JP2004086280A - Information processor, external device and driver installation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize many types of information processors to be connected to external devices, and to provide an entity which can deal with a new type of information processor. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor has a driver source program acquisition means which when a new external device is connected, acquires a driver source program necessary for operating the external device; a compiling and linking means which compiles and links the driver source program; an installation means which installs the source program in a memory means; and a driver installation program which makes each of the above means execute. Accordingly, one type of prepared driver source program suffices. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing device having an instruction memory and a CPU, particularly to a portable information device such as a mobile phone and a PDA.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many information processing devices such as mobile phones are controlled by a CPU, and have a storage device for storing a program for controlling the CPU and other data. In many cases, it has a connector and an external I / F for communicating with an external device. The external I / F is usually realized by a dedicated LSI or other circuit, and is controlled by the CPU. Dedicated connectors and external I / F units are used depending on the communication method. For example, when Ethernet (registered trademark) is used, it is necessary to provide a dedicated connector / external I / F unit.
[0003]
There are various devices such as a printer, a camera, and a hard disk as external devices to be connected. In some cases, another information processing apparatus is connected to perform information transmission and reception by communication.
[0004]
In order to perform communication between the information processing apparatus and the external device in such a configuration, a driver program corresponding to the external I / F unit (hereinafter referred to as an I / F driver program) and a driver program corresponding to the external device ( In the following, it is necessary to use both. The I / F driver program controls the external I / F unit by reading / writing the control register of the external I / F unit assigned to a certain address in the address space of the CPU. In this case, a necessary time is awaited by a timer process, an interrupt handler activated by an interrupt signal from the external I / F unit to the CPU is appropriately processed, and the like. Enable communication.
[0005]
On the other hand, the device driver program controls an external device using a communication system via an external I / F unit that can communicate with the I / F driver program. For example, when the external device is a printer, information of resolution is set, and data of a page to be printed is transmitted.
[0006]
Various external devices may be connected to the information processing apparatus, and a different device driver program is required for each external device. On the other hand, the same I / F driver program is always used. In order to communicate with an external device, the I / F driver program and the device driver program need to be arranged at appropriate positions on storage means that can be used by the CPU of the information processing apparatus. The process of arranging the program at an appropriate position on the storage means usable by the CPU is called installation.
[0007]
Usually, the device driver program often does not exist in the storage device of the information processing apparatus. Therefore, when a new external device is connected, it is necessary to install a device driver program corresponding to the new external device. There are various ways to load the device driver program from during the installation process. For example, when the information processing apparatus includes a removable external storage device such as a flexible disk, the information processing device can be installed by reading from a flexible disk storing a device driver program.
[0008]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-307711 discloses a method in which a device driver program is embedded in an external device, and when the external device is connected to the information processing device, the device driver program is read into the information processing device and installed. ing. Such a device driver program is usually distributed as compiled and linked object code.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when there are a plurality of types of information processing apparatuses, it is not enough for the information processing apparatuses to be provided with connectors having the same shape to operate a specific external device on each type of information processing apparatus. Generally, an executable program depends on an instruction set of a CPU, an adopted operating system, and the like. Since these elements are different for each information processing device model, there is no compatibility between different information processing device models. . Therefore, in order to make the external device compatible with many types of information processing apparatuses, a device driver program for each model must be prepared.
[0010]
External devices are often sold together with a storage medium such as a flexible disk on which a device driver program is recorded. However, in order to correspond to many types of information processing apparatuses, device driver programs are prepared separately for each model. And the number of flexible disks increases, which causes inconvenience.
[0011]
Further, as described above, even in the method of embedding the device driver program in the external device, it is necessary to embed all the device driver programs corresponding to the model of the information processing device assumed to be the external device in advance. For this purpose, it is necessary to secure a sufficient capacity of a medium (ROM or the like) for storing the device driver program in the external device, and disadvantages such as an increase in the cost of the external device occur.
