Device having a communication control object, communication control method, and communication control program

Abstract

The present invention includes a communication control object (100) that is disposed between multiple IPs (150) provided for respective functions of a device and is generated by converting a communication interface, which connects data and an instruction of an IP (150) to another IP (150) in a switchable manner, into an object on the basis of a class structure. Multiple communication control objects (100) may be provided to connect one IP (150) to multiple different IPs (150) and to connect multiple IPs (150) to one IP (150).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device having a communication control object, a communication control method, and a communication control program.

Background Art

[0002] Devices connect a plurality of functions (Hardware) called IPs (intellectual properties) to input and output data, and perform data processing by a plurality of IPs. For example, a camera performs image processing for each IP.

[0003] Conventionally, as a technology related to communication connection between functions in a device, for example, a cell switch is arranged between a CPU and subordinate devices, and control communication between the CPU and subordinate devices or between subordinate devices is performed via the cell switch.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, due to the diversification of IPs such as AI and cloud, there are cases where IPs are connected in series or in parallel. In the prior art, IPs are only connected within one device (camera) to perform data processing. For this reason, it has been impossible to meet demands such as sharing of data processing between different devices and performing data processing via the Internet or the like.

[0006] Also, in recent years, the number of IPs used in a device has increased, and the man-hours for developing connections between individual IPs have also increased. Conventionally, since the connection between IPs is fixed, it has been impossible to meet demands that require changing the connection between IPs dynamically, such as transferring an image via the Internet.

[0007] In the prior art, it has not been possible to meet the requirements of easily using (describing) the connection between IPs during development and freely switching the connection between IPs.

[0008] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to enable easy switching of the connection between the functions of IPs provided in a device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, a device of the present invention has a communication control object in which a communication interface that is arranged between a plurality of function-specific IPs (intellectual properties) of the device and that switchably connects the data and commands of the IPs to other IPs is objectified in a class structure.

[0010] Also, a plurality of the communication control objects are provided, and each one of the IPs is connected to a plurality of different ones of the IPs.

[0011] Also, a plurality of the communication control objects are provided, and each one of the plurality of IPs is connected to one of the IPs.

[0012] Also, the communication control object is characterized in that the functions of a communication unit that performs communication between the IPs and a switching unit that performs connection switching are constituted by a combination of hardware and / or software.

[0013] Also, the communication control object is characterized in that, by means of a unified interface, it performs setting related to connection to the IP and data transfer control.

[0014] Also, the communication control object is characterized in that it can be reused by class inheritance of a communication control object similar to a desired function during development.

[0015] Further, the communication control object or the IP is characterized by having a function of determining whether they can be connected to each other.

[0016] Further, the communication control object is characterized in that it can switch the connection state between the IPs to another communication control object.

[0017] Further, the communication control object is characterized in that it can be connected to the IPs possessed by external devices.

[0018] Further, the external device is characterized by including a cloud.

[0019] Further, the communication control method of the present invention is characterized in that a computer executes a process of switchably connecting data and commands of the IPs between a plurality of function-specific IPs (intellectual properties) possessed by a device by a communication control object in which a communication interface is objectified in a class structure to another IP.

[0020] Further, the communication control program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute a process of switchably connecting data and commands of the IPs between a plurality of function-specific IPs (intellectual properties) possessed by a device by a communication control object in which a communication interface is objectified in a class structure to another IP.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the communication control object can arbitrarily switch between a plurality of IPs provided in the device. Also, at the time of development, the connection between a plurality of IPs can be configured with simple description.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, there is an effect that the connection between the functions of the IPs provided in the device can be easily switched.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of a communication control object, a communication control method, and a communication control program according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a communication control object according to an embodiment. The communication control object 100 controls communication connections between a plurality of functions (IP150) inside or outside the device, and enables sharing of data and commands between the connected IP150s. The communication control object 100 is an objectification of the function of the communication interface (IF) of the IP150, and its actual form consists of a class structure. The communication control object 10 is called from the software 101 that uses the IP of the device and controls the communication connection between the IP150s of the device. The communication control object 100 has the following functions 1. to 10.

