors the beacon signal (S302), and when receiving the signal (S303), confirms whether the unit that has transmitted the beacon exists in the management information (S304). If it exists, the state returns to the monitoring state (S305). If the beacon signal detection threshold is set so that the beacon signal is detected when the unit approaches within a few cm, it can be detected that the communication control unit "has received the beacon signal". Further, even if the units approach each other, the user may accidentally approach each other and the units may not be connected. Therefore, when a unit approaches and receives a beacon signal, it temporarily registers, and the temporarily registered unit is connected, power is supplied from the power supply unit, or communication is started with another unit such as a communication control unit. You may make it register at a time.

In the management information held by the communication control unit 101, if the unit that transmitted the beacon does not exist, that is, if the unit is not registered, the communication control unit 101 selects a communication control unit with a low processing load (S306). After the selection, the interface unit, the power supply unit, and the external memory unit are registered in the communication control unit 101 (S307) and controlled by the communication control unit 101. After that, it returns to the monitoring state (S302) (S309). The unit whose registration in the management table has been completed belongs to the communication control unit 101, and thereafter exchanges beacon signals with the communication control unit 101 to which it belongs. Each connected unit continues to emit a beacon to the communication control unit 101 even after connecting to the communication control unit 101, and the communication control unit 101 also continues to receive it.

If the unit is provided with a small-capacity storage battery or dry battery for beacon, the beacon can be transmitted and received even before being registered and connected to the communication device 10 and receiving power supply from the power supply unit.

The management table held by the communication control unit 101 is shown on the left side of FIG. The communication control unit 101 holds identification information (identifier) of the wireless LAN module 107, ISDN port module 110, power supply unit 122, Ethernet port module 113, Fiber Channel port module 116, and external memory unit 129.

FIG. 3 shows a method of deleting the identification information of the management table in the communication control unit. Each unit sends out a beacon signal while belonging to the communication control unit (S401), and the communication control unit checks the state by monitoring this (S402). When the user removes a unit from the communication device, the beacon signal sent by the beacon sending unit to the communication control unit is interrupted. The communication control unit detects that the beacon signal that has been received until then is interrupted (S403). If the beacon signal does not reach when the unit is several cm away, or if it is set below the threshold for beacon signal detection, the communication control unit can detect that the beacon signal has been interrupted.
When it is detected, the communication control unit to which it belongs deletes the management information of the beacon transmission unit that it had (S404). After that, the process returns to the monitoring state (S402) (S406).

Next, a power supply/control link provided in each unit such as a communication control unit that constitutes the communication device 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of a power supply/control link on the surface of the unit 501. The unit 501 has a power supply/control link on all connection surfaces with other units. It is possible to construct a communication device 502 can be coupled to other units in which the surface therefore.

5A and 5B are schematic perspective views for explaining the power supply/control link in more detail. The adapter 50 is a connection unit in which a power supply link and a control link are integrated (Fig. 5(a)). Recesses 52 are provided on all surfaces of the unit other than the interface unit. The adapter 50 has a shape and size that fit in the recess 52. In this example, the adapter 50 is a rectangular parallelepiped. If the depth of the recessed portion 52 is set to be approximately half the length of the adapter 50, the entire surface of the unit will be in close contact, so that space will not be wasted. On the surface of the adapter 50, a connector (not shown) for receiving and supplying power and communication is provided, and a required number of pins are installed in the connector. A power line and a communication line (both not shown) pass through the adapter 50. On the other hand, the recess 52 is provided with a connector (not shown) that fits into the connector of the adapter 50. For example, if the connector on the adapter side is female, the connector on the concave side is male. The communication device 502 is configured by connecting the units to each other by fitting the recess and the adapter (FIG. 5(b)). A latch mechanism may be provided in the recess and the adapter so that the connection is maintained by the latch mechanism in order to prevent the connection from being disengaged or to prevent excessive force from being applied to the connector. In addition, the power supply/control link provided in each unit includes a power supply line for supplying power to the unit to be connected and a communication line (both not shown) for communicating with the communication control unit and the like. Therefore, a unit not directly connected to the power supply unit or the communication control unit can receive and communicate with the power.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to receive and supply power between adjacent units and control the units. By providing the power supply/control links on all the connection surfaces, the connection shape can be freely rearranged.

The interface unit is a unit that connects the communication device configured by connection to an external network such as a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, a mobile network, or a fixed telephone line. In the case where the antenna cannot be placed due to the presence of the recess, which hinders network connection, it is desirable not to provide the recess on the surface used for connection.

