JP5934025B2 - Camera link cable misconnection detection method and image acquisition apparatus using the method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a camera link cable misconnection detection method and an image acquisition apparatus using the method.

  Conventionally, a single cable (for example, 12pin) is sufficient for an analog interface (Interface) that connects an analog camera and a PC (Personal Computer). In order to communicate high-quality image data at a high speed, Camera Link (Camera Link Standard) has been used as an interface (Interface) for connecting a digital camera and a PC. A camera having a camera link standard I / F is referred to as a camera link camera.

  In the camera link standard (hereinafter referred to as camera link), parallel communication is performed in order to communicate image data at high speed, and pin assignment (pin arrangement) of signals is determined according to the amount of data to be communicated. , Respectively, base configuration (base standard), medium configuration (medium standard), and full configuration (full standard) are defined. When using the medium configuration and the full configuration, it is necessary to add a camera link cable for connecting the camera link camera and the PC, and the number is two. By using these two camera link cables, a larger amount of image data can be communicated with the image data communication based on the base configuration.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional image acquisition device 130. A case where the camera link camera 110 and the grabber board 130 are connected by two camera link cables 120 and 121 is shown. The I / Fs of the camera link camera 110 and the grabber board 130 are converted into 1/0 signals by data converters 131 to 134 by LVDS (Low Voltage differential signaling). The digital data converted in this way is acquired by the data acquisition unit 138, and taken into the PC 140 via the communication unit 139. Note that the grabber board used here is a PC expansion I / F board for capturing image data, such as a capture card or a video input board. In addition, the technique which prevents damage to a CCTV camera is known (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2007-110194 A

  However, the camera link cable added when the above-described medium configuration and full configuration are configured is a common standard with the camera link cable used for the base configuration, and therefore is connected to a connector provided on the PC side. There was a possibility of connecting incorrectly.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a camera link cable erroneous connection detection method for detecting erroneous connection of two camera link cables and an image acquisition apparatus using the method. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image acquisition device according to claim 1 of the present invention forms a communication path for image data by connecting a camera link camera and a grabber board with a plurality of camera link cables. An image acquisition device that constructs a pin assignment of a base configuration or a medium configuration according to the number of communication channels, acquires image data output from the camera link camera with the grabber board, and transmits the image data to a personal computer. The grabber board includes a voltage level monitoring unit that monitors a voltage level of a control signal constituting the camera link, a data acquisition unit that acquires a voltage level monitoring result by the voltage level monitoring unit, and data acquired by the data acquisition unit The personal computer And a transmission means for transmitting.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image acquisition system including an image acquisition device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Basic configuration diagram of a grabber board according to Embodiment 1 Diagram explaining I / F of camera link camera and grabber board The figure explaining the pin assignment of I / F of the camera link camera and grabber board shown in FIG. Diagram showing the state when the camera link cable is connected incorrectly Diagram explaining how to detect incorrect connection in medium configuration Diagram explaining how to detect misconnection in full configuration Diagram explaining the prior art

  In order to capture (or capture) an image and capture the captured image data in a PC, a camera link camera for capturing the image, and the camera link camera and an I / F board for capturing the image data It consists of a camera link cable that connects the grabber board, a grabber board, and a PC connected to this grabber board. The image acquisition apparatus of the present embodiment is a part related to the grabber board and the PC. Hereinafter, a camera link cable misconnection detection method and an image acquisition apparatus using the method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image acquisition system including an image acquisition apparatus according to the first embodiment. The configuration shown in the figure includes a camera link camera 10 for capturing an image, a grabber board 30 that is an I / F board for capturing image data output from the camera link camera 10, and a camera link camera 10 and a grabber board 30. It has a camera link standard cable (hereinafter referred to as a camera link cable) 20 and 21 and a PC 40 to be connected. The image acquisition device is a part related to the grabber board 30 that is an I / F that captures image data output from the camera link camera 10 and the PC 40 connected to the grabber board 30.

  The camera link camera 10 is a camera having a camera link standard I / F and is a so-called digital camera.

  The grabber board 30 is an expansion board of the PC 40 and is a board (board) that is connected to the camera link camera 10 by the camera link cables 20 and 21 and receives image data output from the camera link camera 10. In this embodiment, the PC 40 corresponds to this PC.

  The camera link cables 20 and 21 have a camera link standard I / F, connect the camera link camera 10 and the grabber board 30 through the I / F, and enable communication of image data.

  The PC 40 receives the image data received from the camera link camera 10 by the grabber board 30. Here, the connection state of the camera link cable is detected by the grabber board 30 and the connection state is displayed on the PC 40.

  FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of the grabber board 30 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the I / F of the camera link camera 10 and the grabber board 30. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the pin assignment of the I / F between the camera link camera 10 and the grabber board 30 shown in FIG. In the following, the I / F between the camera link camera 10 and the grabber board 30 and the detection method when the I / F is erroneously connected will be described with reference to these drawings.

  The camera link cable 20 uses a camera link connector 20a at a connection portion with the grabber board 30 to constitute a base configuration. The base configuration has four pairs of LVDS (Low Voltage differential signaling) signals X (generic name for X0 to X3) and four pairs of LVDS control signals CC (generic name for CC1 to CC4). Configured.

  LVDS is a short-distance digital cable technology that is used with small amplitude and low power consumption, and is composed of a high-speed differential interface. Here, a Base signal X (generic name of X0 to X3), a Medium signal Y (generic name of Y0 to Y3), and a Full signal converted into differential output signals from an LVDS line driver provided in the output unit of the camera link camera 10 Each signal of Z (generic name for Z0 to Z3) is output. The output differential output signal is received by an LVDS line receiver (differential input receiver, data converters 32 to 34) provided in the input unit of the grabber board 30.

  The control signal CC is output from the grabber board 30 toward the camera link camera 10 and received by the LVDS line receiver of the camera link camera 10. The control signal CC is used when controlling the camera link camera 10.

  The LVDS line receiver output received in this way becomes a digital signal represented by a 1/0 signal.

  The base configuration includes a control signal CC and a Base signal X. By using the base configuration having the above configuration, one channel of image data can be connected with one cable.

  The medium configuration is configured by further adding a medium signal Y that is four pairs of LVDS signals to the base configuration. By using the medium configuration having the above configuration, two image data channels can be connected by two cables. The illustrated camera link cable 21 is used when a camera link connector 21a is used at a connection portion with the grabber board 30 to form a medium configuration.

  The full configuration is configured by further adding a full signal Z that is four pairs of LVDS signals to the medium configuration. By using the full configuration having the above configuration, three image data channels can be connected with two cables. The illustrated camera link cable 21 uses a camera link connector 21a at a connection portion with the grabber board 30, and is used also when a full configuration is configured.

  As a result, the base configuration, medium configuration, and full configuration can be expressed as shown in the following (1) to (3).

Base configuration: A (control signal) + B (Base signal) ... (1)
Medium configuration: A (control signal) + B (Base signal) + C (Medium signal) (2)
Full configuration: A (control signal) + B (Base signal) + C (Medium signal) + D (Full signal) (3)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the camera link connector 1 (20a) of the camera link cable 20 and the camera link connector 2 (21a) of the camera link cable 21 are connected to each other by being interchanged.

  When the above-described misplacement occurs, the base configuration shown in FIG. 4 and the pin assignments of Medium and Full Configuration are interchanged. Therefore, Medium and Full Configuration Medium Data Y (generic name of Y0 to Y3) and Full Base data X (generic term for X0 to X3) and control signal CC (generic term for CC1 to CC4) are connected to data Z (generic term for Z0 to Z3). In addition, Medium data Y is connected to Base data X. As shown.

  FIG. 6 is a method for explaining an erroneous connection detection method of medium configuration. FIG. 6A shows a case where the medium configuration is normally connected. In this case, as the control signal CC1, the control signal CC1 + and the control signal CC1- converted to the differential output signal are output from the line driver constituting the LVDS. At this time, one control signal CC1 + and the other control signal CC1- are connected to the terminating resistor 100Ω. The normal voltage value of the control signal CC1 + or the control signal CC1- is 1.33V. In this embodiment, the grabber board 30 is provided with a voltage level monitoring unit (voltage level monitoring step) 35. In this embodiment, the voltage value of the control signal CC1 + is digitally converted by an A / D (Analog to Digital) converter 35a. After the conversion to data, the determination unit 35b determines whether or not the voltage value is within a predetermined voltage range. This voltage measurement may use a signal on the control signal CC1- side. Further, the control signal CC2 or the control signal CC3 may be used instead of the control signal CC1.

  As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the voltage is within the predetermined voltage range, it is determined that the connection of the camera link cable constituting the medium configuration is a normal connection.

  In response to the determination result of normal connection, the image data composed of Base data and Medium data output from the camera link camera 10 is converted into 1/0 signals by the data converters 32 and 33, and then the data acquisition unit ( Acquired by the data acquisition means 38).

