JPH04128958A - System establishing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to flexibly incorporate peripheral computers in a system by making the host computer recognize the function acting on every peripheral computer based on a returned type of function to determine a peripheral computer that has to be incorporated in the system. CONSTITUTION:When starting the host computer 1, a function confirmation means 4 issues a request for confirming the function to a peripheral computer 2a. In the peripheral computer 2a, a function report means 6 receives the function confirmation request and returns the types of the function that has been started up on the peripheral computer 2a for identifying the function. Between the function confirmation means 4 and the function report means of peripheral computers 2b, 2c,..., etc., sending a function confirmation request and sending back the type of the function are sequentially executed as aforementioned, a control means 3 recognizes a function that has been started up on peripheral computers 2a, 2b, 2c,..., etc., and the system determines a peripheral computer that has to be incorporated in the system. With this, a function of which each peripheral computer has to be in charge has only to act at one of peripheral computers, thereby being able to execute the establishment of the system flexibly.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Overview Regarding a system establishment method in an electronic computer system consisting of a host computer and a plurality of peripheral computers, the peripheral computers can be incorporated into the system flexibly according to the functions operating on the peripheral computers. In a computer system that is made up of a host computer and a plurality of peripheral computers and has the peripheral computers execute a part of the functions that the computer system as a whole should accomplish, the host computer has the following functions: A function confirmation means is provided that sequentially sends a function confirmation request to each peripheral computer, and each peripheral computer is provided with a function type corresponding to the function operating on its own peripheral computer in response to the function confirmation request. Each of the host computers is provided with a means for reporting functions to be sent back, and the host computer recognizes the functions operating on each peripheral computer based on the returned function type, and determines which peripheral computers should be incorporated into the system. Configure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD The present invention relates to a system establishment method in an electronic computer system consisting of a host computer and a plurality of peripheral computers.

With the spread of personal convenience stores in recent years, a relatively large computer is used as a host computer, multiple personal computers are connected to this computer, and the personal computer is used as a terminal or has some functions. Computer systems that are designed to improve the operability and processing efficiency of the entire system have come into widespread use. In such a computer system, the necessary functions are started (activated) in each personal computer in advance before establishing the entire system (referring to reaching a state where the entire system can be put into operation). 2), personal computers with predetermined functions installed are appropriately incorporated into the system (this refers to connection via software). In such an electronic computer system, it is necessary to flexibly incorporate a personal computer into the system depending on the functions operating on the personal computer.

BACKGROUND ART FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a general electronic computer system. 31 is a host computer, and the host computer 31 includes a plurality of peripheral computers (personal computers) 32.
33 and 34 are connected to each other via an interface cable 35-.

Of the functions that this computer system should accomplish as a whole, the system is designed in advance so that the peripheral computer 32 is responsible for function A, the peripheral computer 33 is responsible for function A, and the peripheral computer 34 is responsible for function C. The configuration is fixed. When operating this computer system, the operator first turns on the power of the peripheral computer 32 to start the program corresponding to function A, and then turns on the power of the peripheral computer 33 and starts the program corresponding to the function A. Then, after turning on the power of the peripheral computer 34 and starting the program corresponding to function C, the host computer 31
By activating the system program in step 1, the peripheral computers 32, 33, and 34 are incorporated into the system, and the system is established.

In this way, conventionally, for the peripheral computer 32, the function A1
For the peripheral computer 33, function 81 and for the peripheral computer 34, function C are fixedly assigned in advance, and the operator can program the program corresponding to the corresponding function on each peripheral computer 32, 33, and 34 according to the assignment. The system was established by activating and wiping the computer, and then activating the system program on the host computer 31.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, according to the prior art, each peripheral computer is assigned a fixed function to be executed.
If a function that is not assigned to the relevant peripheral computer is launched due to an operator error, or if the peripheral computer is powered off, There is a problem in that the system cannot be established even if the function is activated in any of the peripheral computers. If the establishment of the system as described above is not performed normally, the operator is prompted to iRMk by an error message, etc., and the peripheral computers that have not been successfully installed will receive the error message. If specified by You will be forced to work.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and its purpose is to flexibly incorporate a peripheral computer into a system according to the functions operating on the peripheral computer. The aim is to reduce the occurrence of the problems described above.

Means to solve problems FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

This electronic computer system is composed of a host computer 1 and a plurality of peripheral computers 2 (2a, 2b, 2C, . . . ). The host computer 1 includes, in addition to the control means 3, a function confirmation means 4 which sequentially sends a function confirmation request to each of the peripheral computers 2a, 2b, 2C, . . . . Each peripheral computer 2a.

