JP5744605B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for handling data as a stream.

  Conventionally, when a large-scale software system is constructed, a method of developing by dividing into a plurality of software components each having a unique unit function has been taken. In the system, processing is requested between a plurality of related components, and one large process is realized by cooperating with each other.

  As one method of dividing the entire system functions into software components, there is a method of dividing the input data according to the flow of data, considering the process of outputting data obtained by performing some conversion on the input data as a unit function (non- Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, such processing is referred to as “filter processing”. The advantage of such a division method is that the functions of the system can be increased or decreased and future functions can be expanded by exchanging filter processing components or changing combinations.

  Each software component uses system resources when filtering. For example, a video decoding filter processing component that decompresses a compressed video signal uses resources such as MPEG2 video decoder hardware and a memory for storing reference images when decoding MPEG2 video. Similarly, a graphics drawing filter for drawing graphics uses memory resources as a drawing area and a frame buffer.

  Resources required to realize various functions required for the system are different for each function. When a plurality of these functions are executed simultaneously, resource contention occurs depending on the combination of functions. When resource contention occurs, the function cannot be executed normally, so arbitration is required.

  Here, even in a system in which functions required for the system are shared by a plurality of software components, a mechanism for determining resource contention based on resource information used by each software component in the system is required. . However, in a mechanism that statically holds and manages resource information used by a specific software component, it becomes difficult to replace the software component, and the increase or decrease in system functions and future function expandability are impaired.

  In view of this, an apparatus has been proposed in which resources used by software components are registered in a resource management unit, and resources in the system are centrally managed by the resource management unit, and can be appropriately distributed and allocated (Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-38198 A

Software Architecture, Modern Science, 2000, p52

  In a system for processing stream data such as a broadcast receiving function and an IP streaming receiving function (hereinafter referred to as a stream processing system), the types of streams to be supported are increasing with the recent digitization and networking of broadcasting. . In addition, due to an increase in processing capability of hardware, it has become possible to simultaneously process a plurality of streams in one system.

  Here, when a plurality of streams are simultaneously processed in parallel, it is not preferable that contention of resources used by components between streams occurs and normal reproduction cannot be guaranteed. For example, it is to be avoided that the reservation recording process is stopped by trying to reproduce a new stream while the reservation recording process is being executed.

  Even in the case where a plurality of streams are processed simultaneously in parallel, a mechanism for determining and reconciling such resource contention is necessary. By the way, when processing multiple streams simultaneously, it is necessary to estimate the resources to be used based on stream processing requests from users and applications in order to determine resource contention and guarantee normal stream playback processing. There is. At this time, the resource to be used is different for each stream processing request, that is, for each stream type. Therefore, for each stream type, it is necessary to select an appropriate filter processing component and specify the resource used by that component.

  Furthermore, in resource allocation for stream processing, there is a problem that necessary resources may not be determined only by stream type. For example, in the broadcast receiving function, it may be impossible to determine whether the video content format is HD or SD without selecting a specific channel. Depending on the format, the necessary resources such as memory differ. Even in the display function of the video signal input from the analog component terminal, the format cannot be determined unless video is received. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the resource amount in advance.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention effectively utilizes resources while satisfying the requirement of increasing or decreasing the function of the entire system, such as newly adding a filter processing component, and preventing the stream processing being executed from failing. It aims at providing the technology for doing.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus,
The type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component stored in the information processing apparatus is associated with the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used for processing the stream. first storage means for storing Te,
Second storage means for storing second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for the confirmation process for determining the type of stream;
Determining means for determining whether or not the type of target stream to be processed is specified;
When the type of the target stream is specified, the target stream is processed with the resource indicated by the first resource information stored in the first storage unit in association with the type information indicating the type. First allocating means for allocating as a resource used by the software component;
When the type of the target stream is not designated, the determination process is executed using the resource indicated by the second resource information, and the first stream is associated with the type information indicating the type determined by the determination process. And a second allocation unit that allocates the resource indicated by the first resource information stored in one storage unit as a resource used by a software component that processes the target stream .

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to effectively use resources while satisfying the requirement of increasing or decreasing the function of the entire system, such as newly adding a filter processing component, and not causing a failure in stream processing during execution. be able to.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration in the information processing apparatus. The figure which shows each internal structure of the filter processing components 1021-1024. The figure which shows the structure for performing a series of processes with respect to a broadcast stream. The figure which shows the structure for performing a series of processes with respect to a broadcast and a 1394 stream. The figure which shows the structural example of use resource information. The figure which shows the structural example of the information which the resource management part 101 manages. The flowchart of the process which the resource management part 101 performs. The figure which shows the structure for performing a series of processes with respect to three streams. The figure which shows the structural example of use resource information. The figure which shows the structural example of the information which the resource management part 101 manages. The flowchart of the process which the resource management part 101 performs.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below shows an example when the present invention is specifically implemented, and is one of the specific examples of the configurations described in the claims.