  The data acquisition unit 38 outputs the above-described connection information determination result and the image data to the communication unit 39.

  The communication unit 39 is configured to include a transmission unit and a reception unit for data with the PC 40, and transmits the connection information and image data output from the data acquisition unit 38 to the PC 40.

  FIG. 6B shows a case where the medium configuration is erroneously connected. In the case of the medium configuration, the full data is not output from the camera link camera 10 and the camera is not connected. The figure shows this unconnected state. In this case, the voltage value of the control signal CC1 + (or the control signal CC1-) indicates 1.6V. After the CC1 + voltage is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 35a, the determination unit 35b determines whether or not the voltage value is within a predetermined voltage range. As a result of this comparison, when it is determined that the voltage is out of the predetermined voltage range, it is determined that the connection of the camera link cable constituting the medium configuration is an incorrect connection. In this case, a display indicating that the PC 40 connected to the grabber board is erroneously connected is displayed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a full configuration erroneous connection detection method. FIG. 7A shows a case where the full configuration is normally connected. In the case of normal connection, the synchronization clock Zclk of the Full signal output from the camera link camera 10 is synchronized with the synchronization clock Zclk + and the synchronization clock Zclk converted into differential output signals from the line drivers that constitute the LVDS. -Is output. The data converter 34 is composed of a line receiver, and generates a synchronous clock Zclk from the input differential input. The generated synchronous clock Zclk is output to the clock monitoring unit (clock monitoring step) 37.

  The clock monitoring unit 37 includes a counter unit 37a and a determination unit 37b for monitoring whether the camera link cable in the full configuration is normally connected by counting changes in the signal of the synchronous clock Zclk within a predetermined time. It is configured.

  The counter unit 37 a detects the signal level of the synchronization clock Zclk at the timing of the clock CK output from the data acquisition unit 38 with respect to the synchronization clock Zclk output from the data conversion unit 34. The clock frequency of the clock CK is set according to the clock frequency of the synchronous clock Zclk output from the camera link camera used. For example, when the frequency of the synchronous clock Zclk is 200 MHz, the clock CK having a frequency of 400 MHz or higher is set according to the sampling theorem.

  The counter unit 37a counts the change in the signal level of the synchronous clock Zclk detected at the timing of the clock CK within a predetermined time. The counted number is output to the determination unit 37b. In the embodiment, this count is performed three times. All the counted numbers 1 to 3 are output to the determination unit.

  This counting method can be performed by a CPU (not shown) constituting the grabber board 30. For example, a 1 ms interrupt corresponding to the predetermined time is generated by the data acquisition unit 38 or a timer provided in the CPU, and the counter value counted within the interrupt time is read and written to the memory. When the frequency of the synchronous clock Zclk is 200 MHz, the count number is 200,000.

  The determination unit 37b determines whether the count numbers 1 to 3 output from the counter unit 37a are within a predetermined range.

  As a result of this determination, when it is determined that it is within the predetermined range, it is determined that the connection of the camera link cable constituting the full configuration is a normal connection.

  The image data composed of Base data, Medium data, and Full data output from the camera link camera 10 in response to the determination result of the normal connection is converted into 1/0 signals by the data converters 32 to 34 and then the data. Obtained by the obtaining unit 38.

  The data acquisition unit 38 outputs the above-described connection information determination result and the image data to the communication unit 39. The communication unit 39 outputs the connection information and image data output from the data acquisition unit 38 to the PC 40.

  FIG. 7 (2) shows a case where the full configuration is erroneously connected. In the case of a full configuration, since the camera link camera 10 outputs Full data, if an incorrect connection is made, the control signal CC3 + and the control signal CC3- are output to the synchronous clock Zclk + and the synchronous clock Zclk− that should be connected originally. Is done. As a result, the control signal CC3 is output from the data converter 34. The output control signal CC3 is counted by the counter unit 37a of the clock monitoring unit 37.

  The determination unit 37b determines whether the count numbers 1 to 3 output from the counter unit 37a are within a predetermined range.

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the value is outside the predetermined range, it is determined that the connection of the camera link cable constituting the full configuration is an abnormal connection.

