JPH04349535A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To develop the program without being conscious of an invasion of an address of a memory area by converting automatically an address of a static memory area accessed by the program to a dynamic address used by a task actually. CONSTITUTION:In the case a communication request is generated, a task requests to actuate a communication control task. In this case in a program counter saving area of a TCB, an execution start address of a communication control program is registered, and the number of a free bank used for a bank number saving area is registered. An OS refers to the bank number saving area in the TCB of an actuated task, and informs the bank number to a memory managing part 4. The communication control program starts a processing from its execution start address, and in order to access a work area or an I/O area, an address of a bank window is outputted onto a bus 2. In this case, the memory managing part 4 converts the address of the bank window to an actual address.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a control apparatus that executes a plurality of equivalent processing tasks in parallel using one program.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, G3 facsimile machines for public telephone networks are widely used, with approximately 4 million units. With the development of corporate networks, these devices are in high demand for a memory broadcast transmission function that reads a document prior to communication, stores it in a storage device such as a temporary memory, and then transmits the document to a plurality of destinations.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of broadcast transmission. One is sequential broadcast transmission, in which documents in memory are sent one by one to each recipient in turn. However, once you start using this feature, you will have to wait for long periods of continuous transmission for other communications. Therefore, in order to reduce communication traffic, some devices are equipped with a simultaneous broadcast transmission function that uses multiple lines to simultaneously transmit documents in memory to multiple destinations.

[0004] In place of the public telephone network, the integrated services digital network (IS) transmits data as digital binary data.
DN:Integrated Services Di
digital network) has been developed. ISDN provides various communication services such as voice, image, data, etc. through a unified interface, and the basic interface and primary group interface are currently in practical use. Among these, the basic interface is 64Kbps (bits per second) on one subscriber line.
nd) and one 16 Kbps control channel.

[0005] Under the influence of such infrastructure establishment, G4 facsimiles that can be connected to digital networks such as ISDN are attracting attention. This device can send a single A4 document in a few seconds, and also sends a 400x400pp
i (pels per inch) high-definition image communication can be achieved. Some G4 facsimiles connected to ISDN are characterized by simultaneous communication functions, such as transmitting to another destination while transmitting and transmitting while receiving, using two information transmission channels.

[0006] As described above, the simultaneous communication function will be a very important element in future facsimile machines.

[0007] Here, a conventional facsimile machine capable of simultaneous communication will be explained using the system configuration shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1 is a main control unit that controls the entire apparatus, 2 is a bus through which data and addresses flow, 5 is a main memory that stores programs, etc., 7 is an image memory that stores image data of a document, and 8 9 is a reading/recording section consisting of a scanner that reads the original and a printer that prints the original.
, 10 is an image conversion unit that compresses or expands image data; 1
1 and 12 are channel input/output units for transmitting and receiving image data or communication procedure data, and 13 and 14 are communication channels or lines. 15 and 16 are error retransmission control, page synchronization control, negotiation regarding various communication conditions, etc.
This is a communication control unit that executes communication procedures.

When the user sets a document on the reading/recording section 8, the main control section 1 instructs the reading/recording section 8 to read and compress the document and store it in the image memory 7. Once the reading and recording unit 8 has finished storing the image data of the original,
The main control section 1 investigates the usage status of the communication control section, image conversion section, and channel input/output section, and issues operation instructions to each vacant processing section. Then, the communication control unit determines the encoding method, resolution, etc. to be used for communication with the partner device, the image converting unit converts the image data in the image memory 7 to the determined encoding method and resolution, and the channel input/output unit Send to the other device via the channel.

FIG. 3 is a memory map of the main memory 5 in this system.

[0011] In each of the following systems, various processes (jobs) realized by software are divided into optimal units called tasks, and each task is operated in parallel under a multitasking operating system (OS) environment.

The main memory 5 includes an area for storing OS programs, a task control block (TCB) used by the OS to manage the operating status of each task, an area for storing programs and a work area, and storage for various I/O devices. It consists of an I/O area (I/O space) in which data input/output I/O ports are mapped to the main memory 5.

