JP2004355618A - Telegram processor, apparatus control device, household electrical appliance, program for telegram processor, microcomputer system, and program for microcomputer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly process, after restart, unprocessed telegrams accumulated by operation stop. <P>SOLUTION: A telegram 6 received or created by a telegram creation part 10 is stored in a telegram memory 3. After a waiting time, a telegram processing part 15 reads the telegram 6 from the telegram memory 3, and transmits it to the outside or provides it to an internal process. When the transmission or the internal process of the telegram 6 is ended, an identification sign addition part 18 adds a sign representing processing completion to the telegram 6. A database stored in a determination database memory 4 is used for describing a processing time limit for every content of the telegram 6. When an apparatus control device 100 receives a restart signal 8 after stopping its operation, a telegram determination part 20 makes the processing part 15 process the telegrams, out of the telegrams 6 stored in the telegram memory 3, not having been processed and having unexpired processing time limits. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a message processing device, a device control device, a home appliance, a program for a message processing device, a program for a message processing device, a microcomputer system, and a program for a microcomputer system that perform processing by exchanging messages with the outside.

  As a home communication infrastructure, that is, a home network, it can be applied not only to networks that require high-speed, large-capacity data transmission such as video, but also to various home appliances and household equipment in the home. It is said that there is a growing need for inexpensive equipment networks with relatively low speed, low capacity and low capacity. For the purpose of making it possible to easily construct the latter network, for example, the ECHONET (EchoNet) standard by the Echonet Consortium has been formulated (Non-Patent Document 1, Part 1 "Overview of ECHONET" §1-1) . In a home network including an equipment network such as the ECHONET standard, like other local area networks (LANs) and the Internet, each device connected to the network is based on a protocol unique to the network. Information is exchanged for each information unit in a specific format. A unit of information sent to the network at one time is called a packet. On the other hand, a unit of information including meaningful content is called a message. The message may be exchanged as a single packet or may be exchanged in a plurality of packets.

  In addition, the inside of information home appliances (electric appliances mainly intended for home use are referred to as "home appliances", and those connected to a network and capable of exchanging information are referred to as "information home appliances"). In this case, a plurality of microcomputers (called child microcomputers) that individually control each device and the like, and a microcomputer (called a parent microcomputer) that operates them in cooperation with each other, transmit messages to each other. By exchanging each other, those that realize organic control operation of the entire information appliance and communication with an external network have appeared.

In such information home appliances, the microcomputer may stop operating due to a hardware error or the like. To cope with such a problem, for example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. According to this conventional technique, when a device control device of a home electric appliance such as a refrigerator stops operating, a user who discovers the device operates a recovery switch to restart the device control device.
"ECHONET Standards Version 2.11" ECHONET CONSORTIUM (uploaded to "HTTP://www.echonet.gr.jp") JP 2001-280777 A

  However, during the period in which the operation of the device control device is stopped, an unprocessed message is left in the device control device. Patent Literature 1 does not disclose a means for appropriately processing an unprocessed electronic message that has accumulated due to operation stoppage after restarting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a message processing device, a device control device, a home appliance, and a message processing device that can appropriately process an unprocessed message that has accumulated due to an operation stoppage after a restart. It is an object to provide a device program, a microcomputer system, and a microcomputer system program.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a message processing device that performs processing by exchanging messages with the outside, and has at least one of a message receiving unit that receives a message from the outside and a message creating unit that creates a message. Generating means, a message storing means for storing the message received or created by the message generating means, a message processing means for reading out the message stored in the message storing means, and performing a process based on the message; and An identification code adding unit that adds an identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the message storage unit with an identification code indicating that processing has been completed, a discrimination database storage unit that stores a database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message, In response to a restart signal received after the message processing device has stopped operating, read the message from the message storage unit, and among the read messages, For those whose serial identification code is not attached, only those within the processing time limit by referring to the database, in which and a message determination means for the processing to the message processing means.

  According to the present invention, in response to the restart signal received after the operation is stopped, the telegram stored in the telegram storage is read, and the unprocessed data is read by referring to the database stored in the discrimination database storage. Since processing is performed only on messages that are within the processing time limit, messages that have not been processed during the operation suspension period can be processed, and unnecessary processing of unprocessed messages that have passed the processing time limit can be avoided. Can be omitted.

  As an aspect of processing by the message processing means in the present invention, transmission of a created message to the outside, transmission of a received message to the outside, internal processing such as control of a device based on the received message, or content of the message Based on this, it is possible to implement an embodiment in which the plurality of types of processing are selectively performed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the message processing device according to claim 1, wherein the message generating means has the message creating means, and the database is a content of the message created by the message creating means. Each further describes whether the message should be newly created after the elapse of the processing time limit, and the message determination unit determines whether the message read from the message storage unit in response to the restart signal has Of these, for those not having the identification code and after the expiration of the processing time limit, by further referring to the database, the message is newly created in the message creating means only for those to be newly created. It is to let.

  According to the present invention, for an unprocessed message that has passed the processing deadline due to the operation stoppage, by referring to the database, a new message is created only for a new message to be created. Instead, a new message reflecting a new situation after the restart can be processed, and unnecessary processing for unnecessary processing can be eliminated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a control unit for controlling a device by exchanging a message with an external device through a communication line, and a control unit interposed between the control unit and the communication line so as to match both of them. A communication unit that performs protocol conversion of the message, wherein the communication unit receives a first message sent from the communication line and a second message sent from the control unit. A message storage unit that stores the first message and the second message received by the message reception unit; and a first message that reads out the first message and the second message that the message storage unit stores. A message processing unit that transmits a message to the control unit and transmits the read second message to the communication line; and the first message and the previous message whose transmission by the message processing unit is completed. An identification code adding unit that records the second message in the message storage unit with an identification code indicating that the process has been completed, and a database that describes a processing time limit for each of the first message and the second message. A determination database storage unit that reads the first and second messages from the message storage unit in response to a restart signal received after the communication unit stops operating, and reads the read first and second messages; A message discriminating unit that causes the message processing unit to transmit only a message that does not have the identification code and that is within the processing time limit by referring to the database is provided.

  According to the present invention, in response to the restart signal received by the communication unit after the operation is stopped, the message stored in the message storage unit is read, and by referring to the database stored in the determination database storage unit, Since transmission processing is performed only for unprocessed messages that are within the processing time limit, messages that have not been transmitted during the operation stop period of the communication unit can be transmitted, and unprocessed messages that have passed the processing time limit can be transmitted. It is possible to eliminate waste of unnecessary transmission of a message. Furthermore, since a communication unit that has a protocol conversion function and has a common function among various device control devices is separated from the control unit, a variety of device control devices corresponding to various devices can be used as a whole. The design cost can be reduced.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the device control device according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit further includes a message creation unit that creates a third message, and the message storage unit includes: The generated third message is also stored, and the message processing unit also reads the third message stored in the message storage unit, transmits the read third message to the communication line, and reads the third message. The first message is transmitted to the control unit except for the one containing the data request to the control unit. For the one containing the data request, the third message is sent to the message creating means. The identification code adding unit also records the third message, which has been transmitted by the message processing unit, in the message storage unit with the identification code indicating that processing has been completed, and the database stores the third message. 3 den The processing expiration date is also described for each of the contents, and the electronic message discriminating unit also reads the third electronic message from the electronic message storage unit in response to the restart signal, and among the read third electronic messages, For those not given the identification code, by referring to the database, only those that are within the processing time limit, the message processing unit is made to transmit the data, and the control unit transmits the data request And transmitting data necessary for generating the third telegram to the communication unit in accordance with.

  According to the present invention, of the first telegrams, those having the content of the data request, the communication unit in place of the control unit, based on the data transmitted by the control unit, transmits the third telegram as a response to the data request. Is created and further transmitted, so that the burden on the relatively large control unit is reduced by the communication unit being shared, and the responsiveness to the data request can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the device control device according to claim 4, wherein the database is configured to newly create the third message after the processing time limit elapses for each content of the third message. The message identification means, wherein the identification code is not attached to the third message read from the message storage means in response to the restart signal, and the processing time limit For the post-elapsed data, the database is further referred to, so that only the data to be newly prepared is newly generated as the third telegram by the telegram generating means, and the control unit performs the communication by the restart signal. After the unit resumes operation, the message creation unit transmits data necessary for newly creating the third message to the communication unit. According to the present invention, the unprocessed third telegram that has passed the processing deadline due to the stop of the operation of the communication unit is newly created only for the newly created one by referring to the database. The third message reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted in place of the third message, and unnecessary transmission of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the device control device according to claim 5, wherein the database should newly create the second message after the processing time limit elapses for each content of the second message. Whether or not the second message read from the message storage unit in response to the restart signal is not assigned the identification code, and For those after the processing time limit, by further referring to the database, only the message to be newly created is made to be newly created as the third message by the message creating means. After the communication unit restarts its operation, the message creation unit also transmits to the communication unit data necessary for newly creating a message as the third message.

  According to this invention, not only the third telegram but also the second telegram that has not been processed, the processing time limit has elapsed, and should be newly generated are newly generated and transmitted as the third telegram. A new message reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted in place of the unprocessed second message after the processing time limit, and unnecessary waste of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the apparatus control device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the control unit monitors the operation of the communication unit, and the restart signal is output when the communication unit stops operating. Is transmitted to the communication unit.

  According to the present invention, the control unit monitors the operation of the communication unit, and when the communication unit stops operating, transmits a restart signal to the communication unit. Therefore, the operation stop period can be shortened, and the operation monitoring device Need not be separately provided, and the device control device can be configured at low cost.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a control unit that controls equipment by exchanging a message with an external device through a communication line, and is interposed between the control unit and the communication line to match both of them. A communication unit that performs protocol conversion of the message, wherein the control unit receives a first message sent from the communication unit, and a message that creates a second message. Creation means; message storage means for storing the first message received by the message reception means and the second message created by the message creation means; and the first message and the second message stored by the message storage means. A message processing unit that reads a message, controls the device based on the read first message, and transmits the read second message to the communication unit; and the control by the message processing unit. An identification code adding unit that adds an identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the completed first telegram and the second telegram that has been transmitted and records them in the telegram storage unit; and the first telegram and the second telegram. Discrimination database storage means for storing a database describing a processing time limit for each of the contents, and the first message and the second message in response to a restart signal received after the communication unit stops operating. Out of the read first message and the second message, to which the identification code is not attached, by referring to the database, only those within the processing time limit and transmitting the message to the message processing means. Or electronic message discriminating means for performing control.

  According to the present invention, in response to the restart signal received by the control unit after the operation is stopped, the message stored in the message storage unit is read, and by referring to the database stored in the determination database storage unit, Since the control and transmission processing is performed only for the unprocessed messages within the processing time limit, the messages that were not processed during the operation stop period of the control unit can be processed, and the processing time limit has passed. Waste of performing unnecessary processing for unprocessed messages can be eliminated. Furthermore, since a communication unit that has a protocol conversion function and has a common function among various device control devices is separated from the control unit, a variety of device control devices corresponding to various devices can be used as a whole. The design cost can be reduced.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the apparatus control device according to claim 8, wherein the database is to newly create the second message after the processing time limit elapses for each content of the second message. The message identification means, wherein the identification code is not assigned to the second message read from the message storage means in response to the restart signal, and the processing time limit With respect to the data after the passage, the database is further referred to, so that only the data to be newly generated is caused to be newly generated by the message generating means.

  According to the present invention, the unprocessed second telegram which has passed the processing deadline due to the stop of the operation of the control unit is newly created only for the new message to be created by referring to the database. In place of the second message, the second message reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted, and unnecessary transmission of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the device control device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the communication unit monitors the operation of the control unit, and controls the restart signal when the control unit stops operating. To be transmitted to the department.

  According to the present invention, the communication unit monitors the operation of the control unit, and when the control unit stops operating, transmits a restart signal to the control unit, so that the operation stop period can be shortened and the operation monitoring device Need not be separately provided, and the device control device can be configured at low cost.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a home electric appliance, which includes the electronic message processing device according to the first or second aspect, or the appliance control device according to any one of the third to tenth aspects.

  According to the present invention, since the home electric appliance includes the message processing device or the device control device according to the present invention, it is possible to process a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period, and not to process an unprocessed message that has passed the processing time limit. A useful home appliance that can eliminate waste of performing necessary processing can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 12 is a program for a message processing device, comprising: a message processing device that performs processing by exchanging a message with an external device; a message receiving device that receives a message from the outside; and a message creating device that creates a message. A message generating unit having at least one of the following: a message storing unit that stores the message received or created by the message generating unit; a message that reads the message stored by the message storing unit and performs a process based on the message A processing unit, an identification code adding unit that adds an identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the electronic mail storage unit with an identification code indicating that the processing has been completed, and stores a database that describes a processing time limit for each content of the electronic mail. Reading the message from the message storage device in response to a restart signal received after the message processing device stops operating; Then, for the read out messages, to which the identification code is not attached, only those within the processing time limit by referring to the database are made to function as message determination means for causing the message processing means to perform the processing. Things.

  According to the present invention, since the message processing device functions as each of the units, it is possible to process a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period, and perform unnecessary processing on the unprocessed message that has passed the processing time limit. A useful message processing device that can reduce waste can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 13 is a microcomputer system comprising: a plurality of microcomputers for communicating electronic messages among each other; and a log memory readable and writable by any of the plurality of microcomputers. The first microcomputer, which is one of the microcomputers, sends the message created by the message creating means and the message created by the message creating means to a second microcomputer that is another one of the plurality of microcomputers. A message transmitting means for transmitting, a first message storing means for recording the message transmitted by the message transmitting means in the log memory, and a first database for storing a first database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message. And a database memory, wherein the second microcomputer transmits the message transmitted by the message transmitting unit. A message processing means for processing the message in accordance with the contents thereof, and a first identification code indicating that the message processing has been completed among the messages recorded in the log memory. Means for adding an identification code to be recorded in the log memory, a second database memory for storing a second database in which a processing time limit is described for each content of the message, and a re-data received after the second microcomputer stops operating. In response to a start signal, the electronic mail is read from the log memory, and among the read electronic mails, those which are not given the first identification code and which are within the processing time limit by referring to the second database. And a first message discriminating means for causing the message processing means to perform a process. After the second microcomputer receives the restart signal, the electronic device reads the electronic message from the log memory, and refers to the first database for the read electronic message without the first identification code. Therefore, only a message after the elapse of the processing time limit is further provided with a second message discriminating means for causing the message creating means to newly create a message.

