High speed digital video serial link

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . 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.    
     
     
         2 . The machine vision control system of  claim 1  further including at least one secondary communication hub connected to one of the plurality of second interfaces of the primary communication hub for managing communications between the primary communication hub and additional remote video cameras.  
     
     
         3 . The machine vision control system of  claim 1  wherein the packaged digital data signals comprise a source address code for identifying an address origin of the digital data signal, a destination address code identifying a final address destination of the digital data signal, a priority code identifying a priority of the transmission, and digital data.  
     
     
         4 . The machine vision control system of  claim 3  wherein the packaged digital data signals further include a data error detection code for detecting errors in the digital data, and a device identification code to identify a type of camera originating the transmission.  
     
     
         5 . The machine vision control system of  claim 1  wherein the packaged 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.  
     
     
         6 . The machine vision control system of  claim 1  further including at least one remote input/output unit connected to the primary communication hub for at least receiving transmissions from the primary communication hub.  
     
     
         7 . The machine vision control system of  claim 6  where the remote input/output unit is an industrial control network.  
     
     
         8 . The machine vision control system of  claim 6  where the remote input/output unit is a strobe light.  
     
     
         9 . 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.    
     
     
         10 . The machine vision control system of  claim 9  wherein 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 data.  
     
     
         11 . The machine vision control system of  claim 10  wherein the digital video data signals further include a data error detection code for detecting errors in the digital video data, and a device identification code to identify a type of video camera originating the transmission.  
     
     
         12 . The machine vision control system of  claim 9  wherein 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.  
     
     
         13 . The machine vision control system of  claim 9  further including at least one remote input/output unit connected to the main processor for at least receiving transmissions from the main processor.  
     
     
         14 . 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.    
     
     
         15 . The machine vision control system of  claim 14  further including at least one analog video camera connected to the communication hub.  
     
     
         16 . 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.    
     
     
         17 . 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.    
     
     
         18 . 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.  
   
     
     
         19 . The communication hub of  claim 18  further including a control circuit for directly communicating with at least one input/output device.  
     
     
         20 . 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.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further including the steps of; 
 transmitting a high priority digital signal packet comprising a header having a high priority identifier from a camera to the communication hub;  
 interrupting a digital signal packet being transmitted by the communication hub to the main processor in response to the high priority digital signal packet and transmitting the high priority digital signal packet from the communication hub to the main processor; and  
 completing the transmission of the interrupted digital signal packet.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further including the steps of; 
 transmitting a digital signal packet from one of the remote video cameras where the destination address is an address corresponding to the communication hub;    evaluating the destination address identifier at the communication hub; and    responding to the digital signal packet with the communication hub.    
     
     
         23 . 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.    
     
     
         24 . 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.