Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

To improve a speed of a process for determining presence / absence of connection of an electronic apparatus to reduce power consumption.SOLUTION: A control device includes a plurality of connectors capable of connecting to an electronic apparatus, a terminating terminal which is connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors and indicating termination of the plurality of connectors, and a determination unit which determines presence / absence of connection of the electronic apparatus to the plurality of connectors in a previously determined order. When connection of the terminating terminal is detected, the determination unit does not determine the presence / absence of connection of the electronic apparatus to the plurality of connectors.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A technique for changing the number of electronic devices to be connected to an electronic device is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique capable of changing the number of circuits to be connected to a connector housing in which a termination resistance circuit is housed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a drive recorder or the like, a plurality of cameras are connected via connectors, and it is determined whether or not a camera is connected to each connector. For this reason, even for a connector to which a camera is not connected, determination of whether or not a camera is connected is performed, so that the processing takes time and the power consumption may increase.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a control device, a control method, and a program capable of improving the speed of determination processing for the presence or absence of connection of an electronic device and reducing power consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The control device of the present invention includes a plurality of connectors to which an electronic device can be connected, a termination terminal that is connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors and indicates the termination of the plurality of connectors, and a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of connection of the electronic device to the plurality of connectors in a predetermined order. When the determination unit detects the connection of the termination terminal, it does not determine the presence or absence of connection of the electronic device to the plurality of connectors.

[0008] The control method of the present invention includes steps of determining the presence or absence of connection of an electronic device to a plurality of connectors in a predetermined order, detecting the connection of a termination terminal that indicates the termination of the plurality of connectors for the plurality of connectors, and when the connection of the termination terminal is detected, not determining the presence or absence of connection of the electronic device to the plurality of connectors.

[0009] The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute steps of determining the presence or absence of connection of an electronic device to a plurality of connectors in a predetermined order, detecting the connection of a termination terminal that indicates the termination of the plurality of connectors for the plurality of connectors, and when the connection of the termination terminal is detected, not determining the presence or absence of connection of the electronic device to the plurality of connectors.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the speed of the determination process for the presence or absence of connection of an electronic device can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment, and when there are a plurality of embodiments, those configured by combining each embodiment are also included. Further, in the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations are omitted.

[0013] The configuration of a control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the present invention.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 includes a control device 10, a plurality of camera units 201 to 20 N+1 and an end terminal 30.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the control system 1 is, for example, a drive recorder. The control device 10 controls the camera units 201 to 20 N―1 with respect to the camera units 201 to 20 N+1Determine the presence or absence of connection in the order of. The control device 10 detects the connection of the terminal device 30. When the control device 10 detects the terminal device 30, it ends the determination of the presence or absence of the connection of the camera unit. Hereinafter, although it will be described assuming that the electronic device connected to the control device 10 is the camera unit, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0016] The control device 10 includes a plurality of connectors 111 to connector 11 N (N is an integer of 2 or more), an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0017] From connector 111 to connector 11 N is a terminal to which another electronic device is connected. In the example shown in FIG. 1, from connector 111 to connector 11 N-1 are respectively connected to camera unit 201 to camera unit 20 N―1 . Also, a terminal device 30 is connected to connector 11 N . Hereinafter, connector 111 to connector 11 N may be collectively referred to as connector 11. Also, camera unit 201 to camera unit 20 N―1 may be collectively referred to as camera unit 20.

[0018] An example of the configuration of the camera unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the camera unit 20.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera unit 20 includes a lens unit 21, an imaging unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0020] The lens unit 21 receives incident light from the outside. The lens unit 21 guides the incident light to the imaging unit 22.

[0021] The imaging unit 22 is an image sensor. The imaging unit 22 is composed of, for example, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0022] The control unit 23 controls the imaging unit 22. Specifically, the control unit 23 generates various timing signals including, for example, a clock signal for driving the imaging unit 22. The control unit 23 drives the imaging unit 22 by outputting the timing signals to the imaging unit 22 at a predetermined timing. Thereby, the control unit 23 causes the imaging unit 22 to generate video data.

