JP2003099256A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor whose reusability in function execution unit and whose control, modification, and correction are facilitated as well as maintainability and developability. SOLUTION: The respective function execution units 1-1 to 1-6 indicate operations and transfer information through a common API. A control procedure that a control part 2 follows is described as control data and supplied in the form of a text file 6. A text read part 3 reads the control data from the text file 6 and passes them to a text interpretation part 4. The text interpretation part 4 interprets the passed control data sequentially to control the respective function execution units. The control part 2 can locally control the respective function execution units and describe the control data with text data, so that the system can easily be developed and modified and the maintainability can be improved.

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 in which a plurality of function execution units assigned a specific function or role in a basic control system operate in cooperation with each other. For example, the present invention relates to an information processing device that inputs / processes / outputs data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus represented by, for example, a printer, image data is input from an external device, and the image data is converted into a data suitable for an output device,
It had a simple configuration of outputting to an output device such as a printer engine. In such a conventional image processing device,
The input means for inputting the data, the processing means for converting the data, and the output means for outputting are fixed to one respectively, and the flow of the data is simple, so that the whole control was easy.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a first example of a conventional information processing apparatus. In this example, input A as described above
The process B and the output C are fixed to one each. These are function execution units, respectively. The data is passed in the order of input A, processing B, and output C. Also,
Control information and the like are exchanged between the function execution units. In such a simple configuration, each function execution unit is provided with control means for controlling the operation in each function execution unit (shown as "control" in the lower right of each configuration), and each function The execution units are configured so that they can operate independently. In addition, the exchange of data and control information between the respective function execution units has been decided for each configuration.

In recent years, however, multifunctionalization in image processing apparatuses has been remarkable, and, for example, the input means also has a one-to-one correspondence with external equipment.
In addition to being locally connected with one physical interface, it has multiple physical interfaces. Specifically, this is a case in which a USB, an IEEE 1394 interface and the like are added from the connection of only the IEEE 1284 interface. Further, not only a local connection but also an interface for connecting to a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) is provided, and a mode of connecting to the network and sharing is added,
There are now multiple input methods. Further, the processing means also has a plurality of processing means in order to support various data formats. Furthermore, in the case of a multi-function peripheral that incorporates a scanner and a fax modem, there will be multiple output destinations. As a result, the overall control becomes complicated even in normal processing, and exception handling such as error handling increases in number of exceptions with the increase in functions, and the control for that is very complicated. .

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a second example of a conventional information processing apparatus. In this example, as an example of a complicated device, function execution units such as input A and input B as input means, internal processing C and internal processing D and internal processing E as processing means, and output F and output G as output means are provided. An example that exists is shown. Data is input from input A or input B,
After being processed by any one or more of the internal processing C, the internal processing D, and the internal processing E, it is output from the output F or the output G. Also, control information and the like are exchanged between the function execution units.

Even in such a complicated structure, conventionally, in each function execution unit, a control means for controlling the operation in each function execution unit is provided (in the lower right of each structure, "control" is provided). (Illustration), each function execution unit is configured to be operable as an independent execution unit.
In addition, each function execution unit is closely coupled to another function execution unit, and the exchange of data and control information between the respective structures has been determined for each structure.

In the control system in which the control means is provided for each configuration as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, since the dynamic control is scattered in each function execution unit, the same contents are set for each function execution unit. It means that the control of is implemented redundantly. Therefore, this leads to an increase in the mounting amount, which causes a decrease in maintainability. Further, when a part of the function is changed, it takes a lot of man-hours for the changing work, and it also takes a lot of man-hours to verify that there is no contradiction in the operation of other function execution units. Further, even when a malfunction occurs during operation, it is difficult to identify the cause because the control is scattered in each function execution unit. As a result, the structure becomes more complicated than necessary,
The system had become inflexible, making it extremely difficult to add new functions or change functions.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a third example of a conventional information processing apparatus. In the figure, 21 is a data input component, 22 is an internal processing component, 23 is a data output component, and 24 is a control unit. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is possible to locally provide the control unit 24 and concentrate the control unit provided for each function execution unit. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 10, in the simple system as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 24 collectively controls the function execution units such as the data input component 21, the internal processing component 22, and the data output component 23. It is configured to do.

