JP5458961B2 - Network system management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is configured by connecting a plurality of devices, and the master node periodically generates an audio transmission frame including the data of the acoustic signal and circulates it in a loop-shaped transmission path passing through each of the devices at a constant cycle. The present invention relates to a management method for a network system in which an acoustic signal is transmitted between arbitrary devices by writing and / or reading an acoustic signal to and from the audio transmission frame.

Conventionally, various network systems for transmitting data between a plurality of devices are known.
For example, in the network system described in Patent Document 1, a frame generated by a master node is periodically circulated in a ring-shaped transmission path formed by each device constituting the system, and each device is associated with the frame. By reading and writing necessary information, it is possible to stably transmit not only an acoustic signal but also a control signal such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) frame from an arbitrary device constituting the system to an arbitrary device.

JP 2009-94589 A

  By the way, in the network system as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of master node candidates are prepared, and some of the devices constituting the network system are disconnected from the master node due to disconnection between devices. Even in such a case, it is conceivable that the master node candidate included in the divided device can reconstruct the network system in the range of the divided device. By doing so, even when connection disconnection occurs, it can continue normally except for signal transmission across the disconnection point, and the influence of disconnection can be minimized.

  However, in such a case, if the reconstructed system is reconstructed as a completely independent system, a device that has been disconnected from the original master node due to connection recovery, etc. Even when the connection is restored, there is a problem that it is difficult to automatically integrate the network system to which the original master node belongs and the reconstructed system so as to return to the original system configuration.

This is because it is preferable that the network systems formed separately from the beginning should not be integrated into one system even if the systems are erroneously connected.
The present invention solves such a problem, and when a part of devices constituting the network system is parted from the master node, the network system temporarily constructed is appropriately and automatically after the parting is resolved. It aims to be able to be integrated into a network system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a network system management method according to the present invention connects a plurality of devices, and a master node of the plurality of devices periodically generates an audio transmission frame including acoustic signal data. Then, it circulates in a loop-shaped transmission path passing through the devices at a constant period, and each device writes and / or reads an acoustic signal to / from the circulating audio transmission frame. In a management method of a network system for transmitting an acoustic signal between any of these devices, the plurality of devices are operated by cooperation of any one device or any of the plurality of connected devices. At least two devices are designated as master candidate devices, and each master candidate device is designated as a master candidate device. When a plurality of devices including the plurality of master candidate devices are connected without a network system being formed, a master specifying procedure for specifying a master priority indicating the priority order of becoming a node is selected. A first system formation procedure for causing a first master candidate device having the highest master priority among the candidate devices to function as the master node and forming a network system to which the plurality of connected devices belong; When a network system is formed by the first system formation procedure, a unique unique ID is generated and given to each device belonging to the formed network system; and the first system formation procedure In the network system formed by When the voice transmission frame from the first master candidate device that has been functioning as the master node that circulates the path is interrupted for a predetermined time or longer, the second master candidate device having the next highest master priority is A second system formation procedure for functioning as a master node and forming a network system to which one or more devices connected to the second master candidate device and the second master candidate device belong; and When it is detected that an end device belonging to the network system formed in the first system formation procedure or the second system formation procedure is connected to another device belonging to another network system, the end device Detected above than the master node in the network system to which the device belongs. On the condition that the master node in the network system to which the other device belongs has higher master priority, and the unique ID assigned to the other device and the other device is common. Reset procedure for resetting all devices in the network system to which the device at the end belongs, and the device at the end belonging to one of the network systems is connected to other devices not belonging to any network system When it is detected that the other device has been detected, an installation procedure for incorporating the detected other device into the network system to which the device at the end belongs is executed.

In such a network system management method, the master priority of the master candidate device is selected for each master candidate device by cooperation of any one of the plurality of connected devices or any of the plurality of devices. Depending on the degree, the predetermined time in the second system formation procedure may be set to a shorter time as the master priority is higher.
Further, the network system includes a control device for remotely controlling each device constituting the network system formed by the first system formation procedure, and the control is performed instead of the plurality of connected devices. It is preferable that the device executes the above unique ID assigning procedure.

Alternatively, the first master candidate device among the plurality of connected devices may execute the unique ID assignment procedure.
Furthermore, in the second system formation procedure, a network system in which the second master candidate device is the master node may be formed without resetting the plurality of devices.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an audio network system which is an embodiment of a network system of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the TL frame transmitted with the transmission line of the audio network system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the transmission timing of a TL frame. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission condition of a TL frame at the time of transmission of the acoustic signal on an audio network system. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the acoustic signal processing apparatus used as each node which comprises the audio network system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the function regarding transmission of TL frame in the network I / F card shown in FIG. 5 in detail. It is a figure which shows the more concrete example of a structure of the audio network system which is embodiment of the network system of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the information of the master priority memorize | stored in the device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation procedure of each apparatus according to the operation | work by a user at the time of forming the transmission path of an audio network system and a TL frame. It is a figure for demonstrating the allocation content of the signal transmission channel in a TL frame.

It is a figure for demonstrating ID memorize | stored in each device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual device table memorize | stored in a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the data for controlling the device which comprises the audio network system memorize | stored in a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the management state of ID of each device which a control apparatus collects. It is a flowchart of the synchronization process which CPU of a control apparatus performs. It is a flowchart of the master change process which CPU of the device of a master candidate among the devices shown in FIG. 7 performs. It is a flowchart of the reset process which CPU of each device shown in FIG. 7 performs. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed when the CPU of each device shown in FIG. 7 detects a connection with a device belonging to another network. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a system when the connection disconnection between nodes generate | occur | produces in the audio network system shown in FIG. 7, and a disconnection | restoration is recovered | restored after that. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a system when the operation | movement of a master node stops similarly, and it recovers after that. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement when the operation | movement of a master node stops and it recovers after that in the system of a loop connection.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
1. 1. Outline of Audio Network System of Embodiment of Present Invention 1.1 Overall Configuration First, FIG. 1 shows an outline of an audio network system which is an embodiment of a network system of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the audio network system 1 is a set of a reception interface (I / F) that is a reception unit that performs unidirectional communication and a transmission I / F that is a transmission unit. Are configured by sequentially connecting nodes A to C, which are devices each having two sets, with a communication cable CB. Here, an example of three nodes is shown, but the number of nodes may be two or more.

  In the node A, the reception I / F_AR1 and the transmission I / F_AT1 are a set of I / Fs, and the reception I / F_AR2 and the transmission I / F_AT2 are another set of I / Fs. For nodes B and C, the I / F in which the first character “A” of the code is replaced with “B” or “C” has the same relationship.

The connection between the nodes is performed by connecting one set of reception I / F and transmission I / F to one set of transmission I / F and reception I / F of another node through a communication cable CB. Yes. For example, between the node A and the node B, the reception I / F_AR2 and the transmission I / F_BT1 are connected, and the transmission I / F_AT2 and the reception I / F_BR1 are connected. Further, between the node B and the node C, another set of I / F of the node B and one set of I / F of the node C are connected.
Each node shown in FIG. 1 is an acoustic signal processing device having various functions such as analog input, analog output, digital input, digital output, mixing, effect application, recording / playback, remote control, or a combination thereof. Of course, it does not matter if the function is different for each node.

Here, as shown in (a), a state in which each node is connected like a single line having an end is referred to as “cascade connection”. In this case, one ring-shaped data transmission path can be formed by the communication cable CB connecting the nodes as shown by the broken line, and each node circulates the frame at a constant cycle along this path. By transmitting and reading / writing necessary information for the frame, data can be transmitted / received to / from any node on the path.
In the audio network system 1, one node becomes a master node, generates a frame for transmitting an acoustic signal, periodically circulates the transmission path, and manages the network. The frame generated by the master node is referred to as a “TL frame” in distinction from other frames.

  Further, in addition to the cascade connection shown in (a), when the I / Fs not used in the nodes at both ends are also connected by the communication cable CB, two ring-shaped data transmission paths are provided as shown in (b). Can be formed. Each node can transmit / receive data to / from any node on the path by transmitting a frame through these paths and reading / writing necessary information for each frame. Such a connection state between nodes is referred to as “loop connection”.

  In this loop connection state, when communication is performed with an amount of information that can be transmitted using only a TL frame that circulates through one transmission path, even if a disconnection occurs at one location, the TL frame is transmitted on both sides of the disconnection location. By turning back the transmission, both sides of the disconnection point are viewed as both ends of the cascade connection, and the system is quickly converted to the cascade connection system as shown in (a), and TL frame transmission is continued with a loss of about 0 to 2 frames. can do.

