JP5279342B2 - Information processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing method and apparatus for processing data such as moving images, sounds, still images, and text information.

  In recent years, various moving image and still image display devices such as a liquid crystal display and a plasma display have been used due to the advancement of electronic device technology. Furthermore, due to advances in semiconductor technology and information technology, display devices that can display higher-definition and higher-quality images using the display device can be used. In addition, the display device can be purchased at a relatively low price, and it is not uncommon for one or more display devices to be installed and used in a workplace or house room.

  Conventionally, the information to be displayed is what is sent in the form of broadcasting, and the viewer selects from several pieces of information sent at the same time, or the playback device directly connected to the display device It was sent from. However, with the advancement of digital technology and network technology, various information such as information acquired from the Internet and information from video recorders owned by individuals have been used as information to be displayed. In addition, opportunities to display these various information at various bases have increased.

At this time, there are cases where all the information displayed for each device is different, such as video on demand, or there is no temporal synchronization even with the same information. On the other hand, there is a method of displaying the same information such as broadcasting and information at the same time. Patent Document 1 describes that the amount of communication is optimized by dynamically changing the packet format.
JP-A-11-225168

  Even if the input image information is the same, an optimal display process is required depending on the display device to be displayed. This display process has an optimal form and parameter for each device. Also, the display size varies. In general, in the case of analog broadcasting, it is possible to easily display the same information on a plurality of display devices by receiving radio waves, amplifying and demultiplexing as necessary. However, in digital communication using a network, it is often the case that a sender basically sends information to a specific receiver in response to a transmission request. Therefore, a shortage of communication capacity becomes a problem due to an increase in display size, an increase in information to be displayed, and an increase in display information differences among viewers.

  Insufficient communication capacity can be resolved by increasing the number of communication channels and developing higher performance channels, but by reducing the amount of information to be communicated by devising ways of sending and processing information. Can be resolved. Further, in communication using a network, it becomes difficult to output time-series output processing such as moving images and audio in synchronization with a plurality of display devices. This is because the delay of the communication path from the information source to the display device may vary greatly between the devices, and various processes and devices are required to absorb the delay.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by devising how to send information and reducing the amount of information to be communicated, the final processing result is more efficiently synchronized and output by a plurality of output devices. The purpose is to make it possible.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An information processing apparatus of an information processing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a plurality of processing units are connected,
Receiving means for receiving processing data to be pipelined by the plurality of processing units;
The information processing apparatus that has received the processed data whether or not the received processed data is to be output to the external information processing apparatus processed data processed by the first processing unit among the plurality of processing units. Determining means for determining based on an output amount of processed data from each of the plurality of processing units;
Output means for outputting data processed by the first processing unit to the external information processing apparatus in response to the determination.

In addition, a method for controlling an information processing device according to an aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object is as follows.
An information processing method performed by an information processing apparatus of an information processing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a plurality of processing units are connected,
A receiving step for receiving processing data to be pipelined by the plurality of processing units; and
The determining means receives the processed data as to whether or not the received processed data is to be output to the external information processing apparatus processed data processed by the first processing unit among the plurality of processing units. A determination step for determining based on an output amount of processed data from each of the plurality of processing units of the information processing apparatus;
An output step of outputting data processed by the first processing unit to the external information processing apparatus in response to the determination.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to output the final processing result in synchronization with a plurality of output devices more efficiently.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a processing system using this embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an external communication unit 101 exchanges moving image information and audio information to be processed with the outside of the information processing apparatus. The external communication unit 101 is connected to a network by TCP / IP and communicates with an external device. The external communication unit 101 is responsible for transmitting the received data to the information processing apparatus and the processed data to the external apparatus via a network or the like. That is, the external communication unit 101 transmits / receives processing data to / from an external device.

