JP7797225B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method for a communication device, and a program.

There is a connection method called a daisy chain, in which multiple communication devices each have multiple network interfaces, and multiple devices are connected to a network by connecting their respective network interfaces. This type of connection method is used, for example, in image communication systems (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-211828

When starting up a communication system consisting of multiple communication devices, it is necessary to turn on the power switch of each communication device, which takes time. If the multiple communication devices are installed at some distance from each other, it takes even more time to turn on the power switch of each communication device. In such cases, it is possible to start up multiple communication devices simultaneously using a power supply device such as a power strip with a power switch. However, there are limits to the power capacity for simultaneous startup and the number of communication devices that can be started up, and in large systems, multiple communication devices may be installed in multiple distant locations, making the startup process complicated.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to efficiently power on multiple communication devices that are connected to each other.

As one means for achieving the above object, a communication device of the present invention has the following configuration: first communication means for receiving a startup packet for starting up a communication device in a standby state from a first other communication device, startup means for performing startup processing for the communication device, second communication means for transmitting the startup packet to a second other communication device , a startup switch for starting up the communication device, and generation means for generating the startup packet, wherein when the startup packet is received by the first communication means, the startup means performs the startup processing, and the second communication means transmits the startup packet to the second other communication device before the startup processing by the startup means is completed , and when the startup switch is turned on by a user without the startup packet being received by the first communication means, the generation means generates the startup packet, the startup means performs the startup processing, and before the startup processing by the startup means is completed, the first communication means transmits the generated startup packet to the first other communication device, and the second communication means transmits the generated startup packet to the second other communication device .

This invention makes it possible to efficiently power on multiple interconnected communication devices.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of an image communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the power-on process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of an image communication system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a power-on process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of an image communication system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a power-on process according to the third embodiment.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one example of a means for realizing the present invention, and should be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in this embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
(Configuration of communication device)
Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device 101 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, the communication device 101 includes a main system unit 131 and a startup packet control unit 132. The communication device 101 is configured to start up upon receiving a packet with a special format called a startup packet. An example of a technology for starting up a device upon receiving this startup packet is known as Wake on LAN (WoL).

The main system unit 131 executes software such as the OS (Operating System) and application programs, and performs camera control and communications. The main system unit 131 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 104, file system 105, camera control unit 108, and bus 109. The camera control unit 108 controls the connected imaging camera (not shown).

The startup packet control unit 132 uses a startup packet to control the startup of the main system unit 131 (i.e., startup from the standby (sleep) state of the communication device (a state in which the main system unit 131 is not started (not supplied with power)). The startup packet can be a Wake on LAN (WoL) startup packet, and is a packet for starting up the communication device in standby state. The startup packet control unit 132 is composed of a first communication I/F (interface) unit 113-1, a second communication I/F unit 113-2, a startup packet transmission unit 122, a power supply control unit 121, and a micro CPU 124.

The first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the second communication I/F unit 113-2 are each an interface unit for connecting to an external device. The first communication I/F unit 113-1 includes a first detection unit 114-1, and the second communication I/F unit 113-2 includes a second detection unit 114-2. The transmission path 110-1 is connected to the first communication I/F unit 113-1, and the transmission path 110-2 is connected to the second communication I/F unit 113-2. In this embodiment, the transmission path may be configured as an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable. In the following description, the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the second communication I/F unit 113-2 may be collectively referred to as communication I/F units 113, and the first detection unit 114-1 and the second detection unit 114-2 may be collectively referred to as detection units 114.

The startup packet transmitter 122 transmits startup packets from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the second communication I/F unit 113-2. The power supply controller 121 functions as a power supply and power supply control unit, and controls the supply and stop of power to the main system unit 131. The power line 123 is a power line that supplies power. The microCPU 124 includes a small ROM and RAM and is configured to execute small programs with little power, and controls power supply control in response to the reception of startup packets and the transmission of startup packets. The sub-bus 129 is used by the microCPU 124 to detect the reception of startup packets, send them, and issue power control instructions.

