Error monitoring system for video/audio devices

• US 6,173,422 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Takehiko, Yamamoto, Toshiaki, Kimura, Hisao
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Dieu-Minh T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baderman, Scott T.
• Application Number:
  US08/723,356
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 395/185.01, 395/183.19, 395/184.01, 395/183.15, 395/185.02, 395/185.09, 395/200.54, 395/835, 340/825.06, 348/180, 348/181, 348/184, 714/44, 714/57
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0736 in functional embedded systems, i.e. in a data processing system designed as a combination of hardware and software dedicated to performing a certain function testing or monitoring of automated control systems G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0748 in a remote unit communicating with a single-box computer node experiencing an error/fault remote testing G06F11/2294
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0751 Error or fault detection not based on redundancy power supply failures G06F1/30; network fault management H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/12 Arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/95 for local area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/00 Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details

Abstract

The system is comprised of processing unit for executing an error monitoring process by detecting errors occurring in the video/audio devices, communication unit connecting the video/audio devices to the processing unit, and display unit connected to the processing unit to simultaneously display on a common display plane a plurality of images indicating the video/audio devices and to give an error indication in accordance with a result of the error monitoring process by the processing unit, the processing unit automatically executing the error monitoring process against respective the video/audio devices, and controlling the display unit to give the error indication by emphasizing one of the images corresponding to one of the video/audio devices from which an error is detected by the processing unit.

Claims

1. An error monitoring system for conducting error monitoring of a plurality of video/audio devices, comprising:

processing means for executing an error monitoring process by detecting errors occurring in said video/audio devices;

communication means connecting said video/audio devices to said processing means, said communication means comprising a plurality of communication ports, each of said video/audio devices being connected to said processing means via one of said communication ports; and

display means connected to said processing means to simultaneously display on a common display plane a plurality of images indicating said video/audio devices and to give an error indication in accordance with a result of the error monitoring process by said processing means;

said processing means automatically executing the error monitoring process against respective said video/audio devices by circularly issuing an error detection signal to said video/audio devices, each said video/audio device in receipt of said error detection signal sending back an error signal, including an error code, indicating the nature of an error that exists therein, and controlling said display means to give said error indication by emphasizing one of said images corresponding to one of said video/audio devices from which an error signal is detected by said processing means;

wherein each said video/audio device is associated with at least one information file containing information concerning the error monitoring process and including at least historical information regarding prior errors for each said video/audio device so that the likelihood and frequency of types of errors are determined, thereby allowing for the efficient dealing with these errors, and a database management file for managing said information files, said database management file comprising information listing each of said plurality of communication ports, information regarding video/audio devices connected to respective ones of said plurality of communication ports, and said historical information associated with each of said video/audio devices and wherein for each said video/audio device said communication port is linked to said database management file by respective device identifying information and said database management file is linked to said information files by respective information file pointers.

2. The error monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein each said video/audio device has a self diagnostic function to find out any error therein, and wherein when any error occurs in any one of said video/audio devices, said processing means issues to said video/audio device containing the error a designation signal designating an error item, and said video/audio device in receipt of said designation signal sends back to said processing means an item signal indicating error information on said error item.

3. The error monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said processing means is equipped with sound generating means, and controls it to generate a warning sound while making said display means to emphasize said image of the device containing the error when said error is detected in said video/audio device.

4. An error monitoring system for conducting integral error monitoring of a plurality of video/audio devices that are grouped into certain units, comprising:

first information processing means that acquires error information for each said unit by detecting any error existing in said video/audio devices, said first information processing means automatically executing an error monitoring process by circularly issuing an error detection signal to said video/audio devices, each said video/audio device in receipt of said error detection signal sending back an error signal, including an error code, indicating the nature of an error that exists therein;

communication means connecting said video/audio devices to said first information processing means, said communication means comprising a plurality of communication ports each of said video/audio devices being connected to said first information processing means via one of said communication ports;

second information processing means connected to said first information processing means through a predetermined communication line to acquire said error information acquired by said first information processing means;

third information processing means connected to said second information processing means through said predetermined communication line to acquire said error information acquired by said second information processing means; and

display means connected to and controlled by said third information processing means to display images indicating said video/audio devices connected to said first information processing means and to give an error indication by emphasizing said image of particular one of said video/audio devices when said third information processing means detects an error in said particular video/audio device;

wherein each said video/audio device is associated with at least one information file containing information concerning the error monitoring process and including at least historical information regarding prior errors for each said video/audio device so that the likelihood and frequency of types of errors are determined, thereby allowing for the efficient dealing with these errors, and a database management file for managing said information files, said database management file comprising information listing each of said plurality of communication ports, information regarding video/audio devices connected to respective ones of said plurality of communication ports, and said historical information associated with each of said video/audio devices and wherein for each said video/audio device said communication port is linked to said database management file by respective device identifying information and said database management file is linked to said information files by respective information file pointers.

5. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein:

said first information processing means circularly issues an error detection signal to said video/audio devices;

each said video/audio device that receives said error detection signal and detects an error therein sends back to said first information processing means device status information that includes an identifying code for identifying said video/audio device and an error code indicating the type of the error;

said first information processing means in receipt of said device status information issues to said video/audio device a request signal to request detailed information on said error detected in said video/audio device;

said video/audio device in receipt of said request signal issues said error information indicating the nature of said error; and

said first information processing means acquires said error information by receiving said error information.

6. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said third information processing means detects said error in said video/audio device connected to said first information processing means when said error information acquired from said first information processing means is read out from said first information processing means in said second information processing means.

7. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein each said video/audio device has a self diagnostic function to find out any error occurring therein, and wherein when any error occurs in any one of said video/audio devices, said first information processing means issues to said video/audio device containing the error a designation signal designating an error item, and said video/audio device in receipt of said designation signal sends back to said first information processing means an item signal indicating error information on said error item.

8. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined communication line is an Ethernet having TCP/IP as its communication protocol, and wherein said video/audio devices are connected to said communication means by a serial line having RS-232C as its communication protocol, and said communication means includes converter means for converting the communication protocol of a transferred signal from TCP/IP to RS-232C or vice versa.

9. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said third information processing means is equipped with sound generating means, and controls it to generate a warning sound while making said display means to emphasize said image of the device containing the error when said error is detected in said video/audio device.

10. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said display means is controlled by said third information processing means to emphasize said image corresponding to said video/audio device containing the error and to display said error information on said video/audio device acquired by said third information processing means when said error is detected in said video/audio device by said third information processing means, such that said error information on said video/audio device is displayed together with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

11. The error monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein said error information displayed by said display means is displayed on a common display plane with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

12. The error monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein said error information displayed by said display means is emphasized in synchronism with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

13. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said error information includes the day and time of occurrence of said error, a device ID of said video/audio device in which the error occurred, an error code, and an error message.

14. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said video/audio devices are allotted to different rooms, and wherein said images displayed by said display means are hierarchically displayed by images of rooms and then by images of video/audio devices belonging to each said room.

15. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said video/audio devices are allotted to units management by a plurality of said first information processing means, and wherein said images displayed by said display means are hierarchically displayed by images of said units of management and then by images of video/audio devices belonging to each said unit of management.

16. The error monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said second information processing means includes second communication means for communicating with external information processing means connected to said predetermined communication line, said external information processing means being able to do jobs of said second information processing means.

17. An error monitoring system for conducting integral error monitoring of a plurality of video/audio devices, comprising:

information processing means that acquires error information for each of said devices by detecting any error existing in said video/audio devices by circularly issuing an error detection signal to said video/audio devices, each said video/audio device in receipt of said error detection signal sending back an error signal, including an error code, indicating the nature of an error that exists therein, and acquires device identifying information identifying respective said video/audio devices and device monitor information of said video/audio devices;

communication means connecting said video/audio devices to said information processing means, said communication means comprising a plurality of communication ports, each of said video/audio devices being connected to said processing means via one of said communication ports; and

storage means connected to said information processing means to store said device identifying information and said device monitor information so as to permit said device monitor information to be obtained by means of said device identifying information;

said information processing means automatically storing said device identifying information and said device monitor information in said storage means, automatically managing said device monitor information based on said device identifying information, automatically searching into said storage means to find out said device identifying information on one of said video/audio devices based on new one of said device monitor information when the new device monitor information is obtained, and adding said new device monitor information to said device monitor information searched out;

wherein each said video/audio device is associated with at least one information file containing information concerning the error monitoring process and including at least historical information regarding prior errors for each said video/audio device so that the likelihood and frequency of types of errors are determined, thereby allowing for the efficient dealing with these errors, and a database management file for managing said information files, said database management file comprising information listing each of said plurality of communication ports, information regarding video/audio devices connected to respective ones of said plurality of communication ports, and said historical information associated with each of said video/audio devices and wherein for each said video/audio device said communication port is linked to said database management file by respective device identifying information and said database management file is linked to said information files by respective information file pointers.