[0012]
Furthermore, according to the above-described method, when an information processing device that has not been assumed in advance is newly available after the development of the external device is completed, a device driver program corresponding to the new model cannot be prepared.
[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, provides an external device connection to many types of information processing apparatuses, and provides a new type of information processing apparatus.
[0014]
[Means to solve the problem]
An information processing device according to the present invention includes:
When a new external device is connected, a driver source program obtaining means for obtaining a driver source program necessary for operating the external device,
Compile link means for compiling and linking the driver source program,
Installation means for installing the compiled and linked driver intermediate code program in storage means;
A driver installation program for executing the above means is provided.
[0015]
Further, the external device according to the present invention includes:
An external device connected to the information processing device holding the CPU and operated by the information processing device,
Connection means for freely connecting to the information processing device;
Storage means for holding a driver source program that enables the information processing apparatus to use the external device;
Transfer means for transferring the driver source program to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device when the information processing device is connected.
[0016]
Further, the external device according to the present invention includes:
The storage unit holds a driver intermediate code program temporarily compiled and linked from the driver source program instead of the driver source program, and the transfer unit transfers the driver intermediate code program to the information processing device.
[0017]
The driver installation program according to the present invention includes:
Information processing devices that can be connected to external devices
A driver source program acquisition procedure for acquiring a driver source program required to operate an external device,
Compile link procedure for compiling and linking the obtained driver source program,
An installation procedure for installing the compiled and linked driver intermediate code program in the information processing apparatus is executed.
[0018]
The driver installation program according to the present invention includes:
In addition to the driver source program, the information processing apparatus is caused to execute a procedure for receiving and installing another program for operating the external device from the outside.
[0019]
The driver installation program according to the present invention includes:
After the program is installed, the information processing apparatus automatically executes the program.
[0020]
The driver installation program according to the present invention includes:
After executing the program, the program is automatically uninstalled from the information processing apparatus.
[0021]
The driver installation program according to the present invention includes:
In addition to the driver source program, the information processing apparatus receives, from the external device, a setting file for setting the information processing apparatus to set the external device, and causes the information processing apparatus to interpret and execute the setting file.
[0022]
The driver installation program according to the present invention includes:
Information processing devices that can be connected to external devices
A driver source program address obtaining procedure for obtaining an address of a server in which a driver source program necessary for operating an external device is stored,
A driver source program obtaining procedure for obtaining the driver source program from a server via a network,
Compile link procedure for compiling and linking the driver source program,
An installation procedure for installing the compiled and linked driver intermediate code program in the information processing apparatus is executed.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system including an information processing apparatus and an external device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The CPU 2 in the information processing device 1 is connected to the nonvolatile memory 3, the external I / F unit 4, the interrupt control unit 5, and the CPU bus 6. The external I / F unit 4 is further connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 2 via the interrupt control unit 5 and the interrupt signal line 7. The connector 8 connected to the external I / F unit 4 is connected to a detachable external device 10 via an external communication cable 9. The nonvolatile memory 3 stores programs and data including the operation system 11, and includes a driver installation program 12, which will be described later. It is assumed that a work area necessary for executing the program is also stored on the nonvolatile memory 3.
[0024]
Next, the operation will be described.