In this case, the control performed between the respective function execution units is integrated in the control unit 24, and the mounting amount can be reduced. Further, when changing or modifying the control procedure, the control unit 24 may be modified or modified.
Further, since the control unit 24 controls each function execution unit, the effect is indirectly spread by modifying the control part of a certain function execution unit as in the above example, and the operation is not performed or the operation is not performed. It will not become unstable.

However, the control procedure is held in the control section 24 or programmed as the operation procedure of the control section 24, as shown as a "sequence module". Further, since all the controls are integrated in the control unit 24, the control procedure becomes complicated. Therefore, when the control procedure is changed or modified, the change or modification cannot be performed unless all the operations of the control unit 24 are grasped. In addition, it is necessary to reconstruct the entire control unit 24 every time the control procedure is changed or modified. Therefore, even in the configuration in which the control unit 24 is localized as shown in FIG. 10, it is not easy to change or modify the control procedure.

In recent years, several approaches based on object-oriented methodologies have been taken. Specifically, Eri
ch Gamma, Richard Helm, R
alph Johnson, John Vissid
Of some patterns defined in es "Design patterns for reuse in object-oriented",
The "Mediator pattern" is used to localize the module that controls the behavior of the object, so that the communication system between the function execution unit and the control part can be made common and the reusability of the function execution unit can be improved.

FIG. 11 shows a Mediator pattern.
It is explanatory drawing of the object structure of rn. "Media
"tor pattern" is an abstract object Mediator that is a base class that defines a control unit and an abstract object C that is a defined class that defines a function execution unit.
Defines an olleague and creates an abstract object Medi
A concrete object Concr that inherits attor
From eteMediator, abstract object Col
A concrete object Con that inherits "league"
The process is advanced by sending a message to the createColleagues 1, 2, etc., and the entire control is performed.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-254702 discloses that the "M
It is described that "editor pattern" is applied. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-214690 describes an apparatus that interprets a script and processes information according to the description content.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a fourth example of the conventional information processing apparatus. By performing the local control as described above, for example, even the complicated configuration shown in FIG. 9 can be realized with a simple configuration as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, an overall control unit H is provided, and each function execution unit is configured such that the overall control unit H carries out activation / shutdown and exchange of information.

However, even with the introduction of the above-mentioned technique, there remains a point that the convenience of changing the overall control is lacking. Specifically, "Mediator Patt
Concrete Mediator defined by "ern"
Even if manages the whole control, the description of the control is generally described as a code in the same programming language (for example, C / C ++ or Java (registered trademark)) as other objects, and is compiled and compiled by the development environment. It is necessary to take steps such as linking.

At the stage of debugging immediately after implementation, it is sufficiently possible that the quality of the control procedure itself is low and the control procedure is frequently changed and modified. Even after the release, control may be changed due to addition of new functions or replacement of functions. In the conventional technique as described above, it is necessary to change the control statement described in the programming language and compile and link each time the control procedure is changed.
This also hinders development efficiency.

Further, localizing the control makes the control part locally complicated, and in a normal programming language, it becomes a difficult task in understanding and maintaining the control. . Even if the overall control is localized, if the parameters to be passed to the function execution unit are statically determined, the man-hour will increase when the device parameters are changed or ported, and the reusability as a function execution unit will not increase. There was also a problem.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and improves the reusability of a function execution unit, and can easily control, change, and modify the function. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that has improved ease of maintenance and maintainability.

