JP2005301666A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently execute an external program stored in an external storage device by an information processor. <P>SOLUTION: When the external storage medium is connected to a program execution device of the information processor, the priority of the external program stored in the external storage medium is determined based upon priority information that the external storage device has, and the priority of the external program is compared with the priority of an execution program being executed at present; when the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, the execution program is temporarily interrupted to execute the external program and after the execution of the external program is interrupted, the execution of the execution program having been interrupted is restarted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement of an information processing apparatus that executes a plurality of programs.

As an example of an information processing apparatus that executes a plurality of programs, there is a POS system cash register apparatus. In this cash register apparatus, a plurality of programs such as a settlement process, a PLU process, and a management process are executed. The program is selected by, for example, inserting a selection key for selecting the program into the lock hole and turning the key to select a desired program.
Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a memory card is inserted when an application program is executed in an information processing apparatus, control can be automatically transferred to a program inside the memory card. Is automatically returned to the application program when the memory card is removed or a memory card removal operation is started.
In addition, please refer to patent document 2 and patent document 3 as a technique relevant to this invention.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-6028 JP 2003-108385 A JP 2000-276359 A

In a POS system cash register in which a program to be executed is selected by a program selection key, the next program must be selected after the program being executed is once terminated. Therefore, every time the program is switched, a time interruption occurs in the work,
The business efficiency was reduced.
Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a memory card is inserted, the processing of the memory card program is forcibly executed, so it is necessary to manage the mounting timing. That is,
Even if the currently executed program is important in business processing, if a memory card is installed by mistake, the important business processing is interrupted and the program in the memory card is executed. As a result, there is a risk that the business processing efficiency will decrease.

The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above problems. That is, the present invention provides a program execution device that reads and executes an external program stored in an external storage medium;
A program selection device that selects a program to be executed based on priority information possessed by the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device;
A program interruption device for temporarily interrupting an execution program being executed by the program execution device;
A program restarting device for restarting the suspended execution program;
With
When the program selection device compares the priority of the external program with the priority of the execution program, and the priority of the external program is higher than the execution program, the program interruption device interrupts the execution program. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the external program is executed, and the program resumption apparatus resumes execution of the suspended execution program after the external program ends.

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, when the external storage device is connected to the program execution device and the external program stored in the external storage device becomes executable, The priority of the external program is compared with the priority of the execution program currently being executed by the program execution device. As a result of the comparison, only when the priority of the external program is higher than that of the execution program, the processing target is switched to the external program. In other words, when the execution program has a higher priority than the external program, execution of the execution program is maintained. This eliminates the need to manage the timing for mounting the external storage medium. In other words, by assigning priorities to external storage media according to business priorities, programs are always executed according to the priorities. There will be no hindrance to the execution. As a result, the execution of the external program is organized and the information processing apparatus is easy to use.

When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, the external program is executed, but the execution program is temporarily stopped by the program interruption device without being ended. Then, after the external program is finished, its execution is returned by the program restarting device. Thereby, each execution of execution program → external program → execution program can be smoothly switched. Therefore, the execution of a plurality of programs is realized without impeding business efficiency at all.

The invention of another aspect is a program execution method in a program execution device that reads and executes an external program stored in an external storage medium,
A priority order determining step for determining a priority order of the external program based on priority order information possessed by the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device;
A comparison step for comparing the priority of the external program with the priority of the currently executing execution program;
When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, the program selection step of suspending the execution program and executing the external program;
A program resuming step for resuming execution of the suspended execution program after execution of the external program is suspended;
Is a program execution method comprising:

According to still another aspect, the present invention is a computer program for a computer that reads and executes an external program stored in an external storage medium,
The computer
Priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the external program based on priority order information possessed by the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device;
Comparing means for comparing the priority of the external program with the priority of the currently executing execution program;
When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, program selection means for temporarily suspending the execution program and executing the external program;
A program restarting means for restarting execution of the suspended execution program after execution of the external program is interrupted;
It is a computer program that functions as

Hereinafter, each element of the present invention will be described.
(External storage medium)
The form of the external storage medium is not particularly limited as long as it can store an external program. In addition to the memory card used in the embodiments, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, a memory stick, and other general-purpose storage media can be used.
(External program)
An arbitrary application program executed in the information processing apparatus is employed as the external program. When using a POS system cash register as an information processing device,
Programs such as inspection processing, PLU processing, and management processing are external programs.
When a general computer system is used as the information processing apparatus, a virus countermeasure program or the like can be employed as an external program.
When a child game terminal is used as the information processing apparatus, a learning program or the like can be employed as an external program.