18. The error communication system according to claim 17, further comprising display means connected to and controlled by said processing means to display images of said video/audio devices connected to said processing means and to give an error indication by emphasizing said image of particular one of said video/audio devices when said processing means detects an error in said particular video/audio device.

19. The error monitoring system according to claim 18, wherein said display means is controlled by said information processing means to emphasize said image corresponding to said video/audio device containing the error and to display said error information on said video/audio device acquired by said information processing means when said error is detected in said video/audio device by said information processing means, such that said error information on said video/audio device is displayed together with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

20. The error monitoring system according to claim 19, wherein said error information displayed by said display means is displayed on a common display plane with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

21. The error monitoring system according to claim 20, wherein said error information displayed by said display means is emphasized in synchronism with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

22. The error monitoring system according to claim 18, further comprising entry means connected to said information processing means and used to designate any one of images of said video/audio devices displayed on said display means and to input information therethrough so that said device monitor information can be searched out by way of said device identifying information of any desired one of said video/audio devices stored in said storage means by designating said desired video/audio device through said entry means.

23. The error monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein each said video/audio device has a self diagnostic function to find out any error therein, and wherein when any error occurs in any one of said video/audio devices, said processing means issues to said video/audio device containing the error a designation signal designating an error item, and said video/audio device in receipt of said designation signal sends back to said information processing means an item signal indicating error information on said error item.

24. The error monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein said information processing means is equipped with sound generating means, and controls it to generate a warning sound while making said display means to emphasize said image of the device containing the error when said error is detected in said video/audio device.

25. The error monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein said device monitor information includes error information indicating the nature of said error in the video/audio device acquired by said information processing means.

26. An error monitoring system for conducting integral error monitoring of a plurality of video/audio devices that are grouped into certain units, comprising:

first information processing means that acquires error information for each said unit by detecting any error existing in said video/audio devices by circularly issuing an error detection signal to said video/audio devices, each said video/audio device in receipt of said error detection signal sending back an error signal, including an error code, indicating the nature of an error that exists therein, and acquires device identifying information identifying respective said video/audio devices and device monitor information of said video/audio devices;

communication means connecting said video/audio devices to said first information processing means, said communication means comprising a plurality of communication ports, each of said video/audio devices being connected to said first information processing means via one of said communication ports; and

second information processing means connected to said first information processing means through a predetermined communication line to acquire said error information, said device identifying information and said device monitor information that are acquired by said first information processing means;

third information processing means connected to said second information processing means through said predetermined communication line to acquire said error information acquired by said second information processing means; and

storage means connected to said second information processing means to store said device identifying information and said device monitor information so as to permit said device monitor information and said error information to be identified by said device identifying information;

said second information processing means automatically storing said error information, said device identifying information and said device monitor information in said storage means, automatically managing said error information and said device monitor information based on said device identifying information, automatically searching into said storage means to find out said device identifying information and/or said error information linked to new device monitor information and/or new error information when the new device monitor information and/or error information is obtained, and adding said new device monitor information and/or error information to said device monitor information searched out;

wherein each said video/audio device is associated with at least one information file containing information concerning the error monitoring process and including at least historical information regarding prior errors for each said video/audio device so that the likelihood and frequency of types of errors are determined, thereby allowing for the efficient dealing with these errors, and a database management file for managing said information files, said database management file comprising information listing each of said plurality of communication ports, information regarding video/audio devices connected to respective ones of said plurality of communication ports, and said historical information associated with each of said video/audio devices and wherein for each said video/audio device said communication port is linked to said database management file by respective device identifying information and said database management file is linked to said information files by respective information file pointers.

27. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, further comprising display means connected to and controlled by said third information processing means to display images of said video/audio devices connected to said first information processing means and to give an error indication by emphasizing said image of particular one of said video/audio devices when said third information processing means acquired said error information of said particular video/audio device.

