Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To obtain an electronic apparatus in which commands are transmitted accurately between internal units.SOLUTION: In an electronic apparatus 1, an internal unit 11-1 transmits a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including a command to an internal unit 11-2 via infrared communication. The commands appear a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal, and the internal unit 11-2 (a) receives the transmission signal, and (b1) determines that reception of the command has been successful when the commands appearing the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are the same, and (b2) determines that the reception of the command has failed if the commands appearing predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are not the same.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] An electronic device includes an interface circuit board and a control circuit board, and the interface circuit board transmits an infrared signal to the control circuit board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-13321 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When infrared communication is performed between internal units such as circuit boards in the electronic devices described above, it is preferable that commands are transmitted accurately.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an electronic device in which commands are transmitted accurately between internal units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to the present invention includes a first internal unit and a second internal unit. The first internal unit transmits a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including a command to the second internal unit via infrared communication. The command appears a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal. The second internal unit (a) receives the transmission signal, and (b1) determines that reception of the command has been successful if the command appears the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal is identical, and (b2) determines that reception of the command has failed if the command appears the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal is not identical.

[0007] The electronic device according to the present invention includes a first internal unit as a master and multiple second internal units as slaves. The first internal unit transmits, via infrared communication, a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format that includes the address of a second internal unit to which the command is to be sent and the command. The address appears a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal, and the command appears a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal. The second internal unit to which the command is to be sent (a) receives the transmission signal if the addresses appearing in the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are identical and match its own address, (b1) determines that reception of the command has been successful if the commands appearing in the predetermined number of times in the received transmission signal are identical, and (b2) determines that reception of the command has failed if the commands appearing in the predetermined number of times in the received transmission signal are not identical. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an electronic device can be obtained in which commands are transmitted accurately between internal units.

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the first communication format according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the second communication format according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the first communication format according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the second communication format according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Embodiment 1

[0013] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of internal units 11-1 and 11-2 each having a plurality of functions.

[0014] For example, the electronic device 1 is an image forming device such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, and the internal unit 11-i is an electronic circuit board having a controller or the like.

[0015] Each internal unit 11-i includes an infrared transmitter 21, an infrared receiver 22, and a controller circuit 23.

[0016] The infrared transmitter 21 converts an electrical signal into an infrared signal, for example by blinking an LED, and transmits the infrared signal. The infrared receiver 22 receives the infrared signal using, for example, a light-receiving element, converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal. The controller circuit 23 uses the infrared transmitter 21 and the infrared receiver 22 to perform infrared communication with other internal units 11-i and perform various processes. The controller circuit 23 is, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the internal unit 11-1 transmits a command to the internal unit 11-2 by infrared communication. At that time, the internal unit 11-1 transmits a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including the command to the internal unit 11-2 by infrared communication.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the first communication format in the embodiment 1. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, a command (command signal) appears a predetermined number of times (here, twice) in the transmission signal.

[0019] Here, as shown in Figure 2, one transmission signal includes a start signal, a mode identification signal, a command signal, a barrier signal, a command signal, and an end signal, where the two command signals are identical to each other.

[0020] The start signal is a signal that indicates the start of data communication. The mode identification signal is a signal that indicates either normal transmission or retransmission (normal transmission in the case of Figure 2). The command signal is a signal that indicates a command. The barrier signal is a signal that separates multiple identical signals (command signals in this case). The end signal is a signal that indicates the end of data communication.

[0021] The internal unit 11-2 (a) receives a transmission signal, and (b1) if the predetermined number of commands in the received transmission signal are identical, determines that the command has been successfully received, and (b2) if the predetermined number of commands in the transmission signal are not identical, determines that the command has not been successfully received.

[0022] If it is determined that the command has been successfully received, the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-2 stores the command in a memory (not shown) and transmits a response signal to the internal unit 11-1 via infrared communication, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the response signal includes a start signal, a reception success signal, a barrier signal, a reception success signal, and an end signal. Here, the two reception success signals are identical to each other. The reception success signal is a signal indicating successful reception.