[First Embodiment]
First, a software configuration example in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The resource management unit 101 allocates resources suitable for the stream processing to be executed based on information collected from the filter processing components (software components) 1021 to 1024. Resource allocation will be described later.

  Each of the filter processing components 1021 to 1024 is a program part that converts and outputs input data, and achieves a desired process by using it in an appropriate combination. For example, when a stream is input, it is possible to process this stream by sharing the processing among the respective filter processing components.

  Upon receiving a stream processing request from the application 104, the sequence management unit 103 requests the resource management unit 101 to allocate resources necessary for the stream processing. When the request is received from the resource management unit 101 that assignment is possible (usable), the sequence management unit 103 selects a necessary filter processing component from the filter processing components 1021 to 1024. Then, the sequence management unit 103 manages the execution sequence between the selected filter processing components, and executes the stream processing using resources suitable for the stream processing (assigned by the resource management unit 101).

  The application 104 identifies the type of the designated stream designated as the execution target by a user operation or the like, and transmits a stream processing request including the identified type to the sequence management unit 103.

  The application 104, the sequence management unit 103, the resource management unit 101, and the filter processing components 1021 to 1024 are all stored as a computer program in a memory included in the information processing apparatus or a memory managed by the information processing apparatus. Each may be stored in the same memory or in different memories. Hereinafter, for convenience, the application 104, the sequence management unit 103, the resource management unit 101, and the filter processing components 1021 to 1024 will be described as processing subjects. However, actually, each computer program is executed by the CPU 199 included in the information processing apparatus.

  The internal configuration of each of the filter processing components 1021 to 1024 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The filter processing component 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a use resource information holding unit 2011 and an individual filter processing execution unit 2012.

  The used resource information holding unit 2011 holds type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the filter processing component 201, and resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used to process the stream. Details of these pieces of information will be described later. The individual filter processing execution unit 2012 executes processing unique to the filter processing component 201.

  Next, as an application example of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a configuration for executing a series of processes of receiving a broadcast stream, processing the received broadcast stream, and outputting the processing result is shown in FIG. Show.

  In FIG. 3, any reference numerals 3021 to 3029 are filter processing components. The tuner control filter 3021 receives a broadcast radio signal, generates a transport stream by performing data conversion processing such as demodulation on the radio signal, and outputs the transport stream.

  The demultiplex filter 3022 receives a transport stream, separates and outputs a transport stream packet having a desired PID. The broadcast caption decoding filter 3023 receives transport stream packets including caption data, extracts and decodes caption data, and outputs display control information such as character string data, display position, and display timing.

  The video decode filter 3024 receives a transport stream packet including video data compressed by MPEG or the like, performs decoding processing, and outputs a decompressed video.

  The audio decoding filter 3025 receives a transport stream packet including audio data compressed by MPEG or the like, performs decoding processing, and outputs decompressed audio.

  The Graphics drawing filter 3026 receives character string data and display control information, rasterizes the caption, and outputs it as bitmap graphics. The image quality control filter 3027 performs various image processing processes such as a process for inputting video data and improving the image quality, and outputs the processed video. The sound quality control filter 3028 performs various sound processing processes such as a process of inputting sound data to improve sound quality, and outputs the processed sound. The video blend filter 3029 receives bitmap graphics and video data and outputs a video in which both are superimposed.

  Broadcast data is input by multi-stage conversion processing by data conversion processing in each filter processing component given reference numbers 3021 to 3029 and data exchange between components indicated by broken-line arrows, and finally video, audio Can be realized.

  In FIG. 3, upon receiving a broadcast stream processing request from the broadcast stream playback application 304, the sequence management unit 303 requests the resource management unit 101 to allocate resources. When the request is received from the resource management unit 101 by this request, the sequence management unit 303 issues a processing request to each filter processing component in order and controls the processing order. Thus, broadcast stream processing is realized using the allocated resources.

  The broadcast stream reproduction application 304 transmits a request for receiving a broadcast (broadcast stream processing request) to the sequence management unit 303 in accordance with an instruction from the user. The resource management unit 101 allocates resources suitable for the stream processing to be executed based on the information collected from the filter processing components 3021 to 3029.

