Data transferring device and program

The present invention relates to a data transfer device, and more particularly to a data transfer device connected to an isochronous transferable communication network such as an IEEE1394 network.

The IEEE1394 standard is known as a serial bus interface standard. In a communication network compliant with the IEEE1394 standard (hereinafter, simply referred to as an IEEE1394 network), up to 63 devices compliant with the IEEE1394 standard (hereinafter, simply referred to as an IEEE1394 device) can be connected to one bus (local bus). it can.

Generally, in one bus, a controller that optimizes the usage efficiency of the local bus and other nodes are connected by controlling parameters related to the configuration of the bus. Other nodes include, for example, an AUDIO device such as an electronic musical instrument capable of outputting an audio (audio) signal, a MIDI device that outputs a MIDI signal, and the like, and a predetermined fixed number of data (for example, audio for 8 channels). A talker (transmission node) that sends a stream and a MIDI stream for one cable) on the bus with one isochronous stream (one isochronous packet transfer for each isochronous cycle) and an isochronous stream sent by the talker. The receiving listener (receiving node) is connected. (See, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).<nplcit num="1"><text>"Consumer audio / video equipment --Digital interface --Part 6: Audio and music datatransmission protocol", International Electrotechnical Commission, July 12, 2002</text></nplcit>

<p> FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a technique for establishing a connection between a transmission plug and a reception plug in a conventional IEEE1394 device.</p><p> Eight transmission plugs [0-7] are set in the talker, which is the transmission node, and eight transmission FIFOs are prepared according to the number of transmission plugs. The route of the transmit plug [0-7] and the corresponding transmit FIFO [0-7] is fixed and cannot be changed.</p><p> Similarly, eight receiving plugs [0-7] are set in the listener, which is a receiving node, and eight receiving FIFOs are prepared according to the number of receiving plugs. The route of the receive plug [0-7] and the corresponding receive FIFO [0-7] is fixed and cannot be changed.</p><p> In a conventional IEEE1394 device, the number of sequences of the data stream transmitted by the transmitting node is fixed, and the number of sequences cannot be dynamically increased or decreased. In the example shown in Fig. 9, when the number of sequences sent by the transmitting node is eight in sequence Seq [0-7], it is necessary to always secure a band corresponding to the eight sequences on the IEEE1394 bus. There is.</p><p> For example, as shown in Fig. 9, when establishing a connection between the sending plug [4,5] and the receiving plug [0,1], the number of sequences cannot be increased or decreased dynamically, so the number of receiving nodes is 2. The transmitting node must send all eight sequences, even if it receives only one sequence.</p><p> That is, the conventional IEEE1394 device wastefully occupies the bandwidth by continuously transmitting the data stream without a receiver. For example, if there are receivers in only 7 or 8 of the 8 audio channels transmitted by the sender, channels 1 to 6 without recipients are consuming wasted bandwidth. The same applies to networks other than the IEEE1394 network having an isochronous transfer function, and the number of sequences transmitted by the isochronous stream could not be dynamically changed.</p><p> An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer device capable of effectively utilizing resources (bandwidth) on a bus capable of isochronous transfer.</p>

<p> According to one aspect of the present invention, the data transfer device connected to the isochronous transferable network composed of a plurality of data transfer devices is the transmission plug and the receiving node of the transmission node connected to the isochronous transferable network. The disconnecting means for disconnecting the connection with the receiving plug, the requesting means for requesting the transmitting node to optimize the transmission sequence, and the transmitting sequence used by the transmitting node with which the connection is disconnected are newly added. A new connection is established between the receiving means that receives the information about the assigned transmission plug from the transmission node as a response to the optimization request, and the newly assigned transmission plug and the reception plug that has disconnected the connection. It has a setting means for setting.</p><p> Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the data transfer device connected to the isochronous transferable network composed of a plurality of data transfer devices is a transmission sequence from the control node connected to the isochronous transferable network. A receiving means for receiving the optimization request, a duplicating means for duplicating the data transmitted by the transmitting plug assigned to the first transmission sequence at the end of the data stream according to the optimization request, and the isochronous. A transmission means for duplicately transmitting the duplicated data using a second transmission sequence in which a connection is not set with the reception plug of the reception node connected to the transferable network, and the first transmission means. It has a stop means for stopping the transmission of data by the transmission sequence of the above, and an opening means for opening the band used by the first transmission sequence on an isochronous transferable bus.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, by dynamically increasing the number of transmission sequences according to the number of set connections, only the required band can be used, and resources on the bus capable of isochronous transfer can be effectively utilized. can do.</p><p> Further, according to the present invention, by dynamically reducing the number of transmission sequences according to the number of set connections, only the required band can be used, and resources on the bus capable of isochronous transfer are effective. Can be used for.</p><p> Further, according to the present invention, by combining the sequence decreasing process and the sequence increasing process, it is possible to perform isochronous transfer of only the band corresponding to the number of sequences according to the number of transmission plugs in which the connection with the receiving plug is actually set. Since it can be secured on the bus, it is possible to eliminate a useless sequence band and effectively utilize the resources of the bus capable of isochronous transfer.</p>