[0023] If the internal unit 11-1 detects at least one successful reception signal in the response signal received within a predetermined time after transmitting the transmission signal, it determines that the internal unit 11-2 has successfully received the transmission signal; otherwise, it determines that the internal unit 11-2 has failed to receive the transmission signal.

[0024] If the internal unit 11-2 fails to receive the transmission signal (command), the internal unit 11-1 retransmits the transmission signal in a predetermined second communication format including the command to the internal unit 11-2 via infrared communication.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the second communication format in embodiment 1. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the transmission signal in the second communication format is generated so that each of a plurality of divided partial commands obtained by dividing a command appears a predetermined number of times (here, twice).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the retransmission transmission signal includes a start signal, a retransmission mode identification signal, a division portion command (first half of the command signal), a barrier signal, a division portion command (first half of the command signal), a barrier signal, a division portion command (second half of the command signal), a barrier signal, a division portion command (second half of the command signal), and an end signal.

[0027] The internal unit 11-2 (a) receives a retransmitted transmission signal, and (b1) determines that the command has been successfully received if the predetermined number of divided part commands in the transmission signal are identical for each of the plurality of divided part commands (first half and second half parts), and (b2) determines that the command has not been successfully received if the predetermined number of divided part commands in the transmission signal are not identical.

[0028] In other words, in the case of Figure 3, if the first half of the two command signals are identical and the second half of the two command signals are identical, it is determined that the command has been successfully received. If it is determined that the command has been successfully received, the divided command parts are combined to restore the command and stored in memory, etc.

[0029] Next, the operation of the electronic device according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] In the electronic device 1, when the internal unit 11-1 transmits a command to the internal unit 11-2, the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-1 generates a transmission signal in a format such as that shown in FIG. 2, and transmits it as an infrared signal from the infrared transmission unit 21.

[0031] In the electronic device 1, if the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-2 successfully receives the transmitted signal, the controller circuit 23 stores the command in the transmitted signal in a memory or the like, generates a response signal in a format such as that shown in Figure 2, and transmits it as an infrared signal from the infrared transmitting unit 21.

[0032] If the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-1 has successfully received the response signal, it determines that the internal unit 11-2 has successfully received the transmission signal.

[0033] On the other hand, if the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-1 fails to receive the response signal, it retransmits the transmission signal. That is, the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-1 generates a transmission signal in a format such as that shown in Fig. 3 and transmits it as an infrared signal from the infrared transmitter 21.

[0034] If the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-2 successfully receives the retransmitted transmission signal, the controller circuit 23 stores the command in the transmission signal in a memory or the like, generates a response signal in a format such as that shown in Figure 2, and transmits it as an infrared signal from the infrared transmission unit 21.

[0035] If the response signal is not received within a predetermined time, the controller circuit 23 of the internal unit 11-1 repeatedly transmits a retransmission signal, and if the response signal is not received even after transmitting the retransmission signal a predetermined number of times, it notifies an error to a higher-level controller (not shown).

[0036] As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the electronic device 1, the internal unit 11-1 transmits a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including a command to the internal unit 11-2 by infrared communication. Then, the command (command signal) appears a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal, and the internal unit 11-2 (a) receives the transmission signal, and (b1) determines that reception of the command has been successful if the command appears the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal is the same, and (b2) determines that reception of the command has failed if the command appears the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal is not the same.

[0037] This allows commands to be transmitted accurately between the internal units 11-1 and 11-2.

[0038] Embodiment 2

[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 4 includes an internal unit 11-M as a master and multiple internal units 11-S1 and 11-S2 as slaves. Each of the multiple internal units 11-S1 and 11-S2 as slaves is assigned a unique address. Note that an infrared signal transmitted from the internal unit 11-M is incident on all of the internal units 11-S1 and 11-S2. Also, both infrared signals transmitted from the internal units 11-S1 and 11-S2 are incident on the internal unit 11-M.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in a first communication format in embodiment 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the internal unit 11-M transmits, by infrared communication, a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including the address and command of the internal unit 11-Si (here, i = 1) to which the command is to be sent. In the transmission signal, the address appears a predetermined number of times, and the command appears a predetermined number of times.