When the external device 10 is connected to the information processing device 1 via the external communication cable 9 and the connector 8, the external I / F unit 4 detects a change in the connection state and sends an interrupt signal to the CPU 2 via the interrupt control unit 5. send. The operation system 11 operating on the CPU 2 detects that the external device 10 is connected, and starts the driver installation program 12.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the external device 10. In this example, it is assumed that the external device 10 is a camera including the imaging element 30. The external device 10 includes a CPU 22, a nonvolatile memory 23, an external I / F unit 24, an interrupt control unit 25, a CPU bus 26, and an interrupt signal line 27. A driver source program 29 is stored on the nonvolatile memory 23. The external device 10 has substantially the same configuration as that of the information processing apparatus 1, except that the external device 10 includes an image sensor 30. The external device 10 is required to drive the external device 10 on the nonvolatile memory 3 (ROM). And a driver source program 29 to be transferred to the information processing apparatus 1.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the driver installation program 12 operating in the information processing apparatus 1. The driver installation program 12 first requests the external device 10 to transfer the driver source program 29 (S31). The external device 10 receives the request and transmits the driver source program 29 stored in the internal nonvolatile memory 23 to the information processing device 1. Next, the driver installation program 12 receives the driver source program 29 from the external device 10 and stores it in the work area on the nonvolatile memory 3 (S32). When the reception is completed, the driver installation program 12 compiles and links the driver source program 29 and stores the object code in the work area on the nonvolatile memory 3 (S33). Finally, the object code is installed in the information processing device 1 (S34). In this installation process, the object code is arranged at an appropriate position on the nonvolatile memory 3, and a process of address resolution is performed. Thus, the external device 10 can be used on the information processing apparatus 1.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the processing of the CPU 22 of the external device 10. When the CPU 22 receives the transfer content from the information processing device 1 from the state of waiting for reception of the transfer content from the information processing device 1 (S41), the external device 10 determines whether the transfer content is a transfer request of the driver source program. Check (S42). As a method of implementing this check processing, various methods can be considered depending on the transmission / reception protocol between the information processing apparatus 1 and the external device 10. And a method of making a determination by referring to the first byte, and a method of making a determination by performing a syntax analysis when a transmission / reception protocol is realized in a format capable of parsing such as XML (Extensible Markup Language). and so on. If the transfer content is a transfer request of the driver source program, the CPU 22 transfers the driver source program 29 stored in the nonvolatile memory 23 to the information processing device 1 (S43). If not, a process corresponding to the transfer content is performed (for example, if a power-on request for the image sensor is issued, the power of the image sensor is turned on) (S44). Thereafter, the CPU 22 is again in a state of waiting for reception from the information processing apparatus 1 (S41).
[0028]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 1 performs a compile link from a source program instead of a compiled link object code of a driver program. The compile link process at this time outputs an instruction code of the CPU of the information processing apparatus and an object code corresponding to the operating system. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a separate program for each model of the information processing apparatus, and one type of driver source program may be stored in the storage unit of the external device.
[0029]
In this embodiment, when the external device 10 is connected, the information processing apparatus 1 detects a change in the connection state of the CPU 2 via the external I / F 4 and automatically starts the driver installation program 12. The activation of the driver installation program 12 may be performed by the user after the connection is made, instead of the automatic processing based on the connection detection.
[0030]
Here, it goes without saying that the driver source program 29 stored in the external device 10 may be not only a source program described in C language or the like but also an intermediate code obtained by temporarily compiling and linking the source program. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the external device 10 when a driver intermediate code program 31 is stored instead of the driver source program 29. When the driver intermediate code program 31 is used, since a high-level language such as C is translated into a simple language close to a machine language, there is an advantage that a compiler of the information processing apparatus 1 can be simplified.
[0031]
The driver source program 29 stored in the external device 10 is stored in the non-volatile memory 23 in a data compressed state, not in a normal text file format, and is also transferred in a compressed state when transferring. Needless to say, such a configuration may be adopted. In this case, there is an advantage that the capacity of the nonvolatile memory 23 can be reduced, and the amount of transfer data is also reduced, thereby shortening the transfer time.
[0032]
Embodiment 2 FIG.
In the first embodiment, only one type of the driver program stored in the external device 10 and transferred to the information processing apparatus 1 has been described. It goes without saying that the driver program may be transferred. For example, a driver source program written in C language or the like and compiled and linked by the information processing apparatus 1 and stored / executed, and a driver interpreter code written in Java (registered trademark) language or the like and stored / interpreted as it is are stored in the information processing apparatus. 1 may be transferred.
[0033]
FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the external device 10 in this case. The driver interpreter code 32 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 23. The configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the driver installation program 12 operating in the information processing apparatus 1 in this case. Procedures (S71) to (S74) from requesting the transfer of the driver source program 29 to installation are the same as the procedures (S31) to (S34) in FIG.