  Also, as an application example of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a configuration for executing a series of processes of receiving two streams of broadcast and 1394 streams, processing the received broadcast streams, and outputting the processed results Is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, any reference numerals 4021 to 4030 are filter processing components. In particular, the respective filter processing components denoted by reference numerals 4021 to 4029 perform the same operations as the respective filter processing components denoted by reference numerals 3021 to 3029.

  The tuner control filter 4021 performs filter processing of tuning and demodulation processing. The demultiplex filter 4022 performs filter processing for separating packets from the transport stream.

  The broadcast caption decoding filter 4023 performs filtering processing for caption decoding processing. The video decode filter 4024 performs decoding filter processing such as MPEG of a video signal. The audio decoding filter 4025 performs decoding filtering processing such as MPEG of the audio signal.

  The Graphics drawing filter 4026 performs a filter process for converting data such as a character string into bitmap graphics. The image quality control filter 4027 performs filter processing for performing various image processing processes on the video data. The sound quality control filter 4028 performs filter processing that performs various sound processing processes on the sound data.

  The video blend filter 4029 performs a filter process for superimposing bitmap graphics and video data. The 1394 input filter 4030 performs a filter process for receiving an input from the IEEE 1394 port and outputting a transport stream.

  Each of the filter processing components shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes the use resource information holding unit 2011 shown in FIG. 2, in order to process type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed and the stream. And resource information indicating resources to be used.

  In order to describe a configuration example of information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011, a configuration of information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 included in each filter processing component (4021 to 4030) illustrated in FIG. An example will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each of reference numerals 501 to 510 shown in FIG. 5 is information (used resource information) held by each filter processing component (4021 to 4030), and includes type information and resource information.

  In the “ID of corresponding component” column, an ID unique to the corresponding filter processing component is registered. For example, “1” that is an ID unique to the tuner control filter 4021 that is the corresponding filter processing component is registered in this field of the used resource information 501. The ID is not limited to a numerical value.

  In the "corresponding stream type" column, a rough type of stream that can be processed by the corresponding filter processing component is registered. For example, in this column of the used resource information 502, “broadcast” and “1394 stream”, which are rough types of streams that can be processed by the demultiplex filter 4022, are registered.

  In the “detailed type” column, more detailed types of streams that can be processed by the corresponding filter processing component are registered. For example, in this field of the used resource information 503, “with caption” and “without caption” in “broadcast” are registered as more detailed types of streams that can be processed by the broadcast caption decoding filter 4023.

  In the column “Necessary source for detailed type stream processing”, information indicating resources used when the corresponding filter processing component executes processing is registered for each detailed type. For example, for the combination of “broadcast” and “MPEG2 / HD” in the use resource information 504, “MPEG2 decoder, memory 5M” is registered as information indicating the resource to be used. For the combination of “broadcast” and “MPEG2 / SD”, “MPEG2 decoder, memory 2M” is registered as information indicating the resource to be used. For the combination of “broadcast” and “H.264 / HD”, “H.264 decoder, memory 10M” is registered as information indicating the resource to be used. For the combination of “1394 stream” and “MPEG2 / HD”, “MPEG2 decoder, memory 5M” is registered as information indicating the resource to be used. For the combination of “1394 stream” and “MPEG2 / SD”, “MPEG2 decoder, memory 2M” is registered as information indicating the resource to be used.

  In other words, the “detailed type” column is provided for each different resource used. However, the registered information in the “necessary source for stream processing of the detailed type” column is registered for each registered information in the “detailed type” column. Is set.

  In the “resource necessary for determining the detailed type” column, information for identifying a resource required for determining the “detailed type” is registered for each “corresponding stream type”. For example, in the used resource information 505, “memory 0.5M” is registered for “broadcast”, and “memory 0.5” is also registered for “1394 stream”.

  Next, a configuration example of the used resource information will be described using the used resource information 501 to 504 as an example.

  As described above, the used resource information 501 is information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 of the tuner control filter 4021 and holds “1” as the ID of the used resource information 501. Since the tuner control filter 4021 is used to process a broadcast stream, only “broadcast” is registered in the “corresponding stream type” column. In addition, since there are no different detailed types of resources, “all” is registered in the “detailed type” column. Furthermore, since the tuner control filter 4021 uses tuner hardware (HW) to process the broadcast stream, “tuner HW” is registered in the “resource required for detailed type stream processing” column. Yes. Further, “tuner HW” is also registered in “resources necessary for determining the detailed type”.

