JP2001339393A - Connection management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection management system that can easily and efficiently revise connection and setting in the case of connecting various devices as nodes in a network and revising setting of the various devices connected as the nodes in the network. SOLUTION: The connection management system conducts connection management of nodes being components of the network that is built up by including the nodes for data transmission/reception, and is provided with an acquisition means that acquires at least one parameter or over selected alternatively for logic connection between an output end point of a prescribed sender node and an input end point of a prescribed receiver side node from the transmitter side node and the receiver side node according to connection designation information, a comparison means that compares the parameter value of the parameter of the node of the transmitter side with the parameter value of the parameter of the receiver side node acquired by the acquisition means and a notice means that notifies the comparison result of the comparison means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection management system, and more particularly, to a network constructed including a plurality of nodes for transmitting and receiving data, which is used when connecting nodes constituting the network. Suitable connection management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In communication using a bidirectional high-speed serial transmission medium defined by the IEEE 1394 standard, one or more systems of data such as digital video data, digital audio signals, and MIDI data are transmitted at predetermined time intervals. Isochronous as a data transfer channel for transfer
The transfer channel has been set.

Here, the above digital video data,
When transmitting one or more systems of data, such as digital audio signals or MIDI data, by isochronous transfer, the isochronous transfer channel used by one transceiver for transmission must be used simultaneously by another transceiver for transmission. Is something that cannot be done.

Therefore, for example, a transmitting / receiving apparatus for isochronous transfer of one system of data per unit is N (“N”).
Is a positive integer of 2 or more. In a connected network, each transmission / reception device transmits data using a different transmission isochronous transfer channel. However, one transmission / reception device in this network transmits N-channel data transmitted from another transmission / reception device. In order to simultaneously receive one system of data packets, a circuit configuration capable of simultaneously receiving N-1 isochronous transfer channels is required.

By the way, in a network constructed by transmitting and receiving devices capable of transmitting and receiving data, for example, as described above, a plurality of systems of data such as digital video data, digital audio signals, and MIDI data are transmitted.
When transmitting and receiving via a bidirectional high-speed serial transmission medium defined by the IEEE 1394 standard using isochronous transfer, it is necessary to match the parameter values of the parameters on the transmitting side and the receiving side. Such parameters for which the parameter values of the parameters need to be matched between the transmitting side and the receiving side include, for example, a sampling frequency and a data format.

[0006] For this reason, conventionally, when connecting various devices in a network or when changing the settings of various devices connected in the network, the user has to change the settings of each device each time. After checking the specifications, the connection and settings were changed.

However, when a large number of devices are connected to the network or the settings of a large number of devices connected to the network are to be changed, the user has to change the settings of each device as in the prior art. If the connection and the setting are changed after checking the specifications, the workability is remarkably inferior and the efficiency is extremely low.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to connect various devices as nodes in a network. To provide a connection management system that can easily and efficiently change the settings of various devices that have been connected as nodes in the network. Is what you do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a connection management system according to the present invention provides various types of devices as nodes for constructing a network with a sampling frequency, Acquires information on the parameter values of parameters such as the data format for each of the sending and receiving sides, and if there is a parameter whose parameter value matches between the sending side and the receiving side whose connection is specified by the connection specification information, performs automatic connection ,on the other hand,
If the connection is not possible because there is no matching parameter value, it is possible to notify the user or another device to that effect.

Here, the connection management system according to the present invention may be separately incorporated in the network,
A transmitting node or a receiving node already existing in the network may perform the processing of the connection management system according to the present invention.

In the connection management system according to the present invention, the processing may be performed only on the sampling frequency as a parameter, the processing may be performed only on the data format as a parameter, and the sampling frequency may be performed on the parameter. The processing may be performed with respect to the data format.

According to the connection management system of the present invention, when connecting various devices as nodes in the network or changing settings of various devices connected as nodes in the network, the connection is And settings can be changed easily and efficiently.

Further, even when connection is impossible, the cause can be easily specified.

[0014] That is, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a connection management system that manages connection of nodes constructing the network in a network constructed including a plurality of nodes that transmit and receive data. So,
According to the connection designation information, at least one parameter that is alternatively selected for logically connecting the output endpoint of the predetermined transmitting node and the input endpoint of the predetermined receiving node is set in the transmitting side. Acquiring means for acquiring from the node and the receiving node, comparing means for comparing the parameter value of the parameter of the transmitting node acquired by the acquiring means with the parameter value of the parameter of the receiving node, And a notifying means for notifying the comparison result of the comparing means.

Here, as in the second aspect of the present invention, the comparison result of the comparing means further includes a parameter value of a parameter of the transmitting node acquired by the acquiring means and a parameter value of the reception node. When the parameter value of the parameter of the side node indicates that there is a match, according to the connection designation information, the output end point of the transmitting node and the receiving side using the matching parameter. And connection means for logically connecting to the input end point of the other node.