[0023] The control unit 23 outputs the video data generated by the imaging unit 22 to the connector 11 to which it is connected.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 30 includes a main body unit 31 and a connection unit 32. The terminal device 30 has a function of terminating the determination of the presence or absence of connection of the camera unit 20 connected to the connector 11 subsequent to the camera unit 201 to the control device 10 among the camera units 20. N―1 The main body unit 31 includes various electric circuits. The main body unit 31 includes, for example, a voltage dividing circuit composed of resistance elements having a predetermined resistance value. A detection signal indicating a predetermined voltage value is input to the main body unit 31 from, for example, the control device 10. In this case, the terminal device 30 inputs a voltage dividing signal having a voltage value corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance elements constituting the voltage dividing circuit to the control device 10. As will be described later, the control device 10 changes the number of connectors 11 in which the determination of the presence or absence of connection of the camera unit 20 is not performed in the connectors 11 subsequent to the connection of the terminal device 30 according to the value of the voltage dividing signal.

[0026] The connection unit 32 is a terminal that can be connected to the connector 11. The connection unit 32 is not particularly limited as long as it can be connected to the connector 11. The connection unit 32 and the connector 11 may be connected via an extension cable or the like.

[0027]

[0028] ​Refer to FIG. 1 again. The operation unit 12 receives various operations from the user. The operation unit 12 receives, for example, an operation from the user to start the control device 10. The operation unit 12 receives, for example, an operation from the user to execute a process for determining the presence or absence of a connection from the connector 111 to the connector 11 N from the camera unit 201 to the camera unit 20 N―1 . The operation unit 12 is composed of, for example, a physical switch or a touch panel. The operation unit 12 may be composed of, for example, a microphone that receives the user's voice as an input. The operation unit 12 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control unit 15, for example.

[0029] The display unit 13 outputs various information. The display unit 13 displays various information, for example. In this case, the display unit 13 is composed of a display including a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, etc. The display unit 13 displays, for example, video data captured by the camera unit 201 from the camera unit 20 N―1 . The display unit 13 may have a function of outputting sound. In this case, the display unit 13 may be composed of, for example, a speaker that outputs sound. The display unit 13 outputs, for example, sound corresponding to the video data captured by the camera unit 201 from the camera unit 20 N―1 .

[0030] The storage unit 14 stores various information. The storage unit 14 stores, for example, video data captured by the camera unit 201 from the camera unit 20 N―1 . The storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0031] The control unit 15 is realized, for example, by a program stored inside the control device 10 being executed with a RAM or the like as a work area by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. Further, the control unit 15 is a controller and may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0032] The control unit 15 includes a startup unit 151, a detection unit 152, a determination unit 153, a calculation unit 154, a notification unit 155, and a memory control unit 156. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 15 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and any other configuration may be used as long as it can perform the control described later.

[0033] The startup unit 151 outputs a startup signal to start the electronic devices respectively connected from the connector 111 to the connector 11. N In the example shown in FIG. 1, the startup unit 151 starts the camera units 201 to 20 respectively connected from the connector 111 to the connector 11. N The startup unit 151 starts the camera units 201 to 20 respectively connected from the connector 111 to the connector 11. N―1 The startup unit 151 starts the camera units 201 to 20, for example, according to an operation signal from the operation unit 12. If the determination unit 153 determines that the camera unit 20 is not normally connected to the connector 11, the startup unit 151 stops the camera unit 20. N―1 The detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal (test data) of a predetermined voltage value for determining whether or not the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to 11 respectively, to the electronic devices connected to the connectors 111 to 11.

[0034] The detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal (test data) of a predetermined voltage value for determining whether or not the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to 11 respectively, to the electronic devices connected to the connectors 111 to 11. N The detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal (test data) of a predetermined voltage value for determining whether or not the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to 11 respectively, to the electronic devices connected to the connectors 111 to 11. N The detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal (test data) of a predetermined voltage value for determining whether or not the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to 11 respectively, to the electronic devices connected to the connectors 111 to 11. N The detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal (test data) of a predetermined voltage value for determining whether or not the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to 11 respectively, to the electronic devices connected to the connectors 111 to 11. N―1Outputs a detection signal to determine whether it is connected. The detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal, for example, from the connector 111 to the connector 11 N to determine whether the terminal end 30 is connected to any of them. Specifically, the detection unit 152 outputs the detection signal to each connector 11 in the order from the connector 111 to the connector 11 N . Here, the detection order is the ascending order of the connector numbers of the control device 10, but it is not particularly limited to this. When the physical connectors of the device are distributed, for example, on the front and rear surfaces of the device, or when the number of connectors is expanded using something like a USB (Universal Serial Bus) (registered trademark) hub, etc., it is possible to appropriately determine the detection order according to the configuration of the device. Also, when the determination unit 153 described later determines that the terminal end 30 is connected to the connector 11, the detection unit 152 stops outputting the detection signal to the connectors 11 after that connector 11.

[0035] The determination unit 153 determines whether the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to the connectors 11 N respectively. Specifically, the determination unit 153 determines whether the electronic devices are normally connected to the connectors 111 to the connectors 11 N respectively based on the response signals to the detection signals output by the detection unit 152. More specifically, when a normal response signal is returned from the camera unit 20 to the detection signal output by the detection unit 152, the determination unit 153 determines that the camera unit 20 is normally connected to that connector 11. When a normal response signal does not return from the camera unit 20 to the detection signal output by the detection unit 152, the determination unit 153 determines that the camera unit 20 is not normally connected to that connector 11. Here, the power supply of the camera unit 20 may be directly supplied from the connector, or only the power supply of the interface unit from the connector may be supplied to the camera unit 20 as a secondary power supply, and the external supply power may be used as the main power supply of the camera unit 20 with the signal from the connector as a trigger. In the latter case, the determination unit 153 is from the camera unit 201 to the camera unit 20N When the main power supply is off, from connector 111 to connector 11 N respectively, it may be determined whether the camera units 201 to 20 N are properly connected.

[0036] The determination unit 153 determines whether the termination terminal 30 is connected to any of the connectors from connector 111 to connector 11 N For example, when a voltage-divided signal of a predetermined value is input to connector 11 with respect to the detection signal output by the detection unit 152, the determination unit 153 determines that the termination terminal 30 is connected to that connector 11.

[0037] The functions of the termination terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the functions of all the termination terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the functions of partial termination terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, for simplicity of explanation, the configuration of the control device 10 is shown with the parts other than the connector 11 omitted.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, camera units 201 to 203 are respectively connected to connectors 111 to 113. In this case, the detection unit 152 outputs detection signals in the order of connector 111, connector 112, and connector 113. In this case, connectors 111 to 113 are the objects to be determined for the presence or absence of connection. Here, it is assumed that the camera units 201 to 203 return normal response signals by the determination unit 153, and it is determined that the camera units 201 to 203 are properly connected to the connectors 111 to 113.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, all termination terminals 30A are connected to connector 114. The all termination terminals 30A are the connectors from connector 114 after the connector 114 to which the all termination terminals 30A are connected to connector 11 NIt is a terminal end that stops the determination of the detection signal and the presence or absence of connection of the camera unit 20. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the detection signal output by the detection unit 152 to the connector 114 is input to all terminal ends 30A. All terminal ends 30A output a voltage-divided signal of a predetermined voltage value to the connector 114 as a response to the detection signal. In this case, the determination unit 153 determines whether all terminal ends 30A are connected to the connector 114 based on the voltage-divided signal.

[0040] When the determination unit 153 determines that all terminal ends 30A are connected to the connector 114, from the connector 114 to the connector 11 N becomes a non-determination target for which the presence or absence of connection is not determined. As a result, the detection unit 152 stops outputting the detection signal to the connector 11 from the connector 114. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 152 does not output a detection signal to the connector 11 between the connector 114 and the connector 11 N even if the camera unit 20 N is connected to the connector 11 between them. Therefore, the determination unit 153 does not determine whether the camera unit 20 M is connected to the connector 11 M or not. M even if it was connected. M Therefore, the determination unit 153 does not perform the determination of whether the camera unit 20 M is connected to the connector 11.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows an example in which a partial terminal end 30B different from all terminal ends 30A is connected to the control device 10. The partial terminal end 30B is a terminal end that makes a predetermined number of connectors 11 after the connector 11 to which the partial terminal end 30B is connected non-determination targets.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the camera unit 201 is connected to the connector 111. In this case, the connector 111 is a determination target. Here, it is assumed that the determination unit 153 determines that the camera unit 201 is normally connected to the connector 111.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, a partial end terminal 30B is connected to the connector 112. The partial end terminal 30B is an end terminal that excludes a predetermined number of connectors 11 after the connector 112 to which the partial end terminal 30B is connected from being a determination target. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the detection signal output by the detection unit 152 to the connector 112 is input to the partial end terminal 30B. The partial end terminal 30B outputs a voltage-dividing signal having a predetermined voltage value different from the voltage-dividing signal output by all the end terminals 30A to the connector 112 as a response to the detection signal. In this case, the determination unit 153 determines whether or not the partial end terminal 30B is connected to the connector 112 based on the voltage-dividing signal.

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the determination unit 153 determines that the partial end terminal 30B is connected to the connector 112 based on the voltage-dividing signal. Assume that the partial end terminal 30B excludes three connectors 11 after the connector 112 from being a determination target. In this case, the connector 114 becomes a non-determination target from the connector 112. As a result, the detection unit 152 stops outputting the detection signal to the connectors 112 to 114. Therefore, the determination unit 153 does not determine whether or not the camera unit 20 is connected to the connectors 112 to 114. Then, from the connector 115 onward, it becomes a determination target again. Therefore, the detection unit 152 outputs a detection signal to the connectors 115 to 11 N . Then, the determination unit 153 determines whether or not the camera unit 20 is connected to the connectors 115 to 11 N . As a result, the determination unit 153 can determine whether or not the camera unit 205 connected to the connector 115 and the camera unit 20 M connected to the connector 11 M are each normally connected.

[0045] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the partial end terminal 30B was described as excluding three connectors from connector 112 onward to connector 114 from the determination target. However, the present invention does not limit the number of non-determination targets. For example, when the partial end terminal 30B includes a voltage dividing circuit inside, the voltage value of the voltage dividing signal input to the control device 10 can be changed by changing the resistance value of the voltage dividing circuit. Therefore, it is possible to prepare partial end terminals 30B in which the number of connectors 11 that are not subject to connection determination is changed according to the voltage value of the voltage dividing resistor.

[0046] The partial end terminal 30B, for example, has a position where the camera unit 20 is to be connected to it determined in advance from connector 111 to connector 11 N and is preferably applied in a situation where connectors 112 to 114 are not used as shown in FIG. 5.

[0047] The number of connectors 11 that the partial end terminal 30B excludes from the determination target is not fixed and may be variable.

[0048] The configuration of the variable end terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the variable end terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the variable end terminal 30C includes a main body portion 31, a connection portion 32, a variable dial 33, and a selection portion 34.

[0050] In the variable terminal 30C, the resistance value of the voltage dividing circuit provided inside the main body 31 changes according to the rotational position of the variable dial 33. Therefore, the value of the voltage dividing signal with respect to the detection signal changes according to the rotational position of the variable dial 33. Thereby, the number of connectors 11 that are not subject to determination can be changed according to the rotational position of the variable dial 33. Specifically, the variable dial 33 may be rotated to match the desired number of the selection unit 34 that is not subject to determination. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the selection unit 34 can select any one of "ALL", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", and "7". For example, when the selection unit 34 selects "ALL", the variable terminal 30C is set to the resistance value of the voltage dividing circuit that shows a predetermined voltage value functioning as all terminals 30A. For example, when the selection unit 34 selects "1", only the connector 11 to which the variable terminal 30C is connected becomes the non-determination target, that is, it is set to the resistance value of the voltage dividing circuit that shows a predetermined voltage value with one connector 11 after the connector 11 as the non-determination target. Similarly, for example, when the selection unit 34 selects "2", two connectors 11 after the connector 11 to which the variable terminal 30C is connected become the non-determination targets. In the example of the variable terminal 30C shown in FIG. 6, the numbers from "1" to "7" are included as the number of connectors 11 that are not subject to determination, but the present invention is not limited to this. The variable terminal 30C may have a larger number of connectors 11 as non-determination targets. As described above, the variable terminal 30C can be set as all terminals 30A or a partial terminal 30B with the number of non-determination targets adjusted to a desired number according to the rotational position of the variable dial 33.

[0051] Also, in the present embodiment, all terminals 30A and partial terminals 30B or variable terminals 30C may be used in combination.

[0052] A method of using all terminals and partial terminals in combination will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of using all terminals 30A and partial terminals 30B in combination.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, all end terminals 30A are connected to connector 11 M+1 Part of the end terminals 30B are connected to connector 112. Assume that three connectors 11 are not subject to determination for the partial end terminals 30B.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 7, connector 111 is subject to determination. Connectors 112 to 114 are not subject to determination. Connectors 115 to 11 M are subject to determination. And connectors 11 M+1 and later to which all end terminals 30A are connected M+1 to connector 11 N are not subject to determination. As shown in FIG. 7, by combining all end terminals 30A and partial end terminals 30B, the determination target and the non-determination target can be set in detail.

[0055] In addition, all end terminals 30A and partial end terminals 30B may have a locking function for insertion and removal with respect to connector 11. This can prevent all end terminals 30A and partial end terminals 30B from being accidentally removed, and prevent an unexpected camera unit 20 from being connected and operating to an unused connector 11 set as a non-determination target in the end terminal, prevent an unauthorized device from being connected by a third party, and prevent troubles such as electrical damage not assumed in normal usage due to the use of the power of the connector.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1 again, the calculation unit 154 calculates the number of electronic devices connected to connectors 111 to 11 N-1 The calculation unit 154 calculates, for example, the number of electronic devices determined by the determination unit 153 to be normally connected to connectors 111 to 11 N-1 In the example shown in FIG. 1, the calculation unit 154 calculates the number of camera units 20 determined by the determination unit 153 to be normally connected to connectors 111 to 11 N-1

[0057] ​The notification unit 155 notifies the number of electronic devices calculated by the calculation unit 154 using the display unit 13. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the notification unit 155 notifies the number of camera units 20 that are normally connected from the connector 111 calculated by the calculation unit 154 to the connector 11 N-1 of the number of camera units 20 that are normally connected to.

[0058] The memory control unit 156 stores various types of information in the memory unit 14. The memory control unit 156 stores, for example, the video data captured by each of the camera units 201 to the camera units 20 N-1 in the memory unit 14.

[0059] [Processing of the Embodiment] Using FIG. 8, the processing of the control unit 15 of the control device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of the flow of the processing of the control unit 15 of the control device 10, and is mainly the processing at the time of setup for detecting the camera unit and performing connection determination.

[0060] First, the control unit 15 starts detecting the camera unit 20 connected to the connector 11 (step S101). Specifically, the detection unit 152 starts detecting the camera unit 20 by outputting a detection signal to the camera unit 20. Then, it proceeds to step S102.

[0061] The control unit 15 determines whether all the terminal ends 30A are connected to the connector 11 (step S102). Specifically, the determination unit 153 determines whether all the terminal ends 30A are connected based on the voltage value of the voltage-divided signal with respect to the detection signal. If it is determined that not all the terminal ends 30A are connected (No in step S102), it proceeds to step S103. If it is determined that all the terminal ends are connected (Yes in step S102), it proceeds to step S109.

[0062] If it is determined as No in step S102, the control unit 15 determines the connection of the camera unit 20 to the connector 11 (step S103). Specifically, the determination unit 153 determines the connection of the camera unit 20 based on the response signal to the detection signal output from the camera unit 20. Then, it proceeds to step S104.

[0063] The control unit 15 determines whether the camera unit 20 is normally connected to the connector 11 (step S104). Specifically, the determination unit 153 determines whether the camera unit 20 is normally connected to the connector 11 based on whether the response signal from the camera unit 20 is normal. If it is determined that the camera unit 20 is normally connected to the connector 11 (Yes in step S104), it proceeds to step S105. If it is determined that the camera unit 20 is not normally connected to the connector 11 (No in step S104), it proceeds to step S108.

[0064] If it is determined as Yes in step S104, the control unit 15 activates the camera unit 20 connected to the connector 11 (step S105). Specifically, the activation unit 151 outputs an activation signal to the camera unit 20 to activate the camera unit 20. Then, it proceeds to step S106.

[0065] The control unit 15 counts the number of camera units 20 determined to be normally connected (step S106). Specifically, the calculation unit 154 counts by incrementing the number of cameras determined to be normally connected. Then, it proceeds to step S107.

[0066] The control unit 15 counts the total number of camera units 20 connected to the connector 11 (step S107). Specifically, the calculation unit 154 counts by incrementing the total number of camera units 20. Then, it proceeds to step S102.

[0067] If it is determined as No in step S104, the control unit 15 stops the camera unit 20 connected to the connector 11 (step S108). Specifically, the activation unit 151 outputs a stop signal to the camera unit 20 to stop the camera unit 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0068] If it is determined as Yes in step S102, the control unit 15 notifies the user of the total number of camera units 20 connected to the connector 11 and the number of camera units 20 normally connected to the connector 11 (step S109). Specifically, the notification unit 155 notifies the user of the total number of camera units 20 connected to the connector 11 calculated by the calculation unit 154 and the number of camera units 20 normally connected to the connector 11. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0069] The control unit 15 restarts the entire control system 1 (step S110). Specifically, the control unit 15 restarts the entire control system 1 according to an operation from the user or the like. After the restart, the control system 1 operates as a system using only the normally connected camera units 20. Specifically, when the control system 1 is a drive recorder, it functions as a drive recorder that performs imaging using only the normally connected camera units 20.