In the communication device 101, the power supply control unit 121 stops the supply of power to the main system unit 131 and supplies power only to the startup packet control unit 132, thereby putting the communication device 101 into a standby state (standby mode). In the startup packet control unit 132, when the startup packet detection unit 114 of the communication I/F unit 113 detects the reception of a startup packet, the power supply control unit 121 supplies power to the main system unit 131. This allows the main system unit 131 to be started up (the communication device 101 to be put into a startup state).

(Configuration of image communication system)
FIG. 2 shows an example configuration of an image communication system 10 that uses the communication device 101 shown in FIG. 1. In the image communication system 10, communication devices 101-a to 101-e, each having a configuration similar to that of the communication device 101, are connected to one another for time synchronization. Each of the communication devices 101-a to 101-e has two communication I/F units (a first communication I/F unit 113-1 and a second communication I/F unit 113-2), and the communication I/F units are connected to one another to form a daisy chain connection. Cameras 208-a to 208-e are connected to the communication devices 101-a to 101-e, respectively. Furthermore, the power supply control units 121 of the communication devices 101-a to 101-b are connected to a power supply line 123-a, and the power supply control units 121 of the communication devices 101-c to 101-e are connected to a power supply line 123-b. Power lines 123-a and 123-b may be configured with multiple power lines so as not to exceed the power capacity. In the following description, communication devices 101-a to 101-e may be collectively referred to as communication devices 101, and cameras 208-a to 208-e may be collectively referred to as cameras 208.

The first communication I/F unit 113-1 of the communication device 101-a is connected to the hub 205. Images captured by the camera 208 are transmitted by the communication device 101 to the image server 203. The image server 203 collects and edits the images captured by the camera 208 connected to the communication device 101. Note that in this embodiment, the term "image" can include still images and/or moving images. The control terminal 201 controls the image communication system 10 in accordance with user operations. For example, the control terminal 201 transmits a startup packet to the communication device 101-a in accordance with user operations. The time server 202 is used to synchronize the time of the communication device 101. The distribution server 204 distributes images collected and edited by the image server 203. The control terminal 201, the time server 202, the image server 203, and the distribution server 204 are connected to the hub 205. The distribution server 204 is also connected to the Internet 206. This allows images collected and edited by the image server 203 to be distributed via the Internet 206 to the display device 207, which is a device used by the end user.

(Power-on process flow)
Next, the power-on process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of the power-on process according to this embodiment. This process is executed by the micro CPU 124 when power is not supplied to the main system unit 131 in the communication device 101 shown in Fig. 1.

In the communication device 101, the microCPU 124 is initially in an interrupt wait state (S300). In this state, when the communication I/F unit 113 receives a startup packet and the detection unit 114 detects the startup packet, the detection unit 114 generates an interrupt. When the microCPU 124 receives the interrupt, it checks whether the first detection unit 114-1 or the second detection unit 114-2 detected the startup packet (S301). If a startup packet is not detected (No in S301), the received interrupt is not an interrupt due to the reception of a startup packet, so processing returns to S300 and the microCPU 124 waits for the next interrupt. If a startup packet is detected (Yes in S301), the microCPU 124 requests the power supply control unit 121 to power on the main system unit 131 (S302). This powers on the main system unit 131, and the OS, applications, etc. start up.

Next, the microCPU 124 checks whether the detected startup packet is a startup packet received by the first communication I/F unit 113-1 or the second communication I/F unit 113-2 (S303). If the detected startup packet is a startup packet received by the second communication I/F unit 113-2 (No in S303), the microCPU 124 requests the startup packet transmission unit 122 to transmit the startup packet from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 (S304), and the microCPU 124 ends processing. Next, the startup packet transmission unit 122 transmits the startup packet from the first communication I/F unit 113-1.

On the other hand, if the detected startup packet is a startup packet received by the first communication I/F unit 113-1 (Yes in S303), the microCPU 124 requests the startup packet transmission unit 122 to transmit the startup packet from the second communication I/F unit 113-2 (S305), and the microCPU 124 ends processing. Next, the startup packet transmission unit 122 transmits the startup packet from the second communication I/F unit 113-2.