  As described above, the used resource information 502 is information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 of the demultiplex filter 4022 and holds “2” as the ID of the used resource information 502. Since the demultiplex filter 4022 is used for processing broadcast streams and 1394 streams, two fields of “broadcast” and “1394 stream” are registered in the “corresponding stream type” column. Further, since there are no detailed types with different resources, “all” is registered in the “detailed type” column for “broadcast” and “1394 stream”. Further, since the demultiplex filter 4022 uses the demultiplexer and the memory 1M in order to process the broadcast stream, the “demultiplexer” in the “resources required for detailed type stream processing” column corresponding to “broadcast” is displayed. , Memory 1M ”is registered. The demultiplex filter 4022 also uses the demultiplexer and the memory 1M to process the 1394 stream. For this reason, “demultiplexer, memory 1M” is also registered in the “resources necessary for stream processing of detailed type” corresponding to “1394 stream”. Further, “demultiplexer, memory 1M” is also registered in “resources necessary for determining the detailed type” for each of “broadcast” and “1394 stream”.

  As described above, the used resource information 503 is information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 of the broadcast subtitle decoding filter 4023, and holds “3” as the ID of the used resource information 503. Since the broadcast subtitle decoding filter 4023 is used to process a broadcast stream, only “broadcast” is registered in the “corresponding stream type” column. Further, different detailed types of resources are “with caption” and “without caption”. In the case of “with subtitles”, the broadcast subtitle decoding filter 4023 uses the memory 1M to process the broadcast stream, and therefore, in the “resources required for detailed type stream processing” column corresponding to “with subtitles”. “Memory 1M” is registered. In the case of “no subtitles”, the broadcast subtitle decoding filter 4023 uses no resources for processing the broadcast stream, and therefore “resources necessary for detailed type stream processing” corresponding to “no subtitles”. “None” is registered in the column of. Furthermore, “None” is registered in “Resources required for determining the detailed type” for “Broadcast”.

  As described above, the used resource information 504 is information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 of the Video decode filter 4024 and holds “4” as the ID of the used resource information 504. Since the Video decode filter 4024 is used to process a broadcast stream or a 1394 stream, “Broadcast” and “1394 stream” are registered in the “corresponding stream type” column. Also, there are a plurality of detailed types with different resources for each of “broadcast” and “1394 stream”. In the case of “broadcast”, “MPEG2 / HD”, “MPEG2 / SD”, and “H.264 / HD” exist as detailed types with different resources, and in the case of “1394 stream”, “MPEG2 / HD”, “MPEG2 / SD "exists as a different detailed type of resource. The information indicating the resource to be used corresponding to each combination of “corresponding stream type” and “detailed type” is as described above. For example, the Video decode filter 4024 uses an MPEG2 decoder and a memory 5M in order to process an “MPEG2 / HD” broadcast stream. The Video decode filter 4024 uses an MPEG2 decoder and a memory 2M in order to process the “MPEG2 / SD” 1394 stream. Further, as described above, “memory 1M” is registered in “resources necessary for determining the detailed type” for each of “broadcast” and “1394 stream”.

  Since the information constituting the used resource information described above is the same for the other used resource information, the description is omitted.

  Each filter processing component registers information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 as illustrated in FIG. 5 in the resource management unit 101 during program execution. For example, this information is registered in an initialization stage after the program execution is started and before the stream processing is executed.

  When such information is received from each filter processing component, the resource management unit 101 manages, for each combination of type information, resource information held by the filter processing component that holds type information included in the combination. A configuration example of information managed by the resource management unit 101 is shown in FIG.

  In the column 601, information indicating resources used by the filter processing components 4021 to 4030 is registered when the rough type of the stream is “broadcast” and the detailed type is “unknown detailed type”. Yes.

  A column 602 indicates resources used by the filter processing components 4021 to 4030 when the general type of the stream is “broadcast” and the detailed type is “H.264 / HD, with subtitles”. Information is registered.

  Similarly, in the fields 603 to 607, when the rough type is “broadcast”, the resource information held by the filter processing component holding the type information included in the combination is registered for each more detailed type combination. Has been.

  Similarly, in the fields 609 to 613, when the rough type is “1394 stream”, the resource information held by the filter processing component holding the type information included in the combination is stored for each more detailed type combination. It is registered.

  In the column 608, information indicating resources necessary for determining the detailed type in the broadcast stream processing is registered, and in the column 614, resources required for determining the detailed type in the 1394 stream processing are registered. The information shown is registered.

  The resource management unit 101 uses table information that associates resource information held by a filter processing component that holds type information included in the combination for each more detailed type combination as shown in FIG. Make appropriate resource allocations.