[0026] 1. The communication control object 100 has one or more output terminals 100a and zero or more input terminals 100b. The output terminal is a terminal connected to the output side of the IP150, and the input terminal is a terminal connected to the input side of the IP. 2. In addition to various data from the IP150, commands, continuous (stream) data, etc. can be given to the output terminal 100a of the communication control object 100. 3. The IP150 on the output terminal 100a side of the communication control object 100 can connect a plurality of communication control objects at the same time. 4. The input terminal 100b of the communication control object 100 can be connected to one IP150.

[0027] 5. The communication control object 100 can be composed of its own hardware (HW) such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and serial communication, and a switch (SW) for control. Also, the communication control object 100 can be configured with HW and a setting SW (data transfer is only through HW and SW is not involved). Furthermore, the communication control object 100 can be composed of only HW.

[0028] 6. The communication control object 100 has a unified interface (such as setting, transfer start / end, etc.) regardless of mechanisms such as HW and SW. 7. Communication control objects 100 with similar properties (behavior and mechanisms) can reuse (class inheritance) similar communication control objects 100. This can reduce the development man-hours of the device. 8. When the IP 150 uses the communication control object 100, it can be confirmed whether the input-side terminal 100b of the IP 150 and the communication control object 100 can be connected before use. 9. The IP 150 can dynamically change the communication control object 100 to change the connection destination, etc. 10. The communication control object 100 can be applied not only between IPs 150 but also to Ethernet, serial communication, memory sharing, etc. Therefore, it becomes possible to output from the IP 150 to Ethernet, cooperate the IP 150 with the cloud, transfer processed data (such as images) to external devices such as smartphones, and display them.

[0029] Figures 2 to 8 are diagrams showing functional examples of the communication control object. Figure 2 shows the function of the above 1., and the communication control object 100 has one or more output-side terminals 100a and zero or more input-side terminals 100b.

[0030] In the configuration example of FIG. 2, for the communication control object 100A, the output terminal 100a is connected to IP1(150A), and the input terminal 100b is connected to IP2(150B). Also, another communication control object 100B can be provided, with the output terminal 100a of the communication control object 100B connected to IP1(150A) and the input terminal 100b connected to IP3(150C).

[0031] In this way, one IP1(150A) can be communicatively connected to two different IP2,3(150B,150C) respectively.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows the function described in 4. above. The input terminals 100b of a plurality of communication control objects 100 can be connected to one IP150. In the configuration example of FIG. 3, for the communication control object 100A, the output terminal 100a is connected to IP1(150A), and the input terminal 100b is connected to IP3(150C). Also, the output terminal 100a of another communication control object 100B can be connected to IP2(150B), and the input terminal 100b can be connected to IP3(150C).

[0033] In this way, two different IP1,2(150A,150B) can be communicatively connected to one IP3(150C).

[0034] FIG. 4 shows the function described in 6. above. The communication control object 100 has a unified interface (such as setting, transfer start / end, etc.) regardless of mechanisms such as HW and SW. For example, the communication control object 100A shown in FIG. 4(a) has a common IF401, SW402, and HW403, and the communication settings for the common IF401 are set in SW402 and HW403. Similarly, the communication control object 100A transfers the control command for starting (transfer start) to the common IF401 to SW402 and HW403. And the communication control object 100A causes SW402 and HW403 to execute the control of the transfer (data transfer) to the common IF401.