Although two cables are shown in FIG. 1, if a pair of reception I / F and transmission I / F are provided close to each other or integrally, a cable obtained by bundling the two into one, It is also possible to connect a pair of I / Fs.
If each node is provided with the necessary I / F, as shown in (c), the external device N is connected, and the data received from the external device N is written in the TL frame and transmitted to other nodes. It is also possible to transmit data read from the TL frame to the external device N.

  As such an external device N, for example, an external console can be considered. Then, the console transmits a command corresponding to the operation received from the user to the node B, and the node B writes this in the TL frame and transmits it to the other node, or the other node writes in the TL frame and transmits it. It is conceivable that the node B reads out a response, level data, and the like, transmits it to the console, and performs an operation such as using the console to display the operator state or level.

1.2 Configuration of TL Frame Next, FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a TL frame transmitted through the transmission path of the audio network system 1 described above. Note that the width of each region shown in this figure does not necessarily correspond to the data amount.
As shown in FIG. 2, this TL frame 100 is 1282 bytes in size, and in order from the top, is a preamble 101, management data 102, a waveform data (audio data) area 103, a control data area 104, an FCS (Frame Check Sequence). ) 105 areas. The size of each area is constant regardless of the amount of data described in that area. Moreover, the size of each area | region other than FCS105 shown here is an example, and may be changed suitably.

The preamble 101 is a total of 8 bytes of data, and describes a preamble and an SFD (Start Frame Delimiter) defined by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.3.
The management data 102 is 8-byte data, and a ring ID indicating which transmission path in the system is used as data used by each node in the audio network system 1 to manage data included in the TL frame. In addition, a frame ID that is a frame serial number, the number of channels of waveform data in the waveform data 103, and the like are described.

  In addition, 1024 bytes are secured as the waveform data area 103, and one sample of 32 bits of waveform data, which is the sound signal data, can be described for 256 channels. That is, in this system, by circulating one TL frame 100, it is possible to transmit acoustic signals for 256 channels. Note that it is not necessary to worry about what is described in the area of ch (empty ch) that is not used for transmission in 256 ch. Note that the size of each channel area may be changed according to the number of bits of the waveform data. In this case, 16-bit waveform data can be transmitted for 512 channels, and if it is 24 bits, 340 channels can be transmitted.

  In the waveform data area 103, a channel is assigned to each node constituting the audio network system 1 in advance, and each node writes output waveform data at the position of the assigned channel. This assignment is performed based on a request from each node by a master node that performs a management operation of the entire system.

On the other hand, 238 bytes are secured as the control data area 104, and an Ethernet frame area 106, an ITL frame area 107, and a management data area 108 are provided here.
The Ethernet frame area 106 includes an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.3 format frame (Ethernet frame) obtained by further framing IP packets, which are packets for inter-node communication based on IP (Internet Protocol). Is described.

  Also, if the Ethernet frame to be described does not fit in the prepared size (here 178 bytes), it is divided into the required number of blocks on the frame transmission side, and one block is described for each TL frame. To do. Then, on the frame receiving side, data is extracted from a plurality of TL frames 100 and combined, and the frame before division is restored, so that Ethernet frames are transmitted between nodes in the same manner as normal Ethernet (registered trademark) transmission. can do.

  In the ITL frame area 107, data of an ITL frame that is a frame used for transmission of a command and a response to the command between adjacent nodes is described. Although detailed description is omitted, this ITL frame is used for information transmission when a frame transmission path is formed in the system and information transmission after the system is formed.

The management data area 108 is an area in which data used by each node in the system for managing data included in the TL frame 100 is described. The data described here includes, for example, level data used for level display, a disconnection detection flag indicating that the TL frame 100 is disconnected during transmission, and an error flag indicating that an error has occurred in the transmission of the TL frame 100 Etc.
The FCS 105 is a field for detecting frame errors defined by IEEE 802.3.

1.3 TL Frame Transmission Method Next, FIG. 3 shows the transmission timing of the TL frame 100 shown in FIG.
As shown in this figure, in the audio network system 1, the TL frame 100 is circulated between nodes every 10.4 μsec (microseconds), which is one sampling period of 96 kHz (kilohertz). Is configured to write an acoustic signal to a desired channel of a TL frame or read an acoustic signal from a desired channel. Therefore, one sample of waveform data can be transmitted between nodes for each of 256 signal transmission channels in each sampling period.
If data transfer of Ethernet (registered trademark) system of 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second) is adopted, the time length of the TL frame 100 is 1 nanosecond × 8 bits × 1282 bytes = 10.26 μsec, and 1 sampling period The transmission is completed within.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a transmission state of the TL frame shown in FIG. 2 when an acoustic signal is transmitted on the audio network system.
Here, a system in which four nodes from node A to node D are cascade-connected is considered. When the TL frame 100 is circulated to each node in this system, one of the nodes is determined as a master node, and only that node generates a TL frame (TL frame having a different serial number) with a new sampling period. The TL frame generated every sampling period is transmitted to the next node. Nodes other than the partial master are slave nodes, each of which performs a transfer process of receiving a TL frame from the previous node and transmitting it to the next node.

  Then, when the node B as the master node first transmits a TL frame toward the node C in the right direction in the drawing in accordance with the timing of the word clock, the TL frame is represented by a node B → C as indicated by a broken line. The data is transmitted in the order of D → C → B → A → B and returns to the node B. During this transmission, each node reads the waveform data and control data to be received from other nodes from the TL frame and receives the waveform data to be transmitted to the other nodes until it is transmitted after receiving the TL frame. Write control data to the TL frame.

  Then, when the TL frame returns around the transmission line once, the master node rewrites the management data of the TL frame to generate a TL frame having a later sample period, and uses it for transmission at an appropriate sample period. . At this time, the master node also reads / writes data from / to the TL frame in the same manner as other nodes.

  By repeating the above, each node can be circulated in one TL frame per sampling period as shown in time series from (a) to (e). In these drawings, the black arrow indicates the beginning of the TL frame, and the black circle indicates the end of the TL frame. Line arrows are described for easy understanding of TL frame breaks.

  Each slave node does not need to read / write data or transmit to the next node after receiving all of the TL frames. When receiving the required number of bytes from the beginning, each slave node reads / writes data to the next node. You may have started the process of sending. After that, it is sufficient to read / write and transmit data at almost the same speed as the reception until the end of the TL frame. However, for the partial master, it is preferable to generate a new TL frame based on the contents after receiving all of the TL frame in order to confirm that the TL frame has normally made one round of the transmission path. .

  In the case of cascade connection, the nodes other than the nodes at both ends pass the TL frame twice in one cycle, but the data other than the ITL frame area 107 is read / written only once. It is. Which of the reading and writing is performed may be arbitrarily determined when the TL frame is first passed or when the TL frame is passed rightward in the drawing. When reading / writing is not performed, it is only necessary to rewrite the transmission source address and pass through the remaining portion of the TL frame. It is preferable that the ITL frame can be transmitted to adjacent nodes in both directions.

  Also, in each node, the frequency and timing of rewriting TL frame data and the frequency and timing of the receiving side network clock (corresponding to the operating clock of the transmitting node) and the transmitting side network clock (corresponding to the operating clock of the node) In order to absorb the difference, it is necessary to perform buffering at the time of receiving the TL frame, so that there is some time lag from the start of reception of the TL frame to the start of transmission.

  Then, if you want to minimize the transmission delay (sampling period unit) of the acoustic signal transmitted over the network, considering the amount of time lag above, the TL frame that started transmission at the timing of a word clock with a master node, It suffices that the master node can complete reception at a timing before a predetermined time α (corresponding to a time related to preparation of a new TL frame in the master node) from the second word clock.

  In this system, if the number of nodes is such that the TL frame can be circulated once within one sampling period by performing data transmission in the above manner, the network always responds to the size of the TL frame. A certain transmission bandwidth can be secured. This bandwidth is not affected by the amount of data transmission between specific nodes.

  In addition, when loop connection is performed and two transmission lines are formed in the partial system, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the TL frame generated by the node B as the master node and transmitted to the right in the figure is Transmission path for transmitting in the order of B → C → D → A → B, and transmission for transmitting the TL frame generated by the node B and transmitted leftward in the figure in the order of the node B → A → D → C → B You can make a road. In this case, since the TL frame passes through all the nodes once while making one round of the transmission path, each node reads and writes data during the passage.

1.4 Hardware Configuration and Basic Operation of Each Device that Configures the System Next, hardware for transmitting a TL frame as described above and its operation will be described.
First, FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of an acoustic signal processing apparatus as an example of a device that becomes each node constituting the audio network system 1 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the acoustic signal processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 201, a flash memory 202, a RAM 203, an external device I / F (interface) 204, a display 205, and an operator 206, which are connected by a system bus 207. Has been. A card I / O (input / output unit) 210 connected to the external device I / F 204 and the system bus 207 is also provided.