2b, 2c, . . . are the host computer 1 in addition to the control means 5.
In response to the function confirmation request from the local computer 2a,
2b, 2C, . . . are each provided with a function reporting means 6 for returning the function type corresponding to the function operating on them.

The host computer 10 control means 3 controls the peripheral computers 2a, which are returned in response to the function confirmation request 4 from the function confirmation means 4.
Based on the function type from the function reporting means 6 of 2b, 2c, . . . , determine the peripheral computers to be incorporated into the system,
Applicable peripheral computer 2a.

2b, 2c, . . . are incorporated into the system to establish the system.

The control means 3 of the host computer 1 receives a function check request from the function check means 4 of the peripheral computers 2a, 2b, 2c, . . .
・If the function type is not reported from the peripheral computers 2a, 2b, 2C, etc. even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after being sent to the peripheral computer 2a, it is recognized that
, 2b, 2C, . . . are not incorporated into the system.

When establishing a working system, the operator must first:
Each peripheral computer 2a, 2b, 2c, . . . starts up the necessary functions. Next, when the host computer 1 is started, the function checking means 4 checks the peripheral computer 2a.
A function confirmation request is sent to. In the peripheral computer 2a, the function reporting means 6 receives the function confirmation request, and
The function type for identifying the function launched on the own peripheral computer 2a is returned. Sending of the function confirmation request and return of the function type are similarly carried out sequentially between the function confirmation means 4 and the function reporting means 6 of each peripheral computer 2b, 2c, . . .

The functions launched on 2b, 2c, . . . are recognized and the peripheral computers to be incorporated into the system are determined.

For example, if it is assumed that the peripheral computers 2a, 2b, 2C, ... should perform three functions A, B, and C in order to establish this electronic computer system, the peripheral computers 2a, 2b, 2C, etc. Function A is activated in at least one of 2b, 2C, . . . and function B is activated in at least one of them,
Similarly, if the function C is activated in at least one device, the system can be established. In other words, if function A1 is activated in the peripheral computer 2a, function 81 is activated in the peripheral computer 2b, and function C is activated in the peripheral computer 2C, it goes without saying that the system can be established. Function A in computer 2C
The system can be established in the same way even if the system is running.

As described above, according to the present invention, all the peripheral computers 2a,
If the necessary functions are available in any of 2b, 2c,..., it becomes possible to establish a system, which increases flexibility when establishing a system compared to conventional technology. be able to.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an electronic computer system to which the present invention is applied. This electronic computer system consists of a host computer 1
1 multiple peripheral computers (Tsukusonal compinita) 1
2 (12a, 12b, 12c.

...) are connected. host computer 11
In addition to the control means 13, the system includes a function confirmation means 14, a time measurement means 17, an interface means 18, and a storage means 19. Although not shown, a keyboard and a display are also provided.

The function confirmation means 14 is a means for sequentially sending a function confirmation request to each peripheral computer 12 under the control of the control means 13, and the time measurement means 17 sends a function confirmation request by the function confirmation means 14 to the peripheral computers 12. This is a means for measuring the elapsed time since the data was sent. In addition to the system program (main program) to be executed by the control means 13, the storage means 19 stores system configuration data as shown in FIG. The system configuration data includes some functions (function A) among the functions achieved by the computer system as a whole.

This is data in which the minimum number and maximum number of peripheral computers 12 are set corresponding to the peripheral computers 12 (B, C, . . . ).

In addition to the control means 15, the peripheral computer 12 also has a function reporting means 1.
6, interface means 20, and storage means 21. Although not shown, a keyboard and a display are also provided. Function reporting means 16
is means for returning the function type for identifying the function activated on the own peripheral computer 12 when a function confirmation request is received by the function confirmation means 14 of the host computer 11. The storage means 21 stores functions (functions A, B, C) to be executed by the peripheral computer 12.

...) are stored.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each peripheral computer 12
The system establishment process executed in the host computer 11 will now be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing in the peripheral computer 12. When establishing the system, the operator turns on the power of the peripheral computer 12 in advance and starts up the necessary functions as appropriate while referring to the list corresponding to the system configuration data (Figure 3) mentioned above. (Step 401). As a result, the peripheral computer 12 enters a state of waiting for a function confirmation request from the host computer 11 (step 4).
02). Then, if a function confirmation request is received from the host computer 11 (step 403), the own peripheral computer 1
The function types (identification codes corresponding to the functions A, B, C, . . . ) corresponding to the functions launched on the host computer 11 are sent back to the host computer 11 (step 404). This results in
The peripheral computer 12 becomes operational.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing in the host computer 11. When the system establishment process is started (step 501), the control means 13 of the host computer 11 activates the function confirmation means 14, and the function confirmation means 14 sends a function confirmation request to the peripheral computer 12a (step 5).
02). At this time, the control means 13 activates the time measuring means 17 and starts measuring time. When a report of the function type is received from the peripheral computer 12a that sent the function confirmation request (step 503), the system configuration data stored in the storage means 19 is referred to, and the maximum number of computers for the function corresponding to the function type is determined. Compare the number of peripheral computers on which the corresponding function has already been incorporated into the system (step 504), and if the maximum number has not been exceeded, incorporate the peripheral computer 12a into the system (step 50).
5).