[0013] Here, the communication control unit 15 is assumed to be a software-controlled task A. Communication control program A of task A performs processing using communication control work area A, and uses image conversion I/O area A and channel input/output I/O area A.
The image conversion section 9 and channel input/output section 11 are accessed through the .

Next, simultaneous communication will be explained. Task A
At some point while task A executes a communication procedure, task A may go into a dormant state until some event occurs, such as waiting for a response from a partner device. By using this period, it is possible to communicate with other partner devices. However, when task A is started again for this purpose, communication control program A destroys work area A, inputs/outputs data to image converter 9 and channel input/output unit 11, and task A is in a dormant state. cannot be restarted.

Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 4, this system is provided with two sets each of an image conversion section, a channel input/output section, and a channel, and another communication control section 16 is provided as task B. Communication control program B for task B
performs processing using communication control work area B, and accesses image conversion section 10 and channel input/output section 12 via image conversion I/O area B and channel input/output I/O area B.

As described above, in the conventional system, a program is provided for each of the two communication tasks, and the control flow is divided into a work area and an I/O area that access the two equivalent programs.
Only the address of the O area must be changed and two must be placed on the main memory 5, which wastes memory area. Furthermore, when maintaining or enhancing a program, two parts must be modified, which is not efficient in debugging.

Therefore, a program structure has been proposed in which one program is made to correspond to N tasks, instead of the conventional one-to-one correspondence between tasks and programs. This structure is called a reentrant structure, and is described, for example, in "Loader and Linkage Editor" published by Shokodo in August 1988.

[0018] A reentrant program is a program that executes without problems even if it is instructed to process by multiple programs at the same time, and it secures a separate work area in memory for each process. .

FIG. 6 shows a system configuration of a device equipped with a communication control section 17 having a reentrant structure, and FIG. 5 shows its memory map.

In this system, two communication control tasks (tasks A and B) share one reentrant structure communication control program.

For example, when a communication request occurs, another task (not shown) secures a work area A on the main memory 5. Then, assign the secured work area A and the vacant image conversion and channel input/output I/O area A to task A.
and request processing. The requested task A is
Using the notified work area A and I/O area A,
Execute the communication control program.

If another communication request occurs during this process, other tasks (not shown) secure another work area B on the main memory 5 and use the vacant image conversion and channel input/output I/O areas. Request processing to task B together with task B. Task B, which has received the request, uses work area B and I/O area B, which are different from task A, to execute the communication control program.

In other words, in the first conventional example, a static fixed area on the main memory 5 is used as a work area and an I/O area, so a communication control program with only the access address changed is stored on the main memory 5. However, in the second conventional example, only one need to be placed in the main memory 5 because the notified dynamic area is used.

[0024]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In current programming technology, programs and variables can be rearranged.
A common method is to add a logical name called an address constant to a program or variable, and use this to access the program. A program using address constants is converted into an object program by an assembler or compiler, etc., and then combined with other object programs by a linker and arranged in memory, and the address constants in the program are transferred to the actual work area or I/O. Replaced with the O area address.

In the first conventional method, communication control program A and communication control program B access the work area or I/O area using different address constants, so they do not infringe on the other's area.

However, the work area used by a program with a reentrant structure as in the second conventional method,
Alternatively, the I/O area is a dynamic area that is determined only during execution, and the area accessed by the program cannot be fixed using address constants.

For this reason, a program with a reentrant structure secures a work area and an I/O area each time it is executed, and stores addresses as pointer variables. Then, the dynamic area is accessed via the stored pointer variable.

However, indirect memory access using pointer variables is not supported by some programming languages or CPUs. Furthermore, even if it is supported, it is not as easy to develop as a program that uses direct memory access using address constants.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus having a control method that allows one program to be processed in parallel while using a static area as an access work area and an I/O area. It is about providing.

[0030]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a facsimile device or an information processing device equipped with a program that performs parallel processing under a multitasking OS environment. means for converting an address into an address of a memory area used by a task; means for storing information specifying the location of the memory area used by the task; The system provides a means to notify the public.