  The CPU 201 is a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the acoustic signal processing apparatus 10, and controls the display on the display unit 205 by executing a required control program stored in the flash memory 202. The operation of the child 206 is detected, parameter value setting / changing and operation of each part are controlled according to the operation, a command is transmitted to another acoustic signal processing device via the card I / O 210, and the card I / O Processing according to a command received from another acoustic signal processing apparatus via O210 is performed.

The flash memory 202 is a rewritable non-volatile storage unit that stores a control program executed by the CPU 201 and data that should remain even after the power is turned off.
The RAM 203 is a storage unit that stores data to be temporarily stored or used as a work memory for the CPU 201.

The external device I / F 204 is an interface for connecting various external devices to perform input / output. For example, an external display, a mouse, a keyboard for inputting characters, an operation panel, a PC (personal computer), and the like are connected. Interface is prepared.
The external device I / F 204 is also connected to the audio bus 217 of the card I / O 210. The waveform data flowing through the audio bus 217 is transmitted to the external device, and the waveform data received from the external device is input to the audio bus 217. You can do it.

The display unit 205 is a display unit that displays various information according to control by the CPU 201, and can be configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED).
The operation element 206 is for accepting an operation on the acoustic signal processing apparatus 10 and can be constituted by various keys, buttons, dials, sliders, and the like.

  For example, when the acoustic signal processing apparatus 10 is configured as a console, the display unit 205 and the operation unit 206 include a large display and a large number of buttons and switches for receiving signal processing parameters and patch settings for a large number of channels. When a user interface such as an electric fader is provided and configured as an input / output device, the configuration differs greatly depending on the function of the device, such as providing simple lamps and buttons for power supply and mode setting.

  The card I / O 210 includes an audio bus 217 and a control bus 218, and by mounting various card modules on these buses, input / output of acoustic signals and control signals to the acoustic signal processing device 10 and processing thereof are performed. It is an interface that allows you to do it. Each card module mounted here transmits / receives waveform data to / from each other via the audio bus 217, and transmits / receives a control signal to / from the CPU 201 via the control bus 218, and is controlled by the CPU 201.

  The audio bus 217 is an acoustic signal transmission local bus that time-divisionally transmits a plurality of channels of waveform data one sample at a time based on a sampling period from an arbitrary card to an arbitrary card. Any one of a plurality of connected cards becomes a master, and controls the reference timing of time division transmission of the audio bus 217 based on a word clock generated and supplied by the card. Each other card becomes a slave and generates a word clock for each card based on the reference timing.

  That is, the word clock generated by each card becomes a common clock synchronized with the word clock of the card serving as the master, and the plurality of cards in the node process the waveform data at the common sampling frequency. Furthermore, each card transmits the waveform data processed based on its own word clock and the waveform data to be processed to other cards via the audio bus 217 at the time division timing based on the reference timing, and Receive from another card.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which DSP (digital signal processor) cards 211 and 212, an analog input card 213, an analog output card 214, and a network I / F card 215 are mounted on the card I / O 210.
Various cards mounted on the card I / O 210 execute waveform data processing corresponding to the function of the card at a timing based on the word clock (waveform data sampling period).

  Among these, the DSP cards 211 and 212 are signal processing means for performing various processes such as mixing, equalizing, and applying effects on the waveform data acquired from the audio bus 217 at timing based on the word clock. The processed data is also output to the audio bus 217. Further, it can receive and process input of waveform data of a plurality of channels and output waveform data of a plurality of channels.

The analog input card 213 includes an A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuit, and has a function of converting an analog acoustic signal input from a voice input device such as a microphone into digital waveform data and supplying the digital waveform data to the audio bus 217. . It is also possible to process signals of a plurality of channels in parallel.
The analog output card 214 includes a D / A (digital / analog) conversion circuit, converts the digital waveform data acquired from the audio bus 217 into an analog acoustic signal, and outputs it to an audio output device such as a speaker. Have.

  The network I / F card 215 includes two sets of transmission I / F and reception I / F. Transmission of the TL frame 100 and waveform data for the TL frame 100 in the audio network system 1 described with reference to FIGS. And a function for reading and writing control data and the like. A plurality of network I / F cards can be mounted on the card I / O 210. In this case, each network I / F card is connected to a separate audio network system.

Of the various cards described here, cards other than the network I / F card 215 can be arbitrarily selected and mounted. For example, when the acoustic signal processing device 10 is configured as an input / output device, the DSP cards 211 and 212 are not necessary if only signal input / output needs to be performed. If the signal input / output to / from the outside is not performed, the analog input card 213 and the analog output card 214 are unnecessary. Further, in the case of being configured as a console, it is not necessary to provide a card other than the network I / F card 215 as long as only operations for parameters are performed.
On the other hand, it is possible to mount various card modules such as a digital input / output, a sound source, a recorder, and an effector as the other card 216 other than those listed here.

  As described above, the card attached to the card I / O 210 processes the acoustic signal according to the common word clock. However, if the acoustic signal processing device 10 is a master node, 1 supplies a word clock to other cards including the network I / F card 215, and the network I / F card 215 transmits a TL frame for each sampling period based on the timing of the word clock. When the acoustic signal processing apparatus 10 is a slave node, the network I / F card 215 generates (reproduces) a word clock based on the reception timing of the TL frame, and transmits the word to other cards attached to the card I / O 210. Supply the clock.

Next, FIG. 6 shows in more detail functions related to transmission of the TL frame 100 in the network I / F card 215.
As shown in FIG. 6, the network I / F card 215 includes first and second reception I / Fs 11 and 14 and first and second transmission I / Fs 12 and 13, and the transmission direction of the TL frame 100 is changed. Selectors 21 to 24 for switching, first and second data input / output units 31 and 32 for reading / writing data to / from the TL frame 100, and an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from the audio bus 217 and the control bus 218 And an upper layer I / F 33 serving as an interface with a portion other than the network I / F card 215 in the acoustic signal processing device 10.

  Among these, the first and second reception I / Fs 11 and 14 and the first and second transmission I / Fs 12 and 13 are communication means corresponding to the two sets of reception I / F and transmission I / F shown in FIG. Each has a predetermined connector (female side) for connecting to a communication cable. When connecting communication cables, the first reception I / F 11 and the first transmission I / F 12 are set as one set, and the second transmission I / F 13 and the second reception I / F 14 are set as one set. These I / Fs may be I / Fs that perform data communication by any communication method as long as they have sufficient ability to transmit the TL frame within one sampling period described above. Employs an I / F that performs 1 Gbps Ethernet data transfer.

  On the other hand, each of the first and second data input / output units 31 and 32 operates based on an operation clock generated by an operation clock generation unit (not shown), and receives waveform data and data from the TL frame 100 received by the corresponding reception I / F. It functions as reading means for reading out desired data such as control data and writing means for writing desired data such as waveform data and control data to the received TL frame 100.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 1A and the like, the transmission destination from the node of the TL frame 100 received by a certain node is different from the transmission source of the TL frame 100 (FIG. 1A). Node B) and the same device as the transmission source (nodes A and C). In the former case, transmission of the TL frame 100 is performed from a transmission I / F of a different group from the reception I / F that has received the TL frame 100, and in the latter case, transmission is performed from the transmission I / F of the same group.

The selectors 21 to 24 are provided for performing such switching of transmission destinations.
Among these, the selectors 23 and 24 transmit the TL frame received by the first reception I / F 11 and passed through the first data input / output unit 31 from the second transmission I / F 13 or from the first transmission I / F 12. It is a selector for selecting whether to transmit.

These selectors 23 and 24 are interlocked. When the selector 23 selects the second transmission I / F 13 side, the TL frame received by the first reception I / F 11 is transmitted from the second transmission I / F 13. On the other hand, the selector 24 selects the second reception I / F 14 side and inputs the TL frame received by the second reception I / F 14 to the second data input / output unit 32.
Conversely, when the selector 23 selects the return line 26 side, the selector 24 also selects the return line 26 side, and the TL frame received by the first reception I / F 11 is input to the return line 26 and the second data input. The data is transmitted from the first transmission I / F 12 through the output unit 32.

  At this time, it is assumed that the selector 22 has selected the first transmission I / F 12 side. However, the selectors 21 and 22 are also linked in the same manner as the selectors 23 and 24. When the first data input / output unit 31 is passed through the TL frame received by the first reception I / F 11, the selector 21 receives the first reception. The I / F 11 side is selected, and in conjunction with this, the selector 22 selects the first transmission I / F 12 side. Therefore, by switching the selectors 23 and 24, it is possible to select whether or not to return the TL frame received by the first reception I / F 11.

