Machine with whole-machine burning function and burning method

Abstract

A device and method for programming the entire device are disclosed, comprising a programming port, a signal port, a serializer, a detection module, a processing unit, and a switching circuit. The serializer is connected between the signal port and the switching circuit, and the detection module is connected between the programming port and the processing unit. The switching circuit electrically connects the processing unit to either the serializer or the programming port. The detection module generates a trigger signal based on the connection status of the programming port. The processing unit confirms the communication status with the serializer based on the trigger signal, controls the switching circuit to connect the processing unit to the programming port based on the communication status, and executes the programming program based on the connection signal received via the programming port.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This work relates to a burning technology, and in particular to a device and burning method with whole-machine burning function. [Previous Technology]

[0002] GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) is a high-speed serial link technology commonly used for long-distance, interference-resistant transmission of image and control signals, such as connecting camera modules to the main control board. In some machines (such as intelligent inspection equipment and automated production machines), GMSL is responsible not only for transmitting images but also for control and downlink data functions.

[0003] In the mass production or maintenance process, engineers usually use a single connection port to complete the whole machine burning of multiple distributed modules (such as main control board, camera module, lighting control board, etc.) at one time, so as to avoid disassembling and assembling them one by one. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] However, when burning the entire device, it is necessary to use a converter and a corresponding conversion program, which requires more cost and time.

[0005] In some embodiments, a programming method includes: generating a trigger signal based on the connection status of a programming connection port; confirming the communication status between a processing unit and a serializer based on the trigger signal; connecting the processing unit and the programming connection port based on the communication status; responding to the connection confirmation processing unit and the programming connection port with a connection signal between the processing unit and the programming connection port; and executing a programming program based on the connection signal.

[0006] In some embodiments, the aforementioned step of generating a trigger signal based on the connection status of the programming port includes: generating a pulse signal when the programmer is connected to the programming port; and shaping the pulse signal to obtain a trigger signal.

[0007] In some embodiments, the aforementioned step of generating a trigger signal based on the connection status of the programming port further includes: receiving a detection signal representing that the programming port is connected to the programmer via a detection pin of the programming port. The pulse signal is generated in response to the detection signal.

[0008] In some embodiments, the aforementioned step of confirming the communication status between the processing unit and the serializer based on the trigger signal includes: confirming the beamwidth of the trigger signal based on a set time; and determining whether there is signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer when the time width of the beamwidth reaches the set time.

[0009] In some embodiments, the aforementioned step of connecting the processing unit and the programming port according to the communication status includes: when there is no signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer, switching the processing unit from being connected to the serializer to being connected to the programming port.

[0010] In some embodiments, when there is no signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer, the processing unit is connected to the programming pin of the programming port.

[0011] In some embodiments, the aforementioned step of executing the programming program according to the connection signal is to execute the programming program for communication with the defined protocol in response to the connection signal.

[0012] In some embodiments, a machine tool with whole-device programming function includes: a programming connection port, a signal connection port, a serializer, a detection module, a processing unit, and a switching circuit. The serializer is connected to the signal connection port. The detection module is connected to the programming connection port and is used to generate a trigger signal according to the connection status of the programming connection port. The processing unit is connected to the detection module and is used to confirm the communication status with the serializer according to the trigger signal. The switching circuit is connected to the programming connection port, the serializer, and the processing unit, and is used to electrically connect the processing unit to one of the serializer and the programming connection port. The processing unit is further used to control the switching circuit to connect the processing unit and the programming connection port according to the communication status and to execute the programming program according to the connection signal received via the programming connection port.

[0013] In some embodiments, the aforementioned programming port is also used to provide the programmer with a programming signal to program the processing unit.

[0014] In some embodiments, the aforementioned switching circuit normally connects the processing unit and the serializer, and the processing unit confirms the communication status with the serializer in response to the time width of the trigger signal reaching a set time, and controls the switching circuit to switch the processing unit from being connected to the serializer to being connected to the programming port in response to the communication status being no signal communication.

[0015] In some embodiments, the aforementioned programming port has a detection pin and a programming pin. The programming port connects to a detection module via the detection pin and to a switching circuit via the programming pin.

[0016] In some embodiments, the aforementioned detection module includes a differentiating circuit and a shaping circuit. The differentiating circuit is connected to a programming port and is used to generate a pulse signal according to the connection state of the programming port. The shaping circuit is connected between the differentiating circuit and the processing unit and is used to shape the pulse signal to form and output a trigger signal to the processing unit.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aforementioned processing unit has a signal connection interface, a detection interface, and a control interface. The processing unit connects to a detection module via the detection interface and controls the switching of a switching circuit via the control interface. The switching circuit is used to connect the signal connection interface of the processing unit to a programming port or serializer.