  The pipeline processing unit 102 executes pipeline processing by a plurality of arithmetic processing units, such as decoding necessary for displaying moving images and outputting sound, changing the display size, and processing according to device characteristics. It has the structure which can perform a process sequentially in parallel. The path changing unit 103 inputs the data received by the external communication unit 101 to any of the arithmetic processing in the pipeline processing unit 102 that is pipelined, and externally communicates any of the data output by each arithmetic processing The unit 101 selects to transmit. That is, in the pipeline processing, the path changing unit 103 is between the input processing unit and the first stage arithmetic processing unit, between the arithmetic processing unit and the arithmetic processing unit, and between the final stage arithmetic processing unit and the output processing unit. Has a route changing unit (1031 to 1034 in FIG. 2). Each path changing unit, for example, sends the data processed by the previous arithmetic processing unit to the next arithmetic processing unit or the external communication unit 101, or the data input to the next arithmetic processing unit. The data is switched between data from the external communication unit 101 and data from the preceding arithmetic processing unit.

The route determination unit 104 determines which arithmetic processing the data received by the external communication unit 101 by the route change unit 103 is input to, and which arithmetic processing output is transmitted by the external communication unit 101. More specifically, the path determination unit 104 changes the data path switching by each of the path changing units based on the data input / output amounts of the preceding arithmetic processing unit and the next arithmetic processing unit. When a plurality of information processing apparatuses 100 according to the present embodiment are connected to the network , the overall route determination unit 105 determines which route is selected from among the processing route combinations realized by these. Note that the entire route determination unit 105 is an option, and may not be used to implement the present invention.

  The input processing unit 106 performs input processing for inputting moving images and audio data. For example, the input processing unit 106 performs input processing when a video camera is connected to the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. Note that the input processing unit 106 is also an option, and may not be necessary to implement the present invention. For example, when a display is connected to the present invention, the output processing unit 107 performs a process of outputting video data to the display. The output processing unit 107 is also an option, and may not be necessary to implement the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a processing system according to this embodiment.

  Reference numerals 1021, 1022, and 1023 represent the pipeline processing unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 in detail. Each of the first arithmetic processing unit (first arithmetic processing unit) and the second arithmetic processing unit (second arithmetic processing unit). ), And represents the third (third arithmetic processing unit) of the arithmetic processing. In the present embodiment, the pipelined pipeline processing unit 102 composed of the three arithmetic processing units is used. However, the number of arithmetic processing units is not limited to three but may be one or more. Reference numerals 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, and 1036 represent the route changing unit 103 shown in FIG. 1 in detail.

  The first path changing unit 1031 selects whether to use the output of the input processing unit 106 or the data received by the external communication unit 101 as the input of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021. The first route changing unit 1031 selects whether the output of the input processing unit 106 is transmitted by the external communication unit 101 or the first arithmetic processing unit 1021.

  Similarly, the second path changing unit 1032 selects whether to use the output of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 or the data received by the external communication unit 101 as the input of the second arithmetic processing unit 1022. The second path changing unit 1032 selects whether the output of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 is transmitted by the external communication unit 101 or the second arithmetic processing unit 1022.

  Similarly, the third path changing unit 1033 selects whether to use the output of the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 or the data received by the external communication unit 101 as the input of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023. The third path changing unit 1033 selects whether the output of the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted by the external communication unit 101 or the third arithmetic processing unit 1023.

  Similarly, the fourth path changing unit 1034 selects whether to use the output of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 or the data received by the external communication unit 101 as the input of the output processing unit 107. The fourth path changing unit 1034 selects whether the output of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted by the external communication unit 101 or the output processing unit 107.

  The fifth path changing unit 1035 selects whether the data received by the external communication unit 101 is transmitted to any of the first to fourth path changing units 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, or not to be transmitted anywhere. The sixth path changing unit 1036 selects any one of the outputs of the input processing unit 106 and the first to third arithmetic processing units 1021 to 1023 as data to be transmitted by the external communication unit 101, or selects none of them. To decide.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes an external communication mechanism to which the information processing apparatus 100 is connected, and the information processing apparatus 100 transmits and receives input / output data for arithmetic processing of display data. The external communication mechanism 201 for connecting an external device can be realized by, for example, a network using a TCP / IP protocol or communication between devices using a PCI bus. The display data transmitting apparatus 202 is connected to the external communication mechanism 201 and transmits display data that is output by performing arithmetic processing by the information processing apparatus 100. The display data receiving device 203 is connected to the external communication mechanism 201 and receives display data that is processed and output by the information processing device 100.