  According to the present invention, the microcomputer that receives the message reads out the message stored in the log memory in response to the restart signal received after the operation is stopped, and processes the unprocessed message by referring to the database. The microcomputer that created the message reads out the message stored in the log memory and refers to the database. Of the messages that were not processed during the operation suspension period, new ones that do not hinder processing can be processed as they are, and old ones reflect the new situation after restart. The new message with the new content can be processed. That is, appropriate processing can be performed on a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the microcomputer system according to claim 13, wherein the first database further determines, for each content of the message, whether the message should be newly created after the processing time limit. And the second message discriminating means stores the first database of the messages read out from the log memory without the first identification code and after the processing time limit has passed. By further referring to the above, only the message to be newly created causes the message creating means to create a new message.

  According to the present invention, since the microcomputer that has created the message further refers to the database for unprocessed messages after the processing time limit and creates a new message only for those that should create a new message, In addition, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary processing of performing unnecessary processing on an unprocessed message whose processing time limit has passed.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the microcomputer system according to claim 14, wherein the second message discriminating means assigns the first identification code to the message read from the log memory. That is, the message transmission unit transmits the message after the processing time limit has expired and should not be newly created to the message transmission unit.

  According to the present invention, the microcomputer that has created the message transmits the unprocessed message again after the expiration of the processing deadline and for which a new message should not be created. Therefore, for an unprocessed message whose processing time limit has passed, for example, when the situation after restarting is the same as the content of the unprocessed message, the waste of creating a new message can be eliminated, and appropriate processing can be performed. It can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 16 is the microcomputer system according to claim 13, wherein the first microcomputer records the electronic message created by the electronic message creating means in the log memory. Means, wherein the first electronic document incorporation means, among the electronic messages recorded by the second electronic document incorporation means, for those which have been transmitted by the electronic message transmitting means, have a second identification code indicating that processing has been completed. The first microcomputer reads out the message from the log memory in response to a restart signal received after the first microcomputer stops operating, and records the read out message in the log memory. Of those not given the second identification code, by referring to the first database, only those within the processing time limit It is sent to the serial message transmission means, for those of after the processing time limit is to further comprise a third message determination means for creating a new message in the message creating means.

  According to the present invention, the microcomputer that has created the message reads out the message stored in the log memory in response to the restart signal received after the operation is stopped, and processes the unprocessed message by referring to the database. Only messages within the deadline are sent, and new messages are created for those that have passed the processing deadline. If there is no new one, it can be processed as it is, and if it is old, a new message that reflects the new situation after the restart can be processed. That is, the receiving side can perform an appropriate process on a message that has not been transmitted during the operation suspension period.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the microcomputer system according to claim 16, wherein the first database determines, for each content of the message, whether the message should be newly created after the processing time limit. And the third message discriminating means stores the first database in the message read from the log memory without the second identification code and after the processing time limit. By further referring to the above, only the message to be newly created causes the message creating means to create a new message.

  According to the present invention, since the microcomputer that has created the message further refers to the database for unprocessed messages after the processing time limit and creates a new message only for those that should create a new message, In addition, it is possible to eliminate the need for the receiving side to perform unnecessary processing on an untransmitted message whose processing time limit has elapsed.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the microcomputer system according to claim 17, wherein the third message discriminating means assigns the second identification code to the message read from the log memory. That is, the message transmission unit transmits the message after the processing time limit has expired and should not be newly created to the message transmission unit.

  According to the present invention, the microcomputer that has created the message transmits the unprocessed message again after the expiration of the processing deadline and for which a new message should not be created. Therefore, for an unprocessed message whose processing time limit has passed, for example, when the situation after restarting does not differ from the content of the unprocessed message, it is possible to eliminate wasteful creation of a new message, and to ensure that the receiving side is appropriate. Processing can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 19 is the microcomputer system according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the plurality of microcomputers communicate with each other by a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers. And the communication of the message between the plurality of child microcomputers is performed by relaying the parent microcomputer, and the first microcomputer is one of the plurality of child microcomputers. And the second microcomputer is the parent microcomputer.

  According to the present invention, for a microcomputer system including a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers, appropriate processing can be performed on a message that has not been processed by the parent microcomputer during the operation suspension period.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the microcomputer system according to any one of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects, the plurality of microcomputers communicate with each other by a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers. And the communication of the message between the plurality of child microcomputers is performed by relaying the parent microcomputer, and the first microcomputer is one of the plurality of child microcomputers. And the second microcomputer is another one of the plurality of child microcomputers.

  According to the present invention, for a microcomputer system including a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers, one of the plurality of child microcomputers performs appropriate processing on a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period. Can be.

  The invention according to claim 21 is the microcomputer system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein at least one of the plurality of child microcomputers monitors an operation of the parent microcomputer, and When the computer stops operating, the restart signal is transmitted to the parent microcomputer.

  According to the present invention, the child microcomputer monitors the operation of the parent microcomputer, and when the parent microcomputer stops operating, transmits a restart signal to the parent microcomputer. There is no need to provide a separate device for monitoring the microcomputer, and the microcomputer system can be configured at low cost.

  The invention according to claim 22 is the microcomputer system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the parent microcomputer monitors operations of the plurality of child microcomputers, and When one of the computers stops operating, the restart signal is transmitted to the child microcomputer that has stopped operating.

  According to the present invention, the parent microcomputer monitors the operation of each child microcomputer, and transmits a restart signal to the child microcomputer when the child microcomputer stops operating, so that the operation stop period can be shortened, There is no need to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the microcomputer system can be configured at low cost.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a household electrical appliance, comprising the microcomputer system according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-second aspects.

  According to the present invention, since the home electric appliance includes the microcomputer system according to the present invention, among the unprocessed telegrams during the operation stop period, new ones that do not hinder the processing can be processed as they are, For the old one, a useful home electric appliance can be obtained that can process a new message reflecting the new situation after the restart.

  25. A microcomputer system for a microcomputer system comprising: a plurality of microcomputers for communicating electronic messages among each other; and a log memory readable and writable by any of the plurality of microcomputers. A first microcomputer which is one of the plurality of microcomputers, a message creating means for creating the message, and the message created by the message creating means, A message transmitting unit for transmitting the message to the second microcomputer, a first message recording unit for recording the message transmitted by the message transmitting unit in the log memory, and a processing expiration date is described for each content of the message. Functioning as a first database memory for storing a first database; The microcomputer, a message processing unit that processes the message transmitted by the message transmission unit in accordance with the content thereof, and a message that has been processed by the message processing unit among the messages recorded in the log memory, An identification code adding unit that adds a first identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the log memory and records the same in the log memory; a second database memory that stores a second database that describes a processing time limit for each content of the message; In response to a restart signal received after the microcomputer has stopped operating, read out the message from the log memory, and for the read out message not having the first identification code, read the second database. As a first message discriminating means that causes the message processing means to perform processing only for those within the processing time limit by reference. And causing the first microcomputer to read the message from the log memory after the second microcomputer receives the restart signal, and read the message without the first identification code. By referring to the first database, only the data after the processing time limit has passed is further made to function as a second message discriminating means for causing the message creating means to newly create a message.

  According to the present invention, since the first and second microcomputers function as the above-described units, among the messages that have not been processed during the operation suspension period, new ones that do not hinder the processing can be used as they are. A useful microcomputer system can be obtained that can process and, for old ones, can process new messages that reflect the new situation after the restart.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in response to the restart signal received after the operation is stopped, the telegram stored in the telegram storage unit is read, and the database stored in the discrimination database storage unit is referred to. As a result, only the unprocessed messages within the processing time limit are processed, so that the unprocessed messages during the operation suspension period can be processed, and unnecessary processing of the unprocessed messages after the processing time limit is performed. Waste of processing can be eliminated.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, for unprocessed messages that have passed the processing deadline due to the suspension of operation, by referring to the database, only new messages to be newly created are newly created. It is possible to process a new message reflecting the new situation after the restart in place of the expired message, and to avoid waste of unnecessary processing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in response to the restart signal received by the communication unit after the operation is stopped, the message stored in the message storage unit is read, and the database stored in the determination database storage unit is read. By referring, the transmission processing is performed only for the unprocessed messages within the processing time limit, so that the messages that have not been transmitted during the operation stop period of the communication unit can be transmitted, and the processing time limit is set. It is possible to eliminate unnecessary transmission of unnecessary transmitted messages that have passed. Furthermore, since a communication unit that has a protocol conversion function and has a common function among various device control devices is separated from the control unit, a variety of device control devices corresponding to various devices can be used as a whole. The design cost can be reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, among the first telegrams, those having a data request as a content, the communication unit, instead of the control unit, responds to the data request based on the data transmitted by the control unit. Since the third message is created and further transmitted, the burden on the relatively large control unit can be reduced by the sharing of the communication unit, and the responsiveness to the data request can be improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the unprocessed third telegram which has passed the processing time limit due to the stoppage of the operation of the communication unit is newly created only for what should be newly created by referring to the database. In addition, the third message reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted instead of the third message after the processing time limit, and unnecessary waste of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, not only the third telegram but also the second telegram which has not been processed, the processing time limit has elapsed, and should be newly generated, is newly generated as the third telegram. Since the message is transmitted, a new message reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted in place of the unprocessed second message after the processing time limit, and unnecessary waste of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, the control unit monitors the operation of the communication unit, and when the communication unit stops operating, transmits a restart signal to the communication unit, so that the operation stop period can be shortened. Therefore, according to the present invention, a device in which cooling operation cannot be stopped for a long time, such as a refrigerator, and a short-time operation stop, such as a security device (a human body sensor for detecting a suspicious individual, a sensor for detecting a fire, etc.), are not allowed. It is also suitable for use in things. Further, there is no need to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the device control device can be configured at low cost.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, in response to the restart signal received by the control unit after the operation is stopped, the telegram stored in the telegram storage unit is read, and the database stored in the discrimination database storage unit is read. By referencing, since the control and transmission processing is performed only for the unprocessed messages within the processing time limit, the unprocessed messages during the operation stop period of the control unit can be processed, It is possible to eliminate unnecessary processing of performing unnecessary processing on an unprocessed message whose processing period has passed. Furthermore, since a communication unit that has a protocol conversion function and has a common function among various device control devices is separated from the control unit, a variety of device control devices corresponding to various devices can be used as a whole. The design cost can be reduced.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the unprocessed second telegram which has passed the processing deadline due to the stop of the operation of the control unit is newly created only for what should be newly created by referring to the database. In addition, the second message reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted in place of the second message after the processing time limit, and unnecessary transmission of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  According to the tenth aspect, the communication unit monitors the operation of the control unit, and when the control unit stops operating, transmits a restart signal to the control unit. Therefore, the operation stop period can be shortened. Therefore, according to the present invention, a device in which cooling operation cannot be stopped for a long time, such as a refrigerator, and a short-time operation stop, such as a security device (a human body sensor for detecting a suspicious individual, a sensor for detecting a fire, etc.), are not allowed. It is also suitable for use in things. Further, there is no need to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the device control device can be configured at low cost.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the home electric appliance is provided with the message processing device or the device control device according to the present invention, it is possible to process a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period, and to process a message that has not passed the processing time limit. A useful home appliance that can eliminate waste of unnecessary processing of a processing message can be obtained.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to process a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period, and it is possible to eliminate waste of performing unnecessary processing on an unprocessed message that has passed the processing time limit. A useful message processing device is obtained.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, the microcomputer that has received the message reads the message stored in the log memory in response to the restart signal received after the operation is stopped, and refers to the database to perform the unprocessed process. Of the unprocessed messages, the microcomputer that created the message reads out the message stored in the log memory, and refers to the database. Since a new message is created for the message, of the messages that were not processed during the operation suspension period, new messages that do not hinder processing can be processed as they are, and old messages can be processed after restart. It can process messages with new contents reflecting new situations. That is, appropriate processing can be performed on a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 14, the microcomputer that has created the message further refers to the database for unprocessed messages after the processing time limit, and newly creates a message only for a message to be newly created. Since the message is created, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary processing of performing unnecessary processing on an unprocessed message whose processing time limit has passed.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 15, the microcomputer that has created the message, among the unprocessed messages, after the processing time limit has expired and for which a new message should not be created, Since the message is transmitted again, it is possible to eliminate the waste of creating a new message for an unprocessed message whose processing time limit has passed, for example, when the status after restarting is the same as the content of the unprocessed message. In addition, appropriate processing can be performed.

  According to the invention described in claim 16, the microcomputer that has created the message reads the message stored in the log memory in response to the restart signal received after the operation is stopped, and refers to the database to perform the unprocessed process. Only messages that are within the processing deadline are sent, and new messages are created for those that have passed the processing deadline. Even if there is no problem, new messages can be processed as they are, and old ones can be processed with new contents reflecting the new situation after the restart. That is, the receiving side can perform an appropriate process on a message that has not been transmitted during the operation suspension period.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the microcomputer that has created the message further refers to the database for unprocessed messages after the processing time limit has expired, and newly selects only those for which a new message should be created. Since the electronic message is created, it is possible to eliminate waste of the receiving side performing unnecessary processing on the untransmitted electronic message whose processing time limit has elapsed.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 18, the microcomputer that has created the message, among the unprocessed messages, after the expiration of the processing deadline and for which a new message should not be created, Since the message is transmitted again, it is possible to eliminate the waste of creating a new message for an unprocessed message whose processing time limit has passed, for example, when the status after restarting is the same as the content of the unprocessed message. At the same time, the receiving side can perform appropriate processing.

  According to the invention described in claim 19, for a microcomputer system including a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers, the parent microcomputer performs appropriate processing on a message that has not been processed during the operation suspension period. be able to.