The processing of S304 and S305 ends the processing of the microCPU 124, but since the main system unit 131 of the communication device 101 remains activated, the main system unit 131 can continue processing as the communication device 101. Furthermore, even if the main system unit 131 is stopped due to a stop command from the user, the microCPU 124 is configured to enter an interrupt wait state (S301) and waits for the next startup packet.

As described above, the communication device 101 that has been started up by a startup packet received from one of the communication I/F units transmits a startup packet from the other communication I/F unit 113 (which has not received the startup packet). This process continues in the daisy-chained communication devices 101-a to 101-e as shown in Figure 2, allowing the communication devices 101-a to 101-e to start up one after another. This eliminates the need to individually power on the communication devices 101 in a daisy-chained communication system, making the startup process easier.
Furthermore, upon confirming receipt of the startup packet, the micro CPU 124 supplies power to the main system unit 131 and performs control to transmit the startup packet to the other communication devices 101. In other words, the micro CPU 124 performs control to transmit the startup packet before (without waiting for) the completion of the startup process of the main system unit 131. This allows the startup time of the entire image communication system 10 in FIG. 2 to be shortened.

In the above description, the startup packet transmitter 122 and detector 114 are separate components, but they may be configured as software executed by the micro CPU 124. The micro CPU 124 may also be configured as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described, and a description of the same features as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

(Configuration of communication device)
Fig. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device 101 according to this embodiment. The communication device 101 shown in Fig. 4 is different from the communication device 101 according to the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 1 in that a power switch 401 is added. When a user turns on the power switch 401, an interrupt occurs, and the micro CPU 124 turns on the power to the main system unit 131 of the communication device 101.

(Configuration of image communication system)
Fig. 5 shows an example of the configuration of an image communication system 10 that uses the communication device 101 shown in Fig. 4. The image communication system 10 shown in Fig. 5 differs from the image communication system 10 according to the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 2 in that a power switch 401 is added to each of the communication devices 101-a to 101-e.

(Power-on process flow)
Next, the power-on process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of the power-on process according to this embodiment. The same processes as those in Fig. 3 described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Note that the processes of S302A and S302B in Fig. 6 are the same as the process of S302 in Fig. 3.

When the microCPU 124, which is in an interrupt waiting state (S300), receives an interrupt, it checks whether a startup packet has been detected by the first detection unit 114-1 or the second detection unit 114-2 (S301). If a startup packet has not been detected (No in S301), the microCPU 124 checks whether the startup switch 401 has been turned on (S601). If the startup switch 401 has not been turned on (No in S601), processing returns to S300, and the microCPU 124 waits for the next interrupt. If a startup packet has been received (Yes in S301), processing proceeds to S302A, and the processing of S302 to S305 in Figure 3 is then performed.

If the startup switch 401 is turned on in S601 (Yes in S601), the microCPU 124 requests the power supply control unit 121 to power on the main system unit 131 (S302B). This powers on the main system unit 131, and the OS, applications, etc. start up. The microCPU 124 then generates a startup packet and requests the startup packet transmission unit 122 to transmit the generated startup packet from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the second communication I/F unit 113-2 (S602), and the microCPU 124 ends processing. Next, the startup packet transmission unit 122 transmits the startup packet from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the second communication I/F unit 113-2.

In this way, the communication device 101 according to this embodiment is configured so that an interrupt occurs not only when a startup packet is received but also when the power switch 401 is turned on. When the user turns on the power switch 401, that is, when the user directly powers on the communication device 101, the micro CPU 124 controls the transmission of startup packets from both the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the second communication I/F unit 113-2. This makes it possible to start up the communication devices 101-a to 101-e in the image communication system 10 shown in FIG. 5 without sending a startup packet from the control terminal 201.