  The input device 204 is directly connected to the information processing apparatus 100 and transmits data to be subjected to arithmetic processing. The input device 204 communicates with the input processing unit 106 and transmits data. The input processing unit 106 appropriately shapes the input data so that the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 can process it, and outputs the data to the first path changing unit 1031. The output device 205 is directly connected to the information processing apparatus 100, and displays and outputs the data processed by the information processing apparatus 100. The output device 205 communicates with the output processing unit 107 and receives data.

Next, control of connection of data processing paths in the information processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, connection control when data to be processed is transmitted from the input device 204 and received by the output device 205 and / or the display data receiving device 203 will be described.

  The data transmitted from the input device 204 is processed and output by the input processing unit 106. When transmitting the result to the display data receiving device 203, the first route changing unit 1031 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected, and data is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203 via the external communication unit 101.

  On the other hand, when transmitting the result of the calculation processing up to the first calculation processing unit 1021 to the display data receiving device 203, the second route changing unit 1032 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result data of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203 via the external communication unit 101. At this time, the input processing unit 106 and the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 are connected by the first path changing unit 1031, and data output from the input processing unit 106 is input to the first arithmetic processing unit 1021.

  In the case where the result obtained up to the arithmetic processing by the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the third route changing unit 1033 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result data of the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203 via the external communication unit 101. At this time, the input processing unit 106 and the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 are connected by the first path changing unit 1031, and the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 are connected by the second path changing unit 1032.

  In the case where the result of the arithmetic processing performed by the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the fourth path changing unit 1034 and the sixth path changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result data of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203 via the external communication unit 101. At this time, the input processing unit 106 and the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 are connected by the first path changing unit 1031, and the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 are connected by the second path changing unit 1032. Further, the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 are connected by the third path changing unit 1033.

  In the case where the result of the arithmetic processing by the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the output device 205, the input processing unit 106 and the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 are connected by the first path changing unit 1031. Further, the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 are connected by the second path changing unit 1032, and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 are connected by the third path changing unit 1033. Further, the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 and the output processing unit 107 are connected by the fourth path changing unit 1034, and the output processing unit 107 transmits the data processed by the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 to the output device 205. . At this time, a path connection to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed, and data transmission to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed together.

  Next, connection control when data to be processed is transmitted from the display data transmitting device 202 and the processed data is received by the output device 205 and / or the display data receiving device 203 will be described.

  Data transmitted from the display data transmitting apparatus 202 is received by the external communication unit 101. When the data received by the external communication unit 101 is processed from the first arithmetic processing unit 1021, the fifth path changing unit 1035 and the first path changing unit 1031 are connected, and the data is transmitted to the first arithmetic processing unit 1021. Is done.

  At this time, when the result of the calculation processing up to the first calculation processing unit 1021 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the second route changing unit 1032 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 is transmitted to the outside (for example, the display data receiving device 203) via the external communication unit 101.

  Alternatively, in the case where the result of the processing up to the arithmetic processing by the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the third route changing unit 1033 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result of the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted to the outside (for example, the display data receiving device 203) via the external communication unit 101. At this time, the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 are connected by the second path changing unit 1032.

  Alternatively, in the case where the result of the arithmetic processing performed by the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the fourth route changing unit 1034 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the outside (for example, the display data receiving device 203) via the external communication unit 101. At this time, the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 are connected by the second path changing unit 1032, and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 are connected by the third path changing unit 1033.

  When transmitting data to the output device 205, the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 and the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 are connected by the second path changing unit 1032. Further, the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 are connected by the third path changing unit 1033, and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 and the output processing unit 107 are connected by the fourth path changing unit 1034, and the output processing unit 107 is connected. The data processed by is transmitted to the output device 205. At this time, a route connection to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed by the fourth route changing unit 1034 and the sixth route changing unit 1036, and data transmission to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed together.

  In the case where the data received by the external communication unit 101 is processed from the second arithmetic processing unit 1022, the fifth route changing unit 1035 and the second route changing unit 1032 are connected. Thus, the data received by the external communication unit 101 is transmitted to the second arithmetic processing unit 1022.