  According to the twentieth aspect, for a microcomputer system including a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers, it is possible to appropriately handle a message in which one of the plurality of child microcomputers has not been processed during the operation suspension period. Processing can be performed.

  According to the invention described in claim 21, the child microcomputer monitors the operation of the parent microcomputer, and transmits a restart signal to the parent microcomputer when the parent microcomputer stops operating, so that the operation suspension period is shortened. In addition, it is not necessary to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the microcomputer system can be configured at low cost.

  According to claim 22, the parent microcomputer monitors the operation of each child microcomputer, and when the child microcomputer stops operating, sends a restart signal to the child microcomputer, so that the operation stop period can be shortened. In addition to this, there is no need to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the microcomputer system can be configured at low cost.

  According to the invention described in claim 23, since the home electric appliance is provided with the microcomputer system according to the present invention, among the unprocessed telegrams during the operation stop period, new telegrams that do not hinder processing as they are can be used. A useful home electric appliance can be obtained that can process the message as it is, and can process a message of new content that reflects a new situation after restarting the old one.

  According to the twenty-fourth aspect, since the first and second microcomputers function as each of the above means, a new one which has not been harmed even if it has been processed as it is during the operation suspension period. Can be processed as it is, and the old one can process a message with new contents reflecting a new situation after the restart, thereby obtaining a useful microcomputer system.

[Outline of Embodiments 1 to 3]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a message processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The message processing device 100 is a device that performs processing by exchanging messages with the outside, and a communication unit or a control unit of a device control device described below corresponds to a preferable application example. The message processing device 100 includes a CPU 1, a program memory 2, a message memory (message storage unit) 3, and a determination database memory (discrimination database storage unit) 4. The CPU 1 exchanges messages 6 between itself and the outside 5 and performs various processes in cooperation with the message memory 3 and the discrimination database memory 4. The program memory 2 stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU 1. The message memory 3 stores the received message 6 or the created message 6. In response to the restart signal 8 sent from the external restart device 7 when the CPU 1 stops operating, the discrimination database memory 4 stores the unprocessed data stored in the message memory 3 when the CPU 1 restarts. A database for providing a criterion for determining whether to process the message 6 is stored. Both the message memory 3 and the discrimination database memory 4 are assigned addresses at which stored contents are not erased when the CPU 1 is restarted. Therefore, the message 6 stored in the message memory 3 and the database stored in the discrimination database memory 4 do not disappear when the CPU 1 is restarted.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram based on the functions of the message processing device 100. The CPU 1 and the program memory 2 implement the message processing device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 by cooperating with the message memory 3 and the discrimination database memory 4. The message processing device 100 configured as shown in FIG. 2 may be configured by hardware without using a program.

  The detailed functions of each unit of the message processing device 100 will be described later in the description of each embodiment which is a preferable application example, and only the outline will be described here. The message receiving unit 11 receives the message 6 transmitted from the outside. The message creation unit 12 creates a message. The message generating unit 10 includes at least one of a message receiving unit 11 and a message creating unit 12. The message 6 received by the message generator 10 or the message 6 created by the message creator 12 is stored in the message memory 3. The message transmission unit 16 reads the message 6 stored in the message memory 3 and transmits the message to the outside. The internal processing unit 17 reads the electronic message 6 stored in the electronic message memory 3 and performs internal processing (for example, device control) based on the read electronic message 6.

  As a form of generation and processing of the message 6, there may be internal processing such as transmission of the created message 6 to the outside 5, transmission of the received message 6 to the outside 5, control of a device based on the received message 6, and the like. Therefore, when the message generating unit 10 includes the message receiving unit 11, the message processing unit 15 includes at least one of the message transmitting unit 16 and the internal processing unit 17. When the message generator 10 includes the message generator 12, the message processor 15 includes the message transmitter 16. The message processing unit 15 may include both the message transmission unit 16 and the internal processing unit 17, and may perform one of the processes according to the content of the message 6.

  Since the CPU 1 performs various processes, after the message 6 is stored in the message memory 3, a waiting time usually occurs until the message processing unit 15 reads the message 6 from the message memory 3. Therefore, when the operation of the CPU 1 is stopped, the telegram 6 which has not been processed because the waiting time has not elapsed has stayed in the telegram memory 3. The message processing device 100 processes an unprocessed staying message in the following manner. When the operation of the CPU 1 is stopped, the operation of the message processing device 100 including the message memory 3 and the discrimination database memory 4 is stopped.

  When the processing by the message processing unit 15 is completed for the message 6 stored in the message memory 3, the identification code adding unit 18 attaches an identification code indicating that processing has been completed, and records the message in the message memory 3. The database stored in the discrimination database memory 4 describes a meaningful time limit for processing for each content of each message 6, that is, a processing time limit. In response to the restart signal 8 input from the outside after the operation is stopped, the message discrimination unit 20 reads the message 6 from the message storage unit. And causes the message processing unit 15 to perform processing only for those within the processing time limit. Therefore, the message processing device 100 can process the message 6 that has not been processed during the operation suspension period after the restart, and can also eliminate waste of performing unnecessary processing on the unprocessed message that has passed the processing time limit. .

[Embodiment 1]
(Outline of equipment control device)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the device control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an example in which the device control apparatus 101 is applied to the refrigerator 201 will be described. The device control device 101 includes a control unit 102 and a communication unit 103. The control unit 102 controls the cooler 105, the temperature sensor 106, and other devices by exchanging messages 6 with the controller 110 and other home appliances 111 via the communication line L. The communication section 103 is an apparatus section interposed between the control section 102 and the communication line L and mainly performing protocol conversion of the message 6 so as to match both of them. In the device control apparatus 101, the communication unit 103 corresponds to an example of the above-described message processing apparatus 100. The communication line L is a facility network based on, for example, the ECHONET (Echo Net) standard. The communication medium of the communication line L is not limited to a wire, and may be, for example, wireless. As an example of wireless communication, special wireless communication or Bluetooth can be adopted. Note that even if the communication line L is based on the ECHONET standard, it is not necessary for the communication inside the device control apparatus 101 to follow the standard.

  The communication unit 103 includes a CPU 1a, a program memory 2a, a message memory (message storage unit) 3a, and a discrimination database memory (discrimination database storage unit) 4a. These correspond to examples of the CPU 1, the program memory 2, the message memory 3, and the discrimination database memory 4 included in the message processing device 100 (FIG. 1). That is, the CPU 1a exchanges messages 6 between itself and the communication line L and between itself and the control unit 102, and performs various processes in cooperation with the message memory 3a and the discrimination database memory 4a. The program memory 2a stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU 1a. The message memory 3a stores the received message 6 or the created message 6. When the CPU 1a is restarted in response to the restart signal 8 sent from the control unit 102 when the operation of the CPU 1a is stopped, the discrimination database memory 4a processes the unprocessed message 6 remaining in the message memory 3a. A database that describes the criteria for determination is stored. The message memory 3a and the discrimination database memory 4a are all assigned addresses at which the stored contents are not erased when the CPU 1a is restarted. The cause of the stoppage of the operation of the CPU 1a may be caused by an error in the message 6 transmitted through the communication line L or by an internal process of the device control apparatus 101.

  On the other hand, the control unit 102 includes a CPU 1b, a program memory 2b, and a message memory (message storage unit) 3b. The CPU 1b exchanges the telegram 6 between itself and the communication unit 103, and performs various processes including the control of the cooler 105 and the temperature sensor 106 in cooperation with the telegram memory 3b. The program memory 2b stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU 1b. The message memory 3b stores the received message 6 or the created message 6.

  The CPU 1b also plays a role of restarting the CPU 1a when the operation of the CPU 1a is stopped. For example, the CPU 1b receives the stop monitoring signal 9 transmitted periodically (for example, every 100 ms) from the CPU 1a, and determines that the operation of the CPU 1a is stopped when the stop monitoring signal 9 cannot be received for a certain period (for example, 1 s). Then, a restart signal 8 is transmitted. Thereby, the communication unit 103 automatically restarts after the operation is stopped.

  The CPU 1a includes a register 21a, and the CPU 1b includes a register 21b. The operation of these registers 21a and 21b will be described later.

  The above-mentioned program that defines the operations of the CPU 1a and the CPU 1b can be supplied through a recording medium 631 such as a ROM, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, or transmitted over a transmission medium 633 (including a communication line L such as a telephone line or a network). Good) is also possible. FIG. 3 illustrates a CD-ROM as the recording medium 631, and a telephone line as the transmission medium 633. The communication line L may be a telephone line. The program recorded on the CD-ROM can be read out by connecting a CD-ROM reader 632 as an external device of the refrigerator 201 to an interface (not shown) or the like, and further stored in the program memories 2a and 2b. Can be. When software and data are supplied in the form of a ROM as the recording medium 631, the device control device 101 executes processing according to the program by mounting the ROM as the program memories 2a and 2b in the device control device 101. It becomes possible. The program supplied through the transmission medium 633 is received by the communication unit 103 and stored in the program memories 2a and 2b. The transmission medium 633 is not limited to a wired transmission medium but may be a wireless transmission medium.

(Normal processing of equipment control device)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram based on the functions of the device control device 101. The CPU 1a and the program memory 2a realize the communication unit 103 illustrated in FIG. 4 by cooperating with the message memory 3a and the determination database memory 4a. Similarly, the CPU 1b and the program memory 2b realize the control unit 102 illustrated in FIG. 4 in cooperation with the message memory 3a. The communication unit 103 and the control unit 102 configured as shown in FIG. 4 may be configured by hardware without using a program.

  The message receiving unit 30 receives a message (in particular, temporarily referred to as a first message) 6 sent from the communication line L. The received first message 6 is converted from a format based on the protocol of the communication line L by the protocol conversion unit 31 to a format based on the communication protocol inside the device control apparatus 101, and is stored in the message memory 3a. . The first message 6 stored in the message memory 3a is normally read after a certain waiting time. A part of the read first telegram 6 is transmitted to the control unit 102 by the telegram transmitting unit 32.

  The contents of the message 6 handled by the device control apparatus 101 include the types shown in FIG. The control request is for requesting control such as “set the temperature to 4 ° C.” from an external device such as the controller 110, and the data request is for requesting data such as “send temperature data” from the controller 110 or the like. It is. Upon receiving the control request, the communication unit 103 sends the control request to the control unit 102, and the control unit 102 performs control as requested. With respect to the data request, the communication unit 103 that has received the data request returns the data as requested to the controller 110 or the like.

  The response to the control request is, for example, a response to the effect that "received" to the control request "set the temperature to 4 ° C.", and is performed by the communication unit 103 that has received the control request. The response to the data request is, for example, to return the temperature data in response to the data request “Send temperature data”, and is transmitted by the communication unit 103 that has received the data request as described above. In the notification, the device control apparatus 101 voluntarily notifies temperature data and the like without a request from the controller 110.

  Referring back to FIG. 4, the first message 6 includes a control request and a data request. Of the first telegrams 6 read from the telegram memory 3a, control requests are sent to the control unit 102 via the telegram transmission unit 32, and data requests are internally processed in the communication unit 103 as described later. The first message 6 containing the control request sent from the message transmitting unit 32 is received by the message receiving unit 34 and stored in the message memory 3b. The first telegram 6 stored in the telegram memory 3b is read by the writing unit 35 and written into the register 21b.

  The register 21b holds the states of the control targets such as the cooler 105 and the temperature sensor 106, which are the control targets, and the setting conditions (for example, the internal temperature, the opening and closing of the door, the power consumption, the setting temperature, and the like). The drive control unit 36 controls the cooler 105 and the like so as to satisfy the setting conditions held in the register 21b, and the detection unit 37 writes, for example, the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 106 to the register 21b. Therefore, the external device such as the controller 110 can control the cooler 105 so that the internal temperature becomes the new set temperature by rewriting the set temperature held by the register 21b through the message 6. By reading the stored internal temperature, the internal temperature can be known through the electronic message 6.

  Returning to FIG. 4 again, the message creating unit 40 reads the data held by the register 21b, and creates the message 6 based on the read data. The electronic message 6 includes a message that includes a notification. The created message 6 is stored in the message memory 3b, usually read out after a certain waiting time, and transmitted to the communication unit 103 by the message transmission unit 41. The message (especially, tentatively referred to as a second message) 6 transmitted by the message transmitting unit 41 is received by the message receiving unit 42 and stored in the message memory 3a. The second message 6 stored in the message memory 3a is normally read after a certain waiting time.

  Out of the second telegrams 6, the content of the notification includes an external notification notified to an external device such as the controller 110 via the communication line L, and an internal notification notified to the communication unit 103. The second message 6 having the content of the internal notification is read from the message memory 3a by the writing unit 46 and written into the register 21a. Thus, the contents of the register 21b are reflected on the register 21a through the second message 6 as an internal notification. The internal notification may be made, for example, when the content of the register 21b is changed or periodically. The second message 6 as an external notification is also read from the message memory 3a by the writing unit 46 and written into the register 21a.

  Of the first telegrams 6 sent via the communication line L, those having a data request as a content are read from the telegram memory 3a, and the telegram creator 48 prepares the telegram 6 according to the instruction of the instruction unit 49. The message creation unit 48 reads the data held in the register 21a, and creates a message (especially a third message) 6 containing a response to the data request based on the read data. The created third message 6 is stored in the message memory 3a.

  When the first message 6 transmitted through the communication line L and having the content of the control request is read out from the message memory 3a, it is transmitted to the control unit 102 as described above, and the message is transmitted according to the instruction of the instruction unit 49. The creating unit 48 creates the electronic message 6 containing the response to the control request. The response to the created control request is stored in the message memory 3a as the third message 6.