28. The error monitoring system according to claim 27, wherein said display means is controlled by said third information processing means to emphasize said image corresponding to said video/audio device containing the error and to display said error information on said video/audio device acquired by said third information processing means when said error information is detected in said video/audio device by said third information processing means, such that said error information on said video/audio device is displayed together with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

29. The error monitoring system according to claim 28, wherein said error information displayed by said display means is displayed on a common display plane with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

30. The error monitoring system according to claim 29, wherein said error information displayed by said display means is emphasized in synchronism with said emphasized image of the video/audio device.

31. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein:

said first information processing means circularly issues an error detection signal to said video/audio devices;

each said video/audio device that receives said error detection signal and detects an error therein sends back to said first information processing means device status information that includes an identifying code for identifying said video/audio device and an error code indicating the type of the error;

said first information processing means in receipt of said device status information issues to said video/audio device a request signal to request detailed information on said error detected in said video/audio device;

said video/audio device in receipt of said request signal sends back said error information indicating the nature of said error; and

said first information processing means acquires said error information by receiving said error information.

32. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein each said video/audio device has a self diagnostic function to find out any error occurring therein, and wherein when any error occurs in any one of said video/audio devices, said first information processing means issues to said video/audio device containing the error a designation signal designating an error item, and said video/audio device in receipt of said designation signal sends back to said first information processing means an item signal indicating error information on said error item to permit said first information processing means to acquire said error information.

33. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein said third information processing means issues a check signal to said second information processing means to confirm whether said error information has been stored in said storage means, and wherein if said error information is already stored in said storage means, said third information processing means acquires said error information by reading it from said storage means through said second information processing means.

34. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein said error information includes the day and time of occurrence of said error, a device ID of said video/audio device in which the error occurred, an error code indicating the type of the error, and an error message.

35. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein said predetermined communication line is an Ethernet having TCP/IP as its communication protocol, and wherein said video/audio devices are connected to said communication means by a serial line having RS-232C as its communication protocol, and said communication means includes converter means for converting the communication protocol of a transferred signal from TCP/IP to RS-232C or vice versa.

36. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein said third information processing means is equipped with sound generating means, and controls it to generate a warning sound while making said display means to emphasize said image of the device containing the error when said error is detected in said video/audio device.

37. The error monitoring system according to claim 26, further comprising memo information entry means connected to said third information processing means and used by a user to input desired memo information therethrough to any desired one of said video/audio devices, and wherein said memo information introduced through said memo information entry means is stored in said storage means together with said device monitor information, said device identifying information and said error information.

38. An error monitoring method for monitoring errors of a plurality of video/audio devices, comprising:

a first step in which information processing means connected to said video/audio devices judges whether any error exists in any one of said video/audio devices by circularly issuing an error detection signal to said video/audio devices, each said video/audio device in receipt of said error detection signal sending back an error signal, including an error code, indicating the nature of an error that exists therein;

a second step in which;

when any error is judged to exist in said first step, display means displaying images corresponding to respective said video/audio devices emphasizes one of said images corresponding to one of said video/devices in which said error exists;

a third step in which said information processing means acquires error information indicating said error from said video/audio device containing the error;

a fourth step in which said information processing means controls said display means to display said error information acquired in said third step;

a fifth step in which said error information displayed by said display means in said fourth step is stored in storage means connected to said information processing means; and

a sixth step in which when said information processing means judges that no error exists in any one of said video/audio devices connected thereto and if there is any one of said images of said video/audio devices that is still emphasized, then said information processing means returns said emphasized image into its original state, and then goes back to said first step;

wherein each of said video/audio devices is connected to said processing means via one of a plurality of communication ports comprising communication means; and

wherein each said video/audio device is associated with at least one information file containing information concerning the error monitoring process and including at least historical information regarding prior errors for each said video/audio device so that the likelihood and frequency of types of errors are determined, thereby allowing for the efficient dealing with these errors, and a database management file for managing said information files, said database management file comprising information listing each of said plurality of communication ports, information regarding video/audio devices connected to respective ones of said plurality of communication ports, and said historical information associated with each of said video/audio devices and wherein for each said video/audio device said communication port is linked to said database management file by respective device identifying information and said database management file is linked to said information files by respective information file pointers.

39. The error monitoring method according to claim 38, wherein said first step includes:

each said video/audio device having a self diagnostic function;

said information processing means issuing a designation signal designating an error item to any one of said video/audio devices in which said error exists; and

said video/audio device in receipt of said designation signal supplying an item signal indicating error information corresponding to said error item.