  At this time, when the result obtained up to the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the third route changing unit 1033 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result of the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 is transmitted to the outside (for example, the display data receiving device 203) via the external communication unit 101.

  Further, when the result of the processing up to the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the fourth route changing unit 1034 and the sixth route changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the outside (for example, the display data receiving device 203) via the external communication unit 101. At this time, the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 are connected by the third path changing unit 1033.

  When transmitting data to the output device 205, the second arithmetic processing unit 1022 and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 are operated by the third path changing unit 1033, and the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 and the output processing unit 107 are processed by the fourth path. Connected by the changing unit 1034. In this way, the processing result of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is supplied to the output processing unit 107, and the data processed by the output processing unit 107 is transmitted to the output device 205. At this time, a path connection to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed, and data transmission to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed together.

  In the case where the data received by the external communication unit 101 is processed from the third arithmetic processing unit 1023, the fifth route changing unit 1035 and the third route changing unit 1033 are connected. Thus, the data received by the external communication unit 101 is transmitted to the third arithmetic processing unit 1023.

  At this time, when the calculation processing result by the third calculation processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the display data receiving device 203, the fourth path changing unit 1034 and the sixth path changing unit 1036 are connected. In this way, the processing result of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is transmitted to the outside (for example, the display data receiving device 203) via the external communication unit 101.

  When transmitting data to the output device 205, the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 and the output processing unit 107 are connected by the fourth path changing unit 1034. In this way, the processing result of the third arithmetic processing unit 1023 is supplied to the output processing unit 107, and the data processed by the output processing unit 107 is transmitted to the output device 205. At this time, a path connection to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed, and data transmission to the display data receiving device 203 may be performed together.

  Further, when processing the data received by the external communication unit 101 from the output processing unit 107, the fifth path changing unit 1035 and the fourth path changing unit 1034 are connected. Thus, the data received by the external communication unit 101 is transmitted to the output processing unit 107. Then, the data processed by the output processing means is transmitted to the output device 205.

  Next, a processing flow according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the arithmetic processing units 1021, 1022, 1023, the input processing unit 106, and the output processing unit 107 are set. Here, parameters such as the processing method and operation mode of each arithmetic processing unit are determined (step S1). Next, the path determination unit 104 determines a data processing path and connects the processing paths (step S2). Then, each arithmetic processing unit is activated (step S3).

  After the setting, connection, and activation of the arithmetic processing are completed, the external communication unit 101 is set and activated in order to receive data from the display data transmitting device 202 and transmit data to the display data receiving device 203 (step S4). Here, when the input device 204 is connected, the input device 204 is set and started. When the output device 205 is connected, the output device 205 is set and started (step S5).

  As described above, preparations for data processing, communication, and input / output are completed, and the external communication unit 101 or the input processing unit 106 starts receiving input data (step S6). The input data is subjected to arithmetic processing according to the connection determined in step S2, and is sequentially transmitted as output data (step S7). The route determination unit 104 changes the route when it is necessary to change the route of data transfer during the execution of data reception, transmission, and arithmetic processing (step S8). The process ends when the output and transmission of data are completed.

Next, a method for determining a connection path for data transfer by the path determination unit 104 in step S2 of FIG. 3 will be described.
In the present embodiment, any one of the following five processes is performed as a route determination method.

  The first processing form is a method of determining a route based on a known input data amount and output data amount and a judgment criterion. When the input data amount and output data amount of each process are known in advance, a determination criterion is created based on the values and stored in the memory of the route determination unit 104. The route determination unit 104 determines a route based on the stored determination criteria.

  In addition, when the input data amount and output data amount of each process changes depending on the setting of the processing mode, a determination criterion based on the input data amount and output data amount for each processing mode should be prepared in the route determination unit 104. Good. In this case, the route determination unit 104 switches the determination criterion according to the mode switching. As described above, when the input data amount and the output data amount change depending on the setting of the processing mode or the like, the dynamic connection path can be changed according to the mode switching. At this time, when setting the mode of each processing unit via the external communication unit 101, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first to third arithmetic processing units 1021 to 1023 via the route determination unit 104. And the communication between the external communication unit 101 may be realized. Here, each processing unit is each of the input processing unit 106, the first to third arithmetic processing units 1021 to 1023, and the output processing unit 107. With such a configuration, each arithmetic processing unit can easily obtain a mode value to be set.

