High speed digital video serial link
OwnerSteven Wallace Tonkin, Mark Thomas Paulseninventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for bi-directional digital serial communication and control of remote units including video cameras and input/output devices in machine vision systems. The communication system includes a main processor, communication hubs and remote units. The system is capable of monitoring and controlling the remote units in real-time while receiving video data images from the remote video cameras. Digital signals are transmitted in two different protocols; one for data communications, and one for control communications.
Claims24
A machine vision control system using bi-directional high speed serial digital transmissions comprising;
- a main processor for receiving packaged digital data or control signals and transmitting packaged digital data or control signals;
- a primary communication hub having a first interface and a plurality of second interfaces, the first interface connected to the main processor through a serial communication bus for transmitting and receiving packaged digital data or control signals;
- and
- a plurality of remote video cameras having a third interface connected to one of the second interfaces for bi-directional communication with the primary communication hub;
- the primary communication hub for managing communications between the plurality of remote video cameras and the main processor and responding to high priority communications.
A machine vision control system using bi-directional high speed serial digital transmissions comprising;
- a main processor for having at least one first interface for receiving and transmitting serial digital video data or control signals;
- and
- at least one remote video camera having a second interface connected to the at least one first interface for bi-directional communication of serial digital video data or control signals with the main processor.
A machine vision control system using bi-directional high speed serial digital transmissions between at least a main processor and a communication hub, the system comprising;
- the main processor comprising a receiver for receiving packaged digital signals including a header and either digital data or control signals, a memory for storing the received digital signals, and a transmitter for transmitting packaged serial digital signals;
- the communication hub for at least distributing transmissions between the main processor and a plurality of remote video cameras, the communication hub comprising a main processor interface connected to the main processor for communicating with the main processor and a plurality of remote video camera interfaces connected to the plurality of remote video cameras for communication with the plurality of remote video cameras,
- the main processor interface comprising a receiver for receiving digital transmissions from the main processor, a processor, a first transmitter for transmitting signals to at least one remote video camera, and a second transmitter for transmitting packaged signals to the main processor,
- each one of the plurality of remote video camera interfaces comprising a receiver associated with each of the plurality of remote video cameras, a controller associated with each receiver for controlling transmissions from one remote video camera, and a memory for storing the transmissions;
- and
- a video camera having a communication hub interface for communication with the communication hub, the video camera comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller for controlling communication with the communication hub.
A main processor for bi-directional high speed digital serial communication in a machine vision control system having a plurality of remote video cameras, the main processor comprising;
- a receiver for receiving packaged digital video data or control signals including a header;
- a controller for separating the header from the digital video data or control signals;
- a memory for storing the digital video data or control signals;
- and
- a transmitter for transmitting packaged digital signals including a header in response to the received packaged digital video data or control signals.
A video camera interface for bi-directional high speed digital serial communication in a machine vision control system between a plurality of remote video cameras and a processor, the video camera interface comprising;
- a receiver for receiving packaged digital signals from the processor;
- a transmitter for transmitting packaged digital transmissions comprising a header and either digital video data or digital control signals;
- and
- a controller for controlling communication with the processor.
A communication hub for bi-directional high speed digital serial communication in a machine vision control system between a plurality of remote video cameras and a processor, the hub comprising;
- a processor interface connected to the processor;
- and
- a plurality of remote video camera interfaces connected to the plurality of remote video cameras;
- the processor interface comprising a receiver for receiving digital transmissions from the main processor, a first transmitter for transmitting signals to at least one remote video camera, and a second transmitter for transmitting packaged signals to the main processor;
- each one of the plurality of remote video camera interfaces comprising a receiver associated with each of the plurality of remote video cameras, a controller associated with each receiver for controlling transmissions from one remote video camera, and a memory for storing the transmission.
A method of bi-directional communication in a machine vision control system between a plurality of remote video cameras and a main processor, the method comprising the steps of;
- serially transmitting digital signal packets comprising digital data or control signals, and a first header from the remote video cameras to a communication hub;
- using the communication hub, multiplexing the digital signal packets from the remote video cameras, evaluating a destination address identifier included in the first header, and transmitting at least some of the digital signal packets to the main processor;
- serially transmitting digital signal packets including a second header from the main processor to the communication hub;
- and
- using the communication hub, evaluating a destination address identifier included in the second header, and transmitting at least some of the packets to at least one the remote video cameras.
A method of bi-directional communication in a machine vision control system between a plurality of remote video cameras and a main processor, the method comprising the steps of;
- serially transmitting digital signal packets comprising digital video data or control signals from the remote video cameras to a communication hub to the main processor,
- where the digital video data signals comprise a source address code for identifying an address origin of the digital video data signal, a destination address code identifying a final address destination of the digital video data signal, a priority code identifying a priority of the transmission, and digital video data, and the digital control signals comprise a source address code for identifying an address origin of the digital control signal, a destination address code identifying a final address destination of the digital control signal, a priority code identifying a priority of the transmission, and digital control commands;
- and
- serially transmitting digital signal packets from the main processor to the remote video cameras.
A communication protocol in a machine vision control system for transmissions between a plurality of remote video cameras and a main processor, the protocol comprising;
- a beginning code indicating a beginning of a transmission;
- a source address indicating an address of the transmission origin;
- a destination address indicating a destination of the transmission;
- a priority code indicating a priority of the transmission;
- data or control codes;
- and
- an ending code indicating the end of the transmission.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.