(Priority information)
The priority order information can be stored as electronic data (priority order electronic data) in a predetermined area of the external storage medium. That is, the priority order is recorded for each storage medium. The priority order electronic data is preferably associated with an external program, so that the priority order electronic data can be written to the external storage medium at the same time as the external program is written to the external storage medium.
When priority storage information is not directly assigned to the external storage medium, a priority order data table is prepared on the information processing apparatus side. In this priority table, the relationship between the identifiers of the external programs and the priority is stored. Then, the read identifier can be compared with the relationship of the priority table, and the priority can be specified. In this case, the identifier of the external program becomes the priority order electronic data.
The mechanical characteristics of the external storage medium can be used as priority information. For example, priority information can be given according to the type of storage medium.

Furthermore, the priority order can be determined using a port coupled to the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus. That is, priorities are assigned to ports in advance, and information about ports and priorities is stored in a memory in advance. When a memory card is inserted into the port, the priority is specified by referring to the information.
For example, when a plurality of ports are prepared for the memory card, the external program of the memory card inserted in the first port is executed with the highest priority, and the external program of the memory card inserted in the second port Is executed at the next priority. In this case, when the memory card is inserted into the first port, the execution program of the information processing apparatus is interrupted and the external program stored in the first memory card is immediately executed. Even if the memory card is inserted into the second port at that stage, the external program is not immediately executed, but the external program of the memory card inserted into the first port is executed after completion. Then, after the external program of the memory card inserted into the second port is terminated, the program originally executed in the information processing apparatus is resumed.

(Execution program)
The execution program refers to a program currently being executed in the information processing apparatus. When an external program in the external storage medium is executed in the information processing apparatus, this external program is an execution program. In a state where the external program is being executed as an execution program, if a new external storage medium is connected and the external program stored there has a higher priority than the execution program, the new external program It is preferentially executed in the device.

A program execution device, a program selection device, a program interruption device, and a program resumption device are composed of a general-purpose computer system including a central processing unit, an internal memory device, various interfaces, a bus that connects them, and the like. A control program (computer program) for functioning is stored.
As an interface, in addition to an input device, an output device (display, printer), and a communication port, one or more ports for detachably connecting an external storage medium are provided.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of a cash register terminal (information processing apparatus) 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram thereof.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cash register terminal 1 of the embodiment has two ports (first port 5) in the terminal body 3.
The second port 6) is provided, and the first memory card 30 and the second memory card 40 are detachably inserted into the first port 5 and the second port 6, respectively. Reference numeral 7 in the figure denotes an input terminal, reference numeral 8 denotes a printer form output port, and reference numeral 9 denotes a display.

The terminal main body 3 includes a first processing unit 10 and a second processing unit 20 that are virtual machines. The first processing unit 10 includes an application program processing unit 11 and a first data management unit 13.
Have The application program processing unit 11 controls the input terminal 7 of the cash register terminal, the printer 8 and the display 9 via the input / output interface 15. The first port 5 is connected to the first data management unit 13, whereby the first data management unit 13 can write / read data to / from the first memory card 30.
The second processing unit 20 includes a communication processing unit 21 and a second data management unit 23. Communication processor 2
1 is connected to a network 50 such as the Internet via a communication interface 25. The second port 6 is connected to the second data management unit 23, whereby the second data management unit 23 can write / read data to / from the second memory card 40.
Data read from the second memory card is sent to the first data management unit via the second data management unit 23.

The first memory card 30 has an internal register area 31 and a user data area 33. In the internal register area, data unique to the memory card is stored in an operation condition register, a card identification register, a relative card address register, a card characteristic data register, a driver stage register, a status register, and the like.
The user data area 33 includes a priority data storage area 35, an application program (external program) identifier storage area 37, an external program storage area 38, a used memory area, an ID information storage area, a serial number storage area, and a version number storage. There are areas.
Similarly, the second memory card 40 has an internal register area 41 and a user data area 43. In the internal register area, data unique to the memory card is stored in an operation condition register, a card identification register, a relative card address register, a card characteristic data register, a driver stage register, a status register, and the like. The user data area 43 includes a priority data storage area 45, an application program (external program) identifier storage area 47, an external program storage area 48, a memory area, an ID information storage area, a serial number storage area, and a version number storage area. and so on.

The server computer 60 is connected to the network 50 and can perform data communication with the cash register terminal 1 of the embodiment. The server computer 60 stores master data related to the PLU. This data is received by the communication processing unit 21 of the second processing unit 20 from the server computer 60 via the network 50. This received data is sent to the second data management unit 23. From now on, it is stored in the memory area of the user data area 43 of the second memory card 40. In addition, it is sent to the application program processing unit 11 via the first data management unit 13 and is used for execution of the application program here. The output of the application program processing unit is the first and second data management units 13, 23 and the communication processing unit 21,
Further, it can be sent to the server computer via the network 50.

The configuration of the application program processing unit 15 is shown in FIG.
The application program processing unit 15 reads the priority order electronic data from the priority order data storage area 35 of the memory card 31 or the priority order data storage area 45 of the memory card 41 and determines the priority order attached to the memory card 31 or 41. The priority order of the memory card determined in this way is compared with the priority order of the currently executing program (execution program) in the comparison unit 153.
The program execution control unit 154 controls a program executed by the program execution unit 155 based on the comparison result of the comparison unit 153. For example, when the priority of the memory card 1 is higher than the priority of the execution program, the execution program is stopped by stopping the thread assigned to the execution program. On the other hand, memory card 1 in a new thread
A cluster of the program (external program) is assigned to the execution state. The program in the execution state becomes a new execution program, and the priority order is stored in the priority order storage unit 157.

In the above example, the priority order data storage area 3 in the user data area 33 of the memory card 31.
5, the priority order electronic data (direct description format) is read out and compared with the priority order of the execution program by the comparison unit 153.
When the priority order electronic data in the direct description format is not written in the memory card 31, the priority order can be determined as shown in FIG. The identifier reading unit 1511 reads an identifier unique to the external program from the identifier storage area 37 of the user data storage area 33 of the memory card 31. In the priority order table 1513, the relationship between the priority order and the program is tabulated as follows, for example.

(Priority): (identifier (external program))
Priority 0: Idling (default program)
Priority 1: General checkout process (PLU cannot be changed)
Priority 2: Checkout process (PLU can be changed)
Priority 3: Inspection processing (journal printing possible)
Priority 4: PLU processing (PLU can be added or deleted)
Priority 5: Management processing (operator data management, system information management)
Note that the higher the numerical value, the higher the priority.

Based on the identifier of the external program read by the identifier reading unit 1511, the identifier specifying unit 1512 determines the priority corresponding to the external program with reference to the priority table 1513.

Next, the operation of the cash register apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the cash register apparatus 1 is activated, an idling program (priority order 0) stored in the memory as a default program is executed (step 1). For example, the advertisement information is downloaded from the server computer 60 via the network 50 and the advertisement is displayed on the customer display device (customer display), or “checkout is stopped” or “turn to the next checkout”. Perform the display.