[0018] In summary, the machine and burning method with whole machine burning function in any embodiment can automatically switch the line when burning, so that the burning operation can be carried out without the need for a converter and conversion program to burn the program to the machine, thereby saving the equipment cost and burning operation time, and can also perform other tests at the same time.

Implementation Method

[0020] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "device 10") with whole-device programming function may include a programming connection port 110, a signal connection port 120, a serializer 130, a detection module 140, a processing unit 150, and a switching circuit 160. The programming connection port 110 is suitable for connecting a programmer 20 external to the device 10, as shown in Figure 2. The signal connection port 120 is suitable for connecting an electronic device 30 external to the device 10 (e.g., a host computer or an embedded system), as shown in Figure 1. In other words, the device 10 can be a camera device for the electronic device 30 (e.g., a robot's camera). For example, if the electronic device 30 is a robot, the device 10 is the robot's camera, and the device 10 is connected to the robot's host computer through the signal connection port 120. In some embodiments, the programming connection port 110 has a detection pin p1 and a programming pin p2. The processing unit 150 has a signal connection interface I1, a detection interface I2, and a control interface I3.

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the serializer 130 is connected between the first terminal t1 of the switching circuit 160 and the signal connection port 120. The detection module 140 is connected between the detection pin p1 of the programming connection port 110 and the detection interface I2 of the processing unit 150. The programming pin p2 of the programming connection port 110 is connected to the second terminal t2 of the switching circuit 160. The signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 is connected to the third terminal t3 of the switching circuit 160, and the control interface I3 of the processing unit 150 is connected to the control terminal t4 of the switching circuit 160.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the switching circuit 160 is used to electrically connect the processing unit 150 to one of the serializer 130 and the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110 (step S11). The detection module 140 is used to generate and output a trigger signal St to the processing unit 150 according to the connection status of the programming port 110 (step S12). That is, the detection module 140 can detect whether the programming port 110 is connected to an external programmer 20 via the detection pin p1 of the programming port 110, and generate and output a trigger signal St to the processing unit 150 when the programmer 20 is connected to the programming port 110 (step S12).

[0023] The processing unit 150 is used to confirm the communication status between the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130 according to the trigger signal St (step S14), and is also used to control the switching circuit 160 to connect the signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 and the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110 and disconnect the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130 according to the communication status (step S16). In other words, under the control of the processing unit 150, the switching circuit 160 switches from connecting the communication channel between the signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130 to connecting the communication channel between the signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 and the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110, as shown in FIG4. In addition, the processing unit 150 is also used to respond to the connection confirmation between the processing unit 150 and the programming port 110 and the connection signal Sb between the programming port 110 (step S17), and to execute a programming program according to the connection signal Sb (step S19).

[0024] Specifically, referring to Figures 1 and 3, under normal operation, the switching circuit 160 connects its third terminal t3 to its first terminal t1, thereby electrically connecting (conducting) the signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 to the serializer 130, that is, opening the communication channel between the signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130 (step S11). At this time, the processing unit 150 can communicate and transmit data with the external electronic device 30 through the serializer 130 and the signal connection port 120. In other words, the serializer 130 can convert multiple parallel data from the electronic device 30 into high-speed serial data Sh and transmit it to the processing unit 150 through the communication channel opened by the switching circuit 160, or receive high-speed serial data Sh from the processing unit 150 through the communication channel opened by the switching circuit 160, convert it into multiple parallel data, and output it to the external electronic device 30 through the signal connection port 120.

[0025] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, when a whole-device programming operation is to be performed, the programmer 20 is externally connected to the programming port 110, causing the detection module 140 to generate and output a trigger signal St to the processing unit 150 (step S12). In some embodiments, the detection module 140 may include a differentiating circuit 142 and a shaping circuit 144. The differentiating circuit 142 is connected between the detection pin p1 of the programming port 110 and the shaping circuit 144, and the shaping circuit 144 is connected between the differentiating circuit 142 and the detection interface I2 of the processing unit 150. The differentiating circuit 142 receives the detection signal Sd representing the connection of the programmer 20 to the programming port 110 via the detection pin p1 and generates a pulse signal Sp in response to the received detection signal Sd. The shaping circuit 144 receives the pulse signal Sp, shapes the pulse signal Sp to obtain the trigger signal St, and outputs the trigger signal St to the processing unit 150. In some embodiments, the trigger signal St may be a square wave.

