JP2009238139A - Information processing apparatus, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of substantially lowering a processing load of a management device following change of a processing configuration of information processing apparatuses operating in parallel with each other in comparison with constant reference. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus is characterized in that it has a working condition recording part 12 storing a working condition of itself, a processing configuration storing part 15 storing a processing configuration of itself with respect to a request regarding information processing, a processing executing part 17 carrying out information processing responding to the processing configuration of itself on the basis of the request, a request receiving part 11 receiving requests, a working condition reference part 13 referring to the working condition of itself stored in the working condition storing part 12 after request reception, a management device reference part 14 referring to a processing configuration managed by a management device 20 managing processing configurations with respect to information processing when the working condition is other than normal, and a processing configuration changing part 16 changing the processing configuration of itself stored in an information configuration storing part 15 into a processing configuration referred to by the management device reference part 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to information processing technology, and more particularly to technology for reducing the processing load of an information processing apparatus.

  In the field of information processing technology, an information processing system including a plurality of information processing apparatuses operating in parallel is known. As an information processing device that operates in parallel, for example, an information processing device that transmits a predetermined processing result in response to an information processing request from an automatic teller machine (hereinafter referred to as ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)) of a financial institution. There is. Further, the information processing apparatus may change its processing mode (hereinafter referred to as processing mode) when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the case of the information processing apparatus for the above-described ATM, transmission of a processing result for changing a fee from a predetermined time is applicable.

When changing the processing mode of an information processing device, the processing mode of each information processing device is referred to as an information processing device other than itself (hereinafter referred to as a management device) in order to suppress an error in the timing of changing the processing mode of each information processing device. ). As the simplest embodiment, it is conceivable to always refer to the management apparatus that manages the original copy of the “processing form” every time the process occurs.
In relation to this form, two areas for storing common information in the electronic computer system are formed, and by referring to these areas alternately for reference processing when common information is changed by the common information reference program, A technique for suppressing interruption of reference processing has been considered.

JP-A-5-225076

  However, in the above technique, although the “processing form” itself is not frequently updated, a reference to the management apparatus is always generated for each transaction. Therefore, even if the “processing form” is not switched to the transaction peak time zone, the management device needs to have the performance of driving traffic in the transaction peak time zone. In addition, each information processing device always has a high processing cost because a reference to the management device always occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the processing load of the management apparatus accompanying the change in the processing mode of the information processing apparatuses operating in parallel is significantly larger than in the case of constant reference. An object is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method disclosed in this specification are an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a management apparatus that manages a processing mode for information processing via a communication network. The processing device accepts an operation state change request from the management device, and changes its own operation state during switching, which is stored in the storage means for storing its own operation state and its processing mode for information processing requests. Then, a request for information processing is accepted, and after accepting the request, the self-operation state stored in the storage means is referred to. When the operation state stored in the storage unit is other than normal, the processing mode managed by the management device is referred to, and the processing mode managed by the management device is stored in the storage unit. If they are different, the processing mode stored in the storage unit is changed to a processing mode managed by the management device, and the operating state stored in the storage unit is changed to normal and stored in the storage unit. When the operating mode is normal, or the processing mode stored in the storage unit is the same as the processing mode managed by the management device, the processing mode stored in the storage unit is requested for the received information processing. The processing in the processing form is executed. Further, the information processing program disclosed in this specification causes the information processing apparatus to execute these processes.

  According to this, the information processing apparatus determines whether or not to refer to the management apparatus according to its own operating state, and when the reference is made to the management apparatus, the processing forms of both apparatuses are different. , Change its own processing mode to the processing mode of the management device.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the information processing program disclosed in this specification, the processing load of the management apparatus accompanying the change in the processing mode of the information processing apparatus operating in parallel is compared with the case of constant reference. Therefore, it is possible to greatly reduce.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 and a management apparatus 20, and the information processing apparatus 10 and the management apparatus 20 are connected to each other via a network 30 so that they can communicate with each other. The connection form may be either wired or wireless, but wired is desirable from the viewpoint of ensuring communication stability.