It should be noted that the power supply line and the communication line may be integrated to form, for example, POE (Power on Ethernet). POE is a technology that puts a signal on the power supply.

FIG. 5 shows a communication control unit 601 (indicated as “C” in the figure), an interface unit 602 (indicated as “I”), a power supply unit 603 (indicated as “P”), and an external memory unit, which are components of the communication device 10. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a method of connecting 604 (denoted as “M”).

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the units are combined. The minimum configuration 701 is configured by connecting four types of power source unit 603, communication control unit 601, external memory unit 604, and interface unit 602 in this order (FIG. 6(a)). The communication control unit 601 is sandwiched between the external memory unit 604 and the power supply unit 603, but the power supply/control link provided in the communication control unit 601 supplies power from the power supply unit 603 to the external memory unit 604. You can Similarly, information can be exchanged between the power supply unit 603 and the external memory unit 604 by the power supply/control link.

In addition, in FIG. 5, since six recesses are provided for each unit, in one unit, a recess on one surface and a recess on five other surfaces, a recess on another surface and another five surfaces,... A power supply line and a communication line connecting the two are formed. The power supply/control links in FIG. 1 are collectively expressed as one link for power supply and one link for communication.

The interface unit 602 can be connected to each of the power supply unit 603, the communication control unit 601, the external memory unit 604, and the interface unit 602 having the minimum configuration in FIG. 6A, and any unit can be connected to the external network. (Fig. 6(b)).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6(c), four types of a power supply unit 603, a communication control unit 601, an external memory unit 604, and an interface unit 602 can be connected in a shape different from that of FIG. It is convenient for etc.

FIG. 6D shows an interface unit connected to each of the power supply unit 603, the communication control unit 601, and the external memory unit 604 that form the communication device of FIG. 6C.

Since each unit is provided with a power supply/control link, the device can be configured in any order and in any shape. A basic configuration is a combination of these four types of units, and an interface unit is connected to an arbitrary connection surface to form a communication device having an arbitrary shape.

4 to 7, each unit is a cube so that any surface of any unit can be connected to another unit. However, since the interface unit 602 is often located outside the communication device, the restriction is loose, and another shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped may be used. Further, although the shape of the communication device that can be connected and configured is limited, units having other functions may have a shape other than a cube. For example, when the space for installation or storage is limited, if the unit can be made thin, the unit may be made thin to save space.

Further, in the examples of FIGS. 4 to 7, the recess 52 and the adapter 50 are used to perform wired power supply/reception and communication, but non-contact power transmission and wireless communication may be performed. For non-contact power transmission, for example, coils are provided in each of the facing recesses of the connecting portion between the units to transmit power by an electromagnetic induction method, or when each recess is a resonant circuit on the power transmitting side and the power receiving side, and the power source is direct current. Is an inverter that converts direct current to high frequency, a rectifying unit that converts high frequency to direct current is provided, and power is transmitted by an electromagnetic resonance method. If it is desired to reduce the distance between the opposing coils and the resonance circuit, they may be provided in the adapter instead of the recess.

For wireless communication, an antenna may be provided in the facing recesses to perform wireless communication.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a communication device that can suppress unnecessary equipment investment and increase in installation space and that can be easily expanded and reduced.

The reason why unnecessary equipment investment can be suppressed is that the required number of communication control units and interface units can be installed. As a result, equipment enhancement can be optimized. In addition, if links corresponding to various communication standards are provided in the interface unit, it is not necessary to add a unit having the standard separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the installation space and effectively use it. For the existing box type, it is necessary to secure the installation space when adding a case. Further, in the chassis type, the case may be introduced with unused slots being secured. However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to enhance the equipment while minimizing the number of additional enclosures, and it is not necessary to secure the installation space in advance in the chassis type, so the installation space can be reduced. Become.

Further, in the present embodiment, since each unit is provided with a power supply/control link, the units can be connected in any order.

Further, in the present embodiment, a housing shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped can be realized. Therefore, the housing can be installed in a space that would otherwise be a dead space, and restrictions on the installation space can be reduced.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration when the communication control unit is made redundant in the communication device 15 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

When two or more communication control units are configured, the connected interface unit 207, power supply unit 212, and external memory unit 213 select one of the communication control units 201 and 204 to which it belongs. The communication control unit to which it belongs uses the resources of the external memory unit 213 and the data transfer of the interface unit 207.