FIG. 1 is a bus configuration diagram of a network 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The network 100 is configured by, for example, connecting a controller 1C, a talker 1T, and a listener 1R so as to be able to communicate with each other by an IEEE1394 cable. The network 100 may be any network capable of isochronous transfer. For example, IEEE1394 network, UniversalSerial Bus There are networks using (USB) and networks using ConbraNet (registered trademark). Here, "isochronous transfer" is a data transfer method that secures and guarantees the transfer data capacity (bandwidth) per fixed time by preferentially sending isochronous packets to the bus at a predetermined isochronous cycle. For example, by interrupting the bus at a predetermined isochronous cycle to stop other communication and preferentially sending isochronous packets to the bus, even if other devices use the network or bus and the traffic is high, A method is adopted in which the transfer capacity (bandwidth) per fixed time (1 frame) is secured and guaranteed. The isochronous transfer method guarantees the data capacity per fixed time, but does not guarantee the transfer data itself, and when an error occurs, the data is not used and is discarded.

The controller (control node) 1C is configured by, for example, a personal computer or the like, and can control parameters related to the bus configuration.

The Talker 1T is a predetermined number of data (for example, an audio stream for 8 channels) such as an AUDIO device such as an electronic musical instrument capable of outputting an audio (audio) signal, a MIDI device capable of outputting a MIDI signal, and the like. This is a transmission node that sends a MIDI stream for one cable) on the bus as a single isochronous stream. The listener 1R is a receiving node that receives the isochronous stream transmitted by the talker 1T.

Here, the "stream" means a "data flow", and in a communication network, it means that data such as video and audio are received and played back at the same time. As a result, the data can be reproduced without waiting until all the data is received, and isochronousness is maintained.

Further, in the network capable of isochronous transfer assumed in the present invention, one isochronous packet contains data of a plurality of sequences, and each device receives one isochronous packet for each isochronous cycle. Multiple sequences can be transmitted by sending to the bus. Here, the "sequence" is a unit of data flow with a guaranteed band, and when an audio stream or a MIDI stream is to be transmitted, the audio stream or the MIDI stream is included in the sequence. And send. A plurality of sequences contained in one isochronous stream are assigned a sequence number for identifying each sequence.

In the drawings of the following examples, a network according to the IEEE1394 standard (IEEE1394 network) will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a communication node 1 (controller 1C, talker 1T, listener 1R) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

RAM7, ROM8, CPU9, external storage device 15, detection circuit 11, display circuit 13, sound source circuit 18, effect circuit 19, and communication interface 21 are connected to bus 6 of the data transfer device 1.

The user can make various settings by using the operator 12 connected to the detection circuit 11. The operator 12 may be any device such as a mouse, a keyboard for inputting characters, a joystick, a rotary encoder, a switch, a jog shuttle, or the like, as long as it can output a signal according to a user's input.

Further, the operator 12 may be a soft switch or the like displayed on the display 14 operated by using another operator such as a mouse.

The display circuit 13 is connected to the display 14 and can display various information on the display 14.

The external storage device 15 includes an interface for the external storage device, and is connected to the bus 6 through the interface. The external storage device 15 includes, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD), a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical magnetic disk (MO) drive, a CD-ROM (compact disc-read-only memory) drive, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). ) Drives, semiconductor memories, etc.

The external storage device 15 can store various parameters, various data, a program for realizing this embodiment, automatic performance data, and the like.

RAM7 has a working area of CPU5 for storing flags, registers or buffers, various parameters, and the like. Various parameters and control programs, programs for realizing this embodiment, and the like can be stored in ROM8. The CPU 9 performs calculations or controls according to a control program or the like stored in the ROM 8 or the external storage device 15.

The timer 10 is connected to the CPU 9 and supplies the basic clock signal, interrupt processing timing, and the like to the CPU 9.

The sound source circuit 18 generates a musical sound signal according to a performance signal such as audio data or a MIDI signal, and supplies the musical sound signal to the sound system 20 via the effect circuit 19.

The effect circuit 19 gives various effects to the digital musical tone signal supplied from the sound source circuit 18. The sound system 20, including a D / A converter and a speaker, converts a supplied digital musical tone signal into an analog format and pronounces it.

The communication interface 21 is an interface compliant with the IEEE1394 standard. Further, as the communication interface 21, an interface that can be connected to a communication network 3 such as a LAN (local area network), the Internet, and a telephone line may be further provided. In that case, it connects to a server computer or the like via the communication network 3 and downloads a control program or a program for realizing this embodiment from the server computer in an external storage device 15 such as an HDD or RAM 7 or the like. be able to.

The communication interface 21 may further include a MIDI interface to which a MIDI device can be connected, a USB interface to which a USB device can be connected, and the like.

When the communication node 1 is used as a talker 1T or a listener 1R, it may take the form of audio equipment such as an amplifier, speaker, mixer, and electronic musical instrument. In that case, the functions required for each equipment are executed. It is only necessary to have the necessary members. For example, the display circuit 13, the display 14, and the like can be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the first example of the sequence reduction process of this embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram showing an initial state of sequence allocation before performing the sequence reduction process according to this embodiment. In the initial state, a connection is set between the transmission plug (Tx0 to 3) and the reception plug (Rx0 to 3) with the same numbered plugs. The number of sequences at this time is "4". That is, the talker 1T secures a bandwidth for 4 sequences on the IEEE1394 bus.

Here, when the connection from the transmission plug [Tx0] to the reception plug [Rx0] is disconnected, the state shown in FIG. 3 (B) is obtained. That is, the transmit plug [Tx0] sends a data stream via the transmit FIFO [0], and the bandwidth for the sequence Seq [0] is used, but what is the receive plug [Rx0]? Is not being received. Since the number of sequences cannot be dynamically reduced with a conventional device, the bandwidth on the IEEE1394 bus remains the same as that shown in FIG. 3 (A) even if the connection is disconnected. Bandwidth equivalent to one sequence is wasted.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the sequence optimization process is performed after the connection is disconnected. First, as shown in Fig. 3 (C), the data of the transmission plug (Tx3) assigned to the last sequence Seq [3] is duplicated, and the sequence Seq [0] is passed through the transmission FIFO [0]. Send using 0]. At this point, the data of the transmission plug (Tx3) is duplicated and transmitted on the bus in the sequences Seq [0] and Seq [3].

Next, as shown in Fig. 3 (D), the sequence received by the receiving plug (Rx3) is changed from the sequence Seq [3] to Seq [0]. In this way, the data of the transmission plug (Tx3) is duplicated in the sequences Seq [0] and Seq [3], and the data is generated by changing the sequence received by the reception plug (Rx3) in the meantime. You can send and receive without interruption.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 (E), the transmission of data via the transmit FIFO [3] is stopped, the sequence Seq [3] is eliminated, and the number of sequences is reduced from "4" to "3". After that, by releasing the band reserved by the sequence Seq [3], the available band on the IEEE1394 bus increases.

As described above, when the connection is disconnected, the sequence used is Seq [0] to Seq [2] while maintaining the connection of the sequences Seq [1] and Seq [2] according to the disconnection of the connection. By dynamically reducing from 3] to Seq [0] to Seq [2] and opening the band on the IEEE1394 bus corresponding to the reduced sequence, the resources of the IEEE1394 bus can be effectively used.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a second example of the sequence reduction process of this embodiment. In this example, the case where the data reception of the two receiving plugs is stopped will be described. In the initial state, a connection is set between the transmission plug (Tx0 to 7) and the reception plug (Rx0 to 7) with the same number. The number of sequences at this time is "8". That is, the talker 1T secures a bandwidth for 8 sequences on the IEEE1394 bus. Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, the connection from the transmission plug [Tx4] to the reception plug [Rx4] and from the transmission plug [Tx5] to the reception plug [Rx5] is disconnected.

First, the data of the transmission plug (Tx7) assigned to the last sequence is duplicated, and the data is duplicated on the bus via the transmission FIFO [4] using the sequence Seq [4]. After that, the sequence received by the receiving plug (Rx7) is changed from the sequence Seq [7] to Seq [4]. Next, stop the transmission of data via the transmit FIFO [7], eliminate the sequence Seq [7], and reduce the number of sequences from "8" to "7". After that, the band reserved by the sequence Seq [7] is released. At this point, the state shown in FIG. 4 (B) is reached, and the total number of sequences is 7.

Next, the data of the transmission plug (Tx6) assigned to the last sequence in the state of FIG. 4 (B) is duplicated, and the sequence Seq [5] is used via the transmission FIFO [5]. The sequence is duplicated and sent on the bus, and then the sequence received by the receiving plug (Rx6) is changed from the sequence Seq [6] to Seq [5]. Next, the transmission of data via the transmit FIFO [6] is stopped, the sequence Seq [6] is eliminated, and the number of sequences is reduced from "7" to "6". After that, the band reserved by the sequence Seq [6] is released.

By the above processing, the state shown in Fig. 4 (C) is obtained, and the bandwidth for the two sequences used by the sequences Seq [6] and Seq [7] is released, so that the band on the IEEE1394 bus is released. Resources can be used effectively.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sequence reduction process according to the present embodiment. The dotted line arrow in the figure indicates the command flow. This sequence reduction process starts when there is an instruction to disconnect the connection from the specified talker 1T transmission plug (TxA) to the listener 1R reception plug.

In step SA1, processing in controller 1C is started, and in step SA2, the connection from the transmission plug (TxA) of the specified talker 1T to the reception plug of listener 1R is disconnected.

In step SA3, the number of connections set in the transmit plug (TxA) of the specified talker 1T (the number of receive plugs (Rx) receiving the isochronous stream sent from the transmit plug (TxA)) , Determine whether or not it became 0 by the connection disconnection process in step SA2. When the number of connections becomes 0, that is, when there is no receiving plug (Rx) receiving the isochronous stream sent from the transmitting plug (TxA), the process proceeds to step SA4 indicated by the YES arrow. If the number of connections is not 0, that is, if there is a receiving plug that has a connection with the transmitting plug (TxA) other than the receiving plug that disconnected in step SA2, go to step SA7 indicated by the NO arrow. Proceed and end the processing on controller 1C. If the processing is terminated according to the arrow of NO here, the processing by the talker 1T is not performed.

In step SA4, the specified talker 1T is requested to optimize the transmission sequence. After that, when the ID of the transmission plug (TxB) whose sequence sent from the talker 1T is about to be changed and the ID of the new sequence Seq [i] are received in step SA10 described later, the transmission plug (TxB) and the transmission plug (TxB) are received in step SA5. Change the sequence to be received by the receiving plug of listener 1R for which the connection is set to Seq [i].

In step SA6, the completion of the change of the sequence of all the receiving plugs to which the transmission plug (TxB) and the connection are set is confirmed, and when the confirmation is completed, the talker 1T is notified of the setting completion. After that, the process proceeds to step SA7, and the processing on the controller 1C is terminated.

In step SA8, processing on the talker 1T is started. Then, in step SA3, after receiving the transmission sequence optimization request sent from controller 1C, in step SA9, the sequence Seq [n-1] at the end of the data stream (n is the total number of sequences at this point). The data of the transmission plug (TxB) sent in is duplicated, and it is also duplicated in the sequence Seq [i] used by the transmission plug (TxA) that disconnected the connection to the reception plug of listener 1R in step SA2. And send it out.

In step SA10, the controller 1C is notified of the ID of the transmit plug (TxB) whose sequence is about to be changed and the ID of the new sequence Seq [i].

In step SA11, it is determined whether or not the setting completion notification sent from the controller 1C is received in step SA6. After receiving the setting completion notification, proceed to step SA12 indicated by the YES arrow. If the setting completion notification has not been received, step SA11 is repeated as indicated by the arrow of NO, and the setting completion notification is received.

In step SA12, the transmission plug (TxB) stops the data transmission of the sequence Seq [n-1] that originally transmitted the data. Then, in step SA13, the number of transmission sequences is reduced from n to n-1.

In step SA14, the band corresponding to one sequence reduced in step SA13 is released. After that, the process proceeds to step SA15, and the processing in the talker 1T is completed.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the first example of the sequence increase processing of this embodiment. In this example, a case where the sequence is increased again after executing the first example of the sequence reduction process shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram showing an initial state of sequence allocation before performing the sequence increasing process according to this embodiment. In the initial state, a connection is set between the transmit plug (Tx1) and the receive plug (Rx1), and between the transmit plug (Tx2) and the receive plug (Rx2) using the sequences Seq [1] and Seq [2], respectively. ing. Further, a connection is set between the transmission plug (Tx3) and the reception plug (Rx3) via the sequence Seq [0]. The number of sequences at this time is "3". That is, the talker 1T secures a bandwidth for three sequences on the IEEE1394 bus.

Here, when the connection from the transmission plug [Tx0] to the reception plug [Rx0] is set, the sequence Seq [3] is added to the end of the sequence, and the transmission plug [0] increases the sequence Seq [3]. Assigned to. Then, the data of the transmission plug [0] is transmitted via the transmission FIFO [3], and is in the state shown in FIG. 6 (B).

After that, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), the sequence received by the receiving plug (Rx0) is set to the sequence Seq [3]. In this way, when a connection is set, unnecessary sequences can be eliminated by increasing the number of sequences required according to the connection setting, and the resources of the IEEE1394 bus can be used effectively. Can be done.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a second example of the sequence increasing process of this embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a conceptual diagram showing an initial state of sequence allocation before performing the sequence increasing process according to this embodiment. In the initial state, a connection is set between the transmission plug (Tx0 to 2) and the reception plug (Rx0 to 2) using the sequences Seq [0] to Seq [2], respectively.

Here, when the connection from the transmission plug [Tx7] to the reception plug [Rx3] is set, the sequence Seq [3] is added to the end of the sequence, and the transmission plug [7] increases the sequence Seq [3]. Assigned to. Then, the data of the transmission plug [7] is transmitted via the transmission FIFO [3], and is in the state shown in FIG. 7 (B).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the sequence increasing process according to the present embodiment. The dotted arrow in the figure indicates the command flow. This sequence increase processing starts when a connection setting instruction is given from the specified talker 1T transmission plug (TxA) to the listener 1R reception plug.

In step SB1, processing by controller 1C is started, and in step SB2, a connection is set between the transmission plug (TxA) of the specified talker 1T and the reception plug (RxA) of the specified listener. After that, in step SB3, the talker 1T is requested to assign a sequence to the transmission plug (TxA), and the process proceeds to step SB4 to end the processing in the controller 1C.

In step SB5, the processing in the talker 1T is started, and when the allocation request sent from the controller 1C is received in step SA3, the transmission plug (TxA) is assigned to the free transmission FIFO in step SB6.

In step SB7, a bandwidth corresponding to one sequence is secured on the IEEE1394 bus. Then, in step SB8, the sequence (data) handled by the transmission plug (TxA) is added to the end of the isochronous stream.

In step SB9, the number of transmission sequences in the talker 1T is increased by one (Seq [n] Seq [n + 1]). After that, in step SA10, the transmit FIFO to which the transmit plug (TxA) is assigned is assigned to the sequence Seq [n + 1], the process proceeds to step SB11, and the processing in the talker 1T is completed.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the route between the transmission plug and the transmission FIFO can be dynamically changed. In addition, the number of transmission sequences can be changed dynamically.

That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the connection is disconnected, the number of sequences is reduced according to the disconnection of the connection, and the band on the IEEE1394 bus corresponding to the reduced sequence is opened, thereby causing IEEE1394. Bus resources can be used effectively.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a connection is set, a useless sequence can be omitted by increasing the sequence by a necessary amount according to the connection setting, and the IEEE1394 bus can be used. Resources can be used effectively.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by combining the sequence decreasing process and the sequence increasing process, only the bandwidth corresponding to the number of sequences corresponding to the number of transmitting plugs actually set to connect with the receiving plug is set to IEEE1394. Since it can be secured on the bus, it is possible to eliminate a useless sequence band and effectively utilize the resources of the IEEE1394 bus.

In addition, this embodiment may be carried out by a general-purpose computer or the like in which a computer program or the like corresponding to the present embodiment is installed.

In that case, the computer program or the like corresponding to the present embodiment may be provided to the user in a state of being stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk that can be read by a computer.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to Examples, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes, improvements, combinations, etc. are possible.

<figref num="1">It is a bus block diagram of the network 100 by the Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the hardware composition of the communication node 1 (controller 1C, talker 1T, listener 1R) according to the Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 1st example of the sequence reduction process of this Example.</figref><figref num="4">It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 2nd example of the sequence reduction process of this Example.</figref><figref num="5">It is a flowchart which shows the sequence reduction process by this Example.</figref><figref num="6">It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 1st example of the sequence increase processing of this Example.</figref><figref num="7">It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 2nd example of the sequence increase processing of this Example.</figref><figref num="8">It is a flowchart which shows the sequence increase process by this Example.</figref><figref num="9">It is a conceptual diagram which shows the technique of establishing the connection between the transmission plug and the reception plug in the conventional IEEE1394 device.</figref>

Code description

1 ... data transfer device (communication node), 1C ... controller (control node), 1T ... talker (send node), 1R ... listener (receive node), 3 ... communication network, 6 ... Bus, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... ROM, 9 ... CPU, 10 ... Timer, 11 ... Detection Circuit, 12 ... Operator, 13 ... Display Circuit, 14 ... Display, 15 ... External storage, 18 ... Sound source circuit, 19 ... Effect circuit, 20 ... Sound system, 21 ... Communication I / F, 100 ... Network