Furthermore, communication devices 101-a to 101-e can also be started up when an intermediate device among daisy-chained communication devices 101-a to 101-e is powered on. Specifically, for example, when communication device 101-c in Figure 5 is powered on, communication device 101-c sends a startup packet to communication devices 101-b and 101-d. Communication device 101-b sends a startup packet to 101-a, and communication device 101-d sends a startup packet to 101-e, thereby starting up all communication devices 101-a to 101-e in the image communication system.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described, and a description of the same features as those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

(Configuration of communication device)
Fig. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device 101 according to this embodiment. Compared to the communication device 101 according to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig. 4, the communication device 101 shown in Fig. 7 has a third communication I/F unit 113-3 and a fourth communication I/F unit 113-4 added thereto. Accordingly, a third detection unit 114-3 and a fourth detection unit 114-4 are also added. A transmission path 110-3 and a transmission path 110-4 are connected to the third communication I/F unit 113-3 and the fourth communication I/F unit 113-4, respectively. As in the above-described embodiment, the transmission paths may be configured by Ethernet cables.

(Configuration of image communication system)
Fig. 8 shows an example configuration of an image communication system 10 that uses the communication device 101 shown in Fig. 7. In comparison with the image communication system 10 according to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig. 5, the image communication system 10 shown in Fig. 8 has communication devices 101-a to 101-e each connected in a daisy chain of two cables. In this way, the image communication system 10 according to this embodiment has redundancy against failures such as communication cable trouble. Note that, although this embodiment shows an example in which the communication devices 101-a to 101-e each connected in a daisy chain of two cables, the number of daisy chain connections is not limited to two.

(Power-on process flow)
Next, the power-on process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the power-on process according to this embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the same processes as those in Fig. 3 described in the first embodiment and Fig. 6 described in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

When the microCPU 124, which is in an interrupt waiting state (S300), receives an interrupt, it determines whether the main system unit 131 is powered on (S901). If the main system unit 131 is powered on (Yes in S901), the microCPU 124 ends processing. If the main system unit 131 is not powered on (No in S901), the microCPU 124 checks whether a startup packet has been detected by any of the first detection unit 114-1 to fourth detection unit 114-4 (S301). If a startup packet has been detected (Yes in S301), the microCPU 124 requests the power supply control unit 121 to power on the main system unit 131 (S302A).

Next, the microCPU 124 checks whether the detected startup packet is a startup packet received by the first communication I/F unit 113-1 or the third communication I/F unit 113-3 (S902). If the detected startup packet is not a startup packet received by the first communication I/F unit 113-1 or the third communication I/F unit 113-3 (No in S902), processing proceeds to S903. In S903, the microCPU 124 requests the startup packet transmission unit 122 to transmit the startup packet from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the third communication I/F unit 113-3 (S903), and the microCPU 124 ends processing. Next, the startup packet transmission unit 122 transmits the startup packet from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 and the third communication I/F unit 113-3.

On the other hand, if the detected startup packet is a startup packet received by the first communication I/F unit 113-1 or the second communication I/F unit 113-3 (Yes in S902), processing proceeds to S904. In S904, the microCPU 124 requests the startup packet transmission unit 122 to transmit the startup packet from the second communication I/F unit 113-2 and the fourth communication I/F unit 113-4 (S904), and the microCPU 124 ends processing. Next, the startup packet transmission unit 122 transmits the startup packet from the second communication I/F unit 113-2 and the fourth communication I/F unit 113-4.

If a startup packet is not detected in S301 (No in S301) and the startup switch 401 is not turned on (No in S601), processing returns to S300. If the startup switch 401 is turned on in S601 (Yes in S601), the microCPU 124 requests the power supply control unit 121 to power on the main system unit 131 (S302B). The microCPU 124 then requests the startup packet transmission unit 122 to transmit startup packets from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 to the fourth communication I/F unit 113-4 (S905), and the microCPU 124 ends processing. The startup packet transmission unit 122 then transmits startup packets from the first communication I/F unit 113-1 to the fourth communication I/F unit 113-4.

As described above, in the image communication system 10 according to this embodiment, the communication devices 101-a to 101-e are connected in a multiplexed daisy chain (Figure 8), and when a startup packet is sent from the control terminal 201, the communication device 101-a receives two startup packets. When sending the received startup packets, the communication device 101 sends the packets from two communication I/F units 113 different from the two communication I/F units 113 used for reception, thereby improving fault tolerance in the event of a cable failure, etc. Furthermore, if each communication device 101 has already been powered on (Yes in S901 in Figure 9), it does not perform the startup process and startup packet transmission process, thereby preventing the unnecessary transmission of startup packets.