Similarly, it is selected whether or not the TL frame received by the second reception I / F 14 and passed through the second data input / output unit 32 is to be looped back depending on whether or not the selectors 21 and 22 select the loopback line 25 side. Can do.
Note that when the TL frame is folded, the TL frame passes through both the first and second data input / output units 31 and 32 in the network I / F card 215. On the other hand, it may be performed, for example, on the first passage.

  Further, the frame received by the first reception I / F 11 when the selector 21 selects the return line 25 and the frame received by the second reception I / F 14 when the selector 24 selects the return line 26. (It is assumed that the ITL frame described above is received), and the data is supplied to a processing unit (not shown) to analyze the content and perform processing according to the content. On the other hand, when the selector 21 selects the return line 25, the first transmission I / F 12 and from the second transmission I / F 13 when the selector 24 selects the return line 26, a processing unit (not shown). Can be transmitted to the connection destination device (the above-mentioned ITL frame is assumed).

In the acoustic signal processing device 10, the hardware of the network I / F card 215 performs the above-described operation, thereby realizing the function related to the transmission of the TL frame as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. it can. For a more specific hardware configuration, for example, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-94589 can be employed.
In the following description, the term “system” simply refers to an audio network system that transmits a TL frame as described above.

2. Next, a procedure for forming the audio network system described above will be described.
In the following description, in order to explain data stored in each device, an audio network system configured by connecting seven devices A to G as shown in FIG. 7 is also used as an example.

In the case of the cascade connection as shown in FIG. 7, in the audio network system S, as shown by the broken line, one loop-shaped transmission path that is folded back at the nodes at both ends is formed.
Here, the device B is set as a primary master having the highest priority (master priority) for becoming a master node, and functions as a master node of the audio network system S. In addition, the device E is set as the secondary master having the second master priority so that, as will be described later, when the device E is disconnected from the master node due to a system failure, the device E functions as an alternative master node. .

FIG. 8 shows an example of data used for these settings.
Here, the master availability information and master priority information shown in FIG. 8 are stored in each device. The master availability is information indicating whether or not the device can function as a master node when it is incorporated in an audio network system, that is, whether or not the device is a candidate for the master node. The master priority is set to “1” for the primary master and “2” for the secondary master. It is also possible to set a lower master priority.

  Note that the information illustrated in FIG. 8 may be stored only in a device that is a master node candidate (master candidate device) as a minimum. In this case, it may be determined that a node that does not store necessary information does not become a master node. Further, for example, when the master priority is “0”, the device does not become a master node, and the master availability information may be omitted.

These pieces of information can be arbitrarily set by the user. However, it is preferable not to have two or more master candidate devices with the same priority.
In order for this embodiment to be effective, at least two master candidate devices (primary master and secondary master in the example of FIG. 7) having different priorities need to be included in the audio network system. However, the system can be operated if there is at least one master candidate device.

Next, FIG. 9 shows the work performed by the user and the operation procedure of each device in accordance with the audio network system S and the above-described TL frame transmission path.
In general, when forming the audio network system shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the user first connects two or more devices forming the system in a cascade or loop (S11). When the audio network system S shown in FIG. 7 is formed, seven devices A to G are cascaded in the order shown.
Note that the term “connection” here refers to connecting a device that is already turned on with a communication cable, turning on a device that is already connected with a communication cable, and communicating with a device that is neither connected. This includes both turning on the power after connecting with a cable.

  When this connection is made, the connected devices automatically check the existence of each other's devices and the topology of the connection (cascade or loop, and the connection order of each device), and then change to that topology. In response, a TL frame transmission path as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 that circulates between the connected devices is formed, and transmission of the TL frame along the transmission path is started (S21).

However, at this stage, waveform data is not yet read from and written to the TL frame, and the control data is transmitted between devices using the ITL frame area 107 and the control data area 104 in the TL frame 100 (TTL mode). Operate. Although other devices may be used, here, it is assumed that the primary master is a temporary partial master that is a node that generates a TL frame.
As a procedure for forming a transmission line at this time, for example, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-94589 can be adopted, and here, this formation procedure is adopted.

  Further, after step S11, the user gives an instruction to shift the audio network system S to the RTL mode (S12). This instruction is preferably performed after step S21 is completed, but this is not essential. Further, when the primary master and the secondary master are not designated, it is necessary to designate at least one of them before an instruction to shift to the RTL mode. An instruction to shift to the RTL mode can be made with the setting of the primary master or the secondary master.

When the instruction in step S12 is made, each device operating in the TTL mode is a device set as the primary master (if not, a master candidate device with the highest priority among the connected devices) The same as in the description of this figure below) is used as a master node to reconstruct the transmission path of the TL frame that circulates between the connected devices, and sets a network ID (described later) common to the devices in that range. This time, transmission of the TL frame is started in a mode (RTL mode) in which waveform data can be read from and written to the TL frame (S31).
If a primary master (or secondary master) is designated in advance, the process can automatically proceed from step S21 to S31 without a user instruction.

  Thereafter, each device notifies the master node of the number of signal transmission channels requested by itself (S32). The number of channels notified here indicates how many waveform data the device writes to the TL frame 100. This value is a value set in advance by the user, or according to the number of input terminals (when writing externally input waveform data) and output channels (when writing internally processed waveform data). The device can automatically determine, or the device can automatically determine based on how many channels of waveform data are actually set for routing to write in the TL frame. In some cases, the number of requested channels is zero. In this case, since it is not necessary to receive allocation of channels, it is not necessary to notify the number of requested channels.

  The notification in step S32 is performed by an Ethernet frame addressed to the master node described in the control data area 104 of the TL frame 100, or the ITL frame described in the ITL frame area 107 is relayed to adjacent nodes in sequence to the master node. It can be done by delivering. The same applies to communication between the master node and each device described below.

On the other hand, when the master node receives the notification in step S32, the master node allocates a signal transmission channel in the TL frame 100 to the notification source device in response to the notification (S33).
By this processing, as shown in FIG. 10, a signal transmission channel is assigned to each device. Since any channel can be assigned to any device, any algorithm such as assignment from the top in the first-come-first-served basis can be adopted. However, since the number of signal transmission channels is limited, assignment may not be possible. However, even if the allocation cannot be performed, the waveform data cannot be written to the TL frame 100 in the unallocated device, the waveform data can be read from the TL frame 100, and other operations are not affected. .

  Further, the master node notifies the allocation destination device of the content of the allocation performed in step S33 (S34). Upon receiving the notification in step S34, each device starts writing waveform data in the TL frame in accordance with the assignment of signal transmission channels and the routing settings made in that device (S35).

Here, the routing means that each device has waveform data from where to where the input / output port (corresponding to the input / output terminal) of the device, the input / output channel in the DSP card, and the signal transmission channel of the TL frame. This is a setting for whether or not transmission is performed.
For example, in a certain device, when a routing is set in which a waveform data supply source is an input port or output channel and a supply destination is a network (TL frame), the waveform data input from the input port or the waveform output from the output channel is set. The data is written to one of the signal transmission channels assigned to the device in the TL frame of the audio network system to which the device belongs, and the transmission is set to be readable by other devices belonging to the system. It will be.

  When starting to write waveform data to the TL frame in accordance with the routing setting in step S35, the audio network system S determines which port or ch-derived waveform data is to be written to which signal transmission channel. Each device is notified so that the other device can grasp from which signal transmission channel the written waveform data should be read (S36). The origin of the waveform data is expressed here by using a signal name that is unique within the audio network system S.

  When the waveform data supply source is one of the waveform data written in the TL frame in the audio network system to which the device belongs, and the routing is set with the output destination or the input channel as the supply destination, the waveform data is transferred from the TL frame. The transmission is set to be read and output from the output port or input to the input channel. At this time, the waveform data may be specified by information (signal name) indicating the origin of the waveform data.

  Each device can grasp from which signal transmission channel of the TL frame the waveform data should be specifically read based on the notification received in step S36 and the contents of such a routing setting. Based on the above, reading of waveform data from the TL frame is started (S37).

As described above, an audio network system in which the device set as the primary master is the master node is formed, and the acoustic signal and the control signal can be transmitted and received between the devices.
In addition to the transmission via the TL frame as described above, the routing setting includes supplying waveform data input from the input port to the input channel, and supplying waveform data output from the output channel to the output port. Transmission within the device can also be set.

  The routing setting means that the user can specify the waveform data supply source and the supply destination arbitrarily, and the waveform data path so that the waveform data is supplied from the specified supply source to the specified supply destination. This setting corresponds to patch setting of input patches and output patches, and on / off setting of send from the input channel to the mixing bus in a conventional stand-alone digital mixer. In this case, the input port and output channel of the device are set as the supply source, and the input channel and output port of the device are set as the supply destination.