[0019]

According to the present invention, on a basic control system such as an OS, a plurality of function executing means each responsible for a specific function and a localized control means for controlling the operation of these function executing means are provided. An information processing apparatus provided with the control means, in which a procedure for performing control for operating each function execution unit to execute a series of processing, and a control describing a parameter to be passed to each function execution unit as necessary Data is prepared and the control data is read by the control means to execute the entire processing. In the control means, the control data is read in by the control data reading means,
The read control data is interpreted by the interpreting means. When the function execution unit is activated or terminated or information is exchanged as a result of the interpretation, the function execution unit is operated according to the common call instruction system through the instruction system processing means, and the common information format is used. Use to exchange information. In this way, the control means can execute and control the entire processing operation by operating the necessary function execution units according to the control data and exchanging information.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the entire control is localized, the complicated control between the respective function execution units is simplified as in the conventional case, and control development, change and modification, maintenance, etc. are performed. The ease can be improved. Also, in each function execution unit, it is possible to implement only a pure function without considering the relationship with other function execution units and control means.
It is possible to improve the reusability of function execution units and reduce the overall implementation amount.

Further, since the entire control is described as control data and read by the control means, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the basic control system such as the OS. Furthermore, when developing, changing or modifying the control procedure, it is sufficient to change the control data, and since the control means is not modified, it is possible to easily cope with the development or addition or change of functions. Can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, as the constitution of the control means,
When instructing an operation to the function execution unit, the allowable time until the response is notified to the function execution unit is notified from the allowable time notifying means, and the time until the response is returned is the allowable time measuring means. Measure with. Then, when the response is not returned within the allowable time, the exception handling means executes the exception handling. In this way, by incorporating the mechanism for setting the allowable time and monitoring the excess of the allowable time, it becomes possible to easily perform the control in the case where the time limit is severe such that real-time property is required.

[0023]

1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an example of information and control flow. 1-1 in the figure
1 to 6 are function execution units, 2 is a control unit, 3 is a text reading unit, 4 is a text interpretation unit, 5 is an execution API processing unit, and 6 is a text file. In the example shown in FIG.
An example is shown in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus of a printer that receives information via an interface and prints it out. The image processing device is, for example, Et.
hernet (registered trademark) / IEEE1284 / USB
/ FAX modem receiving section / scanner reading section is used to input image data from the outside, and the image data is output to the printer engine section, FAX modem transmission section, and the like. A plurality of function execution units for processing these inputs and outputs have an appropriate division, and each is independent. Further, inside the image processing apparatus, various functions (parse processing / PD
L processing / color conversion processing / compression / expansion processing, etc.) are independent as function execution units for each function allocation.

In FIG. 1, a PDL (Page Description) represented by PostScript (registered trademark) or the like is used.
It is assumed that the received data is described according to the PDL standard, assuming a network printer compatible with the PDL (Language Option). As a function execution unit for realizing such an image processing apparatus, in the example shown in FIG. 1, an input component 1-1, a perspective processing component 1-2, a PDL processing component 1-3, and a color conversion processing component 1-4. , A compression / decompression component 1-5, and a printer output component 1-6. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, they are shown as the function execution unit 1.

As described above, the input component 1-1, which is the function execution unit, and the parse processing component 1-
2, PDL processing component 1-3, color conversion processing component 1-4, compression / expansion component 1-5,
The printer output components 1-6 are independent of each other as described above, and as shown in FIG. 2, each of them performs operation instructions and exchange of information with the control unit 2. Further, control data for controlling these function execution units 1 is input to the control unit 2 as a text file 6.

The control unit 2 controls the plurality of function execution units 1
Is provided locally to control the function execution unit 1, and the function execution unit 1 is operated by instructing start and stop of each function execution unit 1 and information is exchanged with each function execution unit 1. Give and receive. In order to exchange with such a function execution unit 1, a common instruction system (hereinafter referred to as API) is defined and used between each function execution unit 1 and the control unit 2. ing. Figure 3
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an object structure that realizes an API. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the API is an abstract component (Abst) that is a base class that defines the API.
rac Component) is defined, and the function execution unit 1 can use a commonly defined API by using a component that is a concrete component that inherits this abstract component.

The control unit 2 has a text reading unit 3, a text interpretation unit 4, an execution API processing unit 5, and the like.
The text reading unit 5 reads control data from an external text file. The control data describes the dynamic operation procedure of each function execution unit 1 as a control procedure by state transition based on a predetermined sequence description language. In the control data, a description that hierarchically describes multiple control procedures or calls other control data,
It is possible to describe that the execution result of the function in the function execution unit 1 instructed to execute or the intermediate report is received, and the content of the execution result or the intermediate report is evaluated. Further, in the control data, parameters to be passed to the function execution unit 1 or the control unit 2 can be described. It is assumed that the control data is text data and is input as the text file 6 here. Of course, the data is not limited to text data, and may be data such as an intermediate code converted into a predetermined format, but it is desirable that the operator can easily change it when modifying or changing the control procedure or the maintenance. .

The text interpretation unit 4 sequentially interprets the control data read by the text reading unit 3 and performs processing such as specifying a function execution unit for controlling an operation and specifying an instruction for the function execution unit. . The text interpretation unit 4 performs an interpreter-like operation of sequentially interpreting and executing control data. The text interpretation unit 4 can be configured to interpret a plurality of control data in parallel.

The execution API processing unit 5 includes a text interpretation unit 4
In accordance with the interpretation result of the control data in step 1, the common API is used to instruct the function execution unit 1 to perform an operation including start / stop, and the common information format is used to communicate with the function execution unit 1. Information is exchanged between them.

Next, an example of the operation in the first embodiment of the information processing system of the invention will be described. Basically, the text reading unit 3 of the control unit 2 reads the description of the control data in the text file, the read control data is interpreted by the text interpretation unit 4, and the function execution unit 1 instructed according to the contents is read. You will have to repeat the action of moving it. In the following description, the content of control based on control data will be described using a specific example.

FIG. 4 is a state chart for explaining a specific example of the operation in the first embodiment of the information processing system of the invention. When the information processing apparatus is powered on, the control unit 2 uses the text reading unit 3 to read the text file 6 in which the control data is described, and the text interpretation unit 4 to read the description contents of the control data and Interpret the parameters sequentially. Here, after turning on the power, the file name of the text file to be read first is "roo
t. seq ”(see FIG. 1). That is, the text file“ root. seq "
Will be read, and the interpretation will be performed from the beginning.

This text file "root.se"
The control procedure of "q" is shown in the upper part of Fig. 4 as a root sequence. In brief, the state transits from Start to State1 upon power-on, and each function execution unit 1 is initialized. Then St
transition to ate2 and input from external device (connec
Wait t). If there is an input from an external device, the State
The process transitions to 3 and receives the information input from the external device (read). When the reception is completed, the state transitions to State 2 in preparation for the reception of the next information, and the print sequence is activated. The print sequence is a control procedure for printing out the received information, and is individually given by the text file "print.seq" (see FIG. 1).

The operation up to this point will be described using a specific example of control data. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of control data in the first embodiment of the information processing system of the invention. In FIG. 5, the text file “root.se” is displayed.
The contents (control data) of "q" are shown.
The description enclosed by * and “* /” and the line beginning with “//” are comment statements.For the sake of explanation, a serial number for identifying each line is added to the beginning of each line. This serial number need not be included in the control data.

The text reading unit 3 of the control unit 2 reads the text file "root.seq" shown in FIG. 5, and the text interpretation unit 4 sequentially interprets the text file from the beginning. Here, the first part (6,
The parameters described in lines 7, 10 to 12, 15, and 16) are stored. The parameters on the 6th and 7th lines are for the control unit 2, the parameters on the 10th to 12th lines are for the input component 1-1, and the parameters on the 15th and 16th lines are for the printer output component 1-6.

Next, the sequence control described in the 20th and subsequent lines is started. In the sequence description in this example, as described in the comment on the 18th line, the description up to the first “:” is the state name, the description up to the next “:” is the input condition, and the description up to the next “:” is output. The condition and the description up to the last ";" are the state names for the next transition.