In step 503, if the function type report is not received even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the peripheral computer 12a is powered off or has not been properly started due to an operator error. Therefore, the peripheral computer 12a is not incorporated into the system (step 50).
6). Furthermore, in step 504, if the maximum number has already been exceeded, the system is not incorporated into the system (step 506).

Next, it is determined whether there is a peripheral computer that has not sent a function confirmation request or not (step 507)) If there is a peripheral computer that has not sent a function confirmation request, step 50
2, steps 503 to 507 are sequentially executed for the peripheral computers 12b, 12C, . After sending the request in step 507, each function (
Peripheral computers 12 built into the system for each function AB, C)
Compare the number of units with the minimum number of units in the system configuration data (step 508), and if there is one less than the minimum number of units for each function, an error message is displayed (step 509), and the system establishment is determined to have failed (step 509). 510). In step 508, if the minimum number of devices is satisfied for all required functions, the system establishment is deemed successful and the system establishment process is terminated in step 511).

According to this embodiment, the host computer 11 sequentially sends a function confirmation request to each peripheral computer 12, and each peripheral computer 12 that receives the request sends a function confirmation request to identify the function running on its own peripheral computer 12. By returning the function type, the host computer 11 recognizes the functions running in each peripheral computer 12 and establishes a system based on this. As a result, the functions required to establish the system can be activated by activating any one of the peripheral computers 12, so that the functions to be executed by the peripheral computers are not fixedly determined as in the prior art. Compared to the previous system, it is more flexible and can reduce the occurrence of system establishment failures. Further, according to this embodiment, the storage means 19 of the host computer 11
The system stores and maintains system configuration data that sets the minimum and maximum number of units for each function as shown in Figure 3, and the system is established within the range of this minimum and maximum number of units. It becomes possible to set it arbitrarily, and it is possible to easily obtain the optimum system configuration according to the usage environment of this computer system.

Effects of the Invention As described in detail above, the present invention sends a function confirmation request from the host computer to each peripheral computer, and each peripheral computer receives this request and operates on its own peripheral computer (starts up and starts up). The function type corresponding to the function (used) is sent back to the host computer, the host computer recognizes the function operating on each peripheral computer, and the system is established based on this, so each peripheral computer The function to be in charge only needs to be operated in any one of the peripheral computers □, which has the effect that the system can be established flexibly. Furthermore, the operator does not need to be strictly aware of the functions that should be activated in each peripheral computer, and the operator's work required to establish the system is also greatly simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the principle configuration of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of system configuration data for an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the host computer in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a general electronic computer system. ...Host computer, ...Peripheral computer, ...Function confirmation means, ...Function reporting means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Consisting of a host computer (1) and a plurality of peripheral computers (2), the peripheral computer (2) is configured to execute a part of the functions that the computer system as a whole should achieve. In the computer system, the host computer (1) is provided with a function confirmation means (4) that sequentially sends a function confirmation request to each peripheral computer (2), and each peripheral computer (2) is configured to have the function confirmed. In response to the confirmation request,
A function reporting means (6) is provided for returning the function type corresponding to the function operating on the own peripheral computer (2), and the host computer (1) reports the function type to each peripheral computer based on the returned function type. A system establishment method characterized in that a function operating on a computer (2) is recognized and a peripheral computer (2) to be incorporated into the system is determined. 2. The host computer (1) is equipped with the function confirmation means (4).
) is provided to detect the elapsed time after sending the function confirmation request, and if the function type is not reported even after the specified time has passed,
2. The system establishment method according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral computer (2) is not incorporated into the system by recognizing this fact. 3. Storage means (19) for storing, as system configuration data, the minimum and maximum numbers of peripheral computers (2) in charge of each of the functions to be executed by each of the peripheral computers (2). ), and the peripheral computer (2) to be incorporated into the system is determined based on the function type and system configuration data returned from each peripheral computer (2).
3. The system establishment method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: