JP2000059413A - Video / Computer Integrated Network System - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To configure a flexible network capable of freely changing equipment connected to an optical fiber or the like so that equipment of a communication path such as an optical fiber can be shared by both computer data and video. . SOLUTION: A computer data switch A105 for switching computer data, a video data switch B106 for switching video data, and a switch suitable for transfer data are identified, and the transfer data is transferred to a computer switch A105 or a video switch. And a switch selector 107 for distributing the signals to a plurality of computers 101 and a plurality of video input / output devices 102.
05, connected via B106 to transfer computer data and video data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a video / computer integrated network system for transferring computer data and digital video data using a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital video communication system and a computer data communication system according to the prior art will be described below. Note that the video described below refers to a digitized high-definition business data video video, and does not include a video that has been subjected to compression processing such as MPEG so as to be compatible with a communication network.

The following method is used as a conventional video communication technique.

(1) Method Using Patch Board FIG. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of a video communication system using a conventional patch board for a video interface. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a video output device, 502 denotes a video input device, 5
03 is a patch board, and 504 is a connection port.

[0005] In this system, a video output from a video output device 501 is transferred to a video input device 502 via a patch board 503, and the video is reproduced.

(2) Method Using Star Coupler FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an intra-station digital video communication system using a conventional star coupler. In FIG.
Is a local center, 602 is a star coupler, 603 is an optical fiber, and 604 is a video input / output device.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a local center.
7 shows an internal configuration of the local center 601 shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a time division multiplexing device;
2 is a transmitting device, 703 is a variable wavelength filter, and 704 is a time division selector.

In the present system, the video input / output device 604
Are converted into a high-speed time-division multiplex (hereinafter abbreviated as TDM) signal by the time-division multiplexing device 701 of the local center 601,
02 is converted into a different optical signal for each local center,
The light is transmitted to the star coupler 602 via the optical fiber 603.

[0009] In the star coupler 602, after optical signals having different wavelengths transmitted from the local centers 601 are wavelength-multiplexed (hereinafter, WDM), the WDM signals are branched and distributed to the local centers 601.

In each local center 601, one wavelength is selected from the WDM signal by the variable wavelength filter 703, converted into an electric signal, and one digital video signal is arbitrarily converted from the TDM signal in the time division selector 704. By making the selection, the digital video is reproduced in the video input / output device 604.

(3) Method Using Video Frame Exchange Technique FIG. 8 shows a digital video communication system in which address information is accommodated in a vacant area (hereinafter referred to as a header for convenience) of a video frame to be transferred for communication. It is a conceptual diagram. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a video input / output device; 802, an address information storage / release device; 803, a switch connection device;
Is a switch, and 805 is an optical fiber.

FIG. 9 shows a frame structure of an image. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes an effective video data area;
2 is an SAV (Start of Active Video), 903 is a tag area, 904 is an address information area, and 905 is an EAV (End o).
f Active Video). Where SAV and EAV
Indicates the start and end of the digital video frame, respectively.

In the present system, the video input / output device 80
The video frame having the structure shown in FIG. 9 which is output from FIG. 1 is stored in a tag area 903 and an address information area 904 provided in a free area in the effective video data area 901 in the video frame by the address information storage / release device 802. , A tag indicating that the digital video frame contains address information, and a switch connection device 8 on the transmission side.
03 is stored and transferred to the switch connection device 803.

In the switch connection device 803, the transferred video frame is output to the switch 804 according to the address information.

When the switch 804 recognizes that the transferred digital video frame includes a tag,
The address information is read, and the digital video frame is transferred to the destination switch connection device 803 according to the read address information.

When a video frame is received by the switch connection device 803 on the receiving side and a tag in the received digital video frame is recognized, the address information area 904 is displayed.
Is read, and if the address indicates the address of the switch connection device 803 on the transmission side, the received digital video frame is transferred to the address information storage / release device 802. If the read data contains an error, the received digital video frame is discarded.
03, more stable video communication can be realized.

The digital video frame transferred to the address information storage / release device 802 includes the address information storage / release device 802.
The opening device 802 releases (removes) the tag and the address information from the tag area 903 and the address information area 904, respectively, and transfers the tag and address information to the video input / output device 801 on the receiving side to be reproduced by the video input / output device 801.

The following method is used as a conventional computer data communication technique.

FIG. 10 shows a conceptual diagram of a conventional computer data communication system via a communication switch. FIG.
At 0, 1001 is a computer, 1002 is a switch connection device, and 1003 is a switch.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional communication packet for transferring computer data. 11, reference numeral 1101 denotes a communication packet; 1102, a header;
03 is a payload.

In this system, the computer 1001
The computer data output from the switch connection device 1002 is stored in the payload 1103, a header 1102 is added to the payload 1103, and assembled into a communication packet 1101.
Address information is stored in the header 1102 of the switch 1003, and is routed in the switch 1003 according to the address information.
It is input to the switch connection device 1002 having the destination address.

The communication packet 1101 transferred to the destination switch connection device 1002 is decomposed into a header 1102 and a payload 1103, and only the computer data stored in the payload 1103 is transferred to the receiving computer 1001.

If the destination switch connection device 1002
If the communication packet 1101 transferred to the receiver includes an error, it is detected by the receiving-side switch connection device 1002 using an algorithm such as a frame check sequence, and the communication packet 1101 is discarded or retransmitted to the transmission source. Request is sent.

[0024]

In conventional business-use video communication, it is impossible to communicate computer data with a video communication technology using a patch board, a star coupler, and a video frame. Data and video could not be shared. For this reason, it is necessary to construct two types of optical fiber networks for video and communication even in the same premises, and there is a problem that construction costs increase.

When an image is communicated using a communication switch, since the image cannot be communicated as it is, an interface converter for converting the image into computer data is required.

The image converted into the computer data is
Since it is treated as computer data, it is possible to perform routing using the address of the communication protocol of the computer data. However, in the video communication system as described above, a header added for interface conversion processing and communication is added to the communication. , And communication efficiency is reduced.

Further, since the communication speed of the switch interface is equal to or lower than the input / output speed of video, it is impossible at present to perform video communication while satisfying real-time reproduction.

There is a method of reducing the input speed of an image by using an image compression technique. However, compression of an image causes deterioration of the image quality. I can't say.

Further, when a communication switch for transferring small-length fixed-size packets such as an ATM is used,
There is a problem that a video frame is divided into many parts so as to match the packet size, and a processing load relating to packet assembly, disassembly, and frame reproduction in the switch connection device increases.

In any case, when video is converted into computer data, since the data format is completely different, an interface conversion device of complicated logic is required, and the problem of an increase in price cannot be avoided.

According to the present invention, the equipment of a communication path such as an optical fiber can be used for transferring computer data when a computer is connected, and can be used for transferring video when a video input / output device is connected. To be able to
An object is to configure a flexible network that can be shared by both computer data and video.

[0032]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a computer data switch for switching computer data, and a video data switch for switching video data. The main feature is to provide a switch selector for identifying a switch suitable for the transfer data and distributing the transfer data to a computer switch or a video switch.

According to the present invention, the optical fiber can be used for both computer data and video, so that the construction cost can be reduced. In addition, since the devices connected to the optical fiber and the like can be freely converted, a flexible network can be provided. Configurable.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a case where both video and computer data are communicated using an optical fiber will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. explain.

The system shown in FIG. 1 is a network system in which an optical fiber can be used commonly for computer data and video. In FIG. 1, 101 is a computer, 102 is a video input / output device, 103 is a switch connection device A, 104 is a switch connection device B, 105 is a switch A, 106 is a switch B, 107 is a switch selector,
Reference numeral 108 denotes an optical fiber, 109 denotes a header A, and 110 denotes a header B.

In the following, the switch for exchanging computer data is connected to the switch A, the switch for exchanging video to the switch B, the header added to the computer data to the header A, the free space of the video frame to the header B, and the computer to the switch. The device to be connected is referred to as a switch connection device A, and the device for connecting the video input / output device to a switch is referred to as a switch connection device B.

In this embodiment, since the structure shown in FIG. 1 is used, the computer data output from the computer 101 is transmitted to the switch connection device A103 by the communication header A containing the address information of the communication partner. Is transferred to the switch selector 107 via the optical fiber 108, transferred to the corresponding switch A105 of the communication partner by the function for identifying a suitable switch in the switch selector 107, and accommodated in the header in the switch A105. The received address information is transferred to the switch connection device A103 on the reception side, the header A109 added in the switch connection device A103 on the reception side is released, and the computer data is transferred to the computer 101 on the reception side.

The video output from the video input / output device 102 is transmitted to the communication header B in the switch connection device B104.
110 stores the address information of the communication partner and is transferred to the switch selector 107 via the optical fiber 108.
The data is transferred to the corresponding switch B106 of the communication partner by the function for identifying a suitable switch in the switch selector 107, and transferred to the receiving-side switch connection device B104 indicated by the address information contained in the header B110 in the switch B106. And the header B1 added in the switch connection device B104 on the receiving side.
10 is released and the video is transmitted to the video input / output device 102 on the receiving side.
Is forwarded to

A computer data switch for switching computer data by the above operation, a video data switch for switching video data, a function for identifying a suitable switch, and a transfer switch for computer or video data. By using the switch selector for distributing the data to the switches, the optical fiber can be shared for both the computer data and the video, so that the communication between the computer data and the video can be efficiently performed.

The meaning of the common use here does not mean that one optical fiber can be used simultaneously for the transfer of computer data and also for the transfer of video, but that the optical fiber 108 This means that the computer 101 and the switch connection device A103 can be connected and used for transferring computer data, and the video input / output device 102 and the switch connection B104 can be connected and used for transferring video. .

[Second Embodiment] In the following, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a patch board is used for the switch selector 107 described in the first embodiment.
The case where both video and computer data are communicated using an optical fiber will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a system using a patch board for the switch selector 107 described in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, 201 is a patch board, and 202 is a connection port.

In the patch board 201, the connection port 202 on the computer 101 side or the video input / output device 102 side and the switch A 105 side or the switch B 106
The connection with the connection port 202 is switched by connecting the computer 101 to the end of the optical fiber 108 connected to the connection port 202 via the switch connection device A103 or by inputting an image via the switch connection device B104. Depending on whether or not the output device 102 is connected, the operation is manually performed by a human in advance.

According to the present embodiment, the computer data output from the computer 101 shown in FIG.
In the switch connection device A103, a communication header A109 containing the address information of the communication partner is added, transferred to the patch board 201 via the optical fiber 108, and switched through the connection port 202 manually switched in the patch board 201 to the switch A105. And the switch connection device A1 on the receiving side indicated by the address information contained in the header in the switch A105.
03, the header A109 added in the switch connection device A103 on the receiving side is released, and the computer data is transferred to the computer 101 on the receiving side.

The video data output from the video input / output device 102 shown in FIG. 1 is added with a communication header B110 containing the address information of the communication partner in the switch connection device B104, and is patched via the optical fiber 108. Transferred to the switch B106 through the connection port 202 manually switched in the patch board 201, and transferred to the switch connecting device B104 on the receiving side indicated by the address information contained in the header in the switch B106. Header B110 added in switch connection device B104 on the receiving side
Is released, and the video data is transferred to the video input / output device 10 on the receiving side.
2

With the above operation, the optical fiber can be used for both computer data and video.
It becomes possible to communicate efficiently using a network.

[Third Embodiment] As a third embodiment of the present invention, a star coupler and a switch compatible with the switch selector 107 described in the first embodiment will be described. The case where both video and computer data are communicated through an optical fiber using light of different wavelength bands and a wavelength filter as a function of will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a system using a star coupler and light and wavelength filters of different wavelength bands as a function for identifying a suitable switch in the switch selector 107 described in the first embodiment. FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a star coupler, 302 denotes a wavelength filter A, 303 denotes a wavelength filter B, 304 denotes an optical signal of an optical wavelength λA used by a computer, and 305 denotes an optical signal of an optical wavelength λB used by a video input / output device. is there.

In this embodiment, the light wavelengths λA, λB
Have different wavelength bands. The wavelength filter A302 has an optical wavelength λA and a wavelength filter B303.
Is for light wavelength λB.

According to the present embodiment, the computer data output from the computer 101 shown in FIG.
In the switch connection device A103, a communication header A109 containing the address information of the communication partner is added, and
The optical signal 304 of the wavelength band of λA, which is output using the optical signal 304 of the wavelength band A and transmitted to the star coupler 301 in the switch selector 107 via the optical fiber 108 and transferred by the star coupler 301, Branch,
The signal is transmitted to the wavelength filters A302 and B303.

The wavelength filter A302 selects the optical signal 304 in the wavelength band of λA, transfers the signal to the switch A105, and transfers the signal to the switch connecting device A103 on the receiving side indicated by the address information contained in the header A109. , Receiving side switch connection device A
The header A109 added in 103 is released,
The computer data is transferred to the receiving computer 101.

The video data output from the video input / output device 102 shown in FIG. 1 is added with a communication header A110 containing address information of a communication partner in a switch connection device B104, and an optical signal in a wavelength band of λB is added. 305 is output using the optical coupler 108, is transmitted to the star coupler 301 in the switch selector 107 via the optical fiber 108, and is branched by the star coupler 301.
The signal is transmitted to the wavelength filters A302 and B303.