  The information processing apparatus 10 operates in parallel with each information processing apparatus 10. Here, the parallel operation means that the information processing apparatuses 10 operate independently and almost simultaneously. As the information processing apparatus 10, requests regarding information processing transmitted from the above-mentioned ATMs or point-of-sale (POS) terminals used at retail stores, automatic ticketing machines such as railway operators, ship operators, air operators, etc. There is a device to process.

  The management device 20 manages the processing mode of each information processing device 10. As a specific example, each information processing apparatus 10 is connected, and its processing form is transmitted to each information processing apparatus 10 in a predetermined case. The processing form managed by the management apparatus 20 can be changed by receiving various types of information transmitted from devices other than the information processing apparatus 10 and the management apparatus 20.

  The above-described information processing apparatus 10 is a so-called computer, that is, as shown in FIG. 2, a processing apparatus 10a such as a CPU, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic RAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), NVRAM This is realized by a hardware configuration in which a RAM 10b such as (Non Volatile RAM), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c such as a flash memory, and an I / F 10d for controlling input / output are connected by a bus 10e.

  Therefore, the function of each device is realized by the CPU 10a reading a required program stored in a storage device such as the RAM 10b or the ROM 10c and performing an operation according to the program. The management device 20 has the same configuration. In addition, as such a program, it can be set as the program according to the flowchart mentioned later. Further, if necessary, various devices related to the computer such as a hard disk may be connected to the bus 10e.

Next, details of the information processing apparatus 10 and the management apparatus 20 described above will be described.
First, the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the main configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is an example of a storage form in the operating state storage unit 13 and an example of a storage form in the processing form storage unit 16.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a request reception unit 11, an operation state storage unit 12, an operation state reference unit 13, a management device reference unit 14, a processing form storage unit 15, a processing form change unit 16, and a process execution. Part 17 and the like. Note that all of these units may be covered with a single casing or the like, or a part thereof may be covered with a casing or the like, and a system that communicates with other units may be used. The same applies to the management device 20 described later.

  The request reception unit 11 receives a request regarding information processing. Examples of information processing requests include withdrawal requests and transfer requests for ATMs, and ticket issuing requests for automatic ticketing machines. Upon accepting the request, the request accepting unit 11 transmits the request to the process executing unit 17 and transmits a request to the operating state reference unit 13.

  The operating state storage unit 12 stores the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 4, an operation state “normal” and “switching” and a determination flag “1” for determining which state is the current operation state are stored. This determination flag is rewritten and stored from the “normal” side to the “switching” side when the information processing apparatus 10 receives switching information regarding switching of the determination flag from the management device 20. Note that the operating state “switching” means that the processing mode of the information processing apparatus 10 is scheduled to be switched soon.

  When receiving the request from the request receiving unit 11, the operating state reference unit 13 refers to the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10 stored in the operating state storage unit 12. The operating state reference unit 13 changes processing according to the reference result. For example, when the operation state for the determination flag “1” in the operation state storage unit 12 is “switching”, that fact is transmitted to the management device reference unit 14, and when it is “normal”, the process is executed. The fact is transmitted to the unit 17.

  The management device reference unit 14 refers to the processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 21 of the management device 20 by inquiring the processing mode to the management device 20 and obtaining a response. Then, the processing form obtained by reference is transmitted to the processing form changing unit 16. For example, when the processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 21 of the management device 20 is “night mode”, the processing mode “night mode” is transmitted.

  The processing form storage unit 15 stores a processing form related to information processing. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 5, a processing flag “day mode” and a “night mode” and a determination flag “1” for determining which processing mode is the current processing mode are set. Remember. This determination flag is rewritten and stored according to the determination result of the processing form changing unit 16. The information processing apparatus 10 performs information processing according to this processing form.

  The above-described processing modes “daytime mode” and “night mode” mean an operation time zone of the information processing apparatus 10. What is necessary is just to design suitably from what time to what time each operation time zone of "daytime mode" and "night mode". In addition to these processing forms, there are various processing forms. For example, in the case of a financial institution, even if the processing form is divided into a “pre-closing mode” in which the operation related to the accounting account of the business can be performed within the day and a “post-closing mode” in which this operation cannot be performed. Good. Processing forms may be divided into day of the week, date, etc., such as “non-business day mode” which is Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday and “business day mode” which is a day other than these days. Due to the change in the processing mode, for example, the processing is limited, the presence or absence of a fee such as a fee occurs, or the fee increases or decreases.