A first memory card 31 storing a general settlement processing program (first external program, priority 1) is given to the operator of the cash register apparatus.
Is inserted into the first port 5 (step 3), the priority order electronic data is read from the priority order data storage area 35 of the memory card 31 and stored in the memory card 31 by the priority order determination unit 151. The priority of the program for general settlement processing is determined. The priority of this general checkout program is higher than the priority of the idling program (
Step 5), the general settlement processing program is executed (Step 7). Specifically, the program is assigned to a new cluster and is in an execution state. On the other hand, in the idling program, the thread to which it is assigned is stopped.
In the general payment processing program, the execution environment and operator attributes (name, authority, time, etc.) are read from the user data area 33 of the memory card 30. Calculation is performed by a scanner, a magnetic card reader, or key input, and a total amount including consumption tax is presented, deposit processing, change processing, receipt printing, and the like are executed. At that time, referring to the PLU from the product code, the product name and price are displayed and printed. At the same time, the settlement information is transmitted in real time to the server computer 60 via the first data management unit 13, the second data management unit 23, the communication processing unit 21 and the network 50. Even when the PLU master data on the server computer 60 side is updated, information is sent to the cash register apparatus 1 in real time and the P in the cash register apparatus 1 is updated.
LU information is updated.

This general settlement processing program ends when the first memory card 30 is removed from the first port 5. As a result, the thread of the idling program that has been in the stop state becomes the execution state, and the registration apparatus 1 enters the idling state (step 9). The register device 1 can be turned off from this idling state.

The operation when another memory card is inserted while the general settlement processing program is being executed (step 11) will be described below.
For example, the store manager inserts the second memory card 40 in which the PLU processing program (second external program) is recorded into the second port 6. The priority order (= 4) is stored in the priority order data storage area 47 of the second memory card 40.
The priority order of the second memory card 40 is read to the second data management unit 23 and sent to the application program processing unit 15 via the first data management unit 13. And
The priority (= 4) is compared with the priority (= 1) of the program (general payment processing program) currently being executed in the comparison unit 153 (step 13).

As a result of the comparison, since the priority of the PLU processing program of the second memory card is higher than the priority of the currently executed general settlement processing program, the PLU processing program is executed (step 15). Specifically, the general settlement processing program thread enters the stop state, and the PLU processing program is assigned to the new thread and enters the execution state. This PLU processing program allows the PL of the cash register 1 such as time service discount information.
U data is changed. When the PLU processing program is terminated by removing the second memory card 40, the thread of the general settlement processing program that has been in the stopped state becomes an execution state, and the general settlement processing can be performed in the cash register apparatus 1.
Note that the termination of the external program is not limited to removing the memory card, but it is substantially the same effect as removing the memory card by stopping the next execution when a predetermined routine of the external program is terminated. Is obtained.

During execution of the PLU processing program, the memory card of the first port may be replaced with a storage of the inspection processing program (priority order 3). In this case, since the priority (= 4) of the PLU processing program (execution program) is higher than the priority of the inspection processing program in the replaced memory card, the execution of the PLU processing program is not interrupted at all. Therefore, the store manager can set the memory card at an arbitrary timing when it is most convenient for business execution without considering the timing of inserting the memory card.
Then, after the execution of the PLU processing program is completed, the processing from step 11 is similarly repeated.
In this embodiment, when the priority order of the external program and the execution program is the same, the execution program is executed as it is. However, the external program can be executed preferentially.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a virus check in an Internet connection environment. The system configuration is the same as in FIG.
The priority order of the external program is two, “1” and “2”.
First, the first memory card in which the application program for the Internet connection environment with the priority = 1 is recorded is inserted into the system in the idling state (priority = 0).
Step 3). In accordance with the priority level, an application program for the Internet connection environment is executed, and for example, browser display and mail transmission / reception are possible (steps 5 and 7).
).
When information indicating that a high-risk virus has been found while connected to the Internet is entered, a second memory card in which an anti-virus program (detection program or removal program (vaccine)) is recorded is obtained. The priority of this second memory card is 2. Then, when this second memory card is inserted into the second port (step 11), the application program for the Internet connection environment having a low priority is interrupted and the anti-virus program is executed (steps 13 and 15). ). When the anti-virus program ends and the memory card is removed, execution of the Internet connection environment application program is resumed.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a game machine. The system configuration is the same as in FIG.
The priority order of the external program is two, “1” and “2”.
First, a first memory card on which a game program with priority = 1 is recorded is inserted into a system in an idling state (priority = 0) (step 3). According to the priority level, the game program is executed and the game can be played (steps 5 and 7).
When the learning time comes during the game play, a second memory card on which the learning program is recorded is prepared. The priority of this second memory card is 2. When this second memory card is inserted into the second port (step 11), the game program with the lower priority is interrupted and the learning program is executed (steps 13 and 15). And
When the learning program ends and the second memory card is removed, the execution of the game program is resumed.
In this embodiment, even if the memory card storing the game program is inserted again during the execution of the learning program, the game program cannot be executed. Therefore, the game machine is suitable for learning efficiency.