In order to grasp the overall connection status, the communication control unit collects the communication control unit (master unit) 201 (hereinafter referred to as master unit 201) that collects information belonging to multiple communication control units and the management information of the unit to which it belongs. The role is divided into a communication control unit (slave unit) 204 (hereinafter referred to as slave unit 204) to be passed to the master unit 201. The master device 201 grasps all the connected devices based on the management information collected from the slave device 204, and centrally performs setting change and status management. The master unit 201 has a CPU/memory control unit 202 and an ASIC processing unit 203 inside. Similarly, the slave unit 204 also internally includes a CPU/memory control unit 205 and an ASIC processing unit 206.

Each of the communication control units 201 and 204 has a management table of connected devices. The slave device 204 holds identification information of the device that is responsible for the control operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the Ethernet port module 210, the Fiber Channel port module 211, and the external memory unit 213 belong to the slave machine 204 (represented by the solid line in FIG. 8), and the slave machine 204 has these devices. It has a management table. In FIG. 8, the slave device 204, the wireless LAN module 208, the ISDN port module 209, and the power supply unit 212 are connected by a broken line to indicate that the slave device 204 backs up when the master device 203 fails. Showing.

On the other hand, the master unit 201 also holds the identification information of the unit that the slave unit holds as well as the identification information of the device that controls the master unit. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the wireless LAN module 208, the ISDN port module 209, and the power supply unit 210 belong to the master device 201 (represented by the solid line in FIG. 8), and the master device 201 manages these devices. Have a table.

Further, the master unit 201 also holds the identification information of the Ethernet port module 210, the Fiber Channel port module 211, and the external memory unit 213 of the slave unit 204. The master unit 201 does not control the operation of the units belonging to the slave unit 204, and manages only information such as setting changes and state management. Therefore, the actual transfer control or the like is performed only for the device in which each communication control unit is responsible for the control operation. The slave machine only performs data transfer processing, and management is performed by the master machine, so in that sense it is a master slave. However, since data transfer processing is performed by both the master and slave units, it can be said that it is active/active. The reason why the master unit 203, the Ethernet port module 210, the Fiber Channel port module 211, and the external memory unit 213 are connected by a broken line in FIG. 8 is as follows. When the slave unit 204 fails, the master unit 203 backs up. Further, as described above, it also indicates that the master unit 203 manages information such as setting changes and status management of the Ethernet port module 210, Fiber Channel port module 211, and external memory unit 213.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of registering information of each unit constituting the communication device 10 in the management table when the communication control unit is made redundant. Each unit periodically sends out a beacon signal (S301). The communication control unit monitors the beacon signal (S302), and when the signal is received (S303), it confirms whether the unit that transmitted the beacon exists in the management information (S304). If it exists, the state returns to the monitoring state (S305). If the unit that sent the beacon does not exist in the management information, that is, if it is not registered, the interface unit, power supply unit, and external memory unit 213 include the master unit among the communication control units, and the processing load is the highest at that time. Select a small communication control unit (S306). The unregistered unit is registered in the selected communication control unit (S307) and controlled by the communication control unit.

The method of selecting the communication control unit with the smallest processing load by the external memory unit 213 is as follows. The communication control units 201 and 204 send information indicating the magnitude of the load to the external memory unit 213, for example, the occupancy rate of the calculation resources of the CPU of the communication control unit, and the external memory unit 213 receives it to reduce the load. Select the communication control unit.

The interface unit, power supply unit, and external memory unit determine whether the communication control unit is the master unit (S308), and if it is the master unit, return to the monitoring state (S309). When controlled by the slave machine, the slave machine sends the identifier of the connected unit to the master machine (S310). This allows the master unit to centrally manage the states of connected units, including slave units (S311). The unit whose registration in the management table is completed belongs to the communication control unit, and thereafter exchanges beacon signals only with the communication control unit to which the unit belongs. Each connected unit continues to emit a beacon to the communication control unit even after connecting to the communication control unit, and the communication control unit also continues to receive it. Even if another beacon sending unit B (power supply) is sandwiched between the communication control unit and the beacon sending unit A (for example, external memory), the beacon sent by A reaches the communication control unit without being disturbed by B.

FIG. 10 shows a method of deleting the identification information of the management table in the communication control unit. Each unit sends out a beacon signal while belonging to the communication control unit (S401), and the communication control unit checks the state by monitoring this (S402). When the user removes the beacon sending unit from the communication device, the beacon signal sent to the communication control unit by the beacon sending unit is interrupted. The communication control unit detects that the beacon signal that has been received until then is interrupted (S403). The beacon signal is interrupted when the user removes the unit or when the unit itself fails to transmit the beacon. When it is detected, the communication control unit to which it belongs deletes the management information of the beacon transmission unit that it had (S404). If the communication control unit is the master machine, the process returns to state monitoring (S406). When the device is a slave device, the master device is notified of the update of the management information (S407), and the master device deletes the information of the beacon transmission unit from the management table (S408).
(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 15 in the case where not only the communication control unit but also a plurality of power supply units and external memory units are provided. The difference from the communication device 13 (FIG. 8) of the second embodiment is that it has two power supply units, power supply units 212 and 312, and two external memory units, external memory units 213 and 313.