[0026] In some embodiments, upon receiving a trigger signal St (step S141), the processing unit 150 first confirms whether the trigger signal St is a valid signal (step S143) to avoid accidental triggering. If the trigger signal St is valid, the processing unit 150 further confirms the communication status between the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130, i.e., determines whether there is signal communication between the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130 (step S145). Conversely, if the trigger signal St is not valid, the processing unit 150 does not continue executing step S145. In some embodiments, the trigger signal St may have a pulse. The processing unit 150 can detect whether the duration of the pulse of the trigger signal St reaches a set time to determine whether the trigger signal St is a valid signal (step S143). If the duration of the pulse reaches the set time, the processing unit 150 determines that the trigger signal St is a valid signal; otherwise, if the duration of the pulse does not reach the set time, the processing unit 150 determines that the trigger signal St is not a valid signal. For example, processing unit 150 can determine the pulse width of trigger signal St based on a set time. When the pulse width is equal to or greater than the set time, processing unit 150 determines that trigger signal St is a valid signal and further determines whether there is signal communication between processing unit 150 and serializer 130. Conversely, when the pulse width is less than the set time, processing unit 150 determines that trigger signal St is not a valid signal and does not continue to step S145. In some embodiments, the set time may be a preset time value (i.e., a fixed value).

[0027] When there is no signal communication between the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130, the processing unit 150 will output a switching signal Sc to the switching circuit 160. At this time, the switching circuit 160 will respond to the switching signal Sc and switch the processing unit 150 from being connected to the serializer 130 to being connected to the programming pin p2 of the programming connection port 110 (step S16), that is, disconnecting the third terminal t3 from the first terminal t1 and connecting the third terminal t3 to the second terminal t2. Conversely, when there is still signal communication between the processing unit 150 and the serializer 130, the processing unit 150 will not output a switching signal Sc to the switching circuit 160. Therefore, the switching circuit 160 will remain in the state of connecting the processing unit 150 to the serializer 130, that is, maintaining the state of connecting the first terminal t1 to the third terminal t3 (i.e., disconnecting the third terminal t3 from the second terminal t2).

[0028] After the processing unit 150 and the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110 are connected, the processing unit 150 confirms the connection signal Sb between the processing unit 150 and the programming port 110 (step S17). In step S17, the processing unit 150 receives the connection signal Sb from the programmer 20 via the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110 and confirms the content of this connection signal Sb to determine whether the communication signal (i.e., the connection signal Sb) with the programmer 20 is the defined protocol communication. In other words, the processing unit 150 will respond to the connection confirmation of the programming port 110 by confirming the connection signal Sb between the processing unit 150 and the programming port 110.

[0029] When the connection signal Sb is a defined protocol communication, the processing unit 150 executes a programming procedure (step S19), that is, the programmer 20 performs a complete programming of the processing unit 150 through the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110. In other words, the programming port 110 is also used to provide the external programmer 20 with the opportunity to program the processing unit 150 according to the connection signal Sb.

[0030] For example, during the programming process, the programmer 20 sends a command to the processing unit 150 via the programming pin p2 of the programming port 110, causing the processing unit 150 to read and confirm whether the command from the programmer 20 is a programming command. If so, the processing unit 150 enters programming mode, downloads the program (code) from the programmer 20, writes the downloaded storage unit to the built-in storage unit of the processing unit 150, and restarts the processing unit 150 after the writing is completed.

[0031] After the whole machine is burned (i.e. the burning program is completed), the processing unit 150 will control the switching circuit 160 to switch the processing unit 150 from the burning pin p2 of the burning connection port 110 to the serializer 130 (step S11), that is, disconnect the third terminal t3 from the second terminal t2 and connect the third terminal t3 to the first terminal t1.

[0032] Furthermore, when the connection signal Sb is not the defined protocol communication, the processing unit 150 does not execute the programming program, and controls the switching circuit 160 to switch the processing unit 150 from turning on the programming pin p2 of the programming connection port 110 to turning on the serializer 130 (step S11).

[0033] In some embodiments, the programming port 110 may be in the form of a connector or a test pin.

[0034] In some embodiments, the signal connection port 120 may be a FAKRA (FAchKReis Automobil) connector.

[0035] In some embodiments, the serializer 130 may be a GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) serializer.

[0036] In some embodiments, the aforementioned processing unit 150 may be a microprocessor (µP), a microcontroller (MCU), an image signal processor (ISP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any analog and / or digital device that operates signals based on operation instructions. In some embodiments, the signal connection interface I1 of the processing unit 150 may be an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) transmission interface, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter), an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), or a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output), etc. In some embodiments, the detection interface I2 of the processing unit 150 may be a GPIO pin, and its control interface I3 may be another GPIO pin.

[0037] In some embodiments, the switching circuit 160 may be implemented by one or more switches. Each switch may be a digital switch, an analog switch, or a relay.

[0038] In some embodiments, the machine tool 10 further includes one or more storage units. Each storage unit is used to store software / firmware programs, data, and combinations thereof related to the operation of the machine tool 10. Each storage unit may be, for example, memory or a temporary register.