The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments and examples of the invention described above.
Various modifications may be included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the description of the scope of claims.

It is a perspective view which shows the cash register terminal of the Example of this invention. It is the functional block diagram of a cash register terminal similarly. It is a block diagram which shows the function of an application program process part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a priority determination part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus of an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cash register terminal 15 Application program process part 151 Priority order determination part 153 Comparison part 154 Program execution control part 155 Program execution part 157 Priority order preservation | save part

Claims (8)

A program execution device that reads and executes an external program stored in an external storage medium;
A program selection device that selects a program to be executed based on priority information possessed by the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device;
A program interruption device for temporarily interrupting an execution program being executed by the program execution device;
A program restarting device for restarting the suspended execution program;
With
When the program selection device compares the priority of the external program with the priority of the execution program, and the priority of the external program is higher than the execution program, the program interruption device interrupts the execution program. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the external program is executed, and the program resumption apparatus resumes execution of the suspended execution program after the external program ends. The external storage medium stores priority information corresponding to the program as priority electronic data,
The program selection device includes a priority data table corresponding to the priority electronic data, and when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device, reads the priority electronic data and compares it with the priority data table. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority order of the programs read from the external recording medium is determined. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program selection apparatus determines a priority order of programs based on mechanical characteristics of the external storage medium. A program execution method in a program execution device for reading and executing an external program stored in an external storage medium,
A priority order determining step for determining a priority order of the external program based on priority order information possessed by the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device;
A comparison step for comparing the priority of the external program with the priority of the currently executing execution program;
When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, the program selection step of suspending the execution program and executing the external program;
A program restarting step for restarting execution of the execution program that has been interrupted after the execution of the external program is completed;
A program execution method comprising: A computer program for a computer that reads and executes an external program stored in an external storage medium,
The computer
Priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the external program based on priority order information possessed by the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the program execution device;
Comparing means for comparing the priority of the external program with the priority of the currently executing execution program;
When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, program selection means for temporarily suspending the execution program and executing the external program;
Program resumption means for resuming execution of the execution program that has been suspended after the execution of the external program is completed;
A computer program that functions as a computer program. A plurality of connection ports for connecting external storage media;
A program execution device that reads and executes an external program stored in the external storage medium connected to the connection port;
A program selection device for selecting the external program to be read based on priority information possessed by the connection port;
A program interruption device for temporarily interrupting an execution program being executed by the program execution device;
A program restarting device for restarting the suspended execution program;
With
The program selection device compares the priority of the connection port to which the external storage medium is newly connected with the priority of the connection port to which the external storage medium that stores the currently executing execution program is connected. When the former priority is higher, the program interruption device interrupts the execution program, reads and executes the external program from the external storage medium connected to the connection port having a higher priority, and the external program ends. After that, the program resuming apparatus resumes execution of the execution program suspended. A program execution method in a program execution device for reading and executing an external program stored in the external storage medium connected to a plurality of connection ports,
A priority determining step for determining a priority of the external program based on priority information possessed by the connection port;
A comparison step for comparing the priority of the external program with the priority of the currently executing execution program;
When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, the program selection step of suspending the execution program and executing the external program;
A program restarting step for restarting execution of the execution program that has been interrupted after the execution of the external program is completed;
A program execution method comprising: A computer program for a computer that reads and executes an external program stored in the external storage medium connected to a plurality of connection ports,
The computer
Priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the external program based on the priority order information possessed by the connection port;
Comparing means for comparing the priority of the external program with the priority of the currently executing execution program;
When the priority of the external program is higher than the priority of the execution program, program selection means for temporarily suspending the execution program and executing the external program;
Program resumption means for resuming execution of the execution program that has been suspended after the execution of the external program is completed;
A computer program that functions as a computer program.

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