  Moreover, the process so far can be performed irrespective of the control by the control apparatus mentioned later. Therefore, each device constituting the audio network system S can perform RTL mode TL frame transmission regardless of the control by the control device, and based on the routing setting stored in each device, the TL It is also possible to read / write waveform data from / to frames and input / output waveform data to / from the outside. If the device stores necessary parameters, signal processing by the DSP card can also be performed.

3. Device management using ID 3.1 ID stored in each device
By the way, various IDs are stored in each device constituting the audio network system S as identification information for identifying the device.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the ID. Here, attention is focused on three types of device ID, unique ID, and network ID.

  Of these, the device ID is an ID for identifying an individual device, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. For easy setting, the maximum number of devices that can be assumed to constitute the audio network system, such as a combination of two alphabetic characters, can be selected and set from a number of options prepared in advance. (In the figure, for simplicity of explanation, it is represented by one alphabetic character). If the setting is made appropriately, there should be no device with a matching device ID in the devices constituting the audio network system.

  A unique ID can be assigned even to a plurality of devices controlled as one audio network system, even if the audio network system is divided into a plurality of parts due to disconnection or device stoppage. This is an ID provided so that when the separated devices are connected again, it is possible to distinguish whether the other device is originally a device belonging to the same audio network system.

  Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, after the audio network system S is formed, the unique ID is unique when a control device such as a console performs synchronization for starting control of parameters in the device. A value is generated, and the generated value is set to all devices synchronized at that time. Therefore, the user cannot set this unique ID. Moreover, it is not necessary to know the value. In the figure, “u2” is shown, but actually it may be longer and more complicated data.

The network ID is an ID for identifying which transmission path of the TL frame (a pair of two transmission paths in the case of a loop connection) is formed by the device, and is used when the transmission path is formed in the RTL mode. Next, the master node generates and sets each device incorporated in the transmission path (see step S31 in FIG. 9). Therefore, the user cannot set the network ID and does not need to know the value.
In the figure, “n1” is described, but in reality, the ID is so complex that duplication does not occur between different transmission paths. In addition, a specific value such as “0” may be set as a network ID for a device belonging to the transmission path in the TTL mode so that it can be identified.

3.2 Virtual Device Table to be Stored in Control Device Next, a virtual device table, which is information stored by the control device to specify a device to be controlled, will be described.
The control device is a device for controlling the values of various parameters in each device constituting the audio network system S. When one of the devices constituting the audio network system S is a console, it can be used as a control device, and the audio network system S such as the external device N shown in FIG. It is possible to use an external device such as a console or a PC connected to any of the devices as a control device.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the virtual device table.
The virtual device table is editable by the user. As shown in this figure, the virtual device table describes an arbitrary number of device IDs for specifying devices to be controlled by the control apparatus. However, at the stage of creating this virtual device table, it is not necessary to know whether the device specified by the device ID is actually incorporated in the audio network system S or incorporated.
Therefore, the device to be controlled that is to be specified by the device ID on the virtual device table is referred to as “virtual device”. In the virtual device table, each virtual device is managed with a unique virtual device ID.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the control device stores parameters for remotely controlling each virtual device registered in the virtual device table.
The parameters here are the parameters related to acoustic signal processing executed by each device such as analog input, analog output, digital input, digital output, routing, mixing, equalizing, effect application, etc., and acoustic signal communication in the network. It is a related parameter and is data that should be synchronized with the device side when performing remote control of the device.

  Each device executes a function of acoustic signal processing and acoustic signal communication based on parameters stored in the current memory of the device. Each device has a scene memory in which parameters of the current memory at a desired point in time are stored as a scene for a plurality of scenes, and one scene can be selected and recalled to the current memory later. . These current memory parameters and scene memory parameters are to be synchronized.

  The types and number of parameters for controlling each virtual device vary depending on the model of the virtual device. Regarding this point, for example, the initial setting of the parameter for each model is stored in the control device in advance, and the model is specified when the user newly registers a virtual device in the virtual device table. The initial value at can be used.

3.3 Device Control Start by Control Device Next, an operation when the control device starts control of the devices constituting the audio network system will be described.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the management status of each device ID collected when the control device starts control of the device, and FIG. 15 is synchronization executed when the CPU of the control device starts control of the device It is a flowchart of a process.

When the control apparatus is connected to the audio network system after the audio network system operating in the RTL mode is formed or in the process of forming the audio network system, or when the control apparatus belongs to the audio network system as one device, the control apparatus is connected. Information of the device ID and the unique ID stored in the device is collected from all devices constituting the audio network system to which the device belongs.
Each collected ID can be managed in association with a MAC address set in each device, for example, as shown in FIG. This is because, as described in JP-A-2009-94589, the MAC address can be used for specifying the destination of an Ethernet frame or an ITL frame, and is an address with no fear of duplication.

Then, after the formation of the audio network system that operates in the RTL mode and the collection of the ID from each device are completed, if the user issues an online shift instruction to start remote control of the device, the CPU of the control device Starts the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control target device corresponding to each virtual device registered in the virtual device table shown in FIG. 12 is identified based on the ID collected from each device constituting the audio network system as shown in FIG. (S41).

  The association is basically performed by associating virtual devices and real devices having the same device ID. If there is no real device corresponding to the virtual device, the virtual device may be determined to have no corresponding device. In this case, the control device does not control the virtual device. Conversely, some real devices may not be associated with any virtual device. In this case, the device belongs to the audio network system, but is not an object of control by the control device.

In addition, when there are a plurality of real devices having the same device ID, an error may occur because the setting is not correct. However, using a unique ID, a device that stores a unique ID that is highly common to the entire system may be recognized as a device that has been controlled at the same time and may be associated with priority.
When the device association is completed as described above, the CPU of the control device generates a unique ID to be stored in the device (S42). This generation method may be arbitrary, but unique so as not to be duplicated within the range where the same kind of audio network system is operated is desirable. For example, an ID including the MAC address of the control device and the time of generation It is possible to do.

Then, the generated unique ID is transmitted to the device corresponding to each virtual device identified in step S41, and is requested to be stored as a unique ID. This transmission can be performed by describing an ITL frame or Ethernet frame in which necessary information is described in a predetermined area of the TL frame.
In response to the request, the destination device that has received the information transmitted in step S43 sets the received ID as a unique ID (S51).

  Further, after step S43, the CPU of the control device, for each virtual device with which the device is associated, sets parameters used for controlling the virtual device and the device associated with the virtual device. Are synchronized in the direction designated by the user (S44). This synchronization is performed by copying the contents of the parameters and matching the contents. In addition, the parameter to be copied can be transferred by writing data obtained by dumping a predetermined memory area in an ITL frame or Ethernet frame and transferring the data.

Here, as described above, each device can perform signal transmission and signal processing according to the parameter value stored in the device itself, regardless of the parameter setting by the control device. Therefore, when priority is given to maintaining the state of this process, the parameter may be read from the device and stored in the control device as a parameter for controlling the virtual device corresponding to the device.
On the other hand, when it is desired that each device perform signal processing in accordance with data stored in the control device (for example, parameters edited by the user offline), parameters used for controlling each virtual device are read from the control device. These may be stored in the corresponding devices.

The user can set in which direction the synchronization is performed collectively for all virtual devices or individually for each virtual device.
After the above synchronization, the CPU 201 stores the fact that the virtual device is online for all the synchronized virtual devices (S45), and also performs remote control for all the virtual devices that are online. Is started (S46), and the process is terminated.
During execution of remote control, if the value of the virtual device control parameter stored on the control device side is changed as shown in FIG. 13, the contents are immediately transmitted to the corresponding device and stored on the device side. Make the same changes to the existing parameters. Conversely, when the parameter value stored on the device side is changed without going through the control device, the device immediately transmits the content to the control device, and the control device makes the same change to the virtual device control parameter. Thus, the same value is stored for each parameter on the control device side and the device side.

  Through the above processing, a common unique ID can be stored in each device that is associated with the virtual device among the devices constituting the audio network system and is controlled by the control device. Normally, it is considered that all devices constituting the audio network system are set with virtual devices and device IDs to be controlled by the control device. Unique ID can be stored.

4). Function of Master Candidate Device No. 2 or Less 4.1 Enabling Master Function In the audio network system described above, a device that is set as a candidate for a master node and has not yet become a master node. A device (for example, a secondary master in a state where the primary master is the master node, hereinafter referred to as a “backup master device”) monitors whether a TL frame is properly circulated in a transmission path passing through the device. Yes.
Here, as a case where the TL frame does not circulate properly, a malfunction (see FIGS. 19 to 21) such as disconnection of the connection or stop of the device occurs between the device and the master node, and the master node transmits it. A case is assumed in which the TL frame cannot reach the device.