  The second processing form is a method in which the route is determined based on the set determination criteria after the input, output data amount and determination criteria of each processing are set from the outside. In this case, the input of each process, the output data amount, and the determination criterion are set in the storage unit included in the route determination unit 104 via the external communication unit 101. Then, the route determination unit 104 determines a route based on the input of each process stored in the storage unit, the output data amount, and the determination criteria.

  At this time, when the setting of the processing mode of each process is made a part of the determination criterion, the configuration of FIG. 4 may be adopted. According to the configuration of FIG. 4, the route determination unit 104 can easily obtain the setting of the processing mode of each arithmetic processing unit, and the processing mode of each arithmetic processing unit can be made a part of the determination criterion. .

  In the third processing mode, the amount of input and output data of each process is predicted using values such as the processing mode and the elapsed time from the start of the process, and the path is determined based on the determination criterion using the predicted value. Is the method. The amount of input and output data for each process is predicted as the process progresses, and the path is determined based on the value.

  At this time, when setting the processing mode of each process to be a part of the criterion, the configuration of FIG. 4 may be adopted as described above. According to the configuration of FIG. 4, the route determination unit 104 can easily obtain the setting of the processing mode of each arithmetic processing unit, and the processing mode of each arithmetic processing unit can be made a part of the determination criterion. .

  The fourth processing form is a method of measuring the input and output data amount of each processing unit (input processing unit, arithmetic processing unit, output processing unit), and determining a route based on a determination criterion using the measured value. It is. The amount of input and output data for each process is measured as the process progresses, and the path determination unit 104 determines a path based on the measurement result.

  At this time, a configuration for measuring the input and output data amounts of each process is required. The configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 in this case is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, measuring units 1081 to 1084 for measuring the amount of data are connected to the first to fourth path changing units 1031 to 1034, respectively. Then, the input and output data amounts of each process are measured by integrating the transfer data amounts within a certain processing period.

  The fifth processing form is a method of setting a route directly from the outside. In this case, route connection information is set in the storage unit in the route determination unit 104 via the external communication unit 101. Then, the route determination unit 104 executes route connection using the route connection information.

  In addition to the processing by the route determination unit 104, the entire route determination unit 105 is used as a connection path for data transfer when the data processing is performed by sharing a plurality of information processing apparatuses 100.

  In the process of step S <b> 2 in FIG. 3, first, the entire path determination unit 105 of each information processing apparatus 100 communicates with the entire path determination unit 105 of another information processing apparatus via the external communication unit 101. Then, based on information such as settings in each information processing apparatus 100, data processing sharing by each processing apparatus is determined, and in conjunction with the path determination unit 104, a route is selected and a connection is changed.

Next, an example of a criterion for determining and changing a connection route is shown. The following can be used as reference values for the judgment criteria.
(A) Output data transfer amount from the start to the end of processing in each arithmetic processing unit,
(B) The ratio of the input data transfer amount and the output data transfer amount from the start to the end of processing in each arithmetic processing unit,
(C) The amount of output data transferred for each fixed period in each arithmetic processing unit,
(D) The amount of change in the output data transfer amount per fixed period in each arithmetic processing unit,
(E) The ratio of the input data transfer amount and the output data transfer amount per fixed period in each arithmetic processing unit,
(F) The amount of change in the ratio of the input data transfer amount and the output data transfer amount per fixed period in each arithmetic processing unit,
(G) Transmission from the start to the end of processing in the external communication unit, received data transfer amount,
(H) Transmission from the start to the end of processing in the external communication unit, ratio of received data transfer amount,
(I) In the external communication unit, transmission at regular intervals, received data transfer amount,
(J) In the external communication unit, transmission at a certain period, change amount of received data transfer amount,
(K) Ratio of transmission and reception data transfer amount at regular intervals in the external communication unit,
(L) The amount of change in the ratio of the transmission / reception data transfer amount at regular intervals in the external communication unit.

  Note that a value determined in advance, a set value, a measured value, or a predicted value can be used as the determination criterion. At this time, the route determination unit 104 connects and changes the route so that the determination criterion reference value becomes, for example, the minimum.