[0035] Also, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the communication control object 100B has a configuration having a common IF 401 and HW 403. In this case, the communication settings for the common IF 401 are set in the HW 403. Similarly, the communication control object 100B transfers the control command for starting (transfer start) to the common IF 401 to the HW 403. Then, the communication control object 100B causes the HW 403 to automatically execute the control of the transfer (data transfer) to the common IF 401.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows the function described in item 7 above. For communication control objects 100 having similar properties (behavior / mechanism), the development man-hours can be reduced by reusing (inheriting) similar communication control objects. As shown in Fig. 5, for the functions required during the development of the communication control object 100B, if it has functions similar to those of the already created communication control object 100A, a part or all of the similar functions among the communication control functions (programs, etc.) already created as the communication control object 100A can be reused by the communication control object 100B.

[0037] Fig. 6 shows the function described in item 8 above. When the IP 150 uses the communication control object 100, it is confirmed whether the input-side terminal 100b of the IP 150 and the communication control object 100 can be connected before use.

[0038] In the configuration example of Fig. 6, for the communication control object 100A, the output-side terminal 100a is connected to the IP1 (150A), and the input-side terminal 100b is connected to the IP2 (150B). Also, for another communication control object 100B, the output-side terminal 100a of the communication control object 100B is connected to the IP1 (150A), and the input-side terminal 100b is connected to the IP2 (150B). When the IP2 (150B) uses the communication control objects A and B (150A and 150B), the self-IP2 (150B) respectively confirms whether it can communicate with the input-side terminals 100b of the communication control objects A and B, and the self-IP2 (150B) selects the communication control objects A and B with which communication is possible and performs data communication.

[0039] Figure 7 shows the function of item 9 above. Depending on the IP150, the communication control object 100 can be dynamically changed to another one to change the connection destination and the like. As shown in Fig. 7(a), assume that the communication between IP1 and 2 (150A and 150B) is connected by the communication control object A (100A). After that, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the communication connection between these IP1 and 2 (150A and 150B) can be changed by switching from the communication control object A (100A) to another communication control object B (100B) and then perform communication connection.

[0040] Figure 8 shows the function of item 10 above. The communication control object 100 can be applied not only between IP150s but also to Ethernet, serial communication, memory sharing, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the communication control object A (100A) connects IP1 and 2 (150A and 150B) for communication, and the communication control object B (100B) connects IP2 (150B) and external devices 800 (such as cloud 801 and smartphone 802) for communication. Thereby, it is possible to output from IP2 (150B) to an external device via Ethernet, for IP2 (150B) to cooperate with the cloud 801, or for a smartphone 802, etc. to display data such as processed images.

[0041] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system including a communication control object. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 9, a plurality of communication control objects 100, a plurality of IP150s, and software 101A and 101B using IPs are arranged for a camera 900 and an external cloud 910 respectively. The communication control object 100 exists for each pair of connected IP150s and is called from the software 101A and 101B using the IP150.

[0042] The plurality of IP150s are configuration examples for each function of image processing the images captured by the camera 900. On the camera 900 side, it is configured to include software 101A that indirectly uses an IP using a communication control object, the plurality of IP150s, and a plurality of communication control objects 100 that communicatively connect between the IP150s. Also, on the cloud 910 side, it is configured to include software 101B that uses an IP, the IP150s, and a plurality of communication control objects 100 that communicatively connect between the IPs.

[0043] The plurality of IP150s on the camera 900 side include IP150A in the image memory, white balance IP150B for white balance adjustment, lightness and chroma IP150C for lightness and chroma adjustment, upright IP150D for image data upright, and image recognition result IP150E for obtaining an image recognition result. The IP150 on the cloud 910 side has cloud AI IP150F that performs various AI processes on the image data.

[0044] The plurality of communication control objects 100A to 100E on the camera 900 side and the plurality of communication control objects 100F and 100G on the cloud 910 side communicatively connect between any of the IP150A to 150F.

[0045] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the communication connection of the communication control object. It shows an example of the communication connection of the plurality of IP150A to 150G shown in Figure 9. In the figure, the black arrows are process calls, and the white arrows are data flows. The process of returning the image data after AI processing such as image recognition at the cloud 910 to the camera 900 after image processing the image data captured by the camera 900 with the plurality of IP150s inside the camera 900 will be described. In Figure 10, communication IP150G to 150I for performing communication processing are provided.