Also, as in the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention, the connection designation information includes information indicating a connection priority order, and the connection means includes a connection request information included in the connection designation information. According to the information indicating the priority, the output endpoint of the transmitting node and the input endpoint of the receiving node may be logically connected using the matching parameters.

Further, as in the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, the notifying means may notify at least one of a user and another node constructing the network.

[0018] Further, as in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the parameter may be a sampling frequency.

Further, as in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the parameter may be in a data format.

Further, the parameter may be a sampling frequency and a data format.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connection management system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, description of the technical contents to which the conventional technology can be applied will be omitted, and the technical contents related to the implementation of the present invention will be described below. When connecting various devices as nodes to the network, or when changing the settings of various devices connected as nodes in the network, the connection and setting can be changed easily and efficiently. Only the processing to be performed will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network interconnected via a bidirectional transmission medium having a plurality of data transfer channels. In this configuration example of the network, One existing node (node number 3: personal computer (PC)) realizes an embodiment of the connection management system according to the present invention.

More specifically, a sampler (SPL) 12 and a plurality of systems of digital audio signals are recorded and reproduced by an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus 10 as a bidirectional high-speed transmission medium having an isochronous transfer channel as a plurality of data transfer channels. A possible hard disk recorder (HDR) 14 and a personal computer (PC) 16 are interconnected to form a network.

In this network, the personal computer 16 realizes an embodiment of the connection management system according to the present invention, and manages the connection between the sampler 12, the hard disk recorder 14, and itself (the personal computer 16). become.

Next, the configuration of the personal computer 16 will be described with reference to a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the personal computer 16 shown in FIG.

Here, the personal computer 16
Is a central processing unit (CPU) 2
It is configured to control using 0.

The CPU 20 has, via a bus, a read only memory (ROM) 22 in which a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 20 is stored,
A random access memory (RAM) 24 as a working area in which various registers necessary for executing programs by the PU 20 are set, a hard disk drive (HDD) 26, a display adapter 28 for controlling an external display monitor 40, A keyboard interface 30 to which an external keyboard 42 is connected;
IEEE 1394 interface 32 to which the 394 high-speed serial bus 10 is connected to transmit and receive data
And a digital / analog converter (D / A converter) 34 that converts a digital audio signal generated according to MIDI data or the like into an analog audio signal and outputs it as an audio output to a sound system (not shown). ing.

The analog audio signal output to the sound system as an audio output is emitted to a space as an audible sound through an amplifier (not shown) and a speaker (not shown) constituting the sound system. It is what is sounded.

Although not shown, the sampler 12
And the hard disk recorder 14 are IEEE 139
Four high-speed serial buses 10 are connected, and each has an IEEE 1394 interface for transmitting and receiving data.

The real-time data transfer such as digital video data, digital audio signal or MIDI data between the sampler 12, the hard disk recorder 14 and the personal computer 16 constructing this network uses isochronous transfer and requires real-time performance. The data transfer that is not performed is performed by asynchronous transfer.

Each of the sampler 12, hard disk recorder 14, and personal computer 16 is equipped with an IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus 1.
0 when connected to each other.
Each 1394 interface is identified as a network node, and a node number is assigned according to a standard.

In this network configuration example, specifically, the sampler 12 has "1" as the node number.
(Node number 1), the hard disk recorder 14 is assigned a node number "2" (node number 2), and the personal computer 16 is assigned a node number "3" (node number 3). I do.

Further, input / output endpoints logically connected to each of the sampler 12, the hard disk recorder 14, and the personal computer 16 (in this specification, "input endpoint (IP)" and "output endpoint ( OP)) are collectively referred to as "input / output endpoints." In order to simplify the description and facilitate the understanding of the present invention, as shown in FIG. IP) and an output end point (OP).

The personal computer 16
The MIDI sequencer 16a functions as a PC audio output 16b, and the MIDI sequencer 16a is provided with an output endpoint (OP).
It is assumed that the audio output 16b is provided with an input endpoint (IP).

Here, in this network, prior to connecting the input / output endpoints of each of the sampler 12, hard disk recorder 14, and personal computer 16, a bus reset by physical connection or release between the devices is performed. After that, the personal computer 16 executes a process of acquiring the parameter list, refers to the parameter list, and relates to the sampling frequency as a parameter for each node including itself (the personal computer 16) (“node number 1 = sampler 12). "And" node number 2 = hard disk recorder 14 ".
"Node number 3 = personal computer 16". A corresponding sampling frequency list indicating the corresponding sampling frequency of the input endpoint (IP corresponding sampling frequency) and the corresponding sampling frequency of the output endpoint (OP corresponding sampling frequency) is created and stored in the working area of the RAM.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the corresponding sampling frequency list created as described above.