The INIT state on the 20th line is a reserved word in the sequence description language and is specified to always start from this state. In this line, there is no input condition, and the input component 1 shown as “A” in FIG.
Process I, which is an API for instructing execution of the initialization function of -1
call to initialize (). Processing Ini
tialize () is a common API for initializing the function execution unit defined by the sequence description language.

The text reading unit 3 displays the character string "A.In.
When the character string “A.ize ()” is read and the character string is passed to the text interpretation unit 4, the text interpretation unit 4 receives the received character string “A. Initialize () "is lexically analyzed, the input component 1-1 is specified as the function execution unit to be instructed, and the initialization process Initialize () is specified as the function to be instructed. The input component 1-1 is notified through the execution API processing unit 5. Then, the state transits to the I1 state of the 21st line which is the next state.

In the I1 state, the input component 1
Initialization function processing in -1 Initialize
Wait for the return of e () and evaluate the return value. When the input component 1-1 completes initialization and notifies the control unit 2 of the return value, the execution API processing unit 5 identifies from which function execution unit the return value is notified (in this example, the input component 1-1) The information for specifying the function execution unit and the information of the return value are passed to the text interpretation unit 4. If the return value is 0, as described in the output condition, the process Initia which is the initialization function of the purse process component 1-2.
call size (), and transit to the I2 state on the 22nd line. If the return value is not 0, the error process in the 40th line is performed, the process is shifted to the EXIT state, and the termination process is performed.

In the same manner, the process Initialize () of the initialization function in each function execution unit is called, the return value is evaluated, and if the return value is 0, the process proceeds to the initialization process of the next function execution unit. repeat. And
In the I6 state of the 26th line, if the return value from the initialization function in the printer output component 1-6 is 0, the state transits to the CONNECT state as the next state. Note that if the return value is not 0, it is 41 to 45.
The process moves to the error processing on the line, transitions to the EXIT state, and performs termination processing.

When initialization is completed and the state transits to the CONNECT state, in the description of the 29th line, the process connect () of the connection waiting function from the external device is called to the input component 1-1, and the state transits to the WAIT state. Wait for connection from external device. Although there are three WAIT states in the 32nd to 35th lines, the output condition of the line in which the input condition becomes true is executed, and the state transits to the next state (here, the WAIT state again).

When there is a connection request for transmitting the information to be printed from the external device, the return value of the process connect () becomes 0, and the input condition on the 32nd line becomes true. Therefore, the output condition of the 32nd line is executed and the process read () of the function of reading the received data from the external device is called. Here, the argument "$ 0" is passed to the process read (),
This means that information other than the return value of the previous input condition "A.connect ()" is passed. When the process connect () passes information to the calling side in addition to the return value, the argument is passed to the control unit 2 by the method defined by the API. For example, "SystemSetArg (ar
g) ”etc. API is defined and this is processed connect
It can be called when the connection destination can be specified in the implementation code of (). Here, specifically, a unique number for identifying the connection destination, for example, Socket File Descr
iptor (fd) and the like are exchanged between the process connect () and the process read (). This allows the process read () to specify the connection destination even when there are multiple connections.

When the data reception is normally completed, the input condition of the 35th line becomes true, and the WAIT state is awaited again.
By repeating this loop, the receiving operation of the network printer can be controlled. Note that the process co
If some kind of abnormality occurs in nnect () and the return value is not 0, move to error processing on line 46 and return to E
Transition to the XIT state and end processing is performed.

If the input component 1-1 can accept the next connection request during the reading process, it passes #Ready () which is an interface for the intermediate report to the control unit 2. Then, since the input condition on the 33rd line becomes true, the output conditions on the 33rd and 34th lines are executed as outputs. Although it is divided into two lines here, "Self.
Spawn ("print.seq", $ 0, $ 1),
A. The description "connect ()" means that the left and right output expressions separated by "," are sequentially executed from the left. Spawn ("print.se
q ", $ 0, $ 1)" reads another text file "print.seq" and activates the sequence. In this case, "root.seq" is the parent sequence and "print.seq" is the child sequence. If a sequence is executed as a thread and the basic control system (specifically, OS) has a parallel execution function such as multitasking or multithreading, these sequences are used to execute a plurality of sequences in parallel. can do. And the parent thread itself is processed in line 34
Call ct () and wait for the next input. By doing so, the next information to be printed can be received even while the information to be printed is being processed internally.