[0046] On the camera 900 side, the software 101A that uses an IP instructs the communication control object 100 to perform a process of communicatively connecting between the plurality of IP150s. Also on the cloud 910 side, the software 101B that uses an IP instructs the communication control object 100 to perform a process of communicatively connecting between the plurality of IP150s.

[0047] The communication control object 100A on the camera 900 side connects between the image memory 150A and the white balance IP 150B. The communication control object 100B connects between the white balance IP 150B and the brightness and chroma IP 150C. The communication control object 100C connects between the brightness and chroma IP 150C and the upright IP 150D. The communication control object 100D connects between the upright IP 150D and the communication IP 150G. The communication control object 100E connects between the communication IP 150G and the image recognition result IP 150E.

[0048] Also, the communication control object 100F on the cloud 910 side connects between the communication IP 150H and the cloud AI IP 150F. The communication control object 100G connects between the cloud AI IP 150F and the communication IP 150I.

[0049] The communication IP 150G on the camera 900 side transmits and receives data via the Internet with the communication IPs 150H and 150I on the cloud 910 side, for example, by the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).

[0050] Here, the communication control object 100E on the camera 900 side can send the image data after upright adjustment to the cloud AI IP 150F by connecting the communication IP 150G to the communication IP 150H on the cloud 910 side. Also, the communication control object 100G on the cloud 910 side can send the image data after AI processing to the image recognition result IP 150E by connecting the communication IP 150I to the communication IP 150G on the camera 900 side.

[0051] For the flow of the image data shown in FIG. 10, on the camera 900 side, the image data read from the image memory 150A is white balance adjusted by the white balance IP 150B, and then the brightness and chroma are adjusted by the brightness and chroma IP 150C. The image data after being upright adjusted by the upright IP 150D is sent to the communication IP 150H on the cloud 910 side by the communication IP 150G.

[0052] On the cloud 910 side, the communication IP 150H receives image data from the camera 900 side, and the cloud AI IP 150F performs predetermined AI processing (for example, image recognition of the image data) on the image data. The image data after the AI processing is returned to the communication IP 150G on the camera 900 side via the communication IP 150I. As a result, the image recognition result IP 150E on the camera 900 side can output the image recognition result obtained by the AI processing on the cloud 910 side.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the apparatus according to the embodiment. The communication control object 100, IP 150, and software 101A that use the IP for configuring the functions of the camera 900 can be realized by the hardware shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the camera 900 includes a control unit (CPU) 1101, a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 1102, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 1103, an auxiliary storage unit 1104 such as a semiconductor memory or a disk drive, a communication interface (I / F) 1105, and an input / output I / F 1110. These CPU 1101 to input / output I / F 1110 are respectively connected by a bus 1106.

[0054] The camera 900 is not limited to a single embedded device, and can also be a partial function of a PC, a smartphone, etc. Depending on the device configuration, it may have a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a scanner, and a printer, and these can be connected via the input / output I / F 1110. Note that in a smartphone, a tablet, etc., a touch panel that integrates the functions of a display, a keyboard, and a mouse can also be used.

[0055] The CPU 1101 comprehensively controls the camera 900, and in the embodiment, it is mainly an arithmetic processing device that communicatively connects between the IPs 150. The ROM 1102 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and the like of the camera 900. The RAM 1103 is a volatile memory used as a work area when the CPU 1101 executes arithmetic processing of a program.

[0056] The communication I / F 1105 manages the interface between the network NW and the interior, and performs input / output of data with other devices. Specifically, the communication I / F 1105 communicates with external devices, such as the cloud 910, via various networks NW such as LAN (Local Area Network), CAN, and ECHONET (registered trademark).

[0057] In addition to the above, the network NW includes WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication (IrDA), etc., and can perform wireless / wired communication with external devices.

[0058] Also in the cloud 910 shown in FIG. 10, the actual PCs and server groups can be configured with the hardware shown in FIG. 11.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a chart showing the communication control function of the communication control object. The actual form of the communication control object 100 is a class structure, and the interface for controlling the communication connection between IPs 150 has the methods in FIG. 12(a) and the member variables in FIG. 12(b).

[0060] The methods in FIG. 12(a) control the IP 150 by name (command). For example, config performs the configuration settings of the device (IP 150). start starts data transmission / reception, and stop stops data transmission / reception. The member variables in FIG. 12(b) have the name which indicates the name of the communication control object 100, and is the reference information to the SepObject to which this communication control object 100 is bound (see FIG. 5).

[0061] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the initial process of IP indirect connection by the communication control object. First, when the user turns on the power of the device (for example, the camera 900) (step S1301), the IP 150 executes the initialization process triggered by the power-on (step S1302) and executes the device initialization (step S1303). At this time, when the IP 150 is added, etc., the IP 150 executes the process for adding the device (step S1304).

[0062] After that, the device performs software initialization (step S1305), initializes the software 101A that uses the IP (step S1306), and performs configuration settings for the communication control object 100 (step S1307).

[0063] Examples of various settings for the communication control object 100 include device selection settings for the IP 150 (step S1308), initial settings for the IP 150 (step S1309), operation settings for the IP 150 (step S1310), acquisition of settings for the IP 150 (step S1311), restoration of settings within the IP 150 (step S1312), and the like.

[0064] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing IP indirect connection processing by the communication control object. First, when the user issues an execution instruction for IP indirect connection to the software 101A that uses the IP of the device (camera 900) (step S1401), the software 101A that uses the IP issues a connection instruction to the communication control object 100 (step S1402). The communication control object 100 performs connection control with the corresponding IP 150 in response to the connection instruction (step S1404). At this time, the communication control object 100 may perform a connectivity check with the IP 150 (step S1403) and then perform connection control.

[0065] After that, the software 101A that uses the IP instructs the communication control object 100 to prepare for transmission and reception (step S1405), and the communication control object 100 prepares for transmission and reception with the corresponding IP 150 (step S1406).

[0066] After that, the software 101A that uses the IP instructs the communication control object 100 to perform transmission and reception (step S1407), and the communication control object 100 performs transmission and reception with the corresponding IP 150 (step S1408). At this time, the communication control object 100 may perform a check of the communication compatibility of the IP 150 (step S1408), and after exchanging setting information from the IP 150 of the connection destination to which the IP 150 is connected, start data transmission and reception (step S1409).

[0067] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of image processing for image data. The broadcast camera 900 captures an image such as a scene captured by the imaging device from the lens 920, and the image 1500 is stored as digitized image data 1500a in the image memory 150A. This image data 1500a connects a plurality of IPs 150 such as white balance to perform an image file or viewfinder display, etc.

[0068] In the example of FIG. 15, after the image data 1500a has undergone white balance adjustment processing 1500b, brightness and chroma adjustment processing 1500c, and upright adjustment processing 1500d, viewfinder display processing 1501 and image file processing 1502 are respectively performed.

[0069] FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram showing the IP indirect connection of conventional image processing. Conventionally, the IPs 150 corresponding to the image processing for the image data 1500a shown in FIG. 15 were fixedly connected in order. In a conventional device (camera 900), the IPs 150A to 150D corresponding to the white balance adjustment processing 1500b to viewfinder display processing 1501 and image file processing 1502 are fixedly connected in order. For this reason, even if the communication control between the IPs 150 is similar, the communication control between each individual IP 150 has to be described one by one for each IP 150, which is complicated, and there is no freedom in changing the procedure of image processing, etc.