  In the audio network system described here, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-94589, when the above-mentioned problem occurs during the operation of the system, the selector on the side where the problem occurs in the devices on both sides thereof. By letting 21, 22, or 23, 24 select the wrapping line and wrap the TL frame with that device, the device ahead of the location where the failure occurred as seen from the master node is separated from the system, and the remaining devices The TL frame can be continuously circulated only with this. Therefore, in this case, the TL frame does not reach the device ahead of the location where the failure occurs.

However, if there are multiple devices ahead of the location of the failure, it is still possible to circulate TL frames between those devices if there is no particular failure in communication between those devices. Conceivable.
Therefore, in the audio network system of this embodiment, when some devices are disconnected from the system in this way, the devices that have been disconnected form an audio network system different from the original. , TL frame circulation is resumed between the disconnected devices.

For this reason, each spare master device is disconnected from the master node due to the occurrence of a failure and triggered by the fact that reception of a new TL frame does not occur for a predetermined time, that is, reception of a TL frame is interrupted for a predetermined time. I try to judge that it no longer circulates properly.
The threshold value at this time is set to at least the time required to set the loopback of the TL frame transmission path on both sides of the trouble occurrence location and restart the circulation of the TL frame on the side where the master node exists (0 to 2 samplings) The period is longer than the period. This is so that the device can be properly distinguished from the case where the device is located closer to the master node than the failure occurrence location.

  And when each spare master device detects that the TL frame is not circulating properly, it starts the function as a master node in order from the device with the highest master priority, A new TL frame transmission path is formed. This makes it possible to resume the circulation of the TL frame between a group of devices that have been disconnected from the original master node due to the occurrence of a problem.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of processing for this purpose.
When the CPU of the spare master device detects that the reception of the TL frame is interrupted for a predetermined time, it starts the processing shown in FIG.
Then, the CPU of the spare master device first resets its own device (S61). In this process, the selectors 21 to 24 on both sides shown in FIG. 6 are switched to the return lines 25 and 26 side, the own device is returned to the initial communication mode in which no TL frame is transmitted, and the storage contents of the device connection state are stored. Includes initialization processing. However, the MAC address and various address settings shown in FIG. 11 are not initialized.

  Thereafter, the self device is set as the master node (S62), and a unique network ID of the RTL mode is set in the self device (S63). This network ID is different from the network ID of the network to which it belongs until now. Thereafter, a reset request is transmitted from the transmission I / Fs 12 and 13 on both sides to the devices connected on both sides (S64), and the process is terminated.

Next, FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of processing executed when the CPU of each device receives a reset request.
When the CPU of each device constituting the audio network system S receives the reset request transmitted from the standby master device in step S64, the CPU starts the process shown in FIG. Then, as in the case of step S61 in FIG. 16, the device itself is reset (S71), and a reset response that is a response to the request is transmitted to the transmission source of the reset request (S72). Further, the reset request is transmitted from the transmission I / F on the opposite side to the side that received the reset request to the device connected to that side (S73), and the process is terminated.
The device that has received the reset request transmitted by the adjacent device in step S73 also starts the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

By repeating the above, triggered by the standby master device detecting the interruption of reception of the TL frame for a predetermined time, a reset request is sequentially propagated from the standby master device to devices within a communicable range, and these devices are reset. be able to.
Then, the spare master device that has executed the processing of FIG. 16 becomes a master node, and a transmission path of TL frames passing through the group of reset devices is formed in the same procedure as shown in FIG. TL frame circulation starts. The audio network system including this transmission path is a system different from the system having the primary master as the master node, and the network ID set in step S31 is also different.

As a result, even when a part of the audio network S formed first is disconnected, signal transmission that does not need to cross the disconnected part can be continued. This is because the side on which the primary master exists can perform signal transmission by a transmission path that is turned back before the cutting point, and the side on which the secondary master exists can perform signal transmission by a newly formed transmission path.
In the procedure of FIG. 9, the reset device may be executed assuming that the power is turned on at that time. That is, the formation of the audio network system after the processing of FIGS. 16 and 17 is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on in a state where all devices in the reset range are connected.

However, when the audio network system is formed, the unique ID is not set regardless of whether the control apparatus can communicate with each device. Therefore, even if a new audio network system is formed, a unique ID can be kept common among devices that have formed the same audio network system S before the disconnection occurs.
If the control device also serves as the primary master, or if the control device is connected to the audio network system via the primary master, the control device must be in the first place when forming the new audio network system. Since it should not be able to communicate with the device, no special processing is required to avoid setting the unique ID.

  However, when other configurations are permitted, the master priority in the formed audio network system is confirmed, and when a device other than the primary master is set as the master node, the unique processing is performed in the process of FIG. It is necessary not to set the ID. Further, even when the primary master is the master node, if the processing of FIG. 15 is performed in a state where some devices are disconnected from the original system, the disconnected devices are initially set as described later. In such a state, it is preferable not to set a unique ID.

Further, regarding the transmission of the reset request, the device located at the end of the cascade connection or the device located next to the disconnection point usually does not have a device for receiving the reset request ahead of the device.
However, at the disconnection point, data can be transmitted only in one direction (from the reset request transmission side to the reception side) or even at the end of a certain audio network system, the transmission path of There may be a cable connection between devices belonging to different audio network systems.
Even in such a case, if a reset request is transmitted, devices that should not be reset are also reset.

Among these, in order to cope with the case where data can be transmitted only in one direction, when a reset request is to be transmitted from a certain transmission I / F in step S64 in FIG. 16 or step S73 in FIG. What is necessary is as follows.
(1) If the network clock cannot be recovered from the signal input to the reception I / F paired with the transmission I / F, it is determined that no device is connected to the network clock, and the reset signal Is not transmitted from the transmission I / F.
(2) If the network clock can be recovered from the signal input to the reception I / F paired with the transmission I / F, it is determined that the device is connected to the network clock, and the reset signal Is transmitted from the transmission I / F.

When the reception I / F receives data, the reception I / F first reproduces the network clock from the input signal and extracts data from the signal in synchronization with the network clock. In that case, whether or not the network clock can be reproduced from the input signal can be used as a material for determining whether or not the device is connected to the destination.
Also, when the line on the transmission I / F side is disconnected and the reception I / F side is connected, a reset signal is transmitted from the transmission I / F, but the line on the transmission side is disconnected. There is no device that receives the reset signal, and no inconvenience occurs.

  Further, in order to cope with the case of connection with another audio network system, a topology table indicating the connection state of the devices collected by each device when the audio network system S is formed (see JP 2009-94589 A). ) And the like, it is conceivable that a reset request is not transmitted from a transmission I / F connected to a device forming another audio network system.

  In addition, the above processing is not limited to the standby master device belonging to the audio network system in which the primary master is the master node, but even when a new system is once formed by the above processing and the secondary master becomes the master node, The same can be done. That is, it is possible to form a new TL frame transmission path by using a tertiary (master priority third) master as a master node for a device disconnected from the secondary master.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of spare master devices in this way, the “predetermined time” used for the determination of the start of processing in FIG. In this way, since a device with a high master priority starts the processing of FIG. 16 first and resets a device with a low master priority, even when there are a plurality of spare master devices in a part separated from the master node. Among them, the device having the highest master priority can be set as the next master node. For this reason, the difference in “predetermined time” between nodes with different master priorities is the difference between the start time required for the master candidate device with the next higher priority to start as a master node, and the master node It shall be determined so that the time required for propagation of the transmitted reset request can be secured.

As another method, there is no device having a higher master priority than the own device among devices that can communicate from the own device using the control data communication band in the TTL mode. The process of FIG. 16 may be started after confirming this. If the information on the master priority of each device is collected when the above-described topology table is created, there is no significant load even if such a determination is made. Further, a control device (console) having a user I / F that accepts an operation from an operator, instead of each spare master device itself determining which spare master device will operate as a master node. May be performed.
Also, if the audio network system S knows that the master priority is only up to 2, the TL frame reception is interrupted for a predetermined time without triggering the master priority of other devices. You may start processing.

4.2 Returning to the original audio network system In this embodiment, after a new audio network system is formed by the above-described processing, the disconnection is resolved by cable replacement or node restart. A node belonging to the new system can automatically return to the original system (a device having a higher master priority is the master node). Next, the process for this will be described.

  In this embodiment, as can be seen from the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, devices belonging to the cascade-connected audio network system are connected to the same system by one transmission / reception I / F among the two transmission / reception I / Fs. Although it is connected to the neighboring device to which it belongs, the other set of transmission / reception I / Fs is not used for connection to a device that belongs to the same system. Therefore, after the formation of the RTL mode audio network system is completed, another device may be connected to the other set of transmission / reception I / Fs.

  In this case, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-94589, if the connection partner is a device operating in the ITL mode, the side connected to the connection partner with the own device based on an instruction from the master node And the own device also cancels the TL frame return by the selector on the other side of the connection, so that the other device belongs to the transmission path through the own device, that is, the own device belongs. Import into the system.

