WO2000004428A1

WO2000004428A1 - Method and system for configuring a computer-aided system

Info

Publication number: WO2000004428A1
Application number: PCT/EP1999/005056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arno Best
Original assignee: OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH
Priority date: 1998-07-15
Filing date: 1999-07-15
Publication date: 2000-01-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for recognizing the configuration, i.e. of the components contained in the system. A central controller (ZST) communicates with control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) via a communication bus (BUS). An identification signal (IS) is transmitted from control module to control module. The respective control module (STM) comprising the existing identification signal (IS) presents the identification data thereof, upon which the central controller (ZST) allocates configuration addresses.

Description

description

Method and device for configuring a computerized system

The invention relates to a method for recognizing the configuration of a computer-aided system, in particular a high-performance printer, in which a central control is connected via a communication bus to a plurality of control modules connected in series in the manner of a chain. The invention further relates to a system which uses this method. The invention can be used in the form of computer program elements.

The special configuration of a computer-based system with various hardware components is generally referred to as configuration. The configuration therefore provides information about which components the entire system is equipped with and which components can interact with each other. Configuration includes configuration data, which the system can use to identify which components are actually available and at which address they can be used for data traffic.

Conventional computer-based systems are only configured during manufacture. The user of such a system can only subsequently make changes with considerable restrictions. This disadvantage is particularly evident in high-performance printing systems. The mechanical and electronic components of such high-performance printing systems are compiled once by the manufacturer and the configuration is thus determined; a later change in the arrangement of the various components and thus a new configuration is only possible with great effort by the user. From DE-C-44 07 895 an information data network is known which contains several network nodes. The network nodes mutually activate each other in order to transmit their respective node identification from a central computer.

From DE-A-196 49 676 a system with a central unit and a plurality of peripheral units is known, to which addresses are supplied by the central unit. For this purpose, a first signal line is provided, with which a parallel connection (bus connection) is established between the central unit and the peripheral units. A cascade connection between the central unit and the peripheral units is established with a second data line. For this purpose, the central unit is to be connected in series to the first peripheral unit, to which the subsequent peripheral units are in turn connected.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device which allows the structure of the component composition to be changed in a simple manner, the newly created configuration being recognized automatically and the configuration data being recorded.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for recognizing the configuration of a computer-aided system, in particular a high-performance printer, in which a central control is connected via a communication bus to a plurality of control modules connected in series in the manner of a chain, and each control module contains identification data which the central controller and / or the further control modules identify, the central controller via the communication bus requests all control modules using a collective address to send identification data, the control modules are connected to one another by an identification line, all control modules are switched passively in a preparation phase, in which one they send no identification data after being asked for identification, each control module releases its identification data after receiving a separate identification signal and after being asked for identification, switches back to the passive state and sends the identification signal to the neighboring control module via the identification line, which in the chain ends up in the chain stationary control module first receives the identification signal, and in which the central controller, after receiving the respective identification data, assigns a configuration address for the respective control module, under which it can be addressed by the central controller or by the further control modules.

In the invention, the various control modules are arranged in the manner of a chain or "party line". The control modules gradually provide identification data according to their arrangement in the chain, which enable clear assignment and addressing via the communication bus. Since the identification data are delivered in the order of the arrangement, the location of the respective control module within the chain is also known. The central control contains a list of all possible control modules and can thus make an exact assignment of these control modules and their identification data to this list. In this way, the central controller and possibly also the other control modules can uniquely identify all of the control modules within the chain and, if necessary, communicate with them.

The invention ensures that the configuration of control modules is automatically recognized. The user can put together a complex system with a large number of control modules without having to have precise system knowledge, since the system can automatically recognize the changed configuration. The invention can advantageously be used in a large number of systems, in particular in systems whose control modules are put together in an application-specific manner must be, for example, in computer-aided systems in industrial plants, in lift systems, etc. In particular, there are advantages when used in a high-performance printing system, in which there are different combinations of hardware stations depending on the pressure requirements.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the central controller stops sending the identification request after a predetermined waiting time, in which no identification data is sent to the communication bus following a request for identification. This measure defines an end criterion, the occurrence of which means that the self-configuration has ended and the central control system takes over its further control tasks, in which it addresses the control modules in accordance with the determined configuration data.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is specified according to claim 3, which essentially implements the aforementioned method. The advantageous effects mentioned also occur in the system according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. This drawing shows

Figure 1 is a high performance printer system with several

Stations,

FIG. 2 shows a general example of a computer-based system with a communication bus to which a number of control modules are connected,

Figure 3 process steps for self-configuration of the system of Figure 2 and Figure 4 shows a system corresponding to Figure 2, which is extended by an additional identification line.

Figure 1 shows schematically a high-performance printer system with a central printer unit, which generally also contains the central controller. On the input side, the printer unit can be connected to various types of input units A, B, C. These input units A, B, C can e.g. differ in what type of paper is to be printed, e.g. Various sheet formats, folded paper or paper from a roll, which is later cut to the required length format after printing. In the present case, the high-performance printer system is configured such that the input unit B is connected on the input side to the printer unit.

On the output side, depending on the further processing of the printed paper, a stapling unit D, a folding unit E, a sorting unit F and / or a punching unit G can be connected to the printer unit. In the present case, the sorting unit F is connected, i.e. the printed paper is sorted into bundles in the sorting unit F.

Different output units H, I can also be connected to the high-performance printer system. In the present case, the output unit I is connected.

In the case shown in FIG. 1, one of a large number of configurations is shown, which connects the central printer unit to units B, F and I. It is easy to see that a user would like to create different configurations depending on the application, without having to carry out complex work in order to communicate the selected configuration and the required configuration data to a central controller. The shown in Figure 1 Units A to I are referred to as control modules in the following consideration of a general exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a general exemplary embodiment in which a central control ZST is connected to various control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 via a communication bus BUS in the manner of an open chain, which is also referred to as a party line. As a communication bus e.g. a data bus according to the standard SDLC (Serial Data Link Communication), CAN (Controller Area Network) or V.24 can be used. In addition to its connection for the communication bus BUS, each control module (STM1, STM2, STM3) has an input connection IS-INPUT for an identification signal IS and an output connection IS-OUTG-for the identification signal IS. The output connection IS-AUSG is connected to the input connection IS-EING of the control module adjacent in the chain of the control modules by an identification line IL. For example, the output terminal IS-AUSG of the control module STM3 is connected to the input terminal IS-INPUT of the control module STM2 via the identification line IL. For example, a fixed potential can be used as identification signal IS, which results from a constant current that flows through a resistor R to ground. The connection of the control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 thus takes place on the one hand in parallel through the communication bus BUS and on the other hand serially through the identification lines IL.

To implement the connections between the control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 and the connection via the communication bus BUS to the central control ZST, it is provided that each control module STM1, STM2, STM3 has a multi-pin connector output. A group of plug contacts is reserved for the communication bus BUS. One plug connection then serves as the input connection IS-INPUT and another plug connection serves as the output connection IS-OUTP. The central control ZST and the control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 are then in the manner of an open chain with several connecting cables connected, which each connect two connector outputs of the control modules STM1, STM2, STM3. The connecting cables are then looped through from the control module to the control module. The connector of the cable to which the control module STM3 at the end of the chain is connected then has the circuit shown in FIG. 2, according to which the active signal level for the identification signal IS is generated at the resistor R.

Each control module contains a control logic SL which interprets the communication protocol of the bus BUS, controls the identification process within the module and is able to establish a conductive connection between the ϊS-INPUT and the IS-AUSG of the module or by means of a switch to separate.

A suitable CAN bus system for a high-performance printing system is described in WO-A-97/16771. The content of this publication is hereby incorporated by reference into the present description.

FIG. 3 shows flow steps for self-configuration in the form of a flow chart. The self-configuration is carried out each time the voltage returns. According to step 10, after switching on the operating voltage, a branch is made to step 12, in which the central control is initialized in a preparation phase and all control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 are switched to passive. This means that the control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 are addressed via a common group address and are informed that they must not send any identification data after being asked for identification, ie they are switched to passive (step 14, first part). The control module STM3 at the end of the chain has the identification signal IS at its input connection IS-INPUT (step 14, second part). In subsequent step 16, the central control ZST addresses these control modules via the communication bus and a common address common to all control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 and requests them to supply identification data. The control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 are each equipped with an internal control logic (SL1, SL2, SL3), which allows them to only provide identification data if the identification signal IS is present at their respective input connection IS-INPUT and if they are not already identification - submitted data in accordance with step 18. This control logic is generally implemented by a microprocessor that processes commands from a control program. At the beginning, only the control module STM3 at the end of this chain has this identification signal -IS, ie the control module STM3 sends out its identification data, which reach the central control ZST via the communication bus BUS. There is a list of all possible control modules for a conceivable configuration. The control module STM3 is accepted in accordance with this list and is assigned a configuration address under which it can be addressed in the future by the central control ZST or by the further control modules (step 18).

In the subsequent step 20, the control module STM3 sets its output connection IS-AUSG from "0" to "1", ie it outputs the identification signal IS on the identification line IL to the control module downstream in the chain (step 20). Furthermore, the control module STM3 issues a message via the communication bus BUS to the central controller that it has passed on the identification signal (step 22, first part). In addition, the internal control logic of the STM3 control module is set in such a way that it no longer responds to further requests for the delivery of identification data via the group address, ie it is switched to passive again. The three last-mentioned measures (delivery of the IS signal, message to the central control and passive switching) ensure that the chain of control tion modules only one module responds to the request to submit identification data, that is, the identification in the chain of control modules takes place in sequence. After the identification signal IS has been passed on, the output connection IS-AUS is reset from logic level "1" to logic level "0" in the respective control module.

The steps 16 to 22 mentioned are repeated in modules until all control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 have submitted their identification data. If this is the case (step 24), the self-configuration is ended (step 26) and the central controller addresses the individual control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 according to the specified control program under the respective configuration addresses.

A waiting time can be provided as the termination criterion for the self-configuration. The central control ZST waits a predetermined time after submitting a request for identification via the group address. If no identification data is given on the communication bus BUS, this is a sign that all control modules STM1, STM2, STM3 connected to the communication bus BUS have given their identification data and that the entire chain of control modules has been processed. In the example according to FIG. 3, only the control modules are specified. Of course, the method and the system according to the invention can comprise any number of control modules.

The control program is implemented in particular in the form of computer software. It can be distributed as a file via networks, stored on a data medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM and in particular in memory modules of the device control or a computer, e.g. on hard disk, NV-ROM (Non Volatile Read Only Memory) or in a RAM module (random Access memory). The control program can also be integrated as a program element in a larger program. FIG. 4 shows a control system that contains the components of FIG. 2. However, an additional IDENTACK line is provided in this system, with which a module can provide feedback to the central controller. For this purpose, each control module has an additional IT-A output, which is connected to the IDENTACK line. In the control system according to FIG. 4, the self-configuration in turn proceeds according to the flow chart or control program according to FIG. 3. The feedback to the central control that the identification signal IS is delivered to the control module adjacent in the chain (step 22, first part) takes place in this exemplary embodiment however, not via the communication bus BUS, but via the IDENTACK line. If a module is the last one in the chain, this can be recognized by the fact that after the activation of the SIGIDENTOUT line no acknowledgment signal appears on the IDNETACK line. A feedback or the corresponding acknowledgment signal takes place through the separate IDENTACK line with high transmission security.

Instead of the parallel IDENTACK line shared by all control modules, individual IDENTACK lines running between the modules can also be provided in a further exemplary embodiment. Each module then has an IDENTACK input and an IDENTACK output and can give feedback to the neighboring module from which it received the IS signal. The neighboring module, already identified in the chain by the central controller, can then forward this feedback to the central controller via the bus line BUS. The IDENTACK line is then no longer a parallel bus line, but only a serial, cascade or chain-like connection between the control systems. The first control system STM 1 no longer has to be connected to the central control. If the first control system is nevertheless connected to the central control system with an IDENTACK line, the feedback from the subsequent modules can be cascaded via the respective IDENTACK lines back to the central controller without using the bus line BUS.

Although the invention has been described on the basis of a high-performance printing system, it can also be used in other areas in which electronically controlled modules interact flexibly or have to be converted on a regular basis, for example in production lines or in communication facilities.

Reference list

BUS communication bus

ZST central control SLl, SL2, SL3 control logic

STMl, STM2,

STM3 control modules

IDENTACK line for feedback

IS-OUTG output connector for the identification signal IS-INPUT input connector for the identification signal

IL identification line

IS identification signal

IT-A IDENTACK output

R resistance 10-26 process steps

Claims

Expectations

1. Method for recognizing the configuration of a computer-aided system, in particular a high-performance printer,

in which a central controller (ZST) is connected via a communication bus (BUS) to several control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) connected in series in the manner of a chain,

each control module (STM1, STM2, STM3) has identification data ready, through which the central controller (ZST) and / or the further control modules (STMl, STM2, STM3) identify it,

the central controller (ZST) requests all control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) via the communication bus (bus) using a collective address to send identification data,

the control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) are interconnected by an identification line (IL),

all control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) are switched to passive in a preparation phase in which they do not send any identification data when asked for identification,

each control module (STM1, STM2, STM3), after receiving an identification signal (IS) and after requesting identification, releases its identification data, switches back to the passive state and, via the identification line (IL), to the neighboring control module (STM2, STMl) emits the identification signal (IS), the control module (STM3) at the end of the chain first receives the identification signal (IS),

and in which the central controller (ZST), after receiving the respective identification data, assigns a configuration address for the respective control module (STM1, STM2, STM3), under which the central controller (ZST) or the further control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) can be addressed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the central control (ZST) after a predetermined waiting time, in which no identification data are given to the communication bus (BUS) after a request for identification, aborts the transmission of the request for identification .

3. system, especially a high performance printer system,

in which a central control (ZST) is connected via a communication bus (BUS) to several control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) connected in series like a chain,

each control module (STM1, STM2, STM3) has identification data available, through which the central controller (ZST) and / or the further control modules (STMl, STM2, STM3) identify it,

the control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) are interconnected by an identification line (IL), all control modules (STM1, STM2, STM) are switched to passive in a preparation phase in which they do not send any identification data when asked for identification,

each control module (STM1, STM2, STM3), after receiving a separate identification signal (IS) and after requesting identification, releases its identification data, switches back to the passive state and transmits the identification signal (IS) to the neighboring control module via the identification line (IL) ,

the control module (STM3) at the end of the chain first receives the identification signal (IS),

and in which the central controller (ZST) assigns a configuration address for the respective control module (STM1, STM2, STM3) after receiving the respective identification data, under which the central controller (ZST) or the further control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) can be addressed.

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the central control (ZST) after a predetermined waiting time, in which no identification data are given to the communication bus (BUS) on a request for identification, aborts the transmission of the request for identification

5. System according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each control module (STMl, STM2, STM3) has an input connection (IS-INPUT) for the identification signal (IS) and an output connection (IS-AUSG) for the identification signal, that the output connection (IS-AUSG) is connected to the input connection (IS-EING) of the control module adjacent in the chain of control modules through the identification line (IL), the respective Control module (STM1, STM2, STM3) the identification signal (IS) is fed to its input connection (IS-INPUT) and is output to its output connection (IS-AUSG).

System according to Claim 5, characterized in that the input connection (IS-INPUT) of the control module (STM3) at the end of the chain of control modules is set to a fixed potential, and in that this fixed potential serves as an identification signal (IS).

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each control module (STM1, STM2, STM3) has a multi-pin connector output, that a group of connector contacts is provided for the communication bus (bus), and that a connector connection as an input connection ( IS-IN) for the identification signal (IS) and a further plug connection for the output connection (IS-AUSG) of the identification signal (IS) are provided.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the central controller (ZST) and the control modules (STMl, STM2, STM3) are connected in the manner of an open chain by a plurality of connecting cables, each of which connects two connector outputs of the control modules.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug of the cable to which the control module at the end of the chain is connected has a circuitry such that the active signal level is generated at the input connection for the identification signal.

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the circuitry is carried out by an ohmic resistor R.

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a data bus as the communication bus according to the standard SDLC, CAN or V.24.

12. Computer program element for recognizing the configuration of a computer-aided system, in particular a high-performance printer,

wherein in the system a central controller (ZST) is connected via a communication bus (BUS) to several control modules (STM1, STM2, STM3) connected in series like a chain,