The following criteria can also be used.
(M) There is a path with the same input to each arithmetic processing unit. Note that “there is a path with the same input” means that there is an arithmetic processing unit with the same path through which data is input.
(N) There is a path with the same output for each arithmetic processing unit. Note that “there is a path with the same output” means that there is an arithmetic processing unit with the same path through which data is output.

  Next, an example of processing when the information processing apparatus 100 is used alone will be described. Here, as a processing system configuration, the input device 204 and the output device 205 are connected to the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, and the display data receiving apparatus 203 and the display data transmitting apparatus 202 connected to the end of the external communication mechanism 201. Consider the case where they are the same. In this case, for example, an information storage device such as a hard disk is connected, and as a use, the result of processing by each of the arithmetic processing units 1021, 1022, 1023 is stored for a certain period of time or for display time adjustment. If you want to.

  At this time, in step S2 of FIG. 3, for example, when it is determined that the output data transfer amount of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 is smaller than the output data transfer amount of the other arithmetic processing units, the data transfer path connection is It is determined as follows.

Input processing unit 106 → first arithmetic processing unit 1021 → external communication unit 101, and
External communication unit 101 → second arithmetic processing unit 1022 → third arithmetic processing unit 1023 → output processing unit 107.

  Next, an example of processing when a plurality of information processing apparatuses 100 according to the present embodiment are used will be described. Here, as a configuration of the processing system, the output device 205 is connected to a plurality of information processings having the configuration of the present embodiment. A case where the same data is transmitted from a single display data transmission device 202 to a plurality of configurations of the present embodiment and the same display is performed by a plurality of output devices 205 such as a display is considered.

  At this time, in step S2 of FIG. 3, the data transfer path can be determined as follows. First, it is described in advance that transmission data is transmitted to a plurality of information processing apparatuses 100 in transmission data or in information for communication by an external communication mechanism. Next, the information processing apparatus 100 that has received the data by the external communication unit 101 recognizes that the received data is transmitted to a plurality of processing apparatuses by the overall path determination unit 105. As a result, the entire path determination unit 105 communicates with other processing devices via the external communication unit 101 using other destination address information in the transmission data. For example, if information such as the arithmetic processing configuration of another processing device or a set processing mode is acquired and it is determined that the arithmetic processing can be shared as a result, it is linked with the entire path determination unit 105 of the other processing device. And determine the sharing of processing.

  At this time, for example, when it is determined that the output data transfer amount of the first arithmetic processing unit 1021 is smaller than the other arithmetic processing output data transfer amount, the data transfer path connection is determined as follows.

Information processing apparatus 1:
External communication unit 101 → first arithmetic processing unit 1021 → external communication unit 101, and first arithmetic processing unit 1021 → second arithmetic processing unit 1022 → third arithmetic processing unit 1023 → output processing unit 107.

Information processing device 2:
External communication unit 101 → second arithmetic processing unit 1022 → third arithmetic processing unit 1023 → output processing unit 107.

  As described above, by minimizing the amount of data communication, it is possible to obtain the effects of reducing the buffer of the entire processing system, reducing the power consumption of the entire processing system, and reducing the use bandwidth of the entire processing system.

  For example, when outputting the same information to multiple displays, the data transfer amount of the entire processing system is reduced by executing the output device-independent common processing in one processing system and dividing the processing results into multiple devices. it can. That is, for example, when the same data is to be transmitted from a single server (for example, the display data transmitting apparatus 202) to a plurality of different types of displays, the server transmits data to a single display. Note that the data transmitted at this time includes, for example, transmission destination address information of a display to be transmitted elsewhere. Accordingly, the display that has received such data performs the output device-independent common processing, divides the processing result, and transmits it to another display in accordance with other destination address information. The common process is executed based on the route determined using the determination criteria as shown in the above (a) to (n). Further, the connection and change of the route are performed so that the reference value for reference is minimized, for example. By doing so, effects such as buffer reduction and power consumption reduction of the entire processing system can be obtained.