  The processing mode changing unit 16 refers to the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15, and the processing mode transmitted from the management apparatus reference unit 14 is the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15. If the current processing mode is different from the current processing mode, the current processing mode is changed to the processing mode transmitted from the management apparatus 20. For example, while the processing mode transmitted from the management device reference unit 14 is “night mode”, the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15 is “daytime mode” as shown in FIG. ”, The determination flag is changed from the“ daytime mode ”side to the“ nighttime mode ”side. After this change, it is desirable to quickly return the own operating state from “switching” to “normal”. When the processing form changing unit 16 completes its own processing regardless of whether or not there is a change, the processing form changing unit 16 transmits the fact to the processing executing unit 17.

  Based on the request described above, the process execution unit 17 executes information processing according to the current process form stored in the process form storage unit 15. When the operational state reference unit 13 transmits that the operational state is “normal”, the management apparatus reference unit 14 and the processing form changing unit 16 are not functioned, and information processing according to the current processing form is executed. To do. On the other hand, when the processing form changing unit 16 sends a message indicating that the processing is completed, information processing is executed according to the current processing form, that is, the processing form when the processing is not changed or the changed processing form. .

Next, the management apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating the main configuration of the management apparatus 20.
As shown in FIG. 6, the management device 20 includes a processing form storage unit 21, a change instruction reception unit 22, and the like. In addition, a timer (not shown) may be provided as necessary.

The processing form storage unit 21 stores processing forms shared by the information processing apparatuses 10.
The storage form of the processing form storage unit 21 is the same as the storage form shown in FIG. Therefore, each information processing apparatus 10 determines whether or not the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 21 is different from the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15. Whether to change the processing mode of the unit 15 is determined.

  For example, the change instruction receiving unit 22 transmits switching information to each information processing apparatus 10 when a predetermined time is reached. In addition, the current processing mode of the processing mode storage unit 21 is changed by receiving various types of information transmitted from devices other than the information processing apparatus 10 and the management apparatus 20. For example, when the processing mode storage unit 21 stores the current processing mode as “daytime mode” and receives change information indicating that the mode is changed to “night mode” from the above-described device, the processing mode determination flag Is changed from the “daytime mode” side to the “nighttime mode” side. It is desirable that the change information reception time be after the switching information transmission time.

  Next, the operation of the information processing system configured as described above will be described separately for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and the operation of the management apparatus 20.

First, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing apparatus 10, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing result.

  When the request receiving unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives a request regarding information processing (step S1) as shown in FIG. 7, the operating state reference unit 13 stores its own operating state stored in the operating state storage unit 12. (Step S2), it is determined whether or not it is “normal” (step S3). Then, as shown in (1) of FIG. 8, when it is determined that the operating state of the information processing apparatus 10 is “normal”, the fact is transmitted to the process execution unit 17. The process execution unit 17 transmits to the process execution unit 17 that the operation state is “normal” without performing the processes of steps S4 to S7 described later.

  On the other hand, when the operation state reference unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 determines that the operation state is not “normal”, the operation state reference unit 13 transmits the information to the management device reference unit 14. The management device reference unit 14 of the information processing device 10 refers to the processing mode of the management device 20 and transmits it to the processing mode change unit 16 (step S4). For example, as shown in (2) of FIG. 8, when the operation state stored in the operation state storage unit 12 of the information processing apparatus 10 is “switching”, the management apparatus 20 is inquired about the processing form, and this By obtaining an inquiry response, the “daytime mode” stored in the processing mode storage unit 21 of the management apparatus 20 is referred to and transmitted to the processing mode changing unit 16. The information processing apparatus 10 appropriately stores a processing mode related to the reference result by the management apparatus reference unit 14.