Text file "print.seq"
Although the specific description content of is omitted here, it will be described based on the "print sequence" shown in the lower part of the drawing by returning to FIG. In the output condition on the 33rd line in FIG. 5, “Self.
Spawn ("print.seq", $ 0, $ 1) "
4 starts the print sub-sequence shown as "print sequence" in the lower part of FIG.
Transition from te4 to State5.

In State 5, the parse processing component 1-2 is instructed to perform the parse processing for reading the header information in the received information. The parse information obtained by the parse processing component 1-2 is passed to the control unit 2 and transits to the next State6. Here, a network printer compatible with PDL is assumed, and the received information to be printed is described in PDL such as PostScript (registered trademark). In State 6, the PDL processing component 1-3 is instructed to perform PDL processing on the received information to be printed, and the PD
The L processing component 1-3 converts PDL data into image data and draws it in a page memory or the like. And it changes to State7.

Next, in State 7, color space conversion processing for matching the image data with the color space of the printer device and compression processing of the image data are performed. Normally, the printer device has its own color space and does not necessarily match the color space specified by the external device.
Color space conversion processing is required. When sending image data to a printer device, especially because the size of color image data is large, the image data is compressed and held in order to ensure the performance of the data transfer bus inside the image processing apparatus. Decompression processing is performed when image data is output. For these processes, the color conversion processing component 1-4 is instructed to perform color conversion processing, and the compression / expansion component 1-5 is instructed to perform compression processing.

When the color space conversion processing and compression processing of State 7 are completed and preparation for output to the printer device is completed, the process proceeds to the next State 8. In the State 8, as described above, the image data is decompressed and transmitted in synchronization with the communication interface with the printer device. It also performs communication processing with the printer device to control the timing of sending image data, the state of the printer device, and the like. In order to perform these processes, the control unit 2 instructs the compression / expansion component 1-5 to perform the decompression process and the printer output component 1-6 to output the image data to the printer device. When the printout ends normally, the state transits to the End state, and this print sequence ends after the end processing such as releasing the held resources. Note that the root sequence is still in operation even after this print sequence is completed, and for example, in the example of the control data shown in FIG. 5, waiting for a connection request from an external device in the WAIT state on lines 32 to 35. Become.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information processing system of the invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 11 is an allowable time notification unit, 12 is an allowable time measuring unit, and 13 is an exception processing unit. In the second embodiment, the processing time in each function execution unit is monitored, and the control is realized in the case where the time limit is severe such that real-time property is required.

The allowable time notification unit 11 notifies the function execution unit 1 of the allowable time until the response is sent from the function execution unit 1 to the control unit 2 when the operation instruction is given to the function execution unit 1. To do. In addition, the permissible time measuring unit 12 measures the time from when the operation instruction is given to the function execution unit 1 until the response from the function execution unit 1 is returned.
The exception processing unit 13 determines whether the response time from the function execution unit 1 is not returned within the allowable time by the allowable time measuring unit 12,
Perform exception handling. As for the exception processing, in addition to executing a predetermined operation in the control unit 2, control may be transferred to the exception processing included in the basic control system.

In order to control such processing time, the control data described as the text file 6 includes the function execution unit 1 or the function execution unit 1 in the control data.
It is possible to enable the description of the allowable time to be instructed to each processing function in or the description of the parameter.