  Also, for example, when dividing and outputting information to a plurality of displays using the same device, with respect to undivided information, it is executed in one processing system, and the processing result is divided into a plurality of devices. The data transfer amount of the entire processing system can be reduced. That is, for example, when it is desired to transmit divided data to each of a plurality of displays of the same type, the server transmits data that is not divided information to one display. This data includes, for example, transmission destination address information of a display to be transmitted to others. Then, the display that has received the data performs common processing including device-dependent processing, and then divides the processing result and transmits it to another display according to other destination address information. The common processing is executed based on the route determined using the determination criteria as shown in the above (a) to (n). Further, the connection and change of the route are performed so that the reference value for reference is minimized, for example. By doing so, the amount of information to be communicated can be reduced. In addition, effects such as buffer reduction and power consumption reduction of the entire processing system can be obtained.

  Furthermore, it is possible to efficiently output in synchronization with a plurality of output devices. This is because, by using the same processing system as far as possible, the synchronization problem can be easily avoided and the network bandwidth can be effectively used, so that delay due to traffic congestion can be easily avoided.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, the functions of the above-described embodiments are achieved by supplying a software program directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Including the case. In this case, the supplied program is a computer program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawings in the embodiment.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the computer-readable storage medium for supplying the computer program include the following. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program of the present invention is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. In this case, the downloaded program may be a compressed file including an automatic installation function. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. In this case, a user who has cleared a predetermined condition is allowed to download key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet, execute an encrypted program using the key information, and install the program on the computer. You can also.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiment being realized by the computer executing the read program, the embodiment of the embodiment is implemented in cooperation with an OS or the like running on the computer based on an instruction of the program. A function may be realized. In this case, the OS or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, so that part or all of the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. May be. In this case, after a program is written in the function expansion board or function expansion unit, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the arithmetic processing system in the information processing apparatus of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the data processing by embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the arithmetic processing system in the information processing apparatus of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the arithmetic processing system in the information processing apparatus of embodiment.

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus of an information processing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a plurality of processing units are connected,
Receiving means for receiving processing data to be pipelined by the plurality of processing units;
The information processing apparatus that has received the processed data whether or not the received processed data is to be output to the external information processing apparatus processed data processed by the first processing unit among the plurality of processing units. Determining means for determining based on an output amount of processed data from each of the plurality of processing units;
And an output unit configured to output data processed by the first processing unit to the external information processing apparatus in response to the determination. When the output amount of the processed data in the first processing unit is smaller than the output amount of the processed data in the other processing unit, the determining unit determines the processed data in the first processing unit as follows: Determining to output to the external information processing device;
The output means outputs data processed by the first processing unit to the external information processing apparatus and outputs to the second processing unit among the plurality of processing units of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Measuring means for measuring an output amount of processed data in each of the plurality of processing units;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit acquires an output amount of processed data in each of the plurality of processing units from a measurement value obtained by the measurement unit. An information processing method performed by an information processing apparatus of an information processing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a plurality of processing units are connected,
A receiving step for receiving processing data to be pipelined by the plurality of processing units; and
The determining means receives the processed data as to whether or not the received processed data is to be output to the external information processing apparatus processed data processed by the first processing unit among the plurality of processing units. A determination step for determining based on an output amount of processed data from each of the plurality of processing units of the information processing apparatus;
An output step of outputting data processed by the first processing unit to the external information processing apparatus in response to the determination.   In the determination step, when the output amount of the processed data in the first processing unit is smaller than the output amount of the processed data in the other processing unit, the processed data in the first processing unit is Determining to output to the external information processing device;
  In the output step, the processed data in the first processing unit is output to the external information processing apparatus and is also output to a second processing unit among the plurality of processing units of the information processing apparatus. The information processing method according to claim 4. To a computer of an information processing system in which a plurality of computers having a plurality of processing units are connected,
A receiving procedure for receiving processing data to be pipelined by a plurality of processing units;
Whether the received processing data is to be output to an external information processing apparatus, processed data processed by the first processing unit among the plurality of processing units, the computer of the computer that has received the processing data A determination procedure for determining based on the output amount of processed data from each of the plurality of processing units;
According to the determination, an output procedure for outputting data processed by the first processing unit to the external information processing apparatus is executed.

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