Further, the present invention provides a facsimile device or an information processing device equipped with a program that performs parallel processing under a multitasking OS environment, in which the program statically stores a temporary area in memory even when accessing local data. a means to access and convert an address pointing to a temporary area in memory into an address of an actual dynamic local data area, a means to store information specifying the location of the actual local data area, and a means to be used when executing a task. The address conversion means is further provided with means for notifying the address conversion means of information regarding the location of the memory area.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a facsimile device or an information processing device that is equipped with a program that performs parallel processing under a multitasking OS environment, in which the program uses virtual memory on a memory when accessing a local I/O device. A means for statically accessing an area as an I/O space, converting an address pointing to a temporary area in memory into an actual dynamic local I/O space address, and a method for determining the actual local I/O space location. The apparatus is provided with means for storing identifying information, and means for notifying the address conversion means of information regarding the location of the I/O space used during task execution.

[0033]

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the address conversion means automatically converts the address of the memory area to be accessed into the address of the memory area to be used. For this reason, even when processing multiple programs in parallel, if a different location is set in the storage means of the memory area of each task, the tasks being processed in parallel will not infringe on the memory area of other tasks. Never.

[0034]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of a facsimile machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a memory map.

The difference from the conventional system configuration (FIG. 4 or 6) is that a memory management section 4 and a bank memory 6 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the OS, TCB, and communication control program, a bank window is arranged on the main memory 5. The bank window has bank memory 6 (hereinafter referred to as
Each divided bank memory is defined as a bank), and at a certain point, one bank is displayed in the bank window. Each bank is managed by a unique number called a bank number, and the memory management section 4 performs switching control so that the bank to be executed is displayed on the bank window. In this embodiment, two banks 20 and 21 correspond to a bank window, and a communication control work area, an image conversion I/O area, and a channel input/output I/O area are assigned to each bank. The communication control program is coded to access a static area called a bank window as a work area and an I/O area. In addition, the input/output I/O device
The O port is assigned to an address corresponding to the I/O area of bank 20 or bank 21.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of a task control block (TCB) that manages task operations. The TCB has a program counter save area that stores the program address that the task will start executing next, and a bank number save area that stores the number of the bank used by the task. Two TCBs 18 and 19 for tasks A and B are prepared for the communication control program.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the arrangement of bank windows and bank memories on the main memory 5. In this embodiment, addresses "D000H" to "EFFFH" of the main memory 5 are assigned to the bank memory 6. Also, the bank window is located at the address “
C000H” to “CFFFH” and address “
Bank 20 is set from "D000H" to "DFFFH", and bank 21 is set from addresses "E000H" to "EFFFH". At this time, the bank numbers are 1 and 2, respectively. When the communication control program accesses the work area or I/O area, it accesses the bank window from address "C000H" to "CFFFH". At this time, the memory management unit 4 converts the address of the area to be accessed into an address of the bank 20 or bank 21 depending on the task being activated.

Next, a simultaneous communication processing method in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be explained.

When a communication request occurs, another task (not shown) requests the OS to start a communication control task. At this time, register the execution start address of the communication control program in the program counter save area of the TCB,
Furthermore, the bank number of the empty bank to be used is registered in the bank number save area.

FIG. 9 shows the dispatch process that occurs prior to the execution of a task when the OS receives a task activation request.

First, the OS refers to the bank number save area in the TCB of the task to be started (step 901), and notifies the memory management unit 4 of the bank number (step 902).
). At this time, if necessary, variables in the bank are initialized. Next, the program is executed from the address stored in the program counter save area in the same TCB (step 903).

The communication control program starts processing from its execution start address and issues a bank window address on bus 2 in order to access the work area or I/O area. At this time, the memory management unit 4 converts the bank window address into an actual bank address.

FIG. 10 shows address conversion processing by the memory management section 4.

The memory management unit 4 monitors the bus 2 and waits for an address to be output (step 1001). If the address is output, read it (step 1002),
It is confirmed whether the address is a bank window address (step 1003). If it is not the bank window address, the next steps 1004 and 1005 are not executed. But if it's the bank window address, then
The bank number notified from the OS in step 902 of FIG. 9 is read (step 1004), and the bank number is multiplied by hexadecimal "1000H" and added to the address (step 1005).

Next, it is confirmed whether the address points to the I/O area (step 1006). If it is not the I/O area, the corresponding address in main memory 5 or bank memory 6 is accessed (step 1007). If it is an I/O area, the corresponding I/O device is accessed (step 1008).