  If the connection partner is a device operating in the TTL mode, the device is reset once and removed from the TTL mode system, and then taken into the transmission path to which the device belongs. In these cases, since the connected device is not transmitting acoustic signals, there is no particular inconvenience in transmitting acoustic signals even if the current system is disassembled. This is because it is considered preferable to operate these devices as one system.

  Further, when the connection partner is a device operating in the RTL mode, it is recognized that the other end of the cascade connection is connected if the partner's network ID matches itself. If the setting for permitting the transition to the loop connection is made, the operation of the loop connection shown in FIG. 1B is performed, and the TL frame is returned to the selectors connected to each other. And reset the transmission path.

  However, when the connection partner is a device operating in the RTL mode and the partner's network ID is different from that of the partner, the operation of taking the partner device into the system to which the partner belongs is not performed. In this case, the connected device is considered to be already in the state of transmitting acoustic signals, so if the system to which the partner belongs is disassembled for capture, the speaker's sound will suddenly stop, etc. This is because a malfunction may occur.

  However, the new audio network system formed by the procedure described in “4.1 Enabling Master Function” has a different network ID from the original audio network system. Therefore, if the method for determining the operation when connected to the device operating in the RTL mode is applied as it is, the device located at the end of the new system and the original system are restored by disconnection recovery or the like. Even when the device is connected, the operation of taking the partner device into the same TL frame transmission path as that of the device, that is, the operation of reintegrating the system is not performed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is detected that the CPU of the device located at the end of the cascade connection is connected to a device with a different network ID that is operating in the RTL mode, the processing shown in FIG. 18 is performed. By executing it, the system can be reintegrated.

In this process, the CPU first acquires and confirms the unique ID value in the connection partner device (S81). When the unique ID value matches the unique ID value in the own device (YES in S82), the own device and the connection partner device are originally (at the time when the audio network system is formed with the primary master as the master node). ) It is a device that belonged to the same audio network system, and it can be seen that the connection disconnected in the past was recovered by the detected connection. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S83 and subsequent steps to reintegrate the system.
Here, the CPU determines whether or not the master node of the system to which the connected device belongs belongs has a higher master priority than the master node of the system to which the own device belongs (S83).

  And if this is YES, in order to dismantle the system to which the device belongs and to import each device into the system to which the device of the connection partner belongs (system where the device with higher master priority is the master node) As in the case of step S71 in FIG. 17, the own device is reset (S84), and a reset request is transmitted from the transmission I / F on the opposite side to the side where the connection of the device is detected (S85), and the process ends. . The device that has received the reset request transmitted in step S85 performs the process shown in FIG. 17 to propagate the reset request to a further device, and finally, the device that has performed the process shown in FIG. 18 belongs. All devices in the system to reset.

  If NO in step S83, the system to which the device belongs belongs to the system to which the connection partner device belongs to finish the process and wait for the connection partner device to reset. Then, when the reset is performed, similarly to the case where the device operating in the ITL mode is connected, based on the instruction from the master node, the connection partner device is taken into the TL frame transmission path passing through the own device. Thereafter, the subsequent devices are sequentially fetched in the same manner, and finally all the devices of the system to which the connection partner device belongs are fetched into the TL frame transmission path passing through the own device.

If NO in step S82, since it can be seen that the own device and the connected device belong to an audio network system that is not particularly related, the operation of taking the partner device into the system to which the device belongs is performed. The process ends without
Through the above process, when the connection with the device that originally belonged to the same system is restored, this is recognized separately from the connection with the device that belonged to a completely different system, and the system is automatically Can be reintegrated.

4.3 Specific example of operation at occurrence and recovery of abnormality Next, a specific example of the operation of each device at the time of occurrence and recovery of the abnormality in the audio network system described above and the change of the frame transmission path due thereto will be described.
First, FIG. 19 shows an operation example in the case where a disconnection between devices occurs in the cascade-connected audio network system and then recovered.
In this example, it is assumed that an audio network system is configured by seven devices A to G, and that device B is a primary master and device E is a secondary master.

  In this case, when each device is first connected and the power is turned on, as shown in (a), the device B as the primary master becomes the master node shown in (M), and all of the devices A to G are displayed. An audio network system having a frame transmission path passing through is formed.

  Next, the personal computer connected as an external device to any of the consoles included in the devices A to G or the devices A to G operates as a control device that remotely controls each device of the audio network system. Start. At that time, the control device prepares a unique ID for identifying the system, sends the unique ID to all the devices under management, sets the ID, and synchronizes the parameters with each device. (FIG. 15).

Here, as shown in (b), if the cable is disconnected between the device C and the device D and the connection is disconnected, the devices from D to G are disconnected from the master node, and the TL frame arrives. Disappear.
Then, when the reception of the TL frame is interrupted for a predetermined time, the device E as the secondary master executes the processing shown in FIG. 16, resets the device G from the device D in the communicable range, and becomes the master node itself. As shown in (c), a new audio network system having a frame transmission path passing through devices from device D to device G is formed.
If each device holds the setting contents of the routing, even in this state, if the route is a route other than the route straddling between the devices C and D, the transmission of the acoustic signal is performed in the same manner as in the state (a). It can be performed.

In addition, after the state of (c) is reached, when the connection between the device C and the device D is recovered by exchanging cables or the like, the device C and the device D detect that the connection with the other party has been made. Since the network ID is different between the system to which the device C belongs and the system to which the device D belongs, these devices execute the processing shown in FIG.
These devices are set with a common unique ID, and since device D belongs to a system having a master node with a lower priority, device D identifies itself as shown in (d). Reset. Thereafter, as shown in (e), the reset request is propagated to each device that has formed a new system in (c), and these devices all reset themselves.

Thereafter, the presence of device D that has returned to the ITL mode by resetting device C is notified to device B, which is the master node, and device B is loaded into the system as shown in FIG. Thereafter, similarly, when devices E to G are sequentially taken into the system, the original system state shown in FIG.
Even when the devices other than the master node stop and the connection between the devices is disconnected, it is possible to form a new system and return to the original system as in the case of the above-described disconnection of the connection.

Next, FIG. 20 shows an operation example when the operation of the master node is stopped and then recovered in the cascade-connected audio network system.
Also in this example, the state of (a) is the same as the example shown in FIG.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 19B, when the device B as the master node stops operating, a new TL frame is not generated and transmitted. As in FIG. 19B, the device as the secondary master The TL frame does not reach E.

Then, when the reception of the TL frame is interrupted for a predetermined time, the device E executes the processing shown in FIG. 16, and becomes the master node itself, resets the devices C to G in the communicable range, and self-masters. It becomes a node and forms a new audio network system having a frame transmission path through these devices as shown in (c).
In this state, device A cannot communicate with any master candidate device, and no reset request arrives. However, even in this state, if reception of the TL frame is interrupted for a predetermined time longer than that of the master candidate device, the ITL is reset so that the original system can be taken in when the connection is restored. It is preferable to return to mode operation.

Further, after the state of (c) is reached, when the operation of the device B is recovered by restarting or the like, the device B starts operating as a master node because it is a primary master and exists within a communicable range and An attempt is made to form an audio network system in the RTL mode in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. 9 together with the device A that is not in the RTL mode.
However, this operation is the formation of a new system from the state where the system does not exist, and it takes time because it must be initialized.

On the other hand, in the audio network system in which the device E that is the secondary master is the master node, when the device C located at the end is connected to the device in the ITL mode, the instruction from the master node is given as described above. Based on this, the connected device is loaded into the system.
For this operation, the setting of the existing system can be used as it is, and it does not take much time. Therefore, when a master candidate device is reset or restarted, if it is connected to a device that has already formed an audio network system, it is reset or restarted before starting operation as a master node. As a result, the device is taken into the audio network system as a single device that does not belong to any system.

In the example of FIG. 20, since the device B whose operation has been recovered in (d) is already connected to the device C at that time, before the operation as the master node is started, the device C performs the device E. Is taken into the audio network system which is the master node, and the state shown in FIG.
Then, since the device A is now connected to the device B located at the end of the audio network system, the device B is also taken into the system and is in the state shown in (f).

In this state, the master node is the secondary master, but it can be returned to the audio network system having the same connection topology as in the initial state (a).
Therefore, even if the primary master stops, other master candidate devices become new master nodes to maintain maximum signal transmission, and when the primary master returns to operation, the connection topology is automatically The original system configuration can be restored.

  In the state of (d), the master B device B starts the master operation, the audio network system in which the device E is the master node is reset, and all the audio network systems in which the device B is the master node are all. If the device is taken in, the master node can be restored to the same state as in (a). However, if this is done, the transmission of the acoustic signal restored by the secondary master in (c) will be interrupted at the time of reset, which is not preferable. The above operation is an operation giving priority to the continuation of transmission of the acoustic signal.