[0070] FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram showing the IP indirect connection of image processing according to the embodiment. According to the embodiment, inside the camera 900, a plurality of IPs 150 are selected by the communication control object 100 and the processing is connected. According to the embodiment, for each of the IPs 150A to 150D corresponding to the white balance adjustment process 1500b to the viewfinder display process 1501 and the image file process 1502 shown in FIG. 15, the communication control object 100 can switch and connect any IPs 150 to each other.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 16B, the communication control object 100A connects between the image memory 150A and the white balance IP 150B. The communication control object 100A can switch and connect the image data of the image memory 150A not only to the white balance IP 150B but also to the IP 150Ba of other image processing functions.

[0072] Also, the communication control object 100B connects between the white balance IP 150B and the lightness / saturation IP 150C. The communication control object 100B can connect between the white balance IP 150B and the IP 150Ba of other image processing functions, and between the lightness / saturation IP 150C and the IP 150Ca of other image processing functions.

[0073] Also, the communication control object 100C connects between the lightness / saturation IP 150C and the upright IP 150D. The communication control object 100C can connect between the lightness / saturation IP 150C and the IP 150Ca of other image processing functions, and between the upright IP 150D and the IP 150Da of other image processing functions.

[0074] In addition, the upright IP150D is connected to the finder image IP1601 by the communication control object 100D and connected to the image file IP1602 by the communication control object 100E. The communication control object 100D can connect the upright IP150D or the IP150Da of other image processing functions to the finder image IP1601. Also, the communication control object 100E can connect the upright IP150D or the IP150Da of other image processing functions to the image file IP1602.

[0075] Thus, according to the embodiment, the communication control object 100 connects the plurality of IP150s to be switchable. Thereby, the order of image processing by the plurality of IP150s can be executed arbitrarily. Also, the functions of other IPs can be added for image processing, and the degree of freedom of image processing can be improved. Further, the communication control object 100 can be described by reusing the communication control between certain IP150s, can be easily connected, and the degree of freedom such as changing the procedure of image processing can be improved.

[0076] FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram showing IP connection including the cloud of image processing according to the embodiment. Among the IP150s inside the camera 900, the upright IP150D is connected to the cloud AI IP150F of the cloud 910 by the communication control object 100D, and the image recognition result IP150E is connected to the cloud AI IP150F of the cloud 910 by the communication control object 100E. Thereby, for example, like the flow of image data shown in FIG. 10B, it becomes possible to perform image processing that combines image processing by the IP on the camera 900 side and image processing (AI processing) by the IP on the cloud 910 side.

[0077] In the example of FIG. 16C, among the IP150s (150A to 150D) inside the camera 900, the upright IP150D is connected to the cloud AI IP150F of the cloud 910 by the communication control object 100D, and the image recognition result IP150E is connected to the cloud AI IP150F of the cloud 910 by the communication control object 100E. Thereby, for example, like the flow of image data shown in FIG. 10B, it becomes possible to perform image processing that combines image processing by the IP on the camera 900 side and image processing (AI processing) by the IP on the cloud 910 side.

[0078] According to the embodiments described above, there is a communication control object 100 that objectifies, in a class structure, a communication interface that is arranged between a plurality of IPs 150 with different functions of a device and that connects the data and commands of the IPs 150 to other IPs 150 in a switchable manner. Thereby, it becomes possible to switch and connect between arbitrary IPs 150.

[0079] Also, a plurality of communication control objects are provided, and one IP can be respectively connected to a plurality of different IPs. Also, a plurality of communication control objects are provided, and a plurality of IPs can be respectively connected to one IP. Thereby, it becomes possible to dynamically change the connection between IPs and to exchange the IPs in the required processing order to perform data processing.

[0080] Also, the communication control object can be configured by a combination of hardware and / or software for the functions of a communication unit that performs communication between IPs and a switching unit that performs connection switching. The communication control object including the IP and the software that uses the IP can be easily configured by arbitrarily combining software and hardware for functions such as communication control and switches.

[0081] Also, the communication control object performs setting related to connection to an IP and data transfer control through a unified interface. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily connect between IPs without depending on mechanisms such as hardware and switches.