  Of the second telegrams 6 stored in the telegram memory 3a, those having the contents of the external notification and the third telegrams 6 having the contents of the response to the control request and the response to the data request are protocol converted after being read. The unit 43 converts the format based on the protocol of the internal communication into the format based on the protocol of the communication line L. The message 6 whose protocol has been converted by the protocol converter 43 is transmitted to the communication line L by the message transmitter 44. The device control apparatus 101 mainly performs the above processing as normal processing.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main flow of the normal processing in the communication unit 103 of the device control apparatus 101. When the normal processing (S100) is started, reception or creation of the message 6 is performed (S1). This process is performed by the message receiving units 30 and 42 and the message creating unit 48. Subsequently, the received and created message 6 is recorded in the message memory 3a (S2). Thereafter, the message 6 is read from the message memory 3a (S4), usually after a waiting time for other processing (S3). After that, for each of the read messages 6, transmission to the control unit 102, transmission to the communication line L, and internal processing (here, an instruction to create a message to the message creation unit 48 and write to the register 21a) Are performed (S5).

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the message 6 generated in the communication unit 103 and its processing mode. As shown in FIG. 7, the created message 6 is transmitted to the communication line L, and the message 6 received through the communication line L is transmitted to the control unit 102 or internal processing (here, the message creation to the message creation unit 48 is performed). Instructions). The message 6 received from the control unit 102 is transmitted to the communication line L or used for internal processing (here, writing to the register 21a).

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the process of step S5 is completed, the flag setting units (identification code adding units) 33 and 45 (FIG. 4) attach the identification code indicating that the message 6 has been processed to the message storage unit 3a. Record. As will be described later, the identification code is used when processing the retained message after the communication unit 103 is restarted. In the normal processing (S100), the above processing is repeatedly performed.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the message 6 stored in the memory 3a. In this example, the message 6 includes a processing flag, an occurrence time, a message content, and data. The processing flag is set to, for example, “0” when the message 6 is stored in the message storage unit 3a, and is set to “1” by the flag setting units 33 and 45 when the process of step S5 ends. In this case, the value “0” indicates that the message 6 has not been processed, and the value “1” indicates that the message 6 has been processed. The occurrence time is obtained by recording the time at which the message 6 was generated or received, or the time recorded in the message memory 3a as a time stamp. The contents of the message 6 are already shown in FIG. The data may or may not be added depending on the contents of the message 6. The data includes an instruction value such as a set temperature, a detected value such as an internal temperature, and the like.

(Processing of retained messages after restart)
Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG. 9, a description will be given of the processing of a retained message performed after the communication unit 103 is restarted. Before the CPU 1a of the communication unit 103 starts the normal processing (S100), a database is recorded in the discrimination database memory 4a. The recording of the database is usually performed before the product is shipped. While the CPU 1a performs the normal processing (S100), the control unit 102 transmits and receives the electronic message 6 to and from the CPU 1a and monitors whether the operation of the CPU 1a is stopped (S12). As the CPU 1a performs the normal processing (S100), the message 6 is recorded in the message memory 3a and a flag is set (FIG. 6).

  Next, when the CPU 1a stops its operation due to a hardware error or the like (S13), the restart unit 50 included in the control unit 102 detects the stop of the operation (S14), and further transmits a restart signal 8. When the restart signal receiving unit 51 included in the communication unit 103 receives the restart signal 8 (S15), the CPU 1a restarts (S16). Subsequently, the control unit 102 transmits the content of the register 21b to the communication unit 103 by transmitting the message 6 to the communication unit 103 as an internal notification. When the message receiving unit 42 of the communication unit 103 receives the message 6 (S17), the contents of the register 21b are written to the register 21a via the message memory 3a and the writing unit 46 (S18). That is, the contents of the register 21a are updated with the latest contents of the register 21b. Next, the message determining unit 53 reads out the message 6 stored in the message memory 3a (S19), and performs the determination and processing of the message 6 with reference to the database stored in the determination database memory 4a (S21).

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a database stored in the discrimination database memory 4a. The database describes a processing time limit for each content of the message 6. The processing time limit is a time limit that is meaningful for performing processing such as transmission after the message 6 is received or created, that is, an expiration date of the message 6. For example, for a temperature adjustment request, the processing time limit can be set relatively long, for example, set to 180 seconds. On the other hand, an irregular notification about the opening and closing of the door (notified when the open / closed state changes, such as when the door is opened or closed), is set to have a relatively short processing time limit. Is desirably set, for example, to 100 seconds. The irregular notification of a motor malfunction (notifying an abnormality when a motor malfunction occurs) is valid forever, and the processing time limit is set to indefinite.

  The database further describes whether the message 6 needs to be recreated. Here, the re-creation means that the message 6 is created based on the updated contents of the register 21a for the message 6 which has been stored in the message memory 3a and has not yet been processed and whose processing time limit has elapsed. For example, the temperature adjustment request is the message 6 received through the communication line L, and cannot be re-created by the communication unit 103, and is described as not requiring re-creation. In addition, as for the periodic notification of the normal operation, the next periodic notification is scheduled, and it is not necessary to re-create the notification. On the other hand, with regard to the irregular notification of the opening and closing of the door, it is desirable to notify information reflecting a new state of the opening and closing of the door, and it is described that re-creation is necessary.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the process of step S21. The message determining unit 53 performs the process of step S21 for each message 6 read from the message memory 3a. When the process of step S21 is started for a certain message 6, the message determination unit 53 determines a processing flag attached to the message 6 (S31). If the processing flag indicates that processing has been completed, the processing of step S21 is ended for the message 6. If the processing flag does not indicate that the processing has been completed, it is determined whether the difference between the current time and the time stamp attached to the message 6 is within the processing time limit described in the database (S32). If it is within the processing time limit, transmission of the message 6 by the message transmission units 32 and 44 and processing of an instruction to create a message by the instruction unit 49 are performed (S53). If the processing time limit has passed, the message 6 is an unnecessary message, and is deleted from the message memory 3a by the message determination unit 53 (S34). Subsequently, the message determining unit 53 determines whether the message 6 needs to be re-created by referring to the database (S35). If the re-creation is unnecessary, the process in step S21 ends. If re-creation is necessary, the message determining unit 53 causes the message creating unit 48 to create the message 6 (S36). The re-created message 6 is transmitted to the communication line L by the message transmitter 44 via the protocol converter 43 (S37). Thereafter, the process of step S21 ends.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the processing of step S21 ends, the message creating unit 48 creates a message 6 containing the restart completion notification (S22). This restart completion notification is transmitted to the communication line L via the protocol conversion unit 43 and the message transmission unit 44. Thereafter, the operation returns to the normal processing (S100).

(Advantages of Embodiment 1)
As described above, in the device control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, the message 6 stored in the message storage unit 3a is read in response to the restart signal 8 received by the communication unit 103 after the operation is stopped, and the processing flag By referring to the database stored in the discrimination database storage unit 4a, processing such as transmission is performed only for the unprocessed messages 6 within the processing time limit. The message 6 that has been processed can be processed, and unnecessary processing of unnecessary processing for the unprocessed message 6 whose processing time limit has elapsed can be eliminated. Furthermore, since the communication unit 103, which has a protocol conversion function and has a common function among the various device control devices 101, is separated from the control unit 102, various devices (for example, the cooler 105) are provided. , It is possible to reduce the overall design cost of the various device control devices 101 corresponding to.

  Further, in the device control apparatus 101, of the messages 6 transmitted through the communication line L, those having the content of the data request are based on the content of the register 21a updated by the content of the register 21b transmitted by the control unit 102. Therefore, the communication unit 103 creates and transmits the message 6 as a response to the data request on behalf of the control unit 102, so that the burden on the control unit 102 can be reduced by sharing the relatively large burden on the control unit 102. Therefore, it is possible to improve the responsiveness to a data request.

  In the device control apparatus 101, for the unprocessed message 6 whose processing time limit has elapsed due to the stoppage of the operation of the communication unit 103, the message creation unit 48 newly creates only the newly created message 6 by referring to the database. Therefore, instead of the message 6 whose processing time limit has passed, the message 6 reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted, and unnecessary waste of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  Further, in the device control apparatus 101, not only the message 6 created by the communication unit 103 but also the unprocessed message 6 containing the notification sent from the control unit 102 has passed the processing time limit and should be newly created. Since the kimono is newly created by the message creating unit 48 and transmitted to the communication line L through the message sending unit 44, the unprocessed message 6 from the control unit 102 whose processing time has elapsed has been replaced with the unprocessed message 6 after the restart. A new message 6 reflecting the new situation can be transmitted, and unnecessary transmission of unnecessary data can be eliminated.

  Further, in the device control apparatus 101, the control unit 102 monitors the operation of the communication unit 103 and transmits a restart signal 8 to the communication unit 103 when the communication unit 103 stops operating. In contrast to the related art described in Patent Document 1 in which the restart is performed, the operation suspension period can be shortened. For this reason, the device control device 101 is a device in which cooling operation cannot be stopped for a long time, such as a refrigerator, and a short-time operation stop, such as a security device (a human body sensor for detecting a suspicious person, a sensor for detecting a fire, etc.). It is also suitable for use in things that are not allowed. Further, since the control unit 102 monitors the operation of the communication unit 103, there is no need to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the device control device 101 can be configured at low cost.

[Embodiment 2]
(Outline of equipment control device)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the device control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. An example in which the device control device 107 is applied to the refrigerator 202 will be described. The device control device 107 includes a control unit 108 and a communication unit 109. In the device control device 107, the communication unit 109 monitors the point that the discrimination database memory 4 b is provided in the control unit 108, the processing of the stored message when the operation of the control unit 108 is stopped, and the operation of the control unit 108 are performed. It is characteristically different from the device control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment in that the restart signal 8 is sent from the communication unit 109 to the control unit 108 if there is a stop. Therefore, in the device control device 107, the control unit 108 corresponds to an example of the above-described message processing device 100.

  When the CPU 1b is restarted in response to the restart signal 8 sent from the control unit 109 due to the stoppage of the operation of the CPU 1b, the discrimination database memory 4b processes the unprocessed message 6 remaining in the message memory 3b. A database that describes the criteria for determination is stored. Similarly to the message memory 3b, the discrimination database memory 4b is assigned an address from which the stored content is not erased when the CPU 1b is restarted.

  The CPU 1a also plays a role of restarting the CPU 1b when the operation of the CPU 1b is stopped. For example, the CPU 1a receives the stop monitoring signal 9 sent periodically (for example, every 100 ms) from the CPU 1b, and determines that the operation of the CPU 1b has stopped when the stop monitoring signal 9 cannot be received for a certain period (for example, 1 s). Then, a restart signal 8 is transmitted. Thus, the control unit 108 automatically restarts after the operation is stopped.

(Normal processing of equipment control device)
FIG. 13 is a block diagram based on the functions of the device control device 107. 4 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The CPU 1a and the program memory 2a realize the communication unit 109 illustrated in FIG. 13 in cooperation with the message memory 3a. Similarly, the CPU 1b and the program memory 2b realize the control unit 108 illustrated in FIG. 13 by cooperating with the message memory 3a and the discrimination database memory 4b. The communication unit 109 and the control unit 108 configured as shown in FIG. 13 may be configured by hardware without using a program.

  The device control device 107 is different from the device illustrated in FIG. 4 in that the flag setting units 60 and 61, the message determination unit 62, and the restart receiving unit 64 are provided in the control unit 108, and the restart unit 63 is provided in the communication unit 109. It is characteristically different from the control device 101. Therefore, regarding the normal processing, the device control device 107 is the same as the device control device 101 except that the flag setting is performed on the message 6 stored in the message memory 3b. That is, the normal processing of the control unit 108 is shown in FIG.

(Processing of retained messages after restart)
Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 13 and the flowchart of FIG. 14, the processing of the retained message performed after the restart of the control unit 108 will be described. In FIG. 14, the processes corresponding to the processes in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Before the CPU 1b of the control unit 108 starts the normal processing (S100), a database is recorded in the discrimination database memory 4b. While the CPU 1b performs the normal processing (S100), the communication unit 109 transmits and receives the electronic message 6 to and from the CPU 1b and monitors whether the operation of the CPU 1b is stopped (S12). While the CPU 1b performs the normal process (S100), the message 6 is recorded in the message memory 3b and a flag is set (FIG. 6).

  Next, when the CPU 1b stops its operation due to a hardware error or the like (S13), the restart unit 63 included in the communication unit 109 detects the stop of the operation (S14), and further transmits the restart signal 8. When the restart signal receiving unit 64 included in the control unit 108 receives the restart signal 8 (S15), the CPU 1b restarts (S16). Subsequently, the CPU 1b updates the contents of the register 21b to the latest contents (S18). Next, the message discrimination unit 62 reads the message 6 stored in the message memory 3b (S19), and performs the discrimination and processing of the message 6 with reference to the database stored in the discrimination database memory 4b (S21).

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in the determination database memory 4b. Similarly to the database (FIG. 10) stored in the discrimination database memory 4a, the database describes the processing time limit and necessity of re-creation for each content of the message 6. Here, the re-creation means that the message 6 is created based on the updated contents of the register 21b with respect to the message 6 stored in the message memory 3b and having passed the processing time limit without being processed. As shown in FIG. 15, unlike the database of FIG. 10, a content that includes a data request such as a set temperature data request, a content that includes a response to a data request such as a response to a set temperature data request, and the like. There is no need to describe the electronic message 6 not to be received and transmitted by the control unit 108.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the flow of the process in step S21 is represented by the flowchart in FIG. The message determining unit 62 performs the process of step S21 for each message 6 read from the message memory 3b. When the process of step S21 is started for a certain message 6, the message discriminating unit 62 determines a processing flag attached to the message 6 (S31). If the processing flag indicates that processing has been completed, the processing of step S21 is ended for the message 6. If the processing flag does not indicate that the processing has been completed, it is determined whether the difference between the current time and the time stamp attached to the message 6 is within the processing time limit described in the database (S32). If it is within the processing time limit, processing of transmission of the message 6 by the message transmission unit 41 and writing of the message 6 to the register 21b by the writing unit 35 are performed (S53). If the processing time limit has passed, the message 6 is an unnecessary message, and is deleted from the message memory 3b by the message determination unit 62 (S34).

  Subsequently, the message determination unit 62 determines whether the message 6 needs to be recreated by referring to the database (S35). If the re-creation is unnecessary, the process in step S21 ends. If re-creation is necessary, the message determination unit 62 causes the message creation unit 40 to create the message 6 (S36). The re-created message 6 is transmitted to the communication unit 109 via the message transmission unit 41 (S37). Thereafter, the process of step S21 ends.