  Next, processing performed when the resource management unit 101 receives a resource allocation request from the sequence management unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 showing a flowchart of the processing. Note that the resource allocation request from the sequence management unit 103 includes an allocation request specifying a rough stream type (stream type) and a more detailed type (detailed type), and an allocation specifying only a general stream type. There are two requirements. The resource management unit 101 deals with any allocation request. If a more detailed type is unknown, specify only a rough type, and if a more detailed type is known or after a more detailed type determination process, specify a rough type and a more detailed type. Is assumed.

  First, in step S701, the resource management unit 101 determines whether or not the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 is a type that can be handled by the information processing apparatus. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the type is compatible, the process proceeds to step S702. If it is determined that the type is not compatible, the process proceeds to step S712.

  Taking FIG. 6 as an example, in this case, the stream types that can be handled by the information processing apparatus are a broadcast stream and a 1394 stream. However, if the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 is either “broadcast stream” or “1394 stream”, the process proceeds to step S703. The process proceeds to step S712.

  In step S <b> 712, the resource management unit 101 transmits information indicating that resource allocation is impossible to the sequence management unit 103.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 702, the resource management unit 101 determines whether “detailed type” is included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that it is included, the process proceeds to step S703, and if it is determined that it is not included, the process proceeds to step S706.

  In step S <b> 703, the resource management unit 101 refers to the “detailed type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 and identifies a resource corresponding to this. Then, the resource management unit 101 determines whether the stream processing is possible by determining whether the specified resource is an unallocated resource that is not currently used. If it is determined as a result of this determination that the identified resource is an unallocated resource, the process proceeds to step S704. If it is determined that the identified resource is not an unallocated resource, the process proceeds to step S704. The process proceeds to S712.

  Taking the case of FIG. 6 as an example, it is assumed that the “detailed type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 is “MPEG2 / HD, no caption”. In this case, the corresponding resources are “tuner HW, demultiplexer, MPEG2 decoder, AAC decoder, memory 14M”, and it is determined whether these resources are unallocated resources that are not currently used. For example, when there is only 12M of free memory, it is determined that resource allocation is impossible because the required 14M of memory is insufficient.

  In step S <b> 704, the resource management unit 101 sets the resource corresponding to the “detailed type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 to already allocated. In step S705, the resource management unit 101 notifies the sequence management unit 103 that a resource corresponding to the “detailed type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 can be allocated. That is, the sequence management unit 103 is instructed to permit use of the resource corresponding to the “detailed type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 706, the resource management unit 101 determines whether it is possible to allocate a resource that can be processed with any of the detailed types in the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that resources that can be processed by any of the detailed types in the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 can be allocated, the process proceeds to step S707. On the other hand, if it is determined that a resource that can be processed by any of the detailed types in the “stream type” included in the assignment request received from the sequence management unit 103 is not assignable, the process proceeds to step S709.

  Taking FIG. 6 as an example, it is determined whether or not resources corresponding to “detail type unknown” in “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 remain unallocated. As a result of this determination, if a resource corresponding to “detailed type unknown” remains unallocated, the process proceeds to step S707. If a resource corresponding to “detailed type unknown” remains unallocated, The process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S <b> 707, the resource management unit 101 sets the resource corresponding to “unknown detailed type” in “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 to already allocated. In step S708, the resource management unit 101 notifies the sequence management unit 103 that a resource corresponding to “detail type unknown” in “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 can be allocated. Notice. That is, it instructs the sequence management unit 103 to permit use of the resource corresponding to “detail type unknown” in the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103.

  On the other hand, in step S709, the resource management unit 101 determines whether or not resources corresponding to the “detailed type determination process” in the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 remain unallocated. to decide. As a result of this determination, if unassigned and remain, the process proceeds to step S710, and if unassigned and remains, the process proceeds to step S712.

  Taking FIG. 6 as an example, when the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 is “broadcast stream”, the resource corresponding to the “detailed type determination process” is “tuner HW, Demultiplexer, memory 2.5M ". In this case, however, it is determined whether or not any of the “tuner HW, demultiplexer, and memory 2.5M” remains unallocated. As a result of this determination, if “tuner HW, demultiplexer, memory 2.5M” remains unallocated, the process proceeds to step S710, and if it remains unallocated, the process proceeds to step S712.

  In step S <b> 710, the resource management unit 101 sets the resource corresponding to the “detailed type determination process” in “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 to already allocated. In step S 711, the resource management unit 101 indicates that the resource corresponding to the “detailed type determination process” in the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103 can be allocated. Notify That is, the sequence management unit 103 is instructed to permit use of the resource corresponding to the “detailed type determination process” in the “stream type” included in the allocation request received from the sequence management unit 103.

  Through the processes described above, the resource management unit 101 can perform resource allocation according to the free resource in response to the allocation request from the sequence management unit 103. In particular, when the detailed type is unknown, a resource that can be processed by any detailed type of the stream is allocated when it is available, and when it is not available, a resource for determining the detailed type is allocated. And

  The sequence management unit 103 that has received the resource allocation request for determining the detailed type as a response to the resource allocation request executes stream processing for determining the detailed type using the subordinate filter processing component. As a result, when the detailed type is found, a resource allocation request specifying the detailed type is executed again with respect to the resource management unit 101. If this resource allocation is successful, the stream processing can be executed. Conventionally, when resource allocation fails when the detailed type is unknown, the processing of the stream has been given up. However, in the present embodiment, necessary resources can be determined and the stream processing can be executed.

  Further, the resource information necessary for the resource management unit 101 to perform appropriate resource allocation is held by the filtering component, and is executed by registering in the resource management unit 101 which is a permanent component. Therefore, it is possible to easily increase / decrease functions for each model of stream-related products without changing the resource management unit 101 which is a permanent component, while maintaining the function of optimally using system resources. Reduction and development efficiency can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
In the following, an embodiment will be described in which filtering components are dynamically added and changed to be able to handle new streams. Hereinafter, only points different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The software configuration example in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment and the internal configuration of each filter processing component are the same as those in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the two streams described in the first embodiment, IP streaming reception is newly supported. FIG. 8 shows a configuration for executing a series of processes of receiving IP streaming in addition to two streams of a broadcast stream and a 1394 stream, processing the received stream, and outputting the processed result.

  In FIG. 8, any reference numerals 8021 to 8031 are filter processing components. In the following description, it is assumed that any filter processing component holds an information group as shown in FIG. 5 before the addition or change of the filter processing component. The IP input filter 8031 performs a filter process for receiving a desired packet from the IP network and outputting a transport stream.

  A configuration example of information held by the used resource information holding unit 2011 included in the added or changed filter processing component among the filter processing components shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. Each of reference numerals 901 to 907 in FIG. 9 is information (used resource information) held by the filter processing components (8022, 8024, 8025, 8027-8029, 8031), and includes type information, resource information, Consists of. In the “corresponding stream type” column, “IP streaming” is added in order to cope with IP stream reception.

  The filter processing component group having the information illustrated in FIG. 9 is downloaded to the information processing apparatus as a new filter processing component in order for the information processing apparatus to support a new stream. Since the download method is not essential here, details are omitted. For example, a method such as a download using a broadcast radio wave or a download using a removable memory can be considered.

  The resource management unit 101 receives used resource information from a newly added or changed filter processing component. Then, for each combination of type information, resource information held by the filter processing component that holds the type information included in the combination is managed. A configuration example of information managed by the resource management unit 101 is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the general type of the stream is “IP streaming”, and the detailed types are “detailed type unknown”, “H.264 / HD”, “MPEG2 / HD”, and “detailed type determination process”. In this case, information indicating resources to be used is registered.

  When a new filter processing component is downloaded to support a new stream, the resource management unit 101 performs processing to create table information as shown in FIG. 10 (update the detailed type pattern and resource pattern). This will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the resource management unit 101 already holds table information for each of the broadcast stream and the 1394 stream as shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1101, the resource management unit 101 determines whether there is a newly downloaded filter processing component. If there is a newly downloaded filter processing component, the process proceeds to step S1102. In step S1102, the resource management unit 101 selects a newly downloaded filter processing component as a selected filter processing component.

  In step S1103, the resource management unit 101 selects “corresponding stream type”, “detail type”, “resource required for stream processing of the detailed type”, and “resource required for determining the detailed type” from the selected filter processing component. Get each piece of information.

  In step S1104, the resource management unit 101 selects one piece of unselected information from the “corresponding stream type” information acquired from the selected filter processing component. Since there are cases where a plurality of pieces of “corresponding stream types” are stored in the selected filter processing component, one of the unselected information is selected in this step.

  In step S1105, the resource management unit 101 determines whether the information selected in step S1104 indicates a new stream type. If the result of this determination indicates a new stream type (IP streaming in this case), the process proceeds to step S1107, and if it does not indicate a new stream type (broadcast stream or 1394 stream here), step S1107 is performed. The process proceeds to S1111.

  In step S1107, the resource management unit 101 determines whether or not the selection filter processing component holds a plurality of pieces of “detailed type” information associated with the information selected in step S1104. In the case of FIG. 9, when the video decoding filter 8024 is selected as the selection filter processing component and information indicating IP streaming is selected in step S1104, this information includes H.264. H.264 / HD and MPEG2 / HD are associated with each other. As described above, when a plurality of pieces of “detailed type” information are held in association with the information selected in step S1104, the process proceeds to step S1108. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1109.

  In step S1108, the resource management unit 101 divides a column for registering “detailed type” information (type pattern) in the table information to be created as shown in FIG. One column is provided for each of the above. In FIG. One column is provided for each of H.264 / HD and MPEG2 / HD as a “detailed type pattern” column.

  In step S1109, the resource management unit 101 shows the information on “resources necessary for stream processing of the detailed type” stored in the selection filter processing component in association with the information of “detailed type” in the table information shown in FIG. Register as follows. The information of “resources necessary for stream processing of detailed type” held by the selection filter processing component in association with the information of “detailed type” is registered in the column corresponding to the column provided for the information of “detailed type” .

  In step S <b> 1110, the resource management unit 101 registers information of “resources necessary for determining the detailed type” in the corresponding column in the table information (the column for the detailed type determining process in the detailed type pattern).

  In step S <b> 1111, the resource management unit 101 determines whether all “corresponding stream type” information acquired from the selection filter processing component in step S <b> 1104 has been selected. If all the information is selected as a result of this determination, the process returns to step S1101. If unselected information still remains, the process proceeds to step S1112.

  In step S <b> 1112, the resource management unit 101 selects one piece of unselected information from the “corresponding stream type” information acquired from the selected filter processing component. Then, the process proceeds to step S1105, and the subsequent processes are performed.

  In the following, the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 will be described using a specific example in the case where a filter processing component holding information having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is added or updated.

  First, it is assumed that the demultiplex filter 8022 having the used resource information 901 has been downloaded, and the demultiplex filter 8022 is selected as the selection filter processing component. Next, “broadcast stream” is selected as unselected information from the demultiplex filter 8022. However, since “broadcast stream” is not a new stream type, “1394 stream” is next selected as unselected information from the demultiplex filter 8022. Since this “1394 stream” is not a new stream type, “IP streaming” is next selected as unselected information from the demultiplex filter 8022. Since this “IP streaming” is a new stream type, table information as shown in FIG. 10 is created for this IP streaming below. At this time, a row 1001 with unknown detail type in FIG. 10 and a row 1004 for detailed type determination processing are created simultaneously.

  Next, since the demultiplexing filter 8022 does not hold a plurality of “detailed type” information in association with “IP streaming”, the “detailed type pattern” column for “IP streaming” is not divided. Not performed.

  Then, “demultiplexer and memory 1M”, which is information of “resources necessary for stream processing of detailed type” in the used resource information 901, is registered in the resource pattern column of the row 1001. Further, “demultiplexer and memory 1M”, which is information of “resources necessary for determining the detailed type”, is registered in the resource pattern column of the row 1004.

  Next, the Video decode filter 8024 having the used resource information 902 is selected as the selection filter processing component. Next, “broadcast stream” is selected as unselected information from the video decode filter 8024, but “broadcast stream” is not a new stream type. Therefore, “1394 stream” is next selected as unselected information from the video decode filter 8024. Since this “1394 stream” is not a new stream type, “IP streaming” is next selected as unselected information from the video decode filter 8024. Since this “IP streaming” is a new stream type, information on this “IP streaming” is additionally registered in the table information as shown in FIG.

  The video decode filter 8024 holds a plurality of “detailed type” information (H.264 / HD and MPEG2 / HD) in association with “IP streaming”. There are two columns.

  H. In the column corresponding to H.264 / HD (resource pattern column in the row 1002) The H.264 decoder and the memory 10M are registered, and the MPEG2 decoder and the memory 5M are registered in a column corresponding to MPEG2 / HD (resource pattern column in the row 1003). When individual patterns already exist, they are divided.

  In the resource pattern column corresponding to the column of unknown detail type in the row 1001, a union of resources registered in the resource pattern column in each of the rows 1002 to 1004 is registered. As for the memory amount, the maximum memory amount among the memory amounts registered in the respective columns is registered. In addition, 1M memory is added to the resource pattern column corresponding to the detailed type determination processing column in the row 1004. Similarly, resource information shown in FIG. 10 can be obtained by adding resource information of other filter components.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the resource information necessary for the resource management unit to perform appropriate resource allocation can be held by the filtering component and dynamically registered. Therefore, it is possible to easily add the stream processing function without changing the resource management unit, which is a permanent component, while maintaining the function to optimally use the system resources, reducing the software scale and improving the development efficiency. Is possible.