Next, the personal computer 16
Referring to the corresponding sampling frequency list as shown in FIG. 4, a node-specific corresponding sampling frequency list indicating parameters and their parameter values for each node is created, and RA
It is stored in the working area of M24.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the corresponding sampling frequency list for each node created as described above. The corresponding sampling frequency list for each node shown in FIG. And is based on the corresponding sampling frequency list shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, “IP sampling frequency” is a specific frequency in “IP corresponding sampling frequency”, and “OP sampling frequency” is a specific frequency in “OP corresponding sampling frequency”. It is.

Although not shown, "node number 2 = hard disk recorder 14" and "node number 3 = personal computer 16"
This is to create a corresponding sampling frequency list for each node as in FIG.

Then, the connection designation information given by the user operating the keyboard 42 or the ROM 2
The connection designation information stored in advance in FIG.
3 shows an example of the connection designation information stored in advance. The personal computer 16 starts and executes the logical connection processing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 6, "transmission node number"
Is the “node number” of the transmitting device, the “transmission OP number” is “the number assigned to the output endpoint of the transmitting node”, and the “receiving node number” is the “node” of the receiving device. The "receiving IP number" is a "number assigned to the output end point of the receiving node".

Hereinafter, the logical connection processing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described in detail.

When this logical connection processing routine is activated, first, in the processing of step S702, the corresponding sampling frequency of the output end point for which the logical connection is specified corresponds to the output end point in the corresponding sampling frequency list for each node. The value of the corresponding sampling frequency starting from the position and the value of the corresponding sampling frequency in the corresponding sampling frequency list for each node of the input endpoint for which the logical connection is specified are acquired, and the acquired values of the sampling frequency are compared.

When the process of step S702 is completed, the process proceeds to step S704, and the process proceeds to step S704.
It is determined whether the result of the comparison in the process of 702 matches.

If it is determined in step S704 that the comparison results in step S702 match, the process proceeds to step S706, and the sampling frequency determined to be equal to the comparison result is replaced with the sampling frequency. RAM for each set of I / O endpoints
24 is added to the matching sampling frequency list set in the working area 24 (FIG. 8 shows an example of the matching sampling frequency list set in the working area of the RAM 24 for each set of input / output endpoints). At the same time, the number of elements of the coincident sampling frequency list (“the number of elements”
This shows the number of sampling frequencies for which the results of the comparison in the process 2 are determined to be the same. ) Is increased by “1”. When the process in step S706 ends, the process proceeds to a process in step S708.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S704 that the comparison result in step S702 does not match, the process jumps to step S708.

In the process of step S708, it is determined whether or not the comparison process of steps S702 to S706 has been performed for all the sampling frequencies corresponding to the output endpoint.

If it is determined in step S708 that the comparison processing in steps S702 to S706 has not been performed for all the sampling frequencies corresponding to the output end points, the processing in step S702 is performed. Then, the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S708 that the comparison processing in steps S702 to S706 has been performed for all the corresponding sampling frequencies of the output endpoint, the processing in step S710 is performed. Then, the contents of the above-mentioned matching sampling frequency list are displayed on the display screen of the display monitor 40 as a user notification message.

Upon completion of the process in step S710, the process advances to step S712 to determine whether or not the user has designated one sampling frequency using the keyboard 42 based on the contents of the above-described matching sampling frequency list, or It is determined whether or not the connection designation information set in the ROM 22 in advance designates a sampling frequency.

It should be noted that "the user has designated one sampling frequency based on the contents of the above-mentioned matching sampling frequency list using the keyboard 42" and "the connection designation information previously set in the ROM 22 has designated the sampling frequency. In the case of “Yes”, priority is given to “the user has designated one sampling frequency based on the contents of the matching sampling frequency list using the keyboard 42”, and “the connection designation information previously set in the ROM 22 described above. Specifies the sampling frequency. "

Then, in the determination processing of step S712, it is not determined that the user has designated one sampling frequency based on the contents of the above-mentioned matching sampling frequency list using the keyboard 42, and the user previously set the sampling frequency in the ROM 22. If it is not determined that the specified connection specification information specifies the sampling frequency, the process proceeds to step S714 to perform other processing, and thereafter, returns to the determination processing of step S702, and repeats the subsequent processing.

On the other hand, in the determination processing of step S712, when it is determined that the user has designated one sampling frequency based on the contents of the above-mentioned matching sampling frequency list using the keyboard 42, If it is determined that the specified connection specification information specifies the sampling frequency,
Proceeding to step S716, the personal computer 16 sets the specified sampling frequency as the sampling frequency for the logical connection between the output endpoint of the transmitting node and the input endpoint of the receiving node. If the connection is not possible, a notification is sent to the display monitor 40 connected to the personal computer 16.