  Returning to FIG. 14, when the process of step S21 ends, the message creating unit 40 creates a message 6 containing the restart completion notification (S22). This restart completion notification is transmitted to the communication line L via the message transmission unit 41 and the communication unit 109. Thereafter, the operation returns to the normal processing (S100).

(Advantages of Embodiment 2)
As described above, in the device control device 107 according to the second embodiment, the message 6 stored in the message storage unit 3b is read in response to the restart signal 8 received by the control unit 108 after the operation is stopped, and the processing flag By referring to the database stored in the discrimination database storage unit 4b, processing such as transmission is performed only for the unprocessed messages 6 that are within the processing time limit. The message 6 that has been processed can be processed, and unnecessary processing of unnecessary processing for the unprocessed message 6 whose processing time limit has elapsed can be eliminated. Furthermore, since the communication unit 109, which has a protocol conversion function and has a common function among the various device control devices 107, is separated from the control unit 108, various devices (for example, the cooler 105) are provided. , It is possible to reduce the overall design cost of various device control devices 107 corresponding to.

  Further, in the device control device 107, for the unprocessed message 6 whose processing time limit has elapsed due to the stoppage of the operation of the control unit 108, the message creation unit 40 newly creates only the newly created message by referring to the database. Therefore, instead of the message 6 whose processing time limit has passed, the message 6 reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted, and unnecessary waste of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

  Further, in the device control device 107, the communication unit 109 monitors the operation of the control unit 108 and transmits the restart signal 8 to the control unit 108 when the operation of the control unit 108 is stopped. In contrast to the related art described in Patent Document 1 in which the restart is performed, the operation suspension period can be shortened. For this reason, the device control device 107 stops the operation for a short time, such as a refrigerator, which does not allow the cooling operation to be stopped for a long time, and a security device (a human body sensor for detecting a suspicious person, a sensor for detecting a fire, etc.). It is also suitable for use in things that are not allowed. Furthermore, since the communication unit 109 monitors the operation of the control unit 108, there is no need to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the device control device 107 can be configured at low cost.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the device control device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The device control device 115 includes the communication unit 103 according to the first embodiment and the control unit 108 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, both the communication unit 103 and the control unit 108 process the retained message after the restart. Further, the communication unit 103 and the control unit 108 mutually monitor the operation of each other, and when detecting the stop of the operation, transmit the restart signal 8 to the other. Therefore, the device control device 115 realizes both advantages of the device control device 101 according to the first embodiment and the device control device 107 according to the second embodiment.

[Modifications of First to Third Embodiments]
As in the device control device 120 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 17, the control unit and the communication unit are not separated, and both share a single CPU 1c, program memory 2c, electronic message memory 3c, and discrimination database memory 4c. Embodiments are also possible. In order to restart the device control device 120, the restart device 7 is connected to the device control device 120.

  The operation procedure of the device control device 120 is represented by a flowchart in FIG. In the device control device 120, since there is no need to exchange the electronic message 6 between the control unit and the communication unit, the operation procedure is similar to the operation procedure of the control unit 108 shown in FIG. In the normal processing (S100), there is no partner other than the communication line L to transmit and receive the message 6, and the restart procedure 7 monitors the operation stop of the device control apparatus 120 (S51) except for the operation procedure of FIG. Are equivalent. The process of step S21 is performed according to FIG.

  Also in the device control device 120 configured as described above, in response to the restart signal 8 received after the operation is stopped, the message 6 stored in the message storage unit 3c is read, and the processing flag and the determination database storage unit 4c are read. The processing such as transmission is performed only for the unprocessed messages 6 within the processing time limit by referring to the database stored in. 6 can be processed, and unnecessary processing of unnecessary processing for the unprocessed message 6 whose processing time limit has elapsed can be eliminated.

  In addition, in the device control apparatus 120, for the unprocessed message 6 whose processing time limit has elapsed due to the stop of the operation, the message 6 is newly created only for a new message to be created by referring to the database. The message 6 reflecting the new situation after the restart can be transmitted instead of the message 6 that has passed, and the waste of unnecessary transmission can be eliminated.

[Embodiment 4]
(overall structure)
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microcomputer system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. This microcomputer system 390 is applied to a refrigerator 501, which is an example of a home electric appliance, and includes a parent microcomputer (hereinafter, abbreviated as “parent microcomputer” as appropriate) 400, and a plurality of child microcomputers (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “parent microcomputer”). Child microcomputers) 401, 402, 403, and 404, and a log memory 420.

  The child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 individually play a role of controlling each unit of the refrigerator 501. In the example of FIG. 19, the child microcomputer 401 controls a sensor 421 that measures the temperature in the refrigerator, and the child microcomputer 402 controls a display 422 such as a liquid crystal panel that displays the temperature and the like. 403 controls the cooler 423. The child microcomputer 404 is connected to the communication line L, and serves as a communication unit that relays communication between the controller 410 and other home appliances 411 and the other microcomputers 400, 401, 402, and 403. Has a role. The communication section is an apparatus section interposed between the inside of the microcomputer system and the communication line L and mainly performing protocol conversion of a message so as to match both of them. The communication line L is a facility network based on, for example, the ECHONET (Echo Net) standard. The communication medium of the communication line L is not limited to a wire, and may be, for example, wireless. As an example of wireless communication, special wireless communication or Bluetooth can be adopted. Even if the communication line L is based on the ECHONET standard, the communication inside the microcomputer system 390 does not need to follow the standard.

  The parent microcomputer 400 is a microcomputer that causes the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 to operate in cooperation with each other, and communication of messages between the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 is performed via the parent microcomputer 400. On the other hand, the parent microcomputer 400 can directly exchange electronic messages between itself and the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404. The parent microcomputer 400 has a plurality of data input / output ports, and the data input / output ports of the plurality of child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 are individually connected to the parent microcomputer 400 through data lines. Therefore, the parent microcomputer 400 and each of the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 can simultaneously exchange different messages in parallel, and each of the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 can communicate with each other. Without exchanging a message (e.g., a trigger signal) from the host microcomputer 400 with itself. Note that the data input / output port may be a serial port or a parallel port. As described above, the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 and the parent microcomputer 400 exchange messages with each other, so that the microcomputer system 390 performs an organic control operation of the entire refrigerator 501 and an external device through the communication line L. Communication with is realized.

  The log memory 420 is a memory for recording a history of communication of a message and the like. The log memory 420 is configured so that all of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 can read and write.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of each of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404. Each of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 includes a CPU 301, a program memory 302, and a database memory 303. The CPU 301 controls the sensor 421, the display 422, the cooler 423, and the like, or performs communication using the electronic message 306 between itself and another microcomputer in accordance with the program stored in the program memory 302.

  After the CPU 301 stops operating due to an error in the message 306 sent through the communication line L or due to processing inside the microcomputer system 390, the database memory 303 restarts in response to a restart signal sent from the outside. At the time of activation, a database that provides a criterion for determining whether or not to process the unprocessed message 306 staying in the log memory 420 (FIG. 19) is stored. Both the database memory 303 and the log memory 420 are assigned addresses at which stored contents are not erased when the CPU 301 is restarted. Therefore, the database stored in the database memory 303 and the telegram 306 stored in the log memory 420 do not disappear when the CPU 301 is restarted.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram based on the functions of the microcomputer system 390. The microcomputer 301 and the program memory 302 of each microcomputer cooperate with the database memory 303 and the log memory 420 to realize the microcomputer system 390 illustrated in FIG. Note that the microcomputer system 390 configured as shown in FIG. 21 may be configured by hardware without using a program. In this case, FIG. 21 is a hardware configuration diagram. In the example of FIG. 21, the child microcomputer 401 transmits a message, the parent microcomputer 400 relays or processes the received message according to the content, and the child microcomputer 402 plays a role of processing the received message. It should be noted that, regarding transmission and reception of a message, the role does not need to be fixed among the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404, and each role may be different for each message.

  Returning to FIG. 19, the program that defines the operation of the CPU 301 included in the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 to 404 is a recording medium such as a ROM, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, as described with reference to FIG. It is also possible to supply via the transmission medium 631 or via a transmission medium 633 (including the communication line L) such as a telephone line or a network. FIG. 19 illustrates a CD-ROM as the recording medium 631, and a telephone line as the transmission medium 633. The communication line L may be a telephone line.

  The program recorded on the CD-ROM can be read out by connecting a CD-ROM reader 632 as an external device of the refrigerator 501 to an interface (not shown) or the like, and can be stored in the program memory 302. . When software and data are supplied in the form of a ROM as the recording medium 631, the microcomputer system 390 can execute processing according to the program by mounting the ROM as the program memory 302 in each of the microcomputers 400 to 404. Become. The program supplied through the transmission medium 633 is received by the child microcomputer 404 and stored in the program memory 302 of each of the microcomputers 400 to 404. The transmission medium 633 is not limited to a wired transmission medium but may be a wireless transmission medium.

(Normal processing)
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a normal operation of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 and 402 illustrated in FIG. Hereinafter, the normal operation of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 and 402 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

  When the normal operation is started, the message creating unit 311 of the child microcomputer 401 creates the message 306 (S301). The message creation unit 311 creates a message for notifying the inside temperature data, for example, based on the inside temperature data obtained by measurement by the sensor 421. The generated message 306 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312 (S302). The electronic document loading unit 313 of the child microcomputer 401 records the electronic message 306 transmitted by the electronic message transmitting unit 312 in the log memory 420 (S303).

  On the other hand, the parent microcomputer 400 receives the transmitted message 306 by the message receiving unit 321 (S304). The message processing unit 322 processes the received message 306 according to the content (S305). For example, if the message 306 is a message destined for the slave microcomputer 402, the message processing unit 322 transmits the message 306 to the slave microcomputer 402 as one of the processes of the message 306. If the message 306 is to be transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400, the message processing unit 322 performs processing other than transmission based on the contents of the message 306.

  Since the CPU 301 of the parent microcomputer 400 performs various processes, after the message receiving unit 321 of the parent microcomputer 400 receives the message 306, a waiting time is generally required until the processing by the message processing unit 322 is performed. appear. Therefore, when the CPU 301 of the parent microcomputer 400 stops operating, the message 306 that has not been processed because the waiting time has not elapsed has stayed in the log memory 420. When the CPU 301 of the parent microcomputer 400 stops operating, the parent microcomputer 400 including the database memory 324 stops operating.

  When the processing by the message processing unit 322 ends, the flag setting unit (identification code adding unit) 323 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 on which processing has been completed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S307).

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the message 306 recorded in the log memory 420. In this example, the message 306 includes a processing flag, time information, a transmission source, a transmission destination, message content, and data. The processing flag is set to, for example, “0” when the electronic message 306 is recorded in the log memory 420 by the electronic document loading unit 313 (S303), and when the processing by the parent microcomputer 400 ends, the flag setting unit 323 sets “0”. 1 ". In this case, the value “0” indicates that the message 306 has not been processed, and the value “1” indicates that the message 306 has been processed. The time information records the time at which the message 306 was created or the time recorded in the log memory 420 by the message inclusion unit 313 as a time stamp. The transmission source is information indicating whether the message 306 is transmitted from the parent microcomputer 400 or the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, 404, and the like. This information indicates which of the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, 404, etc. The contents of the message include, for example, a notification of the inside temperature measured by the sensor 421, a notification of a door open / close state by a door opening / closing sensor (not shown), a notification of a set temperature in the storage, and the like. Data is added depending on the contents of the message. For example, the message 306 containing the notification of the inside temperature is attached with inside temperature data (for example, 2.1 ° C.), and the message 306 containing the notice of the door open / close state has the door “open”. Or “closed”.

  Returning to FIGS. 21 and 22, when the electronic message 306 is to be sent to the child microcomputer 402 as described above, the electronic message processing unit 322 of the parent microcomputer 400 sends the electronic message 306 to the child microcomputer 402. (S305). When the processing by the message processing unit 322 ends, the flag setting unit (identification code adding unit) 323 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 on which processing has been completed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S307). The child microcomputer 402 receives the transmitted message 306 by the message receiving unit 331 (S306). The message processing unit 332 processes the received message 306 according to the content (S308).

  The CPU 301 of the child microcomputer 402 also performs various processes similarly to the CPU 301 of the parent microcomputer 400. Therefore, after the message receiving unit 331 of the child microcomputer 402 receives the message 306, the process by the message processing unit 332 is executed. By the way, waiting time usually occurs. Therefore, when the CPU 301 of the child microcomputer 402 stops operating, the message 306 that has not been processed because the waiting time has not elapsed has stayed in the log memory 420. When the CPU 301 of the child microcomputer 402 stops operating, the child microcomputer 402 including the database memory 334 stops operating.

  When the processing by the message processing unit 332 is completed, the flag setting unit (identification code adding unit) 333 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 for which processing has been completed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S309). That is, in the examples of FIGS. 21 and 22, for the message 306 to which the child microcomputer 402 is the transmission destination, in addition to the flag indicating whether or not the transmission processing by the parent microcomputer 400 that relays the message 306 has been completed, A flag indicating whether or not the processing by the child microcomputer 402 has been completed is used. In this manner, the log of the processing of the electronic message 306 is recorded in the log memory 420.

  The history of the electronic message 306 stored in the log memory 420 is used for processing of an unprocessed electronic message that has stayed after the parent microcomputer 400 or the child microcomputer 402 is restarted, as described later. Therefore, in order to process an unprocessed message after the restart of the parent microcomputer 400, only a flag indicating whether or not the processing by the message processing unit 322 of the parent microcomputer 400 has been completed is sufficient. Further, in order to process an unprocessed message after the restart of the child microcomputer 402, only a flag indicating whether or not the process by the message processing unit 332 of the child microcomputer 402 has been completed is sufficient.