[0041] The internal unit 11-Si to which the command is sent receives the transmission signal if (a) the addresses in the transmission signal are identical and the address in the transmission signal matches its own address, otherwise it does not receive the transmission signal.

[0042] The internal unit 11-Si to which the command is sent determines that the command has been successfully received if the specified number of commands in the received transmission signal are identical, and determines that the command has not been successfully received if the specified number of commands in the received transmission signal are not identical.

[0043] If the internal unit 11-Si fails to receive the transmission signal (command), the internal unit 11-M retransmits the transmission signal in a predetermined second communication format including the command to the internal unit 11-Si via infrared communication.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission signal in the second communication format in embodiment 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the transmission signal in the second communication format is generated so that each of a plurality of divided addresses obtained by dividing an address appears a predetermined number of times (here, twice), and so that each of a plurality of divided commands obtained by dividing a command appears a predetermined number of times (here, twice).

[0045] The internal unit 11-Si receives the retransmitted transmission signal if (a) the addresses of the divided parts of a predetermined number of times in the retransmitted transmission signal are the same and the address obtained by combining the addresses of the divided parts in the retransmitted transmission signal matches its own address, otherwise it does not receive the transmission signal.

[0046] For each of the multiple divided part commands, if the divided part commands appearing a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are identical, the internal unit 11-Si determines that the command has been successfully received, and if the divided part commands appearing a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are not identical, it determines that the command has not been successfully received.

[0047] The rest of the configuration and operation of the electronic device according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. In other words, it is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention is applicable to, for example, electronic devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Electronic equipment 11-1, 11-M Internal Unit (Example of the first internal unit) 11-2, 11-S1, 11-S2 internal unit (example of second internal unit)

Claims

1. a first internal unit; a second internal unit; the first internal unit transmits a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including a command to the second internal unit by infrared communication; the command appears a predetermined number of times in the transmitted signal; the second internal unit (a) receives the transmission signal, (b1) determines that reception of the command is successful if the command is identical to the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal, and (b2) determines that reception of the command is unsuccessful if the command is not identical to the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal; An electronic device characterized by:

2. the first internal unit retransmits a transmission signal in a predetermined second communication format including the command to the second internal unit by infrared communication if the second internal unit fails to receive the command; a plurality of divided partial commands obtained by dividing the command appear a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal of the second communication format, the second internal unit (a) receives the retransmitted transmission signal, (b1) for each of the plurality of divided partial commands, if the divided partial commands appearing a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are identical, determines that reception of the command has been successful, and (b2) if the divided partial commands appearing a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are not identical, determines that reception of the command has failed; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1,

3. a first internal unit as a master; a plurality of second internal units as slaves; the first internal unit transmits, by infrared communication, a transmission signal in a predetermined first communication format including the address of a second internal unit to which the command is to be transmitted and the command; the address appears a predetermined number of times in the transmitted signal; the command appears a predetermined number of times in the transmitted signal; The second internal unit, which is the destination of the command, (a) receives the transmission signal if the address in the transmission signal is the same at the predetermined number of times and the address in the transmission signal matches its own address, (b1) determines that reception of the command is successful if the command in the received transmission signal is the same at the predetermined number of times, and (b2) determines that reception of the command is unsuccessful if the command in the received transmission signal is not the same at the predetermined number of times. An electronic device characterized by:

4. the first internal unit retransmits a transmission signal in a predetermined second communication format including the address and the command to the second internal unit by infrared communication if the second internal unit fails to receive the command; a plurality of divided partial addresses obtained by dividing the address appear a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal of the second communication format, a plurality of divided partial commands obtained by dividing the command appear a predetermined number of times in the transmission signal of the second communication format, the second internal unit (a) receives the retransmitted transmission signal if the divided partial addresses in the predetermined number of times in the retransmitted transmission signal are identical and the address obtained by combining the divided partial addresses in the retransmitted transmission signal matches its own address, (b1) for each of the plurality of divided partial commands, if the divided partial commands in the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are identical, determines that reception of the command has been successful, and (b2) if the divided partial commands in the predetermined number of times in the transmission signal are not identical, determines that reception of the command has failed; 4. The electronic device according to claim 3,

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