Next, an example of the operation of the second embodiment of the information processing system of the invention will be described. The basic operation is similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, and a function for monitoring the processing time in each function execution unit 1 is added. The operation of the processing in the state chart shown in FIG. 4 will be described as a specific example, and the processing time monitoring function will be described using a specific example of control data of the root sequence shown in FIG. The description of the same parts as those of the specific example of the operation according to the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and different parts will be mainly described.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a concrete example of control data in the second embodiment of the information processing system of the invention.
Similar to the specific example of the operation in the above-described first embodiment, after the power of the device is turned on, the text reading unit 3 of the control unit 2 causes the text file “root.
seq "is read, and the text interpretation unit 4 starts the sequential interpretation from the beginning of the text file. The parameter" G
TL "(Global Time Limit) is a reserved word for determining a global allowable time. When the text interpreting unit 4 receives this parameter from the text reading unit 3, the allowable time notifying unit 11 and the allowable time measuring unit 12 receive this parameter. Parameter data is registered, and the allowable time is 1000 [ms] in this example.

6th to 8th lines, 11th to 13th lines, 16, 17
After fetching the parameters of the line, the control from the 21st line starts. In this example, the process Initialize (), which is an API indicating the initialization function, is called to the input component 1-1 in the output condition of the 21st line, but at the same time, until the response is returned to the control unit 2 by the process Initialize (). The value (1000 [ms]) defined by the parameter GTL is set as the allowable time of. Here, the description “#ON” indicates the start of time measurement of the allowable time, and the time measurement is continued until the state (“I6 state on the 27th line” in this example) having the description “#OFF”.
When the output condition of the 21st line is executed, the allowable time measuring unit 1
2 starts timing.

Processing Init for function execution unit 1 in order
Call ialize () to execute the initialization function,
In the I6 state on the 27th line, the return value of the process Initialize () in the printer output component 1-6 is evaluated. In line 27, ".GTL # OFF"
Is described, and the text interpretation unit 4 uses the allowable time measurement unit 12
Stop timing. Then, in the 21st line, the process Initialize () in the input component 1-1 is called, and in the 27th line, the process Initialize () response in the printer output component 1-6 is completed within the time specified by GTL. Or not. If there is a response by the designated time, the control proceeds, but if there is no response, the permissible time measuring unit 12 notifies the exception processing unit 13 of the timeout. Exception handling unit 13
Upon receiving the time-out notification from the permissible time measuring unit 12, notifies the text interpreting unit 4, the execution API processing unit 5, and the like, and outputs, for example, the fact that a time-out has occurred to the standard output, for example, the basic control system. Transfers control to the exception handling provided by.

If there is a response within the allowable time, the control is sequentially advanced. In this example, the entire initialization process is performed, and similarly to the specific example of the operation in the first embodiment described above, the state transits to the CONNECT state on the 30th line, and the input component 1-1 is transferred from the external device. Connection waiting function processing co
Call nnect () to transit to the WAIT state and wait for a connection from an external device. When there is a connection request for transmitting information to be printed from the external device, the process conn
The return value of ect () becomes 0, and the input condition of the 33rd line becomes true. Therefore, the output condition of the 32nd line is executed, and the processing rea of the function for reading the received data from the external device is executed.
Call d ().

In the description of the output condition on the 33rd line,
The description ".100" is added. This description is
The local allowable time is specified by an immediate value,
Here, 100 [ms] is specified. Further, since there is no description of "# .ON" here, the excess of the allowable time is unconditionally monitored in the next state. This immediate value (100 [ms]) is registered in the permissible time notification unit 11 and the permissible time measurement unit 12, and the permissible time measurement unit 12 starts clocking. Processing r
The input component 1-1 receives the information from the external device by the ead (), and if there is a response within 100 [ms], the sequence control is continuously executed. However, if the permissible time passes without a response, the permissible time measuring unit 12 notifies the exception processing unit 13 of the timeout as described above, and the exception processing unit 13 performs the exception processing as the text interpretation unit 4 and the execution API processing. The notification is sent to the unit 5 and the like, and if necessary, the fact that a timeout has occurred is output to the standard output, and the control is transferred to the exception processing provided in the basic control system.