[0034]
Thereafter, the driver installation program 12 requests the external device 10 to transfer the driver interpreter code 32. The external device 10 receives the request and transmits the driver interpreter code 32 stored in the internal storage means and the nonvolatile memory 23 to the information processing device 1. Next, the driver installation program 29 receives the driver interpreter code 32 from the external device 10 and installs it in the information processing apparatus 1. The driver interpreter code 32 is then interpreted and executed by the information processing device 1.
[0035]
In this manner, by transferring and installing both the driver source program 29 and the driver interpreter code 32 to the information processing apparatus 1, for example, processing requiring a processing speed is developed by the driver source program 29, and other processing is performed. The processing can be developed with the driver interpreter code 32, for example.
[0036]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
Further, by transferring the driver source program 29 from the external device to the information processing apparatus 1 and installing it after compiling and linking, and separately transferring and executing the test source program, the object generated from the driver source program 29 can be obtained. You can inspect and confirm that the code works properly.
[0037]
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the external device 10 in this case, and the test source program 33 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 23. The configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the driver installation program 12 operating in the information processing apparatus 1 in this case. The procedures (S91) to (S94) until the driver installation program 12 requests the transfer of the driver source program 29 and installs the same are the same as the procedures (S31) to (S34) in FIG. Thereafter, the driver installation program 12 requests the external device 10 to transfer the test source program 33. The external device 10 receives the request and transmits the test source program 33 stored in the internal nonvolatile memory 23 to the information processing device 1.
[0038]
Next, the driver installation program 12 receives the test source program 33 from the external device 10 and stores it in the work area on the nonvolatile memory 3. When the reception is completed, the driver installation program 12 compiles and links the test source program 33 to generate a test object code, and stores it in a work area on the nonvolatile memory 3. Thereafter, the test object code is installed in the information processing device. Next, the driver installation program 12 starts and executes the test object code. The executed test object code communicates with an external device using the driver's object code, tests whether the object code operates normally, and displays the result on a display device. Finally, the executed test object code is uninstalled.
[0039]
Thus, by compiling and linking the test source program in the information processing device, it is possible to confirm whether the driver object code generated from the driver source program operates normally in the information processing device. Further, since the test object code is automatically deleted after execution, no extra storage area is required.
[0040]
Here, a case has been described in which a test object program is generated from the test source program 33 and executed as a test program. However, a test interpreter code that is executed as an interpreter is transferred from an external device to the information processing apparatus. Needless to say, it may be executed.
Also, here, it has been described that the test object code is deleted after execution, but it goes without saying that the test object code may not be deleted.
[0041]
Also, here, the test object code is executed for the test, but an initial setting for setting an external device from the information processing apparatus may be executed. This initial setting may be not a program such as an object code but a setting file described in a predetermined format, and may be interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.
[0042]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the driver source program 29 is stored in the storage unit (the non-volatile memory 23) of the external device 10, but it goes without saying that the driver source program 29 may be obtained from another location. For example, when the information processing apparatus 1 is equipped with a flexible disk drive, the driver source program 29 is stored in a flexible disk provided as an accessory of the external device 10, and the user can store the driver source program 29 in the flexible disk drive. When the external device 10 and the information processing apparatus 1 are connected after setting the disk in advance, the connection may be detected and the driver source program 29 may be read from the flexible disk.
[0043]
When the information processing apparatus is connected to a network such as the Internet, a driver source program is stored in a server on the network, and when an external device is connected to the information processing apparatus, the connection is detected and the server detects the connection. A driver source program may be read. FIG. 10 shows an example of the system configuration in this case. The information processing device 1 is connected to a server 42 via a network 41. The server 42 stores the driver source program 29. Further, the external device 10 is connected to the information processing apparatus 1.