Next, FIG. 21 shows an operation example when the operation of the master node is stopped and then recovered in the loop-connected audio network system.
Here, when each device is first connected and the power is turned on, as shown in (a), the device A as the primary master becomes the master node shown in (M), and all of the devices A to G are displayed. An audio network system having two frame transmission paths passing through is formed. When a control device (not shown) starts control of each device A to G, a unique ID common to these devices is transmitted and set.

  When the audio network system according to this embodiment operates in a loop connection, the connection of the disconnection occurrence point is determined only when the connection is disconnected at one place, either due to a connection failure between devices or due to a failure of the device itself. By switching the selector on the disconnection side on both sides and turning the frame transmission path back, the configuration is quickly reconfigured to a cascade connection system with both ends as both ends, and TL frame transmission is continued with about 0 to 2 frames missing. (See JP 2009-94589 A).

However, when the operation of the master node is stopped as shown in (b), since generation and transmission of a new TL frame cannot be performed, transmission of the TL frame cannot be continued. Accordingly, the TL frame does not reach the device E that is the secondary master.
Then, when the reception of the TL frame is interrupted for a predetermined time, the device E executes the processing shown in FIG. 16, becomes the master node itself, resets the devices from B to G in the communicable range, and self-masters. As a node, a new audio network system having a frame transmission path passing through these devices is formed as shown in FIG. In this case, since the connection is disconnected at the location of device A, the connection topology is cascade.

Further, after the state of (c) is reached, when the operation of the device A is recovered by rebooting or the like as shown in (d), since the device A is the primary master, it tries to start the operation as a master node. However, since the devices B and G are already connected at that time, before the operation as the master node is started, the device E is taken into the audio network system in which the device E is the master node by the device B or G. .
And even if it is taken in by any device, since the end of the cascade is connected to the device at the other end of the same system after the take-in is completed, it shifts to the loop connection according to the instruction of the master node, and (e ).

  As described above, even when the primary master stops in a loop connection state, as in the case of FIG. 20, other master candidate devices become new master nodes and maintain maximum signal transmission, When the master operation is restored, the connection topology can be automatically restored to the original system configuration.

5. Modification The description of the embodiment is finished as described above, but it goes without saying that the configuration of the apparatus, the configuration of data, the specific processing content, and the like are not limited to those described in the above embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the unique ID is transmitted and set to each device when the control apparatus starts control of the devices constituting the audio network system. This device may be used. For example, when the primary master completes the construction of the transmission path in step S31 in FIG. 9, it may be transmitted to each device on the transmission path and set.

Here, as can be seen from the description of FIGS. 19 to 21, in the audio network system according to the above-described embodiment, the devices and transmission paths belonging to the system dynamically change according to the connection state between the devices. . However, if all the devices that can be installed after the reset are installed in the transmission path and the system configuration is stable, the unique ID is set based on the configuration at that time. It is considered that a common unique ID can be stored.
After that, when a device is added to the transmission path, the same unique ID is set for the device, and when the device is removed, the unique ID is changed so that it can be restored later. It is better not to.

The unique ID may be set for each device by the following method.
First, when an audio network system is formed at a certain time, a new unique ID is generated and set in each device constituting the audio network system. And the device which set unique ID here is handled as a known device in the audio network system, and other devices are handled as unknown devices in the audio network system.

Thereafter, when an audio network system composed only of known devices is formed, a new unique ID is not generated, and a unique ID already set for each device constituting the audio network system is used.
On the other hand, when an audio network system including an unknown device is formed, a new unique ID is generated and set in each device constituting the formed audio network system.

  According to the above method, as described above, it is not necessary to change the presence / absence of a new unique ID setting depending on whether the master node is the primary master or the other, and the master node constituting the system is the primary master. Even if it is a secondary master, other than that, you may set unique ID according to said method. For example, when a part of an audio network system is disconnected and two new audio network systems are formed on both sides of the disconnection point, both systems are configured only because they are configured with known devices only. The unique ID will be used continuously.

  In the above embodiment, when the primary master disappears from the network and the secondary master starts operating as a master node, the devices remaining in the network are reset and the system is re-created from the beginning. Yes. However, the secondary master system may be formed without resetting the device of the original system.

The operation in that case will be described more specifically with reference to the example of FIG.
When disconnection occurs in FIG. 19B, device D automatically sets a return path on the disconnected side and receives it from device E as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-94589. By sending the TL frame back to the device E, the ring-shaped frame transmission path is repaired. Thereafter, the secondary master (device E) detects that the reception of the TL frame has been interrupted, starts operation as a master node, and sets a new network ID for the own device (FIG. 19 (c)). However, at that time, it does not reset itself and does not transmit a reset request to an adjacent device.

  In this case, each device does not need to perform a startup process, but in addition, the secondary master takes over the audio network system (and unique ID) formed by the primary master as it is, so that a new system is formed or a device is imported. There is no need to do. The secondary master simply detects that device A to device C do not exist on the network, notifies device D to device G of the release of transmission channels used by device A to device C, and transmits those transmission channels. It is only necessary to stop the acquisition of the sound signal from.

  According to the method in which each device is not reset, the transmission of the acoustic signal from the device D remaining on the network to the device G can be resumed in a very short time compared to the case where the reset is performed. Even when this method is adopted, the return to the original audio network system (FIG. 18) can be performed in the same manner, but in that case, the resetting of the secondary master system cannot be omitted.

  Further, the modifications described above and the modifications described in the description of the embodiments can be applied in any combination within a consistent range. Conversely, the network system need not have all the features described in the description of the embodiment.

As is clear from the above description, according to the network system of the present invention, the network system temporarily constructed when a part of the devices constituting the network system is divided from the master node, after the division is resolved. It can be appropriately and automatically integrated into the original network system.
Therefore, the convenience of the network system can be improved by applying the present invention.

S ... audio network system, 10 ... acoustic signal processing device, 11, 14 ... first and second reception I / F, 12, 13 ... first and second transmission I / F, 21-24 ... selector, 25, 26 ... Folding lines 31, 32 ... First and second data input / output units, 100 ... TL frames

Claims (5)

A plurality of devices are connected, and a master node of the plurality of devices periodically generates an audio transmission frame including acoustic signal data, and circulates it in a loop-shaped transmission path passing through the devices at a constant cycle. A management method for a network system in which each device transmits and / or reads an acoustic signal to / from the circulating audio transmission frame, thereby transmitting the acoustic signal between any of the devices Because
By cooperation of any one device or any of the plurality of connected devices,
A master designation procedure for designating at least two devices of the plurality of devices as master candidate devices and designating a master priority indicating a priority in which each master candidate device becomes a master node;
When a plurality of devices including the plurality of master candidate devices are connected in a state where no network system is formed, the first master having the highest master priority among the plurality of master candidate devices. A first system forming procedure for causing a candidate device to function as the master node and forming a network system to which the plurality of connected devices belong;
When a network system is formed by the first system formation procedure, a unique unique ID is generated and given to each device belonging to the formed network system;
In the network system formed by the first system formation procedure, when the voice transmission frame from the first master candidate device functioning as the master node circulating in the transmission path is interrupted for a predetermined time or more, The second master candidate device having the second highest master priority is made to function as the master node, and the one or more devices and the second master candidate device that are connected to the second master candidate device at that time A second system formation procedure for forming a network system to which the
When it is detected that an end device belonging to the network system formed in the first system formation procedure or the second system formation procedure is connected to another device belonging to another network system, the end portion The master node in the network system to which the detected other device belongs has higher master priority than the master node in the network system to which the device belongs, and the end device and the other device A reset procedure for resetting all devices of the network system to which the device at the end belongs, on condition that the assigned unique ID is common
When it is detected that an end device belonging to any network system is connected to another device not belonging to any network system, the detected other device is connected to the end device. A network system management method comprising: performing an incorporation procedure for incorporation into a network system to which a device belongs. A network system management method according to claim 1, comprising:
By cooperation of any one device or any of the plurality of connected devices,
For each of the master candidate devices, according to a master priority of the master candidate device, a procedure is performed in which the predetermined time in the second system formation procedure is set to a shorter time as the master priority is higher. Network system management method. The network system management method according to claim 1 or 2,
The network system includes a control device for remotely controlling each device constituting the network system formed by the first system formation procedure,
A management method of a network system, wherein the control device executes the unique ID assigning procedure instead of the plurality of connected devices. The network system management method according to claim 1 or 2,
The network system management method, wherein the first master candidate device among the plurality of connected devices executes the unique ID assignment procedure. A network system management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
In the second system formation procedure, a network system having the second master candidate device as the master node is formed without resetting the plurality of devices.

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