(Processing of unprocessed messages after restarting the parent microcomputer)
Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 21 and the flowchart of FIG. 24, the processing of the unprocessed message performed after the restart of the parent microcomputer 400 will be described. Before the child microcomputer 401, the parent microcomputer 400, and the child microcomputer 402 start processing (S320, S321, and S322) in their normal operations, databases are recorded in the database memories 314, 324, and 334. The recording of the database is usually performed before the product is shipped. The contents of the database will be described later.

The flow of the normal processing in steps S320, S321, and S322 is as shown in FIG. While the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 and 402 are performing the normal processing (S320, S321 and S322), communication by the electronic message 306 is performed, and the log of the electronic message 306 is accumulated in the log memory 420 accordingly. In addition, while the normal processing is being performed, whether or not the operation of the parent microcomputer 400 has stopped is monitored. The monitoring of the operation stop is performed by the child microcomputer 401 in the example of FIG. The child microcomputer 401 receives, for example, the stop monitoring signal 309 periodically output from the parent microcomputer 400, and determines that the parent microcomputer 400 has stopped operating when the reception of the stop monitoring signal 309 has not been performed for a certain period. I do.
Next, when the parent microcomputer 400 stops its operation due to a hardware error or the like (S323), the child microcomputer 401 detects the operation stop (S324), and transmits a restart signal 308 (S325). When the restart signal receiving unit 326 included in the parent microcomputer 400 receives the restart signal 308 (S326), the parent microcomputer 400 restarts (S327). Next, the message determination unit 325 determines and processes the message 306 (including an unprocessed message) recorded in the log memory 420 (S328). The process of step S328 is performed by referring to a database stored in the database memory 324 of the parent microcomputer 400.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in the database memory 324. In this database, a processing deadline is described for each message content. The processing time limit is a time limit that is meaningful to perform processing after the message 306 is created or transmitted, that is, a validity period of the message 306. For example, for a message containing the notification of the internal temperature, the processing time limit is set to 180 seconds, which is relatively long. On the other hand, an irregular notification about the open / closed state of the door (notified when the open / closed state changes, such as when the door is opened or closed) has a relatively short processing deadline. It is desirable to set it to 100 seconds, for example. The irregular notification of the motor malfunction (notifying the abnormality when the motor malfunction occurs) is valid forever, and the processing time limit is set to indefinite.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of step S328. Upon starting the process in step S328, the message determination unit 325 reads the message 306 from the log memory 420 (S341). Next, the message determination unit 325 determines the processing flag attached to the message 306 (S342). If the processing flag indicates that the processing by the message processing unit 322 has ended, the processing of step S328 ends for the message 306. If the processing flag does not indicate that the processing has been completed, it is determined whether the difference between the current time and the time stamp attached to the message 306 is within the processing time limit described in the database (S343). If it is within the processing time limit, the message determination unit 325 causes the message processing unit 322 to process the message 306 (S344). The message determination unit 325 may perform the processing of steps S341 to S344 for each message 306 recorded in the log memory 420, or collectively performs the reading process of step S341. The processing of S342 to S344 may be performed.

  Returning to FIG. 21 and FIG. 24, when the processing of step S328 is completed, the parent microcomputer 400 transmits a message 306 notifying the completion of the restart to another microcomputer, that is, the child microcomputers 401 and 402, by the message processing unit 322. (S329). By receiving the restart completion notification, the other microcomputers can know that the parent microcomputer 400 has completed the restart. When the child microcomputer 401 receives the restart completion notification from the parent microcomputer 400 by, for example, a message receiving unit (not shown), the message determining unit 315 determines and processes the message 306 recorded in the log memory 420 (S330). ). The processing in step S330 is performed by referring to the database memory 314 of the child microcomputer 401.

  In the database stored in the database memory 314, as shown in FIG. 25, the processing time limit is described for each content of the electronic message 306. This database further describes whether or not it is necessary to re-create the electronic message 306, as illustrated in FIG. 27 or FIG. Here, the re-creation means that the message 306 is created based on the information content that reflects the new state after the restart of the message 306 that has been recorded in the log memory 420 and has not been processed and has passed the processing time limit. . For example, it is described that a message of the content notifying the internal temperature needs to be re-created in all temperature ranges (FIG. 27). Also, regarding the notification of the open / closed state of the door, if the content of the message 306 left unprocessed in the log memory 420 is different from the new state after the restart, the new state is notified. It is described that re-creation is necessary, and if they are the same, it is described that re-creation is not necessary (FIG. 28).

  Each of the child microcomputers 401, 402, 403, and 404 shares a role such as control of an individual device portion, and the contents of the electronic message 306 to be handled are not necessarily the same. Therefore, the contents of the database stored in the database memories 314 and 334 (FIG. 21) and the like may be generally different for each child microcomputer as illustrated separately in FIGS. 27 and 28.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of step S330. The same processes as those in FIG. 26 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Upon starting the process of step S330, the message determination unit 315 reads the message 306 from the log memory 420 (S341). Next, the message determining unit 315 determines a processing flag attached to the message 306 (S342). If the processing flag indicates that the processing by the message processing unit 322 of the parent microcomputer 400 has ended, the processing of step S330 ends for the message 306. If the processing flag does not indicate that the processing has been completed, it is determined whether the difference between the current time and the time stamp attached to the message 306 is within the processing time limit described in the database (S343). If it is within the processing time limit, the message determination unit 325 terminates the process of step S330 for the message 306.

  Subsequently, the message determination unit 315 determines whether the message 306 needs to be re-created by referring to the database stored in the database memory 314 (S352). If re-creation is unnecessary, the process of step S330 ends. If re-creation is necessary, the message determination unit 315 causes the message creation unit 311 to create the message 306 (S353). The re-created message 306 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmission unit 312 (step S354), and is processed by the message processing unit 322. Then, the process of step S330 ends. The message determination unit 315 may perform the processing of steps S341 to S354 for each message 306 recorded in the log memory 420, or collectively performs the reading process of step S341, and then performs step S341 for each of the read messages 306. The processing of S342 to S354 may be performed. Returning to FIG. 24, when the processing of step S330 ends, the operation of the microcomputer system 390 returns to the normal processing (S320, S321, S322). After the processing of step S330 is completed, the child microcomputer 401 sends a message 306 notifying that the processing of the unprocessed message of the parent microcomputer 400 has been completed to another microcomputer, that is, the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312. And to the child microcomputer 402.

  Since the microcomputer system 390 operates as described above, of the telegrams 306 which have not been processed during the period during which the operation of the parent microcomputer 400 is stopped, the parent microcomputer 400 determines that a new one which does not cause any trouble without any processing. The electronic mail 306 can be processed as it is, and for the old one, the electronic message 306 having new contents reflecting the new situation after the restart can be processed. In addition, since only a new message is to be created by referring to the database, a new message is created, so that unnecessary processing of unprocessed messages that have passed the processing time limit can be omitted.

  The message determination unit 315 may perform the process in FIG. 30 instead of FIG. 29 as the process in step S330. The processing in FIG. 30 differs from the processing in FIG. 29 in that the message 306 determined to be unnecessary to be recreated in step S352 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312 as it is (S355). If the unprocessed message 306 has, for example, a content that notifies the door opening / closing state, the message determining unit 315 refers to the database illustrated in FIG. If the contents are different from the current state after the restart, the message creation unit 311 creates a new message 306 reflecting the new state (S353), and the contents of the unprocessed message and the current state after the restart. If the states are the same, the message transmission unit 312 is caused to transmit the unprocessed message 306 (S355). Accordingly, it is possible to avoid waste of creating a new message unnecessarily, and the message processing unit 322 of the parent microcomputer 400 can perform appropriate processing on the unprocessed message 306 whose processing time limit has elapsed.

(Processing of unprocessed messages after restarting the child microcomputer)
Next, the processing of an unprocessed message performed after the restart of the child microcomputer 402 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 21 and the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 31, processes that are the same as the processes in FIG. 24 are given the same reference numerals. While the normal processing (S320, S321, and S322) is being performed, whether or not the operation of the child microcomputer 402 has been stopped is monitored. The monitoring of the operation stop is performed by the parent microcomputer 400 in the example of FIG.

  Next, when the child microcomputer 402 stops its operation due to a hardware error or the like (S323), the parent microcomputer 400 detects the operation stop (S324), and further transmits a restart signal 308 (S325). When the restart signal receiving unit 336 included in the child microcomputer 402 receives the restart signal 308 (S326), the child microcomputer 402 restarts (S327). Next, the message determination unit 335 of the child microcomputer 402 determines and processes the message 306 (including an unprocessed message) recorded in the log memory 420 (S328). The process of step S328 is performed by referring to a database stored in the database memory 334 of the child microcomputer 402. The database stored in the database memory 334 is exemplified by the same contents as in FIG.

  The processing in step S328 is exemplified by the flowchart in FIG. That is, upon starting the process of step S328, the message determination unit 335 of the child microcomputer 402 reads the message 306 from the log memory 420 (S341). Next, the message determination unit 335 determines the processing flag attached to the message 306 (S342). If the processing flag indicates that the processing by the message processing unit 332 of the child microcomputer 402 has ended, the processing of step S328 ends for the message 306. If the processing flag does not indicate that the processing has been completed, it is determined whether the difference between the current time and the time stamp attached to the message 306 is within the processing time limit described in the database (S343). If it is within the processing time limit, the message determination unit 335 causes the message processing unit 332 to perform processing on the message 306 (S344). The message determination unit 335 may perform the processes of steps S341 to S344 for each message 306 recorded in the log memory 420, or collectively performs the reading process of step S341, and then performs the steps for each message 306 read. The processing of S342 to S344 may be performed.

  Returning to FIG. 21 and FIG. 31, when the process of step S328 is completed, the child microcomputer 402 uses the message processing unit 332 to send a message 306 notifying the completion of the restart to another microcomputer, that is, the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputer 401. (S329). By receiving the restart completion notification, the other microcomputer can know that the child microcomputer 402 has completed the restart. When the child microcomputer 401 receives the restart completion notification from the child microcomputer 402 by, for example, a message receiving unit (not shown), the message determining unit 315 determines and processes the message 306 recorded in the log memory 420 (S330). ). The processing in step S330 is exemplified in FIG. 29 or FIG. The contents of the database memory 314 of the child microcomputer 401 referred to in step S330 are exemplified in FIGS. 25, 27, and 28, similarly to the processing after the restart of the parent microcomputer 400 (FIG. 24). After the process of step S330 is completed, the child microcomputer 401 sends a message 306 notifying that the processing of the unprocessed message of the child microcomputer 402 has been completed to another microcomputer, that is, the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312. And to the child microcomputer 402.

  As described above, even for the message 306 that has not been processed during the operation stop period of the child microcomputer 402, it is possible to perform appropriate processing after the child microcomputer 402 is restarted.

(Various forms of stop monitoring)
Various configurations can be adopted as a configuration for monitoring the operation stop of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 to 404 and restarting when the operation is stopped. In the example shown in FIG. 32, each of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 monitors the stop of the operation of the parent microcomputer 400 through the stop monitoring signal 309, and when any of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 detects the stop of the operation, the restart signal 308 is output. Is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400. The restart signal 308 is input to a reset register 350 included in the CPU 301 (FIG. 20) of the parent microcomputer 400, so that the CPU 301 restarts. Instead of each of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 monitoring the parent microcomputer 400, any one of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 may be configured to monitor.

  In the example shown in FIG. 33, the parent microcomputer 400 monitors the operation stop of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 through the stop monitor signal 309, and when any of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 stops operating, restarts the stopped child microcomputer. The signal 308 is transmitted. The restart signal 308 sent to the child microcomputers 401 to 404 is input to the reset registers 351 to 354 provided in the CPU 301 so that the CPU 301 restarts.

  In the example shown in FIG. 34, the parent microcomputer 400 monitors the stop of the operation of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 through the stop monitoring signal 309, and when any of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 stops operating, specifies the stopped child microcomputer. The identification number 380 is transmitted to the decoder 356. By decoding the identification number 380, the decoder 356 transmits the restart signal 308 to any of the child microcomputers 401 to 404 specified by the identification number 380. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 34, the parent microcomputer 400 can reduce the number of output ports for transmitting the restart signal 308, and can also reduce the number of wires for transmitting the restart signal 308.

  In any of the examples of FIGS. 32 to 34, the microcomputer monitors the operation stop of the other microcomputers and transmits a restart signal when the operation stop occurs, so that the user detects the operation stop and stops manually. The operation stop period can be shortened as compared with the configuration of Patent Document 1 in which a signal is input. For this reason, the microcomputer system 390 can be stopped for a short period of time, such as a refrigerator, a device in which cooling operation cannot be stopped for a long time, or a security device (a human body sensor for detecting a suspicious person, a sensor for detecting a fire, etc.). It is also suitable for use in things that are not allowed. Further, since the microcomputers monitor the operation stop of each other microcomputer, it is not necessary to separately provide a device for monitoring the operation, and the microcomputer system 390 can be configured at low cost.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 35 is a block diagram based on the functions of the microcomputer system (FIG. 19) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Similarly to the CPUs 301 of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputer 402, the CPU 301 of the child microcomputer 401 also performs various processes. Until the processing is performed, a waiting time usually occurs. Therefore, when the operation of the CPU 301 of the child microcomputer 401 is stopped, the message 306 that has not been processed because the waiting time has not elapsed has stayed in the log memory 420. When the CPU 301 of the child microcomputer 401 stops operating, the child microcomputer 401 including the database memory 314 stops operating.

  The microcomputer system 391 shown in FIG. 35 is configured to be able to process an unprocessed electronic message that remains due to the stoppage of the operation of the child microcomputer 401. That is, the microcomputer system 391 is characteristically different from the microcomputer system 390 shown in FIG. 21 in that the child microcomputer 401 further includes an electronic document loading unit 317 and a restart signal receiving unit 316.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the normal operation of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 and 402 of the microcomputer system 391. 36, the same processes as those in FIG. 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals. When the normal operation is started, the message creating unit 311 of the child microcomputer 401 creates the message 306 (S301). Next, the electronic document inclusion unit 317 records the electronic message 306 created by the electronic message creation unit 311 in the log memory 420 (S361). At this time, the processing flag (FIG. 23) indicates that no processing has been performed. The created message 306 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312 (S302). When the transmission of the electronic message 306 is completed, the electronic document inclusion unit 313 of the child microcomputer 401 sets the processing flag to a value indicating that processing has been completed, and records the electronic message 306 of which transmission has been completed in the log memory 420 (S362). That is, in the microcomputer system 391, the electronic document loading unit 313 transmits the electronic message transmission unit 312 of the child microcomputer 401 for the electronic message 306 recorded in the log memory 420, similarly to the flag setting units 323 and 333 of the parent microcomputer 400 and the like. Function as a device part for setting a processing flag indicating that the transmission processing by the.