[0070] As described above, this embodiment can automatically determine the connection of electronic devices to the connector of the control device. This embodiment can specify a connector that does not perform connection determination of electronic devices by using a terminal device. As a result, the speed of the determination process for the presence or absence of connection of electronic devices can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0071] Further, in this embodiment, even if the number of electronic devices connected to the connector of the control device increases, it is possible to determine the connection of each electronic device without accompanying an increase in parts. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the entire control system due to an increase in the number of electronic devices connected to the connector. Also, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost due to an increase in the number of electronic devices connected to the connector.

[0072] Further, even when there is an electronic device that is not properly connected to the connector, the control system can be operated using only the electronic devices that are properly connected to the connector in this embodiment. As a result, for example, in a drive recorder that records video data captured by two cameras, even if an abnormality occurs in one camera while recording with the two cameras, recording can be continued with the other camera.

[0073] Also, in this embodiment, the connection determination of the electronic device can be automatically performed until all the terminal devices are detected. Thereby, in this embodiment, until all the terminal devices are detected, the connection of the electronic device can be determined, and the electronic device can be operated or stopped. That is, in this embodiment, the detection range can be specified by using all the terminal devices.

[0074] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited by the contents of these embodiments. Further, the above-described components include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within a so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-described embodiments.

[0075] For example, although the terminal device of this embodiment is configured to set the number of connectors to be excluded from determination by a voltage dividing circuit composed of a resistance element having a predetermined resistance value, instead of the voltage dividing circuit, a non-volatile memory or the like may be used to store the number of connectors to be excluded from determination in the memory, and a configuration may be adopted in which the value stored in the memory is read on the control device side.

[0076] For example, although the terminal device has been described as a single component in this embodiment, a similar configuration of the terminal device may be incorporated into the camera unit. In this case, the connection determination of the camera in which the terminal device is incorporated is performed, and the cameras that are normal can be made usable, but the number of non-determination targets may be set for the subsequent connectors.

Explanation of Symbols

[0077] 1 Control System 10 Control Device 11 Connector 12 Operation Unit 13 Display Unit 14 Storage Unit 15 Control Unit 20 Camera Unit 30 Terminal End 30A All Terminal Ends 30B Partial Terminal Ends 30C Variable Terminal Ends 151 Activation Unit 152 Detection Unit 153 Judgment Unit 154 Calculation Unit 155 Notification Unit 156 Memory Control Unit

Claims

1. A plurality of connectors to which an electronic device can be connected, A detection unit that outputs a detection signal to the plurality of connectors in a predetermined order, And, An electronic device connected to the plurality of connectors, or a response signal to the detection signal from a terminal device connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors, A determination unit that determines whether the electronic device is normally connected and whether the terminal device is connected, Based on, And, Comprising, When the determination unit determines that the terminal device is connected to the connector, the detection unit stops outputting detection signals to all subsequent connectors, A control device.

2. A plurality of connectors to which an electronic device can be connected, A detection unit that outputs a detection signal to the plurality of connectors in a predetermined order, And, An electronic device connected to the plurality of connectors, or a response signal to the detection signal from a terminal device connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors, A determination unit that determines whether the electronic device is normally connected and whether the terminal device is connected, Based on, And, Comprising, When the determination unit determines that the terminal device is connected to the connector, the detection unit stops outputting detection signals to the number of connectors specified by the terminal device thereafter, A control device.

3. The terminal device can set the number of connectors for which the detection unit stops outputting detection signals, The control device according to claim 2.

4. A step of outputting detection signals to a plurality of connectors to which electronic devices can be connected in a predetermined order; A step of determining whether an electronic device is normally connected and whether a terminal device is connected based on response signals to the detection signals from the electronic devices connected to the plurality of connectors or from the terminal devices connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors; When it is determined that the terminal device is connected to the connector, a step of stopping the output of detection signals to all subsequent connectors; A control method executed by a computer.

5. A step of outputting detection signals to a plurality of connectors to which electronic devices can be connected in a predetermined order; A step of determining whether an electronic device is normally connected and whether a terminal device is connected based on response signals to the detection signals from the electronic devices connected to the plurality of connectors or from the terminal devices connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors; A step of determining whether an electronic device is normally connected and whether a terminal device is connected based on response signals to the detection signals from the electronic devices connected to the plurality of connectors or from the terminal devices connected to at least one of the plurality of connectors; When it is determined that the terminal device is connected to the connector, a step of stopping the output of detection signals to all subsequent connectors; A program causing a computer to execute the above.

Images