[0082] Also, the communication control object is reusable by class inheritance of a communication control object similar to the desired function at the time of development. Regarding the functions required at the time of developing a new communication control object, by reusing some or all of the functions similar to the already created communication control object in the new communication control object, it becomes possible to reduce the development man-hours.

[0083] Also, the communication control object or the IP has a function of determining whether they can be connected to each other. Thereby, it becomes possible to determine whether connection between IPs is possible and to transmit and receive data between IPs only when connection is possible.

[0084] In addition, the communication control object can switch the connection state between IPs with other communication control objects. By switching the IP that is already connected by an existing communication control object to another communication control object, it is possible to easily change the destination IP and the like.

[0085] In addition, the communication control object can be connected to the IPs of external devices. For example, external devices include the cloud. As a result, in addition to switching the IP connection within a single device, it becomes possible to connect the device to the cloud or the like. The communication control object can be applied not only to connections between IPs but also to Ethernet, serial communication, memory sharing, etc. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to process AI processing etc. that cannot be executed only by the device on the cloud side and return the processing result to the device again.

[0086] From these facts, according to the embodiment, the communication control object can flexibly respond to the demand for dynamically changing the connection between IPs, such as transferring what has been a fixed connection between IPs inside the device and to external devices via the Internet. As a result, in addition to sharing data processing among different devices to distribute the load, it becomes possible to respond to the demand for performing data processing on external devices such as the cloud via the Internet. Also, regarding development, as the number of IPs used in the device increases, it can cope with the increase in man-hours for developing the connection between individual IPs. Since the communication control object can configure the connection between IPs with a simple description and can freely switch the connection between IPs, it is possible to suppress the increase in development man-hours.

Industrial Applicability

[0087] As described above, the present invention can be used for a device that arbitrarily connects the IP connection state for each function and the connection state with the IP of an external device, and is particularly useful for a device having a large number of functions.

Explanation of Signs

[0088] 100 (100A~100G) Communication control object 101A, 101B Software using IP 150 Communication control object 150A Image memory 150B White balance IP 150C Brightness and chroma IP 150D Upright IP 150E Image recognition result IP 150F Cloud AI IP 900 Camera 910 Cloud 1101 Control unit (CPU) 1102 ROM 1103 RAM 1104 Auxiliary storage unit 1105 Communication interface 1106 Bus NW Network

Claims

1. A device having a communication control object that objectifies, in a class structure, a communication interface disposed between a plurality of function-specific IPs (Intellectual Property) of the device and that connects data and instructions of the IPs in a switchable manner to other IPs, wherein a plurality of the communication control objects are provided and each one of the IPs is connected to a plurality of different ones of the IPs.

2. (Deleted)

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the communication control objects are provided and each one of the plurality of IPs is connected to one of the IPs.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control object comprises functions of a communication unit that performs communication between the IPs and a switching unit that performs connection switching by a combination of hardware and / or software.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control object performs setting related to connection to the IP and data transfer control by a unified interface.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control object is reusable by class inheritance of a communication control object similar to a desired function during development.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control object or the IP has a function of determining whether they can be connected to each other.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control object can replace a connection state between the IPs with another communication control object.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control object can be connected to the IP of an external device.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the external device includes a cloud.

11. A communication control method, wherein a plurality of communication control objects that objectify a communication interface in a class structure connect data and instructions of a plurality of function-specific IPs (Intellectual Property) of a device in a switchable manner to other IPs between the IPs, wherein the plurality of communication control objects each connect one of the IPs to a plurality of different ones of the IPs, and a computer executes the process.

12. A plurality of communication control objects that objectify a communication interface in a class structure connect the data and commands of the IPs among a plurality of function-specific IPs (intellectual property) of a device to other IPs in a switchable manner. The plurality of communication control objects respectively connect one of the IPs to a plurality of different IPs. A communication control program characterized by causing a computer to execute processing.

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