  Next, the processing mode changing unit 16 of the information processing apparatus 10 refers to the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15, and the processing mode and processing of the management device 20 transmitted from the operating state reference unit 13. It is determined whether the current processing form stored in the form storage unit 15 is the same or different (step S5). As shown in (2) of FIG. 8, the processing mode of the management apparatus 20 transmitted from the operating state reference unit 13 is “daytime mode”, whereas the current mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15 When the processing mode is “daytime mode”, it is determined that the processing mode is the same, and the processing end is transmitted to the processing execution unit 17 without performing the processing of steps S6 and S7 described later.

  On the other hand, when the processing mode changing unit 16 of the information processing device 10 determines that the processing mode of the management device 20 transmitted from the operating state reference unit 13 and the current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15 are different. The current processing mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15 is changed to the processing mode of the management device 20 transmitted from the operating state reference unit 13 (step S6) and stored in the operating state storage unit 12 The operating state is changed, and the process end is transmitted to the process execution unit 17 (step S7).

  For example, as shown in (3) of FIG. 8, the processing mode of the management device 20 transmitted from the operating state reference unit 13 is “night mode”, whereas the processing mode storage unit 15 of the information processing device 10 stores When the stored current processing mode is “daytime mode”, the processing mode changing unit 16 of the information processing apparatus 10 stores the current mode stored in the processing mode storage unit 15 as shown in (4) of FIG. The processing mode “daytime mode” is changed to the processing mode “night mode” of the management apparatus 20 transmitted from the operating state reference unit 13, and as shown in FIG. 8 (5), the operating state storage unit 12 is changed to “normal” and the process end is transmitted to the process execution unit 17.

  The process execution unit 17 of the information processing apparatus 10 refers to the current process form stored in the process form storage unit 15 when any of the above-described steps S3, S5, or S7 is completed (step S8). ), Information processing corresponding to the processing mode is executed (step S9). Therefore, the processing execution unit 17 of the information processing apparatus 10 performs information processing according to its own processing form synchronized with the processing form of the management apparatus 20 even when the operation state is “switching”. In addition, since the management apparatus reference unit 14 of each information processing apparatus 10 receives a request and refers to the management apparatus 20 when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the management apparatus 20 receives information from the information processing apparatus 10. Switching from the load of synchronous processing that satisfies the peak and the number of all the information processing devices 10 as compared to the case of being always referred to or the case of being referred to all at a predetermined switching time regardless of the occurrence of information processing. It is possible to achieve reliable synchronization of processing mode switching while reducing the load of synchronization processing for the information processing apparatus 10 that does not generate information processing at the timing.

Next, the operation of the management apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management apparatus 20.

  For example, when the change instruction receiving unit 22 of the management device 20 reaches a predetermined time (step S21), the change instruction reception unit 22 transmits switching information so that each information processing device 10 is informed of the change of its processing mode (step S21). S22). At this time, in order to prevent reference from each information processing apparatus 10, it is desirable to apply exclusive control to its own processing form storage unit 21.

  Next, when receiving the change information (step S23), the change instruction receiving unit 22 of the management device 20 changes its own processing mode according to the change information (step S24). Thereby, even if it refers from each information processing apparatus 10, the processing form after a change is reflected.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the process similar to each process in operation | movement of the information processing apparatus 10 shown by FIG. 7, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The process in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a process (step S10) for determining whether the change time has arrived by the management apparatus reference unit 14 between the process in step S3 and the process in step S4. This is different from the first embodiment.

  With this processing, the management device reference unit 14 of the information processing device 10 does not need to refer to the processing mode managed by the management device 20 until the time when the processing mode is changed. Therefore, the processing load of the management apparatus 20 accompanying the change in the processing mode of the information processing apparatus 10 is reduced as compared with the case where there is no change. The determination of the change time may include the change time information related to the change time in the switching information transmitted from the management device 20, and the information processing device 10 may include a timer. The information processing apparatus 10 may determine by comparing the time measurement result of its own time measuring unit with the change time of the change time information. In this case, instead of notifying the change time, a plurality of information processing devices are notified by notifying the time measured from the current time so as to be a predetermined time before the change time can be absorbed. It is possible to absorb the error of time measurement by the time measuring unit at 10.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments according to the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible. For example, the program of the present invention may be provided by communication means or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The operation state storage unit 12 and the processing mode storage unit 15 described above may be logically divided by one storage device or may be physically divided by two storage devices. Further, the information stored in these storage units 12 and 15 is not limited to the information described above, and various information may be stored as necessary.