[0044]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the processing of the driver installation program 12 that operates in the information processing apparatus 1. When detecting the connection of the external device 10, the driver installation program 12 first requests the external device 10 for an address indicating the server 42 in which the driver source program 29 is stored (S111). The external device 10 responds to the request with the server address stored in the internal storage means (non-volatile memory) to the information processing apparatus 1 (S112). Next, the driver installation program 12 requests the driver source program 29 from the server 42 indicated by the server address (S113). The server 42 transmits the requested driver source program 29 to the information processing device 1. The driver installation program 12 receives the driver source program 29 from the server 42 and stores it in the work area on the nonvolatile memory 3 (S114).
[0045]
Subsequent processing is the same as in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.
That is, the driver installation program 12 compiles and links the driver source program 29 and stores the object code in the work area on the nonvolatile memory 3 (S115). Finally, the object code is installed in the information processing device 1 (S116). In this installation process, the object code is arranged at an appropriate position on the nonvolatile memory 3, and a process of address resolution is performed. Thus, the external device 10 can be used on the information processing apparatus 1.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus acquires a source program of a driver program for operating a connected external device, and performs compile and link from the source program. The compile link process at this time outputs an instruction code of the CPU of the information processing apparatus and an object code corresponding to the operating system. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a separate program for each model of the information processing apparatus, and it is sufficient to prepare one type of driver source program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system including an information processing apparatus and an external device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an external device in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process of the information processing apparatus in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining processing of the external device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the external device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an external device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating processing of the information processing apparatus in the case of the external device in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an external device according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining processing of the information processing apparatus in the case of the external device of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a system according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process of the information processing apparatus in FIG. 10;
[Explanation of symbols]
1: information processing device, 2, 22: CPU, 3, 23: nonvolatile memory, 4, 24: external I / F unit, 5, 25: interrupt control unit, 6, 26: CPU bus, 7, 27: interrupt signal Line, 8, 28: connector, 9: external communication cable, 10: external device, 11: operation system, 12: driver installation program, 29: driver source program, 30: imaging device, 31: driver intermediate code program, 32: Driver interpreter code, 33: test source program, 41: network, 42: server

Claims (9)

In an information processing device connectable to an external device,
When a new external device is connected, a driver source program obtaining means for obtaining a driver source program necessary for operating the external device,
Compile link means for compiling and linking the driver source program,
Installation means for installing the compiled and linked driver intermediate code program in storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising a driver installation program for executing each of the above means. An external device connected to the information processing device holding the CPU and operated by the information processing device,
Connection means for freely connecting to the information processing device;
Storage means for holding a driver source program that enables the information processing apparatus to use the external device;
An external device comprising: transfer means for transferring a driver source program to an information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device when the information processing device is connected. The storage means holds a driver intermediate code program temporarily compiled and linked from the driver source program instead of the driver source program, and the transfer means transfers the driver intermediate code program to the information processing device. The external device according to claim 3, wherein Information processing devices that can be connected to external devices
A driver source program acquisition procedure for acquiring a driver source program required to operate an external device,
Compile link procedure for compiling and linking the obtained driver source program,
A driver installation program for executing an installation procedure for installing a compiled and linked driver intermediate code program in an information processing apparatus. The driver installation program according to claim 4, wherein the program causes the information processing apparatus to execute a procedure of receiving and installing another program for operating the external device from the outside in addition to the driver source program. 6. The driver installation program according to claim 5, wherein, after the program is installed, the information processing apparatus automatically executes the program. 7. The driver installation program according to claim 6, wherein after the program is executed, the program is automatically uninstalled from the information processing apparatus. 6. The driver installation program according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus receives, from the external device, a setting file for setting the information processing apparatus for setting the external device in addition to the driver source program, and interprets and executes the setting file. Information processing devices that can be connected to external devices
A driver source program address obtaining procedure for obtaining an address of a server in which a driver source program necessary for operating an external device is stored,
A driver source program obtaining procedure for obtaining the driver source program from a server via a network,
Compile link procedure for compiling and linking the driver source program,
A driver installation program for executing an installation procedure for installing a compiled and linked driver intermediate code program in an information processing apparatus.

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