For example, when task A is executed using TCB 18 and bank 20 in response to a first communication request,
From “C000H” that the program accesses to “CFF”
The address of “FH” is from “D000H” to “DFFFH”.
” address. If another communication request occurs while task A is being executed, other tasks (not shown)
If you request startup of ``C0'', the program will access ``C0''.
Addresses from “00H” to “CFFFH” are “E000
The address is converted from "H" to "EFFFH".

In this way, the program shared by each task can access the bank memory 6 by accessing the temporary work area and I/O area placed on the static bank window using address constants, for example. Dynamic work areas and I/O areas used by each of the above tasks can be automatically accessed.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, one task occupies one bank, but one bank may be shared by a plurality of tasks depending on the specifications of the device. Further, in the first embodiment, all work areas and I/O areas are allocated to banks, but work areas and I/O areas that do not interfere between tasks may be allocated on the main memory 5.

FIG. 11 shows a memory map of the system in consideration of the above points.

The system of this embodiment consists of three programs. Of these, the Z program is used for one task, but since the X program and the Y program have the possibility of parallel processing, the programs are shared by tasks A and B and tasks C and D, respectively. Further, areas that do not conflict with each task are arranged on the main memory 5 as a task common work area and a task common I/O area.

In this embodiment, the work area and I/O area of the X and Y programs are arranged in one bank, and one bank is shared by two programs. For example, when tasks A and B associated with the X program and tasks C and D associated with the Y program are executed in conjunction, four banks are required in the first embodiment in order to perform parallel processing. However, in this embodiment, the bank number of the same bank 20 is set in the TCB bank number save area of X task A and Y task C, and the same bank number is set in the TCB bank number save area of X task B and Y task D. By setting the bank number of bank 21, only two banks are required, and in addition, X task or Y
Tasks are connected to the work area and I/O of the linked tasks.
The O area can also be easily referenced.

Although the embodiments described above relate to facsimile machines, the present invention is also applicable to all information processing apparatuses that process one program in parallel.

[0055]

According to the facsimile machine and information processing apparatus of the present invention, the address of a static memory area accessed by a program is automatically converted into the address of a dynamic memory area actually used by a task. Therefore, programs can be easily developed without worrying about infringing on the memory area addresses of tasks to be processed in parallel.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a memory map of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 2
] System block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention,

[Figure 3
] Memory map of the first conventional device,

[Fig. 4] System block diagram of the first conventional device,

[Fig. 5] Memory map of the second conventional device,

[Fig. 6] System block diagram of the second conventional device,

FIG. 7: Task control block (TCB) of the present invention
) explanatory diagram,

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a bank memory of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing OS dispatch processing of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the memory management unit of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a memory map of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Main control unit, 2...Bus, 5...Main memory, 7...Image memory, 8...Reading and recording section, 9, 10...image conversion section, 11, 12...channel input/output section, 13, 14...Line.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information processing device comprising a program that performs parallel processing under a multitasking OS environment, comprising means for converting an address of a memory area accessed by the program into an address of a memory area used by a task; Information processing comprising: means for storing information specifying the location of the memory area used by the task; and means for notifying the address conversion means of information regarding the location of the memory area used when executing the task. Device. 2. An information processing device including a program that performs parallel processing under a multitasking OS environment, wherein the program statically accesses a temporary area on memory even when accessing local data, and A means for converting the address pointing to the above temporary area into an address of an actual dynamic local data area, a means for storing information specifying the location of the actual local data area, and a means for storing the memory area used when executing a task. An information processing device characterized by comprising means for notifying the address conversion means of information regarding a location. 3. In an information processing device equipped with a program that performs parallel processing in a multitasking OS environment, the program uses a temporary area in memory as an I/O space even when accessing local I/O equipment. A means for statically accessing and converting an address pointing to a temporary area on memory into an actual dynamic local address of the I/O space, and specifying the actual local position of the I/O space. 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: means for storing information relating to the location of the I/O space to be used when executing a task; and means for notifying the address conversion means of information regarding the position of the I/O space used when executing a task.