40. The error monitoring system according to claim 38, wherein said second step includes:

generating a warning sound from sound generating means connected to said processing means simultaneously at the same time when said image of the video/audio device containing the error is emphasized on said display means.

41. The error monitoring system according to claim 38, further comprising a sixth step in which, when a closing signal for closing said error information displayed on said display means in said fourth step after said error information is stored in said storage means in said first step, said error information on said display means is closed, and said emphasized image of the video/audio device that contained the error is changed to another emphasized image.

42. The error monitoring method according to claim 38, wherein said first step includes:

a device identifying information acquiring step in which said information processing means issues to said video/audio devices connected thereto a device identifying information request signal to request device identifying information for identifying respective said video/audio devices;

said video/audio devices in receipt of said device identifying information request signal send back said device identifying information to said information processing means; and

said information processing means acquires said device identifying information; and

a step for storing said device identifying information acquired in said device identifying information acquiring step in storage means connected to said information processing means.

43. An error monitoring method for monitoring errors of a plurality of video/audio devices, comprising:

a first step in which information processing means connected to said video/audio devices issues to said video/audio devices connected thereto a device identifying information request signal to request device identifying information for identifying respective said video/audio devices;

said video/audio devices in receipt of said device identifying information request signal send back said device identifying information to said information processing means; and

said information processing means acquires said device identifying information;

a second step for storing said device identifying information acquired in said first step in storage means connected to said information processing means;

a third step for judging whether any error exists in any of said video/audio devices by circularly issuing an error detection signal to said video/audio devices, each said video/audio device in receipt of said error detection signal sending back an error signal, including an error code, indicating the nature of an error that exists therein;

a fourth step in which, when any error is judged to exist in said third step, said information processing means acquires error information indicating the nature of the error from said video/audio device containing the error, and said error information is stored in said storage means to permit said error information to be obtained through said device identifying information;

a fifth step for issuing a monitor information request signal to request device monitor information containing information necessary for monitoring said video/audio devices from said information processing means to said video/audio devices;

sending back said device monitor information responsive to said monitor information request signal form said video/audio devices to said information processing means;

said device monitoring information being acquired by said information processing means;

a sixth step for storing said device monitor information acquired in said fifth step in said storage means so as to permit said device monitor information to be obtained through said device identifying information; and

a seventh step for automatically searching out said device identifying information stored in said storage means corresponding to new device monitor information and/or error information when said new device monitor information and/or error is obtained in said first step; and

for adding said new device monitor information and/or error information to said device monitor information and/or error information searched out;

wherein each of said video/audio devices is connected to said processing means via one of a plurality of communication ports comprising communication means; and

wherein each said video/audio device is associated with at least one information file containing information concerning the error monitoring process and including at least historical information regarding prior errors for each said video/audio device so that the likelihood and frequency of types of errors are determined, thereby allowing for the efficient dealing with these errors, and a database management file for managing said information files, said database management file comprising information listing each of said plurality of communication ports, information regarding video/audio devices connected to respective ones of said plurality of communication ports, and said historical information associated with each of said video/audio devices and wherein for each said video/audio device said communication port is linked to said database management file by respective device identifying information and said database management file is linked to said information files by respective information file pointers.

44. The error monitoring method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of:

displaying images indicating said video/audio devices connected to said information processing means on display means connected to said information processing means; and

and emphasizing one of said images indicating one of said video devices containing an error on said display means under control of said information processing means when said error is detected in said video/audio device by said information processing means.

45. The error monitoring method according to claim 44, wherein said display means is controlled by said information processing means to emphasize one or more of images of said video audio devices and to display error information of each said video/audio device acquired by said information processing means such that, in addition to the emphasized image of the video/audio device, said error information corresponding to said video/audio device is displayed.

46. The error monitoring method according to claim 44, wherein said error information displayed on said display means is displayed on a common display plane with the emphasized image of said video/audio device.

47. The error monitoring method according to claim 44, wherein said error information displayed on said display means is emphasized in synchronism with the emphasized image of said video/audio device.

48. The error monitoring method according to claim 43, wherein each said video/audio device has a self diagnostic function;

said information processing means issues a designation signal designating an error item to said video/audio device in which said error exists; and

said video/audio device in receipt of said designation signal sends back an item signal indicating error information corresponding to said error item.

49. The error monitoring method according to claim 43, wherein sound generating means is connected to said processing means to generate a warning sound concurrently with the emphasis of said image of said video/audio device when said information processing means detects said error in said video/audio device.