In this way, a global allowable time such as the parameter "GTL" is set in the control data,
The processing time can be controlled by setting the allowable time by the immediate value. Further, it is possible to set a start point (“#ON”) and an end point (“#OFF”) for measuring the permissible time, and divide and instruct the portion for controlling the time. Such a description of the allowable time makes it possible to perform control even for applications where real-time performance is important.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by making the overall control local, it is easy to understand the overall control, and when modifying, changing or adding a function, etc. Can be dealt with easily. Further, only the function can be implemented in each function execution unit without considering the behavior in relation to other function execution units and control means. As a result, the reusability of the function execution unit is improved, and the overall implementation amount can be reduced. Furthermore, instead of mounting the entire control procedure in the control means, it is given as control data such as a text file and the control data is sequentially executed, so that maintainability such as change or modification of the control procedure is improved. Can be increased. By adopting such a configuration that gives control data in the form of a text file, etc., it is possible to easily change, modify, and develop the control procedure even with other basic control systems, and to perform these tasks efficiently. You can Furthermore, since a common call instruction system and a common information format are used between each function execution unit and the control means, it becomes possible to easily control each function execution unit and the basic control system. It becomes possible to communicate with each function execution unit and the control means without depending on, and the portability to other basic control systems is also improved. Furthermore, by providing a configuration that allows the setting of the allowable time and monitors the excess of the allowable time,
In the control with a strict time limit, for example, in the control of a system that requires real-time property, there is an effect that the control when the allowable time is exceeded becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information and control flow in the first embodiment of the information processing system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an object structure that realizes an API.

FIG. 4 is a state chart for explaining a specific example of an operation in the first embodiment of the information processing system of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of control data in the first embodiment of the information processing system of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of control data in the second embodiment of the information processing system of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a conventional information processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a conventional information processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a third example of a conventional information processing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an object structure of a mediar pattern.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth example of a conventional information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-6 ... Function execution unit, 2 ... Control unit, 3 ... Text reading unit, 4 ... Text interpretation unit, 5 ... Execution API
Processing unit, 6 ... Text file, 11 ... Allowable time notification unit, 12 ... Allowable time measuring unit, 13 ... Exception processing unit, 21 ...
Data input component, 22 ... Internal processing component, 23 ... Data output component, 24 ... Control unit.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus in which a plurality of function executing means, each of which is in charge of a specific function, and a control means for controlling the operation of the plurality of function executing means operate on a basic control system. A control data reading means for reading control data for controlling an operation sequence of the function execution unit, an interpreting means for sequentially interpreting the control data read by the control data reading means, and a control data in the interpreting means. In accordance with the interpretation result, the function execution unit is instructed to operate by using a common call instruction system, and the information format is shared by using the call instruction system and the function execution unit. An instruction system processing means for controlling a plurality of the function execution units by exchanging data is provided. Information processing equipment. 2. The control data includes sequence data in which a dynamic operation procedure of each of the function execution units is described as a control procedure by a state transition based on a predetermined sequence description language. 1. The information processing device according to 1. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sequence description language is capable of hierarchically describing a plurality of control procedures. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sequence description language is capable of description for calling other control data. 5. The sequence description language is capable of describing that an execution result of a function in a function execution unit instructed to be executed is received and the execution result is evaluated. 4. The information processing device according to any one of 4 above. 6. The sequence description language is capable of describing that an interim report of function execution in a function execution unit instructing execution is received and the content of the interim report is evaluated. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control data includes a parameter to be passed to the function execution unit and the control means. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control data is text data. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interpretation unit can interpret a plurality of control data in parallel. 10. The control means further notifies the function execution unit of an allowable time until the function execution unit gives a response to the control means when an operation instruction is given to the function execution unit. And a permissible time measuring means for measuring the time from when the operation is instructed to the function execution unit until the response from the function execution unit is returned, and to instruct the operation to the function execution unit. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exception processing unit that executes exception processing when the permissible time has elapsed. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control data is capable of describing a permissible time for instructing the function execution unit. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control data includes, as a parameter, an allowable time instructing the function execution unit. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control data includes, as a parameter, individual permissible time information for instructing each function of each function execution unit.