In the wavelength filter B303, the optical signal 305 in the wavelength band of λB is selected, transferred to the switch B106, and transferred to the switch connection device B104 on the receiving side indicated by the address information contained in the header B110 in the switch B106. And the receiving-side switch connection device B1
At 04, the added header B110 is released, and the video data is transferred to the video input / output device 102 on the receiving side.

With the above operation, the optical fiber can be used for both computer data and video.
It becomes possible to communicate efficiently using a network.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the following, as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, an automatic switch identification device and a switch suitable for the switch selector 107 described in the first embodiment are identified. A case in which both video and computer data are communicated over an optical fiber using transfer data including information for identifying a suitable switch as a function for performing the operation will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a system using an automatic switch identification device for the switch selector 107 described in the first embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an automatic switch identification device.

According to the present embodiment, the computer data output from the computer 101 shown in FIG.
In the switch connection device A103, a communication header A109 accommodating address information of a communication partner and information for identifying a switch (hereinafter, referred to as identification information) is added, and the switch automatic identification device 4 is connected via an optical fiber 108.
01, the computer data is transferred to the switch A105 in accordance with the identification information contained in the header A109 in the automatic switch identification device 401, and the switch connection on the receiving side indicated by the address information contained in the header A109 in the switch A105. Device A103
The header A109 added in the switch connection device A103 on the receiving side is released, and the computer data is transferred to the computer 101 on the receiving side.

The video output from the video input / output device 102 shown in FIG. 1 contains the address information and identification information of the communication partner in the communication header B110 in the switch connection device B104, and switches the data via the optical fiber 108. The data is transferred to the automatic identification device 401, and the switch automatic identification device 40
1 in accordance with the identification information stored in the header B110, the video is transferred to the switch B106,
At 106, the address information contained in the header is transferred to the switch connection device B104 on the receiving side indicated by the address information,
The header B1 in the switch connection device B104 on the receiving side
The address information and identification information of the communication partner housed in the communication device 10 are released, and the video is transferred to the video input / output device 102.

The switch automatic identification device 401 only needs to have a function of identifying the identification information, and can be constituted by a microcomputer or a simple hardware circuit including a comparison circuit. Detailed description of the internal configuration is omitted.

By the above operation, the optical fiber can be used for both computer data and video.
It becomes possible to communicate efficiently using a network.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A switch for computer data for switching computer data, a switch for video data for switching video data, a function for identifying the appropriate switch, and a switch for computer or video for transferring transfer data By using the switch selector for distributing the optical fiber, the optical fiber can be shared for both the computer data and the video, so that the network can be used efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a system using a patch board for the switch selector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a system using a star coupler and a wavelength filter for the switch selector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a system using an automatic switch identification device for the switch selector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a video communication system using a patch board for explaining an example of the related art.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a video communication system using a star coupler for explaining an example of the related art.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a local center for explaining an example of the related art.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a video communication system using a switch for explaining an example of the related art.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a video frame for explaining an example of the related art.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a computer data communication system using a switch for explaining an example of the related art.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a communication packet for explaining an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 computer 102 video input / output device 103 switch connecting device A 104 switch connecting device B 105 switch A 106 switch B 107 switch selector 108 optical fiber 109 header A 110 header B 201 patch board 202 connection port 301 star coupler 302 wavelength filter A 303 wavelength Filter B 304 Optical signal of optical wavelength λA 305 Optical signal of optical wavelength λB 401 Automatic switch identification device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication network system that connects a plurality of computers and a plurality of video input / output devices via a switch and transfers computer data and video data, a computer data switch for switching computer data, and a video data switch. A video / computer comprising: a video data switch for switching the data and a switch for identifying a switch suitable for the transmitted data and distributing the transmitted data to the computer switch or the video switch. Integrated network system. 2. A communication network system according to claim 1, wherein a patch board is used as said switch selector, and transfer data is distributed to a computer switch or a video switch by manually switching a connection port of said patch board. An integrated video / computer network system characterized in that: 3. The communication network system according to claim 1, wherein a star coupler is used as said switch selector, and light and wavelength filters of different wavelength bands are used as a function for identifying a suitable switch, and transfer data is transferred to a computer. A video / computer integrated network system, wherein the video / computer integrated switch is assigned to a video switch or a video switch. 4. The communication network system according to claim 1, wherein an automatic switch identification device is used as said switch selector, and transfer data including information for identifying a suitable switch is used as a function for identifying a suitable switch. A video / computer integrated network system, wherein transfer data is distributed to a computer switch or a video switch by automatic identification.