1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which illustrates the hardware constitutions of information processing apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which illustrates the principal part composition of an information processor. It is an example of the memory | storage form in an operation state memory | storage part. It is an example of the memory | storage form in a process form memory | storage part. It is a functional block diagram which illustrates the principal part composition of a management device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of information processing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a process result. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of information processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Information processing apparatus 10a CPU
10b RAM
10c ROM
10d I / F
10e bus 11 request receiving unit 12 operating state storage unit 13 operating state reference unit 14 management device reference unit 15 processing mode storage unit 16 processing mode changing unit 17 processing execution unit 20 management device 21 processing mode storage unit 22 change instruction receiving unit 30 network

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus that can be connected to a management apparatus that manages a processing mode for information processing via a communication network,
Storage means for storing a self-processing state with respect to a request relating to a self-operation state and information processing;
An operation status change unit that receives an operation state change request from the management device, and that is stored in the storage unit and changes its own operation state during switching;
Accepting means for accepting a request regarding the information processing;
A first reference means for referring to the operation state of the device stored in the storage means after receiving the request by the receiving means;
Second reference means for referring to a processing form managed by the management device when the operation state stored in the storage means is other than normal;
When the processing form managed by the management device is different from the self processing form stored in the storage means, the self processing form stored in the storage means is changed to the processing form managed by the management apparatus, and Processing mode changing means for changing the operating state of the device stored in the storage means to normal;
When the operation mode stored in the storage unit is normal, or when the processing mode stored in the storage unit and the processing mode managed by the management device are the same, the processing mode stored in the storage unit is An information processing apparatus comprising: a processing mode setting unit that sets a processing mode of a request related to information processing received by the receiving unit.   The second reference means refers to the processing mode managed by the management apparatus after the time when the operation mode should be changed after the operation state is other than normal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An information processing apparatus that can be connected to a management apparatus that manages a processing mode for information processing via a communication network,
An operation status change for accepting an operation status change request from the management device and storing the own operation status and information processing request in response to a request for changing the operation status during switching. Steps,
A reception step for receiving a request for the information processing;
A first reference step of referring to the operating state of the device stored in the storage unit after receiving the request in the receiving step;
A second reference step of referring to a processing form managed by the management device when the operation state of the device stored in the storage unit is other than normal;
When the processing form managed by the management device is different from the self processing form stored in the storage means, the self processing form stored in the storage means is changed to the processing form managed by the management apparatus, and A processing mode changing step for changing the operating state of the device stored in the storage means to normal;
When the operation mode stored in the storage unit is normal, or when the processing mode stored in the storage unit and the processing mode managed by the management device are the same, the processing mode stored in the storage unit is An information processing method comprising: executing a processing form setting step as a processing form of a request related to information processing received in the receiving step.   The second reference step is a case where the operation state is other than normal, and the management device manages the management apparatus after the time when the processing mode stored in the storage means should be changed. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein a processing form is referred to. An information processing apparatus that can be connected to a management apparatus that manages a processing mode for information processing via a communication network.
An operation status change for accepting an operation status change request from the management device and storing the own operation status and information processing request in response to a request for changing the operation status during switching. Steps,
A reception step for receiving a request for the information processing;
A first reference step of referring to the operating state stored in the storage means after receiving a request in the receiving step;
A second reference step of referring to a processing form managed by the management device when the operation state of the device stored in the storage unit is other than normal;
When the processing form managed by the management device is different from the self processing form stored in the storage means, the self processing form stored in the storage means is changed to the processing form managed by the management apparatus, and A processing mode changing step for changing the operating state of the device stored in the storage means to normal;
When the operation mode stored in the storage unit is normal, or when the processing mode stored in the storage unit and the processing mode managed by the management device are the same, the processing mode stored in the storage unit is An information processing program for executing a processing form setting step as a processing form of a request related to information processing received in the receiving step. The second reference step is a case where the operation state is other than normal, and the management device manages the management apparatus after the time when the processing mode stored in the storage means should be changed. 6. The information processing program according to claim 5, wherein a processing form is referred to.

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