  On the other hand, the parent microcomputer 400 receives the transmitted message 306 by the message receiving unit 321 (S304). The message processing unit 322 processes the received message 306 according to the content (S305). When the processing by the message processing unit 322 ends, the flag setting unit 323 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 that has been processed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S307).

  If the message 306 is to be sent to the child microcomputer 402, the message processing unit 322 of the parent microcomputer 400 sends the message 306 to the child microcomputer 402 (S305). The child microcomputer 402 receives the transmitted message 306 by the message receiving unit 331 (S306). The message processing unit 332 processes the received message 306 according to the content (S308). When the processing by the message processing unit 332 is completed, the flag setting unit 333 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 for which processing has been completed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S309). That is, in the example of FIGS. 35 and 36, for the message 306 to which the child microcomputer 402 is the transmission destination, a flag indicating whether or not the transmission processing by the child microcomputer 401 has been completed, and the transmission by the parent microcomputer 400 that relays the message 306. Three types of flags are used as the processing flag: a flag indicating whether the processing has ended, and a flag indicating whether the processing by the slave microcomputer 402 that is the transmission destination has ended. In this manner, the log of the processing of the electronic message 306 is recorded in the log memory 420.

  Next, the processing of an unprocessed message performed after the restart of the child microcomputer 401 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 35 and the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 37, the same processes as those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals. While the normal processing (S320, S321, and S322) is being performed, whether or not the operation of the child microcomputer 401 has been stopped is monitored. The monitoring of the operation stop is performed by the parent microcomputer 400 in the example of FIG.

  Next, when the child microcomputer 401 stops its operation due to a hardware error or the like (S323), the parent microcomputer 400 detects the operation stop (S324), and further transmits a restart signal 308 (S325). When the restart signal receiving unit 316 included in the child microcomputer 401 receives the restart signal 308 (S326), the child microcomputer 401 restarts (S327). Next, the message determination unit 315 of the child microcomputer 402 determines and processes the message 306 recorded in the log memory 420 (S370). The process of step S370 is performed by referring to a database stored in the database memory 314 of the child microcomputer 401. The database stored in the database memory 314 is exemplified by the same contents as in FIGS. 25, 27, and 28.

  The processing in step S370 is exemplified by the flowchart in FIG. In FIG. 38, the same processes as those in FIGS. 26 and 30 are denoted by the same reference numerals. When starting the process of step S370, the message determination unit 315 of the child microcomputer 401 reads the message 306 from the log memory 420 (S341). Next, the message determining unit 315 determines a processing flag attached to the message 306 (S342). If the processing flag indicates that the transmission process by the message transmission unit 312 of the child microcomputer 401 has ended, the process of step S370 ends for the message 306. If the processing flag does not indicate that the processing has been completed, it is determined whether or not the difference between the current time and the time stamp attached to the message 306 is within the processing time limit described in the database stored in the database memory 314. (S343). If it is within the processing time limit, the message determination unit 315 causes the message transmission unit 312 to perform transmission processing on the message 306 (S344).

  Subsequently, the message determination unit 315 determines whether the message 306 needs to be re-created by referring to the database stored in the database memory 314 (S352). If the re-creation is unnecessary, the message 306 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312 as it is (S355). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 29, when re-creation is unnecessary, the process of step S370 may be ended.

  If re-creation is necessary, the message determination unit 315 causes the message creation unit 311 to create the message 306 (S353). The re-created message 306 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmission unit 312 (step S354), and is processed by the message processing unit 322. Then, the process of step S370 ends. The message determination unit 315 may perform the processing of steps S341 to S355 for each message 306 recorded in the log memory 420, performs the reading process of step S341 in a lump, and then performs step S341 for each of the read messages 306. The processing of S342 to S355 may be performed.

  Returning to FIG. 37, when the process of step S370 is completed, the child microcomputer 401 transmits a message 306 notifying the completion of the restart to the other microcomputers, that is, the parent microcomputers 400 and 402, by the message transmission unit 312 (S371). ). By receiving the restart completion notification, the other microcomputer can know that the child microcomputer 401 has completed the restart. When the processing in step S371 ends, the operation of the microcomputer system 391 returns to the normal processing (S320, S321, S322).

  Since the microcomputer system 391 operates as described above, the receiving side can perform appropriate processing on a message that has not been processed during the operation stop period of the child microcomputer 401. Note that the microcomputer system 391 can also process unprocessed messages after restarting the parent microcomputer and process unprocessed messages after restarting the child microcomputer 402 in the same manner as the microcomputer system 390.

Embodiment 6
FIG. 39 is a block diagram based on functions of a microcomputer system (FIG. 19) according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. This microcomputer system 392 is different from the microcomputer system 391 shown in FIG. 35 in that the parent microcomputer 400 further includes an electronic document inserting section 327 and the child microcomputer 402 further includes an electronic document inserting section 337. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a normal operation of the parent microcomputer 400 and the child microcomputers 401 and 402 of the microcomputer system 392. In FIG. 40, the same processes as those in FIGS. 22 and 36 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When the normal operation is started, the message creating unit 311 of the child microcomputer 401 creates the message 306 (S301). Next, the electronic document inclusion unit 317 records the electronic message 306 created by the electronic message creation unit 311 in the log memory 420 (S361). At this time, the processing flag (FIG. 23) indicates that no processing has been performed. The created message 306 is transmitted to the parent microcomputer 400 by the message transmitting unit 312 (S302). When the transmission of the electronic message 306 is completed, the electronic document inclusion unit 313 of the child microcomputer 401 sets the processing flag to a value indicating that processing has been completed, and records the electronic message 306 of which transmission has been completed in the log memory 420 (S362). That is, in the microcomputer system 392, similarly to the microcomputer system 391, the electronic document loading unit 313 determines that the transmission processing of the electronic message 306 recorded in the log memory 420 by the electronic message transmission unit 312 of the child microcomputer 401 has been completed. Function as a device part for setting a processing flag indicating the following.

  On the other hand, the parent microcomputer 400 receives the transmitted message 306 by the message receiving unit 321 (S304). Next, the telegram reader 327 records the telegram 306 received by the telegram receiver 321 in the log memory 420 (S363). That is, a new electronic message 306 is recorded in the log memory 420 separately from the electronic message 306 for which the flag has been set by the electronic document inclusion unit 313 of the child microcomputer 401. In step S363, the processing flag of the newly recorded message 306 is set to unprocessed.

  The message processing unit 322 processes the received message 306 according to the content (S305). When the processing by the message processing unit 322 ends, the flag setting unit 323 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 that has been processed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S307). That is, the processing flag of the message 306 newly recorded in the log memory 420 in step S363 is set from unprocessed to processed in step S307.

  If the message 306 is to be sent to the child microcomputer 402, the message processing unit 322 of the parent microcomputer 400 sends the message 306 to the child microcomputer 402 (S305). Next, the telegram reader 337 records the telegram 306 received by the telegram receiver 331 in the log memory 420 (S364). That is, the message 306 in which the flag indicating that the processing is completed is set by the electronic document loading unit 313 of the child microcomputer 401 and the message 306 in which the flag indicating the processing is set by the flag setting unit 323 of the parent microcomputer 400 are separately provided. , A new message 306 is recorded in the log memory 420. In step S364, the processing flag of the newly recorded message 306 is set to unprocessed. The message processing unit 332 processes the received message 306 according to the content (S308). When the processing by the message processing unit 332 is completed, the flag setting unit 333 sets a flag indicating that processing has been completed in the message 306 for which processing has been completed, and records the flag in the log memory 420 (S309).

  In other words, in the example of FIGS. 39 and 40, the message 306 to which the child microcomputer 402 is the transmission destination relays the message 306 and the message 306 to which a flag indicating whether the transmission process by the child microcomputer 401 has been completed is added. Message 306 to which a flag indicating whether or not the transmission process by the parent microcomputer 400 is completed, and a message 306 to which a flag indicating whether the process by the child microcomputer 402 as the transmission destination has been completed. Are recorded in the log memory 420. In this manner, the log of the processing of the electronic message 306 is recorded in the log memory 420.

  Therefore, in the microcomputer system 392, more information than any of the microcomputer systems 390 and 391 is stored in the log memory 420 as the history information of the message 306, so that the log memory 420 requires the largest memory capacity. However, similarly to the microcomputer system 391, any of the processes of FIGS. 24, 26, 29, 30, 31, 31, and 38 illustrated as the processes of the unprocessed message after the restart can be executed. is there.

Embodiment 7
As described above, in the device control device 107 (FIGS. 12 and 13) according to the second embodiment, the CPU 1b updates the contents of the register 21b to the latest contents after restarting (S16 in FIG. 14) ( S18 in FIG. 14). When the CPU 1b is restarted, the register 21b is initialized, so that the content of the register 21b is usually returned to an initial value (default value). Therefore, it is necessary to update the contents of the register 21b to the latest contents with the restart of the CPU 1b.

  In order to update the content of the register 21b to the latest content, the detecting unit 37 may write the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 106 to the register 21b, for example. Also, regarding the setting conditions such as the setting temperature, the communication unit 109 may transmit the setting conditions to the control unit 108. As described above, the content of the register 21b is reflected on the register 21a through the second message 6 as an internal notification. This internal notification can include a notification of the setting condition held in the register 21b. Thus, when the CPU 1b is restarted, the setting conditions held in the register 21a are returned to the register 21b, so that the setting conditions held in the register 21b can be updated to the latest contents.

  Specifically, the message creating unit 48 reads the setting conditions from the data held by the register 21a, and creates the message 6 based on the read data. The created message 6 is transmitted to the control unit 108 by the message transmission unit 32 via the message memory 3a. The transmitted message 6 is received by the message receiving unit 34. The received message 6 is written to the register 21b by the writing unit 35 via the message memory 3a.

  Depending on the type of the setting condition, there may be a case where it is not necessary to update the initial value of the register 21b to the latest content, or a case where it is better not to update the initial value. Desirably, the communication unit 109 has the discrimination database memory 4a similarly to the communication unit 103 of FIG. 4, and the discrimination database memory 4a should store the database illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 41, a setting condition notification flag that determines whether to notify the setting condition is described for each type of setting condition. It is preferable that the message transmission unit 32 refers to the database stored in the discrimination database memory 4a, selects a setting condition whose setting condition notification flag is "1" from the register 21a, and transmits the setting condition to the control unit 108.

  As already described, in the device control apparatus 101 (FIGS. 3 and 4) according to the first embodiment, after the CPU 1a is restarted (S16 in FIG. 9), the control unit 102 transmits the contents of the register 21b to the communication unit 103. As a result, the contents of the register 21a are updated with the latest contents of the register 21b (S18 in FIG. 9). When the CPU 1a is restarted, the register 21a is initialized, so that the content of the register 21a is usually returned to an initial value (default value). For this reason, it is necessary to update the contents of the register 21a to the latest contents with the restart of the CPU 1a.

  The updated contents of the register 21a include the state of the control target such as the temperature sensor 106 (for example, the internal temperature). When the CPU 1a restarts after stopping its operation, the state of the control target grasped by the controller 110 may not coincide with the latest state of the control target held by the register 21a. Therefore, it is desirable that the communication unit 103 notifies the controller 110 of the latest state of the control target held in the register 21a after the restart of the CPU 1a.

  Specifically, the message creating unit 48 reads the state of the control target from the updated latest contents of the register 21a, and creates the message 6 based on the read state. The created message 6 is transmitted to the controller 110 by the message transmission unit 44 via the message memory 3a and the protocol conversion unit 43.

  Depending on the type of state, there may be a case where it is not necessary to update the initial value of the register 21a to the latest contents, or a case where it is better not to update. For this purpose, it is desirable that the discrimination database memory 4a should store a database illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 42, a state notification flag that determines whether or not to notify a state is described for each type of state to be controlled. The message creation unit 48 may select the state in which the state notification flag is “1” from the register 21a by referring to the database stored in the discrimination database memory 4a.

  As exemplified in the third embodiment, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be performed at the same time. In this case, the discrimination database memory 4a may store the database illustrated in FIG. 41 and the database illustrated in FIG.

  It is desirable that the setting condition notification flag and the status notification flag can be set by the controller 110. For this purpose, the controller 110 may transmit the electronic message 6 having the data structure illustrated in FIG. 43 to the device control apparatus 101, 107, 115, or 120. In FIG. 43, the header includes codes for identifying the transmission source (that is, the controller 110) and the transmission destination (that is, the device control device 101 and the like). The message content is information indicating the type of notification illustrated in FIG. 41 or FIG. The data includes a setting condition notification flag or a status notification flag. As another example, the message content indicates a setting condition notification or a status notification, and the data indicates a notification content (for example, a notification about the setting condition a) or a status notification flag to set the setting condition notification flag to “1”. The notification content (for example, notification about the state A) to be set to "" may be displayed. Further, the data may simultaneously indicate two or more notification contents for which the flag should be set to "1". In this case, among the plurality of predetermined notification contents, the notification for which the flag should be set to "1" The contents may be represented by a bitmap.

  Taking the device control device 101 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 as an example, the controller 110 transmits the message 6 illustrated in FIG. 43 to the device immediately after the device control device 101 is connected to the controller 110 via the communication line L. It may be transmitted to the control device 101. The transmitted message 6 is received by the message receiving unit 30. The received message 6 is stored as a database in the discrimination database memory 4a by the writing unit 46 via the protocol conversion unit 31 and the message memory 3a.