  Components that can be replaced according to system function increase / decrease hold resources for each detailed type and resource information for determining the detailed type, and register the resource information in the resource management unit, which is a permanent component. Can manage. Therefore, it is possible to easily increase or decrease the functions for each model of stream-related products without changing the resource management unit, which is a permanent component, while maintaining the function to optimally use system resources, and to reduce the software scale Development efficiency can be improved.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus,
The type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component stored in the information processing apparatus is associated with the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used for processing the stream. first storage means for storing Te,
Second storage means for storing second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for the confirmation process for determining the type of stream;
Determining means for determining whether or not the type of target stream to be processed is specified;
When the type of the target stream is specified, the target stream is processed with the resource indicated by the first resource information stored in the first storage unit in association with the type information indicating the type. First allocating means for allocating as a resource used by the software component;
When the type of the target stream is not designated, the determination process is executed using the resource indicated by the second resource information, and the first stream is associated with the type information indicating the type determined by the determination process. An information processing apparatus comprising: a second allocation unit that allocates a resource indicated by first resource information stored in one storage unit as a resource used by a software component that processes the target stream . Furthermore,
From each software component, the type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component, the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used to process the stream, and the software component Second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for determining the type of the stream, and registering the collected type information and first resource information in the first storage unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration unit that registers the collected second resource information in the second storage unit . The registration means, when a new software component is downloaded to the information processing apparatus, type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the new software component , and the type used to process the stream First resource information indicating the resource of the information processing device is registered in the first storage means, and the software component indicates the resource of the information processing device necessary for determining the type of the stream The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein two pieces of resource information are registered in the second storage unit . Furthermore,
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the execution unit that executes the target stream of permission to use the resource allocated by the first allocation unit or the second allocation unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. In association with the type information indicating the type of software components that can handle the stream stored in the information processing apparatus, and a first resource information indicating a resource of the information processing apparatus used for processing the stream the information processing having a first storage means for storing a second storage means for storing the second resource information indicating a resource of the information processing apparatus required for determination processing for determining the type of stream, the An information processing method performed by a device,
A determination step in which the determination unit of the information processing apparatus determines whether or not the type of the target stream to be processed is specified;
When the first allocation unit of the information processing apparatus designates the type of the target stream, the first resource stored in the first storage unit in association with the type information indicating the type A first allocation step of allocating a resource indicated by information as a resource used by a software component that processes the target stream;
If the type of the target stream is not designated, the second allocating unit of the information processing apparatus executes the determination process using the resource indicated by the second resource information, and the determination process A second allocation step of allocating the resource indicated by the first resource information stored in the first storage unit in association with the type information indicating the determined type as a resource used by the software component that processes the target stream an information processing method characterized in that it comprises and. Furthermore,
From each software component, the type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component, the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used to process the stream, and the software component Second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for determining the type of the stream, and registering the collected type information and first resource information in the first storage unit The information processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a registration step of registering the collected second resource information in the second storage unit. The computer program for functioning a computer as each means of the information processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 . An information processing apparatus,
The type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component stored in the information processing apparatus is associated with the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used for processing the stream. First storage means for storing
Second storage means for storing second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for the confirmation process for determining the type of stream;
Determining means for determining whether or not the type of target stream to be processed is specified;
When the type of the target stream is not designated, the determination process is executed using the resource indicated by the second resource information, and the first stream is associated with the type information indicating the type determined by the determination process. Allocating means for allocating the resource indicated by the first resource information stored in one storage means as a resource used by a software component that processes the target stream;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Furthermore,
From each software component, the type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component, the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used to process the stream, and the software component Second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for determining the type of the stream, and registering the collected type information and first resource information in the first storage unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising registration means for registering the collected second resource information in the second storage means. Associating the type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component stored in the information processing apparatus with the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used to process the stream An information processing apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing; and second storage means for storing second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for a confirmation process for determining a stream type Is an information processing method performed by
A determination step in which the determination unit of the information processing apparatus determines whether or not the type of the target stream to be processed is specified;
If the type of the target stream is not specified, the allocation unit of the information processing apparatus executes the determination process using the resource indicated by the second resource information, and the type determined by the determination process An allocation step of allocating the resource indicated by the first resource information stored in the first storage means in association with the type information indicating as a resource used by the software component that processes the target stream;
An information processing method comprising: Furthermore,
From each software component, the type information indicating the type of stream that can be processed by the software component, the first resource information indicating the resource of the information processing apparatus used to process the stream, and the software component Second resource information indicating resources of the information processing apparatus necessary for determining the type of the stream, and registering the collected type information and first resource information in the first storage unit The information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising a registration step of registering the collected second resource information in the second storage unit. The computer program for functioning a computer as each means of the information processing apparatus of Claim 8 or 9.

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