The added power supply unit 312 can be used as a backup when the power supply unit 212 fails, and the external memory unit 313 can be used as a backup when the external memory unit 312 fails, that is, as a redundant configuration. Further, the data transfer can be configured as active/active as described above. In addition, when there is insufficient supply capacity in one power supply unit due to the plurality of communication control units, both power supply units 212 and 312 are used as masters. In that case, there is no unit that operates as a slave.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a communication device having a redundant configuration. When the communication control unit 601, the interface unit 602, the power supply unit 603, and the external memory unit 604 are made redundant, a plurality of communication control units 601, the interface unit 602, the power supply unit 603, and the external memory unit 604 are mounted to form a redundant configuration. Yes (801). At this time, the communication control unit 601 to which the interface unit 602, the power supply unit 603, and the external memory unit 604 belong is determined according to the flowchart in FIG. 9, but the communication control unit 601 to which the communication control unit 601 belongs is set by setting. It can be arbitrarily determined.

Although the communication control unit, the external memory unit, and the power supply unit are all plural in this embodiment, the number of the communication control unit may be one, and the power supply unit and the external memory unit may be plural. In that case, the power supply unit and the external memory unit may have a redundant configuration, or if the power supply capacity of one power supply unit is insufficient, a plurality of power supply units may be used together as a master.
(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the communication device 15 according to the fourth embodiment of this invention. The communication device 15 includes a communication control unit 106, a memory unit 129, an interface unit, and a power supply unit 122, which are independent units for each function. Each unit is provided with power supply/control links 901, 902, 903, 904. Connection parts 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008 are formed on the outer surface of each unit. Communicate.

Since it is only necessary to connect the required number of units with the connecting portion, it is possible to suppress unnecessary capital investment and suppress an increase in installation space. Further, since each unit is provided with a power supply/control link, both power supply and communication become easy.

The whole or part of the exemplary embodiments disclosed above can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
(Appendix 1)
The function-dependent independent units are connected to each other, and the independent units are a communication control unit, a memory unit, an interface unit, and a power supply unit, and each unit includes a power supply/control link.
A communication device, wherein a connecting portion is formed on an outer surface of each unit, adjacent units are connected by the connecting portion, and power is supplied and communication is performed between the connected units.
(Appendix 2)
The communication device according to appendix 1, further comprising an adapter that can be connected to a connection portion of each unit, and the adjacent units are connected by the adapter.
(Appendix 3)
3. The communication device according to appendix 2, wherein the adapter includes a power supply line and a communication line corresponding to the power supply/control link of each unit.
(Appendix 4)
4. The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the connecting portion is a recess formed on the outer surface of each unit, and the adapter is shaped to fit in the recess.
(Appendix 5)
5. The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the communication control unit has a management table that manages identification information of the memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit.
(Appendix 6)
6. The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the power supply/control link includes a power supply/reception link and a communication control link.
(Appendix 7)
7. The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the interface unit includes at least one surface not provided with the power supply/control link.
(Appendix 8)
When the communication control unit receives a wireless signal including identification information of a unit not included in the management table, the communication control unit determines that the unit is connected to the communication control unit, and the management table includes identification information of the connected unit. The communication device according to any one of appendices 5 to 7, wherein the communication device is registered.
(Appendix 9)
9. The communication device according to appendix 8, wherein, as the unit to be connected, a communication control unit having the smallest processing load is selected from the plurality of communication control units and belongs to the communication control unit.
(Appendix 10)
The communication control unit has a management table that manages identification information of the memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit, and if the wireless signal being received is interrupted, it is determined that the disconnected unit is disconnected. The communication device according to any one of appendices 5 to 7, wherein the identification information of the disconnected unit is deleted from the management table.
(Appendix) 11
A plurality of the communication control units are provided, and any one of the plurality of communication control units includes a management table that manages identification information of the memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit, and the one communication control unit is the memory. A unit, the interface unit, and a part of the power supply unit, and a communication control unit other than the one communication control unit communicates with the rest of the interface unit and the power supply unit. 10. The communication device according to any one of 10.
(Appendix 12)
12. The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 11, which includes a plurality of the memory units and the power supply unit and has a redundant configuration.
(Appendix 13)
The memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit connected to the communication device include a beacon sending unit that sends a beacon including identification information of the own unit to the communication control unit, and the communication control unit is A beacon receiving unit for receiving the beacon,
13. The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 12, wherein beacons are transmitted and received between each of the units and the communication control unit, and the communication control unit receives the beacon.
(Appendix 14)
It is one of a communication control unit, a memory unit, a communication interface unit, and a power supply unit, and each unit includes a power supply/control link,
A connecting unit is formed on an outer surface of each unit, adjacent units are connected by the connecting unit, and power supply and communication are performed between the connected units.
(Appendix 15)
A method for assembling a communication device having a power supply/control link and connecting independent units for each function, wherein the independent units are a communication control unit, a memory unit, an interface unit, and a power supply unit, and each unit A method of assembling a communication device, wherein a connecting part is formed on the outer surface of the device, and the adjacent units are connected by the connecting part.