When the processing in step S716 ends, the above-described logical connection processing routine ends.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the output endpoint and the input endpoint are logically connected according to the connection designation information shown in FIG. 6 by executing the logical connection processing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. It is shown.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, even when a plurality of sampling frequencies can be selected, a plurality of selectable sampling frequencies can be selected in a case where a connection can be made between input / output end points for which a user attempts to make a logical connection. Since the frequency is notified to the user, the user can easily select the sampling frequency.

Here, if the sampling frequency desired by the user and the input / output end point to be connected are prepared in advance as connection designation information, the connection setting can be automatically performed, and the user can perform the connection setting automatically. Connection setting can be performed more easily.

At this time, if information indicating the priority of the connection is included in the connection designation information, a plurality of connectable sampling frequencies can be set in accordance with the information indicating the priority of the connection included in the connection designation information. In some cases, based on the information indicating the priority, a logical connection can be made between the output endpoint and the input endpoint using a sampling frequency with a higher priority.

The above embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (6).

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where three nodes exist in the network has been described. However, the number of nodes existing in the network is not limited to three. And the number of nodes existing in the network may be two or four or more.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the personal computer 16 realizes the connection management system according to the present invention has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. Another node (in this embodiment, the sampler 12 or the hard disk recorder 14) may realize the connection management system according to the present invention. Further, all the nodes constituting the network may be able to realize the connection management system according to the present invention.

(3) Unlike the above embodiment, the user is notified of all combinations of input end points and output end points that can be connected in advance on the personal computer 16, and the user is arbitrarily selected from the combinations. You may make it specify.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus has been described as a high-speed transmission medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Of course, other high-speed transmission media such as M may be used.

(5) In the above embodiment, the processing is performed only with respect to the sampling frequency as a parameter. However, it is needless to say that the processing is performed only with respect to the data format as a parameter. Alternatively, the processing may be performed with respect to the sampling frequency and the data format as parameters. That is, not only the sampling frequency but also any parameter other than the sampling frequency may be used as the parameter.

(6) The above-described embodiments and the modifications shown in (1) to (5) may be appropriately combined.

[0068]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to change the settings of various devices connected as nodes in the network when connecting various devices as nodes in the network. In this case, there is an excellent effect that the connection and setting can be changed easily and efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration example of a network interconnected via a bidirectional transmission medium having a plurality of data transfer channels. Nodes (node number 3: personal computer (P
C)) realizes an embodiment of the connection management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing input / output endpoints logically connected in each of a sampler, a hard disk recorder, and a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a corresponding sampling frequency list.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a sampling frequency list corresponding to each node, and this sampling frequency list corresponding to each node relates to “node number 1 = sampler”;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of connection designation information stored in a ROM in advance.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a logical connection processing routine.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a matching sampling frequency list set in a working area of a RAM for each set of input / output endpoints.

9 is a flowchart showing the logical connection processing routine shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7, whereby the output endpoint and the input endpoint are logically connected according to the connection designation information shown in FIG. 6; FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 IEEE1394 high-speed serial bus 12 Sampler (node number 1) 14 Hard disk recorder (node number 2) 16 Personal computer (node number 3) 20 Central processing unit (CPU) 22 Read only memory (ROM) 24 Random access memory (RAM) 26 Hard disk drive (HDD) 28 Display adapter 30 Keyboard interface 32 IEEE1394 interface 34 Digital / analog converter (D / A converter) 40 Display monitor 42 Keyboard

Claims (7)

[Claims] In a network constructed including a plurality of nodes for transmitting and receiving data, a connection management system for managing connection of nodes constructing the network, comprising: Obtaining at least one or more parameters that are alternatively selected for logically connecting an output endpoint of a node and an input endpoint of a predetermined receiving node from the transmitting node and the receiving node Acquisition means for comparing, the comparison means for comparing the parameter value of the parameter of the node on the transmission side acquired by the acquisition means with the parameter value of the parameter of the node on the reception side, and a notification for notifying the comparison result of the comparison means Connection management system having means. 2. The connection management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a comparison result of the comparison unit, wherein the parameter value of the parameter of the transmission-side node acquired by the acquisition unit and the parameter of the parameter of the reception-side node are acquired. When the parameter value indicates that there is a match, the output end point of the transmitting node and the input end of the receiving node are used by using the matching parameter according to the connection designation information. A connection management system having connection means for logically connecting to points. 3. The connection management system according to claim 2, wherein the connection designation information includes information indicating a connection priority, and the connection unit indicates a connection priority included in the connection designation information. A connection management system for performing a logical connection between an output endpoint of the transmitting node and an input endpoint of the receiving node using the matching parameters according to information. 4. The connection management system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is configured to notify at least one of a user and another node configuring the network. The connection management system that is to notify. 5. The connection management system according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is a sampling frequency. 6. The connection management system according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is a data format. 7. The connection management system according to claim 1, wherein the parameters are a sampling frequency and a data format.