In this embodiment, if the communication device 101 determines that the main system unit 131 has already been powered on (Yes in S901 of FIG. 9 ), it does not power on the main system unit 131 or send a startup packet. However, this determination may also be made using, for example, a software flag. For example, a flag may be set when a startup packet is received (or when power on or startup of the main system unit 131 has occurred). If the microCPU 124 of the communication device 101 determines based on the flag after receiving the startup packet that it has not received the startup packet (i.e., the main system unit 131 has not been powered on (started)), it powers on the main system unit 131 and sends a startup packet. On the other hand, if the microCPU 124 determines based on the flag after receiving the startup packet that it has already received the startup packet (i.e., the main system unit 131 has been powered on (started)), it does not power on the main system unit 131 or send a startup packet. The software flag may also be set when a startup packet is sent.

In this way, according to each of the embodiments described above, it is possible to efficiently power on multiple communication devices that are connected to each other. Note that while the above embodiments have been described using an example of a communication system in which multiple communication devices are daisy-chained, these embodiments can be applied to any communication system in which multiple communication devices are connected to each other.

The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101: Communication device, 113-1 to 113-4: First to fourth communication I/F units, 114-1 to 114-4: First to fourth detection units, 121: Power control unit, 122: Startup packet transmission unit, 131: Main system unit, 132: Startup packet control unit, 401: Power switch

Claims (9)

A communication device,
a first communication means for receiving a startup packet for starting up a communication device in a standby state from a first other communication device;
a startup means for performing startup processing of the communication device;
a second communication means for transmitting the activation packet to a second other communication device;
a start switch for starting up the communication device;
generating means for generating the boot packet;
when the startup packet is received by the first communication means, the startup means performs the startup process, and the second communication means transmits the startup packet to the second other communication device before the startup process is completed by the startup means;
A communication device characterized in that when the user turns on the startup switch while the startup packet has not been received by the first communication means, the generation means generates the startup packet, the startup means performs the startup processing, and before the startup processing is completed by the startup means, the first communication means transmits the generated startup packet to the first other communication device, and the second communication means transmits the generated startup packet to the second other communication device. the device further comprises a determination unit that determines, when the first communication unit receives the startup packet, whether the startup process has already been performed by the startup unit;
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the determining means determines that the activating means has not performed the activating process, the activating means performs the activating process. the device further comprises a determination means for determining whether the startup process has already been performed by the startup means when the startup switch is turned on by a user in a state where the startup packet has not been received by the first communication means,
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the determining means determines that the startup process is not being performed, the generating means generates the startup packet, and the startup means performs the startup process. the first communication means is connected to the first other communication device via one or more transmission paths;
4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication means is connected to the second other communication device via one or more transmission paths. The communication device described in claim 4, characterized in that the transmission path is composed of an Ethernet cable. The communication device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the startup packet is a Wake-on-LAN (WoL) startup packet. A communication system having a plurality of communication devices connected in a daisy chain,
7. A communication system, wherein each of said plurality of communication devices is a communication device according to claim 1. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:
a first communication step of receiving a startup packet for starting up a communication device in a standby state from a first other communication device;
a startup process for performing startup processing of the communication device;
a second communication step of transmitting the activation packet to a second other communication device;
a receiving step of receiving an input to a start switch for starting the communication device;
a generating step of generating the boot packet,
When the startup packet is received in the first communication step, the startup process is performed in the startup step, and before the startup process in the startup step is completed, the startup packet is transmitted to the second other communication device in the second communication step;
A control method characterized in that, when the startup packet has not been received in the first communication process and input to the startup switch from the user is received in the reception process, the generation process generates the startup packet, the startup process performs the startup processing, and before the startup processing is completed by the startup process, the first communication process transmits the generated startup packet to the first other communication device, and the second communication process transmits the generated startup packet to the second other communication device. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device described in any one of claims 1 to 6.