10, 13, 15 Communication equipment
50 adapter
101 Communication control unit
102 Communication control link
103 Power supply link
104 CPU/memory controller
105 ASIC processing unit
106 Interface unit
107 Wireless LAN module
108 Communication control link
109 Power supply/link
110 ISDN port module
111 Communication control link
112 Power receiving/supplying link
113 Ethernet port module
114 Communication control link
115 Power supply link
116 Fiber Channel Port Module
117 Communication control link
118 Power supply/link
119 USB Port Module
120 Communication control link
121 Power supply link
122 power supply unit
123 AC power module
124 Communication control link
125 Power supply link
126 DC power module
127 Communication control link
128 Power supply/link
129 External memory unit
130 Compact FLASH module
131 Communication control link
132 Power supply and supply link
133 DRAM module
134 Communication control link
135 Power supply link
201 Master machine
202 CPU/memory controller
203 ASIC processing unit
204 slave machine
205 CPU/memory controller
206 ASIC processing part
207 Interface unit
208 wireless LAN module
209 ISDN Port Module
210 Ethernet port module
211 Fiber Channel Port Module
212 power supply unit
213 External memory unit
501 modules
502 Module configuration diagram
601 Communication control unit
602 Interface unit
603 power supply unit
604 External memory unit
901, 902, 903, 904 Power supply/control link
1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008 Connection part

Claims (10)

The function-dependent independent units are connected to each other, and the independent units are a communication control unit, a memory unit, an interface unit, and a power supply unit, and each unit includes a power supply/control link.
A connection unit is formed on the outer surface of each unit, adjacent units are connected at the connection unit, and is a communication device for performing power supply and communication between the connected units,
The communication control unit has a management table that manages identification information of the memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit,
A communication device, wherein when a unit to be newly connected is not registered in the management table, the unit to be newly connected registers identification information in the management table of the communication control unit having a small processing load.

The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: an adapter that can be connected to a connection portion of each unit, and adjacent units are connected by the adapter. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the adapter includes a power supply line and a communication line corresponding to a power supply/control link of each unit. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion is a concave portion formed on an outer surface of each unit, and the adapter has a shape that fits in the concave portion. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply/control link includes a power supply/reception link and a communication control link. When the communication control unit receives a wireless signal including identification information of a unit not included in the management table, the communication control unit determines that the unit is connected to the communication control unit, and the management table includes identification information of the connected unit. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication device is registered. Said communication control unit, said memory unit, and a management table for managing identification information of said interface unit and said power unit, said memory unit, the interface unit and the non-linear signal which has been received from the power supply unit is interrupted The communication device according to claim 4 , wherein in the case where the disconnected unit is determined to be disconnected, the identification information of the disconnected unit is deleted from the management table. A plurality of the communication control units are provided, and any one of the plurality of communication control units includes a management table that manages identification information of the memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit, and the one communication control unit is the memory. A unit, a part of said interface unit, and said power supply unit are communicated, and a communication control unit other than said one communication control unit communicates with a remaining unit of said interface unit and said power supply unit. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 7 . The memory unit, the interface unit, and the power supply unit connected to the communication device include a beacon sending unit that sends a beacon including identification information of the own unit to the communication control unit, and the communication control unit is A beacon receiving unit for receiving the beacon,
The transmitted and received beacon between each unit and the communication control unit, said communication control unit communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for receiving the beacon. When a unit approaches and the communication control unit receives a beacon, the unit is provisionally registered in the management table, the provisionally registered units are connected and power is supplied from the power supply unit, or a unit other than the power supply unit. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the communication device is registered when communication is started with the communication device.

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