[0039] As can be seen from the above, the burning method of any embodiment can be implemented on the machine 10 by the processing unit 150 executing firmware or software algorithms. In other words, the burning method of any embodiment can be implemented by a computer program product, so that the burning method of any embodiment can be completed after the processing unit 150 of the machine 10 loads and executes the software or firmware program. In some embodiments, the computer program product can be a non-transitory readable recording medium, and the software or firmware program is stored in the non-transitory readable recording medium for the processing unit 150 of the machine 10 to load. In some embodiments, the software or firmware program itself can be a computer program product, and is transmitted to the machine 10 via wired or wireless means.

[0040] In summary, the machine 10 and the burning method with whole machine burning function in any embodiment can automatically switch the circuit when burning, so that the burning operation can be carried out without the need for a converter and conversion program to burn the program to the machine 10, thereby saving the equipment cost and burning operation time, and can also perform other tests simultaneously. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0019] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a machine with whole-machine programming function in a first operating state according to some embodiments. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the machine with whole-machine programming function in Figure 1 in a second operating state. Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts of programming methods according to some embodiments.

Claims

1. A programming method, comprising: A trigger signal is generated based on the connection status of a programming port, wherein the trigger signal is obtained when a programmer is connected to the programming port; the communication status between a processing unit and a serializer is confirmed based on the trigger signal; the processing unit and the programming port are connected based on the communication status, wherein the processing unit and the serializer are normally connected, and the processing unit and the serializer remain connected when there is still signal communication between them, and the processing unit is switched from being connected to the serializer to being connected to the programming port when there is no signal communication between them; a connection signal between the processing unit and the programming port is confirmed in response to the connection of the processing unit and the programming port; and a programming program is executed based on the connection signal.

2. The programming method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of generating the trigger signal based on the connection status of the programming port includes: When the programmer is connected to the programming port, a pulse signal is generated; The trigger signal is obtained by shaping the pulse signal.

3. The programming method as described in claim 2, wherein the step of generating the trigger signal based on the connection status of the programming port further includes: A detection signal representing that the programming port is connected to the programmer is received via a detection pin of the programming port, wherein the pulse signal is generated in response to the detection signal.

4. The programming method as described in claim 2, wherein the step of confirming the communication status between the processing unit and the serializer based on the trigger signal includes: The pulse width of the trigger signal is determined according to a set time; and when the time width of the pulse width reaches the set time, it is determined whether there is signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer.

5. The programming method as described in claim 1, wherein when there is no signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer, the processing unit is connected to a programming pin of the programming port.

6. The programming method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of executing the programming program in response to the connection signal is to execute the programming program for communication of a defined protocol in response to the connection signal.

7. A machine tool with whole-machine programming function, comprising: One programming port; One signal port; A serializer is connected to the signal port; A detection module, connected to the programming port, is used to generate a trigger signal based on the connection status of the programming port, wherein the trigger signal is obtained when a programmer is connected to the programming port; a processing unit, connected to the detection module, is used to confirm the communication status with the serializer based on the trigger signal; and a switching circuit, connected to the programming port, the serializer, and the processing unit, is used to electrically connect the processing unit to one of the serializer and the programming port, wherein the processing unit is also used to control the switching circuit to conduct the connection between the processing unit and the programming port based on the communication status and to execute a programming program based on a connection signal received through the programming port; The switching circuit normally connects the processing unit and the serializer. When there is still signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer, the processing unit and the serializer remain connected. When there is no signal communication between the processing unit and the serializer, the switching circuit controls the switching circuit to switch the processing unit from being connected to the serializer to being connected to the programming port.

8. A machine tool with whole-machine programming function as described in claim 7, wherein the programming port is further configured to provide the programmer with programming capability for the processing unit according to the connection signal.

9. A machine tool with whole-machine programming function as described in claim 7, wherein the processing unit confirms the communication status with the serializer in response to the time width of the trigger signal reaching a set time.

10. The machine tool with whole-machine programming function as described in claim 7, wherein the programming port has a detection pin and a programming pin, and the programming port is connected to the connection detection module by the detection pin and to the switching circuit by the programming pin.

11. The machine tool with whole-machine programming function as described in claim 7, wherein the detection module includes: A differentiating circuit is connected to the programming port to generate a pulse signal based on the connection status of the programming port; A shaping circuit is connected between the differentiating circuit and the processing unit to shape the pulse signal and output the trigger signal to the processing unit.

12. The machine tool with whole-machine programming function as described in claim 7, wherein the processing unit has a signal connection interface, a detection interface and a control interface, the processing unit is connected to the connection detection module through the detection interface and controls the switching of the switching circuit through the control interface, and the switching circuit is used to connect the signal connection interface of the processing unit to the programming port or the serializer.

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