  In the embodiment, the counter unit 37a counts the control signal CC3 different from the synchronous clock Zclk, and the count number is a value different from 200,000, and the determination unit 37b determines that the connection is incorrect.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the medium configuration and the full configuration are selected, two camera link cables are used, but the two camera link cables are misconnected. In this case, it is possible to provide an erroneous connection detection method for notifying that the erroneous connection has occurred and an image acquisition apparatus using the erroneous connection detection method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Camera link camera 20, 21 Camera link cable 20a, 20b Camera link connector 30 Grabber board 31-34 Data conversion part (LVDS line receiver)
35 Information Processing Unit 36 Voltage Level Monitoring Unit 37 Clock Monitoring Unit 38 Data Acquisition Unit 39 Communication Unit 40 PC

Claims (8)

A camera link camera and grabber board are connected by a plurality of camera link cables to form a communication path for image data, and a base configuration or medium configuration pin assignment is constructed according to the number of communication channels of the image data. An image acquisition device that acquires image data output from the camera link camera with the grabber board and transmits the image data to a personal computer,
The grabber board
Voltage level monitoring means for monitoring the voltage level of control signals constituting the camera link;
Data acquisition means for acquiring a voltage level monitoring result by the voltage level monitoring means;
An image acquisition apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting data acquired by the data acquisition means to the personal computer. The voltage level monitoring means includes
An A / D converter for measuring the voltage level;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the voltage value measured by the A / D converter is within a predetermined range,
The determination unit
When the determination result by the determination unit is determined to be within the predetermined range, the connection of the camera link cable constituting the medium configuration is determined to be normal, and when the determination result is determined to be outside the predetermined range, the camera link cable is determined to be normal. The image acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection is determined to be an incorrect connection. By connecting the camera link camera and the grabber board with a plurality of camera link cables, a communication path of image data is formed, and a base configuration or full configuration pin assignment is constructed according to the number of communication channels of the image data, An image acquisition device that acquires image data output from the camera link camera with the grabber board and transmits the image data to a personal computer,
The grabber board
Synchronous clock monitoring means for monitoring the synchronous clock of the full configuration constituting the camera link,
Data acquisition means for acquiring a synchronous clock monitoring result by the synchronous clock monitoring means;
An image acquisition apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting data acquired by the data acquisition means to the personal computer. The synchronous clock monitoring means includes
Synchronous clock counting means for counting fluctuations in the voltage level of the synchronous clock;
A determination unit that determines whether the count value counted by the synchronous clock counting unit is within a predetermined range;
The determination unit
When the determination result by the determination unit is determined to be within the predetermined range, the connection state of the camera link cable constituting the full configuration is determined to be normal, and when the determination result is determined to be outside the predetermined range, The image acquisition device according to claim 3, wherein the connection of the camera link cable is determined to be an incorrect connection. A camera link camera and a grabber board are connected with a plurality of camera link cables to form a communication path for image data, and a base configuration and a medium configuration pin assignment are constructed according to the number of communication channels of the image data. The camera link cable misconnection detection method of the image acquisition device for acquiring image data output from a camera link camera with the grabber board and transmitting it to a personal computer,
A voltage level monitoring step for monitoring a voltage level of a control signal constituting the camera link;
A detection step of detecting erroneous connection of the camera link cable based on the voltage level monitoring result of the voltage level monitoring step;
An erroneous connection detection method for a camera link cable. The voltage level monitoring step includes
An A / D converter for measuring the voltage level;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the voltage value measured by the A / D converter is within a predetermined range,
The determination unit
When the determination result by the determination unit is determined to be within the predetermined range, the connection of the camera link cable constituting the medium configuration is determined to be normal, and when the determination result is determined to be outside the predetermined range, the camera link cable is determined to be normal. The camera link cable misconnection detection method according to claim 5, wherein the connection is determined to be an erroneous connection. A camera link camera and a grabber board are connected by a plurality of camera link cables to form a communication path for image data, and a base configuration and a full configuration pin assignment are constructed according to the number of communication channels of the image data. The camera link cable misconnection detection method of the image acquisition device for acquiring image data output from a camera link camera with the grabber board and transmitting it to a personal computer,
A synchronization clock monitoring process for monitoring the synchronization clock of the full configuration constituting the camera link;
A camera link cable erroneous connection detection method for detecting an erroneous connection of the camera link cable based on a synchronous clock monitoring result in the synchronous clock monitoring step. The synchronous clock monitoring step includes
Synchronous clock counting means for counting fluctuations in the voltage level of the synchronous clock;
A determination unit for determining whether the count value counted by the synchronous clock counting unit is within a predetermined range;
With
The determination unit
When the determination result by the determination unit is determined to be within the predetermined range, the connection state of the camera link cable constituting the full configuration is determined to be normal, and when the determination result is determined to be out of the predetermined range, the camera link cable The camera link cable erroneous connection detection method according to claim 7, wherein the connection is determined to be an erroneous connection .

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