[Other embodiments]
In the first to third and seventh embodiments, the registers 21a and 21b are configured as registers included in the CPUs 1a and 1b, respectively. However, the registers 21a and 21b are configured as storage media such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) separate from the CPUs 1a and 1b. May be.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the message processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram based on the function of the message processing apparatus by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the device control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram based on functions of the device control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating contents of a message handled by the device control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the communication unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between generation and processing of a message handled by a communication unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of a message according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the communication unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in a database memory according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining and processing a retained telegram according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a device control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram based on the function of the apparatus control apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in a database memory according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a device control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a device control device according to a modified example of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the apparatus control apparatus by the modification of this invention. FIG. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram of a microcomputer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a hardware configuration diagram of each microcomputer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a normal process of the microcomputer system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a data structure diagram of a telegram according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of the microcomputer system after restarting the parent microcomputer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a database according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the process of step S328 in FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a database according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a database according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 25 is a flowchart showing the process of step S330 in FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another processing example of step S330 in FIG. 24. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the microcomputer system after the child microcomputer on the receiving side is restarted according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for monitoring operation stop according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another configuration example for monitoring operation stop according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing still another configuration example for monitoring operation stop according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of a normal process of the microcomputer system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart showing processing of the microcomputer system after restarting a transmission child microcomputer according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 38 is a flowchart showing the process of step S370 in FIG. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of a normal process of the microcomputer system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a database stored in a database memory according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the database stored in the database memory according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a message according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

3, 3a, 3b, 3c: Message memory (message storage unit)
4, 4a, 4b, 4c... Discrimination database memory (discrimination database storage unit)
6, a message 8, a restart signal 10, a message generator 11, 30, 34, 42, a message receiver 12, 40, 46, a message generator 15, ··· Message processing unit 16, 32, 41, 44 ··· Message transmission unit 18 ··· Identification code adding unit 20, 33, 62 ··· Message determination unit 33, 45, 60, 61 ··· ..Flag setting section (identification code adding section)
35 writing unit (message processing unit) 100 message processing device 101, 107, 115, 120 device controller 102, 108 control unit 103, 109 Communication unit 110 Controller (external device) 111 Home appliance (external device)
L: communication line 306: message 308: restart signal 311: message creation unit 312: message transmission unit 313, 317, 327, 337: message ... Database memory 315, 325, 335... Message discriminating unit 322, 332... Message processing unit 323, 333... Flag setting unit (identification code adding unit) )
390, 391, 392 microcomputer system 400, 401, 402, 403, 404 microcomputer 420 log memory 501 refrigerator (home appliance)

Claims (24)

An electronic message processing device that performs processing by exchanging electronic messages with the outside,
A message generating means having at least one of a message receiving means for receiving a message from outside and a message creating means for creating a message;
Message storage means for storing the message received or created by the message generation means,
A message processing unit that reads the message stored by the message storage unit and performs a process based on the message;
An identification code adding unit that adds the identification code indicating that the process has been completed to the message, and records the message in the message storage unit,
Discrimination database storage means for storing a database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message,
In response to the restart signal received after the operation of the message processing device is stopped, the message is read from the message storage unit, and for the read messages without the identification code, the database is referred to. And a message discriminating means for causing the message processing means to perform the process only for a message within the processing time limit. The message generating means has the message creating means,
The database further describes, for each content of the message created by the message creating means, whether the message should be newly created after the processing time limit has elapsed,
The message determination means, in response to the restart signal, from among the messages read from the message storage means, the identification code is not attached, for those after the processing time limit, the database, The message processing device according to claim 1, further comprising causing the message creation unit to newly create the message only for items to be newly created by referring to the message. A control unit that controls equipment by exchanging messages with an external device through a communication line;
A communication unit that performs protocol conversion of the message so as to match both the control unit and the communication line interposed between the control unit and the communication line,
The communication unit,
Message receiving means for receiving a first message sent from the communication line and a second message sent from the control unit;
Message storage means for storing the first message and the second message received by the message receiving means;
The first message and the second message stored in the message storage unit are read, the read first message is transmitted to the control unit, and the read second message is transmitted to the communication line. Message processing means;
An identification code adding unit that adds the identification code indicating that the transmission has been completed and records the first and second telegrams that have been transmitted by the telegram processing unit to the telegram storage unit;
Discrimination database storage means for storing a database describing a processing time limit for each content of the first message and the second message;
The first message and the second message are read from the message storage unit in response to a restart signal received after the communication unit stops operating, and the identification code is read out of the read first message and the second message. A message discriminating means for causing the message processing means to transmit the message only when the term is within the processing time limit by referring to the database for those not marked with. The communication unit further includes a message creating unit that creates a third message.
The message storage means also stores the third message created by the message creation means,
The message processing unit also reads the third message stored in the message storage unit, transmits the read third message to the communication line, and sends the read first message to the control unit. Send to the control unit except for the one that contains the data request, and for the one that contains the data request, let the message creation means create the third message,
The identification code adding unit also records the third electronic message for which the transmission by the electronic message processing unit has been completed in the electronic message storage unit with the identification code indicating that processing has been completed,
The database also describes the processing deadline for each content of the third message,
In response to the restart signal, the message determination unit also reads the third message from the message storage unit, and refers to the database for the read third message without the identification code. By doing so, only those within the processing time limit, the message processing means to send the,
The device control device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit transmits data necessary for the message creation unit to create the third message in response to the data request, to the communication unit. The database further describes, for each content of the third message, whether or not the third message should be newly created after the processing time limit has elapsed,
In the third message read from the message storage unit in response to the restart signal, the message determination unit may not be attached to the identification code, and the third message after the processing time limit has passed, By further referring to the database, only the message to be newly created is caused to be newly created by the message creating means as the third message,
5. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein after the communication unit resumes operation by the restart signal, the message creation unit transmits data necessary for newly creating the third message to the communication unit. The device control device according to the above. The database further describes, for each content of the second message, whether or not the second message should be newly created after the processing time limit has elapsed,
The electronic message discriminating means, of the second electronic message read from the electronic message storage means in response to the restart signal, the identification code is not attached, and for the one after the processing time limit, the By further referring to the database, only the message to be newly created is caused to be newly created by the message creating means as the third message,
The control unit, after the communication unit resumes operation according to the restart signal, also transmits data necessary for the message creation unit to newly create a message as the third message to the communication unit. Item 6. The device control device according to Item 5.   The device control device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit monitors an operation of the communication unit, and transmits the restart signal to the communication unit when the communication unit stops operating. A control unit that controls equipment by exchanging messages with an external device through a communication line;
A communication unit that intervenes between the control unit and the communication line and performs a protocol conversion of the message so as to match both of them,
The control unit includes:
Message receiving means for receiving a first message sent from the communication unit;
Message creation means for creating a second message;
Message storage means for storing the first message received by the message reception means and the second message created by the message creation means;
A message for reading the first message and the second message stored in the message storage unit, controlling the device based on the read first message, and transmitting the read second message to the communication unit. Processing means;
Identification code adding means for recording, in the electronic message storage means, the first electronic message for which the control by the electronic message processing means has been completed and the second electronic message for which the transmission has been completed, with an identification code indicating that processing has been completed;
Discrimination database storage means for storing a database describing a processing time limit for each content of the first message and the second message;
The first message and the second message are read from the message storage unit in response to a restart signal received after the communication unit stops operating, and the identification code is read out of the read first message and the second message. An electronic device control device comprising: a device that does not have a tag attached thereto, and refers to the database and limits only the device within the processing time limit to the message processing device to perform the transmission or the control. The database further describes, for each content of the second message, whether the second message should be newly created after the processing time limit elapses,
The electronic message discriminating means, of the second electronic message read from the electronic message storage means in response to the restart signal, the identification code is not attached, and for the one after the processing time limit, the The device control device according to claim 8, further causing the message creation unit to newly create the second message by only referring to a database.   The device control device according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit monitors an operation of the control unit, and transmits the restart signal to the control unit when the control unit stops operating.   A home electric appliance comprising the electronic text processing device according to claim 1 or 2, or the appliance control device according to any one of claims 3 to 10. A message processing device that performs processing by exchanging messages with the outside,
A message generating means having at least one of a message receiving means for receiving a message from outside and a message creating means for creating a message;
Message storage means for storing the message received or created by the message generation means,
A message processing unit that reads the message stored by the message storage unit and performs a process based on the message;
An identification code adding unit that adds the identification code indicating that the process has been completed to the message, and records the message in the message storage unit,
Discrimination database storage means for storing a database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message,
In response to the restart signal received after the operation of the message processing device is stopped, the message is read from the message storage unit, and for the read messages without the identification code, the database is referred to. Thus, a program for a message processing device that functions as a message discriminating unit that causes the message processing unit to perform the process only for a message within the processing time limit. A microcomputer system including a plurality of microcomputers that communicate messages between each other, and a log memory in which any of the plurality of microcomputers can read and write,
A first microcomputer, which is one of the plurality of microcomputers,
Message creation means for creating the message,
A message transmitting unit that transmits the message created by the message creating unit to a second microcomputer that is another of the plurality of microcomputers;
First electronic document incorporation means for recording the electronic message transmitted by the electronic message transmitting means in the log memory;
A first database memory for storing a first database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message,
The second microcomputer comprises:
A message processing unit that processes the message transmitted by the message transmission unit according to the content thereof;
An identification code adding unit that adds a first identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the electronic mail recorded in the log memory and records the processed electronic mail in the log memory;
A second database memory for storing a second database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message;
In response to a restart signal received after the operation of the second microcomputer is stopped, the electronic device reads the electronic message from the log memory. A first message discriminating means for causing the message processing means to perform processing only for those within the processing time limit by referring to the second database;
The first microcomputer includes:
After the second microcomputer receives the restart signal, the electronic device reads the electronic message from the log memory, and refers to the first database for the electronic device that does not have the first identification code among the read electronic messages. Accordingly, the microcomputer system further includes a second message discriminating unit that causes the message creating unit to newly create a message only after the elapse of the processing time limit. The first database further describes, for each content of the message, whether the message should be newly created after the processing time limit,
The second message discrimination means further refers to the first database for the message read from the log memory, to which the first identification code is not attached and which has passed the processing time limit. 14. The microcomputer system according to claim 13, wherein said message creating means creates a new message only for a new message to be created.   The second message discriminating means may determine, among the messages read from the log memory, those that do not have the first identification code, that have passed the processing time limit, and that should not be newly created. 15. The microcomputer system according to claim 14, wherein said electronic mail transmission means transmits said electronic mail. The first microcomputer includes:
A second electronic document incorporation unit that records the electronic message created by the electronic message creation unit in the log memory;
The first electronic document embedding unit attaches a second identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the log of the messages recorded by the second electronic document embedding unit, the transmission of which has been completed by the electronic message sending unit. Record in memory,
The first microcomputer includes:
In response to a restart signal received after the first microcomputer has stopped operating, reading out the message from the log memory, and reading out the message not attached with the second identification code, A third message discriminating unit that causes the message transmitting unit to transmit only messages within the processing time limit by referring to the first database, and causes the message generating device to newly generate a message after the processing time limit has elapsed The microcomputer system according to claim 13, further comprising: The first database further describes, for each content of the message, whether the message should be newly created after the processing time limit,
The third message discriminating means further refers to the first database for the message read from the log memory, to which the second identification code is not attached and which has passed the processing time limit. 17. The microcomputer system according to claim 16, wherein said message creating means creates a new message only for a message to be newly created.   The third message discriminating means determines, among the messages read from the log memory, those not having the second identification code, those after the processing time limit, and which should not be newly created. 18. The microcomputer system according to claim 17, wherein said electronic mail transmission means transmits said electronic mail. The plurality of microcomputers include a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers that communicate messages between each other, and the communication of the message between the plurality of child microcomputers relays the parent microcomputer. Done
The first microcomputer is one of the plurality of child microcomputers,
19. The microcomputer system according to claim 13, wherein said second microcomputer is said parent microcomputer. The plurality of microcomputers include a parent microcomputer and a plurality of child microcomputers that communicate messages between each other, and the communication of the message between the plurality of child microcomputers relays the parent microcomputer. Done
The first microcomputer is one of the plurality of child microcomputers,
19. The microcomputer system according to claim 13, wherein said second microcomputer is another of said plurality of child microcomputers. At least one of the plurality of child microcomputers includes:
21. The microcomputer system according to claim 19, wherein the operation of the parent microcomputer is monitored, and the restart signal is transmitted to the parent microcomputer when the parent microcomputer stops operating. The parent microcomputer,
22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the operation of the plurality of child microcomputers is monitored, and when any one of the plurality of child microcomputers stops operating, the restart signal is transmitted to the child microcomputer that has stopped operating. The microcomputer system according to any one of the above.   An electric home appliance comprising the microcomputer system according to any one of claims 13 to 22. A microcomputer system program for a microcomputer system including a plurality of microcomputers that communicate messages between each other, and a log memory that can be read and written by any of the plurality of microcomputers,
A first microcomputer, which is one of the plurality of microcomputers,
Message creation means for creating the message,
A message transmitting unit that transmits the message created by the message creating unit to a second microcomputer that is another of the plurality of microcomputers;
First electronic document incorporation means for recording the electronic message transmitted by the electronic message transmitting means in the log memory;
Functioning as a first database memory for storing a first database describing a processing deadline for each content of the message;
The second microcomputer,
A message processing unit that processes the message transmitted by the message transmission unit according to the content thereof;
An identification code adding unit that adds a first identification code indicating that processing has been completed to the electronic mail recorded in the log memory and records the processed electronic mail in the log memory;
A second database memory for storing a second database describing a processing time limit for each content of the message;
In response to a restart signal received after the operation of the second microcomputer is stopped, the electronic device reads the electronic message from the log memory. 2 by referring to the database, only those within the processing time limit, functioning as the first message discriminating means for causing the message processing means to process,
The first microcomputer,
After the second microcomputer receives the restart signal, the electronic device reads the electronic message from the log memory, and refers to the first database for the electronic device that does not have the first identification code among the read electronic messages. A program for a microcomputer system which further functions as a second message discriminating means for causing the message creating means to newly create a message only after the processing time limit has passed.

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